JP2016066223A - On-vehicle communication machine and roadside machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle communication machine and a roadside machine capable of switching the lighting state of a headlight from a high beam to a low beam in accordance with an ambient situation.SOLUTION: On-vehicle communication machine 10 includes: a communication part for performing information communication with an external communication machine; and a control part. The control part receives the current position and traveling direction of the other vehicle 1 and headlight information indicating the lighting state of a headlight via the communication part, and determines whether or not the lighting state of the other vehicle 1 is a high beam on the basis of the received headlight information, and when the lighting state is the high beam, allows the communication part to transmit information for notifying the other vehicle 1 that the lighting state is the high beam on the basis of the received current position and traveling direction of the other vehicle 1 and the current position of the own vehicle 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle and a roadside device that communicates with the in-vehicle communication device.

  There is known an automatic control device that automatically turns off the headlight when the vehicle stops at a signal light installation location (for example, Patent Document 1). In this automatic control device, the headlight is automatically turned off when a predetermined time elapses after the brake operation and a signal lamp is detected.

JP 2010-111146 A

  Generally, there are a low beam and a high beam as the lighting state of the headlight. The high beam has a merit that the irradiation range is wider than that of the low beam, but has a demerit that it becomes difficult for the driver of the other vehicle to grasp the surrounding situation when the other beam is irradiated. Therefore, it is effective to switch the lighting state of the headlight from the high beam to the low beam when a predetermined time has elapsed after the brake operation and a signal light is detected using the automatic control device described in Patent Document 1. It is believed that there is. However, in this case, there is an inconvenience that lighting control of the headlight is performed even when no other vehicle exists around the host vehicle. Further, in this configuration, the headlight lighting control is performed only under a limited situation in which the host vehicle is stopped waiting for a signal, and is not compatible with normal traveling.

  In view of this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle communication device and a roadside device that can switch the lighting state of a headlamp from a high beam to a low beam in accordance with the surrounding situation.

  The in-vehicle communication device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that performs information communication with an external communication device, and a control unit. The control unit receives the headlight information indicating the current position of the other vehicle, the traveling direction, and the lighting state of the headlamp via the communication unit, and based on the received headlight information, It is determined whether or not the lighting state is a high beam. If the lighting state is a high beam, the lighting state is determined based on the received current position of the other vehicle and the traveling direction and the current position of the host vehicle. Information for notifying the other vehicle of the high beam is transmitted to the communication unit.

  According to the in-vehicle communication device according to this aspect, when the host vehicle can receive the high beam of the other vehicle, information for notifying the other vehicle that the lighting state is the high beam is transmitted by the communication unit. Even if the lighting state of the other vehicle is a high beam, if the own vehicle does not exist in a range where the high beam can be received, information notifying that it is a high beam is not transmitted to the other vehicle. For example, even if the other vehicle is traveling with a high beam, the other vehicle does not receive the information for notifying the high beam unless the host vehicle exists in front of the other vehicle. Therefore, in other vehicles, receiving unnecessary notification information is avoided. Thereby, on the other vehicle side, it is possible to take measures such as notifying the driver that the lighting state is a high beam accurately according to the surrounding situation.

  In the in-vehicle communication device according to this aspect, the control unit notifies the other vehicle that the lighting state is a high beam when the current position of the host vehicle is included in a predetermined range in front of the other vehicle. It is possible to adopt a configuration that causes the communication unit to transmit information for doing so. Thus, by setting the current position of the own vehicle within a predetermined range in front of the other vehicle as a condition for notification to the other vehicle, for example, there is no possibility that the own vehicle still receives the high beam of the other vehicle. When the inter-vehicle distance is such, transmission of high beam notification information to other vehicles can be avoided. For this reason, the other vehicle side can take measures such as notifying the driver that the lighting state is a high beam more appropriately.

  An in-vehicle communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that performs information communication with an external communication device, and a control unit. The control unit receives the current position of the other vehicle via the communication unit, determines whether the lighting state of the host vehicle is a high beam, and if the lighting state is a high beam, Based on the current position, the current position of the host vehicle, and the traveling direction, predetermined control for changing the lighting state from a high beam to a low beam is executed.

  According to the in-vehicle communication device according to this aspect, when another vehicle can receive the high beam of the host vehicle, the predetermined control for changing the lighting state from the high beam to the low beam is performed. Even if the lighting state of the host vehicle is a high beam, the predetermined control for changing the lighting state from the high beam to the low beam is not performed if there is no other vehicle in a range where the high beam can be received. Thereby, the control which switches a lighting state exactly according to the surrounding condition can be performed.

  In the in-vehicle communication device according to this aspect, the control unit may be configured to execute the predetermined control when the current position of the other vehicle is included in a predetermined range in front of the host vehicle. Thus, by setting the current position of the other vehicle within the predetermined range in front of the host vehicle as a condition for executing the predetermined control, for example, the other vehicle may not yet receive the high beam of the host vehicle. When the distance between the vehicles is small, it can be avoided that the predetermined control for changing the lighting state from the high beam to the low beam is performed. For this reason, the control which switches a lighting state more appropriately can be performed.

  Moreover, the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus which concerns on this aspect WHEREIN: The said control part may be set as the structure which performs the control for alert | reporting a driver | operator that the said lighting state is a high beam as said predetermined control. By prompting the driver to switch the lighting state in this manner, a situation in which the driver suddenly switches the lighting state unexpectedly can be avoided.

  A roadside device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that performs information communication with an in-vehicle communication device, and a control unit. The control unit acquires the current position of the first vehicle, the traveling direction, the lighting state of the headlamp, and the current position of the second vehicle, based on the information received via the communication unit, It is determined whether or not the lighting state of the first vehicle is a high beam, and when the lighting state is a high beam, the current position and the traveling direction of the first vehicle and the current state of the second vehicle Based on the position, information for notifying the first vehicle that the lighting state is a high beam is transmitted to the communication unit.

  According to the roadside machine concerning this mode, when the 2nd vehicle can receive the high beam of the 1st vehicle, the information for notifying the 1st vehicle that the lighting state is the high beam is transmitted by the communication unit Is done. Even if the lighting state of the first vehicle is a high beam, if the second vehicle does not exist in a range where the high beam can be received, information notifying that it is a high beam is not transmitted to the first vehicle. . Thereby, on the first vehicle side, it is possible to take measures such as notifying the driver that the lighting state is a high beam accurately according to the surrounding situation.

  In the roadside machine according to this aspect, the control unit determines that the lighting state is a high beam when the current position of the second vehicle is included in a predetermined range in front of the first vehicle. Information for informing one vehicle may be configured to be transmitted to the communication unit. Thus, by setting the current position of the second vehicle within the predetermined range ahead of the first vehicle as a condition for notifying the first vehicle, for example, the second vehicle is still in the first vehicle When the vehicle distance is such that there is no possibility of receiving the high beam of the vehicle, it can be avoided that the high beam notification information is transmitted to the first vehicle. For this reason, on the first vehicle side, it is possible to take measures such as notifying the driver that the lighting state is a high beam more appropriately.

  In each of the above aspects, the “traveling direction” means the direction in which the vehicle is facing, and does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is moving in that direction. The “traveling direction” also includes the direction of the vehicle when it is temporarily stopped at the intersection when waiting for traffic lights or turning right, the direction of the vehicle immediately after starting the engine from the parking state, and the like.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle communication device and a roadside device that can switch the lighting state of a headlamp from a high beam to a low beam according to the surrounding situation.

  The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example when the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiment.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which the vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 1 is drive | working the road. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 1, and the structure of a vehicle-mounted communication apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure which shows the flowchart which shows the process which transmits the vehicle information which concerns on Embodiment 1, and vehicle information. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure which shows the process at the time of receiving the vehicle information which concerns on Embodiment 1, and another vehicle table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the flowchart which shows the process which transmits the lighting suppression information which concerns on Embodiment 1, and the structure of lighting suppression information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the message displayed on the flowchart and display part which show the process at the time of receiving the lighting suppression information which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines whether the other vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 2 exists in the front range of the own vehicle, and alert | reports. It is the schematic diagram which shows the roadside machine installed in the roadside which concerns on Embodiment 3, and the block diagram which shows the structure of a roadside machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process which transmits the lighting suppression information by the roadside machine which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the case of receiving the lighting suppression information, and the flowchart which shows the process which transmits the lighting suppression information which concerns on the example of a change.

  Hereinafter, Embodiments 1 to 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the vehicle 1 is traveling on a road. The vehicle 1 is equipped with an in-vehicle communication device 10 having a unique ID. The ID of the in-vehicle communication device 10 identifies not only the in-vehicle communication device 10 but also the vehicle 1 in which the in-vehicle communication device 10 is mounted. In FIG. 1, four vehicles 1 are shown, and the IDs of the four in-vehicle communication devices 10 (four vehicles 1) are 1 to 4, respectively.

  The vehicle 1 includes a headlamp unit 11 (see FIG. 2) for emitting light forward. The lighting state of the headlamp unit 11 can be switched between high beam, low beam, and extinguishment by the driver's operation. The high beam extends up to about 100 m ahead of the vehicle 1. Hereinafter, an irradiation range of the high beam emitted from the vehicle 1 is referred to as a “high beam range”, and a range in which the front end of the high beam range is expanded forward by a predetermined distance is referred to as a “front range”. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the lighting state of the vehicle 1 with ID = 1 is a high beam, and the lighting state of the vehicle 1 with ID = 2-4 is a low beam.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the high beam emitted from the vehicle 1 with ID = 1 is applied to the vehicle 1 with ID = 2. Thus, when the vehicle 1 enters the high beam range of the other vehicle 1, it becomes difficult for the driver of the vehicle 1 in the high beam range to grasp the surrounding situation. Further, although the high beam emitted from the vehicle 1 with ID = 1 is not applied to the vehicle 1 with ID = 3, the vehicle 1 with ID = 1 moves forward, so that the vehicle 1 with ID = 3 There is a high possibility of entering the high beam range of the vehicle 1 of = 1. Thus, if the vehicle 1 is in the forward direction of the other vehicle 1 and enters the front range of the other vehicle 1, the driver of the vehicle 1 entering the front range may soon be difficult to grasp the surrounding situation. high.

  Therefore, when another vehicle 1 enters the front range of the vehicle 1, the lighting state is switched from the high beam to the low beam in the vehicle 1 whose lighting state is the high beam. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the vehicle 1 with ID = 3 enters the front range of the vehicle 1 with ID = 1, the lighting state of the vehicle 1 with ID = 1 is switched from the high beam to the low beam. As a result, it is possible to prevent the vehicle 1 with ID = 3 that will soon enter the high beam range from actually entering the high beam range. Hereinafter, a configuration and procedure for realizing such a function will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle 1 and the configuration of the in-vehicle communication device 10.

  The vehicle 1 includes an in-vehicle communication device 10 and a headlamp unit 11. The in-vehicle communication device 10 is detachably installed in the vehicle 1, and the headlamp unit 11 is installed in the vehicle 1 in advance. The in-vehicle communication device 10 includes a control unit 101, a position acquisition unit 102, an orientation acquisition unit 103, a communication unit 104, a storage unit 105, an input unit 106, a display unit 107, and an audio output unit 108. Prepare.

  The control unit 101 receives signals from each unit of the in-vehicle communication device 10 and controls each unit of the in-vehicle communication device 10. In addition, the control unit 101 receives the lighting state of the headlamp unit 11 and controls the lighting state of the headlamp unit 11. The position acquisition unit 102 acquires latitude, longitude, and altitude information that is position information of the vehicle 1 based on the GPS system. The direction acquisition unit 103 acquires the direction in which the vehicle 1 is facing (traveling direction) as an azimuth angle. The communication unit 104 performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle communication device 10 installed in the other vehicle 1. In addition, the communication distance by the communication part 104 is about 1 km at a place with a good line of sight, and is about 200 m to 300 m at a place with a shielding object such as an urban area.

  The storage unit 105 stores an ID unique to the in-vehicle communication device 10 as described above, a program executed by the control unit 101, and various data. The storage unit 105 is also used as a work area for the control unit 101. The input unit 106 is a button or a touch panel for receiving input from the driver. The display unit 107 is a display for displaying character information and graphic information. The audio output unit 108 is a speaker for outputting audio.

  FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing a process for transmitting vehicle information.

  The control unit 101 transmits vehicle information to the other in-vehicle communication device 10 by broadcasting via the communication unit 104 (S101). As shown in FIG. 3B, the vehicle information includes a transmission destination, an ID, a position, an azimuth angle, and headlight information. The transmission destination is information indicating the ID of the in-vehicle communication device 10 that is the transmission destination, and information that does not always limit the transmission destination is set in the vehicle information. ID is the ID of the in-vehicle communication device 10. The position is position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 102 of the in-vehicle communication device 10. The azimuth angle is an azimuth angle acquired by the azimuth acquisition unit 103 of the in-vehicle communication device 10. The headlamp information is a value corresponding to the lighting state of the vehicle 1 on which the in-vehicle communication device 10 is mounted. The headlamp information is 0 when the lighting state is off, 1 when the lighting state is low beam, and 2 when the lighting state is high beam. The position of the vehicle information to be transmitted, the azimuth angle, and the headlamp information are always the latest values.

  After transmitting the vehicle information, the control unit 101 waits for processing until 100 ms elapses (S102). When 100 ms has elapsed (S102: YES), the control unit 101 returns the process to S101. In this way, the control unit 101 continues to transmit vehicle information to surrounding vehicle-mounted communication devices 10 at 100 ms intervals.

  FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing processing when vehicle information is received.

  When the control unit 101 receives vehicle information from another in-vehicle communication device 10 via the communication unit 104 (S111: YES), the ID included in the received vehicle information is referred to the other vehicle table with reference to the other vehicle table. Is unregistered (S112). The other vehicle table is stored in the storage unit 105, and includes an ID, a position, an azimuth angle, and headlight information, as shown in FIG. 4B. In the example of the other vehicle table shown in FIG. 4B, information on three other vehicles 1 is stored.

  If the ID of the received vehicle information is unregistered (S112: YES), the control unit 101 displays the ID, the position, the azimuth, and the headlight information included in the received vehicle information, in the other vehicle table. (S113). On the other hand, if the ID of the received vehicle information has been registered (S112: NO), the control unit 101 has received the position, the azimuth, and the headlamp information that are already stored in the other vehicle table. Update based on the vehicle information (S114). In this way, the processing of S111 to S114 is repeated.

  As described above, when the other vehicle table is updated by receiving the surrounding vehicle information, the in-vehicle communication device 10 determines the position, the azimuth angle, and the headlamp unit 11 for the other vehicle 1 existing around the own vehicle 1. The lighting state of can be grasped. In addition, the information regarding the other vehicle 1 registered in the other vehicle table is deleted from the other vehicle table when it is not updated for a certain period of time.

  FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting lighting suppression information.

  The control unit 101 refers to the first other vehicle 1 in the other vehicle table (S121), and determines whether the lighting state of the other vehicle 1 is a high beam based on the headlamp information of the other vehicle 1 being referred to. (S122). For example, when the other vehicle table is in the state shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 101 first determines whether the headlight information item in the first row (ID = 1) is “2”.

  When the lighting state of the other vehicle 1 being referred to is a high beam (S122: YES), the control unit 101 determines whether or not the host vehicle 1 is in the forward range of the other vehicle 1 being referred to (S123). . Specifically, the control unit 101 calculates the front range of the other vehicle 1 based on the position and azimuth angle of the other vehicle 1 being referred to, and the position acquisition unit 102 of the host vehicle 1 adds the front range to the calculated front range. It is determined whether the acquired position is included.

  When the host vehicle 1 is in the forward range of the other vehicle 1 being referred to (S123: YES), the control unit 101 broadcasts the lighting suppression information to the other in-vehicle communication device 10 via the communication unit 104. Transmit (S124). The lighting suppression information includes a transmission destination and a transmission source as shown in FIG. The transmission destination is the ID of the in-vehicle communication device 10 of the other vehicle 1 being referred to, and the transmission source is the ID of the in-vehicle communication device 10 that transmits the lighting suppression information. For example, when the ID of the in-vehicle communication device 10 performing the process of FIG. 5A is 2 and the vehicle 1 with ID = 2 is in the front range of the vehicle 1 with ID = 1, FIG. The lighting suppression information shown in FIG. When the lighting state of the other vehicle 1 is not a high beam (S122: NO), and when the host vehicle 1 is not in the forward range of the other vehicle 1 (S123: NO), S124 is skipped.

  Subsequently, when the control unit 101 does not refer to all the other vehicles 1 in the other vehicle table (S125: NO), the control unit 101 refers to the other vehicle 1 next to the other vehicle table (S126), and again in S122 to S124. Process. For example, when the other vehicle table is in the state shown in FIG. 4B, if the control unit 101 refers to the other vehicle 1 in the first row (ID = 1), then the second row (ID = 3). ) Referring to the other vehicle 1, the processes of S122 to S124 are performed. When the control unit 101 refers to all the other vehicles 1 in the other vehicle table and performs the processes of S122 to S124 for all the other vehicles 1 (S125: YES), the control unit 101 returns the process to S121. In this way, the processing of S121 to S126 is repeated.

  FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing processing when lighting suppression information is received.

  When the control unit 101 receives the lighting suppression information from another in-vehicle communication device 10 via the communication unit 104 (S131: YES), the transmission destination included in the received lighting suppression information is addressed to itself, that is, its own ID. Is determined (S132). When the transmission destination is addressed to itself (S132: YES), the control unit 101 notifies the driver that the lighting state of the host vehicle 1 is a high beam (S133). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the control unit 101 displays a message “Please switch from high beam to low beam” on the display unit 107. When the transmission destination is not addressed to itself (S132: NO), the control unit 101 returns the process to S131. In this way, the processing of S131 to S133 is repeated.

  In step S133, the control unit 101 may output a voice corresponding to the message from the voice output unit 108. In S133, the control unit 101 may switch the lighting state of the headlamp unit 11 from the high beam to the low beam by controlling the headlamp unit 11 together with the display of the message.

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
As mentioned above, according to Embodiment 1, the following effects are produced.

  The in-vehicle communication device 10 continues to transmit vehicle information including headlight information to surrounding vehicles 1 and continues to update the other vehicle table based on the received vehicle information. Thereby, the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 10 can always know the position of the surrounding vehicle 1, an azimuth angle, and headlamp information. The in-vehicle communication device 10 continues to determine whether the host vehicle 1 is included in the front range of the other vehicle 1 based on the other vehicle table, and determines that the host vehicle 1 is included in the front range of the other vehicle 1. Then, the lighting suppression information is transmitted to the other vehicle 1 that is the origin of the front range including the host vehicle 1. When receiving the lighting suppression information addressed to itself, the in-vehicle communication device 10 notifies the driver that the lighting state is a high beam. Therefore, the driver can be notified that the beam emitted from the headlamp unit 11 is a high beam in accordance with the surrounding conditions. Thereby, the driver can switch the lighting state from the high beam to the low beam.

  In addition, lighting suppression information is transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device 10 of the vehicle 1 that actually enters the front range to the in-vehicle communication device 10 of the vehicle 1 that is the source of the front range. Thereby, the vehicle-mounted communication device 10 of the vehicle 1 whose lighting state is the high beam notifies the driver only when the high beam of the host vehicle 1 is troublesome for the other vehicle 1. In other words, the vehicle-mounted communication device 10 of the vehicle 1 whose lighting state is high beam does not notify the driver that the vehicle 1 is high beam when the other vehicle 1 is not present around the host vehicle 1. Therefore, unnecessary notification to the driver is suppressed, so that convenience for the driver is improved.

  Further, the lighting suppression information is transmitted only when the vehicle 1 is in the front range of the other vehicle 1. That is, the lighting suppression information is not transmitted from all the vehicles 1 within the range (about 200 m to 1 km) in which the lighting state of the vehicle 1 can communicate with the vehicle 1. Therefore, when the distance between the high beam vehicle 1 and the surrounding vehicle 1 is such that there is no possibility that the surrounding vehicle 1 receives the high beam, the lighting suppression information is transmitted from the surrounding vehicle 1. Is avoided.

  Note that the forward width of the front range is determined based on how much the vehicle 1 is prevented from entering the high beam range and how much transmission of the lighting suppression information is suppressed. For example, when the front width of the front range is set to be small so as to approach the front width of the high beam range, the lighting suppression information is transmitted immediately before the timing at which the surrounding vehicle 1 is actually inconvenienced. Become. In this case, although possibility that the vehicle 1 will enter into the high beam range will rise, the transmission frequency of lighting suppression information is suppressed. On the other hand, when the front width of the front range is set to be large, the lighting suppression information is transmitted earlier than the timing at which the surrounding vehicle 1 is actually inconvenienced. In this case, although the transmission frequency of lighting suppression information will rise, possibility that the vehicle 1 will enter into the high beam range is suppressed. The forward width of the front range is determined in consideration of such points.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 10 determines whether the host vehicle 1 is included in the front range of the other vehicle 1, and when the host vehicle 1 is included in the front range of the other vehicle 1, the lighting suppression information is displayed in the other vehicle. Sent to 1. In the second embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 10 determines whether the other vehicle 1 is included in the front range of the host vehicle 1. In the second embodiment, the processes shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and instead of the processes shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, FIG. The process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining whether or not the other vehicle 1 is in the front range of the host vehicle 1 and performing notification.

  The control unit 101 refers to the lighting state of the headlamp unit 11 and determines whether the lighting state of the host vehicle 1 is a high beam (S201). When the lighting state of the own vehicle 1 is a high beam (S201: YES), the control unit 101 refers to the first other vehicle 1 in the other vehicle table (S202), and the other vehicle 1 being referred to is the own vehicle 1. It is determined whether it is in the forward range (S203). Specifically, the control unit 101 calculates the front range of the host vehicle 1 based on the position and azimuth of the host vehicle 1 and whether the calculated front range includes the position of the other vehicle 1 being referred to. Determine.

  When the other vehicle 1 being referred to is in the front range of the host vehicle 1 (S203: YES), the control unit 101 is in a high beam lighting state of the host vehicle 1 as in S133 of FIG. This is notified to the driver (S204). Also in this case, the control unit 101 displays a message on the display unit 107 as shown in FIG. In S204, the control unit 101 may output a voice corresponding to the message from the voice output unit 108. In S204, the control unit 101 may switch the lighting state of the headlamp unit 11 from the high beam to the low beam by controlling the headlamp unit 11 together with the display of the message. As described above, when the above message is displayed even when the lighting state is automatically switched, a situation in which the driver suddenly switches the lighting state unexpectedly is avoided.

  After performing the notification in S204, the control unit 101 returns the process to S201. On the other hand, if the other vehicle 1 being referred to is not within the front range of the host vehicle 1 (S203: NO), the control unit 101 advances the process to S205. When the control unit 101 does not refer to all other vehicles 1 in the other vehicle table (S205: NO), the control unit 101 refers to the other vehicle 1 next to the other vehicle table (S206), and returns the process to S203. On the other hand, the control part 101 returns a process to S201, when all the other vehicles 1 of an other vehicle table are referred (S205: YES).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 10 continues to determine whether the other vehicle 1 is included in the front range of the own vehicle 1 based on the other vehicle table. If it is determined that it is included in the range, the driver is notified that the lighting state is a high beam. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the driver can be notified that the beam emitted from the headlamp unit 11 is a high beam in accordance with the surrounding conditions. Thereby, the driver can switch the lighting state from the high beam to the low beam. Further, as in the first embodiment, since unnecessary notification to the driver is suppressed, the convenience for the driver is improved.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 10 determines whether the host vehicle 1 is included in the front range of the other vehicle 1. In the second embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 10 determines that the other vehicle 1 is in the front range of the own vehicle 1. Was included. In the third embodiment, the roadside machine 20 installed on the roadside determines whether the vehicle 1 is included in the forward range of the other vehicle 1.

  Fig.8 (a) is a schematic diagram which shows the roadside machine 20 installed in the roadside. The roadside machine 20 is installed at a point where it is difficult for the driver to grasp the surrounding situation due to high beams, such as an intersection, and an accident is likely to occur.

  FIG. 8B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the roadside machine 20. The roadside machine 20 includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 202, and a storage unit 203. The control unit 201 receives a signal from each part of the roadside machine 20 and controls each part of the roadside machine 20. The communication unit 202 performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle communication device 10 installed in the vehicle 1. The storage unit 203 stores a program executed by the control unit 201 and various data. The storage unit 203 is also used as a work area for the control unit 201.

  In the third embodiment, the processing illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 6A is performed by the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle communication device 10 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The process illustrated in FIG. 4A is performed by the control unit 201 of the roadside device 20 instead of the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle communication device 10. In this case, the other vehicle table shown in FIG. 4B is stored in the storage unit 203 of the roadside machine 20. Further, instead of the process shown in FIG. 5A, the process shown in FIG. 9 is performed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting lighting suppression information by the roadside device 20.

  The control unit 201 refers to the first vehicle 1 in the other vehicle table (S301), and based on the headlamp information of the vehicle 1 being referred to (hereinafter referred to as “first vehicle”), It is determined whether the lighting state of the vehicle is a high beam (S302). When the lighting state of the first vehicle is a high beam (S302: YES), the control unit 201 sets a vehicle 1 other than the first vehicle in the other vehicle table (hereinafter, “second” in the front range of the first vehicle). It is determined whether or not the vehicle is called (S303). Specifically, the control unit 201 calculates the front range of the first vehicle based on the position and the azimuth angle of the first vehicle, and determines whether the position of the second vehicle is included in the calculated front range. judge.

  When the second vehicle is in the front range of the first vehicle (S303: YES), the control unit 201 transmits the lighting suppression information to the in-vehicle communication device 10 by broadcasting via the communication unit 202 (S304). ). The transmission destination of the lighting suppression information is the ID of the in-vehicle communication device 10 of the first vehicle, and the transmission source of the lighting suppression information is an ID unique to the roadside device 20. When it is determined NO in S302 and when it is determined NO in S303, S304 is skipped.

  Subsequently, when the control unit 201 does not refer to all the vehicles 1 in the other vehicle table (S305: NO), the control unit 201 refers to the next vehicle 1 in the other vehicle table (S306) and performs the processes of S302 to S304. . When the control unit 201 refers to all the vehicles 1 in the other vehicle table and performs the processes of S302 to S304 for all the vehicles 1 (S305: YES), the process returns to S301. In this way, the processing of S301 to S306 is repeated again.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the roadside machine 20 continues to determine whether the second vehicle is included in the forward range of the first vehicle based on the other vehicle table. When the roadside device 20 determines that the second vehicle is included in the forward range of the first vehicle, the roadside device 20 transmits lighting suppression information to the first vehicle. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the driver can be notified that the beam emitted from the headlamp unit 11 is a high beam in accordance with the surrounding conditions. Further, as in the first embodiment, since unnecessary notification to the driver is suppressed, the convenience for the driver is improved.

  As mentioned above, although Embodiment 1-3 of this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not restrict | limited to Embodiment 1-3 at all.

  For example, in S123, S203, and S303, it is determined whether the vehicle 1 is in the front range, but instead, it may be determined whether the vehicle 1 is in the high beam range. In this case, although it is impossible to prevent the vehicle 1 from entering the high beam range, when the vehicle 1 enters the high beam range, the driver of the vehicle 1 that is the source of the high beam range is notified. Accordingly, the driver can switch the lighting state to the low beam according to the surrounding situation.

  Further, in S133 and S204, the control unit 101 may display different messages on the display unit 107 according to the forward width of the front range. For example, when the forward width of the front range is set large, the control unit 101 may display a message “There is another vehicle ahead. Please switch from high beam to low beam”. In this way, the driver of the vehicle 1 whose lighting state is the high beam can know that the other vehicle 1 is in front even when the other vehicle 1 in front is not visible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, S401 may be added in place of S123 in the process shown in FIG. In step S401, the control unit 101 determines whether the distance from the other vehicle 1 being referenced to the host vehicle 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the distance from the other vehicle 1 to the host vehicle 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S401: YES), the control unit 101 transmits lighting suppression information whose transmission destination is the ID of the in-vehicle communication device 10 of the other vehicle 1 ( S124). In this case, regardless of the front range of the other vehicle 1, the lighting suppression information is transmitted when the distance between the other vehicle 1 and the host vehicle 1 is short. Similarly, in the process illustrated in FIG. 7, instead of S <b> 203, a process for determining whether the distance from the referenced other vehicle 1 to the host vehicle 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined value may be added.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the process shown in FIG. 6A, S411 may be added after S132. In S411, the control unit 101 determines whether the speed of the host vehicle 1 acquired from the speed acquisition unit (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is zero. When the lighting suppression information is addressed to itself (S132: YES) and the speed of the host vehicle 1 is 0 (S411: YES), the control unit 101 notifies the driver (S133). In this case, even if the lighting state of the host vehicle 1 is a high beam, no notification is made that the host vehicle 1 is running. Similarly, in the process illustrated in FIG. 7, a process of determining whether the speed of the host vehicle 1 is 0 may be added to the subsequent stage of S203.

  Further, the front range is a range in which the front end of the high beam range is widened forward by a predetermined distance. However, not only the front end of the high beam range but also both side ends may be widened outward.

  In the first and second embodiments, vehicle information and lighting suppression information are communicated by communication between the vehicle 1 and the vehicle 1 (so-called inter-vehicle communication). When the other information is received by the other vehicle 1 via the roadside device 20, the communication between the vehicles 1 may be performed.

  In addition, the embodiment of the present invention can be variously modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle 10 ... In-vehicle communication device (vehicle communication device, external communication device)
11… Headlamp (headlamp)
20 ... Roadside machine (roadside machine, external communication device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Control part 104 ... Communication part 201 ... Control part 202 ... Communication part

Claims (7)

A communication unit that performs information communication with an external communication device;
A control unit,
The control unit receives the headlight information indicating the current position of the other vehicle, the traveling direction, and the lighting state of the headlamp via the communication unit, and based on the received headlight information, It is determined whether or not the lighting state is a high beam. If the lighting state is a high beam, the lighting state is determined based on the received current position of the other vehicle and the traveling direction and the current position of the host vehicle. An in-vehicle communication device characterized by causing the communication unit to transmit information for notifying the other vehicle that it is a high beam. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1,
When the current position of the host vehicle is included in a predetermined range in front of the other vehicle, the control unit transmits information for notifying the other vehicle that the lighting state is a high beam. An in-vehicle communication device characterized in that A communication unit that performs information communication with an external communication device;
A control unit,
The control unit receives the current position of the other vehicle via the communication unit, determines whether the lighting state of the host vehicle is a high beam, and if the lighting state is a high beam, An in-vehicle communication device that performs predetermined control for changing the lighting state from a high beam to a low beam based on the current position, a current position of the host vehicle, and a traveling direction. In the in-vehicle communication device according to claim 3,
The vehicle-mounted communication device, wherein the control unit executes the predetermined control when the current position of the other vehicle is included in a predetermined range in front of the host vehicle. In the in-vehicle communication device according to claim 3 or 4,
The on-board communication device, wherein the control unit executes, as the predetermined control, control for notifying a driver that the lighting state is a high beam. A communication unit that performs information communication with the in-vehicle communication device;
A control unit,
The control unit acquires the current position of the first vehicle, the traveling direction, the lighting state of the headlamp, and the current position of the second vehicle, based on the information received via the communication unit, It is determined whether or not the lighting state of the first vehicle is a high beam, and when the lighting state is a high beam, the current position and the traveling direction of the first vehicle and the current state of the second vehicle A roadside machine characterized by causing the communication unit to transmit information for notifying the first vehicle that the lighting state is a high beam based on a position. In the roadside machine according to claim 6,
The control unit is configured to notify the first vehicle that the lighting state is a high beam when the current position of the second vehicle is included in a predetermined range in front of the first vehicle. A roadside machine characterized by causing information to be transmitted to the communication unit.

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