Vehicle illumination device, vehicle and illumination control system

An illumination device provided in a vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode is provided with: an illumination unit configured so that light is emitted toward the outside of the vehicle; and an illumination control unit configured so that, on the basis of an illumination control signal transmitted from another vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode and provided with an illumination unit, the illumination state of the illumination unit corresponds to the illumination state of the illumination unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle illumination device. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle illumination device provided to a vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode. Also, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle having a vehicle illumination device, and an illumination control system including the vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, research on an automatic driving technique of an automobile has been actively conducted in each country, and each country is considering the legislation so as to enable a vehicle (hereinafter, a “vehicle” refer to an automobile) to travel in an automatic driving mode on public roads. Here, in the automatic driving mode, a vehicle system automatically controls travelling of a vehicle. Specifically, in the automatic driving mode, the vehicle system performs at least one of a steering control (control a travelling direction of the vehicle), a brake control and an accelerator control (control of braking and acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle) based on various information obtained from a camera, a sensor, a radar and the like. On the other hand, in a manual driving mode to be described later, a driver controls the travelling of the vehicle, as in most of conventional vehicles. Specifically, in the manual driving mode, the travelling of the vehicle is controlled in conformity with a driver's operation (a steering operation, a braking operation, and an accelerator operation), and the vehicle system does not automatically perform the steering control, the brake control and the accelerator control. Meanwhile, the driving mode of the vehicle is not a concept existing only in some vehicles but a concept existing in all vehicles including conventional vehicles having no automatic driving function. For example, the driving mode of the vehicle is classified in accordance with a vehicle control method or the like.

Thus, in the future, it is expected that vehicles travelling in the automatic driving mode (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “automatic driving vehicle”) and vehicles travelling in the manual driving mode (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “manual driving vehicle”) coexist on public roads. Particularly, in a situation where the vehicles travelling in the automatic driving mode and the vehicles travelling in the manual driving mode coexist, it is preferable that a state of inter-vehicle communication between one automatic driving vehicle and the other automatic driving vehicle is presented to an outside, from a standpoint of safety.

Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic follow-up travelling system in which a following vehicle can automatically follow a preceding vehicle. In the automatic follow-up travelling system, each of the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle has a display device, character information for preventing the other vehicle from intruding between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle is displayed on the display device of the preceding vehicle, and character information indicative of the automatic follow-up travelling mode is displayed on the display device of the following vehicle.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY

Problem to be Solved

Patent Document 1 does not consider a vehicle illumination device and an illumination control system capable of presenting information, which indicates that one automatic driving vehicle is performing communication with the other automatic driving vehicle under specific situations (for example, a situation at an intersection point), toward an outside such as a pedestrian and the like.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle illumination device capable of presenting information, which indicates that one automatic driving vehicle is performing communication with the other automatic driving vehicle, toward an outside such as a pedestrian and the like. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle having the vehicle illumination device and an illumination control system including the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problem

A vehicle illumination device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle illumination device provided to a vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode. The vehicle illumination device includes:

a first illumination unit configured to irradiate light toward an outside of the vehicle; and

a first illumination control unit configured to control the first illumination unit based on an illumination control signal transmitted from another vehicle capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode and including the second illumination unit, such that an illumination state of the first illumination unit corresponds to an illumination state of a second illumination unit.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide the vehicle illumination device capable of presenting information, which indicates that a host vehicle capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode is performing communication with the other vehicle capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode, toward an outside such as a pedestrian and the like. In other words, it is possible to visualize a state of inter-vehicle communication between the vehicles capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode by the vehicle illumination device. For example, since the pedestrian and the like can check safety of the host vehicle and the other vehicle by seeing the information indicating that the host vehicle is performing communication with the other vehicle, the pedestrian can cross in relief a crosswalk and the like. Also, since a driver of a separate vehicle can check safety of the host vehicle and the other vehicle by seeing the information indicating that the host vehicle is performing communication with the other vehicle, the driver can pass in relief an intersection point or overtake in relief the host vehicle and the other vehicle.

Also, the first illumination control unit may be configured to control the first illumination unit to blink in synchronization with the second illumination unit.

According to the above configuration, the pedestrian and the like can perceive that the host vehicle is performing communication with the other vehicle by seeing a situation where the first illumination unit is blinking in synchronization with the second illumination unit.

Also, the first illumination control unit may be configured to control the first illumination unit such that an illumination color of the first illumination unit corresponds to an illumination color of the second illumination unit.

According to the above configuration, the pedestrian and the like can perceive that the host vehicle is performing communication with the other vehicle by seeing a situation where the illumination color of the first illumination unit corresponds to the illumination color of the second illumination unit.

Also, a vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode may be provided which includes the vehicle illumination device, a first wireless communication unit configured to receive the illumination control signal and a vehicle control unit configured to control traveling of the vehicle.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide the vehicle capable of presenting information, which indicates that the host vehicle capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode is performing communication with the other vehicle capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode, toward an outside such as a pedestrian and the like.

An illumination control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

a second vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode and including:a second illumination unit configured to irradiate light toward an outside;a second illumination control unit configured to control the second illumination unit;a control signal generation unit configured to generate an illumination control signal; anda second wireless communication unit configured to transmit the illumination control signal; and

a first vehicle capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode and including:a first wireless communication unit configured to receive the illumination control signal;a first illumination unit configured to irradiate light toward the outside; anda first illumination control unit configured to control the first illumination unit based on the illumination control signal such that an illumination state of the first illumination unit corresponds to an illumination state of the second illumination unit.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide the illumination control system capable of presenting information, which indicates that the first vehicle capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode is performing communication with the second vehicle capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode, toward an outside such as a pedestrian and the like.

Also, when the first vehicle exists within a predetermined range from the second vehicle, the first wireless communication unit may be able to receive the illumination control signal from the second wireless communication unit.

According to the above configuration, the first vehicle existing within the predetermined range from the second vehicle can present information, which indicates that the first vehicle is performing communication with the second vehicle, toward an outside such as a pedestrian and the like. Accordingly, the pedestrian and the like in the vicinity of the first vehicle or the second vehicle can check the safety of the first vehicle and the second vehicle by seeing the information.

Also, when the first vehicle and the second vehicle exist in the vicinity of an intersection point, the first wireless communication unit may be able to receive the illumination control signal from the second wireless communication unit.

According to the above configuration, the first vehicle existing in the vicinity of the intersection point can present information, which indicates that the first vehicle is performing communication with the second vehicle, toward an outside such as a pedestrian and the like. Accordingly, the pedestrian and the like in the vicinity of the intersection point can check the safety of the first vehicle and the second vehicle by seeing the information, and can cross in relief a crosswalk and the like.

Also, the second vehicle may be a vehicle that appears in the vicinity of the intersection point temporally earlier than the first vehicle.

According to the above configuration, a vehicle that appears temporally earliest in the vicinity of the intersection point is a master vehicle (second vehicle), and a vehicle that appears in the vicinity of the intersection point temporally later than the master vehicle is a slave vehicle (first vehicle).

Also, the first vehicle and the second vehicle may belong to a group of vehicles traveling in a row traveling mode, and

the second vehicle may be a leading vehicle of the group of vehicles and the first vehicle may be a following vehicle of the group of vehicles.

According to the above configuration, a leading vehicle of the group of vehicles traveling in the row traveling mode is a master vehicle (second vehicle), and a following vehicle except the leading vehicle is a slave vehicle (first vehicle). Also, it is possible to provide the illumination control system capable of presenting information, which indicates that the leading vehicle and following vehicle belonging to the group of vehicles traveling in the row traveling mode are performing communication with each other, toward an outside. For example, since a driver of a following vehicle traveling in a manual driving mode behind the group of vehicles can visually recognize that the group of vehicles is traveling in the row traveling mode, the driver can overtake in relief the group of vehicles.

Effects

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide the vehicle illumination device capable of presenting the information, which indicates that one automatic driving vehicle is performing communication with the other automatic driving vehicle, toward an outside such as a pedestrian, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as “the embodiment”) will be described with reference to the drawings. Meanwhile, in the below, for the sake of convenience of description, the description of members having the same reference numerals as those already described in the description of the embodiment will be omitted. Also, for the sake of convenience of description, dimensions of the respective members shown in the drawings may be different from actual dimensions of the respective members.

Also, in the description of the embodiment, for the sake of convenience of description, “the right and left direction”, “the front and rear direction” and “the vertical direction” will be appropriately mentioned. The directions are relative directions set with respect to a vehicle1shown inFIG. 1. Here, “the vertical direction” is a direction including “the upward direction” and “the downward direction”. “the front and rear direction” is a direction including “the forward direction” and “the rearward direction”. “the right and left direction” is a direction including “the leftward direction” and “the rightward direction”.

A vehicle illumination device4according to the embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as “illumination device4”) is described.FIG. 1Ais a plan view of the vehicle1, andFIG. 1Bis a left side view of the vehicle1. The vehicle1is a vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode, and includes the illumination device4. The illumination device4includes an illumination unit42, and an illumination control unit43(refer toFIG. 2). The illumination unit42is arranged on a vehicle body roof100A of the vehicle1, and is configured to irradiate light toward an outside of the vehicle1. In particular, the illumination unit42is configured to irradiate light over an entire circumference (360°) of the illumination unit42in a horizontal direction. Here, the horizontal direction refers to a direction including the front and rear direction and the right and left direction.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment, the single illumination unit42is arranged on the vehicle body roof100A. However, the number, arrangement, shape and the like of the illumination unit42are not particularly limited. For example, the two illumination units42of the four illumination units42may be respectively arranged in a left headlamp20L and a right headlamp20R, and the other illumination units42may be respectively arranged in a left rear combination lamp30L and a right rear combination lamp30R. Also, the illumination unit42may be arranged to surround a side surface100B of the vehicle1.

Subsequently, a vehicle system2of the vehicle1is described with reference toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is a block diagram of the vehicle system2. As shown inFIG. 2, the vehicle system2includes a vehicle control unit3, the illumination device4, a sensor5, a camera6, a radar7, a HMI (Human Machine Interface)8, a GPS (Global Positioning System)9, a wireless communication unit10(the first wireless communication unit), and a map information storage11. In addition, the vehicle system2includes a steering actuator12, a steering device13, a brake actuator14, a brake device15, an accelerator actuator16, and an accelerator device17.

The vehicle control unit3is configured to control travelling of the vehicle1. The vehicle control unit3is configured by, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU). The electronic control unit includes a microcontroller having a processor and a memory, and other electronic circuits (for example, transistors, and the like). The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and/or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which diverse vehicle control programs (for example, an artificial intelligence (AI) program for automatic driving, and the like) are stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) in which diverse vehicle control data is temporarily stored. The processor is configured to develop, on the RAM, a program designated from the diverse vehicle control programs stored in the ROM and to execute a variety of processes in cooperation with the RAM.

The illumination device4includes the illumination unit42and the illumination control unit43. The illumination unit42includes one or more light emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or laser and is configured to irradiate light toward the outside of the vehicle1. The illumination control unit43is configured by an electronic control unit (ECU). The illumination control unit43is electrically connected to a power supply (not shown), and includes a microcontroller having a processor such as a CPU and a GPU and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and other electronic circuits (for example, a drive circuit such as an LED driver). In the embodiment, the vehicle control unit3and the illumination control unit43are provided as separate components but may be integrally configured. That is, the illumination control unit43and the vehicle control unit3may be configured by a single electronic control unit. The illumination control unit43is configured to control the illumination unit42based on an illumination control signal transmitted from another vehicle including an illumination unit, such that an illumination state of the illumination unit42corresponds to an illumination state of the illumination unit of the other vehicle. For example, the illumination control unit43may be configured to control the illumination unit42to blink in synchronization with the illumination unit of the other vehicle. Also, the illumination control unit43may be configured to control the illumination unit42such that an illumination color of the illumination unit42corresponds to an illumination color of the illumination unit of the other vehicle.

The sensor5includes an acceleration sensor, a speed sensor, a gyro sensor, and the like. The sensor5is configured to detect a travelling condition of the vehicle1and to output travelling condition information to the vehicle control unit3. The sensor5may further include a seating sensor configured to detect whether a driver is sitting on a driver seat, a face direction sensor configured to detect a direction of a driver's face, an external weather sensor configured to detect an external weather condition, a passenger detection sensor configured to detect whether there is a passenger in a vehicle, and the like.

The camera6is, for example, a camera including an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) and CMOS (complementary MOS). The radar7is a millimeter wave radar, a microwave radar, a laser radar, or the like. The camera6and/or the radar7are configured to detect surrounding environments (other vehicles, pedestrians, road shapes, traffic signs, obstacles, and the like) of the vehicle1and to output surrounding environment information to the vehicle control unit3.

The HMI8includes an input unit configured to receive an input operation from a driver and an output unit configured to output the travelling information and the like to the driver. The input unit includes a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a driving mode changeover switch for switching the driving mode of the vehicle1, and the like. The output unit is a display for displaying diverse travelling information.

The GPS9is configured to acquire current position information of the vehicle1and to output the acquired current position information to the vehicle control unit3. The wireless communication unit10is configured to receive information (for example, traveling information, and the like) relating to other vehicles around the vehicle1from the other vehicles and to transmit information (for example, traveling information, and the like) relating to the vehicle1to the other vehicles (inter-vehicle communication). Also, the wireless communication unit10is configured to receive an illumination control signal from a traffic infrastructure equipment. Also, the wireless communication unit10is configured to receive infrastructure information from the traffic infrastructure equipment and to transmit the traveling information of the vehicle1to the traffic infrastructure equipment (road-to-vehicle communication). The vehicle1may be configured to perform communication with the other vehicle and the traffic infrastructure equipment directly or via an access point. The map information storage11is an external storage device such as a hard disk drive in which map information is stored, and is configured to output the map information to the vehicle control unit3.

When the vehicle1travels in an automatic driving mode, the vehicle control unit3automatically generates at least one of a steering control signal, an accelerator control signal and a brake control signal, based on the travelling condition information, the surrounding environment information, the current position information, the map information, and the like. The steering actuator12is configured to receive the steering control signal from the vehicle control unit3and to control the steering device13based on the received steering control signal. The brake actuator14is configured to receive the brake control signal from the vehicle control unit3and to control the brake device15based on the received brake control signal. The accelerator actuator16is configured to receive the accelerator control signal from the vehicle control unit3and to control the accelerator device17based on the received accelerator control signal. In this way, in the automatic driving mode, the travelling of the vehicle1is automatically controlled by the vehicle system2.

On the other hand, when the vehicle1travels in a manual driving mode, the vehicle control unit3generates a steering control signal, an accelerator control signal and a brake control signal in conformity with a manual operation of a driver on the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal and the steering wheel. In this way, in the manual driving mode, the steering control signal, the accelerator control signal and the brake control signal are generated by the manual operation of the driver, so that the travelling of the vehicle1is controlled by the driver.

Subsequently, the driving mode of the vehicle1is described. The driving mode includes an automatic driving mode and a manual driving mode. The automatic driving mode includes a full-automatic driving mode, an advanced driving support mode, and a driving support mode. In the full-automatic driving mode, the vehicle system2is configured to automatically perform all of the travelling controls of the steering control, the brake control and the accelerator control, and the driver is not in a state where it is possible to drive the vehicle1. In the advanced driving support mode, the vehicle system2is configured to automatically perform all of the travelling controls of the steering control, the brake control and the accelerator control, and the driver does not drive the vehicle1although the driver is in a state where it is possible to drive the vehicle1. In the driving support mode, the vehicle system2is configured to automatically perform a part of the travelling controls of the steering control, the brake control and the accelerator control, and the driver drives the vehicle1under the driving support of the vehicle system2. On the other hand, in the manual driving mode, the vehicle system2is configured not to automatically perform the travelling controls, and the driver drives the vehicle1without the driving support of the vehicle system2.

Also, the driving mode of the vehicle1may be switched by operating a driving mode changeover switch. In this case, the vehicle control unit3is configured to switch the driving mode of the vehicle1among the four driving modes (the full-automatic driving mode, the advanced driving support mode, the driving support mode, and the manual driving mode) in accordance with a driver's operation on the driving mode changeover switch. Also, the driving mode of the vehicle1may be automatically switched based on information relating to a travel-allowed section where travelling of an automatic driving vehicle is allowed or a travel-prohibited section where the travelling of the automatic driving vehicle is prohibited or information relating to the external weather condition. In this case, the vehicle control unit3is configured to switch the driving mode of the vehicle1, based on such information. Also, the driving mode of the vehicle1may be automatically switched by using a seating sensor, a face direction sensor, or the like. In this case, the vehicle control unit3is configured to switch the driving mode of the vehicle1, based on an output signal from the seating sensor or the face direction sensor.

Subsequently, an illumination control system100is described with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3depicts a configuration of the illumination control system100according to the embodiment. As shown inFIG. 3, the illumination control system100includes a vehicle1A (second vehicle) and a vehicle1B (first vehicle) capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode. In the embodiment, the vehicle1A is a master vehicle, and the vehicle1B is a slave vehicle. Here, the master vehicle is a vehicle configured to transmit an illumination control signal, and the slave vehicle is a vehicle configured to receive the illumination control signal. Vehicle systems2A,2B of the vehicles1A,1B have the same configuration as the vehicle system2of the vehicle1shown inFIG. 2. Also, for the sake of convenience of description, in the vehicles1A,1B ofFIG. 3, only some constitutional elements are shown (for example, it should be noted that the constitutional elements such as the camera, the sensor, the radar and the like are omitted for the sake of convenience of description).

A wireless communication unit10A and a wireless communication unit10B (the first wireless communication unit) have the same configuration as the wireless communication unit10shown inFIG. 2. Vehicle control units3A,3B have the same configuration as the vehicle control unit3shown inFIG. 2. The vehicle control unit3A includes a control signal generation unit30A configured to generate an illumination control signal, and the vehicle control unit3B includes a control signal generation unit30B configured to generate an illumination control signal. In the embodiment, since the vehicle1B is a slave vehicle, the control signal generation unit30B does not generate an illumination control signal. On the other hand, when the vehicle1B is a master vehicle, the control signal generation unit30B generates an illumination control signal. Vehicle illumination devices4A,4B (hereinafter, simply referred to as the illumination devices4A,4B) have the same configuration as the illumination device4shown inFIG. 2. Also, an illumination control unit43A (the second illumination control unit) and an illumination control unit43B (the first illumination control unit) have the same configuration as the illumination control unit43shown inFIG. 2. An illumination unit42A (the second illumination unit) and an illumination unit42B (the first illumination unit) have the same configuration as the illumination unit42shown inFIG. 2. Meanwhile, in the illumination control system100shown inFIG. 3, the two vehicles1A,1B are shown. However, the number of the vehicles is not particularly limited.

Subsequently, operations of the illumination control system100at an intersection point are described with reference toFIGS. 3 to 5.FIG. 4illustrates a situation where an illumination state of the illumination unit42A of the vehicle1A and an illumination state of the illumination unit42B of the vehicle1B correspond to each other at an intersection point. As shown inFIG. 4, the vehicles1A,1B exist in the vicinity of the intersection point, the vehicle1A is a master vehicle and the vehicle1B is a slave vehicle. An example of a method of determining the master vehicle and the slave vehicle will be described later. When the vehicles1A,1B exist in the vicinity of the intersection point, the wireless communication unit10B can receive the illumination control signal, the traveling information of the vehicle1A and the like from the wireless communication unit10A. Also, when the vehicle1B exists within a predetermined range from the vehicle1A, the wireless communication unit10B can receive the illumination control signal, the traveling information of the vehicle1A and the like from the wireless communication unit10A.

Subsequently, an example of the operation of the illumination control system100is described with reference toFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a sequence diagram for illustrating an example of the operation of the illumination control system100. In this example, it is assumed that the vehicle1A appears in the vicinity of the intersection point temporally earlier than the vehicle1B and the vehicle1A becomes a master vehicle. As shown inFIG. 5, the vehicle1A first detects the vehicle1B (step S1). The vehicle1A may detect that the vehicle1A exists in the vicinity of the intersection point based on the surrounding environment information and the map information, and then detect the vehicle1B by using a camera or a sensor. Also, the vehicle1A may detect the vehicle1B by receiving information, which indicates that there is the vehicle1B, from the traffic infrastructure equipment arranged in the vicinity of the intersection point. Also, the vehicle1A may detect the vehicle1B by broadcasting a beacon toward an outside with a predetermined period and receiving a response signal to the broadcast beacon from the vehicle1B. In the meantime, when the vehicle1B exists within the predetermined range from the vehicle1A, the vehicle1B can receive the beacon broadcast from the vehicle1A.

Then, in step S2, the vehicle1A establishes wireless communication connection with the vehicle1B. The vehicle1A and the vehicle1B may directly perform communication with each other in an ad hook mode. For example, wireless communication connection is established between the vehicle1A and the vehicle1B by a passive scan method or an active scan method. In the case of the active scan method, the wireless communication unit10A transmits the beacon including information relating to the wireless communication connection to the vehicle1B with a predetermined period, in accordance with a command of the vehicle control unit3A. The wireless communication unit10B receives the beacon transmitted from the vehicle1A. Thereafter, the vehicle1A establishes wireless communication connection with the vehicle1B, through authentication/association between the vehicle1A and the vehicle1B. Also, the vehicle1A and the vehicle1B may perform communication with each other via the traffic infrastructure equipment having an access point function.

Then, in step S3, the vehicle1A transmits, to the vehicle1B, the traveling information of the vehicle1A (for example, the traveling information indicative of left turn/right turn/straight advancing at the intersection point), for example. In particular, the wireless communication unit10A transmits the traveling information of the vehicle1A to the vehicle1B, in accordance with a command of the vehicle control unit3A. Then, the wireless communication unit10B of the vehicle1B receives the traveling information of the vehicle1A from the vehicle1A (step S4). Similarly, the vehicle1B may transmit the traveling information of the vehicle1B to the vehicle1A, and the vehicle1A may receive the traveling information of the vehicle1B from the vehicle1B. In the case of the vehicle1B traveling in the automatic driving mode, the vehicle control unit3B automatically controls the traveling of the vehicle1B, based on the surrounding environment information and the like acquired by the vehicle system2B and the traveling information of the vehicle1A. Similarly, in the case of the vehicle1A traveling in the automatic driving mode, the vehicle control unit3A automatically controls the traveling of the vehicle1A, based on the surrounding environment information and the like acquired by the vehicle system2A and the traveling information of the vehicle1B. In this way, the vehicle1A (1B) acquires the traveling information of the vehicle1B (1A), so that it is possible to execute the more correct automatic driving control of the vehicle1A (1B).

Then, the control signal generation unit30A generates an illumination control signal indicative of an illumination state of the illumination unit42A (step S5). Then, the wireless communication unit10A transmits the generated illumination control signal to the vehicle1B, in accordance with a command of the vehicle control unit3A (step S6).

The wireless communication unit10B of the vehicle1B receives the illumination control signal from the vehicle1A (step S7). Then, the illumination control unit43B controls the illumination unit42B such that an illumination state of the illumination unit42B corresponds to an illumination state of the illumination unit42A, based on the received illumination control signal (step S8). For example, when the illumination unit42A is controlled by the illumination control unit43A to blink with a predetermined period, the illumination control unit43B may control the illumination unit42B to blink in synchronization with the illumination unit42A, based on the illumination control signal indicative of blinking control information of the illumination unit42A. Also, when the illumination unit42A is controlled by the illumination control unit43A such that an illumination color of the illumination unit42A is a predetermined illumination color, the illumination control unit43B may control the illumination unit42B such that an illumination color of the illumination unit42B corresponds to the illumination color of the illumination unit42A, based on the illumination control signal indicative of the illumination color of the illumination unit42A. Also, at a point of time at which the wireless communication connection is established between the vehicle1A and the vehicle1B, the illumination control unit43A may blink the illumination unit42A or change the illumination color of the illumination unit42A from a first illumination color to a second illumination color. In this way, the series of illumination control processing is executed.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment, the vehicle1A is set as the master vehicle, and the vehicle1B is set as the slave vehicle. However, even when the vehicle1B is set as the master vehicle and the vehicle1A is set as the slave vehicle, the illumination control is executed between the vehicles by a similar method. In this case, the control signal generation unit30B of the vehicle control unit3B generates the illumination control signal.

Meanwhile, in step S3, as an example, the vehicle1A transmits the traveling information of the vehicle1A to the vehicle1B. However, instead of this configuration, the vehicle1A may be configured to transmit, to the vehicle1B, predetermined information other than the traveling information. Also, in step S3, the control signal generation unit30A may generate a traveling control signal for controlling the traveling of the vehicle1B, and the wireless communication unit10A may transmit the generated traveling control signal to the vehicle1B. In this case, the vehicle control unit3B executes the automatic traveling control at the intersection point, based on the traveling control signal transmitted from the vehicle1A.

In the meantime, the vehicle1A may establish wireless communication connection with an electronic device (for example, a portable phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a wearable device and the like) carried by a pedestrian P1in the vicinity of the intersection point. In this case, the vehicle1A (the wireless communication unit10A) may establish wireless communication connection with the electronic device carried by the pedestrian (hereinafter, simply referred to as the electronic device) and then transmit the illumination control signal indicative of the illumination state of the illumination unit42A to the electronic device. A control unit of the electronic device may control a display unit (or a light-emitting unit) of the electronic device such that an illumination state of the display unit (or the light-emitting unit) of the electronic device corresponds to the illumination state of the illumination unit42A, in accordance with the received illumination control signal. In this way, the illumination states of the illumination units42A,42B and the illumination state of the display unit (or the light-emitting unit) of the electronic device may be associated with each other.

Also, regarding the method of determining the master vehicle and the slave vehicle, a vehicle that has first reached in the vicinity of the intersection point may be set as a master vehicle, and a vehicle that has later reached in the vicinity of the intersection point may be set as a slave vehicle.

A specific example of the method of determining the master vehicle and the slave vehicle is described.

First, the vehicle1A that has reached in the vicinity of the intersection point outputs a beacon, which indicates that the vehicle1A has reached in the vicinity of the intersection point, toward an outside. Then, when the vehicle1A receives an ACK beacon to the beacon from the other vehicle, the vehicle1A (the vehicle control unit3A) determines that there is the other vehicle that has reached in the vicinity of the intersection point earlier than the vehicle1A, and waits for a communication connection request from the other vehicle (in this way, the vehicle control unit3A determines that the vehicle1A is a slave vehicle). On the other hand, when the vehicle1A does not receive an ACK beacon to the beacon, the vehicle1A (the vehicle control unit3A) determines that there is no other vehicle in the vicinity of the intersection point, and waits until the other vehicle appears in the vicinity of the intersection point (in this way, the vehicle control unit3A determines that the vehicle1A is a master vehicle). When the other vehicle (the vehicle1B) appears in the vicinity of the intersection point, the vehicle1A executes the series of processing shown inFIG. 5.

Also, after passing the intersection point, the vehicle1A (master vehicle) may instruct the vehicle1B, which has reached the intersection point later than the vehicle1A, to be a master vehicle and then stop the transmission of the illumination control signal to the vehicle1B.

Also, as another example of the method of determining the master vehicle and the slave vehicle, the traffic infrastructure equipment arranged in the vicinity of the intersection point may be used. For example, when the vehicle1A reaches in the vicinity of the intersection point, the traffic infrastructure equipment detects the vehicle1A. When the traffic infrastructure equipment determines that there is no vehicle except the vehicle1A in the vicinity of the intersection point, the traffic infrastructure equipment transmits a signal, which indicates that the vehicle1A is a master vehicle, to the vehicle1A. On the other hand, when the traffic infrastructure equipment determines that there is a vehicle in the vicinity of the intersection point, in addition to the vehicle1A, the traffic infrastructure equipment transmits a signal, which indicates that the vehicle1A is a slave vehicle, to the vehicle1A.

Also, after passing the intersection point, the vehicle1A (master vehicle) may notify the traffic infrastructure equipment that the vehicle1A has passed the intersection point, and then stop the transmission of the illumination control signal to the vehicle1B. In the meantime, after passing the intersection point, the vehicle1B (slave vehicle) may notify the traffic infrastructure equipment that the vehicle1B has passed the intersection point.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to provide the illumination device4B capable of presenting the information, which indicates that the vehicle1A and the vehicle1B are performing communication with each other, toward an outside such as a pedestrian P1, and the like. In other words, it is possible to visualize a state of inter-vehicle communication between the vehicles capable of traveling in the automatic driving mode by the illumination device4B. For example, since the pedestrian P1and the like can check safety of the vehicles1A,1B by seeing the information indicating that the vehicle1B is performing communication with the vehicle1A, the pedestrian can cross in relief a crosswalk and the like. Also, since a driver of the other vehicle (manual driving vehicle) can check safety of the vehicles1A,1B by seeing the information indicating that the vehicle1A and the vehicle1B are performing communication with each other, the driver can pass in relief the intersection point.

Also, since the illumination control unit43B controls the illumination unit42B to blink in synchronization with the illumination unit42A, the pedestrian P1can perceive that the vehicle1B is performing communication with the vehicle1A by seeing the situation where the illumination unit42B is blinking in synchronization with the illumination unit42A.

Also, since the illumination control unit43B controls the illumination unit42B such that the illumination color of the illumination units42B corresponds to the illumination color of the illumination units42A, the pedestrian P1can perceive that the vehicle1B is performing communication with the vehicle1A by seeing the situation where the illumination color of the illumination unit42B corresponds to the illumination color of the illumination unit42A.

Also, when the vehicle1B exists within the predetermined range from the vehicle1A, the wireless communication unit10B can receive the illumination control signal from the wireless communication unit10A. Thus, the vehicle1B existing within the predetermined range from the vehicle1A can present the information, which indicates that the vehicle1B is performing communication with the vehicle1A, toward the pedestrian P1.

Also, when the vehicle1A and the vehicle1B exist in the vicinity of the intersection point, the wireless communication unit10B may receive the illumination control signal from the wireless communication unit10A. Thus, the vehicle1B existing in the vicinity of the intersection point can present the information, which indicates that the vehicle1B is performing communication with the vehicle1A, toward the outside such as the pedestrian P1and the like. For example, the pedestrian P1in the vicinity of the intersection point can check the safety of the vehicles1A,1B by seeing the information and can cross in relief the crosswalk.

Also, when the illumination states of the illumination units42A,42B and the illumination state of the display unit (or the light-emitting unit) of the electronic device carried by the pedestrian P1in the vicinity of the intersection point are associated, the pedestrian P1can visually recognize that the vehicles1A,1B and the electronic device are performing communication with each other, and can clearly check the safety of the vehicles1A,1B.

<Illumination Control System100to be Implemented by Group of Vehicles G Traveling in Row Traveling Mode>

Subsequently, the illumination control system100in a group of vehicles G traveling in a row traveling mode is described with reference toFIGS. 3, 6 and 7.FIG. 6illustrates a situation where an illumination state of the illumination unit42A of the vehicle1A belonging to a group of vehicles G traveling in a row traveling mode and an illumination state of the illumination unit42B of the vehicle1B correspond to each other.FIG. 7is a sequence diagram for illustrating an example of an operation of the illumination control system100that is implemented by the group of vehicles G traveling in the row traveling mode.

Here, in the row traveling mode, a following vehicle executes the automatic traveling control, based on a row traveling control signal transmitted from a leading vehicle. In the meantime, the following vehicle may be configured to execute the automatic traveling control, based on only the row traveling control signal transmitted from the leading vehicle or may be configured to execute the automatic traveling control, based on the transmitted row traveling control signal, the surrounding environment information acquired by a camera and a radar of the following vehicle, and the like. In the group of vehicles G, a leading vehicle is a master vehicle, and a following vehicle except the leading vehicle is a slave vehicle. As shown inFIG. 6, the vehicle1A is a leading vehicle of a group of vehicles G, and the vehicle1B is a following vehicle of the group of vehicles G. The vehicle1A may travel in the automatic driving mode or in the manual driving mode. In the meantime, the number of vehicles belonging to the group of vehicles G may be three or more.

As shown inFIG. 3, the vehicle control unit3A of the vehicle1A, which is the leading vehicle, generates a row traveling control signal. Then, the wireless communication unit10A transmits the generated row traveling control signal to the vehicle1B, in accordance with a command of the vehicle control unit3A. The wireless communication unit10B of the vehicle1B, which is the following vehicle, receives the row traveling control signal, and then the vehicle control unit3B automatically controls the traveling of the vehicle1B, based on the row traveling control signal. Here, the vehicle1A and the vehicle1B may directly perform communication with each other in an ad hook mode.

Subsequently, the operations of the illumination control system100of this example are described with reference toFIG. 7.

First, in order to implement a row traveling in which the vehicle1A is a leading vehicle, the vehicle1B (the wireless communication unit10B) transmits a row request signal to the vehicle1A (the wireless communication unit10A) (step S10). After the wireless communication unit10A receives the row request signal (step S11), the vehicle control unit3A determines whether it is possible to implement a row traveling in which the vehicle1A is a leading vehicle. When the vehicle control unit3A determines that it is possible to implement the row traveling, the wireless communication unit10A transmits a row-possible signal to the vehicle1B (step S12). After the wireless communication unit10B receives the row-possible signal from the vehicle1A (step S13), the vehicle control unit3B may display notice information, which indicates that the driving mode of the vehicle1B is a row traveling mode, on a display mounted to the vehicle1B.

Then, after the vehicle control unit3A generates a row traveling control signal, the wireless communication unit10A transmits the generated row traveling control signal to the vehicle1B (step S14). After the wireless communication unit10B receives the row traveling control signal (step S15), the vehicle control unit3B executes the automatic traveling control, based on the received row traveling control signal. Accordingly, the driving mode of the vehicle1B becomes the row traveling mode.

Then, after the illumination control unit43A generates an illumination control signal indicative of the illumination state of the illumination unit42A (step S16), the wireless communication unit10A transmits the illumination control signal to the vehicle1B (step S17). After the wireless communication unit10B receives the illumination control signal (step S18), the illumination control unit43B controls the illumination unit42B such that the illumination state of the illumination unit42B corresponds to the illumination state of the illumination unit42A, based on the illumination control signal (step S19). For example, the illumination control unit43B may control the illumination unit42B to blink in synchronization with the illumination unit42A or may control the illumination unit42B such that the illumination color of the illumination unit42B corresponds to the illumination color of the illumination unit42A. In this way, the series of illumination control processing is executed.

In the meantime, when the number of vehicles belonging to the group of vehicles G is three or more and the leading vehicle leaves the row, a following vehicle, which is traveling immediately after the leading vehicle, becomes a new leading vehicle (master vehicle), and may transmit the row traveling control signal and the illumination control signal to a following vehicle. Also, at a point of time at which the leading vehicle leaves the row, the leading vehicle may stop the transmission of the row traveling control signal and the illumination control signal to a following vehicle. In the meantime, when a following vehicle leaves the row, the following vehicle may notify the leading vehicle that the following vehicle leaves the row, and then the leading vehicle stops the transmission of the row traveling control signal and the illumination control signal to the following vehicle.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to provide the illumination control system100capable of presenting the information, which indicates that the leading vehicle and the following vehicle belonging to the group of vehicles G traveling in the row traveling mode are performing communication with each other, toward an outside such as a following vehicle (manual driving mode), a pedestrian P1and the like. For example, since a driver of a following vehicle traveling in the manual driving mode behind the group of vehicles G can visually recognize that the group of vehicles G is traveling in the row traveling mode, the driver can overtake in relief the group of vehicles G.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted limitedly by the description of the embodiment. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the embodiment is just exemplary and that the embodiment can be diversely changed within the scope of the invention defined in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention defined in the claims and its equivalent scope.

In the embodiment, the driving mode of the vehicle includes the full-automatic driving mode, the advanced driving support mode, the driving support mode, and the manual driving mode. However, the driving mode of the vehicle should not be limited to the four modes. The classification of the driving mode of the vehicle may be appropriately changed, in accordance with laws or rules relating to the automatic driving in each country. Likewise, the definitions of “the full-automatic driving mode”, “the advanced driving support mode” and “the driving support mode” described in the embodiment are just examples, and can be appropriately changed, in accordance with laws or rules relating to the automatic driving in each country.

The subject application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-249882 filed on Dec. 22, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.