CONTROL DEVICE

A control device is configured to control a light emitter installed in a steering device of a vehicle capable of traveling with a manual driving mode and a self-driving mode. A reception interface is configured to receive a first transition information relating to a transition from a manual driving mode to a self-driving mode in the vehicle, and a second transition information related to a transition from the self-driving mode to the manual driving mode in the vehicle. A processor is configured to cause, based on the first transition information, the light emitter to emit light in a first manner, and to cause, based on the second transition information, the light emitter to emit light in a second manner different from the first manner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a control device configured to control a light emitter installed in a steering device.

BACKGROUND ART

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-69671 discloses a steering device equipped with a steering wheel equipped with a light emitter. The light emitter is controlled to emit light when the vehicle is traveling in the self-driving mode.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

It is demanded to have a user intuitively grasp the driving state of the mobile entity using a light emitter installed in the steering device.

Solution to Problem

In order to meet the above demand, a first aspect of the presently-disclosed subject matter provides a control device configured to control a light emitter installed in a steering device of a mobile entity capable of traveling with a first driving mode and a second driving mode, comprising:a reception interface configured to receive a first transition information relating to a transition from a first driving mode to a second driving mode in the mobile entity, and a second transition information related to a transition from the second driving mode to the first driving mode in the mobile entity; anda processor configured to cause, based on the first transition information, the light emitter to emit light in a first manner, and to cause, based on the second transition information, the light emitter to emit light in a second manner different from the first manner.

According to the configuration according to the above aspect, the light emission mode of the light emitter is different between the time when the mobile entity changes from the first driving mode to the second driving mode and the time when the mobile entity changes from the second driving mode to the first driving mode, so that the user of the mobile entity can intuitively recognize which driving mode is enabled. As a result, the user can intuitively grasp the driving state of the mobile entity.

In order to meet the above demand, a second aspect of the presently-disclosed subject matter provides a control device configured to control a light emitter installed in a steering device of a mobile entity capable of traveling with a plurality of driving modes, comprising:a reception interface configured to receive transition information relating to a transition between the plurality of driving modes in the mobile entity, and a continuation information relating to a continuation of any one of the plurality of driving modes in the mobile entity; anda processor configured to cause, based on the transition information, the light emitter to emit light in a first manner, and to cause, based on the continuation information, the light emitter to emit light in a second manner different from the first manner.

According to the configuration according to the above aspect, the light emission mode of the light emitter is different between the time when the driving mode changes and the time when the driving mode is continued in a plurality of driving modes in the mobile entity, so that the user of the mobile entity can intuitively recognize the state between the transition of the driving mode and the continuation of the driving mode. As a result, the user can intuitively grasp the driving state of the mobile entity.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, the scale is appropriately changed in order to make each of the members have a recognizable size. InFIGS.3and4, an arrow U represents an upward direction of an illustrated structure. An arrow D represents a downward direction of an illustrated structure. An arrow F represents a forward direction of an illustrated structure. An arrow B represents a rearward direction of an illustrated structure. An arrow L represents a left direction of an illustrated structure. An arrow R represents a right direction of an illustrated structure. The expressions “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “left” and “right” are used for convenience in facilitating understanding of the illustrated structure, and are not intended to limit the direction or posture of the structure during actual use.

FIG.1illustrates a specific functional configuration of a control device10according to an embodiment. The control device10controls a light emitter30installed in a steering device20. The steering device20is installed in a vehicle40illustrated inFIG.2. The steering device20is a device for performing an operation of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle40. The light emitter30is configured to emit light in a mode corresponding to the driving state of the vehicle40. The control device10may be installed in the steering device20, or may be installed in a different location in the vehicle40from the steering device20. The vehicle40is an example of a mobile entity.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the steering device20includes a grip portion21, a shaft portion22, a column portion23, a hub portion24, and an arm portion25. The grip portion21can be gripped by a driver of the vehicle40. In this example, the grip portion21has an annular shape. The shaft portion22is rotatable by the grip portion21. The rotation of the shaft portion22is associated with an operation of changing the course of the vehicle40. The column portion23is disposed between the grip portion21and a meter panel42, and covers the shaft portion22. The hub portion24is connected to the shaft portion22. The arm portion25connects the grip portion21and the hub portion24to each other. The hub portion24is an example of a portion connecting the grip portion21and the shaft portion22.

As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the light emitter30includes a first light emitter31, a second light emitter32, and a third light emitter33. The first light emitter31is provided on the grip portion21. In this example, the first light emitter31has an annular shape extending along the circumferential direction of the grip portion21on the front surface of the grip portion21. The second light emitter32is provided in the column portion23. In this example, the second light emitter32extends along the front-rear direction at the center of the upper surface of the column portion23. The third light emitter33is provided in the hub portion24. In this example, the third light emitter33extends in the left-right direction above the front surface of the hub portion24at the initial position of the grip portion21.

The first light emitter31includes a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements capable of emitting a single color or a plurality of colors. For example, the first light emitter31may include a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements arranged along the circumferential direction of the grip portion21. Similarly, the second light emitter32and the third light emitter33include a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements capable of emitting a single color or a plurality of colors. For example, the second light emitter32may include a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements arranged along the front-rear direction of the column portion23. For example, the third light emitter33may include a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements arranged along the left-right direction of the hub portion24. Examples of the semiconductor light emitting element include a light emitting diode, a laser diode, and an EL element.

The vehicle40on which the control device10according to the present embodiment is installed is configured to be capable of traveling in a manual driving mode and traveling in an self-driving mode. As used herein, the term “self-driving” means that the vehicle40exhibits a driving support function. As used herein, the term “driving support” means control processing that at least partially performs at least one of driving operation (steering operation, acceleration, deceleration), monitoring of a traveling environment, and backup of driving operation. That is, the term “driving support” includes not only a partial driving support such as a collision avoidance braking system function and a lane keeping assist function, but also a full self-driving operation. As used herein, the term “manual driving” means a state in which the driving support as described above is disabled.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the control device10includes a reception interface101and a processor102. The reception interface101is configured as an interface capable of receiving first transition information TI1relating to the transition from the manual driving mode to the self-driving mode in the vehicle40, and second transition information TI2relating to the transition from the self-driving mode to the manual driving mode. The first transition information TI1and the second transition information TI2can be acquired from a vehicle controller41for controlling the driving of the vehicle40. The manual driving mode is an example of the first driving mode. The self-driving mode is an example of the second driving mode.

In a case where the first transition information TI1and the second transition information TI2are in the form of analog data, the reception interface101includes an appropriate conversion circuit including an A/D converter. The processor102sets the first transition information TI1and the second transition information TI2in the form of digital data as processing targets.

The processor102is configured to output a first light emitting signal S1for causing the light emitter30to emit light in a first manner based on the first transition information TI1to the output interface103. In addition, the processor102is configured to cause the output interface103to output a second light emitting signal S2for causing the light emitter30to emit light in a second mode different from the first mode based on the second transition information TI2.

Each of the first light emitting signal S1and the second light emitting signal S2may be an analog signal or a digital signal. In a case where each of the first light emitting signal S1and the second light emitting signal S2is an analog signal, the output interface103includes an appropriate conversion circuit including a D/A converter.

The light emission of the first embodiment and the light emission of the second embodiment can be set so that at least one of a light emitting color, a light emitting area, a light emitting time length, and a ratio of the light emitting time length to the non-light emitting time length is different from each other.

For example, as illustrated inFIGS.5A to5C, the processor102may cause the first light emitter31to emit light in a first manner so that the light emitting area extends in the circumferential direction from the position gripped by the driver based on the first transition information TI1.

As illustrated inFIG.5A, when the first transition information TT′ is accepted by the reception interface101, the processor102causes the output interface103to output a first light emitting signal S1for controlling the light emitter30such that one or more light emitting elements corresponding to the positions gripped by the left hand51and the right hand52of the driver in the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the first light emitter31emit light. The gripping position information corresponding to the position gripped by the left hand51and the right hand52of the driver can be acquired from a gripping sensor provided in the grip portion21, a camera provided in the internal space of the vehicle40, or the like. Based on the gripping position information accepted by the reception interface101, the processor102can specify one or more light emitting elements corresponding to the position gripped by the left hand51and the right hand52of the driver.

As illustrated inFIGS.5B and5C, the processor102causes the output interface103to output a first light emitting signal S1for controlling the light emitter30so that the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the first light emitter31emit light sequentially along the circumferential direction of the grip21from the position gripped by the left hand51and the right hand52of the driver.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the processor102may cause the first light emitter31to emit light in the second manner so that the entire light emitting area extending along the circumferential direction emits light based on the second transition information TI2. That is, the processor102causes the output interface103to output a second light emitting signal S2for controlling the light emitter30so that all of the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the first light emitter31emit light.

According to the configuration as described above, since the light emission mode of the light emitter30is different between the time when the vehicle40changes from the manual driving mode to the self-driving mode and the time when the vehicle40changes from the self-driving mode to the manual driving mode, the driver of the vehicle40can intuitively recognize which driving mode is enabled.

In the present embodiment, based on the first transition information TI1indicating the transition from the manual driving mode to the self-driving mode, the first light emitter31is caused to emit light such that the light emitting area extends in the circumferential direction from the position gripped by the driver. As a result, it is possible to give the driver an impression that the control of the steering device20is transferred to the vehicle40. Accordingly, the driver can recognize that the subject of the driving operation of the vehicle40shifts from the driver to the vehicle40.

In the present embodiment, the entire light emitting area in the circumferential direction is caused to emit light in the first light emitter31based on the second transition information TI2indicating the transition from the self-driving mode to the manual driving mode. As a result, it is possible to give the driver an impression that the grip on the grip portion21is demanded. Accordingly, the driver can recognize that the subject of the driving operation of the vehicle40shifts from the vehicle40to the driver.

In the present embodiment, the processor102causes the first light emitter31provided in the grip portion21to emit light based on the first transition information TI1. However, the processor102may cause the second light emitter32provided in the column portion23to emit light based on the first transition information TI1instead of or in addition to the first light emitter31.

For example, as illustrated inFIGS.7A to7C, the processor102may cause the second light emitter32to emit light in a first manner so that the light emitting position moves toward the meter panel42of the vehicle40based on the first transition information TI1.

As illustrated inFIG.7A, when the first transition information TI1is accepted by the reception interface101, the processor102causes the output interface103to output a first light emitting signal S1for controlling the light emitter30such that one or more light emitting elements disposed near the hub portion24in the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the second light emitter32emit light.

As illustrated inFIGS.7B and7C, the processor102causes the output interface103to output a first light emitting signal S1for controlling the light emitter30so that the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the second light emitter32emit light sequentially from the hub portion24toward the meter panel42of the vehicle40.

According to such a configuration, based on the first transition information TI1indicating the transition from the manual driving mode to the self-driving mode, the second light emitter32is caused to emit light such that the light emitting position moves toward the meter panel42of the vehicle40instead of or in addition to the first light emitter31. As a result, it is possible to give the driver an impression that the control of the steering device20is transferred from the driver to the vehicle40. Accordingly, the driver can recognize that the subject of the driving operation of the vehicle40shifts from the driver to the vehicle40.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the reception interface101may be configured to accept continuation information CI relating to the continuation of the traveling in the self-driving mode. The processor102may be configured to output the third light emitting signal S3to the output interface103based on the continuation information CI. For example, as illustrated inFIG.8, the processor102causes the output interface103to output a third light emitting signal S3for controlling the light emitter30so that all of the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the third light emitter33emit light based on the continuation information CI. That is, the third light emitting signal S3causes the light emitter30to emit light in a third manner different from the first mode and the second mode.

According to such a configuration, the driver of the vehicle40can also recognize that the traveling state in the self-driving mode after the transition is continued by the light emitted from the light emitter30in the third mode.

In addition, since the third light emitter33provided in the hub portion24different from the grip portion21and the column portion23emits light based on the continuation information CI, it is possible to give an impression that the control of the steering device20is continued to the driver.

In the present embodiment, the light emission mode of the light emitter30is made different from each other by making the light emitting area of the light emitter30different from each other. However, in place of or in addition to the light emitting area, the light emitting color, the light emitting time length, the light emitting cycle, and the like of the light emitter30can be made different from each other, thereby causing the light emitting mode of the light emitter30to be different from each other. For example, the processor102may control the first light emitter31or the second light emitter32to be turned on in green based on the first transition information TI1. In addition, the processor102may control the third light emitter33to be turned on in green based on the continuation information CI. By lighting the light emitter30in green, it is possible to give the driver a sense of safety. On the other hand, the processor102may control the first light emitter31to blink red based on the second transition information TI2. When the light emitter30blinks red, the driver can feel urgency and prompt the grip of the grip portion21quickly.

In the present embodiment, the control device10causes the light emitter30to emit light in a different manner when the transition from the first driving mode to the second driving mode, the transition from the second driving mode to the first driving mode, or the driving state in the second driving mode after the transition continues. However, for example, the control device10may cause the light emitter30to emit light in a different manner during a transition between a plurality of driving modes and a continuation of any one of the plurality of driving modes.

For example, as illustrated inFIG.9, the reception interface101may be configured as an interface capable of receiving transition information TI relating to a transition between a plurality of driving modes in the vehicle40, and continuation information CI relating to the continuation of any one of the plurality of driving modes in the vehicle40. The transition information TI and the continuation information CI can be acquired from the vehicle controller41.

The processor102may be configured to output a first light emitting signal S1for causing the light emitter30to emit light in a first manner, to the output interface103based on the transition information TI. In addition, the processor102may be configured to output a second light emitting signal S2for causing the light emitter30to emit light in a second mode different from the first mode, to the output interface103based on the continuation information CI.

For example, the processor102may cause at least one of the first light emitter31provided in the grip portion21and the second light emitter32provided in the column portion23of the steering device20to emit light in the first manner based on the transition information TI, and may cause the third light emitter33provided in the hub portion24to emit light in the second manner based on the continuation information CI. That is, the processor102causes the output interface103to output a first light emitting signal S1for controlling the light emitter30so that a plurality of light emitting elements constituting at least one of the first light emitter31and the second light emitter32emit light. In addition, the processor102causes the output interface103to output a second light emitting signal S2for controlling the light emitter30so that a plurality of light emitting elements constituting the third light emitter33emit light.

According to such a configuration, the driver of the vehicle40can intuitively recognize the driving mode enabled in the vehicle40. That is, since the light emission mode of the light emitter30is different between when the driving mode changes and when the driving mode that is enabled is continued in a plurality of driving modes in the vehicle40, the user of the vehicle40can intuitively recognize whether the state is the transition of the driving mode or the continuation of the driving mode.

The processor102having each function described above can be implemented by a general-purpose microprocessor operating in cooperation with a general-purpose memory. Examples of the general-purpose microprocessor include a CPU, an MPU, and a GPU. Examples of the general-purpose memory include a ROM and a RAM. In this case, a computer program for executing the above-described processing can be stored in the ROM. The ROM is an example of a storage medium having stored a computer program. The general-purpose microprocessor designates at least a part of the computer program stored in the ROM, loads the program on the RAM, and executes the processing described above in cooperation with the RAM. The above-described computer program may be pre-installed in the general-purpose memory, or may be downloaded from an external server device via a wireless communication network and then installed in the general-purpose memory. In this case, the external server device is an example of a storage medium having stored a computer program.

The processor102may be implemented by an exclusive integrated circuit capable of executing the above-described computer program, such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, and an FPGA. In this case, the above-described computer program is pre-installed in a memory element included in the exclusive integrated circuit. The memory element is an example of a storage medium having stored a computer program. The processor102may also be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and an exclusive integrated circuit.

The above embodiments are merely illustrative for facilitating understanding of the gist of the presently disclosed subject matter. The configuration according to each of the above embodiments can be appropriately modified or changed without departing from the gist of the presently disclosed subject matter.

In the example of the above embodiment, the first light emitter31has an annular shape corresponding to the shape of the grip portion21. However, the shape of the first light emitter31may be appropriately changed in accordance with the shape of the grip portion21. Even in a case where the first light emitter31does not have an annular shape, by causing the first light emitter31to emit light so that the light emitting area is enlarged from the position gripped by the driver based on the first transition information TI1, it is possible to give the user an impression that the control of the steering device20is transferred to the vehicle40. In addition, by causing the entire light emitting area of the first light emitter31to emit light based on the second transition information TI2, it is possible to give the driver an impression that the grip on the grip portion21is demanded.

In the example of the above embodiment, the light emitter30is controlled such that the light emitting position moves from the hub portion24toward the meter panel42of the vehicle40in the second light emitter32based on the first transition information TI1. However, for example, the light emitter30may be configured to move the light emitting position from the driving mode switching switch SW disposed on the arm portion25illustrated inFIG.3to the meter panel42of the vehicle40. Specifically, the light emitter30may be configured to have an additional light emitter between the driving mode switching switch SW and the second light emitter32. By causing the light emitter and the second light emitter32to emit light in this order, the light emitting position can be moved from the driving mode switching switch SW toward the meter panel42of the vehicle40.

In the above example embodiment, the processor102may be configured to output light emission stop information for stopping the light emission of the light emitter30from the output interface103. The light emitter30may be configured to stop light emission based on the light emission stop information. For example, the processor102may output light emission stop information when a predetermined period of time elapses after the light emitter30emits light or based on an operation input from the driver.

In each of the above embodiments, the light emitter30includes the first light emitter31, the second light emitter32, and the third light emitter33as illustrated inFIGS.3and4. However, the shape and the arrangement of the light emitter30may be appropriately determined. In addition, the light emitter30is configured by a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements, but can be realized by another light emitting device such as a side-emitting type optical fiber.

The control device10may be installed in a steering device for changing the travelling direction of a mobile entity other than the vehicle40. Examples of such mobile entities include railways, ships, and aircrafts.

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-005853 filed on Jan. 18, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.