Patent Description:
As a rider support system of the related art, it is known that a behavior control device incorporated in a straddle-type vehicle causes the straddle-type vehicle to automatically decelerate or accelerate according to surrounding environment information acquired during traveling, regardless of an operation by a rider (for example, International Publication No. <CIT>).

<CIT> describes a control device and a control method capable of appropriately assisting a rider to drive a motorcycle, and a driving support system including such a control device, which are that the information relating to the automatic deceleration that occurs on the rider's motorcycle during the adaptive cruise operation is acquired, and when the information satisfies the judgment criterion, the notifying device executes the notifying operation to the rider.

<CIT> describes a controller and a control method capable of appropriately assisting with an operation of a motorcycle by a rider and to a driver-assistance system including such a controller, which enable to reduce the negative influence on the comfort actually received by the rider by improving predictive performance realized by the notification operation of the notification device, even in the case where such a magnitude of the automatic deceleration that causes the rider to feel uncomfortable is generated on the rider's motorcycle during the adaptive cruise operation.

These two documents address the case in which the automatic deceleration occurs on the rider's vehicle and don't address the case in which the automatic acceleration and deceleration occurs on the vehicle on which the rider is not on board that the present invention solves.

Since the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration can occur on straddle-type vehicle on which the rider is not on board suddenly, the rider may be confused by the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration and the straddle-type vehicle on which the rider is on board may become unstable. In particular, straddle-type vehicles tend to lose their traveling stability compared to other vehicles (for example, automobiles, trucks, or the likes. ), so it is necessary to take appropriate measures against automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration by a rider. Therefore, in the rider support system of the related art, a warning operation for notifying a rider of automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration is executed under a situation where the automatic deceleration or the automatic acceleration occurs. Then, the warning operation is executed by causing a device incorporated in a vicinity of a handle of the straddle-type vehicle on which the rider is on board to issue a warning. However, in a situation where the rider is paying attention in a direction different from a traveling direction, it may be difficult for the rider to recognize the warning issued from the device, and thus it may be difficult to deal with the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration.

The invention is made in the context of the problems described above and is to obtain a rider support system which includes a helmet which can secure a rider, and a control method of such a rider support system.

The invention is as defined in claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

A helmet according to an example which is not in the scope of the present invention is a helmet which is worn on a head of a rider which includes a communication unit which directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from a communication device incorporated in a straddle-type vehicle and a control unit which executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received by the communication unit, where the communication unit receives behavior control information which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration caused in the straddle-type vehicle by a behavior control device incorporated in the straddle-type vehicle according to surrounding environment information acquired during traveling as the information and the control unit executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit.

The present invention provides a rider support system according to claim <NUM>.

A control method of a helmet according to an example which is not in the scope of the present invention is a control method of a helmet which is worn on a head of a rider which includes a communication step of receiving information transmitted from a communication device incorporated in a straddle-type vehicle by a communication unit of the helmet directly or indirectly and a control step of executing a warning operation for the rider based on the information received in step a) with a control unit of the helmet, where, in the communication step, the communication unit receives behavior control information which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration caused in the straddle-type vehicle by a behavior control device incorporated in the straddle-type vehicle according to surrounding environment information acquired during traveling as the information and, in the control step, the control unit executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received in the communication step.

The present invention provides a control method of a rider support system according to claim <NUM>.

In the helmet, rider support system, control method of the helmet, and control method of the rider support system according to the example of the invention, in a situation where automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration occurs on straddle-type vehicle on which the rider is not on board, the warning operation is performed using the helmet worn on the head of the rider to notify the rider of the automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration. Therefore, even when the rider is paying attention to a direction different from a traveling direction, the warning is easily recognized and the coping with the automatic deceleration or the automatic acceleration is facilitated.

Hereinafter, a helmet, a rider support system, a control method of the helmet, and a control method of the rider support system according to the example or the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The configuration, operation, and the like described below are examples and the helmet, the rider support system, the control method of the helmet, and the control method of the rider support system according to the example or the invention are not limited to such a configuration, operation, and the like.

In the following, a case where the rider support system according to the invention is used for an automatic two-wheeled vehicle is described, but the rider support system according to the invention may be used for straddle-type vehicles other than automatic two-wheeled vehicles. A straddle-type vehicle means all vehicles that a rider straddles. Straddle-type vehicles include motorcycles (automatic two-wheeled vehicle, automatic three-wheeled vehicle), buggies, bicycles, and the like. Motorcycles include automatic two-wheeled vehicles or automatic three-wheeled vehicles whose propulsion source is an engine, automatic two-wheeled vehicles or automatic three-wheeled vehicles whose propulsion source is an electric motor, and the like, and include, for example, automatic bikes, scooters, electric scooters, and the like. Bicycle also means all vehicles that can be propelled on a road by a pedaling force of a rider applied to a pedal. Bicycles include ordinary bicycles, electrically power assisted bicycles, electric bicycles, and the likes.

Further, in the following, the detailed structure is appropriately simplified or omitted in the drawings. In addition, duplicate or similar descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate.

A rider support system according to an embodiment will be described below.

A configuration of the rider support system according to the embodiment which is not part of the scope of the present invention will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the rider support system according to the embodiment which is not part of the scope of the present invention. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the rider support system according to the embodiment which is not part of the scope of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a rider support system <NUM> includes at least a behavior control device <NUM>, a braking device <NUM>, a driving device <NUM>, a communication device <NUM>, which are incorporated in a straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, and a helmet <NUM> mounted on the rider's head.

Detection results of various sensors mounted on the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> are input to the behavior control device <NUM>. Further, the behavior control device <NUM> causes the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically decelerate or accelerate according to surrounding environment information acquired during traveling, without an operation by a rider on board the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. For example, when it is determined that it is necessary to cause a predetermined deceleration based on the surrounding environment information, the behavior control device <NUM> outputs a control command to the braking device <NUM> or the driving device <NUM> to cause the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically decelerate. In addition, when it is determined that it is necessary to generate a predetermined acceleration based on the surrounding environment information, the behavior control device <NUM> outputs a control command to the driving device <NUM> or the braking device <NUM> to cause the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically accelerate.

Each part of the behavior control device <NUM> may be provided collectively in one housing, or may be divided into a plurality of housings. Further, a part or all of the behavior control device <NUM> may be composed of, for example, a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like, may be composed of an updatable one such as firmware, or may be a program module or the like executed by a command from a CPU or the like.

The surrounding environment information is acquired based on, for example, output of a surrounding environment detection device <NUM> incorporated in the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. The surrounding environment detection device <NUM> is, for example, a radar, a Lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera, or the like. The surrounding environment detection device <NUM> may be one or plural. A detection range of the surrounding environment detection device <NUM> may be directed to the front of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, may be directed to the rear of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, may be directed to the side of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, or may be a combination thereof. The surrounding environment information may be acquired based on output of the communication device <NUM> in place of or in addition to the output of the surrounding environment detection device <NUM>. The communication device <NUM> directly or indirectly performs wireless communication with infrastructure equipment or other vehicles located around the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>.

As an example, the behavior control device <NUM> executes a collision avoidance operation of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. The behavior control device <NUM> acquires surrounding environment information based on the output of the surrounding environment detection device <NUM> or the communication device <NUM> and determines possibilities of collision of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> with an object (vehicles, people, animals, obstacles, falling objects, and the likes) located around (front, rear, side, and the like) the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. When it is determined that there is a high possibility of collision, the behavior control device <NUM> causes the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically decelerate or accelerate to avoid a collision.

As an example, the behavior control device <NUM> executes an adaptive cruise operation of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. During the adaptive cruise operation, the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is controlled to travel at a target speed set by the rider when there is no preceding vehicle, whereas, when there is a preceding vehicle, the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is controlled to travel at a speed that is equal to or lower than the target speed and that aims to maintain an inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle. The behavior control device <NUM> acquires surrounding environment information based on the output of the surrounding environment detection device <NUM> or the communication device <NUM> and determines the inter-vehicle distance between the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> and the preceding vehicle. The behavior control device <NUM> causes the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically decelerate when it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance is short and causes the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically accelerate when it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance is long.

As an example, the behavior control device <NUM> executes an overtaking traveling assisting operation of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. The behavior control device <NUM> acquires surrounding environment information based on the output of the surrounding environment detection device <NUM> or the communication device <NUM> and determines the safety of overtaking traveling by the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> and whether the rider intends to overtake. The behavior control device <NUM> assists the overtaking traveling by causing the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically accelerate when it is determined that the safety is high and the rider has the intention of overtaking.

As an example, the behavior control device <NUM> executes inter-vehicle-to-vehicle passing traveling assist operation of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. The behavior control device <NUM> acquires surrounding environment information based on the output of the surrounding environment detection device <NUM> or the communication device <NUM> and determines whether the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is in a state of inter-vehicle-to-vehicle passing traveling. The behavior control device <NUM> assists the inter-vehicle-to-vehicle passing traveling by causing the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically decelerate when it is determined that the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is in the state of inter-vehicle-to-vehicle passing traveling.

The helmet <NUM> includes at least a communication unit <NUM> which receives information transmitted from the communication device <NUM> and a control unit <NUM> which executes a warning operation for the rider wearing the helmet <NUM> based on the information received by the communication unit <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> automatically starts communication with the communication device <NUM> when a main power of the helmet <NUM> is turned on. The communication unit <NUM> may directly receive the information transmitted from the communication device <NUM>, or may indirectly receive the information via a portable wireless terminal <NUM> (smartphone, tablet, or the like). Further, the control unit <NUM> may execute the warning operation by causing an audio output unit <NUM> provided in the helmet <NUM> to output a warning, may execute the warning operation by causing a display unit <NUM> provided on the helmet <NUM> to output a warning, or may execute the warning operation with both the audio output unit <NUM> and the display unit <NUM>. The audio output unit <NUM> may emit a sound indicating a warning, may emit a warning message, or may emit both. The display unit <NUM> may turn on a lamp indicating a warning, display a warning message, or perform both.

The control unit <NUM> may be provided collectively in one housing, or may be divided into a plurality of housings. Further, a part or all of the control unit <NUM> may be composed of, for example, a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like, or may be composed of an updatable one such as firmware. Also, a part or all of the control unit <NUM> may be a program module or the like executed by a command from a CPU or the like.

The communication unit <NUM> receives behavior control information which is information on the automatic deceleration or the automatic acceleration caused in the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> by the behavior control device <NUM> according to the surrounding environment information acquired during traveling. Then, the control unit <NUM> executes a warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may execute a warning operation of warning only the presence or absence of automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration, or may execute a warning operation of warning the magnitude of automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration in addition to the presence or absence thereof.

An operation of the rider support system according to the embodiment which is not part of the scope of the present invention will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the rider support system according to the embodiment which is not part of the scope of the present invention.

While the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is traveling, the operation flow illustrated in <FIG> is repeatedly executed.

In Step S101, the behavior control device <NUM> incorporated in the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> acquires the surrounding environment information and determines whether it is necessary to cause the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically decelerate or accelerate. When it is necessary to cause the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically decelerate or accelerate, the process proceeds to Step S102, and if not, Step S101 is repeated.

In Step S102, the communication unit <NUM> of the helmet <NUM> receives the behavior control information, which is the information on the automatic deceleration or the automatic acceleration caused by the behavior control device <NUM> in the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, directly or indirectly from the communication device <NUM> incorporated in the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>.

In Step S103, the control unit <NUM> of the helmet <NUM> executes a warning operation for the rider based on the behavior control information received in Step S102.

In Step S104, the behavior control device <NUM> causes the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to automatically decelerate or accelerate.

The order of each step may be changed as appropriate, or another step may be added as appropriate. For example, Step S103 may be executed after the start of Step S104, or may be executed before and after the start of Step S104.

An effect of the rider support system according to the embodiment which is not part of the scope of the present invention will be described.

In the rider support system <NUM>, the helmet <NUM>, which is wore on the rider's head, includes the communication unit <NUM> which directly or indirectly receives information transmitted from the communication device <NUM> incorporated in the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> which executes a warning operation for the rider based on the information received by the communication unit <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> receives the behavior control information, which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration caused in the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> by the behavior control device <NUM> incorporated in straddle-type vehicle <NUM> according to the surrounding environment information acquired during traveling, as the information and the control unit <NUM> executes the warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit <NUM>. Therefore, even when the rider is paying attention to a direction different from a traveling direction, the warning is easily recognized, and thus the coping with the automatic deceleration or the automatic acceleration is facilitated.

The embodiment of the invention is not limited to the above description. That is, the invention includes a modification form of the embodiment described above. In addition, the invention includes a form in which only a part of the embodiment described above is carried out, or a form in which the embodiments are combined.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the rider support system according to the invention.

Claim 1:
A rider support system (<NUM>) which includes a helmet (<NUM>) which is worn on a head of a rider of a straddle-type vehicle (<NUM>) and includes a behavior control device (<NUM>) and a communication device (<NUM>) which are incorporated in other straddle-type vehicle (<NUM>) on which the rider is not on board, the helmet (<NUM>) comprising:
a communication unit (<NUM>) which is configured to directly or indirectly receive information transmitted from the communication device (<NUM>); and
a control unit (<NUM>) which is configured to execute a warning operation for the rider based on the information received by the communication unit (<NUM>), wherein
the communication unit (<NUM>) is configured to receive behavior control information, which is information on automatic deceleration or automatic acceleration caused in the other straddle-type vehicle (<NUM>) by the behavior control device (<NUM>) according to surrounding environment information acquired during traveling as the information, the behavior control information being transmitted from the communication device (<NUM>), and
the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to execute the warning operation based on the behavior control information received by the communication unit (<NUM>).