Patent ID: 12200841

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

Outline of Embodiment

The outline of a marking device10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.1and2. Generally, the marking device10is a device for marking a pedestrian crossing on a roadway on which a vehicle such as an automobile travels. The marking device10shown inFIG.1includes a plurality of pedestrian light sources11, a plurality of vehicle light sources12, a first detection unit13, a second detection unit14, a communication unit15, a storage unit16, and a control unit17.

Each of the pedestrian light source11and the vehicle light source12includes one or more light emitting elements. The light emitting element is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode, or the like, but is not limited to these.

Each of the pedestrian light sources11is provided on the roadway so as to emit light in at least one of a first direction and a second direction along a width direction of the roadway. For example, the pedestrian light source11may include a mask that shields light from directions other than the at least one direction. Alternatively, the light of the pedestrian light source11may have directivity in the at least one direction.

On the other hand, each of the vehicle light sources12is provided on the roadway so as to emit light in at least one of a third direction and a fourth direction along an extension direction of the roadway. The “extension direction” is a direction in which the roadway extends, and is substantially orthogonal to, for example, the width direction of the roadway. For example, the vehicle light source12may include a mask that shields light from directions other than the at least one direction. Alternatively, the light of the vehicle light source12may have directivity in the at least one direction.

In the present embodiment, for example, as shown inFIG.2, the pedestrian light sources11are provided to be distributed in a plurality of first regions21on the roadway. On the other hand, the vehicle light sources12are provided to be distributed in a plurality of second regions22on the roadway. The first regions21and the second regions22are alternately arranged side by side from one end side to the other end side in the width direction of the roadway. Each of the pedestrian light sources11and the vehicle light sources12may be embedded in the roadway, for example. Each of the pedestrian light sources11and the vehicle light sources12may be provided to project from a road surface of the roadway, may be provided to be recessed from the road surface, or may be provided to be flat to the road surface.

The light of the pedestrian light source11is emitted in at least one of the first direction and the second direction along the width direction of the roadway as described above. It is relatively easy for a pedestrian on a sidewalk located at each side of the roadway to visually recognize the light of each of the pedestrian light sources11that is arranged to be distributed in the first regions21. However, it is relatively difficult for a driver of a vehicle30located on the roadway to visually recognize the light of each of the pedestrian light sources11that is arranged to be distributed in the first regions21. Therefore, when the pedestrian light sources11are lit, the first regions21function as a first pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by the pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway. In the present embodiment, “lighting” is not limited to, for example, continuously lighting, and may include, for example, blinking in a predetermined cycle or pattern.

The light of the vehicle light source12is emitted in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction along the extension direction of the roadway as described above. It is relatively easy for a driver of the vehicle30located on the roadway to visually recognize the light of each of the vehicle light sources12that is arranged to be distributed in the second regions22. However, it is relatively difficult for a pedestrian on a sidewalk located at each side of the roadway to visually recognize the light of each of the vehicle light sources12that is arranged to be distributed in the second regions22. Therefore, when the vehicle light sources12are lit, the second regions22function as a second pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle30on the roadway.

The first detection unit13includes one or more sensors for detecting a pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway. In the present embodiment, the first detection unit13includes a plurality of load sensors provided in a third region23on the sidewalk. The third region23may be provided, for example, near the end in the width direction of the roadway. When a pedestrian stops in the third region23, the pedestrian can be detected as a pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway. However, the sensor included in the first detection unit13and the arrangement of the sensor are not limited to the above example, and may be determined as appropriate. For example, a surveillance camera provided on the sidewalk may be adopted as the sensor. In such a case, it is possible to detect a pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway from a video of the surveillance camera using any image recognition process.

The second detection unit14includes one or more sensors for detecting the vehicle30on the roadway. In the present embodiment, the second detection unit14is provided in a fourth region24on the roadway and includes a plurality of wireless communication interfaces that communicates with each of the vehicles30on the roadway. The fourth region24may include, for example, a region corresponding to a lane of the roadway. When the vehicle30travels in the fourth region24, it can be determined that the vehicle30is located on the roadway. However, the sensor included in the second detection unit14and the arrangement of the sensor are not limited to the above example, and may be determined as appropriate. For example, the wireless communication interfaces described above may be provided on the sidewalk along the roadway, or may be provided in a columnar or arched structure provided along the roadway. Further, for example, the second detection unit14may include a plurality of load sensors provided in the fourth region24on the roadway. The lengths of the first region21, the second region22, the third region23, and the fourth region24along the extension direction of the roadway are not limited to the example shown inFIG.2. For example, each of the first region21, the second region22, the third region23, and the fourth region24may be extended along the roadway.

The communication unit15includes one or more communication interfaces for communicating with each of the pedestrian light sources11, the vehicle light sources12, the first detection unit13, and the second detection unit14by wire or wirelessly. The communication interface supports, for example, mobile communication standards such as 4th generation (4G) or 5th generation (5G), or a short-range wireless communication standards such as Wifi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The supported standards are not limited to these, and the communication interface may support any mobile communication standards. The communication unit15may communicate with each of the pedestrian light sources11, the vehicle light sources12, the first detection unit13, and the second detection unit14via the Internet or an inter-terminal communication network, for example.

The storage unit16includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, but are not limited to these memories. Each memory included in the storage unit16may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit16stores any information used for the operation of the marking device10. For example, the storage unit16may store a system program, an application program, and embedded software.

The control unit17includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processors are, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a central process unit (CPU) or a graphics process unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but are not limited to these processors. The programmable circuits are, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), but are not limited to the circuit. The dedicated circuits are, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), but are not limited to the circuit. The control unit17can communicate with each of the pedestrian light sources11, the vehicle light sources12, the first detection unit13, and the second detection unit14via the communication unit15. The communication unit15, the storage unit16, and the control unit17described above may be provided in, for example, one or more edge computers disposed along the roadway.

The control unit17controls the operation of the entire marking device10. In the present embodiment, the control unit17can separately control the pedestrian light sources11and the vehicle light sources12.

Operation Flow of Marking Device

The operation of the marking device10according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.3. The operation can be performed repeatedly and periodically, for example.

Step S100: The control unit17of the marking device10determines whether a pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway has been detected based on information acquired from the first detection unit13via the communication unit15. When the control unit17determines that a pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway has been detected (step S100—Yes), the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, when the control unit17determines that a pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway has not been detected (step S100—No), the process ends.

Specifically, the control unit17acquires an output signal of the sensor from the first detection unit13via the communication unit15. Based on the output signal, the control unit17may determine that a pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway has been detected when a weight equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is detected at substantially the same position in the third region23for a predetermined time, for example. However, the detection method of a pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway is not limited to the above example, and any method can be adopted. For example, when the first detection unit13includes the surveillance camera as the sensor as described above, the control unit17acquires a video acquired from the first detection unit13as an output signal. The control unit17executes any image recognition process using the video, and may determine that the pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway has been detected when a predetermined time has elapsed while the pedestrian faces the roadway without moving.

Step S101: When the control unit17determines in step S100that the pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway has been detected (step S100—Yes), the control unit17determines whether the vehicle30has been detected on the roadway based on information acquired from the second detection unit14via the communication unit15. When the control unit17determines that the vehicle30has been detected on the roadway (step S101—Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when the control unit17determines that the vehicle30has not been detected on the roadway (step S101—No), the process proceeds to step S103.

Specifically, the control unit17acquires an output signal of the sensor from the second detection unit14via the communication unit15. Based on the output signal, the control unit17may determine that the vehicle30has been detected on the roadway when the vehicle30is detected within a predetermined distance range from the pedestrian detected in step S100, for example. However, the detection method of the vehicle30on the roadway is not limited to the above example, and any method can be adopted.

Step S102: When the control unit17determines in step S101that the vehicle30has been detected on the roadway (step S101—Yes), the control unit17lights the vehicle light sources12, causing them to mark the second pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by the vehicle30on the roadway.

Specifically, the control unit17transmits a predetermined control signal to the vehicle light sources12via the communication unit15. The vehicle light sources12emit light in response to the reception of the control signal. As described above, the vehicle light sources12are arranged to be distributed in the second regions22on the roadway. Therefore, the driver of the vehicle30can visually recognize the second pedestrian crossing marked by the second regions22that emit light as shown inFIG.4, for example. The driver of the vehicle30can encourage the pedestrian to cross the roadway by stopping at the visually recognized second pedestrian crossing. As described above, it is relatively difficult for the pedestrian on the sidewalk to visually recognize the second pedestrian crossing marked by the second regions22.

Step S103: After step S102, or when the control unit17determines in step S101that the vehicle30has not been detected on the roadway (step S101—No), the control unit17lights the pedestrian light sources11, causing them to mark the first pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by the pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway. After that, the process ends.

Specifically, the control unit17transmits a predetermined control signal to the pedestrian light sources11via the communication unit15. The pedestrian light sources11emit light in response to the reception of the control signal. As described above, the pedestrian light sources11are arranged to be distributed in the first regions21on the roadway. Therefore, the pedestrian on the sidewalk can visually recognize the first pedestrian crossing marked by the first regions21that emit light as shown inFIG.5, for example. The pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway can pass the first pedestrian crossing and cross the roadway by confirming that the vehicle30is not located on the roadway or that the vehicle30stops at the first pedestrian crossing. As described above, it can be relatively difficult for the driver of the vehicle30on the roadway to visually recognize the first pedestrian crossing marked by the first regions21.

As described above, the marking device10according to the present embodiment includes the pedestrian light sources11, the vehicle light sources12, and the control unit17that separately controls the pedestrian light sources11and the vehicle light sources12. Each of the pedestrian light sources11is provided on the roadway and emits light in at least one of the first direction and the second direction along the width direction of the roadway. Each of the vehicle light sources12is provided on the roadway and emits light in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction along the extension direction of the roadway. The control unit17lights the pedestrian light sources11, causing them to mark the first pedestrian crossing (for example, corresponding to the first regions21inFIG.5) to be visually recognized by the pedestrian who is going to cross the roadway. Then, the control unit17lights the vehicle light sources12, causing them to mark the second pedestrian crossing (for example, corresponding to the second regions22inFIG.4) to be visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle30on the roadway.

According to such a configuration, the marking of the first pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by the pedestrian and the marking of the second pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle30can be controlled separately and dynamically. Therefore, a technique for causing a human being to recognize a pedestrian crossing on a road is improved in that, a pedestrian crossing can be marked with a high degree of freedom according to situations of a roadway and a sidewalk, for example, only one of the first pedestrian crossing and the second pedestrian crossing is marked, or both of the first pedestrian crossing and the second pedestrian crossing are marked.

Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the drawings and the embodiment, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations thereto based on the present disclosure. It should be noted, therefore, that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in the configurations, steps, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and a plurality of configurations, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

For example, part of the configuration of the marking device10according to the above embodiment may be provided in a control device capable of communicating with the marking device10. For example, the communication unit15, the storage unit16, and the control unit17may be provided in the control device. As described above, the present disclosure can also be realized as a system including the marking device10and the control device.

Further, for example, in the above embodiment, an example in which each of the pedestrian light sources11emits light in at least one of the first direction and the second direction along the width direction of the roadway has been described. In addition, an example in which each of the vehicle light sources12emits light in at least one of the third direction and the fourth direction along the extension direction of the roadway has been described. However, the pedestrian light sources11may include a plurality of first pedestrian light sources11athat emits light in the first direction, and a plurality of second pedestrian light sources11bthat emits light in the second direction. Similarly, the vehicle light sources12may include a plurality of first vehicle light sources12athat emits light in the third direction, and a plurality of second vehicle light sources12bthat emits light in the fourth direction. The control unit17of the marking device10may be able to separately control the first pedestrian light sources11aand the second pedestrian light sources11b. Further, the control unit17may be able to separately control the first vehicle light sources12aand the second vehicle light sources12b. According to such a configuration, the control unit17can control four pedestrian crossings separately and dynamically, for example, a pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by a pedestrian located on the roadway on the left side ofFIG.2, a pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by a pedestrian located on the roadway on the right side ofFIG.2, a pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by a driver of the vehicle30that travels from the lower side to the upper side ofFIG.2, and a pedestrian crossing to be visually recognized by a driver of the vehicle30that travels from the upper side to the lower side ofFIG.2. Therefore, a technique for causing a human being to recognize a pedestrian crossing on a road is further improved in that, the degree of freedom for marking a pedestrian crossing is improved, that is, a pedestrian crossing can be marked with a high degree of freedom according to situations of a roadway and a sidewalk, for example, only one of the first pedestrian crossing and the second pedestrian crossing is marked, or both of the first pedestrian crossing and the second pedestrian crossing are marked.

Further, an embodiment is also possible in which, for example, a general-purpose computer functions as the marking device10according to the above embodiment. Specifically, a program describing processing contents for realizing each function of the marking device10according to the above embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read out and executed by the processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program that can be executed by the processor or a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the program.