Image display device

• US 10,358,083 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2018
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Subaru Corp.
• Original Assignee: Subaru Corp.
• Inventors: Suzuki, Dan, Kinoshita, Makoto, Yamazumi, Toru, Yamasaki, Kentarou
• Primary Examiner(s): Alizada, Omeed
• Application Number:
  US15/890,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20180257549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/04 the devices being headlights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/547 for issuing requests to other traffic participants; for confirming to other traffic participants they can proceed, e.g. they can overtake
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body

Abstract

An image display device includes a light illuminator, a crossing-facility detector, an image position determiner, and an illumination controller. The light illuminator is configured to send out light frontward of a first vehicle as an own vehicle, to display an image for a pedestrian. The crossing-facility detector is configured to detect a crossing facility provided on the road. The image position determiner is configured to determine, on the basis of a position of the crossing facility, whether or not a display position of the image is included in a no-crossing region near the crossing facility. The illumination controller is configured to control display operation of the light illuminator, to prompt the pedestrian to cross along the crossing facility, on the condition that the image position determiner determines that the display position of the image is included in the no-crossing region.

Claims

1. An image display device, comprising:

a light illuminator configured to send out visible light frontward of a first vehicle as an own vehicle, to display an image for a pedestrian attempting to cross a road;

a crossing-facility detector configured to detect a position of a crossing facility provided on the road, the crossing facility allowing the pedestrian to cross the road;

an image position determiner configured to determine, based on the position of the crossing facility, whether a display position of the image is within a no-crossing region, the no-crossing region extending for a first distance from the crossing facility; and

an illumination controller configured to control the light illuminator to display a first image based on determining that the display position of the image is within the no-crossing region, the first image prompting the pedestrian to use the crossing facility to cross the road.

2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein

the illumination controller controls the light illuminator to display, concurrently with the first image, a second image based on determining that the display position of the image is within the no-crossing region, the second image prohibiting the pedestrian from crossing the road.

3. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein

the first image comprises a pedestrian-guidance image guiding the pedestrian to the crossing facility.

4. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein

the first image comprises a pedestrian-guidance image guiding the pedestrian to the crossing facility.

5. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a signal information detector configured to detect signal display information on one or more traffic signals for automobiles at an intersection at which the crossing facility is provided, wherein

the image position determiner determines whether the display position of the image is within a caution-against-crossing region based on determining that the display position of the image is outside the no-crossing region, the caution-against-crossing region extending for a second distance from the no-crossing region, and

the illumination controller controls the light illuminator to display the first image prompting the pedestrian to use the crossing facility to cross the road based on determining that 1) the display position of the image is within the caution-against-crossing region and 2) the signal display information indicates a state in which a second vehicle other than the first vehicle is allowed to enter a region on the road where the pedestrian is attempting to cross the road.

6. The image display device according to claim 2, further comprising a signal information detector configured to detect signal display information on one or more traffic signals for automobiles at an intersection at which the crossing facility is provided, wherein

the image position determiner determines whether the display position of the image is within a caution-against-crossing region based on determining that the display position of the image is outside the no-crossing region, the caution-against-crossing region extending for a second distance from the no-crossing region, and

the illumination controller controls the light illuminator to display the first image prompting the pedestrian to use the crossing facility to cross the road based on determining that 1) the display position of the image is within the caution-against-crossing region and 2) the signal display information indicates a state in which a second vehicle other than the first vehicle is allowed to enter a region on the road where the pedestrian is attempting to cross the road.

7. The image display device according to claim 3, further comprising a signal information detector configured to detect signal display information on one or more traffic signals for automobiles at an intersection at which the crossing facility is provided, wherein

the image position determiner determines whether the display position of the image is included in within a caution-against-crossing region based on determining that the display position of the image is outside the no-crossing region, the caution-against-crossing region extending for a second distance from the no-crossing region, and

the illumination controller controls the light illuminator to display the first image prompting the pedestrian to use the crossing facility to cross the road based on determining that 1) the display position of the image is within the caution-against-crossing region and 2) the signal display information indicates a state in which a second vehicle other than the first vehicle is allowed to enter a region on the road where the pedestrian is attempting to cross the road.

8. The image display device according to claim 4, further comprising a signal information detector configured to detect signal display information on one or more traffic signals for automobiles at an intersection at which the crossing facility is provided, wherein

the image position determiner determines whether the display position of the image is included in within a caution-against-crossing region based on determining that the display position of the image is outside the no-crossing region, the caution-against-crossing region extending for a second distance from the no-crossing region, and

the illumination controller controls the light illuminator to display the first image prompting the pedestrian to use the crossing facility to cross the road based on determining that 1) the display position of the image is within the caution-against-crossing region and 2) the signal display information indicates a state in which a second vehicle other than the first vehicle is allowed to enter a region on the road where the pedestrian is attempting to cross the road.

9. The image display device according to claim 5, wherein

the second distance is about 50 meters.

10. The image display device according to claim 6, wherein

the second distance is about 50 meters.

11. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein

the second distance is about 50 meters.

12. The image display device according to claim 8, wherein

the second distance is about 50 meters.

13. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein

the light illuminator includes headlights.

14. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein

the light illuminator includes headlights.

15. The image display device according to claim 3, wherein

the light illuminator includes headlights.

16. The image display device according to claim 4, wherein

the light illuminator includes headlights.

17. An image display device, comprising:

a light illuminator configured to send out visible light frontward of a first vehicle as an own vehicle, to display an image for a pedestrian attempting to cross a road;

a crossing-facility detector configured to detect a position of a crossing facility provided on the road, the crossing facility allowing the pedestrian to cross the road; and

circuitry configured to

determine a display position of the image is within in a no-crossing region extending for a first distance from the crossing facility, and

control, in response determining that the display position of the image is within the no-crossing region, the light illuminator to display the image prompting the pedestrian to use the crossing facility to cross the road and guiding the pedestrian to the crossing facility.