Notification device and vehicle using same

Abstract

An application processing unit executes an application that is perforated as a notification device mounted in a vehicle. In the application processing unit, an input unit acquires information indicating that the vehicle is receiving driving assistance. In the application processing unit, an output unit outputs notifications to other vehicles in accordance with the information that has been acquired at the input unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A notification device mounted on a vehicle, comprising:
 an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that a driver's vehicle is receiving driving assistance in which a speed is controlled to allow the driver's vehicle to pass a signal with a traffic light of the signal turned green;   an output unit that outputs notification to other vehicles in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and   a radio unit that transmits a packet signal including the notification output from the output unit, wherein   the acquisition unit also acquires information indicating that a running condition is changed due to the driving assistance, and   the output unit outputs notification to the other vehicles before the running condition is changed, when the acquisition unit acquires the information indicating that the running condition is changed due to the driving assistance.   
     
     
       2. The notification device according to  claim 1 , farther comprising:
 a determination unit that determines whether the running condition of the driver's vehicle approximates the running condition achieved by driving assistance, regardless of whether or not the acquisition unit acquires the information indicating that the driver's vehicle is receiving driving assistance, and   when the determination unit identifies similarity, the output unit similarly outputs the information as it does when the acquisition unit acquires the information indicating that the driver's vehicle is receiving driving assistance.   
     
     
       3. A notification device mounted on a vehicle, comprising:
 an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that a driver's vehicle is receiving driving assistance in which the driver's vehicle is automatically driven;   an output unit that outputs notification to other vehicles in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and   a radio unit that transmits a packet signal including the notification output from the output unit, wherein   the acquisition unit also acquires information indicating that a running condition is changed due to the driving assistance, and   the output unit outputs notification to the other vehicles before the running condition is changed, when the acquisition unit acquires the information indicating that the running condition is changed due to the driving assistance.   
     
     
       4. The notification device according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a determination unit that determines whether the running condition of the driver's vehicle approximates the running condition achieved by driving assistance, regardless of whether or not the acquisition unit acquires the information indicating that the driver's vehicle is receiving driving assistance, and   when the determination unit identifies similarity, the output unit similarly outputs the information as it does when the acquisition unit acquires the information indicating that the driver's vehicle is receiving driving assistance.   
     
     
       5. A vehicle having a notification device mounted thereon, wherein the notification device includes:
 an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that a driver's vehicle is receiving driving assistance in which a speed is controlled to allow the driver's vehicle to pass a signal with a traffic light of the signal turned green;   an output unit that outputs notification to other vehicles in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and   a radio unit that transmits a packet signal including the notification output from the output unit, wherein   the acquisition unit also acquires information indicating that a running condition is changed due to the driving assistance, and   the output unit outputs notification to the other vehicles before the miming condition is changed, when the acquisition unit acquires the information indicating that the running condition is changed due to the driving assistance.   
     
     
       6. A vehicle having a notification device mounted thereon, wherein the notification device includes:
 an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that a driver's vehicle is receiving driving assistance in which the driver's vehicle is automatically driven;   an output unit that outputs notification to other vehicles in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and   a radio unit that transmits a packet signal including the notification output from the output unit, wherein   the acquisition unit also acquires information indicating that a running condition is changed due to the driving assistance, and   the output unit outputs notification to the other vehicles before the running condition is changed, when the acquisition unit acquires the information indicating that the running condition is changed due to the driving assistance.   
     
     
       7. A device for a first vehicle having a state indicator for externally displaying a status of the first vehicle, the device comprising:
 a processor; and   a non-transitory memory storing a program which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:
 receive a current position of the first vehicle from a GPS on the first vehicle; 
 calculate a driving route to a destination; 
 control the first vehicle in accordance with the calculated driving route when the first vehicle is in a controlled-driving mode in which a speed and a traveling direction of the first vehicle are controlled by the processor; 
 acquire information indicating that the first vehicle is in the controlled-driving mode; and 
 in response to the acquired information, output an instruction for causing the state indicator outside the first vehicle to indicate information to notify a driver of a second vehicle other than the first vehicle that the first vehicle is in the controlled-driving mode.  
   
     
     
       8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the state indicator includes a tail lamp to be flashed in accordance with the instruction.  
     
     
       9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the state indicator includes a direction light to be flashed in accordance with the instruction.  
     
     
       10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the state indicator is different from a tail lamp and a direction light.  
     
     
       11. A method for a first vehicle having a state indicator for externally displaying a status of the first vehicle, the notification method comprising:
 receiving a current position of the first vehicle from a GPS on the first vehicle;   calculating a driving route to a destination;   controlling the first vehicle in accordance with the calculated driving route when the first vehicle is in a controlled-driving mode in which a speed and a traveling direction of the first vehicle are controlled by the processor;   acquiring information indicating that the first vehicle is the automatic driving mode; and   in response to the acquired information, outputting an instruction for causing the state indicator outside the first vehicle to indicate information to notify a driver of a second vehicle other than the first vehicle that the first vehicle is in the controlled-driving mode.    
     
     
       12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the state indicator includes a tail lamp to be flashed in accordance with the instruction.  
     
     
       13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the state indicator includes a direction light to be flashed in accordance with the instruction.  
     
     
       14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the state indicator is different from a tail lamp and a direction light.