A notifying method includes detecting an object existing in a periphery of a vehicle and determining a type of the object existing in the periphery of the vehicle. The notifying method further includes emitting a visible light to irradiate at least a part of the periphery of the vehicle with an irradiation pattern. The irradiation pattern includes an icon pattern indicating the type of the object.

A lamp system is mounted on a vehicle provided with a HUD system. A variable light distribution lamp irradiates a beam to a road surface with a variable light intensity distribution so as to draw a pattern. A controller controls the variable light distribution lamp in cooperation with a HUD system.

A lamp system is mounted on a vehicle provided with a HUD system. A variable light distribution lamp irradiates a beam to a road surface with a variable light intensity distribution so as to draw a pattern. A controller controls the variable light distribution lamp in cooperation with a HUD system.

A system may have system controls that are used in controlling the system. The system may have sensors that gather information on speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed, information on risks of a collision, and other status information and operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display, information on speed, relative speed, status information, custom light information or other user-selected information, or other information on status and the operating environment.

A system may have system controls that are used in controlling the system. The system may have sensors that gather information on speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed, information on risks of a collision, and other status information and operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display, information on speed, relative speed, status information, custom light information or other user-selected information, or other information on status and the operating environment.

A notification device includes a calculation unit calculating, based on a speed of a vehicle, a vehicle stoppage distance by which the vehicle travels until the vehicle enters a stopped state while performing autonomous driving, a notification unit performing notification about information with respect to an outside of the vehicle, and a notification controller causing the notification unit not to perform notification about information indicating that the vehicle is in the middle of deceleration until the vehicle passes by a first soon-to-cross pedestrian and to cause the notification unit to perform notification about the information after the vehicle passes by the first soon-to-cross pedestrian when a distance between the vehicle and the first soon-to-cross pedestrian is smaller than the vehicle stoppage distance and a distance between the vehicle and a second soon-to-cross pedestrian is equal to or greater than the vehicle stoppage distance.

A visual deceleration indicator signals to pedestrians and other vehicles that a vehicle is slowing down or coming to a stop. Illuminating devices, such as LEDs, contained in a license plate frame located in the front of the car or otherwise, are activated when the vehicle decelerates. An accelerometer or other sensory device detects deceleration and sends a signal to illuminate the LEDs, thereby letting others know the vehicle is slowing down. The license plate frame may be connected directly to a rear brake light component without the use of accelerometers or other sensors. When the brake is applied, the LEDs in the license plate frame are illuminated. The LEDs may be contained in other forms and located in different positions on the front or side of the car. The indicator might be one color to indicate braking and another color to indicate it is on, but not braking.

A visual deceleration indicator signals to pedestrians and other vehicles that a vehicle is slowing down or coming to a stop. Illuminating devices, such as LEDs, contained in a license plate frame located in the front of the car or otherwise, are activated when the vehicle decelerates. An accelerometer or other sensory device detects deceleration and sends a signal to illuminate the LEDs, thereby letting others know the vehicle is slowing down. The license plate frame may be connected directly to a rear brake light component without the use of accelerometers or other sensors. When the brake is applied, the LEDs in the license plate frame are illuminated. The LEDs may be contained in other forms and located in different positions on the front or side of the car. The indicator might be one color to indicate braking and another color to indicate it is on, but not braking.

A notification device for a mobile unit according to an embodiment includes, for example: a storage unit that stores therein first sound data; a sound output control unit that outputs a notification sound based on the first sound data, from a sound output unit provided on the mobile unit; a generation unit that generates second sound data by performing predetermined processing on a location of sound falling, while causing the first sound data to follow a cycle of the notification sound, the predetermined processing being different from processing on a location of sound rising; and a light source drive control unit that causes a light source unit provided on the mobile unit to emit light in accordance with the intensity of a sound expressed by the second sound data.

A notification device for a mobile unit according to an embodiment includes, for example: a storage unit that stores therein first sound data; a sound output control unit that outputs a notification sound based on the first sound data, from a sound output unit provided on the mobile unit; a generation unit that generates second sound data by performing predetermined processing on a location of sound falling, while causing the first sound data to follow a cycle of the notification sound, the predetermined processing being different from processing on a location of sound rising; and a light source drive control unit that causes a light source unit provided on the mobile unit to emit light in accordance with the intensity of a sound expressed by the second sound data.