JPH11321460A - Support device for introducing vehicle outside sound information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To assure the introduction of a vehicle outside information into a car room when necessary while preventing an unnecessary vehicle outside information from entering into the car room. SOLUTION: This device comprises a sound collecting means composed of a microphone 1 for collecting a vehicle outside sound, a speaker 2 arranged within a car room, a vehicle outside sound information control means 6 for controlling vehicle outside sound collected by the microphone so as to select an information which is necessary to a driver and output it from the speaker. This device is provided with a running condition detecting means 4 for detecting whether a vehicle is in a stopped condition or in a slow speed condition, and a sound control means 7 for controlling a sound level output from the speaker so as to be decreased when the running condition detecting means 4 detects the stopped condition or the slow speed condition of the vehicle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an external sound information introduction support device configured to select information necessary for a driver from external sounds collected by sound collecting means and output the selected information from the speaker. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-44640, specific sounds such as a siren sound emitted from an emergency vehicle and a warning sound at a railroad crossing are selected from outside sounds collected by a microphone. Alarm sound detecting means for detecting the presence of the alarm sound of the detected frequency, relative position detecting means for detecting the relative position between the detected alarm sound and the vehicle,
When a warning sound approaches the host vehicle, a warning sound in-vehicle notification device including a warning sound compulsory notification unit that forcibly notifies the driver in the vehicle interior of the warning sound. In order to effectively recognize the warning sound, a window is forcibly opened by operating a power window drive motor, or the volume of the audio device is forcibly reduced when the device is used. ing.

[0003]

As described above, when a warning sound is issued, the window is forcibly opened by operating the power window drive motor, or the sound volume is forcibly reduced when the audio device is used. According to such a configuration, even when the warning sound of the emergency vehicle has already been recognized by the driver, the window is forcibly opened or the volume of the audio device is forcibly reduced, and the like, so that it is not possible. Since the necessary warning sound is actively introduced into the vehicle, there is a problem that occupant discomfort increases. In particular, when the window is forcibly opened in rainy weather, rainwater infiltrates into the passenger compartment, causing a problem that the occupant is significantly discomforted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and prevents outside information from being introduced into the vehicle interior while preventing unnecessary outside information from being introduced into the interior of the vehicle. An introduction support device is provided.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A sound collecting means for collecting sound outside the vehicle, a speaker provided in the vehicle interior, and information necessary for the driver among the sounds outside the vehicle collected by the sound collecting means are selected and output from the speaker. An external sound information introduction support device having an external sound information control unit that controls whether the vehicle is in a stopped state or a slow-moving state. And a volume control means for controlling so as to reduce the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker and introduced into the vehicle interior when it is detected that the vehicle is in a stopped state or a slow state.

According to the above configuration, when the traveling state detecting means confirms that the vehicle is in the stopped state or the slow-moving state, external sound information such as a siren sound of an emergency vehicle or a warning sound of a railroad crossing is provided. It is determined that there is no need to positively introduce the sound information outside the vehicle, and control for lowering the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker is executed.

The invention according to claim 2 is a sound collecting means for collecting sound outside the vehicle, a speaker provided in the vehicle interior, and a sound necessary for the driver among the sounds outside the vehicle collected by the sound collecting means. An external sound information introduction support device having external sound information control means for controlling information to be selected and output from the speaker, and braking state detecting means for detecting whether the vehicle is in a braking state, When the braking state detecting unit detects that the vehicle is in a braking state, the vehicle includes a volume control unit that controls so as to reduce the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker.

According to the above arrangement, when it is confirmed that the brake pedal is depressed and the vehicle is brought into the braking state in accordance with the detection signal of the braking state detecting means, a siren sound of an emergency vehicle or a warning of a level crossing is issued. It is determined that the outside sound information such as the outside sound is already recognized by the driver, and the control for reducing the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker and introduced into the vehicle interior is executed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle exterior sound information introduction support device according to the second aspect, when the braking state detecting means confirms that the braking state of the vehicle has been released, the sound is output from the speaker. The sound volume of the vehicle outside sound information is raised to the original sound volume.

According to the above construction, when it is confirmed that the braking state of the vehicle is released according to the detection signal of the braking state detecting means and the vehicle returns to the normal running state, the outside sound information is stored in the vehicle interior. Is determined to be required, and control for increasing the volume of the outside-sound information to the original volume is executed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sound collecting means for collecting sounds outside the vehicle, a speaker provided in the vehicle interior, and a sound necessary for the driver among the sounds outside the vehicle collected by the sound collecting means. An external sound information introduction support device having an external sound information control means for controlling information to be selected and output from the speaker, wherein a lighting state detection for detecting whether or not a hazard lamp of the vehicle is in a lighting state. Means, and volume control means for controlling so as to lower the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker when the hazard lamp is confirmed to be in the lighted state by the light state detection means. It is.

According to the above configuration, when it is confirmed that the hazard lamp is in the lighting state in accordance with the detection signal of the lighting state detecting means, outside sound information such as a siren sound of an emergency vehicle or a warning of a level crossing is provided. Control is performed to reduce the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker when it is determined that the outside sound information has already been recognized by the driver, and unnecessary output of outside sound information is prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle exterior sound information introduction support device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the window detection means for detecting whether the vehicle window is open or not is provided. When the window detecting means confirms that the window is in the open state, the output of the outside sound information from the speaker is stopped.

According to the above configuration, when it is confirmed that the window is in the open state in response to the detection signal of the window detecting means, the state is established in which the outside sound information is sufficiently introduced from the opening of the window. When it is determined that there is, the control to stop the output of the outside sound information from the speaker is executed, and the introduction of unnecessary outside sound information from inside and outside of the vehicle compartment is prevented.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle outside sound information introduction support device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a manual switch for stopping output of vehicle outside sound information from a speaker is provided. Things.

According to the above arrangement, when the occupant operates the manual switch which inhibits the output of the outside sound information from the speaker, it is determined that the occupant does not want the outside sound information to be output. Then, the control for stopping the output of the outside sound information from the speaker is executed, thereby preventing unnecessary outside sound information from being introduced into the vehicle interior.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle exterior sound information introduction support device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, an operation for detecting an operation amount of a volume adjusting means of an audio device mounted on the vehicle. A volume detecting means for changing the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker in accordance with the operation amount of the volume adjusting means detected by the operation amount detecting means.

According to the above configuration, it is determined how sensitive the occupant is to the sound in accordance with the operation amount of the volume adjusting means of the audio equipment detected by the operation amount detecting means. Thus, the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker is adjusted to an appropriate value.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the outside sound information introduction support device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising an awake state detecting means for detecting a degree of awakening of the driver, and When the detection means determines that the driver's awakening degree is low, the sound volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker is increased.

According to the above configuration, when it is confirmed that the driver is not in the awake state according to the detection signal of the awake state detection means, the control for increasing the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker is performed. Is executed, and the driver can be effectively awakened by the outside sound information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle outside sound information introduction support device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, control for lowering or increasing the volume of the vehicle outside sound information is performed by the volume control means. In this case, the sound volume is gradually reduced or increased.

According to the above configuration, when the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker is decreased or increased by the volume control means, the volume is gradually adjusted, so that the external sound output from the speaker is adjusted. A sudden change in the volume of the information is prevented.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an outside sound information introduction support device according to the present invention. This external sound information introduction support device includes a sound collecting means including a microphone 1 arranged at a predetermined position of a vehicle body and collecting a sound outside the vehicle, a speaker 2 provided at a predetermined position in a vehicle interior, The vehicle includes a control unit 3 for controlling outside sound information output from the vehicle 2 and a traveling state detecting means 4 including a vehicle speed sensor for detecting whether the vehicle is in a slow state.

The control unit 3 has a storage means for storing data necessary for the driver, such as a siren sound of an emergency vehicle such as a police car and a fire engine, a warning of a railroad crossing, and a horn sound of an automobile. 5 and
External sound information for controlling the driver to select information necessary for the driver based on the data of the external sound collected by the microphone 1 and the data read from the storage means 5 and output the selected information from the speaker 2. When it is confirmed that the vehicle is in the stopped state or the slow-moving state in accordance with the detection signal of the control means 6 and the traveling state detection means 4, the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 is reduced. And a volume control means 7 for controlling the volume.

In addition, the above-mentioned outside sound information introduction support device includes:
Braking state detecting means 8 for detecting whether or not the vehicle is in a braking state in accordance with an operation amount of a brake pedal, lighting state detecting means 9 for detecting whether or not a hazard lamp of the vehicle is in a lighting state; Window detecting means 10 for detecting whether the window of the vehicle is open, a manual switch 11 for inhibiting the output of sound information outside the vehicle from the speaker 2, and a volume switch for audio equipment mounted on the vehicle An operation amount detecting means 12 for detecting an operation amount of the volume adjusting means composed of the like, and an arousal state detecting means 13 for detecting a driver's arousal degree by detecting a driver's heart rate or head movement or the like. Is provided.

When it is confirmed that the vehicle is in the braking state according to the detection signal of the braking state detecting means 8, the volume control means 7 controls the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 by the volume control means 7. When it is confirmed that the braking state of the vehicle has been released in response to the detection signal of the braking state detecting means 8, the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker 2 is determined based on the detection signal of the braking state detecting means 8. The control to increase the sound volume is performed. Further, when it is confirmed that the hazard lamp of the vehicle is turned on according to the detection signal of the lighting state detecting means 9, the sound volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 by the sound volume control means 7. Is executed.

When it is confirmed that the window is open according to the detection signal of the window detecting means 10 or when the output signal of the manual switch 11 is operated, the window is operated to a position where the output of outside sound information is prohibited. If it is confirmed that the speaker 2 is not operated by the sound volume control means 7, the output of outside sound information from the speaker 2 is prohibited.

Further, an output is made from the speaker 2 based on the operation amount of the volume adjusting means detected by the operation amount detecting means 12 and the awakening degree of the driver detected by the awake state detecting means 13. The optimum value of the volume of the outside sound information is set, and the larger the operation amount of the volume control means, the higher the volume of the outside sound information, and the lower the awakening degree of the driver, the lower the volume of the outside sound information. The control for raising is executed. When the sound volume of the outside sound information is decreased or increased by the sound volume control means 7, the sound volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 is prevented from suddenly changing. It is configured to gradually decrease or increase.

The output control of the outside sound information executed by the outside sound information introduction support device will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. When the output control of the outside sound information is started, first, a flag indicating that the control for lowering the volume of the outside sound information is not being executed, that is, a normal control state is set to 1, and the outside sound information is set. The correction coefficient Y for lowering the volume of information is set to 1
(Step S)
1).

Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined measurement cycle set in advance has elapsed (step S2).
At the time point determined as S, after reading the data of the outside sound information collected by the microphone 1 while the predetermined period has elapsed (step S3), the data of the outside sound information is
It is compared with the data stored in the storage means 5 to determine whether or not they match (step S4). In step S4, when it is determined as NO and it is confirmed that the outside sound information collected by the microphone 1 is not necessary information for the driver, the process returns to step S2 to repeat the control operation. .

It is determined YES in step S4, and the outside sound information collected by the microphone 1 is information necessary for the driver, for example, a siren sound of an emergency vehicle such as a police car and a fire engine, a warning of a level crossing. Or if it is confirmed that it is the horn sound of a car,
It is determined whether or not the window of the vehicle is open according to the detection signal of the window detection means 10 (step S5), and it is determined as YES. If it is confirmed that the vehicle is being introduced, the process returns to step S2, and the speaker 2 is kept in the inactive state, thereby prohibiting the speaker 2 from outputting vehicle outside sound information.

If it is determined NO in step S5 and it is confirmed that the window of the vehicle is in the closed state, the output of the manual switch 11 is operated to the position where the output of outside sound information is prohibited. Is determined (step S6), and if YES is determined,
Returning to step S2, the vehicle outside sound information is
Prohibits output from

If the result of the determination in step S6 is NO and it is confirmed that the manual switch 11 has been operated to the position where the outside sound information can be output, it is detected by the operation amount detecting means 12. On the basis of the operation amount L of the volume adjusting means and the awakening degree K of the driver detected by the arousal state detecting means 13, a correction coefficient Z ( = L · K) (step S7).
The operation amount L of the volume adjusting means is set to a value of 1 or more, and is set in advance so as to increase as the volume of the audio device adjusted by the volume adjusting means increases. The driver's awakening degree K
Is set in advance to a value greater than or equal to 1 and to a larger value as the awakening degree of the driver decreases.

Next, it is determined whether or not the flag indicating that the control for lowering the volume of the outside sound information is not being executed is set to 1 (step S8). If it is confirmed that the control for reducing the vehicle noise is not being executed, it is determined whether or not the correction coefficient Y for lowering the volume of the external sound information is set to 1 (step S9). NO in this step S9
When it is determined that the correction coefficient Y is less than 1, the value of the correction coefficient Y is updated by adding a constant Ya previously set to about 0.2 to the correction coefficient Y. Thereafter (step S10), it is determined whether or not the updated correction coefficient Y has become 1 or more (step S11).

It is determined YES in the above step S10,
If it is confirmed that the correction coefficient Y is 1 or more, the correction coefficient Y is set to 1 (step S1).
2) A volume setting value V (=) for adjusting the volume of the vehicle exterior sound information output from the speaker 2 based on the preset reference volume Va of the vehicle exterior sound information and the correction coefficients Z and Y.
Va · Z · Y) is calculated (step S13).

Next, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling at a low speed of less than 10 km / h according to the detection signal of the traveling state detecting means 4 (step S14). If it is confirmed that it is not necessary to actively introduce the outside sound information due to the state, the flag is reset to 0 (step S15), and the control for lowering the volume of the outside sound information is executed. After returning to the state by displaying the flag, the process returns.

If the determination in step S14 is NO, and it is confirmed that the vehicle is not in a slow state,
It is determined whether the vehicle is in a braking state according to the detection signal of the braking state detecting means 8 (step S16), and YES
If it is determined that it is not necessary to actively introduce the outside sound information because the vehicle is in the braking state, the process returns to step S15.

Further, when the determination in step S16 is NO and it is confirmed that the vehicle is not in the braking state,
It is determined whether or not the hazard lamp of the vehicle is in a lighting state according to the detection signal of the lighting state detection means 9 (step S17). If it is confirmed that the necessity of introduction is low, the process returns to step S15.

If the result of the determination in step S17 is NO and it is confirmed that there is a high necessity for actively introducing outside-of-vehicle sound information, the process returns as it is to return to the above-mentioned condition calculated in step S13. The normal control for setting the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 based on the volume setting value V of the outside sound information is executed.

On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S8 is NO, the flag is reset to 0,
That is, when it is confirmed that the control for reducing the outside sound information is being executed, a constant Ya previously set to about 0.2 is subtracted from the correction coefficient Y for reducing the volume of the outside sound information. Then, after updating the value of the correction coefficient Y (step S18), it is determined whether or not the updated correction coefficient Y has become less than 0 (step S19).

If it is determined YES in step S19 and it is confirmed that the updated correction coefficient Y is less than 0, the volume setting value V of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 is obtained. Return without any change. As a result, the output of the outside sound information from the speaker 2 is kept stopped.

On the other hand, if it is determined NO in step S19 and it is confirmed that the updated correction coefficient Y is equal to or greater than 0, the reference volume Va of the vehicle exterior sound information and the correction volume Volume setting value V (= Va · Z · Y) for adjusting the volume of outside vehicle sound information based on coefficients Z and Y
Is calculated (step S20).

Next, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed has changed from a low-speed running state of less than 10 km / h at a running speed of 10 km / h or more according to the detection signal of the running state detecting means 4 (step S21). If it is determined that it is determined that it is necessary to actively introduce outside-vehicle sound information because the vehicle has moved from the slow-moving state to the normal running state,
The flag is set to 1 (step S22), and the control is returned by displaying the fact that the control for lowering the volume of the outside vehicle sound information is not being executed, that is, the normal control state, by the flag.

If the determination in step S21 is NO, and it is confirmed that the vehicle is running slowly,
It is determined whether or not the braking state of the vehicle has been released according to the detection signal of the braking state detection means 8 (step S23),
When it is determined that the answer is YES, it is confirmed that the necessity of actively introducing the outside sound information is increased because the vehicle is released from the braking state, and the above-described step S22 is performed.
After returning to, return.

Further, if NO is determined in the above step S23 and it is confirmed that the vehicle is in the braking state,
It is determined whether or not the hazard lamp of the vehicle has been turned off in accordance with the detection signal of the lighting state detection means 9 (step S24). If it is confirmed that the introduction is necessary, the process returns to step S22.

If NO is determined in step S24 and it is confirmed that the necessity of actively introducing outside-of-vehicle sound information is low, the process returns as it is, and the correction coefficient Y is set in step S18. By performing the subtraction, the control for gradually decreasing the volume setting value V of the vehicle outside sound information calculated in step S20 is continued. As a result, the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker 2 gradually decreases until it reaches zero.

As described above, the sound collecting means including the microphone 1 for collecting the sound outside the vehicle, the speaker 2 provided in the vehicle interior, and the information necessary for the driver among the sounds outside the vehicle collected by the microphone 1 A traveling state detecting means 4 for detecting whether or not the vehicle is in a slow-moving state, in an outside sound information introduction support device having an outside sound information controlling means 6 for controlling the vehicle to output the selected sound from the speaker 2; When the traveling state detecting means 4 detects that the vehicle is in a slow-moving state, there is provided a sound volume control means 7 for controlling so as to lower the sound volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2. In accordance with the detection signal of the traveling state detecting means 4, it is simply and appropriately determined whether or not it is necessary to actively introduce outside sound information such as a siren sound of an emergency vehicle or a warning sound of a railroad crossing into the vehicle interior. Rukoto can.

That is, when it is confirmed that the vehicle speed is low, for example, less than 10 km / h, according to the detection signal of the driving state detecting means 4, a siren sound of an emergency vehicle or a warning sound of a railroad crossing, etc. Since the outside sound information has already been recognized by the driver, it is determined that the driver has shifted the vehicle to the slow driving state, and the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 is reduced. The sound information can be prevented from being introduced into the vehicle interior, and the quietness in the vehicle interior can be maintained. When it is confirmed that the vehicle is not in the slow-moving state according to the detection signal of the traveling state detecting means 4, the driver has recognized outside sound information such as a siren sound of an emergency vehicle or a warning sound of a railroad crossing. Since there is a possibility that there is no such sound, the outside sound information is output at a predetermined volume from the speaker 2, whereby the outside sound information can be effectively recognized by the driver.

In the above embodiment, when it is confirmed that the vehicle speed detected by the traveling state detecting means 4 is less than 10 km / h, the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 is reduced. Although the example configured as described above has been described, when the vehicle speed is 0 and it is confirmed that the vehicle is in a stopped state, the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker 2 is reduced. You may.

Further, as described above, the braking state detecting means 8 for detecting whether or not the vehicle is in the braking state is provided. When the braking state detecting means 8 confirms that the vehicle is in the braking state, In the case where the sound volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 is reduced, the braking state detecting means 8 detects that the brake pedal is depressed and the vehicle is in a braking state. In addition, it can be determined whether or not the driver has already recognized outside sound information such as a siren sound of an emergency vehicle or a warning of a railroad crossing. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the outside sound information has already been recognized by the driver according to the above determination result, the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 is reduced, thereby causing the unpleasant outside sound information. Can be prevented from being introduced into the vehicle interior, and quietness in the vehicle interior can be maintained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when it is confirmed by the braking state detecting means 8 that the braking state of the vehicle has been released, the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker 2 is raised to the original volume. When the vehicle is released from the braking state and shifts to the running state again, it is determined that external sound information needs to be introduced into the cabin, and the volume of the external sound information is increased to the original volume. By executing the control to cause the driver to recognize the outside-of-vehicle sound information as necessary.

The lighting state detecting means 9 for detecting whether or not the hazard lamp of the vehicle is in the lighting state as described above.
Is provided, it is possible to determine whether or not the driver has already recognized outside sound information such as a siren sound of an emergency vehicle or a warning of a railroad crossing according to the detection signal of the lighting state detection means 9. . Therefore, when it is confirmed that the outside sound information has already been recognized by the driver according to the determination result, the volume of the outside sound information output from the loudspeaker 2 is controlled to be reduced, thereby causing discomfort. Thus, it is possible to prevent noise information outside the vehicle from being introduced into the vehicle interior, and to keep the vehicle interior quiet.

In the above embodiment, the window detecting means 10 for detecting whether or not the window of the vehicle is in the open state is provided. In response to the detection signal of the window detecting means 10, the outside sound information is output from the opening of the window. Is configured so that it can be determined whether or not the vehicle is fully introduced, even though the vehicle window is open.
By preventing the outside sound information from being output from the inside and outside of the cabin by outputting the outside sound information from the speaker 2, the quietness in the cabin can be effectively maintained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the manual switch 11 for stopping the output of the outside sound information from the speaker 2 is provided, and when the manual switch 11 is operated by the occupant, the occupant receives the outside sound information. Since the output of the outside sound information from the speaker 2 is stopped when it is determined that the outside sound information is not desired, unnecessary outside sound information can be prevented from being introduced into the vehicle interior.

In the above embodiment, the operation amount detecting means 12 for detecting the operation amount of the volume adjusting means of the audio equipment mounted on the vehicle is provided.
Since the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 is changed in accordance with the operation amount of the volume adjustment means detected by the operation amount 2, the volume adjustment of the audio device detected by the operation amount detection means 12 It is possible to determine how sensitive the occupant is to the sound in accordance with the operation amount of the means, and adjust the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker 2 to an appropriate value in accordance with the result of the determination. .

That is, when the occupant desires to keep the interior of the vehicle quiet because the passenger is sensitive to sound, the operation amount of the volume control means of the audio device is set to a small value. Accordingly, by setting the correction value Z for calculating the volume setting value V of the external sound information to a small value in response to this, the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker 2 is reduced. In addition, it is possible to prevent the unpleasant outside sound information from being introduced into the vehicle interior and to keep the vehicle interior quiet.

On the other hand, if the occupant is insensitive to the sound, it is considered that the operation amount of the volume control means of the audio device is set to be large, and accordingly, the outside sound information of the vehicle outside sound is By setting the correction value Z for calculating the volume setting value V to a large value and increasing the volume of the vehicle exterior sound information output from the speaker 2, the occupant who is insensitive to sound is provided outside the vehicle. Sound information can be surely recognized. Since the control for adjusting the volume of the external sound information corresponding to the amount of operation of the volume adjusting means of the audio device can be executed irrespective of the operating state of the audio device, the volume adjusting means of the audio device is controlled. Can be used as sound volume adjusting means for adjusting the sound volume of the external sound information.

Further, awake state detecting means 13 for detecting the degree of awakening of the driver is provided.
When the driver's awakening degree is confirmed to be low, that is, when it is confirmed that there is a risk of shifting to a dozing state, the correction value Z for calculating the volume setting value V of the vehicle outside sound information is determined. Set to a large value,
Since the volume of the outside sound information output from the vehicle is increased, the awakening of the driver can be promoted by the vehicle sound information.

When the volume of the outside sound information is reduced by the volume control means 13, the volume is directly reduced from a predetermined large volume range to a low volume range, or the volume is set to 0 to reduce the volume. The output of the outside sound information from the speaker 2 may be stopped. Further, when the volume of the outside sound information is increased by the volume control means 13, the output of the outside sound information from the speaker 2 is stopped by setting this volume to a predetermined small low volume range or setting the volume to 0. The state may be directly raised to a certain high volume range.

However, as described above, when the volume of the outside sound information is directly reduced from a constant high volume range to a low volume range, or directly increased from a constant low volume range to a constant high volume range. Since the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker 2 rapidly changes, the volume of the external sound information is gradually decreased or increased as shown in the above-described embodiment. It is desirable to prevent a sudden change in the volume of the external sound information output from the vehicle 2 so as to effectively prevent a passenger from feeling uncomfortable.

[0061]

As described above, the present invention provides a sound collecting means for collecting outside sound, a speaker provided in a vehicle cabin, and a driving sound among the outside sound collected by the sound collecting means. Outside sound information introduction support device having an outside sound information control means for selecting information necessary for the user and outputting the information from the speaker, and detecting whether the vehicle is in a stopped state or a slow state. Volume control for reducing the volume of outside sound information output from the speaker when, for example, the vehicle is in a stopped state or a slow-moving state detected by the traveling state detecting means, Means, external sound information such as an emergency vehicle siren sound or a level crossing warning sound is positively introduced into the passenger compartment from the speaker in accordance with the detection signal of the traveling state detecting means and the like. It is possible to determine whether there is a need simply and properly.

Accordingly, since the outside sound information such as the siren sound of the emergency vehicle or the warning sound of the railroad crossing has already been recognized by the driver according to the above determination result, the driver shifts the vehicle to the stopped state or the slow driving state. If it is confirmed that the sound has been transmitted, the sound volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker is reduced to prevent unpleasant outside sound information from being introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby improving the quietness of the vehicle interior. Can be maintained. In addition, when it is confirmed that there is a possibility that the outside sound information such as the siren sound of the emergency vehicle or the warning sound of the railroad crossing may not be recognized by the driver according to the detection signal of the traveling state detecting means or the like, By outputting the outside sound information at a predetermined volume from the speaker and introducing it into the vehicle interior, the driver can recognize the outside sound information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an outside sound information introduction support device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first step of a control operation performed in the outside sound information introduction support device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second step of the control operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microphone (sound collecting means) 2 Speaker 4 Running state detecting means 6 Outside sound information controlling means 7 Volume controlling means 8 Braking state detecting means 9 Lighting state detecting means 10 Window detecting means 11 Manual switch 12 Operation amount detecting means 13 Awake state detecting means

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A sound collecting means for collecting sound outside a vehicle, a speaker provided in a vehicle cabin, and information necessary for a driver selected from outside sound collected by the sound collecting means, and An external sound information introduction support device having external sound information control means for controlling output from a speaker, the driving state detecting means detecting whether the vehicle is in a stopped state or a slow-moving state, Volume control means for controlling so as to lower the volume of the outside sound information output from the speaker when the detection means detects that the vehicle is in a stopped state or a slow-moving state. Outside sound information introduction support device. 2. A sound collecting means for collecting sound outside the vehicle, a speaker provided in the vehicle cabin, and information necessary for a driver selected from the sound outside the vehicle collected by the sound collecting means. An external sound information introduction support device having external sound information control means for controlling output from a speaker, comprising: braking state detecting means for detecting whether the vehicle is in a braking state; and An external sound information introduction support device, comprising: volume control means for controlling so as to reduce the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker when it is detected that the vehicle is in a braking state. . 3. The external sound information introduction support device according to claim 2, wherein the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker is reduced when the braking state detecting means detects that the braking state of the vehicle has been released. An outside sound information introduction support device characterized in that the sound volume is raised to the original volume. 4. A sound collecting means for collecting sound outside the vehicle, a speaker provided in the vehicle interior, and information necessary for a driver selected from the sound outside the vehicle collected by the sound collecting means. An external sound information introduction support device having external sound information control means for controlling output from a speaker, comprising: a lighting state detecting means for detecting whether a hazard lamp of the vehicle is in a lighting state; And a sound volume control means for controlling a volume of the sound information output from the speaker to be reduced when the detection means confirms that the hazard lamp is turned on. Information introduction support device. 5. The external sound information introduction support device according to claim 1, further comprising: a window detection unit that detects whether a window of the vehicle is in an open state. An external sound information introduction support device configured to stop the output of the external sound information from the speaker when it is detected that the window is in the open state. 6. The vehicle outside sound information introduction support device according to claim 1, further comprising a manual switch for inhibiting output of vehicle outside sound information from a speaker. Sound information introduction support device. 7. The external sound information introduction support device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation amount detection unit that detects an operation amount of a volume adjustment unit of an audio device mounted on the vehicle. An outside sound information introduction support device characterized in that the sound volume of outside sound information output from the speaker is changed in accordance with the operation amount of the volume adjustment means detected by the operation amount detection means. 8. The external sound information introduction support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an awake state detecting means for detecting a degree of awakening of the driver, wherein the awake state detecting means detects An external sound information introduction support device characterized in that, when it is confirmed that the awakening degree is low, the volume of the external sound information output from the speaker is increased. 9. The external sound information introduction support device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when the volume control means executes control for decreasing or increasing the volume of the external sound information, the volume is reduced. An outside sound information introduction support device characterized by being configured to be gradually lowered or raised.