WO2014102977A1

WO2014102977A1 - Sound output unit control device and sound output unit control method

Info

Publication number: WO2014102977A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/083939
Authority: WO
Inventors: 康孝鈴木
Original assignee: パイオニア株式会社
Priority date: 2012-12-27
Filing date: 2012-12-27
Publication date: 2014-07-03
Also published as: JP5731074B2; JPWO2014102977A1

Abstract

When a person is detected within a predetermined distance outside and ahead of a moving body (MV) by a detection unit (920), a control unit (740) causes the sound output direction of a speaker (SP) of a sound output unit (910) to be directed toward the outside and ahead of the moving body (MV) and causes a first acquisition unit (710) to obtain alarm sound data from a storage unit (930) in order to supply an alarm sound signal from a supply unit (720) to the sound output unit (910). In contrast, when no person is detected within the predetermined distance outside and ahead of the moving body (MV) by the detection unit (920), the control unit (740) causes the sound output direction of the speaker (SP) of the sound output unit (910) to be directed toward the inside of the moving body (MV) and performs control so as to cause the first acquisition unit (710) to obtain user-selected music sound data from the storage unit (930) in order to supply a music sound signal from the supply unit (720) to the sound output unit (910).

Description

Sound output unit control device and sound output unit control method

The present invention relates to a sound output unit control device, a sound output unit control method, a sound output unit control program, and a recording medium on which the sound output unit control program is recorded.

In recent years, a mobile body using a battery as a driving force source such as an electric vehicle using a battery as a driving force source or a hybrid car using the battery as a part of the driving force source has been widely used. When such a moving body travels using a battery as a driving force source, the level of driving sound outside the moving body is dramatically lower than that of a conventional gasoline vehicle. As a result, a situation may occur in which a pedestrian or a bicycle driver does not notice the presence of a moving body approaching from outside the field of view, such as behind. The occurrence of such a situation is a serious problem for traffic safety.

For this reason, various proposals have been made on techniques for outputting notification sounds such as pseudo engine sounds to the outside of the vehicle while the moving body is traveling. Among these proposed technologies, by outputting an arbitrary pseudo engine sound outside and inside the moving body, a notification sound for notifying the pedestrian of the approach of the moving body is output and a driving feeling is given to the driver. A technique for outputting sound effects has been proposed (see Patent Document 1: hereinafter referred to as “conventional example”). In this conventional example, a speaker for external output and a speaker for internal output are separately prepared, and the output sound for moving body and the output sound for moving body can be made the same pseudo engine sound, or different simulated sounds can be used. The engine sound can also be used.

JP 2006-349844 A

In the above-described conventional technology, two types of speakers, an external output speaker and an internal output speaker, are prepared to output different sounds outside and inside the moving body. For this reason, the moving body to which the technology of the conventional example is applied needs to be able to arrange two systems of speakers at appropriate positions.

By the way, in recent years, a micro electric vehicle (micro EV) has been realized. Such a micro EV also has a vehicle type that does not have a door or the like, and a speaker cannot be disposed on the door of the vehicle as in the past. Even if it is going to apply the technique of a prior art example to the vehicle of such a vehicle type, the case where two systems of speakers cannot be arrange | positioned appropriately is also considered.

Also, the sound desired by the user as the sound output to the moving body is not limited to the pseudo engine sound. For example, the user may desire a music sound as an output sound into the vehicle.

For this reason, even if the vehicle model cannot properly arrange the two speakers, such as the micro EV, the notification sound is appropriately output to the outside of the vehicle and the sound of the music sound desired by the user is input to the vehicle. A technique capable of outputting is desired. Meeting this requirement is one of the problems to be solved by the present invention.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and with a simple configuration, a sound output unit that can output a notification sound to the outside of a moving body and can output a sound desired by a user to the moving body. It is an object to provide a control device and a sound output unit control method.

From a first viewpoint, the present invention is a sound output unit control device that controls a sound output unit that has a sound output device arranged on a moving body and capable of changing a sound output direction, and outputs to the sound output unit. A supply unit that supplies a sound signal; and a control unit that controls the sound output direction; and the control unit satisfies a predetermined condition to be notified of the approach of the moving body toward the periphery of the moving body In this case, the sound output direction is controlled so as to be the first direction toward the outside of the moving body, and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the second direction is directed toward the inside of the moving body. The sound output unit control apparatus controls the sound output direction.

From a second viewpoint, the present invention provides a sound output unit control method used in a sound output unit control apparatus that controls a sound output unit that is arranged on a moving body and has a sound output device capable of changing a sound output direction. A supply step of supplying an output sound signal to the sound output unit; and a control step of controlling the sound output direction. In the control step, the approach of the moving body is directed toward the periphery of the moving body. When the predetermined condition to be notified is satisfied, the sound output direction is controlled so as to be the first direction toward the outside of the moving body, and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, The sound output unit control method is characterized in that the sound output direction is controlled to be a second direction toward the inside.

From a third aspect, the present invention provides a sound output unit according to the present invention in a computer provided in a sound output unit control device that controls a sound output unit that is arranged on a moving body and has a sound output device capable of changing the sound output direction. A sound output unit control program for executing a unit control method.

From a fourth viewpoint, the present invention is readable by a computer provided in a sound output unit control device that controls a sound output unit that is arranged on a moving body and has a sound output device capable of changing the sound output direction. The sound output unit control program is recorded.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sound output part control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the audio equipment based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrangement position of the sound output unit and imaging | photography unit in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the sound source data memorize | stored in the memory | storage unit of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing of the sound output unit by the apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the change process to the internal sound output mode in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the reach | attainment range of the output sound of a sound output unit.

100: Acoustic device (sound output unit control device)
110 ... control unit (first and second acquisition units, part of the detection unit,
Supply unit, control unit)
120 ... Storage unit (storage unit)
130 ... Imaging unit (part of detection unit)
220 _L ... Sound output unit (part of sound output unit)
220 _R : Sound output unit (part of sound output unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 700 ... Sound output part control apparatus 710 ... 1st acquisition part 720 ... Supply part 730 ... 2nd acquisition part 740 ... Control part 910 ... Sound output part 920 ... Detection part 930 ... Memory | storage part CR ... Vehicle (moving body)
MV ... mobile

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a sound output unit control device 700 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the sound output unit control device 700 is disposed in the moving body MV. In addition to the sound output unit control device 700, the moving body MV includes a sound output unit 910, a detection unit 920, and a storage unit 930.

The sound output unit 910 includes a speaker SP that outputs sound according to the output sound signal transmitted from the sound output unit control device 700. The sound output unit 910 further includes a rotation drive unit (not shown) that rotates the speaker SP. The rotation drive unit rotates the speaker SP around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction in accordance with a rotation drive command sent from the sound output unit control device 700.

That is, the speaker SP is a sound output device that can change the sound output direction.

The detection unit 920 detects a person within a predetermined range around the moving body MV. The detection result of the person is sent to the sound output unit control device 700. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 920 detects a person existing within a predetermined distance from the moving body MV in front of the moving body MV.

The storage unit 930 stores notification sound data and a plurality of types of music sound data (musical sound data). The storage unit 930 can be accessed by the sound output unit control device 700. In the present embodiment, there is one type of notification sound data.

<Configuration of Sound Output Unit Control Device 700>
Next, the configuration of the sound output unit control device 700 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sound output unit control device 700 includes a first acquisition unit 710 and a supply unit 720. In addition, the sound output unit control device 700 includes a second acquisition unit 730 and a control unit 740.

The first acquisition unit 710 described above acquires sound data in the storage unit 930 according to control by the control unit 740. The sound data acquired in this way is sent to the supply unit 720.

The supply unit 720 receives the sound data sent from the first acquisition unit 710. Then, the supply unit 720 generates an output sound signal to be supplied to the sound output unit 910 based on the sound data. The output sound signal generated in this way is sent to the sound output unit 910.

The second acquisition unit 730 described above acquires the detection result of the person sent from the detection unit 920. The detection result of persons within a predetermined range in front of the moving object MV acquired in this way is sent to the control unit 740.

The control unit 740 receives the person detection result sent from the second acquisition unit 730. Then, based on the detection result of the person, the sound output unit 910 controls the sound output direction of the speaker SP and the type of output sound.

When the control unit 740 outputs a sound toward the inside of the moving body MV, the type specified by the input input of the output sound to the inside of the moving body MV by a user to an input unit (not shown). Is output to the inside of the moving body MV. Here, “designation of output sound to the inside of the moving body MV” includes designation to not output sound toward the inside of the moving body MV.

When controlling the sound output direction and the type of output sound, the control unit 740 outputs the sound output of the speaker SP when the detection result sent from the detection unit 920 indicates that “a person is detected”. Control is performed such that the direction is set to the outside of the moving body MV and the output sound is a notification sound. In addition, when the detection result indicates that “no person is detected”, the control unit 740 sets the sound output direction of the speaker SP toward the inside of the moving body MV, and outputs the output sound. Is controlled to be a music sound of the type specified by the user.

Details of the control processing of the sound output direction and the type of output sound by the control unit 740 will be described later.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the sound output unit control apparatus 700 configured as described above will be described mainly focusing on the control processing of the sound output direction and the type of output sound by the control unit 740.

Note that the detection unit 920 has started to operate, and the detection unit 920 sequentially detects the detection result of the person existing within a predetermined distance from the moving body MV in front of the moving body MV to the sound output unit control apparatus 700. Suppose that it is sent. Then, the second acquisition unit 730 acquires the detection result sent from the detection unit 920, and sequentially sends the acquired detection result to the control unit 740.

In the beginning, it is assumed that the detection result by the detection unit 920 indicates that “a person is not detected”. Then, the control unit 740 performs control to output the music sound selected by the user (hereinafter, also referred to as “selected music sound”) from the speaker SP in the sound output unit 910 toward the inside of the moving body MV. It shall be.

Upon receiving the detection result from the detection unit 920 sent from the second acquisition unit 730, the control unit 740 determines whether or not the detection result indicates that “a person has been detected”. I do. If the result of the person detection determination is negative, the control unit 740 causes the sound output unit 910 and the first acquisition unit 710 to maintain the current sound output direction from the speaker SP and the type of output sound. . Then, the person detection determination is repeated until the detection result indicates that “a person is detected”.

When the result of the person detection determination is affirmative, the control unit 740 sends a first rotation drive command to the sound output unit 910 to change the sound output direction from the speaker SP to the front outside the moving body MV. . In the sound output unit 910 that has received this first rotational drive command, the rotational drive unit rotationally drives the speaker SP so that the sound output direction of the speaker SP is outside the moving body MV. As a result, the sound output direction of the speaker SP is the front outside of the moving body MV.

Also, the control unit 740 sends a notification sound selection command to the first acquisition unit 710 to interrupt the acquisition of the currently selected music sound data and start acquisition of the notification sound data. Upon receiving this notification sound selection command, the first acquisition unit 710 interrupts the acquisition of the selected music sound data that has been acquired so far, and specifies the position of the selected music sound data at the time of the interruption. Subsequently, the first acquisition unit 710 internally holds the specified data position as an acquisition restart position.

Next, the first acquisition unit 710 starts acquiring the notification sound data from the storage unit 930, and sequentially transmits the acquired notification sound data to the supply unit 720. The supply unit 720 that has received the notification sound data generates a notification sound signal based on the notification sound data, and sends the generated notification sound signal to the sound output unit 910. As a result, the notification sound is output from the speaker SP of the sound output unit 910 to the front outside the moving body MV.

Next, upon receiving the detection result from the detection unit 920, the control unit 740 performs a person non-detection determination that is a determination as to whether or not the detection result indicates “no person is detected”. If the result of the person non-detection determination is negative, the control unit 740 maintains the current sound output direction from the speaker SP and the type of output sound in the sound output unit 910 and the first acquisition unit 710. Let Then, the person non-detection determination is repeated until the detection result indicates that “a person is not detected”.

When the result of the person non-detection determination is affirmative, the control unit 740 instructs the sound output unit 910 to perform the second rotation drive command so as to change the sound output direction from the speaker SP to the direction toward the inside of the moving body MV. Send. In the sound output unit 910 that has received this second rotational drive command, the rotational drive unit rotationally drives the speaker SP so that the sound output direction of the speaker SP is directed toward the inside of the moving body MV. As a result, the sound output direction of the speaker SP is the direction toward the inside of the moving body MV.

Further, the control unit 740 sends a resumption instruction for selecting the music sound to stop the acquisition of the notification sound data and to resume the acquisition of the previously interrupted music sound to the first acquisition unit 710. The first acquisition unit 710 that has received this restart instruction starts acquisition of the music sound data whose acquisition has been interrupted from the acquisition restart position held therein, and sequentially acquires the acquired music sound data. To the supply unit 720. Receiving the music sound data, the supply unit 720 generates a music sound signal based on the music sound data, and sends the generated music sound signal to the sound output unit 910. As a result, the selected music sound is output from the speaker SP of the sound output unit 910 in a direction toward the inside of the moving body MV while maintaining continuity with the previous output interruption time point.

Thereafter, the control unit 740 executes processing from the above-described person detection determination. As a result, when a person exists within a predetermined distance from the moving body MV in front of the moving body MV, a notification sound is output from the speaker SP to the front outside of the moving body MV. When no person is present within a predetermined distance from the moving body MV in front of the moving body MV, the selected music sound is output in a direction from the speaker SP toward the inside of the moving body MV.

When the user has not selected the music sound to be output toward the inside of the mobile MV and the detection result by the detection unit 920 indicates that “a person has not been detected”. In other words, the control unit 740 performs only control to set the sound output direction from the speaker SP to the inside of the moving body MV. In addition, when a music sound to be output in the direction toward the inside of the moving body MV is newly selected, the control unit 740 indicates that “a person has not been detected” in the detection result by the detection unit 920 thereafter. When it is determined that is displayed, control is performed to output the newly selected music sound from the beginning.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a person is detected within a predetermined distance in front of the moving body MV, the control unit 740 moves the sound output direction of the speaker SP in the sound output unit 910. Control is performed so as to be outside the body MV. In addition, the control unit 740 controls the first acquisition unit 710 to acquire notification sound data from the storage unit 930, thereby supplying the notification sound signal from the supply unit 720 to the sound output unit 910.

On the other hand, when a person is not detected within a predetermined distance in front of the moving body MV, the control unit 740 causes the sound output unit 910 to output the sound output direction of the speaker SP toward the inside of the moving body MV. Take control. In addition, the control unit 740 controls the first acquisition unit 710 to acquire music sound data corresponding to the selected music sound from the storage unit 930, thereby supplying the music sound signal from the supply unit 720 to the sound output unit 910. .

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when it is necessary to output the notification sound to the outside of the moving body MV with a simple configuration, the notification sound can be appropriately output to the outside of the moving body MV, and the notification sound can be output. When there is no need to output the moving body MV to the outside, the music sound desired by the user can be output to the inside of the moving body MV.

Moreover, in this embodiment, when the acquisition of the music sound data corresponding to the selected music sound is resumed due to the necessity of outputting the notification sound to the outside of the mobile MV, the data position that was previously interrupted is resumed. Resumes acquisition of music sound data. For this reason, the output of the selected music sound can be resumed while maintaining continuity with the previous output interruption point.

[Modification of Embodiment]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

For example, in the above embodiment, the type of the notification sound data stored in the storage unit is one. On the other hand, a plurality of types of notification sound data stored in the storage unit may be used so that the user can select the notification sound to be output.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sound output toward the inside of the moving body is the music sound. On the other hand, you may enable it to select sounds other than a music sound as a sound output toward the inside of a mobile body.

In the above-described embodiment, sound data output toward the inside of the moving body is stored in the storage unit. On the other hand, the broadcast sound may be a sound output toward the inside of the moving body.

In the above embodiment, the person in front of the moving body is detected, and the output of the notification sound to the front of the moving body and the output of the music sound to the inside of the moving body are switched according to the detection result. I made it. On the other hand, when the moving body moves forward, the same switching as in the above embodiment is performed, and when the moving body moves backward, the person behind the moving body is detected, and the detection result is In response, the output of the notification sound to the rear of the moving body and the output of the music sound to the inside of the moving body may be further switched.

In the above embodiment, the output of the notification sound to the front of the moving body and the output of the music sound to the inside of the moving body are switched regardless of the moving speed of the moving body. On the other hand, when the condition that the speed of the moving body is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold speed is further satisfied, the switching is performed, and when the speed of the moving body exceeds the predetermined threshold speed, You may make it not switch to the output of the notification sound ahead.

In addition, the sound output unit control device of the above embodiment is configured as a computer as a calculation unit including a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processing), and the like. You may make it perform one part or all part of the process of these elements by performing with the said computer. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, or DVD, and is loaded from the recording medium and executed by the computer. The program may be acquired in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be acquired in a form distributed via a network such as the Internet. Also good.

Hereinafter, an acoustic apparatus including the function of the sound output unit control apparatus 700 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 as an example. In the following description and drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[Constitution]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the acoustic device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the acoustic device 100 is disposed in the vehicle CR. This vehicle CR, in addition to the acoustic apparatus 100, the vehicle control unit 210, a sound output unit 220 _L, 220 _R are disposed. In the present embodiment, the vehicle CR is a micro EV.

The vehicle control unit 210 performs traveling control of the vehicle CR based on detection results by various sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor, and an accelerator operation and a brake operation by the user. The vehicle control unit 210 sends the detection result of the vehicle speed V to the acoustic device 100.

The sound output unit 220 _L includes a speaker SP _L that outputs sound according to the output sound signal sent from the acoustic device 100. Further, a sound output unit 220 _L is further provided with a rotation drive unit (not shown) to rotate the speaker SP _L. This rotation drive unit rotates the speaker SP _L around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction in accordance with a rotation drive command sent from the acoustic device 100.

The speaker SP _L outputs an output sound having directivity that is axisymmetric with respect to the central axis of the speaker SP _L. The directivity angle of the sound output of the speaker SP _L is such that the output sound does not reach due to a large jump out of the outer shell of the vehicle CR or the extension of the outer shell of the vehicle CR regardless of whether the sound output direction is backward or forward. It has become.

The above sound output unit 220 _R is equipped with a speaker SP _R to perform a sound output according to the output sound signal transmitted from the audio device 100. The sound output unit 220 _R further includes a rotation drive unit (not shown) that rotates the speaker SP _R. The rotary drive unit, according to the rotation drive command sent from the audio device 100, to rotate the speaker SP _R about the rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction.

Note that, from the speaker SP _R , as in the case of the speaker SP _L , output sound having directivity that is axisymmetric with respect to the central axis of the speaker SP _R is output. Angle of directivity of the sound output of such a speaker SP _R, as in the case of the speaker SP _L, a sound output direction is either behind or in front of, largely from the extension of the shell of the shell or the vehicle CR of the vehicle CR The angle is such that the output sound does not reach when it jumps out.

In other words, the sound output unit 220 _L and a sound output unit 220 _R, so that the functions of the sound output section 910 in the embodiment described above. Note that the position of the sound output unit 220 _L and a sound output unit 220 _R, described below.

<Configuration of acoustic device 100>
Next, the configuration of the acoustic device 100 will be described.

The acoustic device 100 includes a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120 as shown in FIG. In addition, the acoustic device 100 includes a photographing unit 130 and an input unit 140.

The control unit 110 includes a CPU and a DSP, and executes various processes by executing programs. The control unit 110 functions as the first acquisition unit 710, the supply unit 720, the second acquisition unit 730, and the control unit 740 in the above-described embodiment. In addition, the control unit 110 performs a part of the function of the detection unit 920 in the above-described embodiment.

Note that processing executed by the control unit 110 will be described later.

In the storage unit 120, various information data used in the audio device 100 are stored. Such information data includes sound source data SSD and interruption data position information PPI. The control unit 110 can access the storage unit 120. That is, the storage unit 120 functions as the storage unit 930 in the above-described embodiment.

The interruption data position information PPI includes the identifier of the music data corresponding to the selected music sound, and the interruption data position when the output of the music sound is interrupted. The interruption data position information is cleared by the control unit 110 when a new music sound is selected, and the information is not registered.

The contents of the above sound source data SSD will be described later.

The above-described photographing unit 130 includes a photographing device such as a camera. This photographing unit 130 photographs the front side of the vehicle CR. The result of photographing by the photographing unit 130 is sent to the control unit 110 as image data. That is, the photographing unit 130 performs a part of the function of the detection unit 920 in the above-described embodiment.

In addition, the arrangement position of the photographing unit 130 will be described later.

The input unit 140 includes a key unit provided in the main body of the audio device 100 and / or a remote input device including the key unit. Here, as a key part provided in the main body part, a touch panel provided in a display device can be used. In addition, it can replace with the structure which has a key part, or can also employ | adopt the structure input with a sound using a voice recognition technique in combination. When the user operates the input unit 140, the music sound to be output to the inside of the vehicle CR is designated.

Note that the user can use the input unit 140 to specify the music sound at an arbitrary time.

<Arrangement Position of

Sound Output Units

220 _L and 220 _R and Shooting Unit 130>
As comprehensively shown by FIG. 3 (A) and 3 FIG. 3 (B), the in this embodiment, the sound output unit 220 _L is arranged near the inside of the left side mirror of the vehicle CR. In addition, the sound output unit 220 _R is disposed near the inside of the right side mirror of the vehicle CR. The photographing unit 130 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle CR.

<Contents of sound source data SSD>
As shown in FIG. 4, the sound source data SSD includes one type of notification sound data. The sound source data SSD includes a plurality of types of music sound data # 1, # 2,.

[Operation]
Next, regarding the operation of the acoustic device 100 configured as described above, control processing for the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R , that is, sound output from the speakers SP _L and SP _R in the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R, is performed. A description will be given mainly focusing on control of the direction and the type of output sound from the speakers SP _L and SP _R.

Note that it is assumed that the photographing unit 130 has started operation, and the photographing result in front of the vehicle CR is sequentially sent from the photographing unit 130 to the control unit 110 as image data. Further, it is assumed that the vehicle control unit 210 has started operation, and the detected vehicle speed V is sequentially sent from the vehicle control unit 210 to the control unit 110.

In the control processing for the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R , as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S11, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the current vehicle speed V is equal to or lower than the threshold speed V _TH. To do. Here, the “threshold speed V _TH ” is only the running noise of the vehicle CR (so-called “road noise”), and it is possible to report the approach of the vehicle CR to the range where the notification is necessary. And predetermined based on experiments, simulations, experiences, and the like.

If the result of the determination in step S11 is affirmative (step S11: Y), the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the control unit 110 determines whether or not a person is present within a predetermined distance range in front of the vehicle CR. At the time of such determination, the control unit 110 analyzes the latest image data sent from the photographing unit 130, and specifies the person extraction and the distance from the vehicle CR to the extracted person. Then, based on the extraction result of the person and the identification result of the distance to the extracted person, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the person exists within a predetermined distance range in front of the vehicle CR.

In addition, even if the vehicle CR travels forward at the threshold speed V _TH , the “predetermined distance” is from the viewpoint of providing sufficient evacuation time to a person such as a pedestrian by alerting the vehicle CR with a notification sound. It is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experiences, and the like.

If the result of the determination in step S12 is affirmative (step S12: Y), the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the control unit 110 determines whether or not it is currently in a mode for outputting a notification sound to the front outside of the vehicle CR (hereinafter referred to as “external sound output mode”). If the result of the determination in step S13 is affirmative (step S13: Y), the process returns to step S11.

At the present time, it is a mode for outputting music sound to the inside of the vehicle CR (hereinafter referred to as “internal sound output mode”), and when the result of determination in step S13 is negative (step S13: N) The process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the music sound is selected and the selected music sound is being output to the inside of the vehicle CR. If the result of determination in step S14 is negative (step S14: N), the process proceeds to step S16 described later.

If the result of the determination in step S14 is affirmative (step S14: Y), the process proceeds to step S15. In step S <b> 15, the control unit 110 interrupts reading of the music sound data corresponding to the selected music sound in the storage unit 120. Subsequently, the control unit 110 stores the identifier of the selected music sound and the reading position of the music sound data at the time of reading interruption (hereinafter referred to as “interrupt data position”) in the storage unit 120 as the interrupt data position information PPI. sign up. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, it sends the control unit 110, a speaker SP _L, the sound output direction from SP _R to rotate the drive command to the sound output unit 220 _L, 220 _R for the external front of the vehicle. More specifically, the control unit 110 rotates the speakers SP _L and SP _R to rotate 180 degrees in order to change the sound output direction from the speakers SP _L and SP _R to the front outside the vehicle CR. To the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R. In the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R that have received this rotation drive command, the rotation drive unit rotates the speakers SP _L and SP _R by 180 degrees. As a result, the sound output direction of the speakers SP _L and SP _{R is} the front outside of the vehicle CR.

Next, in step S17, the control unit 110 performs notification sound output processing. During the notification sound output process, the control unit 110 sequentially reads the notification sound data from the storage unit 120. Subsequently, the control unit 110 generates a notification sound signal based on the read notification sound data. Then, the control unit 110 sends the generated notification sound signal to the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R. As a result, the notification sound is output from the speakers SP _L and SP _{R of} the

units

220 _L and 220 _{R to} the front outside of the vehicle CR. Thus, when the process of outputting the notification sound to the outside front of the vehicle CR is started, the process returns to step S11.

In addition, the output of the notification sound to the outside front of the vehicle CR started in step S17 is continued until the mode transition to the internal sound output mode occurs.

If the result of the determination in step S11 described above is negative (step S11: N), or if the result of determination in step S12 described above is negative (step S12: N), the process is as follows. Proceed to step S18. In step S18, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the internal sound output mode is currently set. If the result of the determination in step S18 is affirmative (step S18: Y), the process returns to step S11.

At the present time, the mode is the external sound output mode, and if the result of determination in step S18 is negative (step S18: N), the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the control unit 110 performs a change process from the external sound output mode to the internal sound output mode. When the process for changing to the internal sound output mode in step S19 ends, the process returns to step S11.

Note that details of the process of changing to the internal sound output mode in step S19 will be described later.

Thereafter, the processing of steps S11 to S19 described above is repeated. As a result, the external sound output mode and the internal sound output mode are appropriately switched according to the vehicle speed V and the presence / absence of a person within a predetermined distance range in front of the vehicle CR.

<Change to Internal Sound Output Mode in Step S19>
Next, the process for changing to the internal sound output mode in step S19 will be described.

In the process of changing to the internal sound output mode, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S21, the control unit 110 sets the sound output direction from the speakers SP _L and SP _{R as} the internal direction of the vehicle CR. The rotation drive command is sent to the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R. More specifically, the control unit 110 rotates the speakers SP _L and SP _R to rotate 180 degrees in order to change the sound output direction from the speakers SP _L and SP _R to the direction toward the inside of the vehicle CR. The drive command is sent to the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R. In the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R that have received this rotation drive command, the rotation drive unit rotates the speakers SP _L and SP _R by 180 degrees. As a result, the sound output direction of the speakers SP _L and SP _R is the direction toward the inside of the vehicle CR, that is, the rear direction.

Next, in step S22, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the music sound is selected. If the result of the determination in step S22 is negative (step S22: N), the process of step S19 ends. Then, the process returns to step S11 in FIG.

If the result of the determination in step S22 is affirmative (step S22: Y), the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the interrupt data position information PPI is registered in the storage unit 120.

If the result of the determination in step S23 is affirmative (step S23: Y), the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the control unit 110 performs an output process from the interruption data position of the selected music sound. In this output process, the control unit 110 refers to the interruption data position information PPI and sequentially reads music sound data corresponding to the selected music sound from the interruption data position. Subsequently, the control unit 110 generates a music sound signal based on the read music sound data. Then, the control unit 110 sends the generated music sound signal to the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R. As a result, the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R speakers SP _L and SP _R start to output the selected music sound in which the continuity from the previous output interruption is maintained in the direction toward the interior of the vehicle CR. The

If the result of determination in step S23 is negative (step S23: N) due to the newly designated music sound during the external sound output mode, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the control unit 110 performs a process of outputting a new selected music sound. In this output process, the control unit 110 sequentially reads the music sound data corresponding to the new selected music sound from the head position. Subsequently, the control unit 110 generates a music sound signal based on the read music sound data. Then, the control unit 110 sends the generated notification sound signal to the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R. As a result, from the speakers SP _L and SP _{R of} the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R , a new selected music sound starts to be output from the beginning in the direction toward the inside of the vehicle CR.

When a new music sound is designated during the internal sound output mode, a new selected music sound is immediately output in the direction toward the inside of the vehicle CR from the beginning and stored in the storage unit 120. The contents of the interruption data position information PPI are cleared.

<Range of output sound>
Next, the reach of the output sound from the speakers SP _L and SP _R in this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 7A, the reachable range of the notification sound output from the speakers SP _L and SP _R to the outside of the vehicle CR in the external sound output mode is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 7A, since the speakers SP _L and SP _R have the above-described directivity related to sound output, the notification sound cannot be heard or is difficult to hear by a person who is not in front of the vehicle CR. ing. For this reason, the noise generation of the notification sound for a person who does not need to notify the vehicle approach is suppressed.

In FIG. 7B, the reach range of the music sound output from the speakers SP _L and SP _R to the inside rear of the vehicle CR in the internal sound output mode is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 7B, since the speakers SP _L and SP _R have the above-described directivity related to sound output, the reach of the music sound is almost limited to the inside of the vehicle CR. For this reason, the noise of the selected music sound for the person outside the vehicle CR is suppressed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a person is detected within a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle CR, the control unit 110 uses the speakers SP _L and SP in the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R. _The

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R are controlled so that the sound output direction from _R is the front outside of the vehicle CR. In addition, the control unit 110 generates a notification sound signal based on the notification sound data in the storage unit 120 and supplies the generated notification sound signal to the

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R.

On the other hand, when a person is not detected within a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle CR, the control unit 110 is configured such that the sound output direction from the speakers SP _L and SP _R is the direction toward the inside of the vehicle CR. The

sound output units

220 _L and 220 _R are controlled. Further, the control unit 110, based on the music sound data in the storage unit 120, generates a music sound selected by the user, and supplies the generated musical tone signal to the sound output unit 220 _L, 220 _R.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when it is necessary to output the notification sound to the outside of the vehicle CR with a simple configuration, the notification sound can be appropriately output to the outside of the vehicle CR, and the notification sound of the vehicle CR can be output. If there is no need to output to the outside, the music sound desired by the user can be output to the inside of the vehicle CR.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the notification sound is output to the outside of the vehicle CR, the vehicle speed V of the vehicle CR is set to be a threshold speed V _TH or less. For this reason, when the notification of the approach of the vehicle CR is sufficient with only the running noise of the vehicle CR, the user can listen to the desired music sound regardless of the presence or absence of the notification target person.

Further, in this embodiment, when the output of the selected music sound to the inside of the vehicle CR is resumed due to the necessity of outputting the notification sound to the outside of the vehicle CR, the selection at the time when the sound was interrupted first is selected. The output of the selected music sound is restarted from the position of the music data. For this reason, the output of the selected music sound can be resumed while maintaining continuity with the previous output interruption point.

Further, in this embodiment, the directivity angle of the sound output from the speakers SP _L and SP _R is determined based on the extension of the outline of the vehicle CR or the extension of the outline of the vehicle CR regardless of whether the sound output direction is rearward or forward. The angle is set so that the output sound does not reach the output sound. For this reason, noise generation of the output sound from the speakers SP _L and SP _R can be suppressed.

[Modification of Example]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the above embodiment, one type of notification sound data is stored in the storage unit. On the other hand, the notification sound data stored in the storage unit may be plural types so that the user can select the notification sound to be output.

In the above embodiment, the music sound is output to the inside of the vehicle. On the other hand, you may enable it to select sounds other than a music sound as a sound output toward the inside of a vehicle.

In the above embodiment, sound data output toward the inside of the vehicle is stored in the storage unit. On the other hand, the broadcast sound may be a sound output toward the inside of the vehicle.

In the above embodiment, the person in front of the vehicle is detected, and the output of the notification sound to the front of the vehicle and the output of the music sound to the inside of the vehicle are switched according to the detection result. On the other hand, when the vehicle moves forward, the same switching as in the above embodiment is performed, and when the vehicle moves backward, a person behind the vehicle is detected, and according to the detection result, You may further enable it to switch the output of the notification sound to the back of a vehicle, and the output of a music sound to the inside of a vehicle.

Further, in the above embodiment, the presence or absence of the notification target person is detected by analyzing the image photographed by the photographing unit. On the other hand, you may make it detect the presence or absence of a notification subject using a human sensor.

In the above-described embodiment, when the notification sound is output to the outside of the vehicle, the vehicle speed of the vehicle is not more than a threshold speed. On the other hand, the condition may not be adopted when the notification sound is output to the outside of the vehicle.

Also, in the above embodiment, when outputting the notification sound to the outside of the vehicle, the type of road that is running is not taken into consideration. On the other hand, when outputting the notification sound to the outside of the vehicle, the type of road on which the vehicle is traveling may be considered. For example, when the type of road being traveled is an automobile-only road, switching to the output of the notification sound may not be performed outside the vehicle.

In the above embodiment, the acoustic device is supplied with the detection result of the vehicle speed from the vehicle control unit. On the other hand, when the supply of the detection result of the vehicle cannot be received from the outside, the acoustic device may include a sensor for detecting the vehicle speed.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the control of the sound output unit disposed in the micro EV. However, the present invention may be applied to the control of the sound output unit disposed in the moving body other than the micro EV. Of course you can.

Claims

A sound output control unit that controls a sound output unit that has a sound output device that is arranged on a moving body and can change a sound output direction,
A supply unit for supplying an output sound signal to the sound output unit;
A control unit for controlling the sound output direction;
The controller is
When the predetermined condition to be notified toward the periphery of the moving body is approaching the moving body, the sound output direction is controlled to be the first direction toward the outside of the moving body,
If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the sound output direction is controlled to be the second direction toward the inside of the moving body.
The sound output part control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.
A first acquisition unit that acquires sound data from a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of sound data;
The supply unit supplies a signal generated based on the sound data acquired by the first acquisition unit to the sound output unit,
The first acquisition unit includes:
When the control unit controls the sound output direction to be in the first direction, notification sound data for notifying the vicinity of the moving body from the storage unit Get
When the control unit controls the sound output direction so as to be the second direction, the sound data selected by the user is acquired from the storage unit.
The sound output unit control device according to claim 1.
The sound output unit control device according to claim 2, wherein the selected sound data is musical sound data.
The first acquisition unit includes:
If the sound output direction is controlled to be the second direction, and the sound output direction is controlled to be the first direction, the acquisition of the musical sound data is interrupted. Then, acquisition of the notification sound data is started,
Thereafter, when the sound output direction is controlled so as to be in the second direction, the acquisition of the musical sound data from the data position at the time of the interruption is resumed.
The sound output unit control device according to claim 3.
A second acquisition unit that acquires a detection result from a detection unit that detects a person existing within a predetermined peripheral range with respect to the moving object;
The controller is
When a person is detected by the detection unit, the sound output direction is controlled to be the first direction,
When the person is not detected by the detection unit, the sound output direction is controlled to be the second direction.
The sound output unit control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
A sound output unit control method used in a sound output unit control apparatus for controlling a sound output unit arranged on a moving body and having a sound output device capable of changing a sound output direction,
Supplying a sound signal to the sound output unit;
A control step for controlling the sound output direction;
In the control step,
When the predetermined condition to be notified toward the periphery of the moving body is approaching the moving body, the sound output direction is controlled to be the first direction toward the outside of the moving body,
If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the sound output direction is controlled to be the second direction toward the inside of the moving body.
The sound output part control method characterized by the above-mentioned.
A computer provided in a sound output unit control device that controls a sound output unit that has a sound output device arranged on a mobile body and capable of changing a sound output direction, causes the computer to execute the sound output unit control method according to claim 6. A sound output unit control program.
The sound output unit control program according to claim 7 is recorded in a computer-readable manner in a computer provided in a sound output unit control device that controls a sound output unit having a sound output device that is arranged on a moving body and can change a sound output direction. A recording medium characterized by that.