GB2185107A - Motor vehicle data announcing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A motor vehicle data announcing system which utilizes a speech synthesizer, a single-chip microcomputer and a program to give a greeting and time announcement when the ignition key is turned on, a speed announcement when a set speed is exceeded, a speed and time announcement during driving in response to an instruction, and driving data i.e., running distance, time and average speed after turning off the ignition key.

Description

SPECIFICATION Motor vehicle data announcing system This invention relates to a motorvehicle data announcing system.

General traffic conditions, such as cars from the opposite direction, distance from othercars,trafficsigns along the road, must be observed during driving. Since all such conditions must be watched, drivers often ignore speed, time and other information displayed on the instrument panel. On the other hand, it is dangerousfora driverto pay too much attention to his instrument panel and too little attentiontothetraffic conditions; it may cause a traffic accident. Furthermore, busy life in modern society tends to cause mindless driving in which speed and time are neglected.

There are kinds of car computers which can display running distance, time and average speed. However, they don'tfitthe requirements of drivers nowadays since they require sophisticated key-in operations.

According to this invention,we propose a motorvehicle data announcing system, comprising means for obtaining data regarding operation ofthevehicle and means fororally transmitting insidethevehiclethe data obtained, including a speech synthesizer.

A preferred embodiment ofthe present invention provides a microcomputer based speech announcement system, particularly a driving data announcementdeviceto be installed in a motor vehicle such as an automobile or motorcycle. It has the following functions: 1. It gives greetings, such as "Good Morning", "Good Day", and "Good Evening" in English or any other language, and tells time orally at each start ofcarmoving.

2. It tells speed orally, such as 60 KM/H (40 MPH), 70 KM/H (45MPH), 80 KM/H (50 MPH), 90 KM/H (55MPH) and so provided its initial speed announcement is set at 60 KM/H (40 MPH).

3. It can tell speed at anytime by pressing a "speed talk" key.

4. It can tell driving date, including running distance (D),time (T) and average speed (S) atturning offof ignition key.

5. It permits precise, safe and convenient speed control with the date provided orally.

6. It can give independently, orconnectto audio system ofcarto give announcement of driving data.

7. It can be connected to a radardetectorto give speed data whenever it receives radarsignal.

An embodiment of this invention is described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: A. Figure lisa circuit diagram for a car driving data oral announcing device according to the present invention.

Figure2 is another circuit diagram for a car driving data oral announcing device according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a speed signal detector according to the present invention.

Figure 4shows an embodiment of connection between the speed signal detector and speedometer.

Figure 5shows another embodiment of a speed signal detector according to the present invention.

Figure 6shows an embodiment of connection between the speed signal detector and driving shaft a car.

B. ABBREVIATION IN THE FLOW CHARTS Ml = mile(14) KM = Kilometer (15) STD = Inner Automatic Calibration Switch (24) LS = speed Calibration LED (10) LT = Time Calibration LED (12) IGN5 = 5V Ignition KeySignal Input Pin SP = Speed Signal Input Pin ACC = Distance Accumulation Switch (41 ) CS = External Speed Calibration Key (40-1) D = Distance LST = LowerLimitSetting Switch (18) T = time SV = Speed Setting Key (2) S = AverageSpeed ST = Speed Talk Key (38) GR = Greetings TT = Time Talk Key (37) NT = Time Talk on the Hour Switch (19) TZ = Overspeed Signal Output Pin HR = Hour MIN = Minute A major advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to provide oral announcing of car driving data, such as speed, time, distance and like in addition to that indicated on speedometer, clock, distance meter and like at instrument panel, and to provide briefgreetingsforcomfortable and safe driving.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to provide all necessary data and information by oral announcing with very simple operation so that the driver can concentrate his mind on driving without frequently looking at the instrument panel and avoid any unnecessary accident on the road and hence to increase safety in driving.

The present invention provides an oral announcing device mainly to be installed within an automobile but can be used on other motorvehicles e.g. motorcycles. It has a speed signal detectorto detect running speed.

It can be connected to any audio system to report running speed, time and related driving information, and to give briefgreetings orally. A detailed description is given below with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure lisa circuit diagram of a driving data oral announcing device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is another circuit diagram ofthe device. As shown in Figure 1 ,the device is mainly composed of a single-chip microcomputer (13), a speech synthesizer (13), a clock generator (31) and a standard speed signal generator (23). The device as shown in Figure 2 is mainly composed of a speed signal amplifier comprising a transistor (58), a power supply voltage stabilizer (61), a preamplifier (71), and a power amplifier (77). The present invention has a speed setting key (2) to setforthe minimum speed for announcing. For instance, if the speed setting key (2) is set at 40 KM/H (or 25 MPH), it starts speed announcing at 40 KM/H (or 25 MPH), and then gives an speed announcement at 50 KM/H (or30 MPH), 60KM/H (or35 MPH), 70KM/H (or 40 MPH), and so respectively at equal increment of 10 KM/H (or 5 MPH) each.However, while driving at a speed, varying within an increment, only an announcement will be given, and the next announcement will be madewhen the speed has fallen by one decrement (of 10KM/HorS MPH) or increased by one increment. Announcement of current speed for a certain period, such as 51 KM/H, 60 KM/H, 70 KM/H, 72 KM/H over or any otherspeed will be given by pressing a speed Talk Key (38) oran externally connected speed Talk Key (39-1). The speed setting switch (2) has eight positions 40 KM/H (25 MPH), 60 KM/H (40 MPH), 80 KM/H (50 MPH), 90 KM/H (55 MPH), 100KM/H (60MPH), 1 10 I < M/H (70 MPH), KM/H (85 MPH) and OFF. The above data may be changed at discretion.It has a jumper(l4)/(15) connecting to the circuit board for setting in different unit system according to different requirements in different countries orfor different persons. The setting is in Milewhen the jumper (14) is in open circuit, and in Kilometerwhen the jumper (15) is in open circuit. A lowerlimit setting Switch (18) is used to set a distance in which no announcementwill be made. For instance, it can be setnotto give any announcementfora driving distance of30 Km. (or 20 miles) and a running time of20 minutes. Time announcing Switch (19) is installed to set time announcing functionfortime announcing on the hour.An automatic calibration Switch (24) is for setting of calibration function by which the standard speed signal generator (23) give a standard speed signal to the chip (13) for calibration at power on reset.

Resistors (25) and (26) and capacitor (28) areto determine frequency ofthe standard speed signal generator (23). The circuit has a hour adjustment key (35) for adjustment of hour unit, and a minute adjustment key (36) for adjustment of minute unit. LED (12)flashes during the adjustment. Time given by the announcing device is the time after adjustment. If the hour adjustment key (35) orthe minute adjustment key (36) is not pressed within five seconds after adjustment, LED (12) keeps on lighting, and the announcing device will give time announcing after the adjustment.Please referto the flow chart attached, the speed announcement key (38) is for control over speed announcement, the socket (39) is to connect to a speed announcement key (39-1) located at a placewhere driver deems appropriate. If the standard speed signal is notto be used forcalibra- tion, an external calibration key (40-1) may be used to conduct calibration at 90 KM/H (or 55 MPH). The distance accumulation switch (41) is to determine whether accumulation of data is required. If it is setto accumulate, distance, time and average speed to be announced will be that accumulated after setting ofthe distance accumulation switch (41). Otherwise, distance, time and average speedfora certain driving will be given.The term "distance" referred herein shall be a distance commenced from turning on ofthe ignition key and the first appearance of speed signal till stoppage of the car and turning off of the ignition key. Please refer to the flow chart. The speech synthesizer (30) can convert single output from the single-chip microcomputer (13) to speech signal at DA. Resistor (20) and capacitor (21 ) give a reset signal with its time constantto reset the single-chip microcomputer (13) and the speech synthesizer (30) atturning ofthe device. The clock generatorwhich generates clock signal, with a quartz crystal (32) and capacitors (33) and (34), providesthesingle- chip microcomputer (13) and the speech synthesizer (30) with clock signal.The speed calibration LED (10) flashes before and during speed calibration, light after calibration. Thetime calibration LED(12) flashes before and during calibration, lights after calibration, SP is a speed signal input pin,TZ is an overspeed signal output pin to control some peripherals such as warner. IGN 5 is a 5-V input pinfirthe ignition key. The resistors (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (16), (17), and (22) are pull up resistors; (9) and (11) are load resistors ofthe LED; capacitors (27) and (29) are noise by-pass circuit. Please referto Figure 2, another circuit diagram forthe present invention.Atransistor (58) in the speed signal amplifier,viathe resistors (51) and (52), capacitors (53) and (54), rectifies and amplifies speed signal from SPG, and gives a speed signal to SP via the resistor (57) and capacitor (59), and then to the single-chip microcomputer (13)foroperation.The resistor (56) isa load resistor; the resistor (55) is a bias resistor. The voltage stabilizer circuit has a voltage stabilizer (61) to trans- form power source of 12V in a carto working power of 5 V. The preamplifier (71) amplifies speech signal generated at DA after equalizing at the resistors (63), (65), (67), and (68), and capacitors (64), (66) and (69), and gives an output at OP.The pin OP isforamplification with a car audio system which can then give oral output.

The resistors (70) and (88) are bias resistors, the power amplifier cross connects output ofthe preamplifier (71) via a capacitor (72). The volume adjuster (73) and the capacitors (74) and (75) amplify powerofthesignal fromthe preamplifier and cross connect itto a speaker (83) via a capacitor (82) to give oral signal. The power amplifier (77) is installed mainly for application alone. The resistor (79) and the capacitor (76), (78), (80) and (81) are compensating resistor and capacitors. The potential of signal at IGN 5 in the ignition signal conversion circuit is of 12 V potential generated at IG N 12 by the ignition key. The 12 V potential generated bythe ignition key is divided after passing the resistors (84) and (85) as well as the SV voltage stabilizing diode (86) to form 5V potential forthe circuit. The diode (86) also presents from excessive noise pulse and voltageto enterthe single-chip microcomputer (13). The capacitor (87) is to by-pass noise pulse.

Please referto Figure 3 for a preferred embodimentof a speed signal detector according to the present invention. Optic sensor are used for detection. The rotating disc (91) has a plurality of hole (92). The lightemitting diode (93) generates a light aligning with the holes (92) ofthe rotating disc(91). Each hole (92) has an electro-optical transistor (95) at the bottom. During rotation ofthe rotating disc (91), the electro-optical transistors pick up speed signal from light passing through the holes (92). Please referto Figure 4for an embodiment of connecting between speed signal detector and speedometer. The speed detector (90) is installed between the speedometer (97) and the speed cable (98).Turning ofthe shaft ofthe speed cable (98) drivesthe rotating disc (91) in the speed detector (90) as well as the speedometer (97). Therefore, during turning ofthe speedometer (97), the speed detector (90) has a speed signal output at SPG. The resistor (94) is a currentlimiting resistorforthe light-emitting diode (93), and the resistor (96) is a load resistor ofthe electro-optical transistor (95).

Please referto Figure 5 for another embodiment of a speed detector according to the present invention. It uses a magnetotransducerfor detection. Coil, reed switch, Hall effect device, magneto resistor, and magnetron are used for detection. This embodiment uses a coil to pick up signal. The shaft (100) has one or more magnet (101). While the shaft (100) is turning, the magnet (101) isturning too. Therefore, the coil (99) induce a signal. Please referto Figure 6 for connection between the speed detector and driving shaft of car. The magnet (101) is fixed to the driving shaft (100) by means of a strap (102) and rotates following rotation ofthe driving shaft. The coil (99) is fixed to the chasis by means of a support (103). While the driving shaft is rotating, the coil (99) can detect speed signal.The above specification describes hardware structure ofthe present invention. Flow charts of the present invention are attached for reference. The present invention us to provide a device of giving driving data orally. It has to following functions: 1. Itgives brief greeting at beginning of each driving, that is, while the speed detector detects a speed pulse ofgreaterthan 10Hz upon turning on ofthe ignition key. It says "GOOD MORNING" whilethecalibra- tedtime is 12:00A.M. -8:59A.M., "GOOD DAY" atO9:OOA.M. - 5.59 P.M., and "GOOD EVENING" at6:00P.M.

- 11.59 P.M.. It can tell the time afterthe greeting, such as "ELEVEN THIRTYA.M." or like, and it gives a greeting of "GOOD DAY" before calibration oftime in ordertotell whetherthetime has been calibrated or not. Pressing of time announcing key will give an announcement of time.

2. It gives warning to driver by announcing overspeed. In principle, it gives speed in a certain increment, i.e., 40,50,60,70,80,90, 100, KM/H etc., or 25,30,35,40,45,50,55, 60,65,70,75,80 MPH etc.. However, the speed setting key is of eight-step: 40,60,80,90, 100, 110, 130 KM/H and OFF, or 25,40,50,55,60,70,80 MPH and OFF. For instance, if speed setting key has been set at 60 KM/H, (or40 MPH),the speed which it will announce is, in principle, 60 KM/H,70 KM/H, 80KM/H, 90KM/H, KM/H, etc., or 40 MPH,45 MPH, 50 MPH, 55MPH, 60MPH, etc..If drives speed is stable, such as about 90 KM/H (or 55 MPH), it will give onlyan announcementfor90 KM/H (or 55MPH) till the speed is increased/decreased by an increment/decrement, such as at80 KM/H (or50 MPH) or 100 KM/H (or60 MPH).

3. It gives speed announcement upon receipt of instruction. Pressing a "SPEED TALK" key while driving can give an announcement ofthe current speed, and then give speed announcement at each increment/ decrement if such increment/decrement is reached within 20 seconds. Otherwise, the speed is kept stable in 20 seconds. It says a word "OVER" often telling the speed and ends the instruction. If the "SPEED TALK" key is repressed before it says "OVER",the instruction is ended, it says "OVER" after announcing a speed. If there is an instruction for speed announcement of sharp change in speed during speed announcement for a speed, another speed will be announced since announcement ofthe speed takes a certain time, and the speed during the announcement may pass an increment/decrement.For instance, if the speed announcement is for 70KM/H, but the actual speed during the announcement is 83KM/H, another announcement for 83 KM/H will be given. However, if the actual speed at pressing ofthe "SPEED TALK" key is, for instance, 87 KM/H, the next speed announcement will be the nearby increment/decrement, i.e., 90 or80 KM/H. As a rule, speed an nouncement will be given at regular intervals of speed increment/decrement after announcing actual speed either art or out of any increment. Speed justatthe increment will be announced in normal speed, and speed not at the increment will be announced in aspeed fasterthan normal.

4. It can provide running distance (D),time (T) and average speed (S) reports. It starts reporting after movement of car and at turning off of ignition key. No data will be reported if the distance is less than 30 Km (or 20 miles) and time is shorterthen 20 minuted if the lower limit setting switch is at "ON". But the data will be reported if the lower limit setting switch is at "OFF". When the distance accumulation switch is at "ON", the distance to be reported will be the accumulated distance run afterthe distance accumulationswitchrs turned "ON. Asound "Pl" will be given before reporting running distance, time and average speed asa remarkfor accumulation. Ifthe distance accumulation switch has been turned off, then, in principle, the distance,time and average of the last driving will be reported. Time accumulated ends atturning off ofthe ignition key.

5. It can announce time. It announces the time while the "TIME TALK" key is pressed. Setting ofthetime announcing key permits announcement oftime on the hour. Fortime adjustment, by pressing the hour adjustment key, it will announce the houratthattime, such as 1-a.m., 11 a.m., etc., and the adjustmentwill end by releasing the time adjustment key. For minute adjustment, it will announce the minute from Oto 59 by pressing the minute adjustment key. The adjustmentwill end at releasing the minute adjustment key. Ifthe hour adjustment key or minute adjustment key is not repressed within five seconds, then the time calibration is deemed completed. LED flashes before and during time calibration, and it keeps on lighting aftertime calibration, and announced the currenttime.

6. The present invention calibrates speed at 90 KM/H (or 55MPH). Either inner calibration orexternal calibration can be used. At setting the automatic calibration switch, the standard speed signal generator gives a stable simulated 90 KM/H (or 55 MPH) speed signal to the single-chip microcomputerfor innercalibration. Pressing the external calibration key while running at 90 KM/H (or 55MPH) will give a speed signal input to the single-chip microcomputer as a base for speed calculation. LED flashes before and during speed calibration, and keeps on lighting after calibration, and announces the current speed.

In conclusion,the present invention has its hardware fully played with its software system.The hardware as disclosed herein refers to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as determined by the inventor and itis deemed the best modeforthe best performance. However, any change or modification byany person who is skillful in this artwithin the spiritofthe present invention shall be included in the claim hereof, and appearance as well as structure of the present invention may be changed or modified to meet different requirements.

Claims (7)

1. A motor vehicle data announcing system, comprising meansforobtaining data regarding operation of the vehicle and meansfororallytransmitting insidethevehiclethe data obtained, including a speech syn- thesizer.

2. Asystem according to Claim 1,wherein the data obtaining means includes meansfordetectingthe speed ofthe vehicle, the distance travelled by the vehicle and the average speed of the vehicle.

3. Asystem according to Claim 1 or2whereinthe oral transmission means includes meansfororally transmitting other information.

4. Asystem according to Claim 1,2 or3 in which the oral transmission means is actuatable by the ignition key.

5. Asystem according to anyone of Claims 1 to 4, including a microcomputer control forthe oral transmission means.

6. Asystem according to Claim 5, comprising: speed setting key, time calibration key, time talk key, speed talk key, external speed calibration key, distance accumulation switch, lower limit setting switch, time talk on the hour switch SP pin, speed calibration LED with signal inputfrom IGN 5 pin, time calibration LED, speech synthesizer, single-chip microcomputer with signal outputatTZpin asfollows:: a speech synthesizer which applies control signal output from the single-chip microcomputer to generate speech signal and give such a speech signal output at pin DA; a clockgeneratorto providethesingle-chip microcomputer and speed synthesizer with clock pulse signal; a standard speed signal generatorwhich provide the single-chip microcomputerwith an innerstandard speed calibration signal, and the inner calibration is done by setting of a inner automatic calibration switch; a speed signal detectorwhich detect speed signal from speedometer or driving shaft; a speed signal amplifier which rectifies and amplifies speed signal output from the speed signal generator and then gives an input via pin SP to the single-chip microcomputerfor processing;; a preamplifier which amplifies speech signal output at pin DA of the speech synthesizer and then give output signal at pin OP; a power amplifierwhich amplifies output signal from the preamplifier and then drives a speaker; an ignition key conversion circuitwhich converts signal of 12V ignition key (IGN 12) to signal of 5V ignition key(lGN S),andgives outputto the single-chip microcomputer; and a voltage stabilizer circuit with a voltage stabilizer to provide working power; and characterized by its turning on is made by the ignition key,andwheneverthe speed signal detector detects speed signal, the single-chip microcomputer give a signal output to control the speech synthesizer, which, after amplification atthe preamplifier and power amplifier, gives a greeting and time announcement output at a speaker; wheneverthe speed signal detector detects no speed signal after each driving, and when the ignition key has been turned off, the single-chip microcomputer gives a signal to control the speech synthesizer, which, after amplification atthe preamplifier and the power amplifier, gives driving data (i.e., running distance, time and average speed) announcement; when the speed setting key has been setata certain speed level, the single-chip microcomputer gives speed announcement on increment decrement basis according to speed signal input; and gives make-up announcementon speed not at increment provide there has been a sharp change in speed during the announcement; and when the "speed talk" key has been pressed, the single-chip microcomputer gives current speed announcement at intervals till speed variation rate is less than a certain level according to speed signal input.

7. A motor vehicle data announcing system constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the figures of the drawings.