JP2002117484A - Automobile, emergency vehicle, and automobile traveling system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the stability and reliability of detection in the detection of the approaching state of an emergency vehicle 15 in a general automobile 16. SOLUTION: The S meter voltage corresponding to the received field intensity in an antenna 10 is detected, and this is compared with Vth in a Vth comparing comparator 30. When it is Vth or more, the approaching state of the emergency vehicle 15 is judged and reported. In approach detection, Vth=Vth (DET), and in detection reset, Vth=Vth (RST), wherein Vth (DET)>Vth (RST).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automobile for accurately detecting the approach of an emergency vehicle, an emergency vehicle compatible with the automobile,
And a vehicle driving system including the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Emergency vehicles are fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, etc. These vehicles have a priority running right in the case of emergency driving according to the Road Traffic Law, and ordinary vehicles support this. There is an obligation to bring the vehicle to the shoulder and slow down or stop and give way to the emergency vehicle. Conventionally, the means by which the driver of an automobile knows the approach of an emergency vehicle is the siren sound emitted by the emergency vehicle and the lighting of a red light. If it is difficult to see directly when approaching, or when driving in a crossing direction with poor visibility, ordinary vehicles must rely on the siren sound to know the approach of emergency vehicles . Under these circumstances, the recent spread of air conditioners in automobiles has been remarkable, and many vehicles have been running with their windows closed, improving the sound insulation of cars and promoting the spread of high-quality on-board audio equipment. Due to such factors as playing music with loud values and running, I can not hear the siren sound,
The approach of the emergency vehicle may not be noticed, which may hinder the traveling of the emergency vehicle or may even lead to a collision at an intersection.

[0003] Therefore, an emergency vehicle is equipped with a radio transmitter for transmitting radio waves of a predetermined frequency.
Equipped with a radio receiver for receiving radio waves from the radio transmitter, during emergency driving of the emergency vehicle, radio waves transmitted from the radio transmitter of the emergency vehicle, to transmit to the surrounding vehicles, in the car, There has been proposed a technique in which when an electric wave from an electric wave transmitter of an emergency vehicle is received, a warning indicator lamp flashes to notify a driver of the approach of the emergency vehicle (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 50-16241 and 50-21441). Showa 56-7119
No. 9). Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-51667, a radio beacon transceiver mounted on an automobile is used in conjunction with a car navigation device, and an emergency vehicle that is operating in an emergency is used to identify the current location and the emergency vehicle to surrounding automobiles. Transmits information with data, and the surrounding vehicles receive the information via the radio wave beacon transceiver, display the current location of the emergency vehicle on the display of the car navigation device, and inform the driver of the vehicle. I'm done.

[0004]

In a conventional vehicle equipped with an emergency vehicle approach detection function, the distinction between the approaching state and the non-approaching state of the emergency vehicle is simply made by checking whether the electric field strength E of the radio wave from the emergency vehicle is higher than a reference value. If the distance between the car and the emergency vehicle fluctuates, the detection result will be
Frequent switching between the approaching state and the non-approaching state of the emergency vehicle has led to a decrease in stability and reliability. Also, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
In the system for displaying the current location of the emergency vehicle on the display of the car navigation device as disclosed in JP-A-51667, the devices mounted on the emergency vehicle and the automobile are complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automobile, an emergency vehicle, and an automobile traveling system capable of stabilizing and improving the reliability of detecting the approach state of an emergency vehicle.

[0006]

The vehicle of the first invention has the following.・ A radio receiver that receives radio waves from a radio transmitter mounted on an emergency vehicle. ・ The approach status and non-approach of the emergency vehicle by judging whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the radio waves received by the radio receiver. The first condition for discriminating which of the states is being detected and determining that switching from the non-approaching state to the approaching state is as follows:
Approaching state detecting means that is in a condition that the emergency vehicle is approaching rather than the second condition for determining that the state is switched from the approaching state to the non-approaching state.-The approaching state detecting means provided in the vehicle detects the approaching state. Notification means to notify the driver that the emergency vehicle is approaching during the period of

The emergency vehicle includes, for example, a fire engine, an ambulance, a police car and the like. The radio wave transmitted from the radio transmitter of the emergency vehicle is a radio wave that is determined to be a radio wave from the emergency vehicle. For example, the frequency of the radio wave is set to a specific frequency.

When the distance between the car and the emergency vehicle is defined as d, d1 as the distance d when the approach state detecting means determines that the state has switched from the non-approaching state to the approaching state is switched from the approaching state to the non-approaching state. It is smaller than d2 as the distance d when the approach state detecting means determines (d1 <
d2). Therefore, even if d fluctuates around d1, d rarely returns to d2 or more, and once the approach state detecting means determines that the vehicle is approaching, d approaches d1.
Despite the fluctuations, the detection result of the approach state detecting means maintains the approach state of the emergency vehicle. In this way, the detection result of the approach state detection means is stabilized, and the notification from the notification means to the driver is prevented from being frequently switched.
Notification stability and reliability are improved.

According to the vehicle of the second invention, in the vehicle of the first invention, the approach state detecting means determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the electric field intensity of a radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitter. This distinguishes whether the emergency vehicle is in the approaching state or the non-approaching state.

The received electric field intensity E of a radio wave from a radio wave transmitter can be detected using, for example, an S meter.

[0011] According to the vehicle of the third invention, in the vehicle of the second invention, the first condition is whether or not the received electric field strength of the radio wave from the radio wave transmitter is equal to or more than the first reference electric field strength. The second condition is that the received electric field strength of the radio wave from the radio wave transmitter is equal to or less than a second reference electric field strength (second reference electric field strength <first reference electric field strength). It includes the condition of whether or not there is.

The electric field intensity E of the radio wave reaching the vehicle from the emergency vehicle increases as d decreases, that is, as the emergency vehicle approaches the vehicle. Therefore, if the first and second reference electric field intensities are set corresponding to d1 and d2, whether the emergency vehicle is in the approaching state or the non-approaching state, and whether the emergency vehicle has switched from the non-approaching state to the approaching state, , And whether the state has been switched from the approaching state to the non-approaching state.

According to the vehicle of the fourth invention, in the vehicle of the third invention, the first reference electric field intensity is controlled so as to decrease as the vehicle speed increases, and / or the second reference electric field intensity increases. The electric field strength is controlled so as to increase as the vehicle speed increases.

The relationship between the traveling direction of the car and the emergency vehicle is as follows:
They may intersect not only in the same or opposite directions but also at a predetermined inclination angle such as a right angle. Generally, the distance d between the vehicle and the emergency vehicle changes at a higher speed as the vehicle runs at a higher speed. If the first reference electric field strength is fixed, the time from the notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the notification means to the encounter with the emergency vehicle is shortened when the vehicle is running at high speed. On the other hand, as in the fourth invention, when the speed of the vehicle is higher, the first reference electric field strength is decreased, so that the notification means from the notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle to the emergency vehicle is encountered. The time can be made substantially constant regardless of the vehicle speed. Similarly, if the second reference electric field strength is fixed, the time from the closest approach of the emergency vehicle to the vehicle to the time when it is determined that the emergency vehicle has gone away becomes longer when the vehicle is running at high speed. I will. On the other hand, as in the fourth invention, the second reference electric field intensity is increased as the vehicle speed increases, thereby canceling the notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the notification means at the time when the vehicle speed is high. Delay can be prevented.

According to the vehicle of the fifth aspect, in the vehicle of the second aspect, the first condition is that the electric field intensity of the electric wave received from the electric wave transmitter is equal to or higher than the third reference electric field intensity for the third time. The above condition includes whether or not to hold, and / or the second condition includes that the received electric field strength of the radio wave from the radio wave transmitter is kept less than the third reference electric field strength for a fourth time or more. .

The third and fourth times may be equal to each other or different from each other. Generally, the fourth
Is set to a value longer than the third time.

When the distance d between the automobile and the emergency vehicle changes, the electric field strength E also changes. E is the third reference electric field strength E
Immediately after three or more, the emergency vehicle is approaching,
When the determination is made, it is determined that the emergency vehicle is in the non-approaching state due to the fluctuation of E, and the notification to the driver becomes unstable and low in reliability. In the fifth invention, E is E3
By including the condition of whether or not the emergency vehicle is held for the third time or more, that is, determining the approach state of the emergency vehicle after the certainty of the approach state of the emergency vehicle is appropriately increased. Therefore, the stability and reliability of the notification to the driver that the emergency vehicle is approaching can be improved.

Similarly, as soon as E becomes less than the third reference electric field strength E3, it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the emergency vehicle. It becomes a judgment, and the notification to the driver becomes unstable and unreliable. In the fifth aspect, when E is less than E3,
If it is determined that the emergency vehicle is in the non-approaching state after increasing the certainty that the emergency vehicle is in the non-approaching state, it is necessary to determine whether the emergency vehicle is in the non-approaching state. It is possible to improve stability and reliability of the notification to the driver that the vehicle is not approaching.

According to the vehicle of the sixth aspect, in the vehicle of the fifth aspect, the third and / or the fourth time are controlled so as to decrease as the vehicle speed increases.

As described for the fourth invention,
Generally, the distance d between an automobile and an emergency vehicle changes more rapidly as the automobile runs at a higher speed. If the third time is fixed, the time from notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the notification means to encountering the emergency vehicle becomes short when the vehicle is running at a high speed, and the driver is required to stop the emergency vehicle. There is less time to take measures for approach. On the other hand, as in the sixth invention, the third time is shortened at a higher vehicle speed, so that the time from the notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the notification means to the encounter of the emergency vehicle is reduced. However, it can be made substantially constant regardless of the vehicle speed. Similarly, if the fourth time is fixed, the time when the approach state detecting means detects that the emergency vehicle has switched from the approach state to the non-approach state is delayed when the vehicle is running at high speed. On the other hand, as in the sixth aspect of the invention, the fourth time is shortened when the vehicle speed is high, thereby delaying the notification cancellation of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the notification means at the time when the vehicle speed is high. Can be prevented.

According to the vehicle of the seventh invention, in the vehicle of the second invention, the first condition is that the electric field intensity of the electric wave received from the electric wave transmitter is not less than the fifth reference electric field intensity for the fifth time. The second condition is that the reception electric field strength of the radio wave from the radio wave transmitter is lower than the sixth reference electric field strength (sixth reference electric field strength <fifth reference electric field strength). Is held for at least the sixth time.

It is assumed that the fifth and sixth times can be equal to each other or different from each other. Generally, the sixth
Is set to a value longer than the fifth time.

In the seventh invention, the fifth reference electric field intensity E5
With the setting of the sixth reference electric field intensity E6 (E6 <E5), the same effect as in the third invention is exerted, and the setting of the fifth time and the sixth time enables the same as in the fifth invention. Effect is achieved. In this way, fluctuations in the approaching state and the non-approaching state of the vehicle can be further suppressed, and the stability and reliability of the notification by the notification means can be further improved.

According to the vehicle of the eighth invention, in the vehicle of the seventh invention, the fifth reference electric field intensity is controlled so as to decrease as the vehicle speed increases, and / or the sixth reference electric field intensity increases. The electric field strength is controlled so as to increase as the vehicle speed increases.

In the eighth invention, for the same reason as in the fourth invention, the time from notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the notification means to encountering the emergency vehicle is made substantially constant regardless of the vehicle speed. can do. Further, it is possible to prevent a delay in canceling the notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the notification unit when the vehicle speed is low.

According to the vehicle of the ninth aspect, in the vehicle of the seventh or eighth aspect, the fifth and / or the sixth time are controlled so as to decrease as the vehicle speed increases.

In the ninth invention, for the same reason as in the sixth invention, the fifth time is shortened at a higher vehicle speed, so that the notification means notifies the emergency vehicle of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle to the emergency vehicle. The time until the vehicle encounters can be made substantially constant regardless of the vehicle speed. Similarly, by shortening the sixth time when the vehicle speed is high, it is possible to prevent a delay in canceling the notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the notification unit when the vehicle speed is high.

According to the automobile of the tenth aspect, in any one of the automobiles of the first to ninth aspects, the notification means is a visual display means and / or a sound output means.

The notification of the approaching state of the vehicle by the visual display means includes, for example, lighting, blinking, and character display of a predetermined notification lamp. The notification of the approaching state of the vehicle by the sound output unit includes a buzzer sound, an electronic sound, and a sound notification.

According to the vehicle of the eleventh aspect, in the automobile of the tenth aspect, the volume is reduced to a predetermined value or less in accordance with the detection of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the approaching state detecting means while the car audio device is operating. It has volume limiting means for limiting.

It is assumed that the volume restriction by the volume means includes complete mute (volume = 0).

Although the emergency vehicle is running while sounding a siren, the driver may not notice the siren sound of the emergency vehicle in a situation where music or the like is being reproduced by a car audio device such as a car tuner or a car CD player. Often not. For this reason, during a period in which the approaching state of the emergency vehicle is notified by the notification means, the volume from the speaker is limited to a predetermined value (including volume 0) or less, and the driver overlooks the siren sound of the emergency vehicle. To avoid. In addition,
When the volume of the sound from the speaker is already lower than the predetermined value when the notification of the approaching state of the emergency vehicle is started by the notification unit, the volume restriction unit does not have to be particularly activated.

According to the vehicle of the twelfth aspect, during the period in which the sound volume limiting means limits the sound volume, the driver performs the sound volume adjusting operation so as to manually increase the sound volume. Cancel the volume restriction by.

The volume limitation by the volume limitation means accompanying the detection of the approach state of the emergency vehicle by the approach state detection means may become unnecessary after the driver receives the notification of the approach state of the emergency vehicle from the notification means. is there. The driver, in that case,
For example, by turning the volume control knob to increase the volume, if such an operation is detected and the volume restriction by the volume restriction means is released, unnecessary volume restriction is automatically stopped at an appropriate time. it can.

The emergency vehicle according to the thirteenth aspect is equipped with a radio wave transmitter, transmits a predetermined radio wave from the radio wave transmitter, and transmits the transmission radio wave to an automobile running in the vicinity to the radio wave receiver of the automobile. It is made to receive and notify the approach of the own vehicle. The emergency vehicle has an output adjusting means for increasing the output of the transmission radio wave at higher speeds.

If the emergency vehicle increases the output of the transmission radio wave from the radio wave transmitter at a higher vehicle speed, the reception electric field strength of the radio wave reaching the approaching state of the vehicle becomes larger between the emergency vehicle and the vehicle. Even if the distance d is the same, it increases as the emergency vehicle speed increases. On the other hand, in an automobile, the condition for judging that the emergency vehicle is approaching generally includes a condition that the received electric field strength of a radio wave reaching the radio wave receiver from the radio wave transmitter of the emergency vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Therefore, even if the distance d between the car and the emergency vehicle is the same, if the transmission radio wave output of the radio wave transmitter of the emergency vehicle is large, the received electric field strength at the radio wave receiver of the car increases, and the approach state of the emergency vehicle is reduced. Will be judged. Thus, as the speed of the emergency vehicle becomes higher, d when the vehicle is determined to be approaching the emergency vehicle increases, and the driver of the vehicle also takes a predetermined coping time for the emergency vehicle approaching at a higher vehicle speed. Can be secured.

An emergency vehicle approach detection system according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects,
And the emergency vehicle of the invention.

[0038]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an emergency vehicle approach detection system. Reference numeral 15 denotes an emergency vehicle such as a fire engine, an ambulance, a police car, and 16 denotes a general automobile. The emergency vehicle 15
An emergency driving red light and a siren start switch 1, a siren 2, a red light 3, and an emergency vehicle signal transmitting device 5 are provided. On the other hand, the general automobile 16 has the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 5 that receives the radio wave from the emergency vehicle signal transmitting device 5.
7. Equipped with an emergency vehicle approach warning buzzer 58 and an in-vehicle audio device 40, the operations of which are controlled by the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 57.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 57 of the general automobile 16. Emergency vehicle signal receiving device 5
7 is a receiving antenna 21, an emergency vehicle signal receiving unit 22,
Comparator unit 23, arithmetic processing unit 24, ROM 25,
In some cases, a vehicle speed pulse sensor 60 is provided. The receiving antenna 21 receives radio waves from the emergency vehicle signal transmitting device 5 of the emergency vehicle 15, the emergency vehicle signal receiving unit 22 outputs an S-meter voltage which is the signal intensity, and the comparator unit 23 outputs the S-meter voltage. The arithmetic processing unit 24 determines whether the value is equal to or greater than a prescribed value, and outputs an approach detection output.

Next, an example of the operation of the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 57 will be described with reference to FIGS. The S-meter voltage output from the emergency vehicle signal receiving unit 22 is input to the comparator unit 23. The comparator section 23 includes a reference voltage section 31 for generating a reference voltage Vth and a Vth comparison comparator 30 as shown in FIG. S
The meter voltage is compared with the reference voltage Vth by the Vth comparison comparator 30, and the comparison result is output from the Vth comparison comparator 30. In the following description, the S-meter voltage increases as the input electric field strength of the emergency vehicle signal increases,
The output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 is H when the S-meter voltage is higher than the reference voltage Vth, and L when the S-meter voltage is lower than the reference voltage Vth.
Shall be output. That is, the reference voltage Vth determines the approach detection sensitivity of the emergency vehicle 15. If the S-meter voltage is higher than the reference voltage Vth, the Vth comparison comparator 30 detects that the emergency vehicle is approaching the own vehicle and the output is H in this configuration example. After that, the emergency vehicle goes away and the S meter voltage becomes the reference voltage V
If it is lower than th, the Vth comparison comparator 30 detects and resets that the emergency vehicle has left the vehicle,
The output is L in this configuration example.

FIG. 16 shows a connection example in which an emergency vehicle approach warning device is provided as a means for notifying the driver when the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 57 detects the approach of an emergency vehicle. Although various warning methods are conceivable, an emergency vehicle approach warning light emitting device 59 is used for warning by light.
May be provided near the dashboard of the vehicle. In this case, the above-mentioned approach detection signal is also sent to the emergency vehicle approach warning light emitting device 59, and when the output of the approach detection signal is detected, the emergency vehicle approach warning light emitting device 59 drives the light emitting element composed of an LED or the like. Operating the circuit, which lights up,
Or flashes to warn the driver that an emergency vehicle is approaching. Alternatively, an emergency vehicle approach warning buzzer 58 may be provided near the dashboard for the purpose of giving a warning by a buzzer, or an electronic buzzer mounted on the on-vehicle audio device 40 or the like may be used. In this case, the aforementioned approach detection signal is also sent to the emergency vehicle approach warning buzzer 58,
When detecting the output of the approach detection signal, the emergency vehicle approach warning buzzer 58 operates a circuit for driving a sounding element configured by an electronic buzzer or the like, whereby the emergency vehicle approach warning buzzer 58 is set to a predetermined buzzer. Emits an emergency vehicle approach warning buzzer to warn the driver that an emergency vehicle is approaching.

The reference voltage Vth as shown in FIGS.
In the always-fixed system, in a situation where one emergency vehicle alternates between approaching and leaving, due to factors such as road conditions,
This is an unpleasant operation because the alarm operation is repeated many times. The present invention proposes an embodiment in which Vth is set to a different value at the time of approach detection and at the time of detection reset. The configuration of the comparator section 23 in this case is as shown in FIG. An example of the operation will be described with reference to FIG. The S-meter voltage output from the emergency vehicle signal receiving unit 22 is input to the comparator unit 23. The comparator section 23 includes a reference voltage section 31 and a Vth comparison comparator 30. The Vth comparison comparator 30 performs the same operation as the above-described operation example. The reference voltage part 31 is a comparator 30 for Vth comparison.
Vth (DE
T), Vth (RST) is output at the time of detection reset. In the configuration example, it is set so that Vth (DET)> Vth (RST).

The S-meter voltage is compared with a reference voltage Vth (DET) or Vth (RST) by a Vth comparison comparator 30, and the Vth comparison comparator 30 outputs the comparison result. As shown in FIG. 5, the output of the comparator 23 is L
In this case, the reference voltage is Vth (DET), and when the S-meter voltage becomes higher than the reference voltage Vth (DET), the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30, that is, the comparator unit 23
Becomes H. At the same time, the reference voltage unit 31
changes to th (RST). Thereafter, the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 becomes L only when the S meter voltage falls below Vth (RST) lower than the reference voltage Vth (DET). That is, Vth
The comparison comparator 30 is operated as a hysteresis comparator. This operation is intended to set the distance for resetting the detection after the approach detection to be farther than the distance for detecting the approach of the emergency vehicle, and to perform the detection reset only after a sufficient distance. By operating as described above, in a situation where one emergency vehicle 15 alternates between approaching and distancing, the alarm operation is repeated many times, and an operation that is uncomfortable to the driver is performed. Is effectively reduced.

An embodiment in which a delay time is added to each of the approach detection and the detection reset will be described. The configuration of the comparator section 23 in this case is as shown in FIG. An example of the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. The S-meter voltage output from the emergency vehicle signal receiving unit 22 is input to the comparator unit 23. The comparator section 23 includes a reference voltage section 31, a Vth comparison comparator 30, and a delay time adding section 32. The Vth comparison comparator 30 operates in the same manner as in the above configuration example.
The delay time adding unit 32 adds the approach detection delay time td (DET) and the detection reset delay time td (RST) to the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 at the preceding stage, and outputs the result as the output of the comparator unit 23. The Vth comparison comparator 30
The S meter voltage is compared with the reference voltage Vth, and the result is output. When the S-meter voltage becomes higher than the reference voltage Vth, the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 becomes H in this configuration example. Next, the delay time addition unit 32 counts the time from the time when the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 of the preceding stage changes from L to H, and if the output is always H during the approach detection delay time td (DET). If there is, the output of the delay time adding unit 32, that is, the output of the comparator unit 23 is set to H for the first time. However, Vth comparison comparator 3
The output of 0 is L even for an instant during the approach detection delay time td (DET).
, The comparator unit 23 holds its output at L and resets the time count,
Wait until the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 becomes H again. Similarly, at the time of the detection reset, the delay time addition unit 32 counts the time from the point when the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 at the preceding stage changes from H to L, and calculates the detection reset delay time td (RST). During this time, if the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 is always L, the output of the delay time adding unit 32, that is, the output of the comparator unit 23 is set to L for the first time. However, Vth comparison comparator 3
If the output of 0 returns to H for an instant during the detection reset delay time td (RST), the comparator unit 23 holds the output at H, resets the time count, and again resets the Vth comparator. Wait until the output of the radiator 30 becomes L.

The approach detection delay time td (DET) is the emergency vehicle 15
It is set considering that the approach is detected as approach detection only when the approach is sufficiently stable. On the other hand, if the setting is too long, the timing of detecting the approach of the emergency vehicle 15 and alarming the driver of the approach is delayed, so it is necessary to set an appropriate value. The detection reset delay time td (RST) is set in consideration of the detection reset being performed only when the emergency vehicle 15 leaves sufficiently stable. In addition, when an alarm is triggered by the time when the output of the comparator unit 23 changes from L to H as in the configuration example, if the detection reset delay time td (RST) is set, the output of the comparator unit 23 becomes Since H is maintained, there is no alarm operation. Therefore, by setting this appropriately, it is possible to prevent an emergency vehicle 15 from repeating an alarm operation many times in a situation where one emergency vehicle 15 alternates between approaching and distancing, thereby causing an unpleasant operation. To be reduced.

Next, an operation example of the delay time adding section 32 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows a detailed configuration example of the delay time adding unit 32 in the comparator unit 23. The delay time adding unit 32 includes a capacitor 33, a charging current source 34, a charging switch 35, a discharging current source 36, and a discharging switch 3.
7, a delay time adding comparator 38 and a reference voltage 39. The capacitor 33 is charged or discharged according to the input, and the voltage Vcap of the capacitor 33 is compared with Vd of the reference voltage 39 by the delay time adding comparator 38,
The result is output as an output of the delay time adding unit 32. The reference voltage 39 is changed by a binary value Vd (H), Vd (L) ((Vd (H)> Vd (L)) by the output of the delay time adding unit 32,
Operate as a hysteresis comparator. Ic (DET) and Ic (RST) ((Ic (DET) <I
c (RST)), and Id (DET) and Id (RST)
(However, Id (DET) <Id (RST).)
It is controlled by the output of the delay time adding unit 32.

When the output of the delay time adding unit 32 is L,
The comparator unit 23 is in an approach detection standby state, the charging current source 34 is Ic (DET), and the discharging current source 36 is Id (RST).
Set as When the input of the delay time adding unit 32 is L in the approach detection standby state, the charging switch 35 is turned off, the discharging switch 37 is turned on, and the capacitor 33 is continuously discharged with Id (RST). Therefore Vcap is 0
Hold. When the input of the delay time adding unit 32 is H in the approach detection standby state, the charging switch 35 is turned on, the discharging switch 37 is turned off, and the capacitor 33 is set to Ic (DET).
And Vcap rises. When the comparator section 23 is in the approach detection standby state, the reference voltage 39 of the delay time adding comparator 38 is set to Vd (H), and Vcap is set to Vd.
(H), the delay time addition comparator 3
8 becomes H, that is, the comparator unit 23
Becomes H, and the approach is detected. But Vcap is Vd
If the input of the delay time adding unit 32 becomes L before rising to (H), the charging switch 35 is turned off, the discharging switch 37 is turned on, and the capacitor 33 is discharged by Id (RST). Instantaneously, the output of the comparator section 23 holds L, and the approach detection standby state is maintained. The above-described approach detection delay time td (DET) is a time from when the capacitor 33 is charged with the charging current Ic (DET) until Vcap reaches 0 to Vd (H). Id (RST) is Vcap
Is instantaneously reset to 0, so that it is set to a sufficiently large value.

When the output of the delay time adding unit 32 is H,
The comparator section 23 is in a detection reset standby state, the charging current source 34 is Ic (RST), and the discharging current source 36 is Id (DE
Set as T). When the input of the delay time adding unit 32 is H in the detection reset standby state, the charging-side switch 35 is turned on,
The discharge side switch 37 is turned off, and the capacitor 33 is set to I
Vcap holds VCC in order to continue charging with c (RST).

In the detection reset standby state, the delay time adding unit 3
When the input of 2 is L, the charging side switch 35 is OFF,
The discharge-side switch 37 is turned on, and the capacitor 33 is set to Id.
(DET) and Vcap falls. Comparator unit 23
Is in the detection reset standby state, the reference voltage 39 of the delay time adding comparator 38 is set to Vd (L) and Vcap is
When the voltage falls to d (L), the comparator output becomes L, that is, the output of the comparator unit 23 becomes L and the detection is reset. However, if the input of the delay time adding unit 32 becomes H before Vcap falls to Vd (L), the charging switch 35 is turned on and the discharging switch 37 is turned off.
Vcap is Vcc to charge the capacitor 33 with Ic (RST).
The output of the comparator unit 23 is kept at H, and the detection reset standby state is maintained.

The detection reset delay time td (RST) described above is
This is the time from when the capacitor 33 is discharged with the discharge current Id (DET) until Vcap reaches Vd (L) from VCC. Ic (RS
Since T) is for instantly resetting Vcap to VCC, it is set to a sufficiently large value.

As described above, the delay time addition unit 32 sets the output to H when the input can continuously maintain H during the approach detection delay time td (DET), and sets the input to the detection reset delay time td (RST).
When L can be continuously maintained during T), the output is set to L. By operating in this way, it is possible to effectively reduce unpleasant operation caused by repeating the alarm operation many times in a situation where one emergency vehicle alternates between approaching and leaving. .

In another embodiment, Vth is set to a different value at the time of approach detection and at the time of detection reset, and a delay time is added to each of the time of approach detection and the time of detection reset. This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0053]

The S-meter voltage is compared with a reference voltage Vth (DET) or Vth (RST) by a Vth comparison comparator 30, and the result is output from the Vth comparison comparator 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the output of the comparator 23 is L
In this case, the reference voltage is Vth (DET). If the S meter voltage becomes higher than the reference voltage Vth (DET), the comparator unit 2
The output of 3 becomes H. Next, the delay time adding unit 32 counts the time from the time when the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 at the preceding stage changes from L to H, and approaches the approach detection delay time td (D
ET) for the first time if it is H
The output of No. 2, that is, the output of the comparator unit 23 is set to H. However, if the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 falls to L for an instant during the approach detection delay time td (DET), the output of the comparator unit 23 holds L, resets the time count, and again performs the Vth comparison. Comparator 30
Wait until the output of H becomes H.

When the output of the comparator section 23 becomes H, the reference voltage section 31 changes to the reference voltage Vth (RST) and enters a detection reset standby state.

Thereafter, the S-meter voltage is changed to the reference voltage Vth (DE
Only when the voltage falls below Vth (RST) lower than T), the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 becomes L. That is, the Vth comparison comparator 30 is operated as a hysteresis comparator.

Similarly, at the time of detection reset, the delay time addition unit 32 counts the time from the point when the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 changes from H to L, and during the detection reset delay time td (RST). For the first time when the signal is L, the output of the delay time adding unit 32, that is, the comparator unit 23 is output.
Is L. However, Vth comparison comparator 3
If the output of 0 returns to H for an instant during the detection reset delay time td (RST), the output of the comparator unit 23 becomes H
, And reset the time count, and wait until the output of the Vth comparison comparator 30 becomes L again.

When the output of the comparator section 23 becomes L, the reference voltage section 31 changes to the reference voltage Vth (DET), and enters the approach detection standby state.

The approach detection delay time td (DET) is set in consideration of the fact that an emergency vehicle is approached only when the approach of the emergency vehicle is sufficiently stable. On the other hand, if the setting is too long, the timing of detecting the approach and alarming the driver is delayed, so it is necessary to set an appropriate value. Detection reset delay time td (RS
T) is set considering that the emergency vehicle is deemed to be reset only when the departure of the emergency vehicle is sufficiently stable. Also, when an alarm is triggered by the point when the output of the comparator unit 23 changes from L to H as in the configuration example, the detection reset delay time
At td (RST), the output of the comparator section 23 is maintained at H, so that no alarm operation is performed.

In this operation, the distance for detecting and resetting after the approach is detected is set to be longer than the distance for detecting the approach of the emergency vehicle, and the detection is reset only when the vehicle is sufficiently far away. Alternatively, it is intended that the proximity detection or the detection reset is performed only when the distance is sufficiently stable with respect to time.

Therefore, by properly setting this, it is possible to prevent an emergency vehicle from repeating an alarm operation many times in a situation where one emergency vehicle alternates between approaching and distancing, thereby causing an unpleasant operation. Effectively reduce.

Although the electronic circuit has been described above, the approach may be detected by software that operates similarly. In this case, the S meter output from the receiver is directly processed by the arithmetic processing unit 24.
, And the approach detection is performed by the software that performs the comparison operation. In this way, the number of parts can be reduced.

Next, an embodiment in which the vehicle speed pulse sensor 60 is provided on the general vehicle 16 side and the approach detection delay time of the receiver is controlled according to the output thereof will be described.

If the approach detection delay time is set short, it becomes more sensitive to instantaneous changes in the S-meter voltage, causing erroneous detection. If the delay time is set long, erroneous detection becomes difficult, but the alarm timing is delayed. If the approach detection delay time is set to be short, the influence of the traveling speed is less likely. However, if the approach detection delay time is set to be long, the approach detection becomes difficult when the traveling speed is high.

This is because the S-meter voltage changes drastically when the vehicle speed is high, but changes relatively slowly when the vehicle speed is low.

In order to solve this problem, the approach detection delay time is controlled to be shortened as the traveling speed of the vehicle increases, and when the traveling speed is slow, the change in the S-meter voltage becomes slow. Increase the detection delay time. This example is shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. That is, in FIG. 13, for example, the vehicle speed V is 10 km / h, and in FIG.
For example, the vehicle speed V is 70 km / h. The time delay control voltage is set to increase more rapidly at a high vehicle speed than at a low vehicle speed, and the delay time td (DET) is shorter at a high vehicle speed than at a low vehicle speed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 57 includes a receiving antenna 21, an emergency vehicle signal receiving unit 22, a comparator unit 23, an arithmetic processing unit 24,
OM25. The arithmetic processing unit 24 also receives a vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed pulse sensor 60. Arithmetic processing unit 2
4 sets the approach detection delay time of the comparator unit 23 to a value stored in the ROM 25 in advance based on the vehicle speed signal. The relation between the vehicle speed and the approach detection delay time is set so that the approach detection delay time is shortened as the vehicle speed increases. FIG. 8 shows an example of the inverse proportion, but other linear, curvilinear or discrete value settings are also conceivable. By controlling the approach detection delay time in this way, it is possible to set so that erroneous detection is not performed when the vehicle speed is low, and it is possible to perform setting so that quick and close approach detection is performed even when the vehicle speed is high, thereby reducing the influence of the traveling speed. The same operation can be applied to the detection reset delay time.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the vehicle speed pulse sensor 60 is provided on the general vehicle 16 side, and the approach detection sensitivity of the receiver is controlled in accordance with the output thereof. The operation for the approach detection delay time is to be applied to the approach detection sensitivity. When the vehicle speed is high, the distance that the vehicle travels during a certain period of time from when the approach is detected to when the mute of the on-vehicle audio device 40 is started is larger than when the vehicle speed is low. Therefore, it is appropriate to detect the approach earlier as the vehicle speed increases. That is, control is performed so that the approach detection sensitivity is reduced when the vehicle speed is high compared to when the vehicle speed is low. FIG. 9 shows an example of the inverse proportion as the setting of the vehicle speed and the approach detection sensitivity, but other linear, curved or discrete values may be set.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the vehicle speed pulse sensor 60 is provided on the general vehicle 16 side and the approach detection sensitivity and the approach detection delay time of the receiver are controlled according to the output.

The above operations may be combined to control the approach detection sensitivity, the detection reset sensitivity, the approach detection delay time, and the detection reset delay time depending on the vehicle speed. At this time, more appropriate and various settings can be made.

Next, an embodiment in which the vehicle speed pulse sensor 4 is provided on the emergency vehicle side and the transmission output of the emergency vehicle signal transmission device 5 is controlled in accordance with the output thereof will be described.

If the traveling speed of the emergency vehicle is high, the general vehicle will encounter the emergency vehicle relatively quickly after the detection of the approach, and therefore, in such a case, it is desired to detect the approach with more margin. However, the emergency vehicle traveling speed is unknown from the receiver of the general vehicle. In order to solve this problem, control is performed such that the transmission output of the emergency vehicle signal transmission device 5 increases as the emergency vehicle traveling speed increases.

As shown in FIG. 15, the emergency vehicle signal transmission device 5 comprises an arithmetic processing unit 6, a ROM 7, an emergency vehicle signal generator 8, a transmission amplifier 9, and a transmission antenna 10. In addition, the emergency vehicle is equipped with a red light for emergency driving during emergency driving, a siren start switch 1, a siren 2, a red light 3, and a vehicle speed pulse sensor 4. ROM7
Stores data indicating the relationship between the vehicle speed and the transmitter output. The emergency vehicle turns on the emergency running red light and the siren start switch 1 during emergency running. The arithmetic processing unit 6 detects this, activates the emergency vehicle signal generator 8 and the transmission amplifier 9 in the subsequent stage, and transmits an emergency vehicle signal radio wave. At this time, the arithmetic processing unit 6 transmits the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed pulse sensor 4. A signal is acquired, and a transmission output control signal is output to control the output of the transmission amplifier 9 based on data stored in the ROM 7 in advance. As a result, the transmission amplifier 9 outputs an emergency vehicle signal radio wave with an appropriate transmission output. FIG. 10 shows an example of proportionality as the setting of the vehicle speed and the transmitter output, but other linear, curvilinear or discrete value settings are also conceivable.

In this manner, a more appropriate approach detection operation can be obtained whether the traveling speed of the emergency vehicle is high or low.

FIG. 16 shows a control example of the on-vehicle audio device 40 as a means for notifying the driver when the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 57 detects an emergency vehicle approach. The arithmetic processing unit 52 of the on-vehicle audio device 40 controls the volume unit 48 to reduce the reproduction volume of the on-vehicle audio device 40 to such a degree that the siren sound outside the vehicle can be heard or to completely mute when the approach detection output is detected. A request for alarm sound reproduction is made to an alarm announcement reproducing unit 53 which can be constituted by an IC sound recording device or an electronic sound alarm generating device in which an alarm sound is recorded in advance. The alarm announcement reproducing unit 53 reproduces the alarm sound by this, and the sound signal is mixed with the music sound source currently being reproduced in the source mixing unit 49, amplified to a predetermined sound value in the power amplifier unit 50, and
The alarm sound calling attention is reproduced from 1.

When the reproduction volume of the on-vehicle audio device 40 is small, the siren sound outside the vehicle can be sufficiently heard.
There are times when it is troublesome for the driver without any problem without special treatment. The arithmetic processing unit 52 in FIG. 16 stores the current sound value setting of the on-vehicle audio device 40, and when the setting is equal to or less than a predetermined value set in the ROM 55, that is, the reproduction volume of the on-vehicle audio device 40 When it is determined that the siren sound outside the vehicle is sufficiently audible, even if there is an approach detection output from the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 57, it is not necessary to control the reproduction volume in the arithmetic processing unit 52 or to use other alarms. Judgment can be made so as not to perform a troublesome operation for the driver.

When the emergency vehicle signal receiving device 57 shown in FIG. 16 detects and outputs the approach, the on-vehicle audio device 40 performs sound value control or alarm operation, and when the driver can visually confirm the approach of the emergency vehicle, the on-vehicle The sound value of the audio device 40 may return to the original sound value, and the alarm operation may be canceled. Conversely, when the driver performs an operation to increase the reproduction volume and the command is input from the volume button 46 to the arithmetic processing unit 52, it is determined that the driver has been able to confirm with the naked eye, and all the alarm operations performed at that time are released. It may be controlled.

Each of these examples can be implemented alone or in any combination, and the present invention can be variously modified based on its gist.

[0079]

According to the emergency vehicle approach detection system of the present invention, even when the sound level of the on-vehicle audio equipment is increased and the sound outside the vehicle cannot be heard by closing the window, the vehicle onboard the emergency vehicle approaches. Reduce the playback volume of the audio equipment for the car so that the siren sound outside the vehicle can be heard, or mute it completely, or emit a lighting alarm, an electronic sound alarm by the on-board audio equipment or an alarm device provided independently of it.
Since the driver is notified by giving a voice announcement alarm or the like, an accident or trouble is avoided.

In particular, the present invention can contribute to ensuring the safety of emergency vehicle traffic and smooth operation, particularly at places with poor visibility such as intersections and when approaching from behind, where ordinary vehicles are hard to notice.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an emergency vehicle approach detection system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an emergency vehicle signal receiving device of a general automobile.

FIG. 3 is various schematic block diagrams of an emergency vehicle signal receiving device.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart corresponding to the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart corresponding to the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart corresponding to the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart corresponding to the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the delay time and the vehicle speed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between detection sensitivity and vehicle speed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram exemplifying a relationship between a transmitter output and a vehicle speed when the output is related to a vehicle speed;

FIG. 11 is a detailed block diagram of FIG. 3 (c).

FIG. 12 is a detailed block diagram of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart at a low vehicle speed (eg, vehicle speed = 10 km / h) when the delay time is related to the vehicle speed.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart at a high vehicle speed (eg, vehicle speed = 70 km / h) when the delay time is related to the vehicle speed.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram in a case where the output of the transmitter is changed in the emergency vehicle signal transmission device according to the vehicle speed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a connection example for controlling an emergency vehicle approach warning device or an in-vehicle audio device as a means for notifying a driver when the emergency vehicle signal receiving device detects an emergency vehicle approach.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Emergency red light and siren start switch, 2:
Siren (notification means) 3: Red light (notification means) 4:
Vehicle speed pulse sensor, 5: emergency vehicle signal transmission device (radio wave transmitter), 15: emergency vehicle, 16: general automobile, 22:
Emergency vehicle signal receiving section (radio wave receiver), 23: comparator section, 30: Vth comparison comparator, 31: reference voltage section, 32: delay time addition section, 38: delay time addition comparator, 39: reference Voltage, 40: car audio equipment, 41: tuner (car audio device), 42:
MD, 43: CD, 44: cassette, 45: TV, others, 46: volume button, 47: source selection section, 4
8: volume section, 49: source mixing section, 50: power amplifier section, 51: speaker, 52: arithmetic processing section, 5
3: Alarm announcement playback unit, 54: RAM, 55: RO
M, 56: on-vehicle audio device display, 57: emergency vehicle signal receiving device, 58: buzzer for emergency vehicle approach warning, 5
9: Emergency vehicle approach warning light emitter, 60: Vehicle speed pulse sensor.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A radio wave receiver for receiving radio waves from a radio wave transmitter mounted on an emergency vehicle, and determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the radio waves received by the radio wave receiver. The first condition for discriminating between the approaching state and the non-approaching state and judging the switching from the non-approaching state to the approaching state is the first condition for judging the switching from the approaching state to the non-approaching state. (2) an approaching state detecting means which is more of a condition that the emergency vehicle is approaching than the condition of (2); and a driver is provided with the emergency vehicle during the period in which the emergency state detecting means detects the approaching state. A vehicle having a notifying unit for notifying that the vehicle is approaching. 2. The approach state detecting means determines whether the emergency vehicle is in an approach state or a non-approach state by determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied based on a received electric field strength of a radio wave from the radio wave transmitter. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is distinguished from each other. 3. The first condition includes a condition as to whether or not a received electric field intensity of a radio wave from a radio wave transmitter is equal to or higher than a first reference electric field intensity. The received electric field strength of the radio wave from the transmitter is equal to the second reference electric field strength (second
3. The vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a condition of whether or not the reference electric field strength is smaller than or equal to (first reference electric field strength). 4. The first reference electric field strength is controlled so as to decrease as the vehicle speed increases, and / or the second reference electric field strength decreases.
4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the reference electric field intensity is controlled so as to increase as the vehicle speed increases. 5. The first condition includes a condition as to whether or not a received electric field strength of a radio wave from a radio wave transmitter keeps a third reference electric field strength or more for a third time or more, and / or a second condition. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the condition includes that a received electric field strength of a radio wave from the radio wave transmitter is kept lower than a third reference electric field strength for a fourth time or more. 4. 6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the third and / or the fourth time are controlled so as to decrease as the vehicle speed of the vehicle increases. 7. The first condition includes a condition as to whether or not a received electric field strength of a radio wave from a radio wave transmitter maintains a value equal to or more than a fifth reference electric field intensity for a fifth time or more. Holding the received electric field strength of the radio wave from the radio wave transmitter less than a sixth reference electric field strength (sixth reference electric field strength <fifth reference electric field strength) for a sixth time or more. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein 8. The fifth reference electric field intensity is controlled so as to decrease as the vehicle speed increases, and / or
8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the reference electric field intensity is controlled so as to increase as the vehicle speed increases. 9. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the fifth and / or the sixth time is controlled so as to decrease as the vehicle speed increases. 10. The notifying means comprises a visual display means and / or
Or a sound output means.
The vehicle according to any one of the above. 11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a volume limiter for limiting a volume to a predetermined value or less in accordance with detection of an approaching state of the emergency vehicle by the approaching state detector during operation of the car audio device. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 12. During the period in which the volume limiter limits the volume, the volume limit by the volume limiter is released as the driver performs a volume adjustment operation so as to manually increase the volume. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein: 13. A vehicle equipped with a radio wave transmitter, which transmits a predetermined radio wave from the radio wave transmitter to a vehicle running in the vicinity.
In an emergency vehicle that is designed to let the radio receiver of the car receive the transmitted radio wave and notify the approach of the vehicle,
An emergency vehicle comprising an output adjusting means for increasing a transmission radio wave output at a high speed. 14. An automobile traveling system comprising the automobile according to claim 1 and the emergency vehicle according to claim 13.