JP2004268626A - Operation informing device and program in vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform an occupant of start or stop of a vehicle in the informing form having a sense of affinity and easily understood by the occupant. <P>SOLUTION: A music corresponding to the respective internal action state is generated for a predetermined music generation time every internal action state of the vehicle operated in response to an instruction from an operation means for instructing at least start or stop of the vehicle. The music is generated and a light emitting means is light-controlled by gradually increasing/decreasing an amount of light within a predetermined time every internal action state of the vehicle. Namely, when the internal action state of the vehicle is informed by the auditory sense informing form and the visual sense informing form, the light emitting means is light-controlled by gradually increasing/decreasing the amount of light together with the generation of the music to carry out the informing. Thus, the start or the stop of the vehicle can be informed by the informing form having a sense of affinity just as if "the vehicle wakes up" or "the vehicle sleeps" and easily understood by the occupant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, when starting or stopping a vehicle based on a predetermined start operation or stop operation by a passenger, an operation of notifying the start or stop of the vehicle to the passenger in a visual / audible notification mode The present invention relates to a notification device and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to an operation notification device and a program for a vehicle capable of notifying a start-up or a stop of the vehicle in an easy-to-understand notification mode to a passenger with a close feeling.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 04-070784; Japanese Utility Model No. 2533770
In an existing vehicle (for example, an automobile or a motorcycle) that runs using an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine as a drive source, the vehicle is started (including an idling state) based on an ON operation of a main switch, or an OFF operation of a main switch is performed. When the vehicle is stopped based on the above, a warning sound consisting of a continuous single beep sound or the like or a light (eg, a headlamp, a tail lamp, etc.) is turned on, so that the passenger can perform the operation. There is one that notifies the start or stop of the vehicle based on the start. In recent years, development of electric vehicles (for example, electric scooters and electric vehicles) that run using an electric motor as a drive source is progressing, and in such an electric vehicle, the engine sound is intentionally imitated in view of the quietness of the electric motor. There is known a device that generates a dummy sound or the like when the vehicle is started. In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the electric motorcycle, the start or stop of the vehicle is made to be recognized by the occupant by an audible notification mode or a visual notification mode. As described above, in order to alert the occupant when the vehicle is started or stopped, a notification operation such as generating a musical sound appealing to the auditory sense or displaying a visual appeal has been conventionally performed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional vehicle, the start or stop of the vehicle is notified to the occupant in a notification mode such as turning on lights or generating a warning sound. That is, in the related art, since the purpose is simply to notify the passenger of the start or stop of the vehicle to the occupant, the tasteless and dry mechanical audible and visual notification modes are used independently. Was to inform. However, the notification using such a mechanical notification mode independently is very inconvenient for the passenger and is inconvenient. In addition, since the notification is performed in a single uninteresting and uninteresting notification mode, the passenger may quickly get bored and become accustomed to such a notification mode, and prompt the passenger to pay attention to starting or stopping the vehicle. However, there is a problem that the effect of this is weakened and it is not possible to effectively call attention.
[0004]
The present invention synchronizes the visual notification mode and the audible notification mode when the vehicle is started or stopped, and provides the passenger with an intimate feeling as if "the vehicle wakes up" or "the vehicle sleeps". It is an object of the present invention to provide an unusual operation notification device and a program for a vehicle, which can notify the start or stop of the vehicle in an easy-to-understand notification mode.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation notification device for a vehicle, a light emitting unit capable of controlling and lighting a light amount, an operation unit for instructing at least starting or stopping of the vehicle, and operating in response to an instruction from the operation unit. Sounding means for generating a musical tone corresponding to each internal operating condition for a predetermined musical sound generation time for each internal operating condition of the vehicle, and gradually increasing or decreasing the light amount within a predetermined time for each internal operating condition of the vehicle. Control means for controlling the lighting of the light emitting means.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the generation of the musical sound and the control of the light of the light emitting means are performed in synchronization with the musical sound generation time and the predetermined time for each internal operation state of the vehicle.
[0006]
According to the present invention, a tone corresponding to each internal operating condition is generated for a predetermined tone generating time for each internal operating condition of the vehicle operated at least in accordance with an instruction from the operating means for instructing start or stop of the vehicle. In addition, a tone is generated, and the light emitting unit is controlled so as to gradually increase or decrease the light amount within a predetermined time for each internal operation state of the vehicle. In order to notify the internal operation state of the vehicle by associating the audible notification mode and the visual notification mode, the generation of the musical sound and the control of the light of the light emitting means are synchronized with the musical sound generation time and the predetermined time, respectively. Do. That is, when the internal operation state of the vehicle is notified by the audible notification mode and the visual notification mode, the light emitting unit is controlled by lighting the light so that the light amount gradually increases and decreases in accordance with the generation of the musical sound. . By doing so, the start or stop of the vehicle can be notified in an easy-to-understand notification mode as if the occupant had a close feeling, such as "the vehicle wakes up" or "the vehicle sleeps".
[0007]
The present invention can be constructed and implemented not only as a device invention, but also as a method invention. Further, the present invention can be implemented in the form of a program of a computer or a processor such as a DSP, or can be implemented in the form of a storage medium storing such a program.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a system configuration in a vehicle to which the operation notification device according to the present invention is applied. In the vehicle shown in this embodiment, the control means is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer including a microprocessor unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a timer for generating a control clock, and the like. Under the control of 1, the operation of the entire vehicle is controlled. That is, the operation control of the entire vehicle is performed by the control means 1 operating a predetermined control program (software program). The operating means 2, the display means 3, the motor 4, and the sound generating means 5 are connected to the control means 1, respectively. The operation unit 2 includes a main switch, for example, a key switch for instructing start or stop (that is, power on or power off) of power supply from a battery (not shown) to various devices of the vehicle, and an engine, which is a driving source of the vehicle. 4, a start switch for instructing start / stop of blinking of a direction indicator called a flasher or a blinker disposed on the left and right of the front and rear of the vehicle, and other riding such as a steering wheel, an accelerator and a brake. Various controls directly operated by the user. When the operation means 2 is operated, the control means 1 controls to operate various corresponding devices according to operation signals issued for each operated operation means 2.
[0010]
The display means 3 is a light itself such as a flasher, a tail lamp or a headlight, a light emitting device such as a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) for displaying a speed or a motor rotation speed, a panel light for lighting a CRT or the like, or There are an indicator light for displaying a lighting state of each light, a warning light for displaying an abnormal state of various devices, and the like. These display means 3 blink a flasher in response to a display control signal from the control means 1, turn on / off a tail lamp, a headlight, a panel light, or the like while adjusting the light amount, or turn on / off a display light or a warning light. Controls such as turning off the light. The engine 4 is a drive source for driving a vehicle such as an electric motor or an internal combustion engine (engine). The output of the engine 4 is controlled according to an operation control signal from the control unit 1, and By controlling the rotation speed, the vehicle can be driven or stopped. When the rotation speed of the engine 4 changes, that is, when the occupant performs an operation such as opening and closing the accelerator, the engine 4 generates a state signal such as the rotation speed. When the control unit 1 obtains the state signal, the control unit 1 controls the display unit 3 to display an operation state according to the obtained state signal. The sounding means 5 is a sound source module that can employ various sound source systems such as an FM sound source and a PCM sound source, and can simultaneously generate musical sound signals on a plurality of channels. The sounding means 5 reads out sound data such as predetermined sound effects and voices stored in advance in a ROM or the like in accordance with a sounding control signal (such as a sounding / muting instruction of a musical sound) from the control means 1 and performs sounding processing. Note that the sound generator 5 may be realized as a circuit device, or as a software program executed by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a CPU.
[0011]
In the vehicle shown in this embodiment, the control unit 1 executes a “main process” (see FIG. 3 described later), which is a control program related to the electric control of the vehicle, so that the occupant operates the main switch. When the instruction is to start or stop the vehicle, a sound effect such as a predetermined sound effect or voice is generated toward the passenger, and the state is gradually changed in accordance with the generated music sound. The vehicle is controlled to turn on / off the lights. Specifically, the control means 1 always detects the operation state of the main switch, generates a predetermined sound control signal or display control signal corresponding to the detected operation state, and controls the display means 3 and the sound means 5 to operate. By controlling, the start and stop of the vehicle are visually and audibly notified to the passenger. When the display means 3 is controlled, the light amount of the lights is gradually increased when the vehicle is started, and the light amount is gradually increased when the vehicle is stopped. By turning off the light, it is as if "vehicle sleeps", and the start / stop of the vehicle is notified to the passenger.
[0012]
It should be noted that various control programs executed by the control means 1 such as "main processing", musical sound data serving as a basis for musical sounds such as predetermined sound effects and voices, and notification defining various control parameters according to the internal state of the vehicle. Various data such as an aspect table (to be described in detail later) are stored in a ROM or a RAM in advance. The storage means for storing such various control programs and various data is preferably a semiconductor storage element such as the ROM or RAM, which is hardly affected by vibration or shaking caused by running of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a hard disk may be used as long as it is configured not to be affected by the vibration and shaking generated in the vehicle, or a flexible disk (FD) or a compact disk (CD-ROM / CD- An external storage means using various removable external storage media such as a RAM), a magneto-optical disk (MO), and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) may be used. Alternatively, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory may be used.
The operation control of the whole vehicle can be implemented not only in the form of a computer software program but also in the form of a microprogram processed by a DSP. In addition, the present invention is not limited to such a form of a program, but may be a discrete circuit or an integrated circuit. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented in the form of a dedicated hardware device including a large-scale integrated circuit and the like.
[0013]
Here, a notification mode table stored in a ROM, a RAM, an external storage device, or the like will be described. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the data structure of the notification mode table. The notification mode table is data defining various control parameters for controlling the display unit 3 and the sound generation unit 5 in accordance with each internal state of the vehicle from when the vehicle is started to when it is stopped. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an example is shown in which an internal state flag corresponding to the internal state of the vehicle is defined in the horizontal direction and various control parameters are defined in the vertical direction.
[0014]
The internal state flag "CHECK" is used as an internal state of the vehicle, and the self-check is performed, for example, from the ON operation of the main switch by the passenger to the confirmation of the voltage state of the vehicle and the energization state of various electric devices and parts. , That is, the vehicle is in the activated state. The internal state flag "STANDBY" indicates that the self-check has been normally completed, that is, the vehicle is in a traveling standby state. The internal state flag “SHUTDOWN” indicates a state from the operation of turning off the main switch by the occupant until the vehicle completely stops, that is, the vehicle is in a stop standby state. The internal state flag “RUN” indicates a state in which the vehicle is running due to an accelerator operation by the passenger, that is, the vehicle is in a running state. Each internal state flag corresponds to an internal state memory (STATE) that changes stepwise according to an operation by a passenger or the like (refer to a main process shown in FIG. 3 described later).
[0015]
In the notification mode table, a plurality of control parameters are defined according to each of the above-described internal state flags. As shown in the figure, the control parameters include, for example, tone instruction information (TONE), tone generation time information (TONE_T), light intensity instruction information (LIGHT), flasher control information (FLASHER), and the like. The musical tone instruction information (TONE) is information such as a unique ID number assigned in advance to each musical tone data for designating a musical tone to be generated corresponding to the internal state of the vehicle. The musical sound generation time information (TONE_T) is information relating to the generation time (generation period or generation interval) of the musical sound generated corresponding to the internal state of the vehicle, and for example, the generation time in milliseconds is defined. The light amount instruction information (LIGHT) is information for specifying the light amount of various lamps (for example, a head lamp, a tail lamp, a panel light, etc.) to be lit, and sets an appropriate value from 0.0 to 1.0, for example. It is possible. In this embodiment, when the value is 0.0, the state where various lamps are turned off is defined, and when the value is 1.0, the state where various lamps are turned on at the maximum light amount is defined. And In accordance with the value of the light amount instruction information (LIGHT), the light amount is controlled from the light-off state to the lighting state at the maximum light amount to turn on various lights. The flasher control information (FLASHER) is information for designating whether or not to control flashing of the flasher. In this embodiment, when the value is 1, the flasher is controlled to flash, and when the value is 0, the flasher is controlled. It is assumed that the flasher is controlled to be turned off without controlling the flashing.
[0016]
As described above, the notification mode table corresponds to the internal state of the vehicle (that is, the internal operation state of the vehicle) that can be displaced based on the start / stop operation of the vehicle by the occupant, and the musical sound to be generated, The generation time (generation period or generation interval), the light amount of the lamps to be controlled, the flashing of the flasher, and the like are defined as control parameters.
[0017]
In the vehicle shown in the present embodiment, the internal state of the vehicle (starting state (CHECK), traveling standby state (STANDBY), traveling state (RUN), stop standby state, etc., according to the on / off operation of the main switch by the passenger. (SHUTDOWN) and the like, each time the state is displaced, the tone generation control is performed in accordance with various control parameters defined in the notification mode table, and the predetermined light is turned on and off while gradually changing the light amount. Kind of lighting control is performed. By performing such control, the occupant is notified of the start / stop of the vehicle audibly and visually. Therefore, an outline of a “main process” for performing a process related to such notification will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the "main process" executed by the control means 1 shown in FIG. In the control means 1, the main switch is turned on to start the power supply to the vehicle (that is, the power is turned on), and the main processing is started, and the main switch is turned off to stop the power supply (that is, the power supply is turned off). The main process is repeatedly executed until OFF).
[0018]
First, "CHECK" is set as an initial value in an internal state memory (shown as STATE in the figure) used as a working memory for representing the internal state of the vehicle (step S1). Then, a self-check is performed (step S2). In the self-check, for example, processing such as checking the temperature of the engine oil and the muffler, checking the voltage state, and checking the energization state of various electric devices and components, and the like are performed. In step S3, as a result of the self-check, it is determined whether there is any abnormality in the vehicle. When it is determined that there is no abnormality in the self-check (YES in step S3), the internal state memory (STATE) is set to "STANDBY (running standby state)" (step S4). On the other hand, if it is determined in the self-check that there is an abnormality (NO in step S3), the internal state memory (STATE) is set to "NG (abnormal state)" (step S6). After the end of step S4 or step S6, a "notification process" is executed (step S5 or step S7). The “notification process” is a subroutine program, and starts the process by receiving the value set in the internal state memory (STATE) from the “main process” as an argument. In the “notification process”, according to the argument (STATE), that is, when the vehicle is in the starting state (when the argument is CHECK), when the vehicle is in the traveling standby state (when the argument is STANDBY), When the vehicle is in a running state (when the argument is RUN), when the vehicle is in a “stop standby state” (when the argument is SHUTDOWN), or when the vehicle is in a self-check abnormal state (when the argument is NG). This is processing for controlling tone generation of musical tones and lighting control of lights, respectively, depending on the situation. Details of such “notification processing” will be described later (see FIG. 4).
[0019]
In step S8, "other processing" is executed. Some examples of the “other processing” include output control of the engine 4 and operation control of general various devices in accordance with the operation of each operation element of the operation unit 2 (for example, a head based on a normal operation). (For example, light control of a light or a flasher), and processing for performing control such as displaying the number of revolutions, the traveling speed, the traveling distance, and the like of the motor 4 during traveling of the vehicle on a liquid crystal display panel. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the accelerator is operated and the accelerator is opened among the operators included in the operating means 2 by the occupant (particularly the driver). If it is determined that the accelerator is not yet operated and the accelerator is not open (NO in step S9), the vehicle is determined to be in the "running standby state" and the internal state memory (STATE) is set to "STANDBY ( (Running standby state) "(step S10). On the other hand, when it is determined that the accelerator is operated and the accelerator is opened (YES in step S9), it is determined whether or not the internal state memory (STATE) is already set to "RUN (running)". Is determined (step S11). If it is determined that the vehicle is not yet set to “RUN (running)” (NO in step S11), it is determined that the vehicle is in the “running state” and the internal state memory (STATE) is set to “RUN (running)”. Is set (step S12), and the “notification process” is executed using this as an argument (step S13).
[0020]
In step S14, it is determined whether or not the main switch has been turned off and the vehicle has been turned off. When the power is turned off (YES in step S14), the internal state memory (STATE) is set to "SHUTDOWN (stop standby state)" assuming that the vehicle is in the "stop standby state" (step S15), and this is set. After executing the “notification process” as an argument (step S16), the “main process” ends. On the other hand, when the power is not turned off (NO in step S14), the process returns to step S8, and the processes from step S8 to step S14 are repeatedly performed.
[0021]
Next, based on the arguments passed from the "main processing", a subroutine program "notification processing" for performing tone control of musical sounds and lighting control of lights according to the internal state of the vehicle (step S5 in FIG. 3, Steps S7, S13, and S16) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the “notification process”. However, in this embodiment, a description will be given assuming that a loop process for controlling the light amount of the light (the processes of steps S28 to S30 described later) is performed once per millisecond.
[0022]
First, in step S21, based on the arguments (same contents as the internal state memory (STATE)) passed from the main process, the corresponding tone generation time information (TONE_T [STATE]) and the light amount instruction information from the notification mode table described above. (LIGHT [STATE]). In step S22, the current light amount is acquired. That is, the lighting state of each type of light at the present time is checked, and in particular, the light amount of the light being lit is acquired. In step S23, a tone generation instruction corresponding to the argument (STATE) is given to the tone generator module. That is, based on the corresponding musical tone instruction information in the notification mode table, the corresponding waveform data and the like are read out, and the sound source module is instructed to perform a sound generation process based on the read out waveform data. In step S24, a time parameter T (unit: millisecond) for designating a time for controlling the light amount is set to 0. In step S25, it is determined whether the corresponding flasher control information (FLASHER [STATE]) in the notification mode table is defined as 1 or 0. If the flasher control information (FLASHER [STATE]) is defined as 1 (YES in step S25), the flasher is turned on (blinking) (step S26). On the other hand, if the flasher control information (FLASHER [STATE]) is defined as 0 (NO in step S25), the flasher is turned off (turned off) (step S27).
[0023]
In step S28, the light is supplied to the lights so that the light amount gradually changes to the light amount defined in the light amount instruction information (LIGHT [STATE]) within the time defined in the musical sound generation time information (TONE_T [STATE]). Control power. In step S29, 1 is added to the time parameter T. In step S30, it is determined whether or not the time parameter T is equal to or longer than the time defined in the tone generation time information (TONE_T [STATE]). If the time parameter T is not equal to or longer than the defined time (NO in step S30), the process returns to step S28, and the processes from step S28 to step S30 are repeatedly executed. That is, the light amount control of the lights is performed by a loop process, and the light amount gradually increases from the current light amount acquired in step S22 to the light amount defined in the light amount instruction information (LIGHT [STATE]) within the tone generation time. Light control of lights is performed so as to change. For example, when the notification mode table shown in FIG. 2 is used, when the notification process is read out with the argument (STANDBY), the light is turned off (the light is turned off because the power supply has just been turned on). The control is performed so that it takes t1 milliseconds to gradually change from a certain state to a lighting state at the maximum light amount (light amount instruction information is defined as 1.0), and the notification processing is performed by an argument (RUN). Is read out, the lighting state is controlled so as to be immediately turned on at the maximum light amount (music tone generation time information is defined as 1 (millisecond)), and the notification processing is performed by an argument (SHUTDOWN). When the readout is performed, control is performed so that it takes t2 milliseconds from the current lighting state to the light-off state and gradually changes. In step S31, it is determined whether the flasher control information (FLASHHER [STATE]) is defined as 1 or 0. When the flasher control information (FLASHER [STATE]) is defined as 1 (YES in step S31), the flasher is turned off (turned off) (step S32). That is, the flasher is controlled so as to be in a blinking state within the musical sound generation time by executing the processing of step S32 and the processing of step S26 in combination. Further, a tone end instruction is given to the tone generator module (step S33).
[0024]
Here, a specific example of the notification mode accompanying the execution of the above-described “main processing” will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram for explaining one embodiment of a notification mode when the vehicle is started / stopped in response to the ON / OFF operation of the main switch. In this embodiment, the state transition of the main switch, the internal state memory, the generation of a musical tone (sound), the amount of light of lamps, and the flasher are shown in order from the top. In the following description, a case will be described as an example where the data content notification mode table shown in FIG. 2 is used.
[0025]
First, when the passenger turns on the power by turning the main switch to the “ON” position or the like, the control means 1 executes a self-check and sets the internal state memory to the activated state (CHECK). When the self-check is completed normally, the internal state memory is set from the activation state (CHECK) to the traveling standby state (STANDBY), and the notification processing is executed. In the notification process, tone data corresponding to pattern 1 (PTN1) is read based on tone instruction information corresponding to the internal state memory (STANDBY), and a tone is generated so that the read tone data is reproduced for the tone generation time (t1). Control. Further, in synchronization with the musical sound generation time (t1), the light control is performed so as to gradually increase the light amount of the lights to the light amount according to the light amount instruction information (here, the maximum light amount of 1.0). Further, based on the flasher control information, the flasher is controlled so as to repeat blinking at predetermined intervals for a musical sound generation time (t1). When the musical sound generation time (t1) elapses, control is performed such that the musical sound of pattern 1 (PTN1) is muted, lights are turned on at the maximum light amount, and flashers are turned off. In this way, in response to the vehicle transitioning from the starting state to the traveling standby state, music is generated for a predetermined time, lights are turned on while changing the light amount, and flashers are flashed. Inform the passenger that the vehicle has transitioned to a “standby state (travel standby state)” in which the vehicle can travel in response to the accelerator operation by the passenger. In this case, the start of the vehicle is notified in a notification manner as if "the vehicle wakes up", so that the passenger can easily understand that the vehicle has been started and the vehicle is in the traveling standby state.
[0026]
On the other hand, in the case where the vehicle is in the traveling standby state (STANDBY), when the passenger turns off the power by turning the main switch to the “OFF” position or the like, the control means 1 stops the internal state memory and waits. The state is set to the state (SHUTDOWN), and the notification processing is executed. In the notification process, tone data corresponding to pattern 2 (PTN2) is read based on tone instruction information corresponding to the internal state memory (SHUTDOWN), and a tone is generated so that the read tone data is reproduced for the tone generation time (t2). Control. Further, in synchronization with the musical sound generation time (t2), the light control is performed so as to gradually reduce the light amount of the lights to the light amount according to the light amount instruction information (here, the minimum light amount of 0.0). Further, based on the flasher control information, the flasher is controlled so as to repeat blinking at predetermined intervals for a musical sound generation time (t2). After the musical sound generation time (t2) elapses, each of them is controlled so that the musical sound of pattern 2 (PTN2) is muted, and both the lights and the flasher are turned off. In this way, in response to the vehicle transitioning from the traveling standby state to the stop standby state, music is generated for a predetermined time, lights are turned off while changing the light amount, and flashers are flashed. This notifies the occupant that the vehicle has transitioned to the "stop standby state". By so doing, the stop of the vehicle is notified in a notification manner such as "the vehicle sleeps", so that the passenger can easily understand that the vehicle has stopped.
[0027]
Although not shown in the above-described embodiment, when the vehicle is in a “standby state (running standby state)”, a predetermined operation is performed in response to an accelerator operation or a brake operation by a passenger or a state signal from the engine 4. It is needless to say that the vehicle may be in a running state by generating a tone (PTNR) such as a "running sound".
[0028]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the standby state = running standby state, that is, the case where the vehicle is shifted to the running state only by the accelerator operation by the occupant has been described. However, unlike this, based on the accelerator operation by the occupant, In order to shift the vehicle to the running state, the occupant may need to operate an activation switch different from the accelerator in advance. For example, a start switch for starting a cell starter, which is auxiliary power for starting an engine, or a start button for preventing erroneous operation (power is not supplied to the motor until the start button is pressed in an electric vehicle). It is necessary to operate in advance. In such a case, it is possible to define an “idling state” different from the “running standby state” as the internal state of the vehicle, and even when the internal state of the vehicle shifts from the running standby state to such an idling state, Control of tone generation of musical tones, control of lighting of lights, control of flashing of flashers, and the like may be performed. Therefore, a specific example of the notification mode when such an “idling state” is defined will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram for explaining another embodiment of the notification mode when the vehicle is started / stopped in response to the on / off operation of the main switch. In this embodiment, the state transitions of the main switch, the start switch, the internal state memory, the generation of a musical tone (sound), the light amount of the lamps, and the flasher are shown in order from the top.
[0029]
First, when the passenger turns on the power by turning the main switch to the “ON” position or the like, a self-check is executed, and when the self-check is completed normally, the internal state memory is stored in the traveling standby state (STANDBY). ) To execute the notification process. In the notification process, the tone generation is controlled so that the tone data corresponding to the pattern 1 (PTN1) is reproduced for the tone generation time (t1). Further, in synchronization with the musical sound generation time (t1), the lighting control is performed so that the light amount of the lights gradually increases to the light amount (here, about 0.6) according to the light amount instruction information. Further, the flasher is controlled to blink so as to repeat blinking at predetermined intervals for a tone generation time (t1). When the start switch is turned on by the rider while the vehicle is in the travel standby state, the internal state memory is set to the idling state (IDLE) and the notification process is executed. In the notification process, the tone generation is controlled so that the tone data corresponding to the pattern 3 (PTN3) is reproduced for the tone generation time (t3). Further, in synchronization with the musical sound generation time (t3), the light control is performed so as to gradually increase the light amount of the lights to the light amount (here, the maximum light amount of 1.0) according to the light amount instruction information. Further, the flasher is controlled to blink so as to repeat blinking at predetermined intervals for a musical sound generation time (t3). In a case where the vehicle is in the “idling state” and the passenger turns off the power by turning the main switch to the “OFF” position or the like, the control means switches the internal state memory to the stop standby state (SHUTDOWN). Set and execute the notification process. This notification processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG. As described above, even when the vehicle shifts from the traveling standby state to the idling state, the vehicle shifts to each state by performing tone control, tone control of lights, and flashing control of a flasher. To the passenger.
[0030]
The tone generation time of the tone to be emitted corresponding to the internal state of the vehicle is defined in advance in the notification mode table as tone generation time information. The tone generation time and the like may be acquired from the musical tone data of the above.
In some cases, there is a difference between the actual sounding time of the musical sound and the sounding time of the musical sound counted by the control means 1. In this case, the sounding state (sounding / sounding) is generated from the sounding means 5 in the same manner as described above. End, etc.), the tone is forcibly muted or the light amount of the lights is forcibly specified at the time when the actual sound generation ends, that is, when the control means 1 receives the sound generation end signal from the sound generation means 5. Control such as setting to a value (light amount instruction information) may be performed.
Note that the tone generation control may be performed such that the volume of the tone generated according to the internal state of the vehicle gradually changes in state. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the tone generated itself according to the internal state of the vehicle is changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reading cycle of the same tone data may be changed. In such a case, the notification can be performed by changing the tempo of the musical tone generated according to each state.
[0031]
Note that the flasher may change the blinking cycle or blinking pattern according to the internal state of the vehicle. In this case, the flasher control information in the notification mode table may be changed to information designating these.
The light quantity change of the lights does not have to be a linear change characteristic, and may be any change characteristic as long as the light quantity specified at the end of sound generation is reached.
In the above-described embodiment, the light amount of the lights is changed within the musical sound generation time. On the contrary, the time for changing the light amount of the lights is defined, and the musical sound generation time is adjusted accordingly. It goes without saying that the tone may be determined and the tone may be generated. In such a case, it is preferable to define a light amount change time instead of the musical sound generation time as a control parameter in the notification mode table, and perform the lighting control of the lights and the tone control of the musical sound based on the light amount change time.
Note that the internal state of the vehicle may include a state other than those exemplified above. For example, in some vehicles, a security key is defined and a security lock is set / released. Along with such lock setting / release, a synchronized tone and light emission notification may be similarly performed.
[0032]
In each of the above-described embodiments, a vehicle that can actually travel has been described as an example. However, the invention is not limited to this, and a vehicle that does not actually travel may be used. For example, a vehicle (or a part of a vehicle) used for a driving simulator or a game machine may be used. Needless to say, the vehicle is not limited to a car or a motorcycle, but may be a tractor, an airplane, a ship, or a train.
Although the present invention has been described as a device or a software program incorporated in a vehicle, part or all of the configuration of the present invention may be a retrofit device or a software program. For example, the configuration of the present invention can be realized by retrofitting a set of control means, operation means, display means, and sound generation means related to vehicle start / stop notification control as a device or a storage medium to the vehicle. You may.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the start or stop notification of the vehicle is performed, the notification is performed in an easy-to-understand notification mode as if the occupant had a close feeling such as "the vehicle wakes up" or "the vehicle sleeps". Accordingly, the effect of prompting the passenger to pay attention to the start or stop of the vehicle can be maintained for a long time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a system configuration in a vehicle to which an operation notification device according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a notification mode table.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main process.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a notification process.
FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram for explaining an embodiment of a notification mode when the vehicle is started / stopped.
FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram for explaining another embodiment of a notification mode when the vehicle is started / stopped.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control means, 2 ... Operation means, 3 ... Display means, 4 ... Motor, 5 ... Sound generation means

Claims (3)

A light emitting means capable of controlling the amount of light and lighting the light,
Operating means for instructing at least starting or stopping of the vehicle,
For each internal operation state of the vehicle operated according to the instruction from the operation means, a sounding means for generating a musical tone corresponding to each internal operation state for a predetermined musical sound generation time,
An operation notification device for a vehicle, comprising: control means for controlling the light emission of the light emitting means so as to gradually increase or decrease the light amount within a predetermined time for each internal operation state of the vehicle. 2. The operation notification in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, for each internal operation state of the vehicle, the generation of the musical sound and the control of the light of the light emitting unit are performed in synchronization with the musical sound generation time and the predetermined time. apparatus. On the computer,
At least a procedure for instructing starting or stopping of the vehicle;
A procedure for generating a musical tone corresponding to each internal operational situation for a predetermined musical tone generation time for each internal operational situation of the vehicle operated according to the instruction;
And controlling the light-emitting means to light up and down gradually within a predetermined time for each internal operation state of the vehicle.

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