JP2005280487A - Direction indicating device for motorcycle, information output device for motorcycle, navigation device, direction indicating method for motorcycle, navigation method, and navigation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for indicating a direction and giving various information from a navigation device to a driver of a motorcycle with no difficulty. <P>SOLUTION: Two vibrators 19, 20 for indicating left and right directions by giving vibration to the driver by selectively driving depending on an indicating direction, or the two vibrators 19, 20 for driving on the basis of a signal from the navigation device mounted on the motorcycle, and outputting information corresponding to the signal by giving the vibration to the driver of the motorcycle are provided on a part where vibration can be given to left and right inner thighs of the driver on both sides of a tank 21 of the motorcycle, for example on a side of the driver of a magnet flap 23 of a tank bag 22 with the navigation device housed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a single-vehicle direction indicating device for instructing a driver in the left-right direction, a single-vehicle information output device, a navigation device using these, a single-vehicle direction indicating method for instructing the driver in the left-right direction, and navigation The present invention relates to a method and a navigation program.

Conventionally, as a navigation device for a single vehicle, a device that displays the distance to the next branch point or the distance to the destination or displays the traveling direction at the branch point with an arrow has been proposed ( For example, see Patent Document 1). This navigation device further includes a voice synthesizer and voice recognition means, and exchanges information with the driver via a microphone or speaker built in the helmet.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-22210

  However, when providing information to the driver by displaying an arrow or the like as in the prior art described above, the driver often pays attention to the display screen to confirm the presence or absence of information display, It is necessary to move the line of sight on the display screen when etc. are displayed. Then, the driver's concentration on driving is hindered to some extent.

  In addition, when information is transmitted to the driver by voice, it may be difficult for the driver to hear the voice from the speaker due to surrounding noise or engine sound. In such a case, a great stress may be given to the driver.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of giving information related to a direction instruction from a navigation device to a single-vehicle driver and other information in view of such problems of the prior art. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a single vehicle direction indicating device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with two directions for giving a vibration to a driver and instructing a left-right direction by selectively driving according to the indicated direction. A vibrator is provided.

  Here, for example, a motorcycle or a scooter corresponds to the single vehicle. For example, the selective driving is performed by a control unit of the navigation device. The left / right direction instruction corresponds to, for example, a left / right direction instruction when guiding a left or right turn by the navigation device.

  In this configuration, when the left side is instructed to the driver of the single vehicle, one of the two vibrators is driven, and when the right side is instructed, the other is driven. The driver can recognize which one of the left vibrator and the right vibrator is instructed depending on which of the two vibrators vibrates. At that time, the vibration by the vibrator is recognized by the driver mainly by tactile sensation, not by visual or auditory sense, so the driver does not need to change the line of sight and reliably recognizes the instruction even in a noisy environment. be able to. Further, since one of the two vibrators is used to indicate the left direction and the other indicates the right direction, the driver can intuitively and instantaneously recognize the instruction in the left-right direction.

  A single vehicle information output device according to a second aspect of the invention is driven based on a drive signal from a navigation device mounted on a single vehicle, and outputs predetermined information by applying vibration to a single vehicle driver. One vibrator is provided.

  In this configuration, when the navigation device drives the two vibrators one by one or at the same time in various ways, the two vibrators output information on the directions in the left and right directions and other information to inform the driver of the information. Can do. At that time, the vibration caused by the vibrator is recognized by the driver mainly by tactile sensation regardless of sight or hearing. For this reason, the driver does not need to change the line of sight and can reliably recognize the output information even in a noisy environment.

  According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the two vibrators are directed to the driver in the left-right direction by driving the one corresponding to the designated direction based on a signal from the navigation device. Features.

  According to a fourth invention, in the second or third invention, the two vibrators are driven simultaneously based on a signal from a navigation device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the two vibrators are provided in portions on both sides of the tank of the single vehicle that can impart vibrations to the left and right feet of the driver. And

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the two vibrators are provided in a portion of the glove worn by the driver that can apply vibrations to the left and right hands of the driver. Features.

  A seventh invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the two vibrators are provided in a portion of the helmet worn by the driver that can transmit vibration to the driver's head. To do.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the two vibrators are provided in a portion of the knee pad that the driver can wear, each of which can impart vibration to the left and right knees of the driver. Features.

  According to a ninth invention, in any one of the first to eighth inventions, there is provided another vibrator for giving the driver different information from the information for instructing the left-right direction.

  A navigation device according to a tenth invention comprises the device according to any one of the first to ninth inventions.

  The direction indication method for a single vehicle according to the eleventh aspect of the invention has a procedure for giving a vibration to the driver and instructing the left-right direction by driving the vibrator corresponding to the indicated direction using two vibrators. It is characterized by.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect of the invention, a procedure for simultaneously driving two vibrators is provided.

  A navigation method according to a thirteenth invention includes a procedure in which a navigation device mounted on a single vehicle drives two vibrators and outputs predetermined information by applying vibration to a single vehicle driver. And

  In a fourteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the information output procedure drives the other of the two vibrators by a procedure of outputting information relating to the left direction by driving one of the two vibrators. And a procedure for outputting information related to a right direction instruction.

  According to a fifteenth aspect, in the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the information output procedure includes a procedure of simultaneously driving two vibrators.

  A sixteenth invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth inventions, when the vibrator is driven, the two vibrators are driven in different patterns.

  A seventeenth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the eleventh to sixteenth inventions, when a single vehicle travels on a curve, it has a procedure of driving a vibrator corresponding to a turning direction of two vibrators.

  According to an eighteenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect, when driving a vibrator corresponding to a turning direction, the driving is performed by a number of times different from a case of bending at an intersection or a vibration method.

  A navigation program according to a nineteenth invention causes a car navigation device to execute each procedure according to any one of the eleventh to eighteenth inventions.

  According to the present invention, the driver can recognize intuitively and instantaneously information related to the left-right direction and other information without changing the line of sight, even in a noisy environment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a single vehicle navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a ROM for storing control programs, fonts used for image display, bitmap (BMP) files, etc. 12 is an operation control of each part of the apparatus and access to the ROM 11 etc. according to the programs in the ROM 11. A microcomputer for performing control, 13 is an input means for performing an operation input to the control microcomputer 12, 14 is a position acquiring means for acquiring the current position of the single vehicle using GPS, a sensor for travel distance and angular velocity, and 15 is a navigation screen. A map database that holds map data to be displayed, 16 is a RAM for storing programs and data for the control microcomputer 12 to perform processing, 17 is a voice output means for outputting by voice, and 18 is a control microcomputer 12. A display device for displaying a screen as a user interface by controlling The left turn instruction for a vibrator for instructing the left, 20 is a right turn instruction for a vibrator for instructing right turn. The vibrators 19 and 20 are provided at positions where the driver can be selectively driven in accordance with a left turn or right turn instruction to give vibration to the driver and instruct a left turn or a right turn.

  Fig.2 (a) is a side view which shows a mode that this navigation apparatus was attached to the single vehicle. In the figure, 21 is a tank of a single vehicle, and 22 is a tank bag mounted on the tank 21. The tank bag 22 has a magnet flap 23 for fixing the tank bag 22 to the tank 21 with magnets on both sides of the tank 21. The navigation device is housed in the tank bag 22 and is supplied with power from a single battery. Instead of a single battery, an internal power source of the navigation device such as a battery or a rechargeable battery may be used. Vibrators 19 and 20 for left turn instruction and right turn instruction are placed on the sides of the tank 21 from the driver side end with respect to the magnet flap 23 so as to be located at the portions that inevitably come into contact with the driver's inner crotch. It is attached so as to extend on the tank 21 toward the direction.

  FIG. 2B is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the tank 21 and left and right turn instruction vibrators 19 and 20. As shown in the figure, the left-turn instruction and right-turn instruction vibrators 19 and 20 are arranged on the driver side on both sides of the tank 21.

  In this configuration, when the control microcomputer 12 determines that a left turn point on the route has approached a predetermined distance based on the route to the destination set in advance, the current position of the single vehicle, and the map database. The left turn instructing vibrator 19 is driven at a predetermined length and a predetermined number of times with a predetermined period. Then, the vibration of vibrator 19 is transmitted to the inner leg of the driver's left foot. The driver senses this vibration and recognizes immediately and reliably that the next intersection should turn left without the need for any incidental action. Therefore, the driver can turn left at the next intersection with a margin.

  Similarly, when the control microcomputer 12 determines that a right turn point on the route has approached a predetermined distance, the control microcomputer 12 drives the right turn instruction vibrator 20 at a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time length. . Then, the vibration of the vibrator 20 is transmitted to the inner leg of the driver's right foot, so that the driver can recognize that the right turn should be made in the same manner based on this vibration, and can turn right at the next intersection with a margin.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of such a left turn / right turn instruction process by the control microcomputer 12. When the process is started, the control microcomputer 12 first determines in step 31 whether or not to give a left turn instruction. This determination can be made based on whether a left turn point on the route is approached to a predetermined distance based on a route to the destination set in advance, the current position of the single vehicle, and the map database.

  If it is determined in step 31 that a left turn instruction is not given, the process proceeds to step 33. If it is determined that a left turn instruction is to be performed, in step 32, the left turn instruction vibrator 19 is driven a predetermined number of times at a predetermined period for a predetermined time length. Accordingly, the driver can feel the vibration of the vibrator 19 at the left inner crotch and recognize that the left turn is instructed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 35.

  In step 33, it is determined whether or not a right turn instruction is to be given. This determination can be made based on whether a right turn point on the route has approached a predetermined distance based on the route to the destination set in advance, the current position of the single vehicle, and the map database.

  If it is determined in step 33 that a right turn instruction is not given, the process proceeds to step 35. If it is determined that a right turn instruction is to be issued, in step 34, the right turn instruction vibrator 20 is driven a predetermined number of times at a predetermined period for a predetermined time length. As a result, the driver can feel the vibration of the vibrator 20 with the right foot and recognize that the right turn has been instructed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 35.

  In step 35, it is determined whether or not to end the process for a predetermined reason. If it is determined not to end the process, the process returns to step 31. If it is determined to end, the left turn / right turn instruction processing ends.

  According to the present embodiment, the left or right turn is instructed by driving the vibrators 19 and 20, so that the driver can change the line of sight toward the display device 18 in a crowded traffic environment, In a noise environment caused by running sound or engine sound, it is not necessary to concentrate nerves on voice output by the voice output means 17, and it is possible to recognize a left turn or right turn instruction reliably and instantaneously and to make a left turn or right turn with a margin. .

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. For example, in the above description, two vibrators are provided at positions where vibrations can be transmitted to the driver's feet. Instead, vibrations are transmitted to the left and right hands of the driver in the glove worn by the driver. It should be provided on the part that can be given vibration, the part that can transmit vibration to the driver's head in the helmet worn by the driver, and the part that can apply vibration to the left and right knees of the driver on the kneepad that the driver can wear. May be.

  In the above description, only a vibrator for instructing a left turn or a right turn is provided, but in addition to this, another vibrator for giving the driver other information different from the information for instructing the left-right direction. May be provided.

  Further, in the above description, the left turn and the right turn are instructed only by the vibrators 19 and 20, but in addition to this, an arrow instructing the left turn or the right turn is displayed on the display device 18, or the voice output means 17 is used. You may make it output the audio | voice which instruct | indicates the left turn or the right turn.

  Further, in the above description, when it is determined that a left turn or right turn point has approached a predetermined distance, the left turn or right turn instructing vibrator 19 or 20 is driven for a predetermined number of times with a predetermined time length and a predetermined cycle. However, at this time, this series of driving may be repeated several times according to the distance to the left or right turn point. At that time, the time length of driving, the number of times of driving, and the driving cycle may be changed. Moreover, you may make it easy to recognize whether a driver | operator should turn left or right by driving the vibrators 19 and 20 by a mutually different pattern.

  In the above description, the left-turn or right-turn instruction vibrator 19 or 20 is used only for instructing left-turn or right-turn, but in addition to this, it is used for the purpose of transmitting other information to the driver. It may be. For example, the vibrators 19 and 20 may be driven simultaneously for the purpose of predicting danger before a curve or a crossing. Moreover, you may make it operate the vibrator 19 or 20 corresponding to the turning direction in a curve by the frequency | count or the method of vibration different from the case where it turns at an intersection.

It is a block diagram which shows the navigation apparatus for single vehicles which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows a mode that the navigation apparatus of FIG. 1 was attached to the single vehicle. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the left turn and right turn instruction | indication process by the control microcomputer of the navigation apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

11: ROM, 12: control microcomputer, 13: input means, 14: position acquisition means, 15: map database, 16: RAM, 17: voice output means, 18: display device, 19: vibrator for left turn instruction, 20: right turn Vibrator for instruction, 21: tank, 22: tank bag, 23: magnet flap.

Claims (19)

  A single-vehicle direction indicating device comprising two vibrators for giving a vibration to a driver and instructing a left-right direction by selectively driving according to an instruction direction.   A single vehicle comprising two vibrators that are driven based on a signal from a navigation device mounted on the single vehicle and output information corresponding to the signal by applying vibration to a driver of the single vehicle. Information output device.   3. The information output for a single vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the two vibrators are instructed to the driver in the left-right direction by being driven in accordance with the signal in accordance with the direction indicated. apparatus.   The information output apparatus for a single vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the two vibrators are driven simultaneously based on the signal.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two vibrators are provided at portions on both sides of the tank in the single vehicle that can respectively vibrate the left and right feet of the driver. .   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two vibrators are provided in portions of the glove worn by the driver that can impart vibrations to the left and right hands of the driver, respectively. .   The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two vibrators are provided in a portion of a helmet worn by the driver that can apply vibration to the driver's head.   The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two vibrators are provided in a portion of the kneepad that can be worn by the driver so that vibrations can be imparted to the left and right knees of the driver, respectively. .   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising another vibrator for giving the driver different information from the information for instructing the left-right direction.   A navigation device comprising the device according to claim 1.   A single vehicle direction indication method comprising a step of giving vibration to a driver and instructing a left-right direction by driving a vibrator corresponding to the indicated direction using two vibrators.   12. The direction indication method for a single vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising a step of simultaneously driving the two vibrators.   A navigation method comprising: a navigation device mounted on a single vehicle having a procedure of driving two vibrators and outputting predetermined information by applying vibration to a single vehicle driver.   In the information output procedure, one of the two vibrators is driven to output information related to the left direction instruction, and the other of the two vibrators is driven to output the information related to the right direction instruction. The navigation method according to claim 13, further comprising:   The navigation method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the information output procedure includes a procedure of simultaneously driving the two vibrators.   The method according to claim 11, wherein when the two vibrators are driven, the two vibrators are driven in different patterns.   The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising a step of driving a vibrator corresponding to a turning direction of the two vibrators when the single vehicle travels on a curve.   18. The direction indication method for a single vehicle according to claim 17, wherein when driving a vibrator corresponding to the turning direction, the driving is performed by a number of times different from a case of turning at an intersection or a manner of vibration. A navigation program that causes a car navigation device to execute each procedure in the method according to claim 11.

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