JP2006182323A - Alarm system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alarm system for a vehicle which permits a vehicle side device to determine the suitability of an alarm level so that an alarm output level can be calibrated to a proper level by communication between the vehicle side device and a driver, and the driver himself/herself to test and confirm the alarm level by the alarm generated on trial, and to arbitrarily set an alarm level to such a degree as to have no troublesome feeling. <P>SOLUTION: This alarm system 10 for the vehicle includes: a monitor 12 for monitoring a vehicle status; an alarm output device 14 for outputting an alarm corresponding to an abnormality content if abnormality is detected by the monitor 12; an alarm trial device 16 for making the alarm output device 14 output an alarm; a reaction request device 18 for requiring a reaction to the alarm by the alarm trial device 16; a reaction observation device 20 for observing a reaction of the driver to a request from the reaction request device 18; and an alarm level changing device 22 for stepwise raising an alarm level of the alarm output device 14 if an observation signal from the reaction observation device 20 is not obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle alarm system, and more particularly to a vehicle alarm system configured to output an alarm to a driver when an abnormality is detected.

  In vehicles such as automobiles, development of a vehicle alarm system that issues an alarm by detecting the state of a running vehicle and the state of the moving direction of the vehicle (the presence of an obstacle, a preceding vehicle, or an oncoming vehicle, etc.) is underway. ing.

In this vehicle alarm system, a warning sound is output to instruct the driver to immediately perform a brake operation or a steering operation. If the alarm sounds troublesome, the driver switches the volume. The volume of the alarm sound can be reduced by operating the switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-337638 A

  However, in the vehicle alarm system described in the above-mentioned patent document, for example, other drivers can operate the volume changeover switch, so that the driver does not notice that the volume of the alarm sound is low. There is.

  In addition, if an object is placed in front of a buzzer or speaker that issues an alarm, the alarm sound may be blocked and difficult to hear even if an alarm is issued, and there is a risk that it will be delayed to notice the alarm sound. It was.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular alarm system that solves the above-mentioned problems by increasing the alarm level while confirming the driver's reaction to the alarm.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a vehicle alarm system having an alarm output means for monitoring a situation of the vehicle and outputting an alarm corresponding to the content of the abnormality when an abnormality is detected, and outputs an alarm to the alarm output means An alarm test means, a reaction request means for requesting a response to the alarm output by the alarm test means, a reaction observation means for observing a driver's reaction to a request from the reaction request means, and the reaction observation means And an alarm level changing means for raising the alarm level of the alarm output means in a stepwise manner when the observed signal is not obtained.

  The invention according to claim 2 has an alarm switching means for switching the alarm output means to another alarm output means when the number of times the alarm level is changed by the alarm level changing means reaches a preset predetermined number of times, The reaction request means requests a response to the alarm of the other alarm output means, and the alarm level change means alerts the other alarm output means when an observation signal from the reaction observation means cannot be obtained. It is characterized by raising the level step by step.

  The invention according to claim 3 has alarm recognition degree estimating means for estimating the degree of recognition of the alarm according to the signal level observed by the reaction observation means, and the alarm level changing means is configured to estimate the alarm recognition degree. The alarm level of the alarm output means is raised stepwise when the recognition degree is lower than a threshold value according to the estimation result of the means.

  The invention according to claim 4 includes storage means for storing a preset value of the alarm level set in advance, and comparison means for comparing the specified value of the alarm level stored in the storage means with the current alarm level. The response requesting unit requests a response to the alarm when the difference between the alarm level specified by the comparing unit and the current alarm level is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the reaction request means requests the driver by a voice message emitted from a speaker.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the reaction observing means is a microphone for observing voice from the driver.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the warning recognition degree estimating means receives the voice input by the driver in response to the request by the voice message of the reaction request means, the input volume is equal to or higher than a threshold value. In some cases, it is estimated that the driver has recognized the warning.

  According to the present invention, when a response to an alarm is requested by the alarm test means, and the driver's reaction is not obtained from the reaction observing means, the alarm level of the alarm output means is increased step by step. By communicating with the person, the vehicle-side device can determine whether the alarm level is appropriate and calibrate the alarm output level to an appropriate level. In addition, the driver can test and confirm the alarm level by an alarm issued in a trial, and can arbitrarily set an alarm level at which the driver does not feel bothered.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the number of times of changing the alarm level reaches a predetermined number of times set in advance, by switching the alarm output means to another alarm output means, the one alarm output means that was initially set is When it is not functioning effectively, it is possible to issue an alarm from other alarm output means. For example, even when an obstacle is placed near the alarm output means, The alarm output means can function as an alternative means.

  Further, according to the present invention, the degree of alarm recognition is estimated according to the signal level observed by the reaction observation unit, and when the degree of recognition is lower than the threshold, the alarm level of the alarm output unit is increased stepwise. It is possible to arbitrarily set an alarm level that does not make the driver feel bothersome, and the driver can recognize the alarm even when there is an obstacle near the alarm output means and the alarm is difficult to understand Can be raised to the alarm level.

  According to the present invention, the alarm level is compared with the current alarm level, and a response to the alarm is requested when the difference between the alarm level specified value and the current alarm level is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Therefore, when the current alarm level is significantly lower than the specified value, the alarm level can be increased to a level that the driver can recognize.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the driver can check the alarm level in an easy-to-understand manner by requesting the driver to react with a voice message emitted from the speaker.

  Further, according to the present invention, by using a microphone for observing the voice from the driver as the reaction observing means, the driver's reaction to the alarm can be easily detected, and troublesome operations as the driver can be performed. Since it is not necessary to do so, the annoyance is reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the driver responds to the request by the voice message of the reaction request means by voice input, the driver recognizes the alarm when the input volume is equal to or higher than the threshold value. Therefore, if there is no driver's reaction, the alarm level can be increased automatically, and if there is a driver's reaction, the alarm level is not changed so that the driver's burden is reduced. It becomes possible to reduce.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle alarm system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle alarm system 10 includes a monitoring unit 12 that monitors the state of the vehicle, and an alarm output unit 14 that issues an alarm according to the content of the abnormality when an abnormality is detected by the monitoring unit 12. , Alarm test means 16 for testing the alarm by the alarm output means 14, reaction request means 18 for requesting a response to the alarm by the alarm test means 16, and reaction observation means for observing the driver's reaction to the request from the reaction request means 18 20 and an alarm level changing means 22 for raising the alarm level of the alarm output means 14 in a stepwise manner when an observation signal from the reaction observation means 20 is not obtained.

  Therefore, in the vehicle alarm system 10, in order to raise the alarm level of the alarm output means 14 step by step when a response to the alarm by the alarm test means 16 is requested and the driver's reaction is not obtained from the reaction observation means 20. The communication between the vehicle-side device and the driver enables the vehicle-side device to determine whether the alarm level is appropriate and to calibrate the alarm output level to an appropriate level.

  Further, the vehicle warning system 10 has a warning recognition degree estimation means 24 that estimates a warning recognition degree according to the signal level observed by the reaction observation means 20 and a warning level change count by the warning level change means 22 in advance. An alarm switching unit 26 is provided for switching the alarm output unit 14 to another alarm output unit when the predetermined number of times is reached. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not to raise the warning level by estimating the degree of recognition of the driver's warning by the warning recognition degree estimating means 24.

  FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a specific example of the vehicle alarm system 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle alarm system 10 includes, for example, a radar device 30 as the monitoring unit 12, and a target object (vehicle or obstacle) ahead (moving direction) by the radar device 30. When the on-board computer 50 determines that the possibility of a collision with the target object has increased, various alarm output means 14 are activated to issue an alarm.

  Further, the radar device 30 is one of the automobile driving support systems, transmits a radar wave toward the front (moving direction), and when a front target object (vehicle or obstacle) exists, The radar wave reflected from the target object can be received, and the relative distance and relative speed with the target object can be detected. Further, as a driving support system other than the radar device 30, for example, a lane keeping system that monitors the traveling position of the vehicle with respect to the road so that the vehicle travels along the traveling line on the road surface is provided.

  As the alarm output means 14, a buzzer 32 that emits an alarm sound and a speaker 34 that issues a warning by a pseudo sound or a voice message close to a sound or a collision sound are provided. Other alarm output means 14 other than this include, for example, a warning light 38 of a meter box, a head-up display 42 that displays a warning pattern or warning message in a hologram on the windshield 40, and a tension of the seat belt 45 of the driver's seat 44. A seat belt tension mechanism 46 that strengthens the driver's seat, a driver's seat vibrator 48 provided in the driver's seat 44, and the like are provided.

  The buzzer 32 and the speaker 34 are auditory alarm output means for giving a warning to the driver's hearing, and emit an alarm sound, a voice message, or a pseudo sound at a volume corresponding to the level of urgency.

  The warning lamp 38 and the head-up display 42 are visual alarm output means for giving a warning to the driver's vision, and issue a warning by blinking (frequency) or displaying a warning image pattern according to the level of urgency.

  The seat belt tension mechanism 46 and the driver's seat vibration exciter 48 are sensation alarm output means for giving a warning to the driver's sensation, and issue an alarm with a tension or vibration frequency according to the level of urgency.

  Furthermore, the vehicle alarm system 10 includes a communication device 52 that performs voice input / output, and an alarm recognition degree estimation device 54 that estimates the degree of recognition of the alarm sound output from the buzzer 32. The communication device 52 includes a control unit (corresponding to the alarm test unit 16) that outputs a warning sound from the buzzer 32 as a trial, and a control unit that requests a response to the alarm from the speaker 34 using a voice message (to the reaction request unit 18). And control means (corresponding to the alarm level changing means 22) for gradually increasing the output level of the buzzer 32 when a response from the driver is not obtained.

  When a voice from the driver is input, the microphone 55 attached to the driver's seat 44 (corresponding to the reaction observation means 20) outputs the voice detection signal as an observation signal to the alarm recognition degree estimation device 54. For example, after the warning sound from the buzzer 32 is output as a test, the warning recognition level estimation device 54, when the driver says “warning OK”, the voice input level at that time is equal to or higher than a prescribed threshold value. In this case, the driver's alarm recognition level is estimated to be good (OK).

  Further, in the alarm recognition degree estimating device 54, if the driver does not say anything after the warning sound from the buzzer 32 is output as a test, the driver recognizes that the warning sound has not been sufficiently heard. It is estimated that the degree of alarm recognition is not possible (NG).

As described above, the alarm recognition degree estimation device 54 determines the alarm recognition degree by voice input from the driver, so that it is not necessary for the driver to perform troublesome operations, and the burden on the driver can be reduced.
For example, the communication device 52 executes an alarm level confirmation process for confirming an alarm level when the engine is started or stopped. That is, the communication device 52 changes the output level (volume) of the buzzer 32 based on the estimation result of the alarm recognition level estimation device 54. For example, when the alarm recognition level is estimated to be good (OK) The alarm sound test is terminated without changing the output level (volume) of the buzzer 32. Further, when it is estimated that the driver's alarm recognition level is impossible (NG), the output level (volume) of the buzzer 32 is increased step by step.

  Further, the communication device 52 of the present embodiment has a display device 60 composed of a touch panel type liquid crystal display. For example, when voice communication is performed between the driver and the vehicle, Display guidance. In addition, by switching the display mode of the display device 60, an alarm level change mode in which the alarm level is changed manually can be set, and the alarm level can be lowered or raised to an arbitrary level.

  The memory 56 stores a preset value of the alarm level (the output level of the buzzer 32), and stores a preset value of the alarm level set in the past, which is obtained by the alarm level learning process. An alarm level learning database 58 that stores a predetermined value of the alarm level is provided.

  The communication device 52 reads the specified value learned from the alarm level learning database 58 and determines whether the current alarm level is higher or lower than the specified value. In this alarm level learning database 58, whenever the alarm level is changed, the alarm level (the output level of the buzzer 32) is stored. For example, an average value with the alarm level stored in the past is obtained, and this value is defined. Value.

  Here, the recognition level estimation process executed by the alarm recognition level estimation device 54 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The alarm recognition degree estimation device 54 checks whether or not the communication device 52 has made a response request for the alarm in step S11 (hereinafter, “step” is omitted). In S11, when the communication device 52 outputs a voice message requesting a response to the alarm from the speaker 34, the process proceeds to S12, and it is checked whether or not a voice input from the driver is detected via the microphone 55.

  In S12, when a sound signal is output from the microphone 55 by issuing a sound notifying that the driver has confirmed the alarm sound, the process proceeds to S13, and the sound input level (volume) from the microphone 55 is set in advance. Check if the threshold is exceeded. If the voice input level from the microphone 55 is greater than or equal to the threshold value in S13, it is determined that the driver has confirmed the alarm sound, and the process proceeds to S14, where it is estimated that the driver's alarm recognition level is OK. To do. In S13, when the sound input level from the microphone 55 is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the driver has not confirmed the alarm sound, and the process proceeds to S15, where the driver's alarm recognition level is NG. Presume that there is.

  In S <b> 16, the alarm recognition degree estimation result (alarm recognition degree OK or alarm recognition degree NG) is output to the communication device 52. Thus, the communication device 52 can perform a warning level change process or a save process based on the alarm recognition degree estimation result (alarm recognition degree OK or alarm recognition degree NG), as will be described later. Further, the alarm recognition degree estimation device 54 executes the processes of S11 to S16 each time a reaction request for an alarm is made, and outputs an alarm recognition degree estimation result.

  Here, alarm level confirmation processing executed by the communication device 52 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The communication device 52 checks whether or not an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on in S21. In S21, when an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on, the process proceeds to S22, and a warning sound having a currently set output level is output from the buzzer 32 as a test (alarm test means).

  Subsequently, in S23, the specified value learned by the alarm level learning database 58 is read, and the set value of the alarm level output this time is compared with the specified value. In the next S24, it is checked whether or not the difference between the current alarm level and the specified value is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value.

  In S24, if the difference between the current alarm level and the specified value is less than the preset threshold value, the process returns to S21, and the alarm level is not changed, so that the alarm level is not changed. Therefore, when there is no abnormality in the alarm level, the alarm sound changing process is omitted and the burden on the driver can be reduced.

  In S24, if the difference between the current alarm level and the specified value is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, it is highly likely that the current alarm level is significantly reduced, so the process proceeds to S25. A voice message such as “Please check the alarm system” is output from the speaker 34 to request the driver to react to the alarm sound (reaction request means).

  In the next S26, an alarm change screen in which the alarm level is raised stepwise is displayed on the display device 60 for a predetermined time. Subsequently, in S27, 1 is added to the display number counter of the alarm change screen to check whether the display number has reached a predetermined number set in advance.

  In S27, if the number of times of display has not reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S28, and it is checked whether or not the estimation result of the alarm recognition degree estimation device 54 based on the driver's voice input from the microphone 55 is the alarm recognition degree OK.

  In S28, when the estimation result by the alarm recognition degree estimation device 54 is not the alarm recognition degree OK, there is a high possibility that the driver has not heard the alarm sound, so the process returns to S25 and the processes of S25 to S27 are executed again. Then raise the alarm level one more step. As a result, the output level of the alarm sound increases, so that the alarm sound may be output again as a trial.

  In S28, if the estimation result by the alarm recognition degree estimation device 54 is the alarm recognition degree OK, the process proceeds to S29, where the alarm level that has been raised is stored in the memory 56 as a set value, and is stored in the alarm level learning database 58. Also stores the changed alarm level. Thus, the output level of the alarm sound is calibrated to an appropriate level, and the current alarm level confirmation process is terminated.

  As described above, since the vehicle-side device can determine whether or not the alarm level is appropriate through communication between the vehicle-side device and the driver and calibrate the alarm output level to the appropriate level, the driver can set the alarm level to the driver himself / herself. The alarm level of the buzzer 32 can be arbitrarily set so that the driver does not feel bothered. Furthermore, even when there is an obstacle near the buzzer 32 and the alarm is difficult to understand, the alarm level can be raised to a level that the driver can recognize.

  In S27, if the number of times of display reaches a predetermined number, the buzzer 32 may be broken, or an obstacle may be placed near the buzzer 32 and the alarm sound from the buzzer 32 may be blocked. Therefore, the process proceeds to S30 to switch to another alarm output unit (for example, the speaker 34) and output a pseudo sound that resembles an alarm sound from the other alarm output unit.

  And in S31-S35, the process similar to S25-S29 mentioned above is performed, and a driver | operator's alarm recognition degree with respect to the alarm level of the speaker 34 is confirmed.

  If the alarm recognition level is OK due to the voice input from the driver in response to the pseudo sound from the speaker 34 in S34, the alarm level increased in S35 is stored in the memory 56 as a set value, and the alarm The changed alarm level is also stored in the level learning database 58.

  This terminates the current alarm level confirmation process. By switching the warning output means in this way, a warning sound can be reliably transmitted to the driver.

  In S23, when the number of display times reaches a predetermined number, the speaker 34 may be broken, or an obstacle may be placed near the speaker 34 to interrupt the alarm sound from the speaker 34. Therefore, it is switched to another alarm output means (for example, a speaker other than the speaker 34, the above-mentioned sensation alarm output means, or visual alarm output means), and a test alarm is output from another alarm output means.

  And the same process as said S25-S29 is performed and a driver | operator's warning level change with respect to the warning level of another warning output means and a warning level preservation | save process are performed.

  When the number of times of display reaches a predetermined number in S33, switching to another alarm output means may be terminated by the driver's operation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the alarm level of the alarm sound is calibrated so as to be an appropriate level has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and alarm output means other than the alarm sound (for example, sensory alarm output means, The alarm level of the alarm output means or the like may be calibrated.

  In the above embodiment, the driver's reaction to the alarm is observed with the microphone. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that input means other than voice (for example, operation of the touch panel) may be used as the reaction observation means. .

It is a conceptual diagram which shows one Example of the alarm system for vehicles which becomes this invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a specific example of a vehicle alarm system 10. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the recognition degree estimation process which the warning recognition degree estimation apparatus 54 performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the alarm level confirmation process which the communication apparatus 52 performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle alarm system 12 Monitoring means 14 Alarm output means 16 Alarm test means 18 Reaction request means 20 Reaction observation means 22 Alarm level change means 24 Alarm recognition degree estimation means 26 Alarm switching means 30 Radar device 32 Buzzer 34 Speaker 50 In-vehicle computer 52 Communication device 54 Alarm recognition level estimation device 55 Microphone 56 Memory 58 Alarm level learning database 60 Display device

Claims (7)

In the vehicle alarm system having an alarm output means for monitoring the vehicle status and outputting an alarm corresponding to the abnormality content when an abnormality is detected,
Alarm test means for outputting an alarm to the alarm output means;
Reaction request means for requesting a response to the alarm output by the alarm test means;
Reaction observation means for observing a driver's reaction to a request from the reaction request means;
An alarm level changing means for gradually raising the alarm level of the alarm output means when an observation signal from the reaction observation means cannot be obtained;
A vehicle alarm system characterized by comprising: An alarm switching means for switching the alarm output means to another alarm output means when the number of alarm level changes by the alarm level change means reaches a predetermined number of times set in advance;
The reaction request means requests a response to an alarm of the other alarm output means,
2. The vehicle alarm according to claim 1, wherein the alarm level changing unit raises the alarm level of the other alarm output unit in a stepwise manner when an observation signal from the reaction observation unit is not obtained. 3. system. Alarm recognition degree estimation means for estimating the degree of recognition of the alarm according to the signal level observed by the reaction observation means,
2. The alarm level changing unit raises the alarm level of the alarm output unit stepwise when the recognition level is lower than a threshold value according to an estimation result of the alarm recognition level estimation unit. The vehicle alarm system described in 1. Storage means for storing a preset value of a preset alarm level;
A comparison means for comparing the specified value of the alarm level stored in the storage means with the current alarm level;
Have
2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the response requesting unit requests a response to the alarm when a difference between a predetermined value of the alarm level by the comparison unit and a current alarm level is a threshold value or more. Alarm system.   The vehicle alarm system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction request means requests the driver to react by a voice message emitted from a speaker.   The vehicle alarm system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction observing means is a microphone that observes voice from the driver.   The warning recognition degree estimation means is configured to determine whether the driver is in a state where the input volume is equal to or higher than a threshold when the driver responds to the request by the voice message of the reaction request means by voice input. The vehicular alarm system according to claim 3, wherein the alarm is estimated to have been recognized.

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