JP2007127459A - Directional presentation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a direction presentation device capable of imparting a directional sense to a driver without blocking the conversation and without paying attention with voice while preventing an accident by interference with the traffic sound at the time of speaking. <P>SOLUTION: This system comprises: a sound collection means 401 mounted on a vehicle for collecting the sound in and out of the vehicle and converting it into the electric signal; a sound output means 403 for outputting the left and right paired sounds corresponding to the electric signal from the left and right of the driver; and a time difference generation means 402 for controlling the time different sound outputting means so as to make time difference to sound to be output depending on the case progressing to the left side or the right side of the sound output means to the center of the longitudinal direction, based on the route indication signal at the time of entering to the prescribed region received by the route guidance device for guiding the vehicle to the destination, based on the positional information and the prescribed destination information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a direction presentation device for safely guiding a traveling vehicle.

  Conventionally, there is a technique (car navigation technique) for appropriately guiding a traveling vehicle. This technology mainly displays a map on a display means (such as a liquid crystal display) to guide the vehicle, displays the vehicle on the map, and when the vehicle approaches a major point (such as an intersection). Guides by voice and guides the vehicle to the destination. As a further development of such technology, there is a technology that supplements the sense of the route guidance direction by changing the volume of the sound on the left and right when presenting the route guidance information by voice from the left and right of the driver's seat. Yes (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). In addition, there is a technique for moving a sound image to the left and right in synchronization with a change in steering angle when starting a curve (see Patent Document 3 below).

In addition, there is a technique for capturing a peripheral object with a sensor when the vehicle is parked and presenting a positional relationship between the position of the host vehicle and the peripheral object with a bird's-eye view image (see Non-Patent Document 1 below). In addition, a technology that warns with a sound when a traveling vehicle starts to depart from the lane (see Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3 below) and a technology that automatically supports the prevention of the departure (Non-Patent Documents below) Reference 4).
JP-A-10-206180 (summary) JP 2001-289660 A (summary) JP-A-7-57190 (summary) http://www.denso.co.jp/motorshow/2003/en/presskit/product_topview/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.co.jp/innovation/demo/index_j.html http://hotwired.goo.ne.jp/news/20030107307.html http://response.jp/issue/2004/0603/article60910_l.html

  However, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, there is a case where a traffic sound may be interfered with when a voice is emitted, which may cause a traffic accident without hearing the traffic sound. In addition, voice information may interfere with the conversation with the passenger. In addition, the driver (driver) needs to grasp the contents of the language information and must pay attention. In the technique of Non-Patent Document 1, it is difficult to cognitively associate the positional relationship seen from above with the driving operation, and there is a possibility that the driving operation is erroneous. Further, in the techniques of Non-Patent Documents 2 to 4, there is a possibility that the warning sound and the traffic sound interfere with each other and the traffic sound cannot be heard, causing a traffic accident. In addition, the warning sound may cause a driver's startle reaction and lead to an accident. In addition, there is a risk that driving assistance technology may lead a driver who over-confidently to a vague driving state.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and prevents accidents caused by interference with traffic sounds when making voices, prevents conversations, and gives the driver a sense of direction without giving verbal attention. An object of the present invention is to provide a direction presenting device capable of performing the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, sound information providing means mounted on a vehicle and providing sound as an electric signal, and sound is output from the left and right of the driver of the vehicle according to the electric signal. In a predetermined area received from a route guidance device that guides the route to the destination based on the left and right paired sound output means and the vehicle position information and the predetermined destination information Based on a course instruction signal indicating a direction in which the vehicle should travel when entering, depending on whether the vehicle travels to the right or to the left with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle, There is provided a direction presenting device comprising time difference generating means for controlling the sound output means so as to make a time difference between sounds to be output between the two. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent accidents due to interference with traffic sounds when uttering voices, prevent conversations, and give the driver a sense of direction without directing linguistic attention.

  Further, in the direction presenting device according to the present invention, the sound information providing means collects sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle and converts it into an electric signal, which is stored in a predetermined storage area in advance. It is preferable that the present invention be any one of a sound reproduction device that reproduces a sound and an environmental noise generation device that artificially generates a sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle as an environmental noise. It is an aspect. With this configuration, it is possible to provide sound information in various types of devices.

  Moreover, in the direction presentation device of the present invention, it is a preferable aspect of the present invention that the sound output means that is paired is installed on the left and right of the driver's seat of the vehicle. With this configuration, the driver can obtain a sense of direction (obstacle sensation) due to a time difference between sounds transmitted from the left and right.

  Further, in the direction presenting device of the present invention, the sound output means paired is installed on the left and right sides of the driver's face when the driver is seated on the driver's seat of the vehicle. Is a preferred embodiment. With this configuration, the driver can more clearly obtain a sense of direction (obstacle sensation) due to a time difference between sounds transmitted from the left and right.

  In the direction presenting device of the present invention, it is a preferred aspect of the present invention that the time difference generating means increases or decreases the time difference as the vehicle travels in the predetermined region. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the driver of a relative distance change between the host vehicle and the branch position in the direction to travel.

  Further, according to the present invention, sound information providing means mounted on a vehicle and providing sound as an electrical signal, and a left and right pair that outputs sound from the left and right of the driver of the vehicle according to the electrical signal The obstacle that is received from the surrounding object detection device that determines whether there is an obstacle on the traveling path of the vehicle and whether or not the obstacle is present, and determines the direction in which the obstacle exists when it exists On the left and right sides of the sound output means depending on whether the obstacle is on the right side or on the left side with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle There is provided a direction presenting device comprising time difference generating means for controlling the sound output means so as to make a time difference between sounds to be output between the two. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent accidents due to interference with traffic sounds when uttering voices, prevent conversations, and give the driver a sense of direction without directing linguistic attention.

  Further, in the direction presenting device according to the present invention, the sound information providing means collects sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle and converts it into an electric signal, which is stored in a predetermined storage area in advance. It is preferable that the present invention be any one of a sound reproduction device that reproduces a sound and an environmental noise generation device that artificially generates a sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle as an environmental noise. It is an aspect. With this configuration, it is possible to provide sound information in various types of devices.

  Moreover, in the direction presentation device of the present invention, it is a preferable aspect of the present invention that the sound output means that is paired is installed on the left and right of the driver's seat of the vehicle. With this configuration, the driver can obtain a sense of direction (obstacle sensation) due to a time difference between sounds transmitted from the left and right.

  Further, in the direction presenting device of the present invention, the sound output means paired is installed on the left and right sides of the driver's face when the driver is seated on the driver's seat of the vehicle. Is a preferred embodiment. With this configuration, the driver can more clearly obtain a sense of direction (obstacle sensation) due to a time difference between sounds transmitted from the left and right.

  In the direction presenting device of the present invention, it is a preferred aspect of the present invention that the time difference generating means increases or decreases the time difference as the vehicle travels in the predetermined region. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the driver of a relative distance change between the own vehicle and the position where the obstacle exists.

  Further, according to the present invention, sound information providing means mounted on a vehicle and providing sound as an electrical signal, and a left and right pair that outputs sound from the left and right of the driver of the vehicle according to the electrical signal The sound output means, and whether the vehicle has deviated from the planned travel route, and when the vehicle has deviated, the vehicle has received from the deviation detection device that determines the deviating direction. Based on a deviation direction instruction signal indicating a deviating direction, the left side of the sound output means according to the case of deviating to the right and the case of deviating to the left with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle There is provided a direction presenting device including time difference generating means for controlling the sound output means so as to give a time difference to the sound to be output from the right side. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent accidents due to interference with traffic sounds when uttering voices, prevent conversations, and give the driver a sense of direction without directing linguistic attention.

  Further, in the direction presenting device according to the present invention, the sound information providing means collects sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle and converts it into an electric signal, which is stored in a predetermined storage area in advance. It is preferable that the present invention be any one of a sound reproduction device that reproduces a sound and an environmental noise generation device that artificially generates a sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle as an environmental noise. It is an aspect. With this configuration, it is possible to provide sound information in various types of devices.

  Moreover, in the direction presentation device of the present invention, it is a preferable aspect of the present invention that the sound output means that is paired is installed on the left and right of the driver's seat of the vehicle. With this configuration, the driver can obtain a sense of direction (obstacle sensation) due to a time difference between sounds transmitted from the left and right.

  Further, in the direction presenting device of the present invention, the sound output means paired is installed on the left and right sides of the driver's face when the driver is seated on the driver's seat of the vehicle. Is a preferred embodiment. With this configuration, the driver can more clearly obtain a sense of direction (obstacle sensation) due to a time difference between sounds transmitted from the left and right.

  In the direction presenting device of the present invention, it is a preferred aspect of the present invention that the time difference generating means increases or decreases the time difference as the vehicle travels in the predetermined region. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the driver of a relative distance change between the host vehicle and the position of the lane.

  The direction presenting device of the present invention has the above-described configuration, prevents accidents due to interference with traffic sounds when uttering voice, prevents conversation, and gives the driver a sense of direction without directing linguistic attention. Can do.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a direction presenting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between a direction presentation device and a route guidance device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the direction presenting device and the peripheral object detecting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the direction presentation device and the lane departure detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the direction presenting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram specifically showing a part of the direction presenting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow of the direction presentation device and the route guidance device when performing route guidance using the direction presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow of the direction presentation device and the surrounding object detection device when the surrounding object detection is performed using the direction presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow of the direction presentation device and the lane departure detection device when the lane departure detection is performed using the direction presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of mounting the direction presenting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the relationship between the direction presentation device and the route guidance device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the direction presentation device 100 and the route guidance device 101 are connected as a route guidance system and are mounted on a vehicle (not shown). The direction presentation device 100 is based on a control signal from the route guidance device 101. Operate. The vehicle here is not limited to a four-wheel vehicle, and may be a two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle. Hereinafter, a four-wheel vehicle (simply referred to as a vehicle) will be described, but the same applies to a two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle. The route guidance device 101 acquires position information indicating the position of the host vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as the host vehicle) from the host vehicle position acquisition device 102, and performs a process for guiding the host vehicle based on the acquired position information. . Here, the route guidance device 101 corresponds to, for example, a car navigation device, and the own vehicle position acquisition device 102 corresponds to, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception device.

  The relationship between the direction presentation device and the surrounding object detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the direction presenting device 100 and the surrounding object detecting device 200 are connected as a surrounding object detection system and are mounted on a vehicle (not shown), and the direction presenting is performed based on a control signal from the surrounding object detecting device 200. The device 100 operates. The vehicle here is not limited to a four-wheel vehicle, and may be a two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle. Hereinafter, a four-wheel vehicle (simply referred to as a vehicle) will be described, but the same applies to a two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle. The surrounding object detection device 200 determines whether or not an object (obstacle) is present in the traveling path of the host vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as the host vehicle) and its surroundings. Performs processing to tell the direction in which the obstacle exists.

  The relationship between the direction presenting device and the lane departure detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the direction presentation device 100 and the lane departure detection device 300 are connected as a lane departure detection system and are mounted on a vehicle (not shown), and the direction presentation is based on a control signal from the lane departure detection device 300. The device 100 operates. The vehicle here is not limited to a four-wheel vehicle, and may be a two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle. Hereinafter, a four-wheel vehicle (simply referred to as a vehicle) will be described, but the same applies to a two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle. The lane departure detection device 300 determines whether or not the host vehicle has deviated from the travel path (lane) on which the host vehicle travels. Process to tell.

  The premise of the present invention will be described before describing the embodiment of the present invention. It is known in principle that blind people use changes in auditory characteristics to recognize obstacles ("Kansei no Kagaku", Saburo Saburo Science, p88-93, "Welfare Engineering for Sound", Tatsumi Ifukube, Corona (See p212-222). If a time difference is added to the sound from the left and right, the time difference between the sound from the left and right will be detected as phase interference between the direct sound and the reflected sound, resulting in an obstacle sensation (dip spectrum called coloration). Thus, by presenting a sound with a phase difference between the left and right ears, it becomes possible to experience an obstacle sensation on either the left or right side. The left and right direction of the obstacle sense can be presented by manipulating the distance to the obstacle by the magnitude of the phase difference. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below on the assumption that such characteristics are used.

  Next, an example of the configuration of the direction presenting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the direction presentation device 100 includes a sound collection unit 401, a time difference generation unit 402, and an output unit 403. The sound collection unit 401 collects ambient sounds and converts them into electrical signals, and is, for example, a sound collection microphone 505 in FIG. Note that sound information provided to the time difference generation unit 402 and the time difference generation unit 1002 described later in the second embodiment is obtained from the sound collection unit 401 and the environmental noise generation unit 1001 described later in the second embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be from a sound reproduction device that reproduces sound recorded in advance in another place. For example, when the direction presentation device 100 and the route guidance device 101 described above are connected, the time difference generation unit 402 guides the vehicle to the destination based on the vehicle position information and the predetermined destination information. Based on the route instruction signal that is received from the guide device 101 and indicates the direction in which the vehicle should travel when entering a predetermined area, between the left side and the right side of the output unit 403 with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle The output unit 403 is controlled so as to give a time difference to the sound to be output depending on the case of proceeding to the right side and the case of proceeding to the left side. Here, the predetermined area refers to an area within a circle having a radius of 700 meters from the center position of an intersection accompanied by a change in route (for example, the vehicle traveling straight turns right). As a result, the driver receives an object sensation (a feeling of pressure) based on the time difference between the left and right sounds, and can determine which of the left and right is desired to be transmitted depending on the direction in which the feeling of pressure is received.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows a specific example of a part of the direction presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a driver's seat (seat) 500 for driving the vehicle, a sound collecting microphone 505 for collecting sound in the vehicle (corresponding to the sound collecting unit 401 described above), and a route instruction signal received from the route guidance device 101. Based on this, the time difference generator 506 that controls the output unit 403 so as to give a time difference to the sound to be output depending on whether the vehicle travels to the right or to the left (corresponding to the time difference generator 402 described above). The left speaker 501 and the right speaker 502 that output sounds based on the electric signals indicating the respective sounds output from the time difference generator 506 via the left sound transmission cable 503 and the right sound transmission cable 504 (the output unit described above) 403). When the driver is seated on the seat 500 and driving, the driver can determine which of the left and right is to be transmitted based on the time difference between the sounds output from the left speaker 501 and the right speaker 502. Here, the case where there is one sound collecting microphone 505 is shown, but there may be two sound collecting microphones 505, and two sounds may be collected as a stereo. In this case, each sound is collected and output with a time difference according to the sound converted into an electric signal.

  Next, an operation flow of the direction presentation device and the route guidance device when performing route guidance using the direction presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, first, the route guidance by the route guidance device 101 is started (step S601). The route guidance apparatus 101 acquires the position information of the own vehicle from the own vehicle position acquisition apparatus 102 (step S602). Here, the direction presentation device 100 determines whether or not a time difference sound with a time difference already generated has been generated (step S603). When it is determined that the time difference sound is not generated by the direction presentation device 100, the route guidance device 101 sets the determination distance from the right / left turn point based on the position information of the host vehicle or the like (step S604). For example, the determination distance is a distance of 700 meters from the right / left turn point to the host vehicle. However, the distance is not limited to this, and can be changed depending on the speed of the own vehicle, the place where the own vehicle is, and the like.

  The route guidance apparatus 101 determines whether or not the position of the host vehicle from the point where the vehicle should turn left or right is within the determination distance (step S605). If it is determined that the distance is within the determination distance, the route guidance apparatus 101 determines whether or not it is a right turn (step S606). If the route guidance device 101 determines that the turn is right, the direction presenting device 100 sets a time difference between the left and right sounds so that an obstacle sensation is generated on the right side of the driver (step S607). On the other hand, when the route guidance device 101 determines that the turn is left in step S606, the direction presenting device 100 sets a time difference between the left and right sounds so that an obstacle sensation is generated on the left side of the driver (step S608). ). Although the obstacle sensation is generated in the direction to be guided here, the obstacle sensation may be generated on the opposite side to the direction to be guided. In step S605, when there is no host vehicle within the determination distance, the route guidance apparatus 101 determines whether the route guidance is finished (step S614), and when it is finished, the output of the time difference sound is stopped. (Step S615), if not completed, the process returns to step S602.

  If it is determined in step S603 that a time difference sound has occurred, the route guidance apparatus 101 determines whether or not the guidance for right / left turn has been completed (step S609). When the route guidance device 101 determines that the left / right turn guidance has been completed, the direction presenting device 100 stops outputting the time difference sound (step S613). On the other hand, when the route guidance device 101 determines in step S609 that the left / right turn guidance has not been completed, the route guidance device 101 determines whether the distance to the right / left turn point has changed (step S610). ). If changed, the direction presenting apparatus 100 determines whether or not the time difference (delay time) is a limit value (step S611). When it is determined that the direction presenting apparatus 100 is not the limit value, the time difference (delay time) of the sound is updated (step S612). In this update, the delay time may be increased or decreased. In step S614, the route guidance apparatus 101 determines whether the route guidance is completed. If it is determined in step S610 that there is no change, or if it is determined in step S611 that the direction presenting apparatus 100 is the limit value, the process proceeds to step S614.

  In step S609, it is determined whether or not the right / left turn is completed, and a time difference sound is continuously generated until the right / left turn is completed. However, the time difference is intermittently generated until the right / left turn is completed. Sound may be generated. For example, a time difference sound is generated when the distance from the host vehicle to the right / left turn point falls below a predetermined distance (700 meters, 300 meters, 100 meters). That is, first, a time difference sound is generated when 700 meters are cut, and in the processing of step S609 after looping, if 300 meters are not cut, generation of the time difference sound is stopped, and then 300 meters is cut. It is also possible to carry out intermittently, such as generating a time difference sound again at a point in time. As a result, it is possible to more accurately tell the driver that the turning point is approaching.

  Next, an operation flow of the direction presentation device and the peripheral object detection device when performing the peripheral object detection using the direction presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the peripheral object detection device 200 starts searching for the surrounding situation (step S701). The peripheral object detection device 200 detects a peripheral object (obstacle) (step S702). The peripheral object detection device 200 determines whether there is an obstacle on the travel path (step S703). When it is determined that an obstacle exists, the surrounding object detection device 200 determines whether a new obstacle has been detected (step S704). When it is determined that a new obstacle has been detected, the surrounding object detection device 200 determines whether there are a plurality of the new objects (step S705). When it is determined that there are a plurality of objects, the peripheral object detection device 200 determines whether or not the obstacles exist in the same direction (step S706).

  If it is determined that they do not exist in the same direction, the peripheral object detection device 200 determines an obstacle with a high degree of danger (step S707). Here, the determination of the risk level is, for example, a determination that the risk level is higher as the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is shorter, and the risk level is lower as the distance is longer. As a result of the determination, the surrounding object detection device 200 determines whether or not the obstacle is on the right side (step S708). When it is determined by the surrounding object detection device 200 that it is on the right side, the direction presenting device 100 sets a time difference between the left and right sounds so that an obstacle sensation is generated on the right side of the driver (step S709). On the other hand, when the surrounding object detection device 200 determines that the vehicle is on the left side in step S708, the direction presenting device 100 sets a time difference between the left and right sounds so that an obstacle sensation is generated on the left side of the driver (step S708). S710). Here, the obstacle sensation is generated in the direction in which the obstacle exists, but the obstacle sensation may be generated in the opposite direction to the direction in which the obstacle exists. Then, the peripheral object detection device 200 determines whether or not to end the detection of the peripheral object (step S723). If the detection is completed, the output of the time difference sound is stopped (step S724). The process returns to S702.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S705 that there are no obstacles or that the obstacles are in the same direction in step S706, the process proceeds to step S708.

  On the other hand, when it is not determined in step S704 that a new obstacle has been detected by the peripheral object detection device 200, the peripheral object detection device 200 determines whether there are currently a plurality of obstacles (step S711). When it is determined that there are a plurality of obstacles, the surrounding object detection apparatus 200 determines the degree of risk as in step S707 (step S712). The peripheral object detection device 200 determines whether or not an obstacle with a high degree of danger has been replaced (step S713). This is based on the assumption that the hazard level is changed with the passage of time because the obstacle having a high risk level in the previous time and the obstacle having no or low risk level are interchanged.

  When the obstacle with a high risk is replaced, the surrounding object detection apparatus 200 determines an obstacle with a high risk (step S715). As a result of the determination, the surrounding object detection device 200 determines whether or not the obstacle is on the right side (step S716). If it is determined that it is on the right side, the direction presenting apparatus 100 sets a time difference between the left and right sounds so that an obstacle sensation is generated on the right side of the driver (step S717). On the other hand, if it is determined by the surrounding object detection device 200 that it is on the left side in step S716, the direction presenting device 100 adds a time difference between the left and right sounds so that an obstacle sensation is generated on the left side of the driver (step S716). S718). Here, the obstacle sensation is generated in the direction in which the obstacle exists, but the obstacle sensation may be generated in the opposite direction to the direction in which the obstacle exists.

  Then, the peripheral object detection device 200 changes the distance to the obstacle after step S711, when there are no obstacles, when a high-risk obstacle is not replaced in step S713, and after step S717 or step S718. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step S714). When it has changed, the surrounding object detection device 200 determines whether or not the obstacle has been separated to a predetermined safe distance (step S719). When it is determined by the surrounding object detection device 200 that it is not separated, the direction presenting device 100 determines whether or not the time difference (delay time) is a limit value (step S720). When the direction presenting device 100 determines that the value is not the limit value, the direction presenting device 100 updates the time difference (delay time) of the sound (step S722). In this update, the delay time may be increased or decreased. In step S723, the peripheral object detection device 200 determines whether the detection of the peripheral object is completed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S719 that the distance is a predetermined safe distance, the direction presentation device 100 stops outputting the time difference sound (step S721). If it is determined in step S720 that the delay time value is a limit value, the process proceeds to step S723.

  Next, an operation flow of the direction presentation device and the lane departure detection device when the lane departure detection is performed using the direction presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, first, lane departure detection by the lane departure detection device 300 is started (step S801). The direction presentation device 100 determines whether or not a time difference sound with a time difference already generated has been generated (step S802). If it is determined that the direction presenting device 100 has not generated the lane departure, the lane departure detection device 300 determines whether or not the vehicle has deviated from the lane (step S803).

  If it is determined that the vehicle has deviated from the lane, the lane departure detection device 300 determines whether the vehicle has deviated to the right (right side) (step S804). If the lane departure detection device 300 determines that the vehicle has deviated to the right, the direction presenting device 100 sets a time difference between the left and right sounds so that an obstacle sensation is generated on the right side of the driver (step S805). On the other hand, when the lane departure detection device 300 determines that the vehicle has deviated to the left (left side) in step S804, the direction presenting device 100 causes the left and right sounds to generate an obstacle sensation on the left side of the driver. A time difference is added to (step S806). Here, the obstacle sensation is generated in the deviating direction, but the obstacle sensation may be generated on the opposite side to the deviating direction. If it is determined in step S803 that the vehicle has not deviated from the lane, the lane departure detection device 300 determines whether or not the route guidance has ended (step S813). The output is stopped (step S814), and if not completed, the process returns to step S802.

  If it is determined in step S802 that a time difference sound has been generated, the lane departure detection device 300 determines whether or not the departure from the lane has been corrected (step S807). When the lane departure detection device 300 determines that the departure has been corrected, the direction presenting device 100 stops outputting the time difference sound (step S812). On the other hand, when the lane departure detection device 300 determines in step S807 that the departure is not corrected, the lane departure detection device 300 determines whether or not the distance between the lane and the host vehicle has changed (step S808). . When it is determined that the time has changed, the direction presentation device 100 determines whether or not the time difference (delay time) is a limit value (step S809). When it is determined that the direction presenting device 100 is not the limit value, the lane departure detection device 300 determines whether or not it has deviated more than before (step S810). If it is determined that there is a large deviation, the direction presenting apparatus 100 updates the time difference (delay time) of the sound (step S811). In this update, the delay time may be increased or decreased. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S808 that the distance between the lane and the host vehicle has not changed, if the time difference (delay time) is determined to be a limit value in step S809, and if it is determined in step S810 that it has deviated more than before. If it is determined that there is not, the lane departure detection device 300 determines in step S813 whether or not the route guidance has been completed.

  In step S807, it is determined whether or not the deviation is corrected, and a time difference sound is continuously generated until the deviation is corrected. However, the time difference sound is intermittently generated until the deviation is corrected. May be generated. For example, a time difference sound is generated every time a predetermined distance (such as 50 meters) is elapsed. As a result, the driver can be more accurately notified that the vehicle has deviated from the lane.

  Next, an example of mounting the direction presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The example shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which the left speaker 501 and the right speaker 502 as the output unit 403 are arranged in front of the driver. A sound collecting microphone 505 arranged on the dashboard collects the room sound of the vehicle and sends the sound converted into an electric signal to the time difference generator 506. The time difference generator 506 adds a time difference to the received sound as described above based on, for example, the route instruction signal received from the route guidance device 101. Each sound with a time difference is output from the left speaker 501 and the right speaker 502 through the left sound transmission cable 503 and the right sound transmission cable 504, respectively. The driver receives an obstacle sensation on either the left or right side depending on the time difference between the output left and right sounds. In this example, since the distance from the left and right speakers 501 and 502 to the driver's head is different on the left and right, the time difference generator 506 considers (corrects) the distance and gives the time difference.

  In addition, the operation flow of the direction presenting device and the route guidance device when performing route guidance using the direction presenting device of the example shown in FIG. 9, and the case of detecting surrounding objects using the direction presenting device of the example shown in FIG. The operation flow of the direction presentation device and the surrounding object detection device, and the operation flow of the direction presentation device and the lane departure detection device when performing the lane departure detection using the direction presentation device of the example shown in FIG. Since the basic operation flow is the same as in FIGS. 6 to 8 described above except that the generator 506 corrects the distances that are different on the left and right to create a time difference, the description of the operation flow is omitted.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a direction presentation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the direction presentation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram specifically showing a part of the direction presenting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of mounting the direction presenting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As for the relationship between the direction presenting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the direction presenting device 101, the surrounding object detecting device 200, the lane departure detecting device 300 and the direction presenting device are the same as in the first embodiment. The device 1000 is connected and mounted on a vehicle (not shown), and the direction presentation device 1000 operates based on control signals from the route guidance device 101, the surrounding object detection device 200, and the lane departure detection device 300.

  Next, an example of the configuration of the direction presentation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the direction presentation device 1000 includes an environmental noise generation unit 1001, a time difference generation unit 1002, and an output unit 1003. The environmental noise generation unit 1001 generates ambient sound as an electric signal in a pseudo manner as environmental noise, and examples of the environmental noise include white noise and pink noise. For example, when the direction presenting device 1000 and the route guidance device 101 described above are connected, the time difference generation unit 1002 guides the vehicle to the destination based on the position information of the vehicle and information on a predetermined destination. Based on the route instruction signal received from the guide device 101 and indicating the direction in which the vehicle should travel when entering a predetermined area, the output unit 1003 is positioned between the left side and the right side with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle. The output unit 1003 is controlled so as to give a time difference to the sound to be output depending on the case of proceeding to the right side and the case of proceeding to the left side. Here, since the predetermined area is the same as that described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. As a result, the driver receives an object sensation (a feeling of pressure) based on the time difference between the left and right sounds, and can determine which of the left and right is desired to be transmitted depending on the direction in which the feeling of pressure is received.

  Here, FIG. 11 shows a specific example of a part of the direction presenting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a driver's seat (seat) 1100 for driving the vehicle, a simulated environmental noise generator 1105 for generating environmental noise (corresponding to the environmental noise generator 1001 described above), and a route received from the route guidance device 101. Based on the instruction signal, a time difference generator 1106 (corresponding to the time difference generation unit 1002 described above) that adds a time difference to the sound generated by the simulated environmental noise generator 1105, the left sound transmission cable 1103, and the right sound transmission cable 1104 A left speaker 1101 and a right speaker 1102 (corresponding to the above-described output unit 1003) that output sounds based on signals indicating respective sounds output from the time difference generator 1106 are shown. When the driver is seated on the seat 1100 and driving, the driver can determine which of the left and right signals is to be transmitted based on the time difference between the sounds output from the left speaker 1101 and the right speaker 1102.

  It should be noted that the direction presentation device and the operation flow of the route guidance device when performing route guidance using the direction presentation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the direction presentation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Direction presenting device when performing peripheral object detection using the and the operation flow of the peripheral object detecting device, direction presenting device when performing lane departure detection using the direction presenting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Each of the operation flows of the lane departure detection device is the same as the basic operation flow shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 described in the first embodiment, and the time difference generating unit 1002 collects the time difference. Since the only difference is whether the sound is collected by the unit 401 or the sound generated by the environmental noise generation unit 1001, the description of the operation flow is omitted.

  Next, an example of mounting the direction presentation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The example shown in FIG. 12 is an example in which the left speaker 1101 and the right speaker 1102 as the output unit 1003 are arranged on the front surface of the driver. The simulated environmental noise generator 1105 generates environmental noise in a pseudo manner, and sends the generated sound as an electric signal to the time difference generator 1106. The time difference generator 1106 adds a time difference to the received sound as described above based on the route instruction signal received from the route guidance device 101, for example. Each sound with a time difference is output from the left speaker 1101 and the right speaker 1102 through the left sound transmission cable 1103 and the right sound transmission cable 1104, respectively. The driver receives an obstacle sensation on either the left or right side depending on the time difference between the output left and right sounds. In this example, since the distance from the left and right speakers to the driver's head is different on the left and right, the time difference generator 1106 considers (corrects) the distance and gives the time difference.

  In addition, the operation flow of the direction presentation device and the route guidance device when performing route guidance using the direction presentation device of the example shown in FIG. 12, and the case of detecting surrounding objects using the direction presentation device of the example shown in FIG. The operation flow of the direction presentation device and the surrounding object detection device, and the operation flow of the direction presentation device and the lane departure detection device when performing the lane departure detection using the direction presentation device of the example shown in FIG. The direction presenting device and the route when performing route guidance using the direction presenting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, except that the generator 1106 corrects the different distances on the left and right to make a time difference. The operation flow of the guidance device and the operation flow of the direction presenting device and the surrounding object detection device when performing the peripheral object detection using the direction presenting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as the basic operation flow. For operation flow It will not be described.

  The direction presenting device according to the present invention can prevent accidents due to interference with traffic sounds when emitting voice, prevent conversation, and give the driver a sense of direction without directing linguistic attention. This is useful for a direction presenting device for safely guiding a vehicle to be operated.

It is a figure which shows the relationship between the direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a route guidance apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the direction presentation apparatus and surrounding object detection apparatus which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the direction presentation apparatus and lane departure detection apparatus which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing concretely a part of direction indication device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement flow of the direction presentation apparatus and route guidance apparatus at the time of performing route guidance using the direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement flow of the direction presentation apparatus and surrounding object detection apparatus at the time of performing surrounding object detection using the direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement flow of the direction presentation apparatus and lane departure detection apparatus at the time of performing lane departure detection using the direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of mounting of the direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention concretely. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of mounting of the direction presentation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 1000 direction presentation device 101 route guidance device 102 own vehicle position acquisition device 200 peripheral object detection device 300 lane departure detection device 401 sound collection unit 402, 1002 time difference generation unit 403, 1003 output unit 500, 1100 seat 501, 1101 left speaker 502, 1102 Right speaker 503, 1103 Left sound transmission cable 504, 1104 Right sound transmission cable 505 Sound collecting microphone 506, 1106 Time difference generator 1001 Environmental noise generator 1105 Simulated environmental noise generator

Claims (15)

Sound information providing means mounted on a vehicle and providing sound as an electrical signal;
A sound output means paired with a left side and a right side that outputs sound from the left and right of the driver of the vehicle according to the electrical signal;
A route indicating the direction in which the vehicle should travel when entering a predetermined area, received from a route guidance device that guides the vehicle to the destination based on the position information of the vehicle and information on the predetermined destination Based on the instruction signal, the sound to be output between the left side and the right side of the sound output means is differentiated depending on whether the vehicle travels to the right or to the left with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle. A time difference generating means for controlling the sound output means,
A direction presentation device provided.   The sound information providing means collects sound inside or around the vehicle and collects it into an electric signal, a sound reproducing device that reproduces sound stored in a predetermined storage area in advance, The direction presenting device according to claim 1, wherein the direction presenting device is any one of an environmental noise generating device that artificially generates a sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle as an environmental noise.   The direction presenting device according to claim 1, wherein the sound output means paired is installed on the left and right of the driver's seat of the vehicle.   The direction according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pair of sound output means are installed on the left and right sides of the driver's face when the driver is seated on the driver's seat of the vehicle. Presentation device.   The direction presentation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the time difference generating means increases or decreases the time difference as the vehicle travels in the predetermined region. Sound information providing means mounted on a vehicle and providing sound as an electrical signal;
A sound output means paired with a left side and a right side that outputs sound from the left and right of the driver of the vehicle according to the electrical signal;
An obstacle indicating the direction in which the obstacle exists, received from a peripheral object detection device that determines whether or not an obstacle exists on the traveling path of the vehicle, and determines the direction in which the obstacle exists when the obstacle exists Based on the object direction indication signal, the sound to be output between the left side and the right side of the sound output means depending on whether the obstacle is on the right side or on the left side with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle A time difference generating means for controlling the sound output means so as to give a time difference to
A direction presentation device provided.   The sound information providing means collects sound inside or around the vehicle and collects it into an electric signal, a sound reproducing device that reproduces sound stored in a predetermined storage area in advance, The direction presenting device according to claim 6, wherein the direction presenting device is any one of an environmental noise generating device that artificially generates a sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle as an environmental noise as an electrical signal.   The direction presentation device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pair of sound output means is installed on the left and right of the driver's seat of the vehicle.   The direction presentation according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sound output means paired are installed on the left and right sides of the driver's face when the driver is seated on the driver's seat of the vehicle. apparatus.   The direction presentation device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the time difference generating means increases or decreases the time difference as the vehicle travels in the predetermined region. Sound information providing means mounted on a vehicle and providing sound as an electrical signal;
A sound output means paired with a left side and a right side that outputs sound from the left and right of the driver of the vehicle according to the electrical signal;
Indicates whether or not the vehicle has deviated from the planned traveling route, and indicates the direction in which the vehicle deviates, received from the deviation detection device that determines the deviating direction when deviating. Based on the departure direction instruction signal, the sound is output between the left side and the right side of the sound output means depending on whether the vehicle deviates to the right or to the left with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A time difference generating means for controlling the sound output means so as to give a time difference to the power sound;
A direction presentation device provided.   The sound information providing means collects sound inside or around the vehicle and collects it into an electric signal, a sound reproducing device that reproduces sound stored in a predetermined storage area in advance, The direction presenting device according to claim 11, wherein the direction presenting device is any one of an environmental noise generation device that artificially generates a sound inside the vehicle or around the vehicle as an environmental noise as an electrical signal.   The direction presenting device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the paired sound output means is installed on the left and right of the driver's seat of the vehicle.   The direction presentation according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the pair of sound output means are installed on the left and right sides of the driver's face when the driver is seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle. apparatus. The direction presenting device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the time difference generating means increases or decreases the time difference as the vehicle travels in the predetermined region.

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