JP2010111315A - Device and method for providing aroma for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for providing aroma for a vehicle, providing the aroma at the timing that the aroma further effectively works. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicular aroma providing device 100 for discharging the aroma component artificially adjusted to stimulate the olfaction includes an aroma providing means 20 discharging the aroma component, a signal information acquisition means 13 acquiring signal information including at least one of present mark information of a signal or the remaining transition time for the transition to the next mark, a mark change detection means 15 which detects the transition of the present mark of the signal based on the signal information, or predicts the transition of the present mark within the predetermined time, and an aroma provision control means 18 for discharging the aroma component from the aroma providing means 20 to a trigger in which the present mark of the signal is transited, or it is predicted that the present mark is transited within the predetermined time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle scent providing device and a vehicle scent providing method for providing a vehicle passenger with a scent.

  As known in aromatherapy and the like, it is known that psychological and physiological effects can be obtained by olfactory stimulation by a scent. For example, it is known that the scent of lavender and lemon has a sedative effect, and the scent of peppermint and rose has a wakefulness. Conventionally, a technique has been devised to guide the action of such a scent to an appropriate psychological state / physiological state during driving (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a vehicle focus detection device that generates a scent when the driver's focus or inattentiveness is detected at an intersection. Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle air chamber component supply device that emits an aroma component adapted to the occupant's emotions and psychology according to traffic conditions such as traffic jams and traffic lights, high-speed driving, and urban driving conditions. Yes. Patent Document 3 also estimates the driver's tension from external environment parameters and vehicle status parameters obtained from the driving environment (road type, traffic volume, speed, acceleration / deceleration, driving time), and the tension decreases. Then, the driving | running fatigue reduction apparatus which discharge | releases the scent of lemon is disclosed. Patent Document 4 discloses a driving environment control device that releases a scent that promotes fatigue recovery and mood change in a traffic jam. Patent Document 5 predicts the degree of drowsiness and irritation that occurs to the driver from the route information to the destination of the navigation system and the current and predicted road information before falling into a state in which drowsiness and irritation occurs. A directional control device for a vehicle that releases fragrance is disclosed.
JP 2004-106716 A JP 2006-282084 A JP 2003-211933 A JP 2002-178744 A JP-A-11-278048

  As described above, in Patent Documents 1 to 4, for example, detection of impatience / gazing (Patent Document 1), detection of a predetermined driving situation (Patent Document 2), and the degree of tension exceeded a threshold (Patent Document 1) 3) As a traffic jam is detected (Patent Document 4), a scent is provided to restore a driver in an inappropriate psychological and physiological state to the original state.

  However, a driver in such a psychological / physiological state is already in a state of considerable stress, and his breathing is shallow. For this reason, even if a scent is provided when an inappropriate psychological / physiological state is detected, the effect of the scent cannot be sufficiently obtained, and there is a possibility that it takes time to obtain the effect. That is, in patent documents 1-4, there exists a problem that the timing which provides a fragrance is not considered.

  In Patent Document 5, the scent is released before drowsiness or irritability occurs, but the timing is limited to a certain time before the point in time when drowsiness or irritability is predicted to occur. However, if the scent is released during turning, turning, acceleration / deceleration, lane change, etc., the driver's breathing may be shallow. Therefore, the same problem that the timing which provides fragrance is not considered also in patent document 5 arises.

  In addition, for example, in the vehicle air chamber component supply device described in Patent Document 2, the fragrance component adapted to the occupant's emotion and psychology is released, that is, a plurality of fragrances are used properly, but the action of a single fragrance is only used. It is used. However, there is a problem that the effect is limited only by using the action of such a single scent.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle scent providing apparatus and a vehicle scent providing method that provide a scent at a timing at which the scent acts more effectively.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle scent providing device that discharges a scent component that is artificially adjusted so as to stimulate the olfactory sense of an occupant. Signal information acquisition means for acquiring signal information including at least one of the remaining transition time until the transition to the next sign, and detecting that the current sign of the traffic signal has transitioned based on the signal information, or within a predetermined time From the scent providing means, triggered by the indication change detection means for predicting that the current sign transitions and the current sign of the traffic light have changed, or that the current sign is predicted to change within a predetermined time And scent provision control means for discharging the scent component.

  It is possible to provide a vehicle scent providing apparatus and a vehicle scent providing method that provide a scent at a timing at which the scent acts more effectively.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the action of the scent will be described. FIG. 1A shows the result of comparing the degree of physical fatigue that various fragrances reduce, and FIG. 1B shows the result of comparing the degree of mental fatigue that various fragrances reduce. Each figure shows the change of physical fatigue and mental fatigue before and after driving a real vehicle or a drive simulator for a predetermined time by a score calculated based on a questionnaire of subjects. If the score on the vertical axis is positive, it means that fatigue has increased by driving, and if it is negative, it means that fatigue has decreased.

  “Blank” on the horizontal axis does not provide any fragrance, “α-vinene” and “borneol” are the names of fragrance ingredients, “Blend” is the fragrance ingredient mixed with “α-binene” and “borneol” Show. Therefore, if the score is smaller than the “blank” that does not provide any scent after the end of the operation, the effect of reducing physical fatigue or physical fatigue due to the scent is recognized. According to the score of physical fatigue, all of “α-vinene”, “borneol”, and “blend” have a fatigue-reducing effect. According to the score of mental fatigue, both “α binene” and “borneol” have a fatigue reducing effect, and “Blend” has a slight fatigue reducing effect.

  From FIG. 1, it is understood that “borneol” has an excellent action for recovery from driving fatigue, in which both physical fatigue and mental fatigue reduce fatigue compared to before driving. In addition, since “Borneol” is known to have a refreshing action, for example, by providing it to the driver immediately before starting, attention and concentration (hereinafter referred to as “Borneol” is simply called awakening action) Can be expected to improve.

  On the other hand, “α-vinene” is known to have a relaxing action, so it can be reduced in tension and stress (irritated feeling) by providing it during traffic jams. Can be expected).

  The vehicle scent providing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment effectively provides a scent fatigue reduction action by providing, for example, “Borneol” at a timing at which the driver can easily take a deep breath. In addition, by providing “α-vinene” and “borneol” at appropriate timings to change the scent, not only changes in the situation are reported, but also a decrease in the effect due to getting used to the scent is suppressed.

  Borneol is an example of a scent with an awakening action, and may be replaced with a citrus scent. Specifically, peppermint, jasmine, rose, black pepper or the like may be used. In addition, since “α binene” is an example of a sedative scent, other floral scents may be substituted. Specifically, lavender, lemon, orange, or the like may be used.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a diagram that schematically illustrates the timing of scent provision by the scent providing device 100 for a vehicle. A vehicle equipped with the vehicle scent providing device 100 is stopped by a red signal. And the scent providing device 100 for vehicles provides the scent with the awakening action from the scent providing unit 20 when detecting that the signal “changes from red to blue”.

  That is, a change in signal can be notified by the scent. In addition, providing the scent immediately before the departure further enhances the concentration of the driver who concentrates on the start, and as the scent stimulates the sense of smell, it becomes easier to encourage deep breathing to aspirate more scent. Therefore, a scent can be made to act more effectively than providing a scent without considering timing. In FIG. 2, the scent providing unit 20 is provided in the driver's seat, but it may be provided in each seat. In this case, the scent and providing timing of each seat can be individually controlled.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the vehicle scent providing apparatus 100. Each functional block in the figure is realized mainly by an on-board electronic control unit, that is, a computer. The on-board electronic control unit includes, for example, a navigation unit, a communication unit that acquires current sign information of a traffic signal and a remaining transition time until a transition, and an image processing unit that processes a captured image. However, it may be realized by any electronic control unit.

  The electronic control unit is connected to a CPU that executes a program stored in the ROM using the RAM as a working memory, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) on which a predetermined logic circuit is mounted, a nonvolatile memory, a CAN communication unit, a sensor, and an actuator. Input / output interface, clock, etc. The scent provision control unit 18 that controls the timing of scent provision, the type and intensity of the scent, and the scent provision condition setting unit 19 that sets the scent provision conditions, by the CPU executing the program or by hardware such as ASIC A vehicle information acquisition unit 11 that detects a vehicle state such as a vehicle speed, a fatigue level estimation unit 14 that estimates a driver's fatigue level, a signal information acquisition unit 13 that detects a traffic signal state, and a map that acquires map information around the current location Information acquisition unit 12, signal change detection unit 15 that detects that the current sign of the traffic signal has changed or predicts that the current sign will change within a predetermined time, and signal stop detection unit that detects that the signal has stopped due to the indication of the traffic signal 16, a continuous stop determination unit 17 that determines whether or not the stop time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Hereinafter, these will be described in detail.

[Fragrance providing unit 20]
First, the scent providing unit 20 will be described. The scent providing unit 20 is disposed, for example, in an interior of a ceiling, an air conditioner outlet, a dashboard, or the like with an opening 35 described below facing the driver. Such an arrangement makes it easier for the driver to reach the scent.

  The scent providing unit 20 uses, for example, the principle of an air cannon, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. For example, when an impact is applied to a part of a hexahedron, an air cannon is discharged from an opening provided on one surface by shock waves. As shown in the drawing, an opening 35 is provided on one surface of the hexahedral housing 34, and the inside of the housing 34 communicates with the outside. The housing 34 is made of plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is easily elastically deformed.

  The air cannon of FIG. 4A is provided with three tanks 31 a to 31 c (hereinafter referred to as tank 31 when not distinguished) on the upper surface of the housing 34. Different or identical scent components are sealed in the tanks 31, respectively. The scent component may be a single-use type, or it may be replenished from the outside when the amount is small. In addition, the scent component may be in the form of either liquid or gas. In the case of liquid, it is dropped into the housing by a discharge mechanism that discharges droplets, and in the case of gas, for example, it is sealed at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. It moves into the housing due to the pressure difference generated when the discharge port is opened.

  Each tank 31 is fixed to the housing 34 via head heads 32a to 32c (hereinafter, referred to as the head 32 if not distinguished) provided with a discharge mechanism. The head 32 discharges the scent component in the tank using a piezoelectric actuator, a heating resistor, a shape memory alloy actuator, an electrostatic force and the like as a power source. Further, when the scent component is a gas, the head 32 is an on-off valve that controls opening and closing, and the scent component can be discharged by opening the on-off valve.

  The head 32 adjusts the size and opening time of the liquid droplets according to the intensity of the scent instructed by the scent provision control unit 18, and only the discharge amount (for example, liquid amount, gas volume) corresponding to the strength. Discharge scent ingredients. Moreover, if the same scent component is enclosed in two or more tanks 31 and discharged simultaneously, a strong scent can be provided in a short time. Therefore, the intensity of the scent can be adjusted.

  Further, since the heads 32 are individually driven, scents can be provided individually according to the scent provision conditions 21 set in the scent provision condition setting unit 19 described later. In this embodiment, the tank 31 is filled with borneol and α-vinene separately. 4A shows three tanks 31, two or less or four or more tanks 31 may be provided.

  A plunger 33 is connected to the side surface of the housing 34. The plunger 33 reciprocates within a predetermined range using an actuator such as an electric motor or a solenoid as a power source, and applies an impact (pressure) to the side surface of the housing 34. Thereby, the housing 34 is elastically deformed. The reciprocating motion of the plunger 33 is also controlled by the scent provision control unit 18.

  Therefore, when at least one of the heads 32 is driven to discharge the scent component into the casing, and when the plunger 33 is driven to release air from the opening 35, the air in the casing is discharged linearly together with the scent component, A scent can be provided to the driver and other passengers. The reach of the scent may be adjusted by adjusting the driving force of the plunger 33.

  Further, the scent providing unit 20 may be a speaker type shown in FIG. In FIG. 4B, the same parts as those in FIG. The scent providing unit 20 in FIG. 4B includes a coil 37 and a magnet 36 concentrically on a surface 34 a facing the opening 35. The magnet 36 is fixed to the casing 34. When an alternating current is passed through the coil 37, the coil 37 vibrates in the longitudinal direction by electromagnetic induction. The surface 34a of the housing 34 with which the coil 37 is in contact is formed of cone paper, plastic, or rubber-like elastic member. By forming the surface 34a of cone paper or plastic, the air in the housing can be vibrated on the same principle as the speaker. It is possible to generate a large deformation by forming the elastic member, and to generate a shock wave in the air in the housing in the same manner as the air cannon. In addition, in the housing | casing 34 of FIG.4 (b), it is not necessary to deform | transform other than the surface 34a facing the opening part 35, and the cylindrical housing | casing 34 may be shapes, such as a prism.

  Therefore, a scent component can be discharged from the opening 35 by passing an alternating current through the coil 37. In the form of FIG. 4B, not only the discharge amount of the scent component but also the amount of the scent component discharged can be adjusted by the amplitude of the alternating current and the time for which the alternating current is passed. Further, the speaker-type fragrance providing unit 20 as shown in FIG. 4B has an advantage that the housing 34 can be easily downsized as compared with the air cannon of FIG.

  4 (a) and 4 (b), since different scents may be mixed in the case, for example, an odorless cleaning scent component is sealed in any tank 31, and the scent just before When providing a different scent, it may be washed with a scent component for washing.

  In addition, the aspect of the scent providing unit 20 is not limited to these, and for example, a tank 31 may be provided in a duct of an air conditioner, and release of the scent component from the tank 31 may be controlled by, for example, an on-off valve.

[Vehicle information acquisition unit 11]
Returning to FIG. 3, the vehicle information acquisition part 11 acquires the information which shows a vehicle state. The vehicle information includes, for example, a brake pedal operation, an accelerator pedal operation, a vehicle speed, a travel distance / travel time from engine start, a blinker operation state, a wiper operation state, a headlight operation state, and the like. These vehicle information is used to detect, for example, the driver's fatigue level, the state of the vehicle such as being stopped waiting for a signal, the state of the vehicle such as turning right or left, running during rain, running at night, etc. It is done.

  Since vehicle information is distributed via in-vehicle LANs such as CAN (Controller Area Network) and FlexRay, the vehicle information acquisition unit 11 can acquire necessary vehicle information by selectively receiving it. The brake pedal is operated, for example, by turning on the stop lamp switch or the master cylinder pressure, the accelerator pedal is operated by, for example, the accelerator opening sensor, the vehicle speed is measured by the wheel speed sensor, and the travel distance / travel time from the engine start is the travel at the time of engine start. It is possible to detect the distance and time by storing the distance and time, and it is possible to detect the operating state of the blinker, the wiper or the headlamp from the switch operation.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the vehicle information acquisition part 11 acquires traffic information. The traffic information can be acquired from, for example, information such as traffic jams and accidents distributed by FMICS multiplex broadcasting and optical / radio wave beacons, and information such as traffic jams and accidents distributed by the probe car system. By receiving the traffic information, for example, because it is stopped due to traffic jam, it can be determined that the vehicle cannot start even if the signal transitions to “blue”, and the discharge amount of scent and the presence or absence of discharge can be adjusted.

[Map information acquisition unit 12]
The map information acquisition unit 12 acquires position information of the host vehicle, a route to the destination, map information around the host vehicle, and the like. Therefore, the map information acquisition unit 12 can also be used as a navigation system mounted on the vehicle. For example, the map information acquisition unit 12 receives a radio wave of a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, detects a current location, corrects the current location by a detection signal of a wheel speed sensor or a gyro sensor, and detects vehicle position information (latitude / route).・ Obtain coordinates with elevation. By referring to the map DB (Data Base) of the navigation system based on the position information, the map information acquisition unit 12 can detect the road conditions around the current location, for example, the road type (automobile road, general road), and traffic lights. Whether it is within a predetermined distance, a traveling lane or the like is detected.

  In the map DB, nodes that divide roads at predetermined intervals are registered in association with position information (coordinates), and a road network is expressed by connecting the nodes with associated links. The information is stored in the node or link where the traffic signal is present, and the number of lanes and the presence or absence of the right turn lane are stored in the link having a width or multiple lanes. The map DB may be stored in advance with the navigation system, or may be downloaded from a server.

  When the destination is set, the map information acquisition unit 12 determines the route to the destination by using, for example, the Dijkstra method that selects the route with the smallest total cost by replacing the route with the cost. If the route is set, it is possible to detect whether or not the vehicle has stopped on the right turn lane, the number of signals present up to the destination, the distance to the next signal, and the like.

[Signal information acquisition unit 13]
The signal information acquisition unit 13 acquires signal information. The signal information is information indicating the status of the traffic signal. For example, the current sign information (current traffic signal is red, blue, or yellow), “red” to “blue”, “blue” to “yellow”, “ The remaining transition time until the transition from “yellow” to “red”, the cycle time of the traffic light (red holding time, blue holding time, yellow holding time), and the like.

  The signal information is preferably acquired by, for example, road-to-vehicle communication. ETC and DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) are known for road-to-vehicle communication, and communication with a vehicle only within a predetermined distance (narrow-range communication) from a roadside device is possible. The signal information acquisition unit 13 receives, for example, a 5.8 GHz radio wave with an antenna, filters it to generate / amplify an intermediate wave, and demodulates the signal information by a predetermined demodulation method such as ASK or QPSK. Receive. Since VICS light / radio wave beacons are also an aspect of road-to-vehicle communication, signal information may be received from roadside devices of VICS. In addition, you may receive signal information via vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

  The roadside device transmits, for example, a radio wave that can be received within a predetermined range in front of the traffic signal, and a vehicle that has passed can acquire signal information of the traffic signal. If there are multiple traffic lights ahead, the relationship between the traffic signal and the signal information can be associated by including how far the traffic signal information is in the radio wave, or by including information that identifies the traffic signal. .

  Further, the signal information may be acquired from image processing instead of wirelessly communicating. The vehicle is equipped with a camera for photographing a predetermined range ahead, and image data including a traffic light is photographed every cycle time. The range in which the traffic signal is photographed in the image data can be narrowed to some extent depending on the vehicle attitude (tilt angle, azimuth), and the traffic signal is detected by applying, for example, template matching to this range. In image data with a traffic signal, a circular pixel with high luminance in the traffic signal is the current sign of the current traffic signal. For example, in the case of Japan, since “blue”, “yellow”, and “red” from the left, the current sign can be obtained by detecting a pixel position on image data with high luminance. In the case of a color image, the current sign can be easily detected from the pixel value.

  Further, the signal information can be indirectly detected from the relative distance from the preceding vehicle and the vehicle speed of the host vehicle. For example, if the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle is less than the specified value and the vehicle speed approaches zero, the vehicle may stop together with the preceding vehicle, that is, the vehicle may stop because the traffic signal ahead is red. Can be predicted. After that, if the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle gradually increases, the preceding vehicle will start and the host vehicle will also start, that is, there is a high possibility that the vehicle will start because the front traffic light has changed to “blue”. Can be predicted. The inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle can be detected by, for example, a radar device that detects the time until the transmission wave is reflected by the preceding vehicle and received. Further, the change in the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle may be detected from the fact that the image of the preceding vehicle in the image data is changed instead of the radar device, and the distance to the preceding vehicle detected by the stereo camera is changed.

[Fatigue degree estimation unit 14]
The fatigue level estimation unit 14 estimates the driver's fatigue level. The scent is effective for both mental and physical fatigue, so there is no need to distinguish between the two. However, by distinguishing between the two, a proper scent can be provided for both mental and physical fatigue. . The degree of fatigue is considered to accumulate according to the travel time so far, and is considered to increase as the travel time increases. In addition, discontinuous acceleration / deceleration operations in traffic jams, stop / departure operations by signals, and right turn operations are considered to be more fatigued even if the travel time is the same as when traveling straight ahead. Similarly, when traveling at night or in rainy weather, the degree of fatigue is likely to be higher than when traveling straight in the daytime. Therefore, the driver's fatigue level can be estimated using these as parameters.

For example, the fatigue level during the running time T is
Fatigue degree = traveling time T + a × traffic traveling time + b × signal stop / departure number + c × right turn count + d × left turn count + e × night travel time + f × rainy travel time. a to f are coefficients, which are determined in advance.

  Further, the fatigue level may be estimated from the driver's arousal level. The arousal level can be detected from, for example, a closed eye time per unit time obtained by photographing a driver's face image and detecting opening / closing of the driver's eyes from the face image. A long eye-closing time means that the degree of arousal is low, so that the fatigue level of the driver can be estimated by regarding this as a high degree of fatigue. Similarly, the face direction and the line-of-sight direction may be detected from the image data, and the change may not be detected, so that it is possible to detect a rough driving. It is possible to estimate the driver's fatigue level by assuming that the driver's fatigue level is high.

[Scent provision condition setting unit 19]
The scent providing condition setting unit 19 sets the scent providing condition 21 in accordance with, for example, the conditions, scent, and strength input by the driver or manufacturer. The scent providing condition 21 is information defining conditions for providing a scent, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the electronic control unit. FIG. 5A shows an example of the scent providing condition 21. The scent providing condition 21 of the present embodiment satisfies both a) that it is stopped by a signal, and b) that the traffic light has transitioned from “red” to “blue” or is predicted to transition. It is.

  In the scent providing condition 21, “scent type” and “strength” are defined for each condition. “Scent of fragrance” means borneol or α-vinene, but the tank 31 in FIG. 4 may be specifically designated. “Strength” is the discharge amount of the scent component. For example, the strength of the scent is specified by a larger number as the scent is stronger, and this number corresponds to the discharge amount of the scent component discharged by the head of the scent providing unit 20.

  Further, for example, in the scent providing condition 21, the awakening action is set as the “scent type” on the condition that the traffic light has transitioned from “blue” to “red” or “yellow” or has been detected to have transitioned. A scent that has a calming action as a “scent type” on the condition that a certain scent component (for example, borneol) is discharged and the traffic light is changed from “red” to “blue” or has been detected. It can be specified that the component (for example, α-vinene) is discharged. By providing such a scent, attention can be drawn when the signal transitions from “blue” to “red” or “yellow”, and when the signal transitions from “red” to “blue” Can encourage deep breathing.

  Moreover, the fragrance provision condition setting part 19 is recording, updating the fragrance provision record provided in the past. FIG. 5B shows an example of a scent provision record. In the scent provision record, “scent type” and “strength” are recorded in association with the time of provision. By referring to the scent provision record, it is possible to know the scent provided in the past and the frequency of provision, and to determine the “scent type” and “strength” that are effective by providing next. In addition, when a plurality of scent providing units 20 are arranged such as a driver's seat and a rear seat or each seat, a scent providing record is recorded for each seat.

  Thus, although the intensity | strength of a scent may be prescribed | regulated previously, it can be anticipated that the effect | action of a scent is improved by attaching strength while driving | running | working more preferably. Since the magnitude of the action of the scent is considered to correlate with the inhalation amount of the driver, it is considered preferable to increase the discharge amount of one scent component when the provision frequency is low. Therefore, the scent providing condition setting unit 19 increases the “strength” of the scent when, for example, the number of times of provision within a predetermined time period (for example, one hour) is small (for example, five times or less) from the scent providing record. To do. Further, for example, the “strength” may be adjusted according to the provision frequency. When the discharge amount per unit time is five times, “(5−number of provision times of unit time) × initial“ strength ””. By doing so, the discharge amount per unit time can be maintained at the same level.

  Moreover, when it is predicted that the frequency of provision in the future is low, not in the past, the discharge amount of one scent component may be increased in advance. If the route to the destination is set in order to estimate the distance to the next traffic light, there is no timing for providing a scent if there is no traffic light on the route for a while. Therefore, for example, according to the map information, when there is no traffic light up to a predetermined distance (for example, several kilometers) ahead on the route, the scent providing condition setting unit 19 increases the discharge amount of one scent component. Further, based on the degree of traffic congestion or the like, it is possible to predict the traffic signal that stops within the traffic signal that passes within a predetermined time, and adjust the discharge amount per time according to the number (for example, total discharge per hour) If the amount is N [cc] and the number of traffic lights that are stopped within one hour is expected to be 5, N / 5 is set to one discharge amount).

  By using the past provision history and the future provision prediction, the discharge amount of the scent can be adjusted, and the scent can be effectively acted on.

[Signal stop detection unit 16, sign change detection unit 15, continuous stop determination unit 17]
Returning to FIG. 3, the signal stop detection unit 16 detects that the stop has occurred due to the indication of the traffic light. The signal stop detection unit 16 first detects that the vehicle has stopped from the vehicle information (vehicle speed). If it is stopped, it is determined whether or not it is due to a red indicator on the traffic light. When signal information can be received by road-to-vehicle communication, it is also clear whether or not it is due to red marking because the current marking information can be acquired from the signal information. Even when signal information is acquired from image data, the current sign information (for example, “red” and “yellow”) is clear.

  Further, when signal information cannot be acquired by road-to-vehicle communication or image data, determination is made from position information and map information. According to the map information, when there is a traffic light in front of the vehicle at the current location (for example, within 30 m), it can be estimated that the stop is due to the signal.

  The sign change detection unit 15 detects that the sign of the traffic signal has transitioned or is predicted to transition. When the transition is actually made, it can be detected from the current sign in the same manner as the signal stop detection unit 16.

  Prediction that a traffic light indicator transitions (for example, red to blue) uses a remaining transition time or a cycle time included in signal information received by road-to-vehicle communication.

  When signal information by road-to-vehicle communication cannot be received, it is possible to detect a transition from the current sign of the forward image data taken by the traffic light to a green light and to start from the distance to the traffic light. Therefore, if it is not the leading vehicle, information equivalent to the signal information is obtained. In addition, when it is difficult to obtain the current sign from the image data, the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle detected by the radar device or the like increases, so that it can be predicted that the vehicle is just before starting.

  The continuous stop determination unit 17 determines whether or not the stop time is a predetermined time or more, and details will be described in the second embodiment.

[Scent supply control unit 18]
The scent providing control unit 18 refers to the scent providing condition 21 based on the detection results of the signal stop detecting unit 16 and the sign change detecting unit 15, and provides the scent from the scent providing unit 20 when the condition is satisfied. That is, if the signal stop detection unit 16 detects that the host vehicle is stopped by the sign of the traffic light, it can be determined that the condition a) is satisfied. Further, if the sign change detection unit 15 detects the transition of the current sign or the prediction of the transition, it can be determined that the condition b) is satisfied. When the scent provision control unit 18 detects that the scent provision condition 21 is satisfied, the scent provision control unit 18 provides the scent in the form defined in the scent provision condition 21.

[Operation procedure when providing fragrance]
FIG. 6A is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for providing a scent by the scent providing apparatus 100 for a vehicle. The procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6A is repeatedly executed at every cycle time when the ignition is turned on, for example.

  When the vehicle stops, the signal stop detection unit 16 determines whether it is due to a red sign or a yellow sign of the traffic light (S10).

  When the stop is not due to a red sign or a yellow sign of a traffic light (No in S10), for example, when parked in a parking lot or a roadside belt, or stopped due to traffic jam, the process is terminated without providing a scent.

  When the signal is stopped due to the red or yellow sign (Yes in S10), the sign change detection unit 15 determines whether or not the sign of the signal has changed from “red” to “blue” or is expected to change. Determine (S20). This determination is repeated until satisfied.

  And when it is predicted that the sign of the traffic light has changed from “red” to “blue” (Yes in S20), the scent provision control unit 18 determines that the scent provision condition 21 is satisfied, and driving A scent is provided to the person (S30). This scent is, for example, borneol and has an arousal action.

  For example, by providing the scent a few seconds before the transition from “red” to “blue”, sufficient time can be taken to take a deep breath of the scent. Therefore, preferably, it is detected from the signal information that it is several seconds before the transition from “red” to “blue”. Even when it is detected that the vehicle has transitioned, there is a time until the start if it is not the leading vehicle, so that sufficient time can be taken to take a deep breath of the scent.

  As described above, the vehicle scent providing device 100 according to the present embodiment provides the scent when the signal transitions from “red” to “blue”, so that the signal transitions or transitions to the driver. It is possible to notify and call attention, and by providing the scent immediately before departure, the scent is provided before the tension that repeats recognition, judgment and operation, and it is easy to take a deep breath. Therefore, it can be expected that the scent works as much as possible.

[Variation of scent provision procedure]
In the procedure of FIG. 6 (a), the scent was provided as a trigger when the signal indicator transitioned from “red” to “blue” or its prediction, but the vehicle does not start immediately even after transitioning to “blue”. In this case, it is preferable to delay the provision of the scent until just before departure. For example, when the vehicle turns right after the vehicle starts, the vehicle cannot start until the vehicle in the oncoming lane goes straight, but it is not preferable to start with the scent provided by the signal transition. For this reason, when the vehicle turns right, it is preferable to provide a scent immediately before the right turn.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 6B is a procedure for providing a scent immediately before a right turn. Steps up to step S20 are the same as in FIG.

  When it is predicted in step S20 that the traffic light has changed from “red” to “blue” (Yes in S20), the scent provision control unit 18 determines whether or not the vehicle turns right. (S25). Whether or not to turn right is determined by combining one or more of position information and map information, whether or not it is a right turn point in the route to the destination, and that the right turn signal is operated.

  And when the own vehicle turns right (Yes of S25), the fragrance provision control part 18 provides fragrance immediately before a right turn (S31). Immediately before the right turn is, for example, that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle has increased, that the signal dedicated to the right turn is “blue” from the signal information, and that the vehicle has stopped at the head (the preceding vehicle is No) is detected from the fact that the vehicle speed has increased and the current sign has changed from “blue” to “yellow”. Therefore, the scent can be provided at a timing specific to the right turn by delaying the scent provision when making a right turn.

  In this embodiment, the scent is provided at the timing of transition from “red” to “blue”, but the scent may be provided at the timing of transition from “blue” to “red”. This scent is, for example, α-vinene having a sedative action, which makes it easier to relieve stress caused by stopping.

  On the contrary, a scent component (for example, borneol) having an awakening action at the timing of transition from “blue” to “red” or “yellow” has a calming action at the timing of transition from “red” to “blue”. A scent component (eg, α-vinene) may be provided. When the signal changes from “blue” to “red” or “yellow” due to a scent with awakening action, attention can be drawn, and the signal changes from “red” to “blue” due to a calming scent. When you do, you can encourage deep breathing.

  In addition, in this embodiment, it is not described whether or not the scent is provided at a timing other than the timing at which the indication of the traffic light transitions. ), It is thought that conditioning of scent and action becomes easier and improves the action of scent.

In the present embodiment, a vehicular scent providing device 100 in which a timing for providing a scent is added to the providing timing of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is an example of a diagram that schematically illustrates the timing of scent provision by the scent providing apparatus 100 for a vehicle. A vehicle equipped with the vehicle scent providing device 100 is stopped by a red signal. At this time, the vehicle scent providing device 100 provides a sedative scent from the scent providing unit 20 when the signal stop is for a predetermined time or longer. Therefore, at least tension and stress due to signal stop can be reduced.

  Since it is possible to detect that the signal stop is longer than a predetermined time either before or after the vehicle is stopped, the scent can be provided even before the vehicle is stopped. Preferably, the occupant can grasp whether or not the signal stop is long at the same timing by unifying the timing of providing the fragrance, for example, immediately before stopping, immediately after stopping or at a predetermined time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) after stopping. Therefore, the transmissibility as information is improved.

  Then, similarly to the first embodiment, when the vehicle scent providing device 100 detects that the signal “changes (changes) from red to blue”, the scent providing unit 20 generates a scent different from the sedative scent. provide. That is, a change in signal can be notified by the scent.

  In addition, by providing different scents when the signal is stopped and immediately before departure, habituation to the scent is prevented, and scents A can be associated with scents B during the stop, and scents B can be associated. It can act more effectively. In addition, since the scent is provided during the stop, it is easy to promote deep breathing, and the point that it is easy to prompt deep breathing immediately before starting is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The scent providing condition 21 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is an example of the scent providing condition 21 of the present embodiment. Since different scents are provided under different conditions, two conditions are specified. About a1) b), it is the same as that of a) b) of FIG. 5 (a) of Example 1. FIG. By associating different scents with the scent providing condition 21, each scent can be provided at a desired timing, and the actions of the two scents can be distinguished from each other.

[Procedure for fragrance]
FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for providing a scent by the scent providing apparatus 100 for a vehicle. In addition, since the functional block diagram of the scent providing apparatus 100 for vehicles is the same as that of FIG. 3, it abbreviate | omits. The procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is repeatedly executed every cycle time when the ignition is turned on, for example.

  First, when the vehicle stops, the signal stop detection unit 16 determines whether it is due to a red sign or a yellow sign of a traffic light (S10). The determination method is the same as in the first embodiment.

  When the traffic light stops due to a red sign or a yellow sign (Yes in S10), the continuous stop determination unit 17 determines whether or not the signal stop is predicted to be longer than a predetermined time (S120). The signal stop time is equal to the remaining transition time included in the signal information received by road-to-vehicle communication. Therefore, when the remaining transition time or cycle time is included in the signal information, it can be determined whether or not the signal stop is predicted to be a predetermined time or longer.

On the other hand, when the remaining transition time or cycle time cannot be acquired, the continuation stop determination unit 17 determines whether or not the signal stop is predicted to be a predetermined time or more by combining one or more of the following conditions.
-The stop position is less than the distance L from the traffic light (stop near the signal)
When the stop position is close to the traffic light, the elapsed time after the signal transitions to “red” may be short, so it can be predicted that the signal stop will be longer from this condition. Whether the distance is less than the distance L from the traffic light can be determined from the position information of the host vehicle and the map information.
・ Stopping on the right turn lane Since the start from the right turn lane is after going straight on the opposite lane, it can be predicted that the signal stop will be longer. Whether or not the vehicle is stopped on the right turn lane can be determined from at least one of the position information and map information of the host vehicle and the operation state of the right winker.
・ Stop at the intersection where the road of the own vehicle intersects with the priority road The priority road is a road on which the vehicle is preferentially driven. long. For this reason, it can be predicted that the signal stop will be longer. The priority road of the present embodiment does not necessarily coincide with the priority road according to the law, and not only when the width of the counterpart road is wider than the road of the own vehicle, but, for example, two or more lanes intersecting each other And roads where the intersecting roads are separated vertically (when the road of the vehicle passes below the three-dimensional intersection), and the like. Accordingly, “the signal stop is predicted to be longer than or equal to the predetermined time” in step S120 includes “a case where it is predicted that the signal stop will be a certain time”.

  The continuation stop determination unit 17 predicts that the signal stop will be longer if at least one of these three conditions is satisfied. Then, in response to the determination result, the scent provision control unit 18 provides the scent A (S130). The scent A is a scent that brings about a soothing action, for example, α-vinene.

  After providing the scent A, the sign change detection unit 15 determines whether or not the sign of the traffic light has changed from “red” to “blue” or is expected to change as in the first embodiment. (S20) When the transition from “red” to “blue” or a transition is predicted, the scent provision control unit provides a scent B different from the scent A (S30). This scent is, for example, borneol and has an arousal action. In addition, like Example 1, the provision timing of the scent B may be delayed when turning right. The scent A and the scent B may be different, and both may be a calming or awakening scent. In addition, the scent B may be stronger than the scent A. By doing so, the driver can easily grasp the transition of the signal or predict the transition.

  More preferably, by discharging the scent B within a predetermined time after discharging the scent A, the scent can be easily identified by the sense of smell, and the action of the scent B is higher than when the scent B is discharged alone. I can expect.

  As described above, the vehicle scent providing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can suppress the habituation to the scent and enhance the action of the scent by providing different scents in combination. Further, by making the scent A have a sedative action and the scent B have a wakefulness action, it is possible to reduce tension and stress while the signal is stopped, and to improve the concentration at the time of starting. Moreover, the change of a signal can be alert | reported by provision of fragrance.

It is a figure which shows an example of the extent of the physical fatigue and mental fatigue which various fragrances reduce. It is an example of the figure which illustrates typically the timing of scent offer by the scent offer device for vehicles. It is an example of the functional block diagram of the fragrance providing apparatus for vehicles. It is a figure which shows an example of a fragrance provision part typically. It is a figure which shows an example of fragrance provision conditions and a fragrance provision record. It is an example of the flowchart figure which shows the procedure of the scent provision by the scent provision apparatus for vehicles. (Example 2) which is an example of the figure which illustrates typically the timing of the scent provision by the scent provision apparatus for vehicles. It is a figure which shows an example of fragrance provision conditions (Example 2). (Example 2) which is an example of the flowchart figure which shows the procedure of the scent provision by the scent provision apparatus for vehicles.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Signal information acquisition part 15 Marking change detection part 16 Signal stop detection part 17 Continuation stop determination part 18 Scent provision control part 19 Scent provision condition setting part 20 Scent provision part 21 Scent provision condition 100 Scent provision apparatus for vehicles

Claims (8)

In the vehicle scent providing device for discharging the scent component artificially adjusted to stimulate the olfactory sense of the occupant,
A scent providing means for discharging scent components;
Signal information acquisition means for acquiring signal information including at least one of the current sign information of the traffic light or the remaining transition time until the transition to the next sign;
Based on the signal information, a sign change detection means for detecting that the current sign of the traffic signal has changed, or predicting that the current sign will change within a predetermined time, and
A scent providing control means for discharging a scent component from the scent providing means, triggered by the fact that the current sign of the traffic signal has changed, or that the current sign has been predicted to change within a predetermined time,
A scent providing device for vehicles characterized by having. A signal stop detection means for detecting that the host vehicle is stopped or stopped by an indication of a traffic light;
Continuous stop determination means for determining whether or not the stop time is a predetermined time or more,
The scent providing control means discharges the scent component A from the scent providing means when the stop time is a predetermined time or more,
After the host vehicle stops, the scent component B different from the scent component A is discharged, triggered by the fact that the current sign of the traffic signal has changed, or that the current sign has been predicted to change within a predetermined time.
The scent providing device for vehicles according to claim 1 characterized by things. When it is detected that the host vehicle turns right, the scent providing control means detects that the current sign of the traffic light has transitioned or the current sign is predicted to transition within a predetermined time. Delay the discharge of fragrance ingredients until just before,
The scent providing device for vehicles according to claim 1 characterized by things. When it is detected by the signal information acquisition means that the current sign of the traffic light has transitioned from blue to red or has transitioned, the scent providing control means discharges the scent component having an awakening action from the scent providing means,
When it is detected that the current sign of the traffic light transitions from red to blue or has transitioned, the scent component having a sedative action is discharged from the scent providing means.
The scent providing device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The scent provision control means has a scent provision record in which the past provision frequency of the scent component is recorded, and based on the provision frequency, the next scent component is set so that the discharge amount of the scent component at a predetermined time is approximately the same. Adjusting the discharge amount of
The scent providing device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The sign change detection means detects that the current sign of the traffic light has transitioned from progress prohibition to progress, or predicts that it will transition from progress prohibition to progress in a predetermined time.
The scent providing device for vehicles according to claim 1 characterized by things. The scent component A is a scent component having a sedative effect, and the scent component B is a scent component having a wakefulness effect.
The scent providing device for vehicles according to claim 2 characterized by things. In the vehicle scent providing method for discharging the scent component artificially adjusted to stimulate the olfactory sense of the occupant,
In the vehicle scent providing method for discharging artificially adjusted scent components,
Obtaining signal information including at least one of a current sign information of a traffic light or a remaining transition time until a transition to the next sign;
Based on the signal information, detecting that the current indication of the traffic signal has changed, or predicting that the current indication will change within a predetermined time; and
The step of discharging the scent component from the scent providing means for discharging the scent component, triggered by the fact that the current sign of the traffic signal has changed, or that the current indicator has been predicted to transition within a predetermined time, and
A method for providing a scent for a vehicle, comprising: