JP2011235700A - Annunciation device, annunciation method, program, and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an annunciation device, along with an annunciation method, program and medium, capable of improving user-friendliness, without giving a user with a sense of redundancy.SOLUTION: The annunciation device 1 includes: a timer unit 2a for timing time; a time display unit 2b for displaying the time by a pointer 3; and an expression generation unit 2c for generating expression by using the pointer 3 as at least part of expression components. The device also includes an annunciation unit 2d for performing annunciation, based on generation of the expression corresponding to types of contents (warning, attention, standby, welcome, reward, cancellation and reception) of the annunciation by the expression generation unit 2c, when the annunciation is needed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a notification device, a notification method, a program, and a medium for a user suitable for application to vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, and buses.

  Various devices have been proposed as notification devices that present and notify various information including vehicle information and the like to the user. In recent years, proposals have been made for the purpose of making the contents of the notification easy to understand and user-friendly by providing such a notification device with such a notification device. For example, in the notification device described in Patent Document 1, it has been proposed that a stuffed animal as a notification three-dimensional object that notifies notification contents by an action or a facial expression is mounted at the center of the instrument panel.

  For the same purpose, in the notification device described in Patent Document 2, the notification content is notified based on or accompanied by the action or expression of the agent as an anthropomorphic image displayed on the image display device. Has been proposed.

JP 2002-104103 A JP 2005-265852 A

  However, the notification device as described above has the following problems. In the notification device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to secure a space for providing a stuffed animal that is not originally necessary as equipment in the vicinity of the instrument panel, and depending on the sensitivity of individual users, an unnecessary feeling and a redundant feeling are given. Inconvenience.

  Further, in the notification device described in Patent Document 2, the agent is only on the screen display of an image display device such as a car navigation system, and there is a disadvantage that the effect of enhancing the affinity is small. That is, in the conventional notification device, there is a problem that user friendliness cannot be improved without giving the user a sense of redundancy.

  An object of this invention is to provide the alerting | reporting apparatus, alerting | reporting method, program, and medium which can improve user friendliness without giving a user a sense of redundancy in view of the said problem.

To solve the above problem,
The notification device according to the present invention is:
A time measuring means for measuring time;
Time display means for displaying the time by a pointer;
Facial expression generation means for generating a facial expression using the pointer as at least a part of a facial expression component;
Including
In the case where notification is required, it includes notification means for performing the notification based on generation of the facial expression corresponding to the type of content of the notification by the facial expression generation means.

In order to solve the above problems,
The notification method according to the present invention includes:
A time measuring step for measuring time;
A time display step for displaying the time by a pointer;
A facial expression generating step for generating a facial expression using the pointer as at least a part of a facial expression component;
Including
When notification is required, the method includes a notification step of performing the notification based on generation of the facial expression corresponding to a type of content of the notification in the facial expression generation step.

The program according to the present invention is
A program for causing a computer to execute the notification method.

Furthermore, the medium according to the present invention is:
A medium storing the program.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the alerting | reporting apparatus, alerting | reporting method, program, and medium which can improve user friendliness without giving a user a sense of redundancy can be provided.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the installation form of one Embodiment of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the classification | category of the facial expression which the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention produces | generates, the classification of the content of alerting | reporting, and a response | compatibility with a classification | category and a classification. It is a schematic diagram which shows the content of alerting | reporting the facial expression which the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention produces | generates. It is a schematic diagram which shows the aspect of the time display of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. 7 is a subroutine showing in detail the specific processing content of step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the warning expression which the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention produces | generates. It is a schematic diagram which shows the aspect at the time of warning of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display mode in the eco mode of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display mode in the route guidance mode of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content at the time of performing the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention with mode transition. 14 is a subroutine showing in detail the processing content of step S02 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 is a subroutine showing a modification of the subroutine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of step S10 of eco mode shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display mode of the facial expression in the eco mode of the alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a subroutine which shows the detail of the processing content of step S10-1 shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the aspect which replaced the communication robot ECU of FIG. 1 with meter ECU. It is a schematic diagram which shows the aspect which changed the pointer drive part 4 of FIG. 1 into the thing of an independent drive type. It is a schematic diagram which shows the aspect which substituted the pointer 3, the pointer drive part 4, and each lamp | ramp 5 of FIG. 1 with the display.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a communication robot constituting a notification device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement mode of the communication robot shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication robot 1 according to the present invention includes a communication robot ECU 2, a pointer 3, a pointer driving unit 4, lamps 5, a speaker 6, an actuator 7, and a microphone 8. Composed.

  The communication robot ECU 2 is connected to a communication standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network), and connected to various ECUs such as the engine ECU 10, the brake ECU 11, the EPS ECU 12, the body ECU 13, and the navigation ECU 14 via the CAN. Is done.

  The communication robot ECU 2 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, a data bus that connects them, and an input / output interface. The communication robot ECU 2 performs the following controls according to a program stored in the ROM or flash memory, and constitutes a time measuring means 2a, a time display means 2b, a facial expression generation means 2c, and a notification means 2d.

  The pointer 3 includes one hand and the other needle, and here includes an hour hand 3a which is a short hand and a minute hand 3b which is a long hand, and the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b are formed in a disk shape as shown in the upper right in FIG. The board surface P is provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction with the center of the board surface P as the rotation center C. The board surface P is supported on its outer peripheral side by a housing (not shown).

  In the first embodiment, the communication robot ECU 2 is built in the housing and between the rear panel on the back side of the panel surface P and is connected to the vehicle side CAN by a connector (not shown) including a power line and a signal line as terminals. The housing is detachably fixed to the instrument panel of the vehicle by an adapter (not shown) connected to the power line.

  The pointer driving unit 4 is a well-known timepiece mechanism including a speed reduction mechanism including a motor (not shown) and a plurality of gears. The motor is a pseudo command corresponding to a pseudo time corresponding to a command of the time display unit 2b corresponding to a time measured by a known clocking method based on, for example, oscillation of a crystal resonator or a facial expression generated by the facial expression generating unit 2c. Rotated based on

  This speed reduction mechanism decelerates the rotation of the motor and transmits it to the minute hand 3b to rotate it once every hour, and at the same time, decelerates and transmits the rotation of the motor to the hour hand 3a as well. Rotate a minute. The upper part in the upper right diagram in FIG. 1 indicates a reference position where both the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b are located at midnight and noon. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation center C of the communication robot 1 is directed to the rear side of the vehicle and the left and right center of the driver seat and the passenger seat in the default state.

  Each lamp 5 is a lamp arranged on the board surface P as shown in the upper right in FIG. 1, and is a pair of left and right bar lamps 5a, a pair of left and right eye lamps 5b, a pair of left and right smiling lamps 5c, and a mouthpiece. It includes a lamp 5d, an annular lamp 5e, a needle lamp 5f composed of a main part 5fm and a sub-part 5fs, and a circumferential lamp 5g. Each lamp 5 is composed of LEDs that can emit light in a plurality of colors.

  One of the pair of left and right rod-shaped lamps 5a is installed at a position extending 60 degrees from the right to the upper side as viewed from the rotation center C. More specifically, the other is viewed from the rotation center C. In the form extending between the left side and the upper side, more specifically, it is installed at a position of 60 degrees from the upper side to the left side.

  One of the pair of left and right circular eye lamps 5b is installed at a position between the right side and the upper side when viewed from the rotation center C, and the other is positioned at a position between the left side and the upper side when viewed from the rotation center C. Installed. More specifically, in this embodiment, the expression of worry described later is expressed by the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b at a position corresponding to 15:42, so that the outer edge of the circular eye lamp 5b is 15:42. The eye lamp 5b is arranged at a position in contact with the lower edge of each of the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b at a position corresponding to or overlapping with about 1/3 of the diameter of the eye lamp 5b.

  The pair of left and right smiling lamps 5c are arcuately located on the left and right sides of the center of rotation C and above the circular eye lamp 5b and extending in the circumferential direction with reference to the center of the eye lamp 5b. Are arranged to form.

  The circular mouth lamp 5d is disposed below the rotation center C.

  The annular annular lamp 5e is disposed on the board surface P so as to be positioned on the outer peripheral side of the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b.

  The needle lamp 5f is disposed on the front side of both the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b, and extends from the rotation center C side toward the radially outer side, and the main portion 5fm radially outward of the main portion 5fm. And a sub-part 5fs extending in a short length and having a pointed shape at the radially outer end. Only the main portion 5fm is lit on the hour hand 3a, and both the main portion 5fm and the sub portion 5fs are lit on the minute hand 3b.

  Circumferential lamps 5g are installed at equal intervals on the inner peripheral side of the annular lamp 5e at a total of eight locations on the upper, right, lower, left, and intermediate positions in the circumferential direction, with the radially outer side as the apex. It has a triangular shape with the radially inner side as the base.

  The speaker 6 is provided on the side surface or the back surface of the housing described above, and constitutes an utterance unit that utters the content of the notification based on the notification unit 2 d of the communication robot ECU 2.

  The actuator 7 includes a left-right actuator that swings the rotation center C in the left-right direction as viewed from the occupant with the up-down direction as an axis, and a vertical actuator that swings in the up-down direction as viewed from the occupant with the left-right direction as an axis. It is the composition which includes.

  The actuator 7 swings the rotation center C based on the control of the notification means 2d when a voice input is made by the microphone 8, and the panel surface P and the casing are swung vertically to complete the input to the user. Express the reactions associated with reception and welcome and comfort.

  Further, when the content of the notification is, for example, forgetting to attach the seat belt of the passenger seat, the rotation center C is swung and directed toward the passenger seat side, and when the notification is mainly notification to the driver, The center of rotation C is directed to the driver's seat, and in other cases, the center of rotation C is directed to the center in the left-right direction of the driver's seat and the passenger seat.

  The microphone 8 is a well-known microphone provided on the side surface or the back surface of the above-described housing, and enables the user's voice input.

  Next, the relationship between the form of facial expression that can be realized by the communication robot 1 according to the first embodiment and the type of content of notification to be associated will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, facial expressions are first classified into negative facial expressions and positive facial expressions, negative facial expressions are further classified into sad and worried facial expressions, and positive facial expressions are further classified into normal facial expressions and smiling facial expressions. use.

  As shown in FIG. 3, there are warning, caution, standby, welcome, comfort, cancellation, and reception types that the vehicle notifies the user or non-users. Corresponding facial expressions, and worrying facial expressions. A normal expression is used for waiting. Welcome, comfort, cancellation, and reception with a smiling expression.

  When the notification unit 2d of the communication robot ECU 2 acquires each piece of information including vehicle information on the CAN and each piece of information corresponds to the following notification necessary information, it is determined that the notification is necessary.

  The information necessary for notification is as follows. The information required for notification is, for example, information acquired on the CAN from the EPS ECU 12, the brake ECU 11, the engine ECU 10, and the body ECU 13. The smart entry in which power steering or brake abnormality occurs, that is, failure information indicating vehicle failure, and fuel is reduced. Includes state change information such as key changes, forgetting to turn off the hazard lamp, forgetting to turn off the hazard lamp, forgetting to turn off the room lamp, forgetting to close the window, etc. .

  Further, the notification necessary information includes standby information indicating that the communication robot ECU 2 on the vehicle side is waiting for an input by the voice input means such as the microphone 8 corresponding to the utterance by the utterance means such as the speaker 6, a failure or a state change. When the forgotten operation or erroneous operation is resolved, the smart entry key is returned, and the result of the system check when the ignition key is turned on is included.

  In addition, notification-required information includes welcome information when a user who has a smart entry key gets in, comfort information when notifying today's mileage, average fuel consumption, etc. just before the end of driving just before turning off the ignition key When the input by the voice input means is actually made, the input completion information by the destination setting when the microphone 8 is used for the voice input of the car navigation system is also included.

  FIG. 4 shows the facial expressions used in the first embodiment. The leftmost part of FIG. 4 shows a sad expression, referred to herein as an “Acha” face. The facial expression generating means 2c stops the time display means 2b from outputting a signal corresponding to the time measured by the time measuring means 2a to the pointer driving unit 4, and is 8:19 for the pointer driving unit 4, for example. A pseudo signal of pseudo time is output, and the relative position of the minute hand 3b and the hour hand 3a is controlled. Furthermore, the facial expression generating means 2c lights only the main part 5fm, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e among the lamps 5 in the bar-shaped lamp 5a and the needle lamp 5f.

  In FIG. 4, the second from the left shows an anxious expression. The facial expression generating means 2c stops the time display means 2b from outputting a signal corresponding to the time counted by the time measuring means 2a to the pointer driving section 4, and is 15:42 for the pointer driving section 4, for example. A pseudo signal of pseudo time is output, and the relative position of the minute hand 3b and the hour hand 3a is controlled. Furthermore, the facial expression generating means 2c turns on only the main portion 5fm, the eye lamp 5b, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e among the lamp lamps 5f.

  The relative angle formed on the lower side by the minute hand 3b and hour hand 3a based on the former pseudo time of 8:19 is lower on the lower side by the minute hand 3b and hour hand 3a based on the latter pseudo time of 15:42. If the minute hand 3b and the hour hand 3a are both in a symmetrical relative position, the pseudo time may be another time.

  In FIG. 4, the second from the right shows a normal expression. The facial expression generating means 2c stops the time display means 2b from outputting a signal corresponding to the time counted by the time measuring means 2a to the pointer driving section 4, and the pseudo expression driving section 4 is simulated, for example, at 0:00. A pseudo signal of the time is output, the positions of the minute hand 3b and the hour hand 3a in the circumferential direction are matched and moved so as to be directed upward, and both are stored at inconspicuous positions. Furthermore, the facial expression generation means 2c lights only the eye lamp 5b, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e among the lamps 5 in green.

  In FIG. 4, the rightmost side shows a smiling expression. The facial expression generating means 2c stops the time display means 2b from outputting a signal corresponding to the time measured by the time measuring means 2a to the pointer driving unit 4, and is 0:00 for the pointer driving unit 4, for example. A pseudo signal of the pseudo time is output, and the positions of the minute hand 3b and the hour hand 3a in the circumferential direction are made coincident with each other and moved upward, and both are stored in an inconspicuous position. Further, the facial expression generating means 2c lights only the smiling lamp 5c, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e among the respective lamps 5 in blue.

  When no facial expression is generated, the communication robot 1 functions as a simple clock. In this case, for example, the display form shown in FIG. 5 is taken. In other words, the minute hand 3b and the hour hand 3a are controlled based on the time display means 2b outputting a signal corresponding to the time measured by the time measuring means 2a to the pointer driving unit 4, and the main portion 5fm of the hand lamp 5f of the hour hand 3a. Then, the main portion 5fm and the sub portion 5fs of the minute hand 3b are lit in blue by the clock display means 2b, and those located on the upper, lower, left and right of the circumferential lamp 5g are lit in white.

  In the four types of facial expressions described above, the corresponding notification contents are uttered by voice based on the control of the speaker 6 of the notification means 2d, and the period during which the voice is spoken is determined based on the control of the expression generation means 2c. The mouth lamp 5d flashes in any facial expression.

  Hereinafter, the control contents of the communication robot ECU 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the communication robot 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a subroutine showing in detail the specific processing contents of step S5 of FIG.

  In step S1 of FIG. 6, the time measuring means 2a of the communication robot ECU 2 measures the time by the known method described above. Subsequently, in step S2, the notification unit 2d of the communication robot ECU 2 acquires each piece of information including vehicle information from the CAN. In step S3, the notification unit 2d notifies each piece of information described above from the code information included in each piece of information. It is determined whether it corresponds to necessary information and notification is necessary. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S4, the notification means 2d determines whether the type of the notification content is warning, caution, standby, welcome, comfort, cancellation, or reception, and selects a facial expression corresponding to the type in step S5, The facial expression generation means 2c generates a facial expression with the pointer 3, and performs notification based on the facial expression.

  Step S5 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 7, in step S501, the facial expression generation means 2c determines whether or not the type of notification is a warning. If yes, the process proceeds to step S506, and if not, the process proceeds to step 502.

  In step S502, the facial expression generation unit 2c determines whether or not the type of notification is caution. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S511, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, the facial expression generation means 2c determines whether or not the type of notification content is standby. If yes, the process proceeds to step S516. If negative, the process proceeds to step S504, and the notification type is welcome. It is determined that it is cancellation, comfort, and reception, and the process proceeds to step S521.

  In step S506, the facial expression generation means 2c selects the leftmost “Acher” face in FIG. 4 which is a sad expression corresponding to the warning. In step S507, the facial expression generation means 2c points to the 8:19 pseudo-command. In step S508, the rod-shaped lamp 5a, the mouth lamp 5d, the annular lamp 5e, and the main portion 5fm of the needle lamp 5f are lit red, and the eye lamp 5b, the upper lamp 5g, and the smile lamp 5c. The sub portion 5fs of the needle lamp 5f is turned off.

  In step S509, the notification unit 2d controls the actuator 7 to direct the center of rotation C toward the driver's seat, and in step S510, the speaker 6 speaks the content of the notification and blinks the mouth lamp 5d.

  In step S511, the facial expression generation means 2c selects the second facial expression from the left in FIG. 4, which is a worrying facial expression associated with attention. In step S512, the facial expression generating means 2c outputs a pseudo command of 15:42 to the pointer driving unit 4, and in step S513, the main part 5fm of the eye lamp 5b, the mouth lamp 5d, the annular lamp 5e, and the needle lamp 5f. Is turned on in yellow, and the rod-shaped lamp 5a, the peripheral lamp 5g, the smiling lamp 5c, and the sub-part 5fs of the needle lamp 5f are turned off.

  In step S514, the notification means 2d controls the actuator 7 so that the center of rotation C is directed to the driver seat or the passenger seat, and in step S515, the content of the notification is uttered by the speaker 6 and at the same time the mouth lamp 5d is blinked. .

  In step S509, the notification unit 2d controls the actuator 7 to direct the center of rotation C toward the driver's seat, and in step S510, the speaker 6 speaks the content of the notification and blinks the mouth lamp 5d.

  In step S516, the facial expression generation means 2c selects the second facial expression from the right in FIG. 4, which is an ordinary facial expression corresponding to standby. In step S517, the facial expression generating means 2c outputs a 0:00 pseudo instruction to the pointer driving unit 4, and in step S518, the eye lamp 5b, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e are lit in green, and the bar lamp 5a. The main part 5fm and the sub part 5fs of the smiling lamp 5c, the peripheral lamp 5g, and the needle lamp 5f are turned off.

  In step S519, the notification means 2d controls the actuator 7 to direct the rotation center C toward the driver's seat, and in step S520, the speaker 6 speaks the content of the notification, and at the same time blinks the mouth lamp 5d.

  In step S521, the facial expression generation means 2c selects the rightmost facial expression in FIG. 4, which is a smiling facial expression corresponding to welcome, comfort, cancellation, and reception. In step S522, the facial expression generating means 2c outputs a 0:00 pseudo instruction to the pointer driving unit 4, and in step S523, the smiling lamp 5c, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e are lit in blue, and the bar lamp 5a. The main lamp 5fm and the sub lamp 5fs of the eye lamp 5b, the peripheral lamp 5g, and the needle lamp 5f are turned off.

  In step S524, the notification unit 2d controls the actuator 7 to direct the center of rotation C toward the driver's seat. In step S525, the speaker 6 speaks the content of the notification and simultaneously blinks the mouth lamp 5d.

  By executing the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 described above, each of the time display step, the expression generation step, and the notification step of the notification method according to the present invention is executed.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained. That is, according to the type of the notification content described above, the notification content can be transmitted to the user with the facial expression generated using the pointer 3 and the coloring emission corresponding to the type. The user-friendliness of the communication robot 1 that is more friendly and playful to the user can be realized.

  In addition, the generated facial expression is associated with the type, and the type of notification content is a facial expression that is easy for the user to associate. Therefore, before the user knows the specific content of the notification content, a rough type is selected. It can be easily sensed and more detailed content can be urged to be recognized by a specific indicator on the meter panel, for example.

  Also, among the facial expressions corresponding to the types, sadness expressions, worried expressions, and normal expressions can be expressed only with the movement of the pointer 3, so that the familiarity and playfulness described above can be achieved. A facial expression corresponding to the type of the content of the notification can be generated without any special hardware change based only on the control change.

  In other words, it is not a robot with an advanced facial expression generation function, it is a somewhat simple hardware configuration and a well-known and essential watch is used to generate facial expressions, so that notification based on facial expression generation can be performed, User friendliness can be improved while suppressing an increase in cost.

  Further, the distinction between the normal expression and the smile expression can be easily generated by providing the smile lamp 5c in advance using a simple LED, and therefore more variations in expression based on simpler hardware changes. Can be increased.

  In addition, the communication robot 1 of the first embodiment functions as a normal watch when there is no need for notification, and is not meaningful when there is no need for notification as in the prior art. Thus, the user does not give the user a feeling of redundancy, and the appearance of a normal watch is maintained.

  From this, the communication robot 1 of the present Example 1 can obtain the advantageous effect that it does not give the user a sense of incongruity. In addition, since the facial expression can be generated using an analog pointer-type watch, the existing friendly watch form is intentionally left, giving the user a sense of familiarity and enhancing the humanity of the device itself Can do.

  Note that the above-mentioned combinations are only examples for the colors emitted by the respective lamps selected according to the facial expression, but generally red indicates a warning, yellow indicates a caution, and green or blue indicates the other. For this reason, this embodiment is based on this.

  The types of notification contents described in the first embodiment described above are merely exemplary. For example, alerts associated with approaches other than the user, or system check results immediately after a user having a smart entry key boarded Notification when it is good, notification of fuel efficiency based on the user's selection, and route guidance after route search can also be included. The second embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of the communication robot 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a warning expression in the communication robot 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a warning expression in the communication robot 1 of the second embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display form in the eco mode of the communication robot 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display form in the route guidance mode of the communication robot 1 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the communication robot 1 of the second embodiment is obtained by adding a select switch 9 to the one shown in FIG. Since the only difference in configuration is that the select switch 9 is included, only the difference will be described and redundant description will be omitted.

  The select switch 9 is a switch that enables selection of the eco mode and the route search mode, and constitutes a selection means, which is also provided on the side surface or the back surface of the housing.

  The notification means 2d of the communication robot ECU 2 of the second embodiment is based on information including the approach of the user who possesses the smart entry key acquired from the body ECU 13 and the boarding or getting off and leaving the vehicle. It is determined whether or not there is.

  When the notification means 2d is in the key lock state, it shifts to the security mode, and the facial expression generation means 2c generates the warning expression by setting the content of the notification to be warning, and when it shifts to the key unlock state. Exits the security mode.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a warning expression. The facial expression generating means 2c stops the time display means 2b from outputting a signal corresponding to the time counted by the time measuring means 2a to the pointer driving section 4, and the pseudo expression driving section 4 is simulated, for example, at 0:00. A pseudo signal of the time is output, and the circumferential positions of the minute hand 3b and the hour hand 3a are overlapped and moved so as to be directed upward, and both are stored in an inconspicuous position.

  Furthermore, the facial expression generating means 2c blinks only the rod-shaped lamp 5a, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e among the lamps 5 in red. At the same time, the notification means 2d controls the actuator 7 to direct the central axis C toward the front of the vehicle as shown in FIG.

  When the eco mode is selected by the select switch 9, the notification means 2d responds to the fuel efficiency of the color emitted by the annular lamp 5e and the color emitted by the needle lamp 5f while continuing the clock display by the hands 3. Let me change it. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is yellow when it is bad, blue when it is normal, and green when it is good. In the eco mode, green is the most eco-conscious color and is set to a better state than blue.

  When the route guidance mode is selected by the select switch 9, the notifying means 2d generates the second normal facial expression from the right in FIG. When the user utters the content for inputting the destination using the microphone 8 and then the user inputs the destination by voice, the rightmost smile display in FIG. 4 is displayed and the voice input content is notified to the car navigation ECU 14.

  After calculating the position of the vehicle based on triangulation and autonomous navigation, the car navigation ECU 14 searches for a route to the destination by a well-known search method, and the communication robot ECU 2 determines the searched route and the current position of the vehicle. Notice.

  When an intersection where a user runs the vehicle and then turns right, for example, is located forward, the notification means 2d sets the direction of the vehicle in front of the intersection in the first direction and the direction of the vehicle in front of the intersection. Set as two-way.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the notification means 2d outputs an appropriate pseudo signal to the pointer drive unit 4 so that the minute hand 3b is aligned in the first direction and the hour hand 3a is aligned in the second direction. The peripheral lamp 5g positioned in the first direction is lit in white, and the peripheral lamp 5g or the mouth lamp 5d matching the second direction is lit in white, and the user is guided by the so-called TbyT display.

  Hereinafter, the control contents of the communication robot ECU 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the following flowchart. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the communication robot ECU 2 of the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a subroutine showing in detail the specific processing contents of step S02 of FIG.

  In step S01 shown in FIG. 13, the notification means 2d determines whether or not the vehicle is in the key lock state based on the information acquired from the CAN. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S02, and the determination is negative. If so, the process proceeds to step S1.

  In step S02, the notification unit 2d sets the type of notification to warning, and the facial expression generation unit 2c generates the warning facial expression shown in FIGS. In step S03, the notification unit 2d determines whether or not the vehicle has shifted to the key unlock state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1, and if the determination is negative, the notification means 2d returns to the position before step S02.

  More specifically, as shown in step S021 of FIG. 14, the notification unit 2d selects a warning expression as the mode is shifted to the security mode, and in step S022, the expression generation unit 2c outputs a pseudo command of 0:00. As shown in step S023, the rod-shaped lamp 5a, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e are blinked in red, and the other lamps 5 are turned off. In step S024, the rotation center C is controlled based on the control of the actuator 7. Point forward.

  In step S1 of FIG. 13, the time measuring means 2a of the communication robot ECU 2 measures the time by the known method described above. Subsequently, in step S2, the notification unit 2d of the communication robot ECU 2 acquires each piece of information including vehicle information from the CAN. In step S7, the notification unit 2d determines whether or not the route guidance mode is selected by the select switch 9, and proceeds to step S11 if affirmative, or proceeds to step S8 if negative.

  In step S8, the notification unit 2d determines whether or not the eco mode is selected by the select switch 9. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S19, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the notification unit 2d determines whether each information corresponds to the above-described notification necessary information and notification is necessary from the code information included in each information, and proceeds to step S4 if the determination is affirmative. If so, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S4, the notification means 2d determines whether the type of notification content is warning, attention, standby, welcome, comfort, cancellation, or reception, and selects a facial expression corresponding to the type in step S5. The facial expression generation means 2c generates an facial expression with the pointer 3, and performs notification based on the facial expression. The details of step S5 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  In step S9, the time display means 2b displays the time by the hands 3, and in step S10, the color emitted by the annular lamp 5e is selected in accordance with the fuel efficiency, and the fuel efficiency is displayed.

  In step S11, the notification unit 2d sets the first direction and the second direction based on the searched route acquired from the car navigation ECU 14 and the current position of the vehicle, and sets the minute hand 3b to the first direction and the second hand 3a to the second direction. The corresponding peripheral lamp 5g or mouth lamp 5d is turned on in the direction.

  According to the communication robot 1 of the second embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained in addition to those described in the first embodiment. That is, the communication robot 1 can be provided with a warning expression in the security mode described above, and can be provided with a warning function and a watchdog function. Accordingly, it is possible to more effectively prevent an approach other than the user from approaching.

  Here, the warning function and the watchdog function are those that show a sense of vigilance to a person other than the user when approaching the vehicle, prevent excessive access in advance, and prevent damages such as theft and damage to the equipment in advance. It is.

  In the second embodiment described above, the bar lamp 5a is used for generating the warning expression, but the pointer 3 can be used as a matter of course. The third embodiment will be described below.

  The hardware configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 8 of the second embodiment, and the difference is only one step in the flowchart. Therefore, redundant description is omitted.

  In step S02 of FIG. 13, the subroutine of FIG. 15 is used instead of FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, after the notification means 2d selects a warning expression in step S0211, in step S0212 the expression generation means 2c gives a pseudo command of a pseudo time of 10:09 to the pointer drive unit 4. Output.

  Furthermore, in step S213, only the main portion 5fm of the needle lamp 5f, the mouth lamp 5d, and the annular lamp 5e flash red, and the other lamps are turned off. In step S0214, the rotation center C is directed forward of the vehicle.

  At the same time, the notifying means 2d outputs a pseudo command to be output to the pointer driving unit 4 when an approach other than the user is detected by, for example, a door knob operation detection signal from the body ECU 13, based on a pseudo time such as 11:05. The pseudo command is changed so that the angle above the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b is small and forms an acute angle.

  According to the third embodiment, the watchdog function after shifting to the security mode can be further enhanced. In other words, since the angle formed by the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b can be freely set, after the transition to the security mode, when a person other than the user approaches and touches the door knob, the upper hand formed by the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b The angle can be further sharpened to increase the degree of vigilance.

  In the third embodiment described above, whether the fuel efficiency is good or not in the eco mode is expressed by the color emitted by the annular lamp 5e. However, it can be expressed by the expression generated by the expression generation means 2c of the communication robot ECU 2. Hereinafter, Example 4 will be described.

  The hardware configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, and the only difference is the step in the eco mode of the flowchart. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the control contents of the communication robot 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 16 is obtained by deleting step S9 after the affirmation of step S8 and replacing step S10 with step S10-1 in the configuration shown in FIG. That is, as shown in step S10-1, the facial expression generating means 2c selects an facial expression as shown in FIG. Here, as for the color to emit light, the normal color is blue and the fuel efficiency is green.

  In this case, the specific processing contents in step S10-1 are as follows. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment, the attention is replaced with bad fuel consumption and the standby is replaced with normal fuel consumption unless the type is warning. , Welcome, comfort, cancellation, reception is similar to replacing fuel economy with good. That is, a subroutine as shown in steps S1001 to S1014 in FIG. 18 is used.

  In the fourth embodiment, compared with the second embodiment, the user can be more easily informed of the quality of fuel consumption in the eco mode. In the fourth embodiment, since the clock function cannot be used in the eco mode, the fourth and second embodiments can be appropriately selected by the above-described select switch 9.

  In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the communication robot ECU 2 performs control, and the configuration in which the communication robot ECU 2 is provided inside the casing that supports the clock face P of the watch is shown. It is also possible to use a configuration in which the control function is not provided inside the housing. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the control body can be the meter ECU 2.

  In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the connector (not shown) described in the first embodiment is indicated by a white circle in FIG. 19, the meter ECU 2 and the pointer drive unit 4, each lamp 5, the speaker 6, the microphone 8, the actuator 7, and the select. It is replaced with one having a connection line with the switch 9 as a terminal. In this embodiment, the housing can be made smaller, and the portion of the communication robot 1 located outside the instrument panel can be downsized.

  In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the method for driving the pointer 3 is a so-called driven type in which the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b are driven in conjunction with one motor, but as shown in FIG. The hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b may be independently driven so as to be independently driven by two motors.

  According to the sixth embodiment, the transition time accompanying the movement of the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b, which occurs between the time display by the time display unit 2b and the generation of the facial expression by the facial expression generation unit 2c, can be further shortened. , Control responsiveness can be enhanced.

  Further, as shown in the third embodiment, when a warning expression is generated by the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b, and a person other than the user approaches and touches the door knob, the hour hand constituting the warning expression In the case where the upper angle formed by 3a and the minute hand 3b is further acute, if it is a driven type, the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b are continuously symmetrical in the transition region between before and after the change. Difficult to do.

  However, in the case of the independent drive type of the sixth embodiment, a pseudo-time pseudo signal is output to the hour hand 3a, and a pseudo-minute pseudo signal is output to the minute hand 3b, thereby achieving left-right symmetry. While maintaining, the angle of the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b can be continuously changed, and an operation mode that looks as if the human eyebrows are continuously moving can be realized in a simulated manner.

  Furthermore, it is possible to further easily set the mutual positional relationship between the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b, such as between the sad expression and the worry expression shown in the first embodiment, to some extent.

  Moreover, in Examples 1-6 mentioned above, although the mechanical type | mold timepiece was used, as shown in FIG. 21, this is replaced with the timepiece on a screen display, and the pointer | guide 3 and each lamp | ramp 5 are liquid crystal type or plasma, for example. The communication robot ECU 2 may include the pointer driving unit 2e based on an image displayed on the display-type display 20.

  Also in the seventh embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment, the transition time accompanying the movement of the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b, which occurs between the time display by the time display means 2b and the generation of the facial expression by the facial expression generation means 2c, is obtained. It can be made shorter, and the whole apparatus can be simplified.

  Further, as shown in the third embodiment, when a warning expression is generated by the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b, and a person other than the user approaches and touches the door knob, the hour hand constituting the warning expression In the case where the upper angle formed by 3a and the minute hand 3b is made to be an acute angle, if it is of the display type of the seventh embodiment, the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b are independently operated by image processing, and left-right symmetry is maintained. The angle of the hour hand 3a and the minute hand 3b is continuously changed, and this can also simulate the manner in which the human eyebrows move continuously as in the sixth embodiment.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions are made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. be able to.

  The present invention relates to a notification device, a notification method, a program, and a medium, and realizes and provides high user friendliness without incurring inconvenience of giving users a sense of redundancy in response to diversified market needs. it can. Therefore, the present invention is useful when applied to a wide range of equipment and facilities such as industrial equipment, construction equipment, and facilities as well as various vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, and buses.

1 Communication robot 2 Communication robot ECU
2a Timekeeping means 2b Time display means 2c Facial expression generation means 2d Notification means (2e Pointer drive unit)
3 Pointer 3a Hour hand 3b Minute hand 4 Pointer drive unit 5 Each lamp 5a Bar lamp 5b Eye lamp 5c Smile lamp 5d Mouth lamp 5e Ring lamp 5f Needle lamp 5fm Main part 5fs Sub-part 5g Circumference lamp means 6
7 Actuator (drive mechanism)
8 Microphone (voice input means)
9 Select switch (selection means)
10 Engine ECU
11 Brake ECU
12 EPSECU
13 Body ECU
14 Navigation ECU
20 display

Claims (29)

  In the case where notification is required, including time measuring means for measuring time, time display means for displaying the time by a pointer, and facial expression generating means for generating a facial expression using the pointer as at least a part of a facial expression component, An informing device comprising: informing means for informing based on generation of the facial expression corresponding to a type of content of the informing by the expression generating means.   2. The expression according to claim 1, wherein the expression generating unit generates the expression based on a relative position between one needle and the other needle in an arbitrary combination among the plurality of needles constituting the pointer. Notification device.   The expression generating means sets the reference position of the pointer at midnight or noon to the upper side, positions the one needle between the right side and the lower side of the rotation center of the needle, and sets the other needle to the rotation center. The informing device according to claim 2, wherein a negative facial expression is generated among the facial expressions by being positioned between the left side and the lower side.   The negative facial expression includes both a worried facial expression and a sad facial expression, and the facial expression generating means determines the downward angle formed by the one needle and the other needle when generating the anxious facial expression as the sad facial expression. The notification device according to claim 3, wherein the notification device is set to be larger than an angle on a lower side formed by the one needle and the other needle in the case of generation.   A pair of rod-shaped lamps extending between the right and upper or the left and upper from the rotation center, and the facial expression generating means lights both the pair of rod-shaped lamps when generating the sad expression The notification device according to claim 4.   A pair of eye lamps positioned between the right side and the lower side of the rotation center or between the left side and the lower side, and the facial expression generating means turns on the pair of eye lamps when generating the concerned facial expression The notification device according to claim 5, wherein:   The facial expression generation means is configured to place one of the needles between the right side and the upper side of the rotation center and to place the other needle between the left side and the upper side of the rotation center, so The notification apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a facial expression is generated.   The notification apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the facial expression generation unit decreases a relative angle between the one needle and the other needle in accordance with an increase in the degree of vigilance.   The notification according to claim 6, wherein the facial expression generation means generates a warning facial expression or a positive facial expression among the facial expressions by matching the circumferential positions of the one needle and the other needle. apparatus.   The notification apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the facial expression generation unit generates the warning facial expression by lighting the pair of rod-shaped members.   The notification apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the facial expression generation unit generates a normal facial expression among the positive facial expressions by turning on the pair of eye lamps.   The facial expression generator includes a smile lamp positioned to the right and left of the center of rotation, and the facial expression generating means generates a smile facial expression among the positive facial expressions by turning on the smile lamp. Item 10. The notification device according to Item 9.   8. The mouth lamp located below the rotation center and speech means, wherein the notification means speaks the content of the notification by the speech means and blinks the mouth lamp. The notification apparatus as described in any one of -12.   14. The notification apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the facial expression generation means turns on the mouth lamp when the notification means does not cause the utterance means to utter the content of the notification.   An annular lamp located on the outer peripheral side of the one needle and the other needle, the annular lamp can emit light in a color corresponding to the type of facial expression, and the facial expression generating means emits light from the annular lamp The notification device according to claim 14, wherein a color is selected according to a type of the facial expression.   The one needle and the other needle include a needle lamp, and the needle lamp, the pair of rod-shaped lamps, the pair of eye lamps, the pair of smile lamps, and the mouth lamp all have the facial expression. 16. The notification device according to claim 15, wherein the notification device can emit light in a color corresponding to a type, and the facial expression generation unit selects the color to be emitted according to the type of the facial expression.   The notification according to claim 16, wherein when the type of expression is vigilance, the expression generation means blinks the needle lamp or the pair of rod-shaped lamps, the mouth lamp, and the annular lamp. apparatus.   A drive mechanism that allows the pointing direction of the center of rotation to rotate about a vertical axis, and when the facial expression is the warning expression, the driving mechanism sets the directing direction to the front or side of the vehicle. When the facial expression is other than the warning facial expression, the direction of the vehicle is changed appropriately between the driver seat and the passenger seat of the vehicle or in the directions directed to the driver seat or the passenger seat according to the content of the notification. The notification device according to claim 17.   The drive mechanism is capable of rotating the directing direction of the rotation center about a left-right direction axis, and swings the rotation center about the left-right direction axis when the facial expression is the smile expression. The notification device according to claim 18.   The notification device according to claim 19, wherein the notification means associates the content type of the notification with the expression type.   The type of the content of the notification includes voice input means corresponding to a warning associated with a failure of the vehicle, a change in the state of the vehicle, attention due to a forgotten operation or an erroneous operation, and speech input in response to a speech by the speech means Waiting for input by means, welcome accompanying the user's approach to the vehicle and comfort accompanying the user's end of driving or failure or change of state, forgotten operation or erroneous operation, or accepting input by the voice input means, The notification device according to claim 20, comprising at least one of alerts associated with an approach other than the user to the vehicle.   The notification means includes the sad expression for the warning, the worry expression for the caution, the normal expression for the standby or the normal expression, and the smile for the welcome or the comfort or the cancellation or the reception. The notifying device according to claim 21, wherein the alert expression is associated with the alert expression.   Selection means for enabling selection of an eco-mode for notifying whether or not the fuel efficiency is good according to the color emitted by the annular lamp, and when the eco-mode is selected by the selection means, the notifying means The notification device according to claim 22, wherein a color emitted by the annular lamp corresponding to the lamp is selected.   The notification device according to claim 23, wherein the notification means causes the needle lamp to emit light in a color that matches a color emitted by the annular lamp.   A route guidance mode for guiding a route is selectable by the selection means, and includes a circumferential lamp installed at predetermined intervals on the inner circumference side of the annular lamp, and the route guidance is performed by the selection means. When the mode is selected, the notifying means directs the one needle in the first direction of the route after passing the intersection and directs the other needle in the second direction of the route before passing the intersection. The notification device according to claim 24, wherein the circumferential lamp is turned on at a position corresponding to each of the first direction and the second direction.   The length in the radial direction of the rotation center of the needle lamp is common among a plurality of needles constituting the pointer, and the length in the radial direction of the light emitting portion of the needle lamp is set according to the corresponding needle. The notification device according to claim 25, wherein the notification device is adjustable.   A time measuring step for measuring time, a time displaying step for displaying the time by a pointer, and a facial expression generating step for generating a facial expression using the pointer as at least a part of a facial expression component. A notification method comprising the notification step of performing the notification based on the generation of the facial expression corresponding to the type of content of the notification by the facial expression generation step.   The program which makes a computer perform the alerting | reporting method of Claim 27.   A medium storing the program according to claim 28.

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