JP2013082457A - Meter for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter for a vehicle which improves handleability of an auditory information providing means and is excellent in convenience.SOLUTION: The meter for a vehicle includes a display part 101 for displaying various pieces of vehicle information, a control means 202 having a customizing mode for registering various kinds of settings of specifications related to various kinds of warning sounds, and a second storage means 204 (storage means) for registering the contents of various kinds of the settings. An item for selecting the tone of various kinds of the warning sound is included in the contents of various kinds of settings. The control means 202, when it is shifted to the customizing mode, makes the display part 101 (other initial screen 320 in the customizing mode) display a screen for selecting the repeated pitch of the warning sound, whether the warning sound is rung with monotone or chord or whether echo is applied to the warning sound or not and when selection of [using long pitch, chord and echo] is carried out, the set contents of [using long pitch, chord and echo] is registered in a tone 1 area (region R6) corresponding to a discrimination code ID1 of the second storage means 204.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular information providing apparatus (vehicle meter) that provides various information to a user using auditory information, and in particular, a vehicular information providing apparatus (vehicle) that can customize the aural information according to user preferences. Meter).

  Conventionally, as this type of vehicle information providing device, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The vehicle information providing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has display means (visual information providing means) and audio output means (auditory information output means), and the display means has travel distance values and voltage values as visual information. Normal information such as time and predetermined alarm information are displayed, and the audio output means is configured to output audio information as urgent information or information that may be misunderstood as visual information. It also describes providing specific alarm information that overlaps in content through both means.

JP-A-9-66783

The vehicle information providing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above provides various types of information to the user by combining visual information and auditory information, and improves the user-friendliness. Regarding information, since the user's auditory characteristics and preferences differ from person to person, customization of the sound generating means for emitting the auditory information is desired, and auditory information, which is vehicle information, is issued along with this customization. There is a demand for an information providing apparatus for a vehicle that improves the usability of the audio output means and is excellent in convenience.
Focusing on the above-mentioned problems of the present invention, in a vehicle information providing device (vehicle meter) provided with an aural information providing means that is expected to be mounted on a vehicle in the future, an aural including at least vehicle information An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle information providing apparatus (vehicle meter) that realizes customization of the auditory information providing means that emits information, improves the usability of the auditory information providing means, and is excellent in convenience.

  The present invention registers a display unit for displaying various vehicle information to a user, and various settings of specifications relating to the various alarm sounds of an auditory information providing means for providing the user with various alarm sounds including at least vehicle information. In the vehicle meter, comprising: a control means having a customization mode to perform; an input means for determining the contents of the various settings in the customization mode; and a storage means for registering the contents of the various settings. The item includes an item for selecting a tone color of the various alarm sounds, and when the control unit shifts to the customization mode, the display unit displays the dedicated screen display of the customization mode from the various vehicle information displays. And the display unit displays a selection candidate indicating a candidate related to the timbre and an initial setting value, and the user The selection candidate of one alarm sound is selected from the various alarm sounds using the input means, and the selection candidate of the one alarm sound selected by the user is selected from the initial setting value. The selection candidate is switched and displayed in real time through the auditory information providing means, and the selection candidate selected by the user is stored in an area provided corresponding to the one alarm sound of the storage means. It is characterized by making it.

  In the present invention, the display unit that can display the contents of the various settings includes a preview display that is set to cause the selection candidate selected by the user to be recognized in advance through the auditory information providing unit. It is characterized by becoming.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the contents of the various settings are registered in the storage means in a state in which the identification information by the occupant identifying means for identifying the user is associated with the contents of the various settings. And

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the selection display is indicated by underline switching of the selection candidates displayed on the display unit.

  In the vehicle information providing apparatus (vehicle meter) using the auditory information providing means, the auditory information providing means can be customized and registered according to the user's auditory characteristics and preferences. The convenience of the vehicle information providing device (vehicle meter) can be improved in response to the demands of users having characteristics and preferences.

1 is an overview of a vehicle information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the information provision device for vehicles by the embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the customization mode by the embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the memory | storage state of the customization mode by the embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the other customization mode by the embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the memory | storage state of the other customization mode by the embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the other customization mode by the embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the memory | storage state of the other customization mode by the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an overview of an example of a vehicular information providing apparatus. A vehicular information providing apparatus 100 includes a display unit (display means) 101 serving as visual information providing means for displaying various information, and an engine speed. The tachometer 102 for instructing in analogy, the fuel meter 103 for instructing in-tank fuel quantity in analog, and the thermometer 104 for analogly displaying the temperature of engine cooling water.

  The display unit 101 uses an electronic display panel made up of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) such as a TFT, for example, and includes various sensors (not shown) such as vehicle speed and travel distance in addition to visual information (visual alarms) related to various alarms described later. Various types of visual information are displayed in accordance with detection information from the camera and state information from a switch (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the vehicle information providing apparatus 100 of FIG. The configuration includes a setting unit (customization mode setting terminal) 210 for shifting the vehicle information providing apparatus 100 to the customization mode, and an input unit (input terminal) for setting or selecting various setting contents when the customization mode is executed. ) 211, vehicle information terminal 212 for inputting / outputting vehicle information, multiplex communication input / output terminal (multiplex communication input / output means) 213, vehicle interface (I / F) means 201, and control of the vehicle information providing apparatus 100. For example, the control unit 202 configured by a microcomputer, the first storage unit 203 configured by a ROM or the like in which a processing program of the control unit 202 is stored, and various settings set by the input unit 211 are set for each occupant (user). Storage means (storage means) comprising a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM which can be registered in 04, the above-described display unit 101 for visually displaying various information, display unit 101 display control and various analog type instrument (pointer type instrument) 102, 103, 104 drive control unit, Auditory information providing means 240 for notifying information audibly.

  The auditory information providing unit 240 includes a mixing unit 241 that mixes various alarm sounds, an amplifier 242 that amplifies an output signal from the mixing unit 241, and a speaker 243 that outputs an amplified signal from the amplifier 242. The various states of the vehicle including information related to various alarms to be described later are audibly notified. In the present embodiment, the speaker 243 constitutes a part of the auditory information providing unit 240. However, for example, an audio speaker described later can also be applied.

  In addition, the vehicle information providing apparatus 100 detects an obstacle when the vehicle is placed in a garage or in parallel parking, for example, the transmitter 221 and the receiver 222 of the keyless entry device 220, which is an occupant identification means, and the audio 223. An obstacle alarm device including a corner sensor device 224 and a back sonar device 225 for notification is connected via a multiplex communication line 230. Note that the control means 202 can output an instruction signal for instructing the sound volume to the audio 223 via the multiplex communication input / output terminal 213 and the multiplex communication line 230.

  Next, the customization mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 3 (a), 4 (a) and 5 (a) show the contents of various settings displayed on the display unit 101 when the vehicle information providing apparatus 100 is shifted to the customization mode. FIGS. 3B, 4B, and 5B show registration states of various setting contents registered in the customization mode in the second storage unit 204. FIG. In addition, the underline location in each figure of Fig.3 (a), FIG.4 (a), and Fig.5 (a) has shown the initial setting value.

  The user of the vehicle gives an instruction to the control means 202 to operate the customization mode setting terminal 210 from the outside to shift to the customization mode that the control means 202 has in advance. Specifically, the control unit 202 can recognize the terminal by changing the terminal at which the normal potential of the customization mode setting terminal 210 is at “high” level to “low” level by a predetermined operation such as a switch. When the control unit 202 shifts to the customization mode, the control unit 202 executes processing for switching the display unit 101 from the normal display to the initial screen display (initial screen 300) in the customization mode shown in FIG.

  The initial screen 300 is a screen on which the user selects the frequency of each auditory information (sounding frequency by the speaker 243) via the input unit 211. Here, in FIG. 3A, reference numeral 1 denotes a screen for selecting the frequency of the reverse alarm sound that is notified when the user has operated the selector lever of the automatic transmission in the reverse direction. For example, if the user selects the initial setting value from 800 Hz to 700 Hz, the control unit 202 specifies the identification code (identification information) of the user who uses the vehicle via the keyless entry device 220. (Here, ID1 is obtained as the identification code), and the setting contents are stored in the area associated with the identification code ID1 of the second storage means 204. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, 700 Hz which is the setting content is registered in the frequency 1 area (region R1) corresponding to the identification code ID1. At the same time, the control means 202 performs control so that the underline selected and displayed at 800 Hz on the initial screen 300 is switched to 700 Hz, thereby omitting the illustration, but selecting and displaying 700 Hz instead of 800 Hz. Will do.

  In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 2 denotes a selection screen for the frequency of an alarm sound that is generated based on an alarm instruction from the corner sensor device 224. For example, if the user selects the initial setting value from 4000 Hz to 2000 Hz, the control unit 202 specifies the identification code (identification information) of the user who uses the vehicle via the keyless entry device 220. (Here, ID1 is obtained as the identification code), and the setting contents are stored in the area associated with the identification code ID1 of the second storage means 204. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, 2000 Hz which is the setting content is registered in the frequency 2 area (region R2) corresponding to the identification code ID1. At the same time, the control unit 202 performs control so that the underline selected and displayed at 4000 Hz on the initial screen 300 is switched to 2000 Hz, thereby omitting the illustration, but selecting and displaying 2000 Hz instead of 4000 Hz. Will do. Here, the initial set value of the frequency of the alarm sound emitted from the corner sensor device 224 is around 4000 Hz, which is a frequency at which the ear sensitivity of adults becomes high and a small sound can be heard well. However, for elderly users, the frequency is high. Since the higher the sound, the more difficult it is to hear, 2000 Hz is selected here.

  In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 3 denotes a selection screen for a frequency of an alarm sound that is generated based on an alarm instruction from the back sonar device 225. Here, since the user has selected the initial setting value of 1000 Hz, the control unit 202 does not write the setting content in the second storage unit 204. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, an initial set value of 1000 Hz is stored in the frequency 3 area (region R3) corresponding to the identification code ID1 of the second storage means 204.

  In selecting the frequency of the reverse alarm sound and the alarm sound emitted from the corner sensor device 224 and the back sonar device 225 on the initial screen 300, a preview mark (preview display) 301 provided at the lower right of the initial screen 300 is selected. By selecting, it becomes possible to confirm the frequency of each alarm sound selected in advance in real time. Specifically, when the control unit 202 detects the selection of the preview mark 301, the control unit 202 sounds the frequency of each alarm sound selected by the speaker 243 via the mixing unit 241 and the amplifier 242. The frequency of each alarm sound can be confirmed (recognized) in advance. For example, in the case of a reverse warning sound, the user can confirm in advance the reverse warning sound (frequency) selected (set) by the user before actually operating the select lever in reverse. ing.

  Further, the frequency of the alarm sound (initial setting value) emitted from the corner sensor device 224 and the frequency of the alarm sound (initial setting value) emitted from the back sonar device 225 can be switched according to the user's preference. is there. That is, in this case, the control unit 202 performs back sonar in the region R4 with respect to the frequency 2 area (region R4) and the frequency 3 area (region R5) corresponding to the identification code (here, another identification code ID2). An initial setting value of 1000 Hz, which is the frequency of the alarm sound emitted from the device 225, is written, and a process of writing 4000 Hz, which is the initial setting value of the frequency of the alarm sound, emitted from the corner sensor device 224, to the region R5.

  Next, another initial screen 310 in the customization mode will be described. When shifting to the customization mode, the control unit 202 executes processing for switching the display unit 101 from the normal display to the initial screen display (initial screen 310) in the customization mode shown in FIG. The initial screen 310 is a screen for the user to select via the input means 211 the priority of each auditory information (here, the method for notifying each alarm sound when a plurality of alarm conditions occur simultaneously). is there.

  For example, in FIG. 4A, reference numeral 1 denotes a selection item for sequentially sounding each auditory information (each alarm sound) according to a predetermined priority, and 2 indicates each alarm sound simultaneously generated by the mixing unit 241. The selection items are shown. In the case of 2, it is possible to select whether the sound pressure (sound pressure level) of each alarm sound at that time is the same or whether the sound pressure of each alarm sound is variable according to the priority. Is possible.

  When selecting the priority of each alarm sound on the initial screen 310, each of the items selected in advance in real time by selecting a preview mark (preview display) 311 provided at the lower right of the initial screen 310 is selected. It is possible to check the state of the alarm sound. Specifically, when the control unit 202 detects selection of the preview mark 311, each alarm sound is sequentially sounded or simultaneously sounded for the item selected by the speaker 243 via the mixing unit 241 and the amplifier 242. The user can confirm in advance the sounding state of each alarm sound in the selected item.

  Next, another initial screen 320 in the customization mode will be described. When shifting to the customization mode, the control unit 202 executes processing for switching the display unit 101 from the normal display to the initial screen display (initial screen 320) in the customization mode shown in FIG. Such an initial screen 320 is displayed on the initial screen 320 by the user via the input means 211. The tone of each auditory information (here, the pitch of the alarm sound, whether the alarm sound is sounded as a single tone, a chord is sounded, or the alarm sound is echoed). This is a screen for selecting whether or not to apply.

  Here, in FIG. 5A, reference numeral 1 denotes a selection screen for the tone color of the reverse alarm sound. For example, the initial setting value “single pitch, no sound, no echo” to “pitch length, chord, echo” If the selection is made by the user, the control means 202 specifies an identification code (identification information) of the user who uses the vehicle via the keyless entry device 220 (here, ID1 is used as the identification code). And the setting contents are stored in the area associated with the identification code ID1 of the second storage means 204. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the setting content “pitch length, chord, echo” is registered in the timbre 1 area (region R6) corresponding to the identification code ID1. At the same time, the control unit 202 performs control so as to switch each underline selected and displayed on the initial screen 320 to “pitch length, chord, echo”, respectively. As a result, although not shown in the drawing, each underline selectively displays “pitch length, chord, with echo” instead of “in pitch, single note, no echo”.

  Further, in FIG. 5A, reference numeral 2 denotes a selection screen for the tone color of the seat belt non-wearing alarm sound that is notified when the user is not wearing the seat belt. Here, since the user has selected the initial setting value “in the pitch, chords, and echoes”, the control unit 202 does not write the setting contents to the second storage unit 204. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the initial setting value “with pitch, chord, and echo” is stored in the timbre 2 area (region R7) corresponding to the identification code ID1 of the second storage means 204.

  In selecting the tone of the reverse warning sound and the non-seat belt warning sound on the initial screen 320, a preview mark (preview display) 321 provided at the lower right of the initial screen 320 is selected in advance. It is possible to confirm the tone color of each alarm sound selected in real time. Specifically, when the control unit 202 detects the selection of the preview mark 321, the control unit 202 sounds the timbre of each alarm sound selected by the speaker 243 via the mixing unit 241 and the amplifier 242. The tone color of each alarm sound can be confirmed in advance.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control unit 202 having a customization mode for registering various settings of the specification relating to the auditory information of the speaker 243 that provides vehicle information to the user as auditory information, and the various types of the customization mode. Registered in the second storage means 204 in the vehicle information providing apparatus 100 comprising the input means 211 for determining the contents of the settings and the second storage means 204 for registering the contents of the various settings. The contents of the various settings are set so that the user can recognize in advance through the speaker 243, so that the user actually operates the select lever in the reverse direction, for example, in the case of auditory information including a reverse alarm sound. The reverse alarm sound selected (set) by the user can be confirmed in advance before Man-machine interface (HMI) can be improved, and customized registration of specifications relating to auditory characteristics according to the age of the user of the vehicle, or at least the audio information of the speaker 243 of the vehicle information providing device according to preference In addition, it is possible to meet the demands of users with various auditory characteristics and preferences, and it is possible to provide a vehicle information providing apparatus that is excellent in convenience.

  In the present embodiment, the contents of various settings include items for selecting the tone color of various alarm sounds. When the control unit 202 shifts to the customization mode, the alarm sound is displayed on the other initial screen 320 in the customization mode. A screen is displayed to select whether to repeat the pitch, alarm sound as a single tone, chord sound, or whether the alarm sound is echoed, and the user can select `` pitch length, chord, with echo '' When the selection is made, the setting content “pitch length, chord, with echo” is registered in the timbre 1 area (region R6) corresponding to the identification code ID1 of the second storage means 204, so that it can be used. It is possible to always update the setting content selected by the person in the latest state, and to provide a highly convenient vehicle information providing apparatus.

  The contents of the various settings relating to the auditory information are registered in the second storage means 204 in a state in which the identification code by the keyless entry device 220 for identifying the user is associated with the contents of the various settings. Since it is possible to customize and register the specifications related to auditory information for each user, and it is possible to store various settings of the auditory information together with the identification code, each time the user gets into the vehicle Since the troublesome work that must be set is not required, the convenience as the vehicle information providing apparatus 100 that emits auditory information is further enhanced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the display unit 101 capable of displaying the contents of the various settings is provided, and the display unit 101 recognizes the contents of the various settings registered in the second storage unit 204 through the speaker 243 in advance. By having the preview displays 301, 311, and 321 set for this purpose, there is an advantage that the user can easily perform the prior confirmation operation of the auditory information.

  In this embodiment, the auditory information providing means is constituted by the speaker 243. However, instead of the speaker 243, an auditory information providing means including a buzzer and a chime is prepared, and the frequency and tone color of the auditory information providing means are prepared. It is possible to easily customize the auditory information by making different depending on various settings.

  In this embodiment, the keyless entry device 220 is used as the user identification means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a smart entry device that does not require remote control operation, an immobilizer device for theft prevention, etc. Needless to say, it is possible to use a personal identification device such as a fingerprint collation or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the customization mode setting terminal 210 is used in the transition from the normal mode to the customization mode. For example, “switching between the normal mode and the customization mode”, “selection of setting item”, “setting” Configure the input means consisting of a plurality of switch groups for each function such as “content input”, “preview of setting contents”, “registration of setting contents”, and customize with normal mode according to the predetermined input of this input means Switching between modes may be performed. Such input means can be disposed on the steering of the vehicle.

  In this embodiment, “selection of setting items” and “registration of setting contents” are performed by predetermined input of the input unit 211 after the transition to the customization mode. However, one item for shifting to the customization mode is used. A switch may be prepared, and the single switch may be used to shift to the customization mode and perform various settings and registration in the customization mode. Specifically, using a single switch, perform “switching between normal mode and customization mode” and “selection of setting items” by pressing for a short time, and select each setting item by pressing for a short time. The setting contents are displayed on the display unit 101 while being sequentially switched, and when the desired setting contents of the user are displayed, the setting contents are registered by a long time pressing operation, and then the next pressing operation is performed for a short time. By moving to the setting item and repeating the same operation below, you can perform `` switching between normal mode and customization mode '', `` selecting setting item '' and `` registering setting contents '' with a single switch, Also, other “switching between normal mode and customization mode”, “selection of setting item”, “input of setting contents”, “preview of setting contents” and “registration of setting contents” Is a, a voice input unit, can be indicated by voice input via the voice input unit.

  The present invention relates to an information providing device for a vehicle using auditory information providing means, and not only to a vehicle meter that displays vehicle information, but also to an information providing device for a vehicle such as a navigation device or a multi-display device mounted on a vehicle. Applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information provision apparatus for vehicles 101 Display part (display means)
202 Control means 203 First storage means 204 Second storage means (storage means)
210 Setting means (customization mode setting terminal)
211 Input means (input terminal)
212 vehicle information terminal 213 multiplex communication input / output means (multiplex communication input / output terminal)
220 Keyless entry device 224 Corner sensor device 225 Back sonar device 230 Multiple communication line 240 Auditory information providing means 243 Speaker 301, 311, 321 Preview mark

Claims (4)

A display unit for displaying various vehicle information to the user;
Control means having a customization mode for registering various settings of specifications related to the various alarm sounds of an auditory information providing means for providing various alarm sounds including at least vehicle information to the user;
Input means for defining the contents of the various settings in the customization mode;
In a vehicle meter provided with a storage means for registering the contents of the various settings,
The contents of the various settings include an item for selecting a tone color of the various alarm sounds.
When the control unit shifts to the customization mode, the display unit switches the display unit from the various vehicle information displays to the dedicated screen display in the customization mode, and the display unit displays a selection candidate and an initial set value indicating candidates related to the timbre. And display
The user selects the selection candidate of one warning sound from the various warning sounds using the input means, and selects the selection candidate of the one warning sound selected by the user, It is possible to recognize in advance in real time through the auditory information providing means while selecting and displaying from the initial setting value,
Further, the vehicle meter is characterized in that the selection candidate selected by the user is stored in an area provided corresponding to the one alarm sound of the storage means. The display unit that can display the contents of the various settings includes a preview display that is set in order to recognize the selection candidate selected by the user in advance through the auditory information providing unit. The vehicle meter according to claim 1. 2. The contents of the various settings are registered in the storage means in a state in which identification information by an occupant identifying means for identifying the user is associated with the contents of the various settings. Or the meter for vehicles of Claim 2. The vehicle meter according to claim 1, wherein the selection display is indicated by switching an underline of the selection candidate displayed on the display unit.

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