JP5303998B2 - Outside vehicle information providing apparatus and outside vehicle information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outer-vehicle information providing device capable of providing the optimal external sound information of a vehicle corresponding to circumstances to a driver without burdening the driver. <P>SOLUTION: The outer-vehicle information providing device determines a sound presentation range as the input/output range of a sound to be presented to a driver and a sound collection range by a microphone 11 installed in the own vehicle for collecting the external sound of the own vehicle by a sound presentation range/sound collection range switching device 15 according to the current traveling situations of the own vehicle, and when any object existing around the own vehicle is detected by an object detection sensor 12 installed in the own vehicle, the outer-vehicle information providing device performs the mapping of the sound collected by the microphone 11 and a virtual sound representing an object existing in the sound presentation range and sound collection range determined by the sound presentation range/sound collection range switching device 15 to a space time, and presents sound information through an information presentation part 17 to the driver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an out-of-vehicle information providing apparatus and an out-of-vehicle information providing method for providing information outside a vehicle to a driver.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the presence of danger is presented by sound for the purpose of notifying a driver of danger occurring outside the vehicle at high speed and naturally. For example, as such a technique, a technique has been proposed in which the sound of an emergency vehicle is collected to make the driver aware of the presence of the emergency vehicle.

  However, in all scenes, it is not preferable to present the sound information outside the vehicle to the driver because it is likely to distract the driver's attention, so it is necessary to select the sound to be presented. In the conventional technology, the information to be presented is provided to the driver by limiting the sounds to be presented to some sounds such as crossing sounds and emergency vehicle sounds. There is a problem that external danger can only be notified by sound, for example, it is impossible to accurately notify the driver of the presence of an overtaking vehicle or the like with a higher degree of urgency.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described circumstances, and can provide the driver with sound information outside the vehicle that is optimal for the situation without burdening the driver. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle outside information providing apparatus and a vehicle outside information providing method.

  In the present invention, the sound presenting range which is the input / output range of the sound presented to the driver according to the current traveling state of the own vehicle, and the sound collecting means which is installed in the own vehicle and collects the sound outside the own vehicle Represents the sound collected by the sound collecting means, and the sound presenting range and the object existing in the sound collecting range when an object existing around the host vehicle is detected. The above-mentioned problem is solved by mapping virtual sound to space-time and presenting sound information to the driver.

  According to the out-of-vehicle information providing apparatus and out-of-vehicle information providing method according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent all sound information from being presented to the driver by not presenting unnecessary information according to the traveling state of the host vehicle. Thus, the possibility of distracting the driver's attention can be reduced, and optimal sound information outside the vehicle can be provided according to the situation without placing a burden on the driver.

  Hereinafter, an outside information providing apparatus as a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described.

[Configuration of information providing device outside the vehicle]
The outside information providing apparatus shown as an embodiment of the present invention collects sounds outside the own vehicle according to the vehicle state such as the vehicle speed using a microphone and a sensor installed outside the own vehicle, and provides the driver with sound information as sound information. Provided.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle information providing apparatus includes a microphone 11 that collects sound outside the host vehicle, an object detection sensor 12 that detects an object existing around the host vehicle, An environment detection unit 13 that detects the environment of the vehicle, an information determination unit 14 that determines various types of information related to the vehicle, a sound presentation range that is an input / output range of sound presented to the driver, and a sound collection range by the microphone 11 A sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15, a timing and position determination unit 16 for determining the timing and position of the sound to be output, and an information presentation unit 17 for presenting sound information to the driver.

  The vehicle information providing apparatus includes at least a microphone 11, an object detection sensor 12, an in-vehicle device operation signal output unit 13b in the environment detection unit 13, a movement direction detection unit 14b in the information determination unit 14, and a sound presentation range among these units. And a sound collection range switching device 15, a timing and position determination unit 16, and an information presentation unit 17.

  The microphone 11 is installed in the own vehicle and collects sound outside the own vehicle. As the microphone 11, a microphone having a general configuration that collects sound outside the host vehicle and converts it into an electric signal can be used. However, the microphone 11 is required to be provided with two or more microphones. The sound information collected by the microphone 11 and converted into an electric signal is supplied to the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15. A specific installation example of the microphone 11 will be described later.

  The object detection sensor 12 is installed in the host vehicle and detects an object existing around the host vehicle. The object detection sensor 12 can be configured by combining a plurality of sensors that detect objects located at a long distance and a short distance, such as a millimeter wave radar and an ultrasonic sensor. Moreover, the object detection sensor 12 may detect an object with a camera outside the vehicle. The object information detected by the object detection sensor 12 is supplied to the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15. A specific installation example of the object detection sensor 12 will be described later.

  The environment detection unit 13 is based on information such as a vehicle speed pulse and a steering angle obtained from CAN (Controller Area Network) information built in the host vehicle, and an image captured by a camera installed in the host vehicle. Detect the environment around your vehicle. Specifically, the environment detection unit 13 outputs a position information detection unit 13a that detects the position information of the host vehicle used during navigation, and an in-vehicle device operation signal that indicates a vehicle speed pulse, a steering angle, a shift position, and the like. It has a vehicle-mounted device operation signal output unit 13b and an image output unit 13c that recognizes a camera and an image captured by the camera. Such an environment detection unit 13 supplies environment information indicating the detected environment to the information determination unit 14.

  The information determination unit 14 is configured by an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, and based on the content of the environment information detected by the environment detection unit 13, the own vehicle such as the moving direction (traveling direction) of the own vehicle Various information related to the is determined. Specifically, the information determination unit 14 includes a parking place determination unit 14a that determines a parking place where the host vehicle can be parked based on the position information detected by the position information detection unit 13a in the environment detection unit 13, and the environment. Based on the in-vehicle device operation signal supplied from the in-vehicle device operation signal output unit 13 b in the detection unit 13, the movement direction detection unit 14 b that detects the movement direction of the host vehicle and the image output unit 13 c in the environment detection unit 13 And a moving object detection unit 14c for detecting an object that moves relative to the host vehicle around the host vehicle based on the video information. Such an information determination unit 14 supplies the determined various information to the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15.

  The sound presentation range / sound collection range switching device 15 is based on the contents of various information determined by the information determination unit 14, and is a sound presentation range that is an input / output range of sounds presented to the driver or a sound collection range by the microphone 11. And switch the operation of the system so that it is within the determined range. The sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 supplies a switching signal indicating the switching content to the timing and position determination unit 16.

  Based on the switching signal supplied from the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15, the timing and position determination unit 16 determines the timing of the sound output for presentation to the driver, the sound output direction, the distance, etc. Determine the position. The timing and position determination unit 16 supplies determination information indicating the determined content to the information presentation unit 17.

  As will be described later, the information presentation unit 17 is configured by a three-dimensional sound source system such as a trans-oral system, for example, and the sound collected by the microphone 11 and the sound determined by the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15. A virtual sound representing an object existing in the presentation range and the sound collection range is created and synthesized, and sound information is output using an amplifier or a speaker. The amplifier and the speaker may be a general one. Specifically, the information presenting unit 17 generates a virtual sound based on the determination information supplied from the timing and position determining unit 16, and the virtual sound generated by the virtual sound source generating unit 17a. And a mixing gain adjustment unit 17b that adjusts the gain of the sound collected by the microphone 11, and a sound information presentation unit 17c that presents the driver with the sound adjusted by the mixing gain adjustment unit 17b. Such an information presentation part 17 produces a sound so that it may become a suitable sound field environment according to a vehicle state, and presents the produced sound to a driver | operator. A specific installation example of the information presentation unit 17 will be described later.

[Relationship between microphone placement and sound collection range]
In such an out-of-vehicle information providing apparatus, the sound collection range can be controlled in accordance with the arrangement position, orientation, gain, and type of the microphone 11.

  First, when a plurality of directional microphones and a direction changing device are used as the microphone 11, the sound collection range is changed by directing the plurality of directional microphones in a direction in which the sound is to be collected using the direction changing device. Can do. As the direction changing device, a general mechanism for changing the direction, such as a servo motor, may be used. In order to specifically explain this, consider a case where four microphones 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are installed in the front-rear and left-right directions of the vehicle 100, for example, as shown in FIG.

  At this time, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when it is desired to collect sounds in a range in all directions, the direction of the microphone 11a is directed to the front right and the direction of the microphone 11b is set to the left as shown in FIG. By pointing forward, the direction of the microphone 11c is directed to the right rear, and the direction of the microphone 11d is directed to the left rear, it is possible to collect sounds in a range of all directions, and the microphones 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d The sound collection range can be adjusted by adjusting the gain.

  Further, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when it is desired to collect the sound in the rear range, the direction of the microphone 11a is directed to the right rear and the direction of the microphone 11b is directed to the left rear as shown in FIG. The microphone 11c is directed toward the right rear and the microphone 11d is directed toward the left rear, so that the sound in the rear range can be emphasized and collected, and the microphones 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d The sound collection range can be adjusted by adjusting the gain.

  Furthermore, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when it is desired to collect sounds in directions other than the left front when turning left, as shown in FIG. 2C, the microphone 11a is directed to the right front, and the microphone 11c Is directed to the right rear and the microphone 11d is directed to the left rear, while the microphone 11b does not collect sound, so that sounds in directions other than the left front can be collected. These microphones 11a, 11c , 11d, the sound collection range can be adjusted.

  Furthermore, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when it is desired to collect sounds in directions other than the left front and right rear when the lane is changed to the left lane, as shown in FIG. By directing the direction to the right front, the direction of the microphone 11b to the left rear, the direction of the microphone 11c to the right front, and the direction of the microphone 11d to the left rear, sounds in directions other than the left front and right rear Sound can be collected, and the sound collection range can be adjusted by adjusting the gains of these microphones 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d.

  As the microphone 11, a directional microphone and an omnidirectional microphone can be used in combination. In order to specifically explain this, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, one directional microphone 11e is installed in front of the vehicle 100, and one omnidirectional microphone 11f is installed behind. Think about the case.

  At this time, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when it is desired to collect sound in directions other than the left front when turning left, as shown in FIG. 3A, the direction of the directional microphone 11e is directed to the right. The sound of the direction other than the left front can be collected by turning the direction of the omnidirectional microphone 11f backward, and the sound collection range is adjusted by adjusting the gain of the directional microphone 11e. be able to.

  In addition, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when it is desired to collect all directions and the left front sound when changing to the right lane, the direction of the directional microphone 11e is set as shown in FIG. By turning the omnidirectional microphone 11f toward the left front, the sound in all directions and the left front can be collected. By adjusting the gain of the directional microphone 11e, the sound collection is performed. The range can be adjusted.

  Thus, in the vehicle outside information providing device, the sound collection range can be controlled according to the arrangement position, orientation, gain, and type of the microphone 11.

[Relationship between object detection sensor placement and sound presentation range]
Moreover, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound presentation range that is the input / output range of the sound presented to the driver can be controlled according to the arrangement position and type of the object detection sensor 12.

  As described above, the object detection sensor 12 can be configured by combining a plurality of millimeter wave radars, ultrasonic sensors, and the like. In the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when the object detection sensor 12 that can measure the distance precisely is used, the sound presentation range can be determined strictly. On the other hand, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when an object detection sensor 12 that can accurately measure the distance is not used, for example, object detection sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d of the vehicle 100 as shown in FIG. In addition, a plurality of sensors may be arranged at a plurality of locations, and the sound presentation range may be determined based on the direction information of the object detected by each sensor. At this time, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, it is not necessary to change the detection range of each sensor.

[Specific example of information presentation unit]
As described above, the information presentation unit 17 can be configured as a trans-oral system. Specifically, as a transoral system, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, an input signal X1 is applied to a filter bank composed of a plurality of filters H (H11, H12, H21, H22, H31, H32, H41, H42). , X2 are input, and the outputs of the respective filters are added (mixed), and from a plurality of speakers SP (SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4) at positions C1, C2 near both ears of the driver sitting on the driver's seat It can be set as the structure which outputs the sound as observation signal Y1, Y2. At this time, in this transoral system, the filter H is set so that the observation signals Y1 and Y2 at the positions C1 and C2 near the both ears of the driver sitting in the driver's seat are equivalent to the input signals X1 and X2. adjust. In other words, in the transoral system, the relationship between the transfer characteristic G (G11, G14, G21, G24) representing the sound field of the sound output from the speaker SP and the filter H is HG = unit matrix. In addition, the filter H may be adjusted.

[Operation of information providing device outside vehicle]
Now, in such a vehicle outside information provision apparatus, the sound outside the own vehicle is provided to the driver according to a series of procedures as shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, when the system is initialized in step S1, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus sets a travel mode in step S2. Specifically, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle detects the current traveling state of the host vehicle by the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 as the traveling mode setting process. In this case, the out-of-vehicle information providing apparatus sets a travel mode as one of a parking mode, an urban travel mode (medium speed travel mode), a high speed travel mode, and a stop mode. The travel mode setting process will be described in detail later.

  Subsequently, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle sets an operation mode in step S3. In the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, in order to be able to present as sound information even outside the range of the driver's line of sight, by predicting the driver's line of sight by detecting information such as steering angle and blinker operation, The sound presentation range is outside the driver's visual field range. Specifically, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle uses the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 to determine information such as the steering angle and the presence / absence of the blinker operation as the operation mode setting process, and based on the contents of the determined various information. Thus, the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 determines the sound presentation range and sound collection range according to the travel mode. This operation mode setting process will be described in detail later.

  Subsequently, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus determines whether or not to start the operation in step S4 according to whether or not the object detection sensor 12 detects the object. Specifically, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle does not output (present) sound when the object detection sensor 12 does not detect various objects such as other vehicles, paving stones, walls, and pedestrians around the host vehicle. The processing from step S2 is repeated. On the other hand, when an object present around the host vehicle is detected by the object detection sensor 12, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle starts collecting sound by the microphone 11 and presenting sound information by the information presentation unit 17.

  In response to this, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus maps the virtual sound information and the sound collected by the microphone 11 in time and space in step S5. Specifically, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle presents the sound that can be collected by the microphone 11 to the driver by outputting the sound as it is through the information presentation unit 17 including a three-dimensional sound source system such as a trans-oral system. On the other hand, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, for example, sounds about objects detected by the object detection sensor 12 such as walls, paving stones, pedestrians, etc. but not detected by the microphone 11, the position of each object (direction, It is generated as a virtual sound that matches the distance) and is output to the driver by being output via the information presentation unit 17 including a three-dimensional sound source system such as a trans-oral system. This mapping process will be described in detail later.

  In step S6, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus fuses the sound collected by the microphone 11 in the real space with the virtual sound assigned to the object detected by the object detection sensor 12, and sends the sound to the driver. Present and end the series of processing.

  In the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound outside the host vehicle can be provided to the driver according to such a series of procedures.

  Next, the travel mode setting process in step S2 will be described in detail.

  When the vehicle outside information providing apparatus shifts to the driving mode setting process, as shown in FIG. 7, in step S11, the environment detecting unit 13 and the information determining unit 14 determine whether the current driving state of the host vehicle is in the parking state. Determine whether.

  Here, when the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine that the vehicle is in the parking state, in step S12, the driving mode is switched to the parking mode, and the driving mode setting process ends. On the other hand, if the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine that the vehicle is not in the parked state, in step S13, the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine whether or not the current traveling state of the host vehicle is medium speed traveling.

  If the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine that the vehicle is traveling at a medium speed, the driving mode is switched to the urban driving mode in step S14, and the driving mode setting process ends. On the other hand, when the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine that the vehicle is not at the medium speed, in step S15, the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine whether the current traveling state of the host vehicle is the high speed traveling.

  If the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine that the vehicle is traveling at high speed, the traveling mode is switched to the high-speed traveling mode in step S16, and the traveling mode setting process ends. On the other hand, if the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine that the vehicle is not traveling at high speed, the traveling mode is switched to the stop mode in step S17, and the traveling mode setting process is terminated.

  The out-of-vehicle information providing apparatus can set the traveling mode according to such a series of procedures.

  Next, the operation mode setting process in step S3 in FIG. 6 will be described in detail.

  When shifting to the operation mode setting process, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus sets a sound presentation range and a sound collection range according to the travel mode. At this time, as described above, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can present information outside the range of the driver's line of sight as sound information. And set the sound collection range.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle information providing apparatus detects the steering angle by the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 in step S21, and based on the steering angle, The sound collection range switching device 15 sets a sound presentation range with respect to a plane perpendicular to the moving direction of the host vehicle.

  Subsequently, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle determines the presence / absence of the blinker operation by the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 in step S22. Here, when the blinker is operated, the possibility that the host vehicle moves to the left or right is high, and the driver is likely to pay attention to the moving direction. Therefore, when there is an operation of the winker, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle sets the planned traveling direction of the host vehicle based on the direction of the winker by the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 in step S23. A sound presentation range is set for a direction other than the planned traveling direction.

  Subsequently, the outside information providing apparatus determines the sound presentation range according to the steering angle and the presence / absence of the blinker operation by using the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 in step S24. Specifically, the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 sets the sound presentation range set based on the steering angle in step S21 when there is no blinker operation. In addition, the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 moves the winker direction in step S23 with respect to the sound presentation range set based on the steering angle in step S21 when the winker operation is performed. The sound presentation range is determined by taking into account the sound presentation range set based on the above.

  Then, in step S25, the information providing device outside the vehicle uses the sound presenting range and sound collection range switching device 15 to first display FIGS. 2 (A) to 2 (D), FIG. 3 (A) and FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the sound collection range by the microphone 11 is determined based on the sound presentation range determined in step S24, and the operation mode setting is ended. Note that the sound collection range and the sound presentation range are preferably matched in principle, but may not necessarily match if there are restrictions such as the arrangement requirements of the microphone 11.

  The outside-vehicle information providing apparatus can determine the sound presentation range and the sound collection range according to such a series of procedures.

  Next, the conditional branch process in step S4 in FIG. 6 will be described in detail.

  The information providing apparatus outside the vehicle determines whether or not to start the operation depending on whether or not the object detection sensor 12 detects the object. Here, if a virtual sound is assigned to an object that is not necessary for driving information and presented as an alarm sound, there is a possibility of adversely affecting the driving behavior of the driver. Therefore, after detecting an object, the vehicle exterior information providing apparatus performs conditional branch processing so that unnecessary objects are not added to the list to which virtual sounds are assigned.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus detects an object existing around the host vehicle by the object detection sensor 12 in step S31. That is, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle measures and calculates the direction and distance of the object from the viewpoint of the driver using a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like.

  When an object is detected, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus detects that the object is within the sound presentation range determined in step S3 in FIG. 6 by the environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 in step S32. It is determined whether or not.

  Here, when the vehicle outside information providing apparatus is not an object existing in the sound presentation range, the vehicle exterior information providing apparatus repeats the processing from step S31. On the other hand, in the case of an object existing in the sound presentation range, in step S33 The environment detection unit 13 and the information determination unit 14 determine whether or not the object moves relative to the host vehicle. If the object is not a moving object, the processing from step S31 is repeated. If the object is a moving object, the process proceeds to step S34. Note that the processing in step S33 is effective when the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus is applied to a so-called parking assist system or the like. In other words, in the parking assist system, no sound is assigned to an object such as a wall displayed on the display device, and the sound is presented only when a moving object is detected, thereby reducing the risk of the moving object to the driver. You can make it stronger. Therefore, it is not always necessary to provide the processing in step S33 in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle.

  In step S34, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus adds the direction and distance of the object to which the virtual sound is assigned to the list, and ends the conditional branching process.

  The out-of-vehicle information providing apparatus can detect an appropriate object to present a sound according to such a series of procedures and determine whether to start the operation.

  Next, the mapping process in step S5 in FIG. 6 will be described in detail.

  The out-of-vehicle information providing device assigns a virtual sound based on information on the direction and distance of the object viewed from the driver. At this time, the list of objects created in step S4 in FIG. 6 is searched, and virtual sounds are assigned according to the direction information and distance information of the objects.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle searches the list by the information presentation unit 17 in step S41, and determines whether or not there is a queue in the list. If the information presenting unit 17 determines that there is a queue in the list, the information presenting unit 17 extracts the nearest object from the list in step S42.

  Subsequently, the information presentation unit 17 investigates the input of the microphone 11 in step S43. Here, the information presentation unit 17 detects a direction sound from the input of the microphone 11, and if the input direction of the sound is the same as the position or direction of the object, the information presented to the driver is confused, so the virtual sound And the process proceeds to step S46. Note that the sound input direction to the microphone 11 may be detected using a signal processing method such as so-called beam forming. On the other hand, when there is no input from the microphone 11 or when there is an input from the microphone 11 and the input direction of the sound is not the same as the position or direction of the object, the information presentation unit 17 proceeds to step S44. The virtual sound source is assigned according to the direction and distance of the object. At this time, when there are a plurality of objects, the information presentation unit 17 assigns the virtual sound source so as to shift the output timing of the virtual sound source.

  And the information presentation part 17 deletes the object which allocated the virtual sound source from a list in step S45, and repeats the process from step S41.

  The information presenting unit 17 performs the processing from step S41 to step S45, and when it is determined in step S41 that there is no queue in the list, the processing proceeds to step S46, and the microphone 11 is converted into an output signal of a three-dimensional sound source system such as a trans-oral system. At this time, when a virtual sound exists, the information presentation unit 17 converts the virtual sound into an output signal of the three-dimensional sound source system.

  In step S47, the information presentation unit 17 adds (mixes) the input sound and the virtual sound from the microphone 11 and ends the mapping process.

  The out-of-vehicle information providing apparatus can map the virtual sound information and the sound collected by the microphone 11 in space-time according to such a series of procedures. In the vehicle information providing apparatus, when the directionality of the input sound from the microphone 11 is detected in step S43, the input sound from the microphone 11 is directly used as a virtual sound, and the virtual sound is used as the direction and distance of the list. You may make it arrange | position in the position according to.

  By performing such a mapping process, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus can present to the driver sound information obtained by fusing sounds actually generated outside the host vehicle and virtual sounds. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when parking in a parking lot, humans A and B as objects requiring attention exist in front of the own vehicle in real space, and necessary behind the own vehicle. Consider a situation in which a wall surface W as an attention object exists. In this case, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle performs the mapping process so that the sound sources are arranged at the positions of the persons A and B and the wall surfaces W as objects requiring attention. In other words, the information providing unit outside the vehicle collects the utterance contents X and Y uttered by the persons A and B by the microphone 11 and listens to the driver as the utterance contents X ′ and Y ′. 17, binaural reproduction is performed, and in order to notify the presence of the wall surface W detected by the object detection sensor 12, a warning sound as a virtual sound source is arranged and output at the position of the wall surface W by the information presentation unit 17.

  Thereby, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can accurately notify the driver that the humans A and B and the wall surface W exist at the respective positions.

  It should be noted that since the sense of distance related to human sound source localization is about several meters, even if it is arranged so that sound can be heard at the location of an actual object, it may be difficult to accurately recognize. In such a case, the presented information becomes ambiguous, and the driver may not be able to recognize the degree of danger. Therefore, it is desirable that the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle specializes only in maintaining the sense of direction and maintaining the sound source localization outside the host vehicle, and compresses the distance information when mapping the sound into space-time. For example, in the situation as shown in FIG. 11, the outside information providing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 12, utterance contents X and Y uttered by humans A and B as cautionary objects are given to the driver. When binaural reproduction is performed by the information presentation unit 17 so as to be heard as the utterance contents X ′ and Y ′, the sound source is arranged in the vicinity of the microphone 11 and the virtual sound source showing the wall surface W detected by the object detection sensor 12 Mapping processing is performed so that the sound source is arranged at a position where the distance is compressed to a position closer to the driver than the position in the real space of these objects.

  Thereby, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can notify the driver of the existence and danger of the object more accurately.

[Specific examples of sound presentation range and sound collection range]
Next, a specific example of the sound presentation range and the sound collection range according to the four driving modes described above, a specific example of the sound presentation range and the sound collection range when steering is performed, and a winker operation A sound presentation range and a specific example of the sound collection range will be described.

  First, when the traveling mode is the parking mode, the vehicle information providing apparatus has a concentric characteristic such as a radius R2 in the non-traveling direction of the host vehicle 100 as shown in FIG. As for the direction, a sound presentation range and a sound collection range having characteristics in which a range such as a radius R1 (> R2) is expanded are used. That is, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle increases the gain of the microphone 11 that collects sound in the traveling direction of the host vehicle 100 as compared with the non-traveling direction, and expands the sound presentation range and the sound collection range.

  Thereby, the information provision apparatus outside a vehicle can show a driver | operator sound information including the object which exists in the area | region close | similar to a parking place, such as the object C, for example.

  Further, when the driving mode is the urban driving mode, the vehicle outside information providing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, has an elliptical characteristic whose major axis is the traveling direction of the host vehicle 100, or all of the used characteristics. Of the characteristics obtained by superimposing the characteristics of the microphone 11, a sound presentation range and a sound collection range having either one of the characteristics in a wide range are used.

  Thereby, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can surely present to the driver the sound information of the other vehicle 101B traveling in the adjacent lane and the other vehicle 100A traveling in the same lane.

  Further, when the traveling mode is the high-speed traveling mode, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the sound presenting range and the collection having an elliptical characteristic with the traveling direction of the host vehicle 100 as the major axis. The sound range. At this time, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle changes the size of the sound presentation range and the sound collection range in the front-rear direction of the host vehicle, that is, the major axis direction of the ellipse, according to the vehicle speed detected by the environment detection unit 13. That is, the information providing device outside the vehicle provides a sound presentation range so that the amount of movement per unit time of the host vehicle 100 corresponding to the detected vehicle speed is within a range having a sufficient distance for the driver to deal with the danger. And the sound collection range is determined.

  Thereby, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle surely presents to the driver the sound information of the other vehicles 101A, 101B located before and after the host vehicle to which attention should be paid when traveling at high speed or the other vehicle 101B traveling in the adjacent lane. Can do.

  Furthermore, when the driving mode is the stop mode, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, is a concentric characteristic or a characteristic obtained by superimposing characteristics of all the microphones 11 used. The sound presentation range and the sound collection range having either one of the characteristics in a wide range.

  Thereby, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can surely present to the driver the sound information including the object existing around the own vehicle 100 that is stopped.

  Further, when the steering operation is performed after the sound presentation range and the sound collection range are set according to each driving mode, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. The sound presentation range and the sound collection range are changed so that the region that does not become a blind spot is reduced from the original sound presentation range and the sound collection range.

  Thereby, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can reliably present appropriate sound information corresponding to the moving direction of the host vehicle 100 to the driver every time the steering angle is changed.

  Further, when the turn signal operation is performed after the sound presentation range and the sound collection range are set according to each driving mode, the vehicle exterior information providing apparatus displays the vehicle 100 in the direction in which the vehicle 100 is scheduled to travel, for example, as shown in FIG. A sound presentation range and a sound collection range having characteristics that expand the range.

  As a result, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can surely present to the driver appropriate sound information including the other vehicles 100A, 100B, and 100C corresponding to the traveling direction of the host vehicle 100 each time the blinker is operated. it can.

[Operation example according to driving conditions]
Next, a specific example of the operation according to the traveling situation will be described.

  First, an operation example in front of a curved road as shown in FIG.

  In this case, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle starts the operation of the system when the navigation system detects the presence of a curved road ahead of the traveling direction of the host vehicle 100, and predicts the driver's line-of-sight direction according to the steering angle. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 19B, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range AR are determined based on the predicted driver's line-of-sight direction, as described above with reference to FIG. Become. Thus, the vehicle exterior information providing apparatus can reliably present appropriate sound information corresponding to the curve road to the driver.

  Next, an operation example during a right / left turn as shown in FIG. 20 will be described.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 20 (a), the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle starts the operation of the system when the navigation system detects the presence of a T-junction ahead of the traveling direction of the host vehicle 100, thereby The changing operation of the sound range AR is started. Here, when the right-side blinker of the host vehicle 100 is operated, the outside-vehicle information providing apparatus changes the direction of the microphone 11 as shown in FIG. May be changed to a sound presentation range and a sound collection range AR ′ that can collect sound. Thereby, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can surely present appropriate sound information to the driver when the host vehicle 100 reaches the T-shaped road.

  Next, an operation example at the time of merging as shown in FIG. 21 will be described.

  In this case, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle starts the operation of the system when the navigation system detects that the traveling lane of the host vehicle is a merging lane to another lane, and predicts the driver's line-of-sight direction according to the blinker operation. What is necessary is just to change into the sound presentation range and the sound collection range AR which expanded the direction of advancing of the own vehicle 100 and the back range. Accordingly, the vehicle exterior information providing apparatus can reliably present appropriate sound information to the driver when the host vehicle 100 joins another lane in which the other vehicle 101 exists.

  Next, an operation example when traveling on a road having a narrow lane width as shown in FIG. 22 will be described.

  In this case, the information providing device outside the vehicle starts the operation of the system when the lane width is detected by the navigation system, and in order to call attention to jumping out, etc. A wide sound presentation range and a sound collection range AR are set. Thereby, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can reliably present information such as a wall approaching the side surface of the own vehicle 100 to the driver as appropriate sound information when traveling on a narrow road.

  Next, an operation example during traveling on a road where the median strip S as shown in FIG. 23 exists will be described.

  In this case, since the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle is less likely to pay attention to other vehicles existing in the oncoming lane separated by the median strip S, the vehicle information providing device has a range to the left of the host vehicle 100 where the median strip S does not exist. The expanded sound presentation range and the sound collection range AR are set. As a result, when the vehicle outside information providing apparatus travels on the road where the median strip S exists, the vehicle information providing apparatus reliably presents appropriate sound information to the driver without presenting information of the other vehicle 101 existing in the oncoming lane. can do.

  Finally, an operation example in the case where the driver's line-of-sight movement frequently occurs will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 24, when the outside information providing apparatus is configured to detect the driver's line-of-sight direction by the in-vehicle camera C as the environment detection unit 13, the attention of the direction in which the line-of-sight is not directed is negligible. Therefore, by switching between (a) and (b) according to the movement of the line of sight, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range AR are expanded dynamically in the direction in which the line of sight is not directed. As a result, the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle can reliably present appropriate sound information to the driver even when the driver's line-of-sight movement frequently occurs.

[Effect of the embodiment]
As described above in detail, the vehicle information providing apparatus shown as the embodiment of the present invention includes a sound presentation range that is an input / output range of sound presented to the driver according to the current traveling state of the host vehicle, and The sound collection range by the microphone 11 is determined, and when an object present around the host vehicle is detected by the object detection sensor 12, the sound collected by the microphone 11 and the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 The virtual sound representing the object present in the sound presentation range and the sound collection range determined by the above is mapped in space-time, and the sound information is presented to the driver via the information presentation unit 17.

  As a result, in this out-of-vehicle information providing device, by not presenting unnecessary information according to the traveling state of the host vehicle, all sound information will not be presented to the driver. It is possible to provide optimal sound information outside the vehicle according to the situation without reducing the possibility of distraction and placing a burden on the driver.

  In the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the information presentation unit 17 determines the sound collected by the microphone 11 and the sound collected by the microphone 11 so as to place the sound source at a position in the real space of the object detected by the object detection sensor 12. By mapping the virtual sound representing the object existing in the sound presentation range and the sound collection range, the driver can be accurately informed that the object exists at the position in the real space.

  Further, in this information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the information presentation unit 17 arranges the sound source at a position where the distance is compressed to a position closer to the driver than the position in real space of the object detected by the object detection sensor 12. By mapping the sound collected by the microphone 11 and the virtual sound representing the determined sound presentation range and the object existing in the sound collection range, the driver can be more accurately informed of the presence and danger of the object. Can do.

  Furthermore, in this out-of-vehicle information providing device, the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 has a predetermined radius in the non-traveling direction of the host vehicle when the current traveling state of the host vehicle is a parking state. Sound that includes concentric circles and a sound presenting range and a sound collection range that has a range that extends to a region that is larger than its radius in the direction of travel. Information can be reliably presented to the driver.

  Moreover, in this information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15 is an ellipse whose major axis is the traveling direction of the own vehicle when the current traveling state of the own vehicle is a medium speed traveling state. Driving in adjacent lanes by setting the sound presentation range and sound collection range to have a wide range of characteristics, or the characteristics of all the sound collecting means used in combination. Sound information of other vehicles and the like can be reliably presented to the driver.

  Further, in the information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15 is an elliptical shape whose major axis is the traveling direction of the own vehicle when the current traveling state of the own vehicle is a high speed traveling state. Pay attention when driving at high speeds by changing the size of the sound presentation range and the sound collection range in the major axis direction of the ellipse according to the vehicle speed of the host vehicle. It is possible to reliably present to the driver the sound information of other vehicles positioned in front of and behind the host vehicle and other vehicles traveling in adjacent lanes.

  Furthermore, in this out-of-vehicle information providing device, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15 is configured so that the concentric characteristics or all the used collection points are used when the current traveling state of the host vehicle is a stop state. Sound information including objects existing around the parked vehicle by setting the sound presentation range and sound collection range to have either one of the wide range of the characteristics obtained by superimposing the characteristics of the sound means Can be reliably presented to the driver.

  In this outside information providing apparatus, the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 determines the sound presentation range and the sound collection range based on the driver's line-of-sight direction predicted according to the steering angle and the presence or absence of the blinker operation. By deciding, it is possible to present information outside the range of the driver's line of sight as sound information.

  Specifically, in the outside information providing device, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15 newly adds a region that becomes a blind spot in accordance with the steering of the steering, and the region that does not become the blind spot is the original one. By determining the sound presentation range and the sound collection range so as to decrease from the sound presentation range and the sound collection range, each time the steering angle is changed, appropriate sound information corresponding to the moving direction of the host vehicle is given to the driver. Can be presented reliably.

  In this information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, when a method for determining the sound presentation range and the sound collection range according to the steering angle is applied, and the presence of a curve road is detected in the traveling direction ahead of the own vehicle, The sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 determines the sound presentation range and sound collection range based on the driver's line-of-sight direction predicted according to the steering angle. Information can be reliably presented to the driver.

  Furthermore, in this information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 has a characteristic that expands the range of the planned traveling direction of the host vehicle when there is a blinker operation. By setting the range, every time the blinker is operated, appropriate sound information corresponding to the planned traveling direction of the host vehicle can be surely presented to the driver.

  And in this information providing apparatus outside a vehicle, when the determination method of the sound presentation range and the sound collection range according to such a blinker operation is applied, and the presence of a T-junction is detected in the traveling direction ahead of the own vehicle, The sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 15 changes the sound presentation range and sound collection range to the sound presentation range and the sound collection range having the characteristics of expanding the range so that the sound in the horizontal direction of the T-junction can be collected. Appropriate sound information can be reliably presented to the driver when the vehicle reaches the T-junction.

  Moreover, in this information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15 predicts according to the blinker operation when it is detected that the traveling lane of the host vehicle is a merging lane to another lane. Based on the driver's line-of-sight direction, the appropriate sound when the host vehicle joins the other lane is changed to a sound presenting range and a sound collection range that expands the planned traveling direction and the rear range of the host vehicle. Information can be reliably presented to the driver.

  Furthermore, in this information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15 detects a sound presentation range and a wider range than the lane width when it is detected that the vehicle is traveling on a road having a narrow lane width. By setting the sound collection range, it is possible to reliably present appropriate sound information to the driver when traveling on a narrow road.

  Furthermore, in this information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15 detects that the vehicle is traveling on a road where the central separation zone exists, and automatically detects the absence of the central separation zone. By using the sound presentation range and the sound collection range that are expanded on the vehicle side, it is possible to reliably present appropriate sound information to the driver when traveling on a road where a median strip exists.

  In this information providing apparatus outside the vehicle, the sound presentation range and the sound collection range switching device 15 expands the range in a direction in which the line of sight is not directed according to the movement of the line of sight when the movement of the line of sight of the driver is detected. By dynamically changing to the sound presentation range and the sound collection range, appropriate sound information can be reliably presented to the driver even when the driver's line-of-sight movement frequently occurs.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and even if it is a form other than this embodiment, as long as it does not depart from the technical idea according to the present invention, the design and the like Of course, various modifications are possible.

It is a block diagram shown about the composition of the information providing device outside a vehicle shown as an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows the relationship between the arrangement | positioning state of the microphone in the case of collecting the sound of the range of all directions, and the sound collection range, (B) is the microphone in the case of collecting the sound of a back range. It is a figure which shows about the relationship between the arrangement | positioning condition of and the sound collection range, and (C) is a figure which shows the relationship between the arrangement | positioning condition of a microphone and the sound collection range in the case of collecting the sound of directions other than the left front. FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the microphone arrangement state and the sound collection range when sound in a direction other than the left front and right rear is desired to be collected. (A) is a diagram showing the relationship between the microphone arrangement and the sound collection range when it is desired to collect sound in directions other than the left front when a directional microphone and an omnidirectional microphone are installed. B) is a diagram showing the relationship between the microphone arrangement state and the sound collection range when it is desired to collect sound in all directions and left front when a directional microphone and an omnidirectional microphone are installed. It is a figure shown about the relationship between the arrangement | positioning condition of an object detection sensor, and a sound presentation range. It is a figure shown about the construction example of a trans-oral system. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of procedures when providing a driver with a sound outside the host vehicle in the outside information providing apparatus shown as an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows a series of procedures at the time of performing driving mode setting process in the information provision apparatus outside a vehicle shown as embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a series of procedures at the time of performing an operation mode setting process in the information provision apparatus outside a vehicle shown as embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a series of procedures at the time of performing a conditional branch process in the information provision apparatus outside a vehicle shown as embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a series of procedures at the time of performing a mapping process in the information provision apparatus outside a vehicle shown as embodiment of this invention. It is a figure shown about the specific example which shows a driver | operator the sound information which united the sound actually generated outside the own vehicle, and the virtual sound. It is a figure shown about the specific example which shows a driver | operator the sound information which compressed distance information. It is a figure shown about the specific example of the sound presentation range in a parking mode, and a sound collection range. It is a figure shown about the specific example of the sound presentation range and sound collection range in an urban area driving mode. It is a figure shown about the specific example of the sound presentation range and sound collection range in high-speed driving mode. It is a figure shown about the specific example of the sound presentation range in the stop mode, and a sound collection range. It is a figure shown about the specific example of the sound presentation range in the case of steering of a steering, and a sound collection range. It is a figure shown about the specific example of the sound presentation range and the sound collection range when there is a blinker operation. It is a figure shown about the operation example in front of a curve road. It is a figure shown about the operation example at the time of right and left turn. It is a figure shown about the operation example at the time of merge. It is a figure shown about the operation example at the time of driving | running | working on the road with a narrow lane width. It is a figure shown about the operation example at the time of driving | running | working of the road where a median strip exists. It is a figure shown about the operation example in case a driver | operator's eyes | visual_axis movement generate | occur | produces frequently.

Explanation of symbols

11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Microphone 11e Directional microphone 11f Omnidirectional microphone 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Object detection sensor 13 Environment detection unit 13a Position information detection unit 13b In-vehicle device operation signal output unit 13c Image output Unit 14 information determination unit 14a parking location determination unit 14b moving direction detection unit 14c moving object detection unit 15 sound presentation range and sound collection range switching device 16 timing and position determination unit 17 information presentation unit 17a virtual sound source generation unit 17b mixing gain adjustment unit 17c Sound information presentation part A, B Human AR, AR 'Sound presentation range and sound collection range C Car-mounted camera C1, C2 Position G, G11, G14, G21, G24 Transfer characteristics H, H11, H12, H21, H22, H31, H32, H41, H42 Filter SP, S P1, SP2, SP3, SP4 Speaker R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 Radius S Median strip W Wall X, X ', Y, Y' Utterance contents X1, X2 Input signal Y1, Y2 Observation signal

Claims (15)

Sound collecting means for collecting sounds outside the own vehicle installed in the own vehicle;
Object detection means for detecting an object installed in the host vehicle and existing around the host vehicle;
A sound presenting range outside the own vehicle for presenting a sound collected by the sound collecting means and a virtual sound representing an object to the driver is determined according to a current traveling state of the own vehicle, and includes the sound presenting range determining means for determining a sound collecting range by said sound collecting means in the range,
When the object detecting means detects an object present around the vehicle, the sound collected by the sound collecting means, and the sound presenting range and the object existing in the sound collecting range determined by the determining means An information presentation means for mapping the virtual sound representing the time and space and presenting the sound information to the driver ,
The determination means has a concentric characteristic of a predetermined radius in the non-traveling direction of the host vehicle when the current traveling state of the host vehicle is a parking state, and is larger than the radius in the traveling direction. A vehicle outside information providing apparatus characterized by having a sound presentation range and a sound collection range having characteristics that are expanded to the area . Sound collecting means for collecting sounds outside the own vehicle installed in the own vehicle;
Object detection means for detecting an object installed in the host vehicle and existing around the host vehicle;
A sound presenting range outside the own vehicle for presenting a sound collected by the sound collecting means and a virtual sound representing an object to the driver is determined according to a current traveling state of the own vehicle, and includes the sound presenting range determining means for determining a sound collecting range by said sound collecting means in the range,
When the object detecting means detects an object present around the vehicle, the sound collected by the sound collecting means, and the sound presenting range and the object existing in the sound collecting range determined by the determining means An information presentation means for mapping the virtual sound representing the time and space and presenting the sound information to the driver ,
When the current traveling state of the host vehicle is a medium speed traveling state, the determining unit is configured to obtain an elliptical characteristic whose major axis is the traveling direction of the host vehicle, or characteristics of all the sound collecting units used. A vehicle outside information providing apparatus characterized by having a sound presenting range and a sound collecting range having either one of a wide range of the superposed characteristics . Sound collecting means for collecting sounds outside the own vehicle installed in the own vehicle;
Object detection means for detecting an object installed in the host vehicle and existing around the host vehicle;
A sound presenting range outside the own vehicle for presenting a sound collected by the sound collecting means and a virtual sound representing an object to the driver is determined according to a current traveling state of the own vehicle, and includes the sound presenting range determining means for determining a sound collecting range by said sound collecting means in the range,
When the object detecting means detects an object present around the vehicle, the sound collected by the sound collecting means, and the sound presenting range and the object existing in the sound collecting range determined by the determining means An information presentation means for mapping the virtual sound representing the time and space and presenting the sound information to the driver ,
When the current traveling state of the host vehicle is a high-speed traveling state, the determining means sets the sound presenting range and the sound collecting range having an elliptical characteristic with the traveling direction of the host vehicle as a major axis, A vehicle outside information providing device that changes the size of the sound presentation range and the sound collection range in the major axis direction of the ellipse according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle . Sound collecting means for collecting sounds outside the own vehicle installed in the own vehicle;
Object detection means for detecting an object installed in the host vehicle and existing around the host vehicle;
A sound presenting range outside the own vehicle for presenting a sound collected by the sound collecting means and a virtual sound representing an object to the driver is determined according to a current traveling state of the own vehicle, and includes the sound presenting range determining means for determining a sound collecting range by said sound collecting means in the range,
When the object detecting means detects an object present around the vehicle, the sound collected by the sound collecting means, and the sound presenting range and the object existing in the sound collecting range determined by the determining means An information presentation means for mapping the virtual sound representing the time and space and presenting the sound information to the driver ,
The determining means, when the current driving situation of the host vehicle is a stopping situation, is either a concentric characteristic or a characteristic that is a wide range of characteristics obtained by superimposing characteristics of all the sound collecting means used. A vehicle outside information providing apparatus characterized by having a sound presentation range and a sound collection range having one characteristic . The information presenting means includes the sound collected by the sound collecting means and the sound presented by the determining means so as to place a sound source at a position in the real space of the object detected by the object detecting means. range and outside the information providing apparatus according to the virtual sound to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mapping the space-time representing the objects present in the sound collecting range. The information presenting means is collected by the sound collecting means so that the sound source is arranged at a position where the distance is compressed to a position closer to the driver than the position in real space of the object detected by the object detecting means. sound, and any one of claims 1 to 4 virtual sound representing the objects present in the sound presented scope and sound collecting range determined by the determining means and wherein the mapping the space-time The information providing device outside the vehicle according to 1. The said determination means determines a sound presentation range and a sound collection range based on a driver | operator's gaze direction estimated according to the steering angle and the presence or absence of a blinker operation | movement at least . The information providing apparatus outside a vehicle according to any one of the above. The determination means adds a new area that becomes a blind spot in accordance with the steering of the steering, and reduces the sound presentation range and the sound collection range so that the area that does not become the blind spot is reduced from the original sound presentation range and the sound collection range. The outside information providing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a range is determined. The determination means determines the sound presentation range and the sound collection range based on the driver's line-of-sight direction predicted according to the steering angle when the presence of a curved road is detected ahead of the traveling direction of the host vehicle. The outside information provision apparatus of Claim 8 characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. The vehicle exterior information according to claim 7 , wherein the determination means uses a sound presentation range and a sound collection range having characteristics obtained by enlarging a range of a traveling direction of the host vehicle when a winker operation is performed. Providing device. When the presence of a T-junction is detected ahead of the traveling direction of the host vehicle, the determination means has a sound presentation range having a characteristic expanded so that sound in the left-right direction of the T-junction can be collected. and outside information providing apparatus according to claim 1 0, characterized in that to change the sound collection range. The determination means, when it is detected that the traveling lane of the host vehicle is a merging lane to another lane, the traveling schedule of the host vehicle is based on the driver's line-of-sight direction predicted according to the blinker operation. outside information providing apparatus according to claim 1 0, characterized in that to change the sound presentation range and collected ranges enlarged direction and rear ranges. Said determining means, when the effect that the lane width is traveling on a narrow road is detected, the preceding claims, characterized in that a wide range of sound presentation range and sound collecting range than the lane width The vehicle exterior information provision apparatus as described in any one of 4 . When it is detected that the determination means is traveling on a road where a median strip exists, a sound presenting range and a sound collection range that are expanded on the vehicle side where the median strip does not exist The outside information provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized by things. When the driver's line of sight movement is detected, the determining means dynamically changes to a sound presentation range and a sound collection range in which the range is expanded in a direction in which the line of sight is not directed according to the line of sight movement. The information providing device outside a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information providing device is outside the vehicle.

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