JP5352844B2 - Vehicle alarm device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To warn a driver of approach or the like to an alarm object such as a speed measuring device and the like more reliably than a prior art device, and to appropriately support safe driving. <P>SOLUTION: A vehicle warning device has a GPS receiver 8 detecting a position of a vehicle, a position storing means storing information on a position of an alarm object, a warning means giving a warning about an approach to the alarm object based on the position of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver and the information on the position of the alarm object, a speed detecting portion 21 detecting a speed of the vehicle, a reference volume setting portion 24 setting a reference volume of the approach alarm, and a reference speed storing portion 23 storing the speed of the vehicle when the reference volume is set as a reference speed. The warning means adjust the volume of the approach alarm based on a reference volume according to a difference between a reference state and a present speed detected by a vehicle detecting portion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a warning device and a program for a vehicle including an alarm means by the sound to be mounted on a vehicle.

  Conventionally, the microwave sent from the vehicle speed measurement device is detected, the position information of the vehicle speed measurement device is stored and held, and the vehicle approaches the vehicle speed measurement device from the position of the vehicle detected by GPS. In some cases, a vehicular alarm device is known which informs that the vehicle speed measuring device is approaching.

  These vehicle alarm devices notify the driver of the approach to the position of the speed measuring device, thereby contributing to preventing the driver from unintentionally giving too much speed. In particular, since the speed measuring device is generally installed in a place where the speed is likely to be exceeded, the driver can be alerted to the driver in excess of the speed in a dangerous place. Thus, such a vehicle alarm device contributes to safe driving. Therefore, such a vehicle alarm device contributes to safe driving.

  The warning by the vehicle warning device is performed by sound or light. Specifically, when performing by sound, for example, a buzzer is sounded, music is sounded, and sound is output. In the case of using light, a lamp or LED is turned on or blinked, or a warning is displayed on various display devices such as a liquid crystal display or an EL display.

When a warning is given by sound, the warning may be difficult to hear due to the running sound of the vehicle, for example, during high speed driving. Then, there was a possibility that the driver was not aware of the warning and could not pay enough attention to overspeed. In order to solve this problem, for example, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 proposes a vehicle warning device that increases the volume of a warning sound when the speed of the vehicle increases.
JP 2004-345556 A

  However, as a result of actual verification, simply increasing the volume according to the speed of the vehicle may cause the driver not to notice the warning sound, which is sufficient to provide information for safe driving. There are things that cannot be said.

The present invention provides a vehicle warning device and a program capable of appropriately transmitting a warning and approaching an alarm target such as a speed measurement device to a driver and appropriately supporting safe driving. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a vehicle alarm device according to the present invention includes (1) a position detection unit that detects a position of a vehicle, a position storage unit that stores information on the position of an alarm object, and the position A warning device for a vehicle, comprising: a warning means that issues an approach warning to the warning object based on the position of the vehicle detected by the detection means and information on the position of the warning object stored in the position storage means. When the reference volume is set by the state detection means for detecting a state affecting the sound in the vehicle interior, the reference volume setting means for setting the reference volume for the approach alarm, and the reference volume setting means Reference state storage means for storing the reference state detected by the state detection means, and the alarm means includes the reference state stored in the reference state storage means and the state detection means. And to carry out sound volume adjustment of the proximity warning relative to the said reference volume, based on the difference between the current state detected by.

  The state (reference state) includes, for example, the speed of the vehicle, but is not limited to this, and there are various types such as the engine speed, the transmission gear ratio (range), and the vehicle interior sound. The reference volume set by the reference volume setting means may be a fixed value or a variable value. For example, it may be based on a volume adjusted based on an instruction from the user as in the embodiment. In particular, the set sound volume of the device that is adjusted based on an instruction from the user may be used.

  The state when the reference volume is set is stored and held as the reference state, the state when the actual alarm is issued is detected, the state is compared with the reference state, and if it is different, the reference volume is adjusted accordingly. . This adjustment mainly includes an increase to increase the volume, but also a decrease and mute to decrease the volume. For example, when the reference state is substantially equal to the current state, the driver can appropriately hear the alarm even if an alarm is issued at the reference volume. On the other hand, for example, if the current state has a greater degree of influence on the sound in the passenger compartment than the reference state, it can be controlled to warn with a sound larger than the reference volume. In this way, the volume is adjusted with respect to the difference between the reference state (reference vehicle speed), which is the state of the vehicle speed when the reference volume is set, and the current state (current speed, etc.). Compared with the case where the volume is simply adjusted according to the vehicle speed, an alarm of approach to the speed measuring device can be transmitted more reliably. Conversely, if the current state is less affected by the sound in the passenger compartment than the reference state, the sound may be lower than the reference volume or may remain in the reference state.

  (2) The alarm means compares the reference state stored in the reference state storage means with the state detected by the state detection means as the volume adjustment, and the detected state is more than the reference state. Only when the degree of influence on the sound in the passenger compartment is large, the volume of the approach alarm may be set to be larger than the reference volume set in the reference volume setting means.

  In this way, the reference state (reference vehicle speed, etc.), which is the vehicle speed when the volume is set, is compared with the current state (speed, etc.), and only when the degree of influence on the sound in the passenger compartment is large The volume of the approach alarm is set to be larger than the reference volume. Here, “when large” may be equal to or higher than the reference state, or may exceed the reference state (not including the reference state). Therefore, when the state is equal to the reference state or the degree of influence on the sound in the passenger compartment is small, the volume is not adjusted. For example, the degree of influence on the sound in the passenger compartment such as a decrease in the vehicle speed is small. As a result, it is possible to avoid such a situation that the volume of the alarm is reduced. In this way, it is possible to prevent the user from missing the alarm.

  (3) Alarm target alarm state storage means for storing a warning required alarm state that is a state that affects the sound in the vehicle interior to be alarmed according to the alarm target object, and the alarm means includes the alarm target alarm. If the alarm-required state stored in the state storage unit does not satisfy the state detected by the state detection unit, the detected state affects the sound in the vehicle compartment more than the reference state. Even when the volume is large, the volume adjustment can be avoided.

  In this way, even if the state of the vehicle speed or the like exceeds the reference state (reference vehicle speed, etc.) when the reference volume is set, the state (speed etc.) that should be alarmed according to the alarm object If the current state is not reached in the alarm required state (status alarm speed), the volume is not adjusted. For example, when the state is speed, when a speed measuring device installed on a road having a maximum speed of 60 km / h is used as an alarm target, if the alarm speed required is, for example, 60 km / h, the vehicle speed is 30 km / h. Sometimes, when the reference volume is set, and the current vehicle speed is traveling at 50 km / h, the volume is not adjusted. In this way, only when the driver is inadvertently exceeding the speed, it is possible to warn with an alarm volume that makes the state aware, and if the alarm speed is not reached, the volume is not adjusted. An alarm is issued at the sound volume, and the user can be prevented from feeling annoying the alarm.

  (4) The alarm means performs an alarm for approaching the alarm object in a plurality of stages according to the degree of access to the alarm object, and the degree of access to the alarm object is relatively low. The first state, which is the detected state at the time of the approach warning at the stage, is stored, and the detected state at the time of the approach alarm at a stage where the degree of approach to the alarm target is relatively high. When the second state is not so small as to affect the sound in the passenger compartment as compared with the first state, the volume of the approach warning is larger than the reference volume set in the reference volume setting means It can be.

  In this way, after the first warning, if the speed does not decrease, and the degree of influence on the sound in the passenger compartment does not improve (decrease) (determined that you have not noticed), increase the volume at the second warning. Can be alarmed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably transmit an alarm to a driver or the like.

  (5) Stores position estimation means for estimating the position of the vehicle, and position information for issuing a prior warning in preparation for a position in the area where the position of the vehicle cannot be detected by the position detection means and requiring the approach warning. Pre-alarm position storage means, and the alarm means issues an alarm at the reference volume when the position of the vehicle is at the pre-alarm position stored in the pre-alarm position storage means. The state at the time of the prior warning is stored, and the state when the position of the vehicle estimated by the position estimating means reaches the position that requires the approach warning is greater than the state at the time of the prior warning. If the degree of influence on the sound is not small, the volume of the approach alarm can be set to be larger than the reference volume set in the reference volume setting means. The position estimation means may estimate the position by obtaining the travel distance from the vehicle speed and time obtained by the vehicle speed detection means, for example, or may detect the acceleration using a detection means such as an acceleration sensor different from the vehicle speed detection means. The travel distance may be obtained from the position to estimate the position. Further, the position estimation means may be configured to estimate a travel distance by detecting a speed based on power supply noise of a power supply supplied from a vehicle.

  In this way, for example, at the entrance of the tunnel, an alarm “There is a speed measuring device at the exit of the tunnel” is issued at the set volume (reference volume). If the situation does not improve, such as when there is no deceleration or acceleration in the tunnel, the volume can be increased and a warning can be issued again saying “There is a speed measurement device at the tunnel exit”, which is more reliable. An alarm can be transmitted to the driver.

  (6) The detected state may be at least one of a vehicle speed, an engine speed, a transmission gear ratio, a vehicle interior sound, and a window open / closed state. In addition, when a plurality of monitoring is performed, each reference state of the monitoring target may be compared with each current state, or any one of the plurality of monitoring targets may be compared with the current state. Other states may be used in an auxiliary manner such as comparison with a certain threshold value.

  (7) The alarm means includes a display means for displaying an approach warning to the alarm object by display, and when alarming at a volume larger than the reference volume, a display different from the case of alarming at the reference volume It is good to make it display the approach warning to the said warning target object on the said display means by the aspect. In this way, with regard to the approach alarm, by giving a change including not only the volume but also the display (LED / LCD) between when the alarm is performed at the reference volume and when the alarm is performed at a volume higher than the reference volume, for example, Even when it is difficult to hear in a volume-up state such as a car stereo or a TV, the possibility of transmitting an alarm to the driver is further increased, and an excellent effect can be exhibited.

  (8) The alarm means may be configured not to adjust the volume during the approach alarm. In this way, when there is a change in the vehicle speed or the like during the approach warning, the volume during the warning is changed, and it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

  (9) The detected state is a speed, the state detecting means is a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the vehicle, and the reference vehicle speed stored in the reference state storage means is equal to or higher than a predetermined high-speed traveling vehicle speed. In this case, it is preferable not to lower the volume as the volume adjustment. In this way, for example, when the reference volume is set during high-speed travel, the volume is not reduced even if the speed of the vehicle subsequently becomes low (for example, from a highway to a general road). Therefore, even when entering the general road through the expressway, the warning is given with the reference volume set on the expressway, so that the warning on the general road is not missed.

  (10) The detected state is a speed, the state detecting means is a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the vehicle, and the warning means is configured such that the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is a predetermined speed. When the speed is less than the speed limit, the approach warning sound may be muted. In this way, it is possible to prevent an alarm from being issued when an alarm is unnecessary, such as when there is a traffic jam. For example, the alarm may be displayed while the sound is muted. The predetermined speed limit may be a fixed value such as 30 km per hour, but is stored in association with the position information of the alarm object, and the vehicle position detected by the position detection means and the alarm object The speed limit stored in association with the position information of the alarm target based on the position information may be used.

  (11) It is preferable to include acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration of the vehicle, and when the acceleration detection means detects an acceleration of a predetermined value or more, the warning means may increase the volume of the approach warning. In this way, during rapid acceleration, an alarm is output early or the volume is increased [0], so the driver can be appropriately notified of the alarm according to the state.

  (12) It is provided with a deceleration detecting means for detecting deceleration of the vehicle, and the warning means lowers the volume of the approach warning when deceleration is detected by the deceleration detection means during the approach warning. Can do. In this way, it is possible to prevent an alarm from being issued at a high volume even though the driver is aware, and to prevent the driver from being subjected to unnecessary stress.

  (13) A stop state determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle is in a stop state is provided, and the alarm unit reduces a volume of the approach alarm when the stop state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a stop state. Good. The stop state determination means may determine whether or not the vehicle is stopped based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means. For example, the stop state determination means detects the engine speed and stores the engine speed in the idling state. In addition, when the stored rotation speed in the idling state and the current rotation speed substantially coincide with each other, a means for determining that the vehicle is stopped can be used. In this way, when there is often no need for an alarm while the vehicle is stopped, the alarm is not issued at a large volume, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary stress on the driver.

  (14) When the sound volume adjustment is changed to “increase the sound volume” or “increase the sound volume”, and the output timing of the approach alarm is changed according to the state detected by the state detection means. In this way, for example, an alarm can be issued early according to the speed. For example, when the speed is 100 km / h, an alarm such as “speed measuring device 1 km ahead → speed measuring device 500 m ahead” is given, and when the speed is 140 km per hour (for example, when the engine is running at high speed), “2 km ahead” Speed measurement device ... → Speed measurement device 1km ahead ... → Speed measurement device 500m ahead. Further, the volume may be determined by looking at the speed change during this period. If the speed of the vehicle is high, there is a high possibility that the alarm will not be noticed. Therefore, the warning may be given early, and if the speed does not decrease, the volume may be increased in two steps. In addition, when realizing more accurately, it is better to distinguish between high speed and ordinary roads.

  (15) An alarm object number counting unit that counts the number of alarm objects that are objects of the approach alarm, and an alarm object number notifying unit that notifies the number of alarm objects counted by the alarm object number counting unit. It is good to do so.

  In this way, the user can know the number of alarm objects that are the targets of the approach alarm. The counting of the number of alarm objects may be started, for example, when the vehicle alarm device is activated, and the number of alarm objects counted when the vehicle alarm device ends (when stopped) may be notified. In addition, a count start and a notification instruction may be input from an input unit such as a switch, and in accordance with these instructions, the count may be started and the number of alarm objects may be notified. The end of the vehicle alarm device may be, for example, a case where it is detected that a switch for turning off the power of the vehicle alarm device is pressed. Further, for example, counting may be started when power supply to the vehicle alarm device is started, and the number of alarm objects may be notified when power supply is interrupted. In this case, auxiliary power means (for example, a battery or a solar cell) may be provided so that the vehicle alarm device operates even when power is not supplied, and these functions may be operated by the auxiliary power means. Also provided with engine operation detection means, counting starts when engine operation starts and when it is detected that engine operation has stopped (for example, when vibration of the engine is no longer detected by a vibration sensor, etc.) You may make it alert | report the number of warning objects. In addition, when there is an alarm object other than the approach alarm, the alarm object number counting means may also count and notify these alarm objects.

  The alarm object number counting means counts the number of alarm objects that have become alarm objects for each type of alarm object, and the alarm object number notifying means notifies the number of alarm objects counted for each type of alarm object. This is especially good. In this way, it is possible to know how many alarm objects are alarm targets.

  Further, the number of alarm objects that have been subject to volume adjustment and the number of alarm objects that have not been subject to volume adjustment may be counted separately. In particular, the number of alarm objects whose volume is muted or the number of alarm objects whose volume is lowered may be counted separately from the number of alarm objects notified at the reference volume, and the respective numbers may be notified. The number notification may be performed by voice or display. When performing display, the number of alarm objects counted may be displayed as a numerical value or a graph together with the name and icon of the alarm object.

  For example, if the number of alarm target points that passed between getting on and getting off is displayed automatically or based on operation, the user can be notified of the number of alarm objects, and the user can You can know the number of As a result, the user's awareness of safe driving can be increased. Further, when the vehicle is muted while traveling at a speed lower than the speed limit, it is also possible to recognize a place (alarm object) that has passed without being noticed.

In addition, for example, it is more preferable to have a function of displaying an elapsed time after boarding (for example, power is supplied to the vehicle alarm device) or a time when boarding. For example, a time and speed graph may be displayed.

  In the present invention, the state that affects the sound in the passenger compartment when the reference volume is set is stored and held as a reference state, and the difference between the state that affects the sound in the passenger compartment and the reference state when an alarm is issued Based on the reference volume, the volume is adjusted based on the reference volume, so the driver is notified of the approach to the speed measurement device and other alarms more reliably than before by using an appropriate volume (a volume that does not cause missed listening). And can properly support safe driving.

  1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the vehicle alarm device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the solar panel 2 and the switch unit 3 are arranged on the upper surface of the case body 1, the microwave receiver 4 is arranged inside the front side of the case body 1, and the display unit 5 is arranged on the rear surface of the case body 1. An alarm lamp 6 and an infrared communication device 7 are arranged. A GPS receiver 8 is disposed inside the upper surface side of the case body 1. Further, an adapter jack 9 is disposed on one side surface of the case body 1, and a power switch 10 and a DC jack 11 are disposed on the other side surface. A speaker is also built in the case body 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the infrared communication device 7 transmits and receives data to and from a communication device incorporating an infrared transmitter / receiver such as a mobile phone 12. The adapter jack 9 is a terminal for connecting the memory card reader 13. By connecting the memory card reader 13 to the adapter jack 9, data stored in the memory card 14 attached to the memory card reader 13 can be taken in. More specifically, the data stored in the memory card 14 includes update information such as information on a new target (position information including longitude and latitude, type information, etc.), and the update information passes through the control unit 18. Then, it is stored (downloaded) in the database 19 built in the vehicle alarm device, and the data is updated. The database 19 can be realized by a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM) in the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. The database 19 stores information related to a certain target at the time of shipment, and data on the target added after that is updated as described above. Data update can also be performed via the infrared communication device 7. The information on the target includes information on the installation position of the speed measurement device to be detected and information on the points where accidents occur frequently.

  The microwave receiver 4 receives microwaves in a predetermined frequency band, and detects the signal level of the received microwaves when receiving microwaves in the set frequency band. Specifically, the RSSI voltage corresponding to the signal level and the electric field strength is used.

  The DC jack 11 is for connecting a cigar plug cord (not shown), and is connected to a cigar socket of the vehicle via the cigar plug cord so that power can be supplied. Furthermore, the target object detection apparatus of the present embodiment includes a wireless receiver 15 and a remote control receiver 16. The wireless receiver 15 receives incoming radio waves having a predetermined frequency. The remote control receiver 16 performs data communication with a remote control (portable device: handset) 17 and performs various settings for the vehicle alarm device. The switch unit 3 is also connected to the control unit 18 (not shown) so that the same setting as the remote controller 17 can be performed.

  And the control part 18 performs a predetermined | prescribed process based on the information input from said various input devices (receiver etc.), and uses an output device (display part 5, alarm lamp 6, speaker 20, etc.). To output predetermined alarms and messages. In addition, since these basic structures can use the thing similar to a conventional thing fundamentally, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The control unit 18 monitors the occurrence of an alarm event, and executes a predetermined process described later when the alarm event occurs. Here, the alarm event is generated when an alarm is required. For example, when the radio receiver 15 receives radio at a predetermined frequency (carrier frequency of a signal transmitted from an emergency vehicle such as a police car) (hereinafter referred to as “when receiving a car location”). "). The alarm event is also generated when the position information received by the GPS receiver 8 reaches a predetermined distance from the target position stored in the database 19.

  Here, in the present invention, it is possible to adjust the volume at the time of alarm by sound according to the situation. Specifically, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a speed detection unit 21 that is a vehicle speed detection unit that obtains a vehicle speed based on the output of the GPS receiver 8, and a reference speed storage unit that stores and holds a reference speed. 23, a reference speed setting unit 22 that stores the vehicle speed obtained by the speed detection unit 21 as a reference speed in the reference speed storage unit 23, a reference volume storage unit 25 that stores and holds the reference volume of the alarm, and the reference volume storage unit A reference volume setting unit 24 that records a reference volume in 25, and a volume determination unit 26 that determines the volume of an alarm sound from the information stored in each of the storage units 23 and 25 and the current vehicle speed obtained by the speed detection unit 21. And a speaker control unit 27 that issues a predetermined alarm from the speaker 20 at the volume determined by the volume determination unit 26.

  The vehicle speed is calculated by the speed detector 21 based on the output of the GPS receiver 8. That is, since the GPS receiver 8 outputs the position information, the moving distance can be known from the history of the position information (at least two pieces of position information). Since the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver includes time information, the time when each position information is obtained is also known, so the speed is calculated from the movement distance and the movement time required for the movement based on the GPS signal. Can be calculated. Of course, the vehicle speed detection means (speed detection unit) is not limited to the one that obtains the vehicle speed based on the output of the GPS receiver 8 as described above, and information related to the vehicle speed output from the vehicle such as a vehicle speed pulse is used. The speed may be calculated based on the power supply noise of the power supplied from the vehicle, or a vehicle speed sensor or the like may be provided separately. The speed (vehicle speed) v <b> 1 obtained by the speed detection unit 21 is given to the volume determination unit 26 and the reference speed setting unit 22.

  On the other hand, the remote controller 17 is provided with volume setting buttons having shapes such as “▲” and “▼”. The “▲” button is a volume up button and the “▼” button is a volume down button. The remote controller 17 transmits information on the pressed button to the remote control receiver 16. The remote control receiver 16 gives the button information received from the remote control 17 to the reference volume setting unit 24 in the control unit 18. Further, the button information (volume up / down) is also given to the reference speed setting unit 22.

  The reference volume setting unit 24 stores the current set volume in the reference volume storage unit 25 in accordance with a command from the remote controller 17 acquired via the remote control receiver 16. This stored set volume becomes the reference volume. When receiving the volume up information from the remote control receiver 16, the reference volume setting unit 24 increments the volume stored in the reference volume storage unit 25 and receives the volume down information from the remote control receiver 16. In this case, the volume stored in the reference volume storage unit 25 is set to “−1”. As the remote controller is operated, the control unit 18 outputs a sound corresponding to the set volume (sample alarm sound or the like) from the speaker 20. When the user listens to the sound and determines that it is not appropriate, the user adjusts the volume again by operating the remote controller. When it is determined that the sound volume is appropriate, no particular operation is performed. Thereby, the volume set by the last operation is stored and held in the reference volume storage unit 25, and the volume becomes the reference volume.

  The reference speed setting unit 22 acquires the vehicle speed v1 when the above-described volume up / down command is received from the speed detection unit 21, and stores it in the reference speed storage unit 23 as the set speed v0. This stored speed v0 becomes the reference speed.

  The volume determination unit 26 uses the reference volume stored in the reference volume storage unit 25 as a reference based on the difference between the current speed v1 given from the speed detection unit 21 and the reference speed v0 stored in the reference speed storage unit 23. The volume of the alarm sound is determined, and the determined volume is given to the speaker control unit 27. The speaker control unit 27 issues an alarm from the speaker 20 at a given volume when performing an approach alarm or the like.

  The sound volume determination process in the sound volume determination unit 26 is, for example, a process of obtaining a difference between the current speed of the vehicle at the time of an alarm and a reference speed and adding / subtracting the sound volume to / from the reference sound volume according to the difference. It is. By executing this process, the volume of the alarm sound is obtained. Specifically, the flow of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed as a whole by each of the above-described units constituting the control unit 18.

  That is, the reference volume setting unit 24 stores the reference volume in the reference volume storage unit 25 (S1). The reference speed setting unit 22 acquires the speed at that time (setting speed) triggered by the reference volume setting process, and stores the speed in the reference speed storage unit 23 (S2). The speed v0 stored in the reference speed storage unit 23 becomes the reference speed.

  Then, the control unit 18 waits for the occurrence of an alarm event (S3). This alarm event is, for example, the reception of microwaves in a predetermined frequency band by the microwave receiver 4 or the current position information detected by the GPS receiver 8 in a predetermined positional relationship with the target stored in the database 19. There are cases where a target (such as a speed measuring device) to be detected is detected, or a radio receiver 15 receives a radio wave or other radio wave output from an emergency vehicle in the car locator system. This alarm event is an original function of the control unit 18, and the occurrence of this alarm event is given to the volume determination unit 26, the speaker control unit 27, etc., and the following volume determination and alarm at the determined volume are performed. Output is performed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the setting of the reference volume can be changed by the user performing a remote control operation at any time. Therefore, once the reference volume is set, the reference volume setting process may be performed again while the alarm event is on standby. The flowchart of FIG. 4 does not specifically describe such a state, but if a reference volume change command is received by remote control operation, the process returns to process step S1 so that the process is executed from the beginning. Become.

  On the other hand, when an alarm event occurs, the sound volume determination unit 26 acquires the current speed v1 output from the speed detection unit 21 (S4), reads the reference speed v0 from the reference speed storage unit 23, and determines the difference between the two speeds. (V1-v0) is obtained (S5).

  If the speed difference is “0 or +”, that is, if the current speed and the reference speed are the same or the current speed is faster than the reference speed, the process proceeds to processing step 6 to determine the increase amount (n). In this embodiment, the speed difference is divided into a plurality of regions, and the volume increase amount (n) is increased as the speed difference is faster. In many cases, the reference volume can be set when the vehicle is stopped (v0 = 0 km). Therefore, even if the current speed is faster than the reference speed, the reference volume is set at a traveling speed of about 30 km / h or less. This is because even if an alarm is given, it seems that it can be heard well enough. Then, the reference volume + n (db) is determined as the alarm volume, and based on the information, the speaker control unit 27 issues an alarm with the determined volume (S7).

  On the other hand, if v1-v0 is negative, the current speed is slower than the reference speed, so the process jumps to step S8 to determine the reference volume as the volume of the alarm sound, and based on the information, the speaker control unit 27 determines the determination. An alarm is issued at the set volume (reference volume) (S8).

  In this way, the volume is adjusted with respect to the difference between the reference vehicle speed, which is the vehicle speed when the reference volume is set, and the vehicle speed (for example, the current speed) detected by the speed detector 21, so Compared to the conventional case of simply adjusting the volume according to the vehicle speed, it is possible to transmit an alarm of approach to the speed measuring device more reliably.

  When the vehicle speed exceeds the reference vehicle speed or exceeds the reference vehicle speed, the engine sound and the running sound increase, but the alarm volume also becomes larger than the reference volume accordingly. Can be notified to the user. In addition, as the speed difference increases, the volume that increases increases, so the effect is even more so. Further, since the volume is not adjusted when the vehicle speed is lower than the reference vehicle speed or less than the reference vehicle speed, it is possible to avoid such a situation that the vehicle speed becomes slow and the sound volume decreases accordingly. In this way, it is possible to prevent the user from missing the alarm.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reference volume setting unit 24 has a function of increasing / decreasing the volume based on a remote control operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a predetermined setting set by hardware or software. The volume (for example, the initial volume) may be set as the reference volume. In this case, when a predetermined switch is operated, the vehicle speed of the vehicle at that time is set as the reference speed.

  Further, the reference volume set in the reference volume storage unit 25 and the reference vehicle speed stored in the reference vehicle speed storage unit 23 may be constituted by, for example, a non-volatile memory that is held even when the power is turned off. . This is preferable because the user does not have to set the volume every time. In particular, when power is supplied from a vehicle, generally, when the engine is turned off and the vehicle key is removed, the power supply to the vehicle alarm device is often cut off. Even with this configuration, it is not necessary to reset the volume every time the key is pulled out and the vehicle is exited.

  5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment includes an alarm target object alarm speed storage unit 28 that stores an alarm speed required, which is a speed of a vehicle to be alarmed according to the alarm target object. The alarm target alarm speed storage unit 28 is constituted by a buffer in the control unit 18, and the alarm speed required stored in the alarm target alarm speed storage unit 28 is stored in, for example, the database 19 shown in FIG. It is extracted and stored from there. Of course, the alarm target alarm speed storage unit 28 is not necessarily provided in the control unit 18 and may be provided in the database 19.

  When the current speed v1 acquired from the speed detection unit 21 is less than the required alarm speed associated with the target that is the current alarm target stored in the alarm object alarm speed storage unit 28, the volume determination unit 26 The volume adjustment is not performed even when the current speed v1 of the vehicle exceeds the reference vehicle speed v0. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, a processing step S9 for determining whether or not v1 is less than the required alarm speed is provided between the processing steps S4 and S5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, if v1 is less than the required alarm speed after executing step S4 (Yes in S9), the process jumps to step S8, and the volume determination unit 26 determines the volume of the alarm sound as the reference volume. Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

  As an example, when the alarm target is a speed measuring device installed on a road having a maximum speed of 60 km / h, the alarm speed required is set to 60 km / h, for example. In this case, if the reference volume is set when the vehicle speed is 0 km / h, and the current vehicle speed is traveling at 50 km / h, the difference is 50 km in processing step S6 shown in FIG. Therefore, the increase amount n is 3 dB. However, in this embodiment, since the required alarm speed is not reached, the volume adjustment is not performed (the alarm is maintained with the reference volume) without seeing the difference (the alarm is maintained with the reference volume) ( (See FIG. 6).

  In this way, only when the driver is inadvertently exceeding the speed, it is possible to warn with an alarm volume that makes the state aware, and if the alarm speed is not reached, the volume is not adjusted. An alarm is issued at the sound volume, and the user can be prevented from feeling annoying the alarm.

  It should be noted that the increase amount n in the processing step 6 is set to 0 when it is 30 km / h or less, and the volume at the time of alarm is controlled to be adjusted to ndB up to the reference volume, but as a result, it is 30 km / h or less. In this case, the adjusted volume is the same as the reference volume. Accordingly, the determination at the processing step S5 is “v1-v0> 30 km / h”, and if the determination is No, the processing jumps to the processing step 8 to give an alarm at the reference volume, and the processing is performed when the determination is Yes. You may make it jump to step S6 and determine the increase n according to speed. In any of the above cases, the amount of increase in the processing step S6 is different depending on the speed, but the amount of increase may be a fixed value.

  In addition, when the sound set at stop is heard at 60 km / h and when the sound set at 60 km / h is heard at 120 km / h, the latter is the same even if the difference is 60 km / h. There are many things that are difficult to hear. It can be predicted that even if the increase in speed is the same, if the reference speed changes, the increase in the volume of the sound in the room differs (higher speed is greater). Therefore, if the volume is increased at the set speed +30 km / h as in the present embodiment, if the reference volume is set when the vehicle is stopped (reference speed: 0 km / h), the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 40 km / h. However, it can be predicted that a louder sound than the set reference volume will be produced and that there will be almost no warning at the reference volume. Accordingly, a minimum alarm speed required may be set, and if it is less than this, an alarm may be issued at the reference volume. For example, if the minimum required alarm speed is set to 50 km / h, an alarm can be made with a reference volume during stoppage and low-speed driving.

  FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the alarm target is a speed measuring device (Obis (registered trademark)), if the current speed is not equal to or greater than the speed limit + predetermined speed (for example, 30 km / h), the volume is not adjusted and the reference volume is adjusted. A warning was issued at. That is, the speed limit is stored for each road. If the speed limit is stored in the database 19, it may be used, or a separate storage means may be provided and stored therein.

  The reference volume setting unit 24 stores the reference volume in the reference volume storage unit 25 (S11). The reference speed setting unit 22 acquires the speed at that time (setting speed) triggered by the reference volume setting process, and stores the speed in the reference speed storage unit 23 (S12). The speed v0 stored in the reference speed storage unit 23 becomes the reference speed.

  Then, the control unit 18 recognizes that the current position has come to an alarm point * km (* is “0.5”, “1”, etc.) before the speed measuring device, and waits for an alarm event to occur. (S13).

  When the alarm event “in front of the speed measurement device * km” occurs, the sound volume determination unit 26 acquires the current speed v1 output from the speed detection unit 21 (S14). Then, the sound volume determination unit 26 accesses the database 19 from the current position information obtained by the GPS receiver 8 to acquire the speed limit of the road that is running, and the current speed is set to the predetermined speed (in this example, , 30 km / h) or more is determined (S15). The speed limit is not limited to the speed limit stored in the database 19 as described above, and may be prepared separately. Furthermore, the speed limit is not set for each individual road, for example, 50 km / It may be a fixed value such as h or 60 km / h, or may be 50 km / h or 60 km / h for a general road and 80 km / h or 100 km / h for a highway according to the road type. Control is simplified by taking a fixed value in this way. If not exceeded (No in S15), the process jumps to the processing step S18 to determine the reference volume as the volume of the alarm sound, and based on the information, the speaker control unit 27 uses the determined volume (reference volume). An alarm is issued (S18).

  On the other hand, when the predetermined speed (30 km / h in this example) exceeds the speed limit, the difference (v1−v0) between the reference speed and the current speed is obtained, and the current speed is higher than the reference speed. It is determined whether or not it is faster than 30 km / h (S16). When the speed difference is “+30 km / h or more” (Yes in S16), the sound volume determination unit 26 determines the sound volume increased by a predetermined amount from the reference sound volume as the sound volume of the current alarm sound. This increasing volume may be a fixed value, or may be set as appropriate according to the speed, as shown in process step S6 of FIG. Then, the speaker control unit 27 issues an alarm with the determined volume (S17).

  Further, the difference (v1−v0) between the reference speed and the current speed is obtained, and when the current speed is less than 30 km / h (including the case where the reference speed is equal to or less) than the reference speed (No in S16), the volume is determined. The unit 26 determines the reference volume as the volume of the alarm sound, and based on the information, the speaker control unit 27 issues an alarm with the determined volume (reference volume) (S18).

  FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In many cases, an approach warning to a target (speed measurement device or the like) based on position information in the control unit 18 is performed in a plurality of stages according to the degree of approach to the alarm target. In the vehicle alarm device that takes such an alarm form, the vehicle speed (vehicle speed) at the time of the approach alarm when the degree of approach to the alarm object is relatively low is stored as the first speed v1. The vehicle speed (vehicle speed) at the time of the approach warning when the degree of approach to the alarm target is relatively high is defined as a second speed v2. When it is confirmed that the vehicle is decelerating from the relationship between the second speed v2 and the first speed v1, an alarm is issued at the reference volume, and when the vehicle is not decelerating, as in the above-described embodiments. Compare with the reference speed to determine the volume.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the reference volume setting unit 24 stores the reference volume in the reference volume storage unit 25 (S21). The reference speed setting unit 22 acquires the speed at that time (setting speed) triggered by the reference volume setting process, and stores the speed in the reference speed storage unit 23 (S22). The speed v0 stored in the reference speed storage unit 23 becomes the reference speed.

  Then, the control unit 18 recognizes that the current position has come to a relatively far alarm point “a km before the speed measuring device” (a is “1”, for example), and so on, and waits for an alarm event to occur. (S23).

  When the alarm event “km before the speed measurement device” occurs, the volume determination unit 26 determines the reference volume as the volume of the alarm sound, and based on the information, the speaker control unit 27 determines the determined volume ( An alarm is issued at the reference volume) (S24). Further, the sound volume determination unit 26 acquires the current speed output from the speed detection unit 21, and stores and holds it as v1.

  Thereafter, the control unit 18 recognizes that the alarm point is relatively close to b km (a is, for example, “0.5”, etc.) before the same speed measurement device, and waits for an alarm event to occur ( S26). Note that an alarm event may occur such that the distance from another speed measurement device becomes a km before the alarm event of b km before this same speed measurement device occurs. Then, v1 for each speed measuring device is stored in association with each other, and the waiting for the distance from the corresponding speed measuring device to b km is performed.

  If the alarm event of S26 occurs, the sound volume determination unit 26 sets the current speed acquired at that time to v2 (S27), and accesses the database 19 from the current position information obtained by the GPS receiver. The speed limit of the road that is running is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the current speed v2 exceeds the speed limit by a predetermined speed (30 km / h in this example) (S28). If not exceeded (No in S28), the process jumps to the processing step S32, the volume determination unit 26 determines the reference volume as the volume of the alarm sound, and the speaker control unit 27 determines the determination based on the information. An alarm is issued at the volume (reference volume) (S32).

  On the other hand, if the current speed v2 exceeds the speed limit by a predetermined speed (in this example, 30 km / h) or more, the difference between the speed v1 stored when the speed measurement device is a km before and the current speed v2 is calculated. It is determined and it is determined whether or not the vehicle is decelerating (S29). The criterion for determining whether or not the vehicle is decelerating is to take a margin of 10 km / h in consideration of an error and the fact that the user is surely decelerating due to the intention of the user. If the speed is lower than 10 km / h (Yes in S29), the process jumps to step S32, and the volume determination unit 26 determines the reference volume as the volume of the alarm sound, and controls the speaker based on the information. The unit 27 issues an alarm at the determined volume (reference volume) (S32).

  When the vehicle is not decelerating more than 10 km / h (including the case where the vehicle is accelerating), the difference (v2−v0) between the reference speed v0 and the current speed v2 is obtained, and the current speed is higher than the reference speed. It is also determined whether the speed is faster than 30 km / h (S30). When the current speed is less than 30 km / h than the reference speed (including cases where the current speed is lower than the reference speed) (No in S30), the volume determination unit 26 determines the reference volume as the volume of the alarm sound, Based on the information, the speaker control unit 27 issues an alarm at the determined volume (reference volume) (S32). On the other hand, when the current speed v2 is 30 km or more faster than the reference speed v0 (Yes in S30), the volume determination unit 26 determines the volume increased by a predetermined amount from the reference volume as the volume of the current alarm sound. This increasing volume may be a fixed value, or may be set as appropriate according to the speed, as shown in process step S6 of FIG. Then, the speaker control unit 27 issues an alarm with the determined volume (S31).

  According to the present embodiment, if the speed does not decrease after the first alarm (determined that the driver has not noticed the alarm), the alarm is reliably transmitted to the driver by raising the volume at the second alarm. be able to. For example, suppose that the vehicle is traveling on a highway at 120 km / h after the reference volume is set when the vehicle speed is 60 km / h. In this case, at the reference volume, first, an alarm is issued at the reference volume, “There is a speed measuring device 1 km ahead”. If you drive at the same speed and come to the second alarm point, turn up the volume and increase it to “500 m ahead”. Has a speed measuring device. " On the other hand, when the speed is reduced from 120 km / h, an alarm is given at the set volume (reference volume), thereby eliminating the trouble of being alerted by a loud sound.

  FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 is provided. The vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 is a means for detecting a vehicle condition that affects the sound in the vehicle interior, and can be realized by, for example, a microphone connected to the control unit 18. The output of the vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 is given to the sound volume determination unit 26. The sound volume determination unit 26 determines the sound volume in consideration of the output of the vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 in addition to the vehicle speed.

  That is, even when the vehicle speed is the same, the engine sound varies depending on the gear ratio. Therefore, for example, when the reference speed and the current speed are the same when the reference volume is set, in each of the above embodiments, an alarm is issued at the reference volume. However, when the current gear ratio is lower than the gear ratio at the time of setting the reference speed, such as during acceleration or traveling on a long downhill, the engine noise becomes loud. In addition, when the standard volume is set while driving on a highway at 100 km / h · 2500 rpm, normal roads with a speed limit of 50 km / h are being accelerated at 80 km / h · 4000 rpm. Since the speed is slower, the volume is the reference volume. However, since the rotation is higher than when the reference volume is set (for example, 1000 rpm or more), the sound in the room becomes louder. Then, since there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to hear at the reference volume, an alarm is given at a volume increased by a predetermined amount from the reference volume.

  In addition, for example, the vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 may detect the sound condition in the vehicle interior based on the power supply noise of the power supplied from the vehicle. For example, the engine speed is calculated from the power noise of the power supplied from the vehicle. If the engine speed is higher than the normal engine speed, the alarm will be raised by increasing the volume even if the engine speed is set. To do. Further, the information on the gear position may be acquired from the vehicle as the vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30, and the volume may be adjusted in consideration of the information. For example, when the gear ratio is low and the engine noise is large (when it is estimated that the vehicle is accelerating or traveling on a long downhill), the volume of the approach warning is increased.

  The vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 for detecting the difference / change in the vehicle interior sound condition based on the difference in gear ratio uses, for example, a microphone as described above to detect the sound level in the vehicle interior. Alternatively, the engine speed may be obtained from the power noise of the power supplied from the vehicle (the alarm sound volume is increased when the engine speed is higher than the normal speed). The gear position information may be acquired from the vehicle (when the gear ratio is low, the volume is increased).

  Further, the situation of the vehicle that affects the sound in the passenger compartment is not limited to the above-described value operation situation of the vehicle (gear ratio / engine moderateness). For example, whether or not an AV such as a car stereo is being used (use Because the sound is louder in the middle, increase the volume of the alarm sound) or in rainy weather / sunny weather (rainy weather makes it difficult to hear the alarm due to rain or draining sound) Increase the volume of the sound) and the open / closed state of the window (the indoor sound is quieter when the window is closed than when the window is open, so the peach level is higher than when the window is closed) Increase the volume of the alarm when you are). The vehicle interior sound situation detection unit 30 is a variety of sensors that directly or indirectly detect the various states / situations described above.

  The sound volume determination unit 26 determines the sound volume in consideration of the output of the vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30. Specifically, for example, it can be realized by the control unit 18 functioning to execute the flowchart shown in FIG. In the figure, after determining that the current speed is slower than the reference speed (No in S5), the sound volume determination unit 26 determines whether or not the state of the vehicle affects the sound in the passenger compartment (S70). If there is no influence (No in S70), the volume of the alarm is determined as the reference volume. On the other hand, if the sound volume determining unit 26 determines that the influence is exerted (Yes in S70), the predetermined value (eg, 3 dB) of the alarm is set for the increment n (S71), and the process jumps to the processing step S7. Thus, an alarm is issued at a volume increased by a predetermined amount with respect to the reference volume.

  If the current speed is faster than the reference speed (Yes in S5), the value of n is set according to the speed difference in processing step S6. (S72), if there is no effect, the reference volume is raised with the value of n being increased (S7), and if it is affected, the value of n is determined. A value obtained by further adding a predetermined amount (for example, 3 dB) is set as a new n (S73), and the reference volume is increased by the new value of n to give an alarm (S7).

  Here, for example, a determination is made as to whether or not the vehicle condition affects the sound in the passenger compartment. If the output of the vehicle interior sound condition detector 30 exceeds the threshold, the determination is made. It can be determined that the situation is present. Similarly to the speed, the output of the vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 when the reference volume is set is stored and held in the memory (reference vehicle state storage unit) as a reference vehicle state, and the current vehicle state is the reference. It is also possible to determine that the situation is in the case of a value that affects the sound in the passenger compartment rather than the vehicle state (a predetermined margin may be provided). For example, when the reference volume is set when the window is closed and the window is opened at the time of alarm, volume adjustment is performed to increase the volume of the approach alarm.

  Furthermore, although it is a value to increase, it is not a fixed value as mentioned above, and may be changed according to the situation. That is, for example, when the vehicle interior sound condition detection means 30 can obtain the sound volume like a microphone, the output of the vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 when the reference sound volume is set and the current vehicle interior sound condition detection means 30. For example, if the current value is increased by X [dB] (for example, 3 dB), the volume of the alarm sound is also increased by X [dB] (for example, 3 dB). Can be. In the case where the vehicle interior sound condition detection unit 30 detects the sound condition in the vehicle interior based on the power supply noise of the power supplied from the vehicle, the S / N of the noise is obtained, and the S / N increase is performed in the same manner as described above. The volume can be increased by the amount (X [dB]). Noise detection can be realized by a simple detector such as a BPF + integrator.

  Further, on the premise of each of the embodiments described above, the sound volume determination unit 26 mutes the alarm sound when the current speed is equal to or lower than the speed limit (less than the speed obtained by taking a margin from the speed limit by a predetermined time speed) (volume = It is good to have a function to decide to 0). In addition, the volume determination unit 26 does not set the volume to 0, but provides a function to mute separately as a function of the control unit 18. For example, by giving a mute instruction to the speaker control unit 27, The output may be eliminated. When this mute function is activated, the volume determination unit 26 may perform a process for determining the volume based on information such as the current speed as in each embodiment, or may not perform such a volume determination process. Also good.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent an alarm from being issued when an alarm is unnecessary, such as when there is a traffic jam. For example, the alarm may be displayed while the sound is muted. The speed limit is stored in association with the position information of the alarm object, and the speed information is stored in the position information of the alarm object based on the position of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 8 and the position information of the alarm object. Although the speed limit stored in association with each other is used, it may be simply a fixed value.

  By the way, for example, an alarm is issued when a predetermined distance on the near side of the speed measuring device is reached, for example, an approach alarm, and the predetermined speed is set to a plurality of distances (for example, 1 km and 500 m), so that the target speed is reached. There are some that are warned multiple times as they approach the measuring device. In the vehicular alarm device adopting such an approach alarm system, as described above, when a function for muting is provided when the current speed is less than or equal to the limit speed, for example, the alarm is muted at any alarm point. In such a case, it may happen that the vehicle speeds up to the target and then exceeds the speed limit without noticing that the point where the alarm should be issued is passed.

  Therefore, when all the alarm points are muted, it is preferable to issue a final alarm. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the final alarm is not performed if an alarm is issued even once (1 km or 500 m before). FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the influence of the mute is eliminated. First, as a premise, the reference volume is set as in the above-described embodiments. At this time, necessary information such as a reference speed and a reference vehicle state (a value indicating a degree of a state that affects the sound in the vehicle interior when the reference volume is set) is also stored and held. Then, the count value mt is reset to 0 (S41).

  Then, when the control unit 18 recognizes that the current position has come to a relatively far alarm point akm (a is, for example, “1”, etc.) before the speed measuring device (S42), the current speed is equal to or less than the speed limit. (S43). If the speed is equal to or lower than the speed limit, it is determined to mute the alarm sound, and a predetermined process is executed (S44). For example, the predetermined processing may be such that a mute instruction is given to the speaker control unit 27 or a decision is made not to issue the alarm itself. Similarly to the other embodiments, the control unit 18 waits for an alarm event to be issued when the alarm point is reached, and the sound volume determination unit 26 makes a determination in process step S43. May be determined to be 0, and the speaker control unit 27 may perform the same processing as the alarm output at the volume 0, that is, the mute. Furthermore, since the alarm sound may be muted, a visual alarm using the display unit 5, the lamp 6 or the like may be performed. This is preferable because an alarm sound does not sound and it is not harsh, and a visual alarm is given on the display unit 5 or the like, so that the presence of an alarm target such as a speed measuring device can be known. When the alarm sound is muted in this way, the count value mt is incremented by one.

  On the other hand, if the current speed is faster than the speed limit (No in S43), a normal alarm (approach alarm) is performed by sound (S45). In the present invention, as in each of the embodiments described above, the volume determination unit 26 determines the volume of the alarm sound based on the current speed or the like (the reference volume remains or is adjusted), and the speaker control unit 27 uses the determined volume. A warning sound is emitted. In addition, it is the same as that of each embodiment that it does not prevent using the visual alarm together at this time.

  Next, it waits for an alarm point relatively close to b km (b is, for example, “0.5”, etc.) before the same speed measuring device (S47). Next, it is determined whether or not the current speed is equal to or less than the speed limit (S48). If the speed is below the speed limit, the alarm sound is muted (S50), and the count value mt is incremented by 1 (S51). On the other hand, if the current speed exceeds the limit value (No in S48), a normal alarm (approach alarm) by sound is performed (S49). This process is the same as the process in process step S45.

  Further, although the alarm is due to the processing steps S45 and S49, as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the alarm point is relatively far from the target in S45, so an alarm is given at the reference volume, and the comparison is made from the target in S47. Since the alarm point is close to the target, the volume may be determined in consideration of the current speed or the like, and an alarm may be issued.

  Next, the control unit 18 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the installation position (point) of the target object to be alarmed such as the speed measurement device from the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8 (S52). . If not, whether the count value mt is 2 or not, that is, whether or not the alarm sound is muted at all alarm points (a and b in this embodiment) is determined. (S53). When mt is 0 or 1, a sound alarm is given at at least one of the alarm points. Therefore, the process returns to step S52, waits for the point to pass, and if the point is passed, the control unit 18 notifies the passage notification ( A voice message such as “Passed XX” is performed (S56).

  On the other hand, if mt = 2 (Yes in S53), it is determined whether or not the current speed is 10 km / h or higher than the speed limit (S54). This speed limit may be a speed limit associated with the road on the basis of the position information, or may be a fixed value such as 50 km / h. When the speed is 10 km / h or higher than the speed limit, it can be predicted that the speed measurement device or the like is not noticed because it has been muted (even if there is an alarm by the display unit or the like). Therefore, a final warning is issued (S55). This final alarm is an alarm including sound. For example, “There is XX ahead” (XX is the type of target), or “There is XX ahead of XX” (XX is Messages such as the distance to the target (calculated from the current position and the position of the target), and XX is the type of the target can be output.

  If the point is passed without making this final warning, a passage notification is issued (S56). If the final warning is issued, the system waits for passing the point as it is (S57), and if it passes, a pass notification is issued (S56).

  FIG. 12 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a deceleration detection unit 32 that detects deceleration of the vehicle is provided. When the deceleration detection unit 32 detects a deceleration during an alarm (approach alarm), the speaker control unit 27 controls the volume of the alarm (approach alarm) to be lowered (including mute). For example, the deceleration detection unit 32 acquires the current speed from the speed detection unit 21 and manages its history to recognize a decrease in speed, or to detect negative acceleration using an acceleration sensor or the like. It is realizable by the aspect of. That is, in FIG. 12, although it provided in the control part 18, of course, you may comprise with a sensor and another member.

  According to the present embodiment, for example, when the vehicle decelerates during an alarm for approaching an alarm object, it is presumed that the driver has recognized the approach alarm, so the volume of the mute or alarm sound is lowered. Thereby, although the driver is aware, the alarm is not issued at a large volume, and it is possible to prevent the driver from being given unnecessary stress. Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 13 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the stop state determination part 33 which determines whether a vehicle is a stop state is provided. When the stop state determination unit 33 determines that the vehicle is in the stopped state, the speaker control unit 27 performs control so that the volume of the alarm (approach alarm) is decreased (including mute).

  The stop state determination unit 33 may acquire the current speed detected by the speed detection means, and determine whether or not the vehicle is in a stop state based on the current speed. For example, the stop state determination unit 33 may detect the engine speed and detect the idling state. When the engine speed is stored and the stored idling speed and the current engine speed are almost the same, it is determined that the vehicle is stopped or a vibration sensor is provided and the vibration is below a predetermined threshold. Various things, such as discriminating that it has stopped, can be used. In particular, if a method that is not based on the output of the speed detector 21 is adopted, it is possible to determine whether or not the vehicle is in a stopped state even when the speed cannot be acquired as in GPS non-positioning.

  When the vehicle is stopped and there is no particular need for an alarm, the alarm is not issued at a large volume, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary stress on the driver. Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Moreover, in said 7th, 8th embodiment, it is good to change the aspect which mutes or makes a sound small according to an alarm classification, for example. For example, if the alarm function has a function for alarming when a predetermined microwave is received and a function for alarming when a predetermined radio wave is received such as a radio wave including a car location signal, the sound is muted when the predetermined microwave is received. The sound is reduced when receiving a predetermined radio wave. In this way, it is possible to appropriately alert the user according to the alarm type.

  FIG. 14 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a position estimation unit 34 is provided. The position estimation unit 34 estimates the position of the vehicle in an area where the GPS receiver 12 cannot detect the position of the vehicle. The position estimation unit 34 may estimate the position by obtaining the travel distance from the vehicle speed and time obtained by the speed detection unit 21 for obtaining the vehicle speed, for example, or may be an acceleration sensor different from the speed detection unit 21. The position may be estimated by obtaining a travel distance from the acceleration using a detection means such as the above. Further, the position estimating unit 34 may detect the speed based on the power supply noise of the power supplied from the vehicle and estimate the travel distance. When estimating the position from the mileage, if the position is estimated from the point where the position can no longer be detected by the GPS receiver 8 as if it is heading in the direction of the position that requires an approach warning, simple control can be used. The position can be estimated. In addition, it is preferable to estimate the position by detecting the operation state of the steering wheel (steering wheel), because a more accurate position can be estimated.

  Further, a pre-alarm position storage unit 39 is provided that stores position information for issuing a pre-alarm in preparation for a position in the area where the position of the vehicle cannot be detected by the GPS receiver 12 and requiring an approach alarm. The pre-alarm position storage unit 39 can also use information stored in the database 19.

  The alarm sound is controlled as follows. First, the control unit 18 (volume determination unit 26) issues an alarm with the reference volume when the vehicle position is at the previous alarm position stored in the previous alarm position storage unit 39, and at the time of the previous alarm, the vehicle Remember the speed. When the position of the vehicle estimated by the position estimation unit 34 reaches a position that requires an approach warning, the sound volume determination unit 26 acquires the current speed of the vehicle, and the acquired current speed is stored and held. If it is not slower than the vehicle speed at the time of the prior warning, the volume of the warning sound is determined to be larger than the reference volume.

  Specifically, for example, the vehicle position cannot be detected when the GPS antenna of the GPS receiver 12 has a poor view from the satellite. Examples of such areas where the position of the vehicle cannot be detected include a tunnel and a national highway under a city highway. For example, in the case of a tunnel, a warning speed measurement device may be installed immediately after exiting the tunnel, but in such a case, GPS reception cannot be performed in the tunnel, and the alarm target may be approaching. There is a case where the alarm cannot be notified without being detected. Therefore, a point where GPS reception is possible before entering the tunnel is stored as a pre-alarm position, and a pre-alarm is issued at the reference volume at this point. And when the speed of the vehicle at the time of this alarm is memorized and the speed of the vehicle when estimated to have reached the position that requires the approach warning is not slower than the speed of the vehicle at the time of the prior warning, The alarm is issued with the approach alarm volume set larger than the reference volume.

  In this way, for example, at the tunnel entrance, a pre-alarm such as “There is a speed measuring device at the tunnel exit” at the set volume (reference volume) is given. When the vehicle is not decelerated or accelerated in the tunnel, the volume is increased when the alarm position is detected by the output of the position estimation unit 34, and a warning is issued again saying “There is a speed measuring device at the tunnel exit”. Is done.

  FIG. 15 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the alarm object number counting unit 35 (counting the number of alarm objects is stored in the memory 36) that counts the number of alarm objects that are the targets of the approach alarm, and the alarm object number counting unit 35 counts them. An alarm object number notifying unit 37 that notifies the number of alarm objects that have been issued. That is, the alarm object number counting unit 35 increments the number of alarm objects stored in the memory 36 by one when the control unit 18 detects the alarm object. In the case where an alarm is issued a plurality of times for the same alarm object, such as an approach alarm, the number of alarm objects is counted as one. The alarm target number notifying unit 37 reads out the number of alarm target objects stored in the memory 36 automatically when a predetermined condition is satisfied or according to a request from the user by operating the switch unit or the remote controller 17 and displays the alarm target number. To the output means such as the unit 5 and the speaker 20. When displaying on the display part 5, it is good to display the number of the alarm target object counted with the numerical value and the graph with the name and icon of the alarm target object. In this way, the user can know the number of alarm objects that are the targets of the approach alarm.

  The counting of the number of alarm objects may be started, for example, when the vehicle alarm device is activated, and the number of alarm objects counted when the vehicle alarm device ends (when stopped) may be notified. In addition, a count start and a notification instruction may be input from an input unit such as a switch, and in accordance with these instructions, the count may be started and the number of alarm objects may be notified. The end of the vehicle alarm device may be, for example, a case where it is detected that the switch 10 for turning off the power of the vehicle alarm device is pressed. Further, for example, counting may be started when power supply to the vehicle alarm device is started, and the number of alarm objects may be notified when power supply is interrupted. In this case, auxiliary power means (for example, a battery or a solar cell) may be provided so that the vehicle alarm device operates even when power is not supplied, and these functions may be operated by the auxiliary power means.

  Also provided with engine operation detection means, counting starts when engine operation starts and when it is detected that engine operation has stopped (for example, when vibration of the engine is no longer detected by a vibration sensor, etc.) You may make it alert | report the number of warning objects.

  In addition, when there is an alarm object other than the approach alarm, the alarm object number counting unit 35 may count these alarm objects. At this time, the alarm object number counting unit 35 counts the number of alarm objects that are alarm objects for each type of alarm object, and the alarm object number notifying unit 37 counts the alarm objects counted for each type of alarm object. It is particularly preferable to notify the number of objects. In this way, it is possible to know how many alarm objects are alarm targets.

  Further, the number of alarm objects that have been subject to volume adjustment and the number of alarm objects that have not been subject to volume adjustment may be counted separately. In particular, the number of alarm objects whose volume is muted or the number of alarm objects whose volume is lowered may be counted separately from the number of alarm objects notified at the reference volume, and the respective numbers may be notified.

  For example, if the number of points of the alarm object passed between getting on and getting off is displayed automatically or based on the operation, the user can be notified of the number of alarm objects, and the user can alert You can know the number of objects. As a result, the user's awareness of safe driving can be increased. Further, when the vehicle is muted during traveling at a speed lower than the speed limit, it is also possible to recognize a place (alarm object) that has passed without being noticed.

  In addition, for example, it is more preferable to have a function of displaying an elapsed time after boarding (for example, power is supplied to the vehicle alarm device) or a time when boarding. For example, the horizontal axis is set to travel time, the vertical axis is set to vehicle speed, and the trajectory is displayed on a graph. On the graph, the locus of the speed limit is also displayed. By displaying the speed limit on the graph in this way, it is possible to know at a glance how much the speed limit has been exceeded. Further, it may be enlarged and displayed in the time axis direction based on a user operation or the like. If the enlarged display is made in this way, the degree of sudden acceleration and sudden start can be understood.

  Furthermore, the function of counting the number of alarm objects and notifying the counted number under a predetermined condition is a function of adjusting the volume based on the reference speed (reference state) and the current speed (current state). The present invention can also be applied to a vehicular alarm device that does not exist.

  Further, on the premise of each of the above embodiments, the following various modifications can be added. First, when alarming at a volume higher than the reference volume, the control unit 18 displays an approach warning to the alarm object on the display unit 5 in a display mode different from the case of alarming at the reference volume. Good. In this way, regarding alarms (approach alarms), not only the volume but also the display (LED / LCD) should be changed depending on whether the alarm is issued at the reference volume or when the alarm is issued at a volume higher than the reference volume. Thus, for example, even when it is difficult to hear in a volume-up state such as a car stereo or a TV, an effect that the alarm can be more surely transmitted to the driver is exhibited.

  Further, the control unit (speaker control unit 27) can prevent the volume from being adjusted during the approach warning. That is, if the sound volume determination unit 26 determines the sound volume at that time before issuing the alarm, the speaker control unit 27 continues to perform the current alarm at the determined sound volume. In this way, when the speed of the vehicle changes during the alarm, it is possible to prevent the volume during the alarm from changing and give the user a sense of discomfort.

  Furthermore, when the reference vehicle speed stored in the reference vehicle speed storage unit 23 is equal to or higher than a predetermined high-speed traveling vehicle speed, the sound volume can be prevented from being lowered. In this way, for example, when the reference volume is set during high-speed travel, the volume is not reduced even if the speed of the vehicle subsequently becomes low (for example, from a highway to a general road). Therefore, even when entering the general road through the expressway, the warning is given with the reference volume set on the expressway, so that the warning on the general road is not missed. When moving from a highway to a general road, the volume level of car stereos may be as high as when driving on a highway. Even in this case, there is a possibility of missing a warning. Can be reduced. If the user feels noisy when driving at a low speed, the reference volume may be reset (the volume may be reduced).

  For example, when the reference volume is set when the vehicle is not running at high speed and the volume is adjusted according to the speed, the low speed state is maintained for a predetermined time after the vehicle speed changes from high speed to low speed. When maintained, the sound volume may be returned to the reference sound volume.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, an acceleration detection unit 40 is provided, and the sound volume determination unit 26 may be controlled to increase the volume of the alarm when the acceleration detection unit 40 detects acceleration of a predetermined value or more. . The acceleration detection unit 40 differentiates the history of position information output from the GPS receiver 12 and the speed output from the speed detection unit 21, or obtains a unit time change in the number of rotations due to power noise. An acceleration may be obtained, or an acceleration such as an acceleration sensor may be obtained directly. In this way, the volume is increased during sudden acceleration, so that the driver can be surely notified of the alarm.

  Further, instead of “increase the volume” or “increase the volume” as volume adjustment, the control unit 18 changes the alarm output timing according to the vehicle speed detected by the speed detection unit 21. It is even better to add functions. For example, as the speed of the vehicle increases, a process for advancing the alarm output timing (for example, a process for advancing the alarm event generation timing) may be performed.

  In this way, for example, an alarm can be issued early according to the speed. For example, when the speed is 100 km / h, an alarm such as “There is a speed measuring device 1 km ahead → there is a speed measuring device 500 m ahead” is used. There is a speed measuring device → There is a speed measuring device 1km ahead → There is a speed measuring device 500m ahead ”. Further, the volume may be determined by looking at the speed change during this period. When the speed of the vehicle is high, there is a high possibility that the alarm will not be noticed. Therefore, the warning may be given early, and if the speed does not decrease, the volume may be increased in two steps. In addition, when realizing more accurately, it is better to distinguish between high speed and ordinary roads. For example, it is desirable that the pre-alarm position is different between a highway and a general road even at the same 100 km. In addition, for example, when an acceleration of a predetermined value or more is detected rather than a case where an acceleration less than a predetermined value is detected, an early approach warning may be performed.

1 is an external view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an internal configuration of a control unit 18 which is a main part of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the function of the control part 18 which is the principal part of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part 18 used as the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the function of the control part 18 which is the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the function of the control part 18 which is the principal part of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the function of the control part 18 which is the principal part of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part 18 used as the principal part of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the function of the control part 18 which is the principal part of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the function of the control part 18 which is the principal part of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part 18 used as the principal part of 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part 18 used as the principal part of 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part 18 used as the principal part of 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of 10th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part 18 used as the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

4 Microwave receiver 5 Display unit 6 Lamp 8 GPS receiver 15 Wireless receiver 18 Control unit 19 Database 20 Speaker 21 Speed detection unit 22 Reference speed setting unit 23 Reference speed storage unit 24 Reference volume setting unit 25 Reference volume storage unit 26 Volume determination unit 27 Speaker control unit 28 Alarm object alarm speed storage unit 30 Car interior sound condition detection unit 32 Deceleration detection unit 33 Stop state determination unit 34 Position estimation unit 35 Alarm object number count unit 36 Memory 37 Alarm object number notification Part

Claims (16)

Position detecting means for detecting the position of the vehicle;
Position storage means for storing information relating to the position of the alarm object;
A vehicle alarm comprising: an alarm unit that issues an approach alarm to the alarm object based on the position of the vehicle detected by the position detection unit and information on the position of the alarm object stored in the position storage unit In the device
State detecting means for detecting a condition affecting the sound in the cabin,
A reference volume setting means for setting a reference volume for the approach alarm;
Reference state storage means for storing a reference state detected by the state detection means when a reference volume is set by the reference volume setting means by a user operation,
The warning means performs volume adjustment of the approach warning based on the reference volume based on a difference between a reference state stored in the reference state storage means and a current state detected by the state detection means. A vehicular alarm device. The alarm unit compares the reference state stored in the reference state storage unit with the state detected by the state detection unit as the volume adjustment, and the detected state is more in the vehicle compartment than the reference state. 2. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 1, wherein when the degree of influence on sound is large, the volume of the approach alarm is set to be larger than a reference volume set in the reference volume setting unit. Alarm object alarm state storage means for storing an alarm required state, which is a state affecting the sound in the vehicle interior to be alarmed according to the alarm object,
The alarm means may detect that the detected state is more than the reference state when the alarm required state stored in the alarm object alarm state storage means does not satisfy the state detected by the state detection means. 3. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the volume adjustment is not performed even when the degree of influence on the sound in the passenger compartment is large. 4. The warning means performs an approach warning to the alarm object in a plurality of stages according to the degree of approach to the alarm object, and the degree of access to the alarm object is relatively low. The first state which is the detected state at the time of the approach alarm is stored, and the second state which is the detected state at the time of the approach alarm at a stage where the degree of approach to the alarm object is relatively high. When the state is not so small as to affect the sound in the passenger compartment as compared to the first state, the volume of the approach warning is set to be larger than the reference volume set in the reference volume setting means. The vehicular alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Position estimation means for estimating the position of the vehicle;
Pre-alarm position storage means for storing position information for issuing a pre-alarm in preparation for a position in the area where the position of the vehicle cannot be detected by the position detection means and requiring the approach alarm; and
The alarm means issues an alarm at the reference volume when the vehicle position is at the prior alarm position stored in the prior alarm position storage means and stores the state at the time of the prior alarm, The state when the position of the vehicle estimated by the position estimation means reaches the position that requires the approach warning is not so small as to affect the sound in the vehicle compartment than the state at the time of the prior warning. In this case, the vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a volume of the approach alarm is set to be larger than a reference volume set in the reference volume setting means. 6. The detected state is at least one of a vehicle speed, an engine speed, a transmission gear ratio, a vehicle interior sound, and a window open / closed state. The vehicle alarm device described in 1. The warning means includes display means for displaying an approach warning to the warning object by display,
When the alarm is performed at a volume larger than the reference volume, an approach warning to the alarm object is displayed on the display unit in a display mode different from that when the alarm is performed at the reference volume. Item 7. The vehicle alarm device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the alarm means does not adjust the volume during the approach alarm. The detected state is speed,
The state detection means is a vehicle speed detection means for detecting the speed of the vehicle,
The volume is not lowered as the volume adjustment when the reference vehicle speed stored in the reference state storage means is equal to or higher than a predetermined high-speed traveling vehicle speed. The vehicle alarm device described. The detected state is speed,
The state detection means is a vehicle speed detection means for detecting the speed of the vehicle,
The said warning means mutes the sound of the said approach warning when the speed of the vehicle detected by the said vehicle speed detection means is below a predetermined speed limit, The any one of Claims 1-5, 7-9 The vehicle alarm device according to claim 1. The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration of the vehicle,
The vehicle warning device, wherein the warning means raises the volume of the approach warning when acceleration greater than a predetermined value is detected by the acceleration detection means. Comprising deceleration detection means for detecting deceleration of the vehicle,
The vehicle warning according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the warning means lowers the volume of the approach warning when deceleration is detected by the deceleration detection means during the approach warning. apparatus. A stopping state determining means for determining whether or not the vehicle is in a stopping state;
The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the alarm means reduces the volume of the approach alarm when the stop state determination means determines that the vehicle is stopped. The output timing of the approach warning is changed according to the state detected by the state detection means instead of “increase the volume” or as “increase the volume” as the volume adjustment. Item 14. The vehicle alarm device according to any one of Items 1 to 13. Alarm object number counting means for counting the number of alarm objects that are the targets of the approach alarm;
The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising alarm object number notifying means for notifying the number of alarm objects counted by the alarm object number counting means.   The program for making a computer implement | achieve the function in the alarm device for vehicles in any one of Claims 1-15.

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