JP5853442B2 - Alarm sound generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an alarm sound generation device that can output an alarm sound that is easy to hear in a vehicle cabin.

  Development of technology to inform the driver of the danger by warning sound while driving the vehicle is progressing.

  For example, Patent Document 1 uses a sensor attached to a vehicle to recognize which direction the other vehicle is in relation to the own vehicle and how far the own vehicle is from the other vehicle. An alarm device for a vehicle that expresses a running state between the vehicle and another vehicle by an alarm sound is disclosed.

  In this vehicle alarm device, a front speaker and a rear speaker are arranged on the left and right sides of a vehicle interior. The direction in which the other vehicle is with respect to the host vehicle is expressed by the volume balance of the alarm sound output from these speakers. The distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle is expressed by the volume balance of the alarm sound and the delay time of the delay sound.

  The driver can audibly recognize in which direction and how far away the other vehicle is traveling by using the alarm sound and the delay sound. For this reason, it is possible to quickly know a place where attention must be paid, and to prevent a dangerous driving state from occurring.

JP-A-6-219227

  However, the conventional vehicle alarm device generates an alarm sound using a single frequency sine wave, and informs the driver of the danger by the volume balance of the alarm sound and the delay sound. For this reason, the alarm sound may be canceled near the driver's seat by the standing wave generated in the passenger compartment, and the sound volume may be lowered to make it extremely difficult to hear the alarm sound. Also, it may be impossible to recognize from which direction the alarm sound is output due to the influence of the standing wave.

  Further, the driver's seat is located on the right front or left front in the passenger compartment, and is offset from the center of the passenger compartment. On the other hand, the speaker which outputs an alarm sound is arrange | positioned using four corners of a vehicle interior. Therefore, the distance between the seating position of the driver and the mounting position of each speaker is not the same. For this reason, it is difficult to control the sound volume balance of the alarm sound so as to be symmetrical in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the driver's ears.

  Thus, due to the influence of the standing wave and the difficulty in controlling the volume balance of the warning sound, the driver may not be able to hear the warning sound and may be unable to recognize the direction in which the warning sound is being output.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. Even when a standing wave is generated in the vehicle interior, even if the distance from the driver to each speaker is not the same, it can be heard in the vehicle interior. An object of the present invention is to provide an alarm sound generation device that can output an easy alarm sound.

An alarm sound generation device for achieving the above object includes a detection sensor, an alarm sound generation unit , an alarm sound output unit, and an alarm sound output information memory . The alarm sound generation unit includes a traveling state recognition unit and an alarm sound setting unit.

The detection sensor detects information necessary for driving the vehicle. The alarm sound generation unit uses the information detected by the detection sensor to generate an alarm sound whose volume balance is adjusted so that a sine wave of a plurality of frequencies is synthesized and heard from a direction that alerts the driver. The alarm sound output unit outputs the alarm sound generated by the alarm sound generation unit into the vehicle interior of the vehicle. The warning sound output information memory is obtained as a result of analyzing the warning sound captured by the microphones installed at the positions of both ears of the driver sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle for each vehicle type, grade and interior. The volume balance and delay time of the alarm sound, which are optimal for the vehicle, are stored. The traveling state recognition unit recognizes the traveling state of the vehicle from the information detected by the detection sensor. The alarm sound setting unit sets the volume balance of the alarm sound output from the plurality of alarm sound output units and the delay time of the alarm sound from the traveling state of the vehicle recognized by the traveling state recognition unit. The alarm sound in which sine waves of a plurality of frequencies are combined is output from the plurality of alarm sound output units according to the volume balance and delay time set by the alarm sound setting unit. The alarm sound setting unit reads the alarm sound volume balance and delay time stored in the alarm sound output information memory according to the vehicle type, grade and interior of the vehicle, and the alarm sound volume output by the plurality of alarm sound output units Set the balance and the delay time of the alarm sound.

  According to the alarm sound generation device of the present invention, the driver listens to an alarm sound in which sine waves having a plurality of frequencies are synthesized. For this reason, even if a standing wave occurs in the passenger compartment, the driver can reliably hear the alarm sound even if the distance from the driver to the plurality of alarm sound output units is not the same. The direction in which the sound is output can be reliably recognized.

It is a schematic block diagram of the warning sound generation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3. 3 is an operation flowchart of the alarm sound generation device according to the first embodiment. 6 is an operation flowchart of the alarm sound generation device according to the second embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart of the alarm sound generation device according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the shortening effect of the danger recognition time by the warning sound production | generation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an alarm sound generation device and an alarm sound generation method according to the present invention will be described separately from [Embodiment 1] to [Embodiment 3] with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alarm sound generation device according to the first to third embodiments.

  The alarm sound generation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 outputs an alarm sound in which sine waves of a plurality of frequencies are combined so that it is less susceptible to the standing wave generated in the passenger compartment. In addition, an alarm sound is output in consideration of the volume balance of a plurality of speakers in order to make the driver recognize the direction to be noted. Further, in order to make sure that the direction in which the driver should be careful is recognized, an alarm sound is output from each of the speakers at different output timings instead of the same output timing. If such a device is used to output a warning sound, the driver can surely hear the warning sound and can reliably recognize the direction in which the warning sound is output. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the alarm sound generation device 100 includes a detection sensor 10, an alarm sound generation unit 20, and an alarm sound output unit 30.

  The detection sensor 10 is a sensor for detecting information necessary for driving the vehicle. Specifically, there are an obstacle detection sensor that detects obstacles before and after the vehicle, a distance measurement sensor that measures the approach distance of other vehicles traveling in the front and rear of the vehicle, and a lane departure sensor that detects deviation from the traveling lane. .

  The obstacle detection sensor is attached to bumpers on the front and rear of the vehicle and detects an obstacle using ultrasonic waves. A distance measuring sensor is attached to the front and rear of the vehicle body and measures the distance to other vehicles using ultrasonic waves or laser. The lane departure sensor attaches a view camera to the upper part of the windshield of the vehicle, and analyzes the captured image with an image analysis unit to detect lane departure.

  In addition to these, the detection sensor 10 includes sensors that detect the following events. For example, a sensor that detects that a wheel has slipped, a sensor that detects that a vehicle is about to collide, a sensor that detects that a vehicle is about to collide, and a crossroad from either the left or right direction A sensor that detects that another vehicle is approaching.

  The alarm sound generation unit 20 generates an alarm sound in which sine waves of a plurality of frequencies are synthesized using information detected by the detection sensor 10. The alarm sound generation unit 20 synthesizes sine waves having a plurality of frequencies instead of a single frequency, and uses the synthesized sine wave as an alarm sound. When a sine wave with a plurality of frequencies is synthesized, even if a standing wave is generated by a sine wave with one frequency, the sine wave with another frequency is hardly affected by the standing wave. Therefore, the driver can surely hear the alarm sound.

  The warning sound generation unit 20 recognizes which direction the driver should be aware of from the information detected by the detection sensor 10. The sound volume balance of the warning sound output unit 30 is calculated so that the warning sound can be heard from the direction in which the driver is warned. Further, in order to make the driver surely recognize the direction in which the warning sound is output, the second warning sound is output with a slight delay after the first warning sound. Thus, if the warning sound is delayed and output twice, the direction in which the warning sound is output can be easily recognized.

  The warning sound output unit 30 outputs the warning sound generated by the warning sound generation unit 20 into the vehicle interior. The alarm sound output unit 30 uses a plurality of speakers arranged in the vehicle interior. For example, audio speakers 30a to 30d arranged at four positions on the front left and right and the rear left and right in the passenger compartment are used. Note that the alarm sound output unit 30 may be provided with a plurality of retrofitting buzzers that can output a plurality of timbre sounds simultaneously in a vehicle in which no audio or radio is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the alarm sound generation unit 20 includes a traveling state recognition unit 21, an alarm sound output information memory 22, an alarm sound setting unit 23, a timbre information memory 24, an alarm sound creation unit 25, and an amplification amplifier 26.

  The traveling state recognition unit 21 recognizes the traveling state of the vehicle from information necessary for driving the vehicle detected by the detection sensor 10. For example, when the detection sensor 10 is an obstacle detection sensor that detects obstacles before and after the vehicle, if there is an obstacle at the right rear of the vehicle, a signal is output from the obstacle detection sensor arranged at the right rear of the bumper. No signal is output from other obstacle detection sensors. The traveling state recognition unit 21 recognizes that there is an obstacle on the right rear side of the vehicle (traveling state) based on signals output from these obstacle detection sensors. The traveling state recognition unit 21 outputs the recognized traveling state of the vehicle to the alarm sound setting unit 23.

  The alarm sound output information memory 22 stores the volume balance and delay time of the alarm sound for each vehicle type, grade, and interior. The volume balance is set for each traveling state of the vehicle recognized by the traveling state recognition unit 21. The volume balance is a ratio of the volume of the alarm sound output from each of the speakers 30a to 30d. The volume balance and the delay time are set using ergonomics so that the driver can surely recognize the direction in which the warning sound is output.

  For example, as in the above example, in a running state where there is an obstacle at the right rear of the vehicle, the volume balance is 0% for the speakers 30a to 30c and 100% for the speaker 30d. For example, in a running state where there is an obstacle directly behind the vehicle, the volume balance is 0% for the speakers 30a and 30b, 60% for the speakers 30c, and 40% for 30d. The reason why the loudspeakers 30c and 30d differ in volume even though there is an obstacle directly behind the vehicle is to set the sound image of the warning sound to the driver right behind the vehicle. The volume balance is thus set for each traveling state of the vehicle.

  The delay time is a time set to output the second warning sound with a slight delay after the first warning sound is output. When the delay time is set to 0.1 seconds, the first warning sound is output, and then the second warning sound is output with a delay of 0.1 seconds.

  For example, as in the above example, when the vehicle is in a traveling state in which there is an obstacle on the right rear side of the vehicle, the speaker 30d outputs the first warning sound and outputs the second warning sound with a delay of 0.1 seconds. Further, for example, in a traveling state where there is an obstacle directly behind the vehicle, the speakers 30c and 30d output the first warning sound and output the second warning sound with a delay of 0.1 seconds. The output balance of the first warning sound and the second warning sound may be the same or may be changed.

  When storing the volume balance of alarm sound and the delay time for each vehicle type, grade and interior, a dummy doll shaped like a human is placed in the driver's seat of a vehicle of different vehicle type, grade and interior. A microphone is attached to both ears of the dummy doll, and an alarm sound captured by the microphone is analyzed to obtain an optimal volume balance and delay time for the vehicle. The obtained volume balance and delay time are stored in the alarm sound output information memory 22 for each vehicle having a different vehicle type, grade and interior. As described above, the sound volume balance and the delay time of the alarm sound for each vehicle type, grade, and interior are determined depending on the capacity and shape of the vehicle interior and the material of the equipment in the vehicle interior. Because.

  The warning sound setting unit 23 inputs the vehicle driving state recognized by the driving state recognition unit 21 and is adapted to the vehicle type, grade and interior of the vehicle from the warning sound output information memory 22, and further adapted to the driving state. Read the sound volume balance and delay time. The alarm sound setting unit 23 outputs the volume balance and delay time of the read alarm sound to the alarm sound creating unit 25.

  The timbre information memory 24 stores timbre information for creating sine waves having different frequencies. The timbre information used to call attention to obstacles ahead of the vehicle is data for creating a sine wave having a fundamental frequency (800 Hz), and an sine wave having an odd harmonic (third harmonic (2400 Hz) of the fundamental frequency. Data, data for creating a sine wave of 5th harmonic (4000 Hz), 7th harmonic (5600 Hz). The timbre information used to call attention to obstacles behind the vehicle is data for creating a sine wave having a fundamental frequency (1200 Hz), and an sine wave having an odd harmonic (3rd harmonic (3600 Hz) of the fundamental frequency. Data, data for creating a sine wave of 5th harmonic (6000 Hz), 7th harmonic (8400 Hz). In this way, the timbre information memory 24 stores data of various fundamental frequencies and overtone frequencies as timbre information so that different timbres are created for each driving state of the vehicle. For this reason, the warning sound of the driving state with a higher degree of danger can be made into a timid tone that is easy to feel danger.

  The alarm sound generating unit 25 inputs the volume balance and delay time of the alarm sound output from the alarm sound setting unit 23, reads the tone color information from the tone color information memory 24, and generates an alarm sound that combines sine waves of a plurality of frequencies. create. The alarm sound creation unit 25 can create different timbres according to the running state.

  In order to alert the obstacle ahead of the vehicle, for example, the alarm sound generation unit 25 obtains tone color information of the fundamental frequency (800 Hz), the third harmonic (2400 Hz), the fifth harmonic (4000 Hz), and the seventh harmonic (5600 Hz). Synthesize. Therefore, an alarm sound is generated by synthesizing sine waves having four frequencies of 800 Hz, 2400 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 5600 Hz.

  The alarm sound generator 25 synthesizes timbre information of the fundamental frequency (1200 Hz), the third harmonic (3600 Hz), the fifth harmonic (6000 Hz), and the seventh harmonic (8400 Hz) when calling attention to an obstacle behind the vehicle. . Therefore, an alarm sound is generated by synthesizing sine waves having four types of frequencies of 1200 Hz, 3600 Hz, 6000 Hz, and 8400 Hz.

  The alarm sound generation unit 25 outputs the generated alarm sound to the amplification amplifier 26 according to the volume balance and delay time output by the alarm sound setting unit 23.

  The amplification amplifier 26 amplifies the alarm sound output from the alarm sound generation unit 25 at a constant magnification and outputs the amplified alarm sound to the speakers 30a to 30d.

  As described above, since the alarm sound generation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes the traveling state recognition unit 21 and the alarm sound setting unit 23, the alarm having different volume balance and delay time according to the traveling state of the vehicle. Sound can be generated. For this reason, the driver can accurately recognize which danger is approaching in which direction by the alarm sound.

  Further, since the alarm sound generation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes the alarm sound output information memory 22, the volume balance and delay time of the alarm sound are set according to the vehicle type, grade and interior of the vehicle. be able to. For this reason, the warning sound generation device 100 can be provided with versatility, and the warning sound generation device 100 can be used even for vehicles having different vehicle types, grades, and interiors.

  Furthermore, since the alarm sound generation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 has the timbre information memory 24, it is possible to generate alarm sounds of various timbres according to the running state of the vehicle. For this reason, the driver can recognize not only in which direction and what danger is approaching by the alarm sound, but also by a change in timbre.

[Embodiment 1]
In the first embodiment, the alarm sound generation device and the alarm sound generation method according to the present invention are applied to a system that detects an obstacle ahead or behind.

  In the case of the first embodiment, an obstacle detection sensor is used as the detection sensor 10. Obstacle detection sensors are attached to the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle. The obstacle detection sensor detects an obstacle using ultrasonic waves.

  FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the alarm sound generation device according to the first embodiment. This operation flowchart shows the procedure of the alarm sound generation method.

  The obstacle detection sensor (detection sensor 10) detects whether or not there is an obstacle near the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle. The traveling state recognition unit 21 constantly receives a signal from the obstacle detection sensor and recognizes the traveling state of the vehicle (S1).

  If the obstacle detection sensor does not detect an obstacle (S1: NO), it continues to monitor whether there is an obstacle at regular intervals. On the other hand, when the obstacle detection sensor detects an obstacle (S1: YES), the traveling state recognition unit 21 recognizes the traveling state based on a signal output from the obstacle detection sensor. For example, when the obstacle detection sensor detects that there is an obstacle on the left front side of the vehicle, it recognizes that the obstacle is on the left front side of the vehicle as a running state. When the obstacle detection sensor detects that there is an obstacle on the left rear side of the vehicle, it recognizes that there is an obstacle on the left rear side of the vehicle as a running state (S2).

  The warning sound setting unit 23 accesses the warning sound output information memory 22 and reads a volume balance and a delay time that match the recognized running state and the vehicle type, grade, and interior of the vehicle. For example, when there is an obstacle on the left front side of the vehicle, information that the volume balance is 0% for the speakers 30b to 30d, 100% for the speaker 30a, and 0.1 second for the delay time is read. When there is an obstacle on the left rear side of the vehicle, the information that the volume balance is 0% for the speakers 30a, 30b, and 30d, the speaker 30c is 100%, and the delay time is 0.1 second is read. The alarm sound setting unit 23 sets the read volume balance and delay time, and outputs the set volume balance and delay time to the alarm sound creation unit 25 (S3).

  The warning sound generator 25 accesses the timbre information memory 24, reads the timbre information stored in the timbre information memory 24, and generates a warning sound of a timbre suitable for the running state. For example, when there is an obstacle on the left front side of the vehicle, the alarm sound generation unit 25 synthesizes timbre information of the fundamental frequency (800 Hz), the third harmonic (2400 Hz), the fifth harmonic (4000 Hz), and the seventh harmonic (5600 Hz). To create an alarm sound. When there is an obstacle at the left rear of the vehicle, the alarm sound generation unit 25 synthesizes timbre information of the fundamental frequency (1200 Hz), the third harmonic (3600 Hz), the fifth harmonic (6000 Hz), and the seventh harmonic (8400 Hz). To create an alarm sound. In addition, the warning sound preparation part 25 recognizes a driving | running | working state with the volume balance and delay time which were input from the warning sound setting part 23 (S4).

  The alarm sound generation unit 25 outputs the generated alarm sound to the amplification amplifier 26 according to the volume balance and delay time input from the alarm sound setting unit 23. The amplification amplifier 26 amplifies the alarm sound output from the alarm sound generation unit 25 at a constant magnification and outputs it to the speakers 30a to 30d (5).

  As described above, in the alarm sound generation device and the alarm sound generation method according to the first embodiment, when an obstacle near the bumper is detected, each alarm sound is heard from the direction in which the obstacle exists. The volume of the speakers 30a to 30d is controlled. In addition, the output timing of the first warning sound and the second warning sound is shifted so that the direction in which the warning sound is heard can be reliably recognized. Since the alarm sound volume balance and the delay time are set, a sound image can be formed in the direction of the obstacle. In the above example, when there is an obstacle on the left rear side, the alarm sound is output twice only to the left rear speaker 30c. Alternatively, the first warning sound may be output from the left rear speaker 30c, and the second warning sound may be output from the right rear speaker 30d with a volume lower than that of the first warning sound. As a result, the driver only needs to be able to recognize the direction of the obstacle.

  The alarm sound is generated by synthesizing a sine wave having a plurality of frequencies so as to obtain a tone color that is easy to hear in the passenger compartment. Therefore, even when a standing wave is generated with a sine wave of a certain frequency in the driver's seat in the passenger compartment and the sound pressure of that frequency is reduced, the alarm sound can be clearly heard by the sine wave of other frequencies.

  Furthermore, the volume balance of the alarm sound and the timing for outputting the alarm sound can be changed for each vehicle type, grade, and specification. Therefore, even when the material of the equipment is changed in the same vehicle type, the alarm sound can be heard in the optimum sound field.

[Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, the alarm sound generation device and the alarm sound generation method according to the present invention are applied to a system that detects an obstacle on the rear side.

  In the case of the second embodiment, a view camera including a distance measuring sensor, an obstacle detection sensor, or an image analysis unit is used as the detection sensor 10. The detection sensor 10 is attached to a bumper behind the vehicle. The operation of the alarm sound generation device and the alarm sound generation method in the second embodiment is almost the same as that in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the alarm sound generation device according to the second embodiment.

  The obstacle detection sensor (detection sensor 10) detects whether another vehicle or an obstacle exists on the rear side of the vehicle. The traveling state recognition unit 21 constantly receives a signal from the obstacle detection sensor and recognizes the traveling state of the vehicle (S11).

  If the obstacle detection sensor does not detect the obstacle (S11: NO), it continues to monitor whether there is an obstacle at regular intervals. On the other hand, when the obstacle detection sensor detects an obstacle (S11: YES), the traveling state recognition unit 21 recognizes the traveling state based on a signal output from the obstacle detection sensor. For example, when the obstacle detection sensor detects that the vehicle is traveling behind the left side of the vehicle, it is recognized as a traveling state that the vehicle is located behind the left side of the vehicle (S12).

  The warning sound setting unit 23 accesses the warning sound output information memory 22 and reads a volume balance and a delay time that match the recognized running state and the vehicle type, grade, and interior of the vehicle. For example, when there is an obstacle behind the left side of the vehicle, information is read that the volume balance is 0% for the speakers 30b and 30d, 20% for the speaker 30a, 80% for the speaker 30c, and 0.1 second for the delay time. The alarm sound setting unit 23 sets the read volume balance and delay time, and outputs the set volume balance and delay time to the alarm sound creation unit 25 (S13).

  The warning sound generator 25 accesses the timbre information memory 24, reads the timbre information stored in the timbre information memory 24, and generates a warning sound of a timbre suitable for the running state. For example, when there is an obstacle behind the left side of the vehicle, the alarm sound generation unit 25 synthesizes tone color information of the fundamental frequency (1200 Hz), the third harmonic (3600 Hz), the fifth harmonic (6000 Hz), and the seventh harmonic (8400 Hz). To create an alarm sound. In addition, the warning sound preparation part 25 recognizes a driving | running | working state with the volume balance and delay time which were input from the warning sound setting part 23 (S14).

  The alarm sound generation unit 25 outputs the generated alarm sound to the amplification amplifier 26 according to the volume balance and delay time input from the alarm sound setting unit 23. The amplification amplifier 26 amplifies the alarm sound output from the alarm sound generation unit 25 at a constant magnification and outputs it to the speakers 30a to 30d (15).

  As described above, in the alarm sound generation device and the alarm sound generation method according to the second embodiment, when an obstacle is detected on the rear side of the vehicle, the alarm sound is heard from the direction in which the obstacle exists. In addition, the volume of each speaker 30a-30d is controlled. As a result, it becomes possible to audibly recognize the presence of a vehicle or an obstacle on the rear side of the vehicle that becomes a blind spot of the driver.

  In addition, when a view camera including a distance measuring sensor or an image analysis unit is used as the detection sensor 10, the distance between the obstacle detected on the rear side of the vehicle and the vehicle can be measured. In that case, the output interval of the alarm sound output intermittently is changed according to the measured distance so that the driver can feel the distance audibly. If the obstacle and the vehicle are separated from each other, the output interval of the alarm sound is increased, and the output interval of the alarm sound is shortened as the obstacle and the vehicle approach each other.

[Embodiment 3]
In the third embodiment, the warning sound generation device and the warning sound generation method according to the present invention are applied to a system that detects a deviation from a traveling lane.

  In the case of the third embodiment, a lane departure sensor is used as the detection sensor 10. The lane departure sensor is composed of a view camera having an image analysis unit. The view camera is mounted on the top windshield of the vehicle. The operation of the alarm sound generation device and the alarm sound generation method in the third embodiment is substantially the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the alarm sound generation device according to the third embodiment.

  The lane departure sensor (detection sensor 10) images a road ahead of the vehicle and determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling between lanes drawn to the left and right of the vehicle, in other words, the vehicle deviates from the traveling lane. Detect whether or not. The traveling state recognition unit 21 constantly receives a signal from the lane departure sensor and recognizes the traveling state of the vehicle (S21).

  If the lane departure sensor does not detect a departure from the traveling lane (S21: NO), it continues to monitor whether the vehicle deviates from the traveling lane at regular intervals. On the other hand, when the lane departure sensor detects a departure from the traveling lane (S11: YES), the traveling state recognition unit 21 recognizes the traveling state based on a signal output from the lane departure sensor. For example, the lane departure sensor recognizes whether the vehicle is traveling beyond the left lane or whether the vehicle is traveling beyond the right lane as a traveling state (S22).

  The warning sound setting unit 23 accesses the warning sound output information memory 22 and reads a volume balance and a delay time that match the recognized running state and the vehicle type, grade, and interior of the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle is running out of the left lane, the volume balance is 0% for the speakers 30b and 30d, 40% for the speaker 30a, 60% for the speaker 30c, and the delay time is 0.1 seconds. Is read. In addition, when the vehicle is running out of the right lane, the volume balance is 0% for the speakers 30a and 30c, 40% for the speaker 30b, 60% for the speaker 30d, and 0.1 seconds for the delay time. Is read. The alarm sound setting unit 23 sets the read volume balance and delay time, and outputs the set volume balance and delay time to the alarm sound creation unit 25 (S23).

  The warning sound generator 25 accesses the timbre information memory 24, reads the timbre information stored in the timbre information memory 24, and generates a warning sound of a timbre suitable for the running state. For example, when the vehicle is running out of the left lane, the alarm sound generation unit 25 has a fundamental frequency (1200 Hz), a third harmonic (3600 Hz), a fifth harmonic (6000 Hz), and a seventh harmonic (8400 Hz) tone. Create alarm sound by synthesizing information. When the vehicle is running out of the lane on the right side, the alarm sound generation unit 25 has a fundamental frequency (800 Hz), a third harmonic (2400 Hz), a fifth harmonic (4000 Hz), and a seventh harmonic (5600 Hz) tone. Create alarm sound by synthesizing information. In addition, the warning sound preparation part 25 recognizes a driving | running | working state with the volume balance and delay time which were input from the warning sound setting part 23 (S24).

  The alarm sound generation unit 25 outputs the generated alarm sound to the amplification amplifier 26 according to the volume balance and delay time input from the alarm sound setting unit 23. The amplification amplifier 26 amplifies the alarm sound output from the alarm sound generation unit 25 at a constant magnification and outputs it to the speakers 30a to 30d (25).

  Driving lane departures can be caused by drowsy driving and are very dangerous. Therefore, the alarm sound in the third embodiment may be devised such that the volume is set larger than in the other embodiments and the tone is stimulated.

[Effects of Embodiments 1 to 3]
Next, the effect of the first to third embodiments will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an effect of the alarm sound field expression device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  This graph shows the result of comparing the direction in which the driver has detected an event (danger) and the time until the driver recognizes the event, with and without speech expression.

  This effect was verified in a situation where a driving simulation device for a right-hand drive vehicle was used to reproduce the traveling state of the highway, and the cruise operation was performed at a speed of 100 km / h while facing the front of the vehicle. During this cruise operation, we detected events such as obstacles around the vehicle and lane departures, and measured the reaction time until recognition.

  As a result of the verification, as shown in FIG. 5, when the alarm sound generation device and the alarm sound generation method according to the present invention are used (when there is a voice expression), when not used (when there is no voice expression), In comparison, event detection was reduced by more than 20%. Specifically, the time required for the driver to recognize the danger could be reduced by about 0.3 seconds.

  The time required for the driver to recognize the danger can be shortened in three directions: the left direction of the vehicle, the left front of the vehicle, the right front of the vehicle, and the left rear of the vehicle. Although the time required to recognize the danger occurring at the right rear of the vehicle has not been shortened, it is thought that this is because the direction is easy for the driver to visually recognize.

  As described above, it can be seen that the alarm sound generation device and the alarm sound generation method according to the present invention can greatly contribute to the safe driving of the vehicle.

10 detection sensor,
20 alarm sound generator,
21 driving state recognition unit,
22 Alarm sound output information memory,
23 Alarm sound setting part,
24 tone information memory,
25 Alarm sound generator,
26 Amplification amplifier,
30 Alarm sound output section,
30a-30d speaker,
40 vehicles,
100 Alarm sound generator.

Claims (2)

A detection sensor for detecting information necessary for driving the vehicle;
Using the information detected by the detection sensor, a warning sound generating unit that generates a warning sound whose volume balance is adjusted so that it can be heard from a direction in which a sine wave of a plurality of frequencies is synthesized and alerted to the driver;
Have a, a plurality of alarm sound output unit for outputting an alarm sound generated by the warning sound generating unit in the passenger compartment of the vehicle,
The warning sound generator
A traveling state recognition unit that recognizes the traveling state of the vehicle from information detected by the detection sensor;
An alarm sound setting unit that sets a volume balance of alarm sounds output by the plurality of alarm sound output units from the travel state of the vehicle recognized by the travel state recognition unit and a delay time of the alarm sound;
The alarm sound in which the sine waves of the plurality of frequencies are synthesized is output from the plurality of alarm sound output units according to the volume balance and delay time set by the alarm sound setting unit,
Further, for each vehicle type, grade, and interior of the vehicle, it is most suitable for the vehicle obtained as a result of analyzing the alarm sound captured by the microphones installed at the positions of both ears of the driver sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle. A warning sound output information memory for storing a volume balance and a delay time of the warning sound;
The alarm sound setting unit reads the volume balance and delay time of the alarm sound stored in the alarm sound output information memory according to the vehicle type, grade, and interior of the vehicle, and the plurality of alarm sound output units outputs An alarm sound generating device , wherein a volume balance of an alarm sound and a delay time of the alarm sound are set . The warning sound generator
A timbre information memory for storing timbre information for creating sine waves of different frequencies;
Reads the tone color information from the tone color information memory, the alarm sound generating device according to claim 1 in which the sine wave of the plurality of frequencies characterized that you generate an alarm sound that is synthesized.

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