JP6240863B2 - Driving support system and driving support program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving support system and a driving support program that support driving of a driver.

  There has been proposed a driving support system that supports driving by a character displayed on a display screen by communicating with the driver. For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes a driving support system that supports the driving of the driver by changing the facial expression and gesture of the character displayed on the display screen according to the state of the vehicle. For example, when the driver performs a violent driving, this driving support system changes the facial expression of the character displayed on the display screen, and makes the character angry or sad. The driver sees that the character is angry or sad and realizes that he was driving violently, and changes the driving method. On the other hand, the driving assistance system changes the facial expression of the character displayed on the display screen when the driver carefully and gently drives, and makes the character happy or cheerful. The driver is relieved to see how the character is happy and energetic and continues safe driving. As described above, the driving support system described in Patent Document 1 is safe for the driver by making use of emotions that the driver tries not to make the character uncomfortable or wants the character to be pleased. Encourage driving.

JP 2003-72488 A

  In order to make the driver feel strongly that the character does not make the character uncomfortable or desires to be pleased, it is necessary to make the driver strongly empathize with the character. However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, for example, the facial expression of the character when the driver's driving is violent or polite is determined uniformly according to the driving mode. As described above, since the facial expression and gesture of the character displayed on the display screen are monotonous and poorly changed, the driver is easily bored with communication with the character. Accordingly, the state in which the driver is strongly empathized with the character does not continue, and eventually the driver does not feel anything even when the facial expression or gesture of the character changes. As a result, the driving support system has a problem that it is impossible to prompt the driver to drive safely.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a driving support system and a driving support program that can continuously encourage a driver to drive safely by maintaining a strong emotional transfer of the driver to a character. .

  The driving support system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a driving support system in which the character communicates with the user by outputting character information, and supports the driving of the user, wherein the communication representation mode Is determined by referring to a storage unit stored for each intimacy specified based on the driving state of the vehicle, and the character corresponding to the intimacy is determined. The character information is output so as to communicate with the user, and the intimacy of the character with respect to the user is determined based on the intimacy so as to change according to the driving state of the user. The character information is output in the expression mode.

  According to the first aspect, the driving support system causes the user to recognize a creature such as a person or an animal as a character by outputting character information to the user. The character information is output from the driving support device by various methods for appealing to the user's five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell). For example, the output of character information may be executed by displaying a character image on a display unit (display or the like). Further, for example, the output of character information may be executed by outputting the voice of the character from a voice output unit (speaker or the like). Thus, communication is performed in which the character notifies the user of information.

  In the driving support system, the expression mode of communication by the character is changed according to the degree of intimacy between the user and the character. As a result, the degree of emotion transfer of the user to the character can be strengthened, and the user can feel as if the character is a real target. In order to maintain and further increase the character's intimacy with respect to the user, the user obeys the safe driving action by the character and actively tries to drive safely. In this way, the driving support system suppresses the user from getting bored with communication with the character by maintaining the degree of empathy of the user to the character at a high level, and continuously provides safe driving to the user. Can be encouraged.

  In the first aspect, a function of detecting a state of the vehicle is provided, and the storage unit stores information indicating the expression mode of the communication for each familiarity and for each state of the vehicle. The character information may be output so that the expression mode corresponding to the density and the state of the vehicle is determined, and the character communicates with the user in the expression mode.

  For example, the driving support system may identify an appropriate notification item according to the state of the vehicle and notify the user via the character. For example, the driving support system may guide the driver so as to alert the user according to the traveling speed or to carefully drive with respect to the sudden handle or the sudden brake. As a result, the driving support system can appropriately call attention to the optimum safe driving according to the state of the vehicle.

  In the first aspect, the traffic monitoring apparatus has a function of specifying the position of the vehicle, specifies the position of the traffic monitoring apparatus by referring to a storage unit in which position information of the traffic monitoring apparatus is stored, and specifies the specified traffic monitoring apparatus The character information may be output so that information indicating a relationship between the position of the vehicle and the position of the vehicle is notified to the user by the character.

  The user can recognize the installation location of the traffic monitoring device through communication with the character. Traffic monitoring devices are often installed in places where traffic accidents are likely to occur or where accidents have occurred in the past. Accordingly, the driving support system can notify the user of information related to the installation location of the traffic monitoring device, thereby allowing the user to recognize a location where a traffic accident is likely to occur, and prompt the user to focus on safe driving in such a location.

  In the first aspect, by receiving a radio wave transmitted from a traffic monitoring device, it is determined whether the vehicle has approached the traffic monitoring device, and when the vehicle has approached the traffic monitoring device, the character The character information may be output so that the user is notified.

  The user can recognize that there is a traffic monitoring device near the vehicle through communication with the character. Traffic monitoring devices are often installed in places where traffic accidents are likely to occur or where accidents have occurred in the past. Therefore, the driving support system notifies the user that the traffic monitoring device is close to the vehicle, thereby allowing the user to recognize a place where a traffic accident is likely to occur and prompting the user to focus on safe driving in such a place. it can.

  In the first aspect, there is provided a function for outputting information for supporting driving of the user by a method other than outputting the character information, a character mode for outputting the character information, and non-outputting the character information. It is preferable to switch between the character mode and the non-character mode based on detection of a predetermined switching operation.

  The user can immediately switch between the character mode and the non-character mode. This function is particularly effective when the user does not want other users to know that the driving support system is operating in the character mode. In such a case, the user wants to immediately switch from the character mode to the non-character mode.

  In the first aspect, when the character information is output by outputting the voice of the character from a speaker, the voice of the character may be muted based on detection of a predetermined operation. The user can mute the voice of the character immediately. This function is particularly effective when the user does not want other users to hear the voice of the character. In such a case, the user wants to mute the voice of the character with a simple operation.

  In the first aspect, the driving support system specifies the position of the vehicle by receiving radio waves transmitted from a regional navigation satellite, and receives the radio waves transmitted from the regional navigation satellite. The character information may be output so that information indicating that the radio wave transmitted from the navigation satellite has been received is notified to the user by the character.

  For example, when the regional navigation satellite “Michibiki” is supplemented, the driving support device may notify the user that “Michibiki” has been captured via the character. By doing in this way, the user can recognize in detail what kind of satellite is used to specify the position of the vehicle in the driving support system. Since the user can know the specific movement of the driving support system in detail, it is possible to increase the familiarity with the driving support system.

  In the first aspect, the position of the vehicle is specified based on at least one of radio waves transmitted from a global navigation satellite and radio waves transmitted from a regional navigation satellite, and at least radio waves from the regional navigation satellite are used. When the position of the vehicle can be specified, the user may be notified in a different notification mode from the case where the position of the vehicle can be specified without using radio waves from the regional navigation satellite. The user can clearly recognize at a glance whether the position of the vehicle is specified by receiving radio waves from the regional navigation satellite.

  In the first aspect, when the familiarity is less than a first threshold, the character information is output from a first output unit, and when the familiarity is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first output unit, and the The character information may be output from a second output unit different from the first output unit. In the first aspect, the character information may include image information and audio information, the image information may be output from the first output unit, and the audio information may be output from the second output unit.

  When the intimacy is low, an image of the character is output, so that the user recognizes another expression mode (for example, voice) based on the character information, thereby inflating an expectation that the intimate communication with the character is to be started quickly. The driving support system can increase the degree of empathy for the user's character by utilizing such user's psychology.

  In contrast to the above, the first output unit may be an audio output unit. The second output unit may be an image output unit. And it is good to output a sound from a 1st output part as character information. An image may be output from the second output unit as character information.

  In the first aspect, the character image that is the character information to be displayed on the display unit may be changed according to the time when the character image is displayed. For example, a plurality of character images may be prepared for each period. As a result, the user can be prevented from getting bored with the character image. In addition, since the user has a feeling of wanting to see a new character image, the driving support system can effectively guide the user to safe driving by using this emotion. For example, the driving support system may be controlled so that a new character image is not displayed when the user performs dangerous driving or the like. As a result, the user always tries to drive safely.

  In the first aspect, when the closeness is less than a second threshold, the character image is output from the display unit as the character information, the voice of the character is not output from the sound output unit, and the closeness is When the number is equal to or greater than two thresholds, the character image and the voice of the character may be output as the character information.

  Since the user cannot recognize the voice of the character when the intimacy is low, the user has an expectation of not only the character image but also the voice. The driving support system can increase the degree of empathy for the user's character by utilizing such user's psychology.

  In the first aspect, when the character information is output so that the character communicates with the user in the expression mode such that the familiarity of the character with respect to the user increases as the familiarity increases. Good. The driving support system can increase the closeness of the character to the user as the closeness specified based on the driving state increases. When the user feels that the character's intimacy is gradually increasing, the friendship with the character gradually increases, and emotions are strongly transferred to the character. The user responds more honestly to the notification from the character so as not to be disliked by the character. Therefore, the user comes to perform safe driving according to the character's approach to safe driving.

  In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that the character communicates in a different expression manner every time the driving support system is activated. For example, the character information may be switched at each activation time and output as if the character was a real creature. As a result, the user feels as if the character actually exists, and emotions are strongly transferred to the character. The user responds more honestly to the notification from the character so as not to be disliked by the character. Therefore, the user comes to perform safe driving according to the character's approach to safe driving.

  In the first aspect, when the time when the driving support system is activated is early in the morning, the character information may be output so as to communicate with the user in an expression manner in which the character is likely to sleep. The user feels as if the character is a living creature by looking at the sleepy state of the character. Further, the user feels sorry for the character awakening. The driving assistance device can further increase the degree of emotion transfer to the user's character by causing the user to have such emotions.

  In the first aspect, when the time when the driving support system is activated is midnight, the character information may be output so as to communicate with the user in an expression mode in which the character goes to sleep. By seeing the character go to bed, the user feels as if the character is a living creature. Furthermore, the user has an intimate feeling toward the character. The driving assistance device can further increase the degree of emotion transfer to the user's character by causing the user to have such emotions.

  In the first aspect, the voice of the character and the voice of another character different from the character by the person who plays the character are stored in the storage unit as the expression mode, and the familiarity is a third threshold value. If it is less, the voice of the other character may be output as the character information, and if the familiarity is greater than or equal to a third threshold, the voice of the character may be output as the character information.

  The user listens to the voice of another character while the intimacy is less than the third threshold.For example, if another character different from the character by the person who plays the character is a character played by a familiar person, the voice is heard. At the same time as listening and being relieved, for example, the user wants to hear the voice of a character unique to the system. In this state, when the familiarity increases and the voice of the character can be heard, the degree of emotional transfer of the user to the character is further increased as compared with the case of listening to the voice of the character from the beginning.

  In the first aspect, when the familiarity is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value that is greater than the third threshold value, the voice of the other character may be output. When the familiarity increases, the user can hear both the voice of the character and the voice of another character.

  In the first aspect, the voice of the character touching with the first attitude and the voice of the character touching with the second attitude are stored as the expression mode in the storage unit, and the familiarity is less than a fifth threshold value In this case, it is preferable to output the voice of the character of the first attitude as the character information, and output the voice of the character of the second attitude when the closeness is equal to or higher than a fifth threshold.

  The second attitude may be an attitude having a drop from the first attitude, and the second attitude may be an attitude having elements opposite to the first attitude. In particular, the first attitude is generally an attitude with a negative image, and the second attitude is generally an attitude with a positive image. In this way, when the intimacy becomes greater than or equal to the threshold value, the attitude suddenly changes and is attracted to the gap of the attitude. As a result, it is possible to cause and maintain a stronger emotional transfer of the driver to the character.

  In the first aspect, the first attitude may be an attitude of being in strict contact with the user, and the second attitude may be an attitude of being in contact with the user so as to be included. As the intimacy increases, the character's attitude gradually becomes intimate, so the user further increases the degree of emotional transfer to the character. The user responds more honestly to the notification from the character so as not to be disliked by the character. Therefore, the user comes to perform safe driving according to the character's approach to safe driving.

  In the first aspect, when the intimacy is equal to or greater than a sixth threshold value that is greater than the fifth threshold value, the voice of the character that contacts the user with a strict attitude may be output. When the familiarity increases, the user can listen to both a severe voice and a custom voice.

  In the first aspect, when the user performs an operation for setting a condition for outputting the character information, the operation is accepted only when the familiarity is equal to or greater than a seventh threshold, and the familiarity Is less than the seventh threshold, the operation may not be accepted. The user cannot set conditions for outputting character information unless the closeness is equal to or higher than a certain level. The user expects to be able to enter conditions if the intimacy is below a certain level. By driving the user in this way, the driving support system can increase the degree of emotion transfer to the user's character.

  In the first aspect, the driving support system operates in one of a character mode that outputs the character information and a non-character mode that does not output the character information, and only when operating in the character mode. An operation for setting a condition for outputting the character information may be received via the setting screen. The user can use the driving support system by switching between the character mode and the non-character mode. In addition, since the user can set conditions for outputting character information only when the driving support system is operating in the character mode, the character information is erroneously set when operating in the non-character mode. Can be prevented from being changed.

  In the first aspect, a setting screen for setting operation conditions of the driving support system is displayed on the display unit, and the setting screen is a selection that is first selected when setting conditions for outputting the character information An operation unit may be provided. The user can clearly recognize an operation for setting a condition for outputting character information at a glance.

  In the first aspect, when the user performs an operation for setting a condition for outputting the character information and the closeness is less than the eighth threshold, the operation is not accepted. This may be notified to the user by a voice having a tone different from that of the character. As a result, the user can clearly recognize that the setting of the condition has been rejected.

  In the first aspect, the user may be notified that the operation is not accepted, and the function of the driving support system may be introduced to the user. The user can recognize the function of the driving support system and know how it can be set. Even when the user does not recognize the functions of the driving support device well in advance, the user can gradually recognize the functions while using the driving support system.

  In the first aspect, the wallpaper operation unit for selecting a wallpaper that is displayed on the display unit and that increases in number as the date and time passes is displayed on the display unit, and the wallpaper operation is performed. The wallpaper selected by the user via the unit may be displayed on the display unit at least one of when the driving support system is activated or when waiting. The user can select a favorite wallpaper and display it on the display unit. Since the wallpaper that can be displayed increases with the passage of the date and time, even when the driving support system is used by the user for a long time, the user can be prevented from getting bored by changing the wallpaper.

  In the first aspect, a playback operation unit is displayed on the display unit for performing setting that enables the voice of the character once output from the voice output unit as the character information to be output again at an arbitrary timing. Specified when the user gives an instruction to output the voice of the character once output after the setting to output the voice of the character again through the playback operation unit. The voice of the character may be output. As a result, the voice of the character once played can be repeatedly heard later at an arbitrary timing.

  In the first aspect, a clothing operation unit for selecting the character's clothing indicated by the character image displayed on the display unit as the character information is displayed on the display unit, and the clothing is operated via the clothing operation unit. After is selected, an image of the character wearing the selected clothes may be displayed on the display unit.

  The user can display the character wearing his favorite clothes on the display unit. As a result, the user can switch the appearance of the character as desired, and the degree of emotional transfer to the character is further increased. In addition, the driving support system can display the character in various display modes, and can prevent the user from getting bored.

  In the first aspect, when the intimacy is less than a ninth threshold, even when the clothes are selected via the clothes operation unit, display of the image of the character wearing the selected clothes Is preferably prohibited with a predetermined probability. When the user is intimate, the user is rarely rejected even when performing an operation to change the character's clothes. This makes it possible for the user to increase the familiarity and to change the character's clothes without fail. As a result, the user follows the notification of the character more, and tries to drive safely according to the guidance to the safe driving from the driving support system. In addition, the driving support system can further increase the degree of empathy of the user to the character by making the character behave like a living creature.

  In the first aspect, the background image of the setting screen may be changed based on the user instruction. The background of the setting screen can be switched to the desired state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the display mode from being overwhelmed and bored by the user.

  In the first aspect, a mode operation unit for selecting one of a character mode for outputting the character information and a non-character mode for not outputting the character information is displayed on a display unit, and the color of the outer frame of the mode operation unit May be changed according to the intimacy. The user can clearly recognize the expression mode of communication by the character with a glance at the mode operation unit.

  In the first aspect, an image indicating the familiarity as the familiarity of the character with respect to the user may be displayed on a display unit. As a result, the user can recognize the familiarity of the character at a glance.

In the first aspect, an initialization operation unit for initializing the operation state is displayed on a display unit,
When the operation for initializing the operation state is performed via the initialization operation unit, the closeness of the user may be initialized. Accordingly, the user can experience the process of gradually increasing the intimacy of the character with respect to the user by initializing the driving state over and over again.

  In the first aspect, a storage unit for storing the operation state and setting information other than the operation state is provided, and when the initialization operation is input through the initialization operation unit, the operation state is initialized. And setting information other than the operation state may not be initialized. The driving support system can initialize the exercise state so as not to erase the setting information set by the user. As a result, the user can save the trouble of repeatedly setting the setting information for the driving support system.

  In the first aspect, the vehicle and the target are acquired based on map information in which position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired and the target on the map is associated with the position information and the acquired position information. The character information may be determined and output based on the positional relationship.

  The driving support system can identify an appropriate notification item according to the positional relationship between the vehicle and the object, and notify the user via the character. As a notification item, for example, it may be notified that a vehicle has approached a place where a traffic accident is likely to occur, such as a sharp curve or a place with poor visibility. Moreover, it is good to notify that the vehicle approached the place where the traffic monitoring apparatus is installed. Accordingly, the driving support system can prompt the user to drive safely in a dangerous place. In particular, since the user is strongly empathized with the character, it is assumed that the user responds honestly to the notification from the character. Therefore, the driving support system can accurately guide the user to perform safe driving. For example, the driving support device may change the notification by the character according to the familiarity.

  In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that the character communicates with the user in the expression form that differs depending on a distance between the vehicle and the target. The user can easily and clearly recognize the distance between the vehicle and the object at a glance through communication with the character. For example, the character may notify the user in a different manner depending on the distance when the distance between the place where the traffic accident is likely to occur and the vehicle, such as a sharp curve or a place with poor visibility, becomes short. As a result, the user can recognize the distance between the dangerous place and the vehicle, so that the user can drive appropriately according to the distance.

  In the first aspect, the vehicle may have a function of detecting the behavior of the vehicle, and when the detected behavior satisfies a predetermined condition, the character information may be determined based on the behavior and output. The driving support system can identify an appropriate notification item based on the behavior of the vehicle and notify the user via the character. As a notification matter, for example, a warning for sudden steering, sudden braking, or sudden start may be performed. As a result, the driving support system can warn of dangerous driving and encourage gentle driving. In particular, since the user is strongly empathized with the character, it is assumed that the user responds honestly to the notification matter of the character. Therefore, the driving support system can accurately guide the user to perform safe driving.

  In the first aspect, the vehicle may have a function of detecting acceleration applied to the vehicle, and the behavior may be determined based on the detected acceleration. The driving support system can determine the behavior of the vehicle based on the acceleration applied to the vehicle. For example, the driving support system may detect the behavior of the vehicle such as a sudden handle, a sudden brake, or a sudden start by detecting acceleration in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

  In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that the character communicates with the user in the expression mode that differs depending on the magnitude and direction of the acceleration. The driving support system can specify the vehicle state in detail based on the magnitude and direction of acceleration. For example, the driving support system may specify a sudden handle, a sudden brake, a sudden acceleration, and the like based on the magnitude and direction of acceleration, and give a notice for alerting them. Accordingly, the user can perform safe driving by keeping in mind not to perform dangerous driving in response to a notification from the character.

  In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that the character talks to the user, and the character walks in the display area of the display unit so as to communicate in any expression manner. As a result, the user has a sense of familiarity with the character, and the degree of emotion transfer to the user's character is further increased. For example, the character information may be output in the above-described manner during a time period other than when the output based on the positional relationship between the vehicle and the object or the output when the acceleration satisfies a predetermined condition is performed. As a result, the user always feels as if the character is nearby, and the degree of emotional transfer of the user to the character is further increased. For example, the character phrases may be varied according to the familiarity.

  In the first aspect, when the positional relationship between the target position for monitoring traffic and the vehicle satisfies a predetermined relationship, an image of the character wearing predetermined clothes may be output as the character information. The user can easily and clearly recognize at a glance that the position of the object to be monitored and the vehicle satisfies a predetermined relationship because the appearance of the character has changed. Since traffic monitoring targets are often installed in places where there is a high possibility of traffic accidents, users should accurately recognize places with high risk of traffic accidents in advance and keep in mind traffic safety. You can drive.

  1st aspect WHEREIN: It is good to output the audio | voice of the said character for notifying the information regarding the said object which monitors traffic as the said character information. Even when the user does not look at the driving support system, the user can surely recognize that the position of the object to be monitored and the vehicle satisfies the predetermined relationship by voice. it can.

  In the first aspect, the vehicle has a function of detecting a traveling speed of the vehicle, acquires a speed limit at a traveling point of the vehicle, and the detected traveling speed exceeds the acquired speed limit. In this case, the character information may be output so that the character communicates in an expression mode that warns the user. The user can easily recognize that the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit. Since the degree of emotional transfer of the user to the character is strong, the user will try to drive safely according to the warning from the character.

  In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that the character has a function of detecting the behavior of the vehicle and the character communicates in an expression manner in which the character is intoxicated when the behavior satisfies a predetermined condition. . For example, when a large acceleration in the lateral direction of the vehicle is detected, it may be determined that a rough driving is being performed, and character information may be output in a drunken expression mode. Since the degree of emotion transfer to the user's character is large, the user feels sorry for the character's drunken state and tries to drive carefully. The driving support system can prompt the user to carefully drive by using such emotions of the user.

  In the first aspect, the apparatus has a function of detecting an acceleration applied to the vehicle, and communicates in an expression mode in which the character is angry with the user when the acceleration satisfies a predetermined condition for a predetermined time or more. As described above, the character information may be output. For example, when acceleration in the longitudinal direction or lateral direction of the vehicle frequently increases, it is determined that a rough driving is being performed, and character information may be output in an angry expression manner. Since the degree of emotion transfer to the user's character is large, the user reflects on the character's angry state and tries to drive carefully. The driving support system can prompt the user to carefully drive by using such emotions of the user.

  In the first aspect, it is determined whether or not the user's concentration on driving is in a reduced state, and when it is determined that the concentration is in a reduced state, the character communicates in an expression manner that speaks to the user. In addition, the character information may be output. The driving support system can alert the user when it is determined that the user's concentration on driving has decreased. As a result, the user can regain his concentration and perform safe driving. Since the degree of emotion transfer to the user's character is large, the user responds honestly to the alert from the character. For example, the character may communicate with the user in a manner that encourages a break. As a result, the user can reliably recover the concentration by actively taking a break.

  In the first aspect, it is determined whether or not the driving state of the vehicle is poor in change, and when it is determined that the vehicle is poor in change, the character communicates in an expression manner that speaks to the user. In addition, the character information may be output. When the change in the running state of the vehicle is scarce, the user may be asleep. In such a case, the driving support system can eliminate the user's dozing state by alerting the user. As a result, the user can resume safe driving. Since the degree of emotion transfer to the user's character is large, the user responds honestly to the alert from the character. For example, the character may communicate with the user in a manner that encourages a break. As a result, the user can reliably recover the concentration by actively taking a break.

  In the first aspect, the vehicle has a function of detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle. It is good to judge. The driving support system can accurately specify the state of the user by a simple method. This is because, when these conditions are satisfied, the user's concentration tends to decrease, and the user is easily drowsy.

  In the first aspect, it is preferable to determine that the vehicle is in the above state when a change in the running state of the vehicle for a predetermined time satisfies a predetermined condition. The driving support system can accurately specify the state of the user by a simple method. For example, when the user is driving normally, the running state frequently fluctuates. Therefore, when the fluctuation is small, the user may determine that the user is in a drowsy driving state.

  In the first aspect, the position information of the vehicle is acquired, the road on which the vehicle is traveling is specified based on the acquired position information and map information, and the type of the specified road is a predetermined condition When the above condition is satisfied, the character information may be output so that the character communicates in an expression manner that speaks to the user.

  For example, the driving support system may specify whether the reason the vehicle is traveling is an expressway or an elevated road. This is because when the vehicle is traveling on such a road, the traveling speed tends to be high, and monotonous driving with little steering and speed change is likely to occur. In such a case, the user's concentration is likely to be reduced, and wakeful driving, doze driving, etc. are likely to occur. On the other hand, the driving support system can prevent traffic accidents by warning the user especially on such roads. Therefore, the driving support system can effectively prevent a traffic accident and prompt the user to drive safely.

  In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that communication is performed in an expression manner in which the character speaks to the user when the traveling speed of the vehicle is acquired and the acquired traveling speed satisfies a predetermined condition. . When the traveling speed is high, a little carelessness of the user is likely to lead to an accident. On the other hand, since the driving support system can warn the user through such a character in such a case, it is possible to eliminate the situation where an accident is likely to occur and prevent the accident from occurring.

  In the first aspect, the character information has a function of detecting acceleration applied to the vehicle, and when the detected acceleration satisfies a predetermined condition, the character information is communicated in an expression mode in which the character speaks to the user. Should be output. For example, the driving support system may detect a sudden start, a sudden stop, a sudden handle, or the like of the vehicle from the detected acceleration. When such driving is repeated, there is a high possibility that the vehicle will cause an accident. On the other hand, since the driving support system can warn the user through such a character particularly in such a case, the occurrence of an accident can be prevented in advance.

  In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that communication is performed in an expression mode in which the character speaks repeatedly at a predetermined cycle. Even if the user is not aware of the warning at the initial stage of the warning, by repeatedly giving the warning, the user finally notices the warning and tries to drive safely. In this way, the driving support system can make the user recognize the warning with certainty.

  In the first aspect, the conversation contents when the character speaks repeatedly at a predetermined cycle may be different. The driving support system can suppress the user from getting bored with the character by outputting the character information so that the character warns in a different manner. As a result, the user continuously responds to the warning of the character and tries to drive safely.

  In the first aspect, the sound volume of the character when the character speaks repeatedly at a predetermined cycle may be gradually increased as the number of repetitions increases. Since the voice of the character that is output gradually increases, even if the user does not correct the driving method at the initial stage of warning, the user finally corrects the driving method according to the sound of a loud volume. In this way, the driving support system can reliably guide the user to perform safe driving.

  In the first aspect, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired, and based on the acquired position information and map information, it is determined whether the vehicle has passed a prefectural border, and the vehicle When it is determined that the character has passed, the character information may be output so that the character notifies the user that the character has passed the prefectural border. The driving support system can allow the user to recognize which place the vehicle is traveling in. The driving support system can prevent the user from deteriorating concentration, falling asleep, etc. by causing the user to imagine a rough image of the destination.

  1st aspect WHEREIN: The coordinate information which shows the position of the said vehicle is acquired, The said vehicle is drive | working based on the map information with which the object on a map and coordinate information were matched, and the acquired said coordinate information It is preferable to output the character information so that the user is notified of the prefecture where the character is traveling. The driving support system can allow the user to recognize which place the vehicle is traveling in. The driving support system can prevent the user from deteriorating concentration, falling asleep, etc. by causing the user to imagine a rough image of the destination.

  1st aspect WHEREIN: The coordinate information which shows the position of the said vehicle is acquired, Based on the map information with which the object on a map and coordinate information were matched, and the acquired said coordinate information, the said vehicle and predetermined point When the distance between the vehicle and the predetermined point is determined to be within a predetermined range, the user is notified that the predetermined point has approached. The character information may be output so as to be notified.

  For example, PA and SA may be assumed as the predetermined points. The driving support system may recommend a break by stopping at the SA or PA to the user when detecting a decrease in the user's concentration or a drowsy driving. Accordingly, the driving support system can restore the user's concentration and eliminate drowsiness. For example, a sharp curve, a continuous curve, or a branch point may be assumed as the predetermined point. Such a place can easily lead to an accident with a little carelessness. When a driving assistance system approaches such a place, a warning is given to the user via the character, so that the user's concentration reduction or dozing driving may be suppressed in a dangerous place. As a result, the driving support system can more reliably prevent traffic accidents.

  In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that the character notifies the user of the distance from the vehicle to the predetermined point. For example, the driving support system may specifically notify the distance to the predetermined point, for example, “km ahead”. As a result, the driving support system can continue to drive safely before reaching a dangerous place where traffic accidents are likely to occur. In this way, the driving support system can eliminate a decrease in the user's concentration, a drowsy driving, and the like with a margin before a place where a traffic accident is likely to occur.

  In the first aspect, a storage medium that stores data indicating an expression form when the character information is output may be used as the storage unit. By obtaining the character information from the storage medium, it is possible to variously change the character expression mode. Thus, the driving support device can prevent the user from getting bored by providing the user with a new expression mode.

  In the first aspect, the driving state is a driving frequency of the vehicle by the user, and the closeness may be determined based on the driving frequency. The driving support system can specify the familiarity according to the driving frequency of the driver. For example, in the driving support system, when the driving frequency is high, the familiarity may be set large, and when the driving frequency is low, the familiarity may be set small.

  In the first aspect, the driving state may be a travel distance traveled by the vehicle by the user's driving. The driving support system can specify the intimacy by the travel distance. For example, the driving support system may set the closeness large when the travel distance is long and set the small closeness when the travel distance is short.

  The driving support program according to the second aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute each function of the driving support system described above.

2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a driving support system 4. FIG. It is a table | surface for demonstrating the display mode of the driving assistance system 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the screen displayed in a radar standby display mode. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the screen displayed in a radar standby display mode. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed in OBD display mode. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed in MAP display mode-animation mode. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed in MAP display mode-live-action mode. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed in MAP display mode-character mode. 3 is a schematic diagram showing information stored in an SD card 5. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing information stored in a RAM 44. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a main process. It is a flowchart which shows a fixed period process. It is a flowchart which shows an object position specific process. It is a flowchart which shows a driving | running state specific process. It is a flowchart which shows a character mode process. It is a figure which shows the example of the logo screen displayed based on the logo information 213. FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the still screen displayed based on the still screen information. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the still screen displayed based on the still screen information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the starting information 215. It is a schematic diagram which shows a character audio | voice among starting information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the character information 2114. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows audio | voice information among the character information 2114. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the character information 2124. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. 6 is a schematic diagram showing setting information 23. FIG. It is a figure which shows transition of a setting screen. It is a figure which shows the main menu screen. It is a figure which shows the screen setting screen. It is a figure which shows the screen selection screen. It is a figure which shows the alarm display setting screen. It is a figure which shows the screen setting screen. It is a figure which shows the character setting screen. It is a figure which shows the still screen selection screen. It is a figure which shows the clothing selection screen 170. FIG. It is a figure which shows the audio | voice selection screen. It is a figure which shows the system setting screen. It is a figure which shows the still image. It is a figure which shows the still image.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the apparatus, the flowcharts of various processes, and the like that are described are not intended to be limited to only that, but are merely illustrative examples.

  An overview of the driving support system 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The driving support system 4 is installed in the vehicle. The driving support system 4 supports the driving of the driver by outputting various information. An example of the driving support system 4 is a radar detector. The driving support system 4 is provided with a control unit 41 that performs main control. The control unit 41 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 42, an EEPROM 43, a RAM 44, and the like. The control unit 41 includes a GPS receiver (GPS module) 45 that receives radio waves from GPS satellites, a microwave receiver (microwave reception module) 46 that receives microwaves from a radar for speed measurement, and traffic control. A wireless receiver (wireless receiver module) 47 for receiving UHF radio waves for communication, a display unit 48 composed of color liquid crystal for displaying various information and alarm screens, and provided on the surface of the display unit 48 Touch panel 49, lamp 50 that blinks or lights to notify, speaker 51 that emits warning sound, card reader 52 into which SD card 5 is inserted, OBD connector 53 for collecting vehicle OBD information, and driving support An acceleration sensor 54 for detecting the acceleration applied to the system 4 is connected.

  The control unit 41 notifies the driver based on information input from various input devices (GPS receiver 45, microwave receiver 46, wireless receiver 47, touch panel 49, OBD connector 53, acceleration sensor 54). Information is created and output using output devices (display unit 48, lamp 50, speaker 51). These basic configurations are basically the same as those of the conventional apparatus. The functions of the driving support system 4 are stored in the EEPROM 43 of the control unit 41 as firmware executed by the CPU 42 provided in the control unit 41, and are realized by the CPU 42 executing this. The firmware stored in the EEPROM 43 can be updated with new firmware stored in the SD card 5.

  The main information output from the output device of the driving support system 4 in order to support the driving of the driver is alarm information for prompting the driver to drive safely. The alarm information is output in the following cases, for example. The driving support system 4 obtains a distance between the target position (latitude / longitude) stored as map information in the SD card 5 and the current position (latitude / longitude) of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 45. Alarm information is output from the output device when the measured distance is less than or equal to the predetermined distance. Further, for example, the driving support system 4 is configured such that when the microwave receiver 46 detects a signal corresponding to a microwave in a frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device (a speed measuring device that emits a radar wave such as a mobile radar). Output alarm information from the output device. The driving support system 4 outputs warning information to make the driver recognize a dangerous place where a traffic accident is likely to occur. As a result, the driving support system 4 can prompt the driver to drive safely. Note that the above-described alarm information is an example, and actually, various other alarm information is also output to the driver. Details will be described later.

  FIG. 2 shows a display mode of the driving support system 4. The driving support system 4 displays a screen of a different aspect on the display unit 48 according to the set display mode. The driving support system 4 includes a radar standby display mode, an OBD display mode, and a MAP display mode as the constant display mode. In the radar standby display mode, a screen showing the clock and speed (see FIG. 3), a screen showing the GPS positioning status (see FIG. 4), a screen showing the vehicle tilt state, a screen showing the acceleration applied to the vehicle, etc. Can be displayed on the display unit 48. In OBD display mode, instantaneous fuel efficiency, current fuel efficiency, fuel flow rate, vehicle speed, coolant temperature, trip meter, national road average fuel efficiency, general road average fuel efficiency, expressway average fuel efficiency, engine speed, engine load factor, throttle opening, etc. Can be displayed on the display unit 48 (see FIG. 5). In the MAP display mode, a map in the vicinity of the vehicle can be displayed on the display unit 48 (see FIGS. 6 to 8).

  An alarm display mode that is a display mode when alarm information is output will be described. In the radar standby display mode and the OBD display mode, a telop indicating alarm information is displayed on a screen corresponding to each continuous display mode, and a warning sound is output from the speaker 51. In contrast, in the MAP display mode, the alarm information output mode can be switched to an animation mode, a live-action mode (hereinafter collectively referred to as a non-character mode), and a character mode. As shown in FIG. 6, in the animation mode, the target object and the animation 11 of the speed measurement device are displayed as alarm information superimposed on the map 10, and a warning sound is output from the speaker 51. As shown in FIG. 7, in the shooting mode, the shooting target (REALPHOTO) 12 of the target object and the speed measuring device is displayed on the map 10 as alarm information and a warning sound is output from the speaker 51. As shown in FIG. 8, in the character mode, the character 14 is displayed on the display unit 48 so as to overlap the map 10. In addition, the voice of the character 14 is output from the speaker 51. Then, the warning information is notified to the driver by the behavior and voice of the character 14.

  The driving support system 4 in the present embodiment is characterized by the operation in the MAP display mode-character mode (inside the thick frame line in FIG. 2). In the driving support system 4, when operating in the MAP display mode-character mode, the character 14 may be displayed on the display unit 48 even when it is not necessary to notify the driver of alarm information. The character 14 behaves as if it is a real person and communicates with the driver by talking to the driver. In addition, the character 14 changes the behavior and voice as if the intimacy with the driver gradually increases. As a result, the driving support system 4 guides the driver to strongly empathize with the character 14. Furthermore, the character 14 outputs not only a notice of a dangerous place where a traffic accident is likely to occur, but also alerts for dangerous driving, rough driving, driving lacking concentration, and dozing driving as alarm information. A driver who has deepened the degree of emotion transfer to the character 14 will actively try to drive safely in response to the alert from the character. As described above, the driving support system 4 suppresses the driver from getting bored with communication with the character 14 by developing and maintaining the level of the emotional transfer of the driver with respect to the character 14 to a high level. It is possible to continuously promote safe driving for the person.

  The above display modes (always display mode and alarm display mode) are examples, and the present invention may operate in other display modes. For example, the character may be displayed on the display unit 48 in the radar standby display mode or the OBD display mode.

  Details of the information stored in the SD card 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The SD card 5 stores output information 21, map information 22, and setting information 23.

  The output information 21 is various information output from the output device. The output information 21 includes standby information 211, event information 212, logo information 213, still screen information 214, activation information 215, and setting screen information 216. The event information 212 is based on information input from the input device, and when it is determined that the state of the vehicle or the driving state is a predetermined state (hereinafter referred to as an event occurrence), the event information 212 This information is output from the output device in order to perform notification. The standby information 211 is information output from the output device in a state where no event has occurred (hereinafter referred to as a standby state). The logo information 213, the still screen information 214, and the activation information 215 are information that is first output from the output device when the driving support system 4 is activated in the state set to the MAP display mode-character mode. The setting screen information 216 is information on a screen displayed on the display unit 48 when the driver performs a setting input operation on the driving support system 4.

  The standby information 211 and the event information 212 include image information displayed on the display unit 48 and audio information output from the speaker 51. The standby information 211 and the event information 212 include a plurality of pieces of information for each constant display mode. Specifically, the standby information 211 includes radar standby information 2111 output during operation in the radar standby display mode, OBD information 2112 output during operation in the OBD display mode, and MAP display mode-character mode. Character information 2114 output during operation and non-character information 2115 output during operation in the MAP information-non-character mode are provided. The event information 212 is output during radar standby information 2121 output during operation in the radar standby display mode, OBD information 2122 output during operation in the OBD display mode, and during operation in the MAP display mode-character mode. Character information 2124 and non-character information 2125 output during operation in the MAP display mode-non-character mode are provided.

  The map information 22 is information in which information indicating the type of the target object, latitude and longitude indicating the position of the target object, animation or live-action image displayed on the display unit 48, and sound output from the speaker 51 are associated with each other. Target targets include fixed speed measuring devices (speed measuring devices that emit radar waves (microwaves) like radar and speed measuring devices that do not emit radar waves such as loop coils. Radar Orbis, H system, LH system, loop coil, etc.), speed limit switching point, control area, inspection area, parking monitoring area, N system, traffic monitoring system, intersection monitoring point, signal ignore suppression system, police station, accident-prone area, on-vehicle aim High-frequency area, sudden / continuous curve (highway), branch / merge point (highway), ETC lane advance guidance (highway), service area (highway), parking area (highway), parking area (highway) , Highway oasis (highway), smart interchange (highway), PA / SA petrol station And highway, highway radio reception area (highway), prefectural border notice, roadside station, viewpoint parking, etc.

  The setting information 23 is information indicating various operating conditions of the driving support system 4. The control unit 41 determines operating conditions based on various setting information stored as the setting information 23, and performs various processes based on the determined operating conditions. The setting information 23 is backed up in the EEPROM 43 when the power of the driving support system 4 is turned off. When the SD card 5 is newly inserted into the card reader 52, the setting information backed up in the EEPRM 43 is stored in the SD card 5 as setting information 23.

  Details of the information stored in the RAM 44 will be described with reference to FIG. The RAM 44 stores the current date 31, vehicle position coordinates 32, travel distance 33, familiarity 34, peripheral information 35, driving state 36, OBD information 37, and event flag 38.

  The current date 31 is information indicating the current date and time. The current date 31 is specified based on date data included in the radio wave signal from the GPS satellite received via the GPS receiver 45. The vehicle position coordinate 32 is coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle. The vehicle position coordinate 32 is specified based on a radio wave signal from a GPS satellite received via the GPS receiver 45. The travel distance 33 is information indicating the travel distance of the vehicle. The travel distance 33 is calculated based on the change history of the vehicle position coordinates 32. The intimacy 34 will be described later. The peripheral information 35 is information indicating the type of the target object around the vehicle and the distance between the vehicle and the target object. The type and distance of the target object are determined based on the map information 22 and the vehicle position coordinates 32 stored in the SD card 5. The driving state 36 is information indicating the driving state of the vehicle. The driving state includes meandering driving, sudden braking, sudden start, right sudden handle, left sudden handle, concentration reduction driving, and dozing driving. The OBD information 37 is information acquired from the vehicle via the OBD connector 53. The OBD information 37 includes fuel consumption, fuel flow rate, vehicle speed, cooling water temperature, engine speed, throttle opening, and the like. The event flag 38 is turned ON when an event occurs.

    Processing executed in the control unit 41 of the driving support system 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. The main process starts when the control unit 41 executes the program stored in the EEPROM 43.

  When the main process is started, the control unit 41 first determines whether an operation for turning on the power of the driving support system 4 has been detected (S11). When an operation for turning on the power of the driving support system 4 is not detected (S11: NO), the process returns to S11. When an operation to turn on the power of the driving support system 4 is detected (S11: YES), the control unit 41 activates a fixed cycle process (see FIG. 12) which is an interrupt process activated at a predetermined cycle (S13).

  The periodic processing will be described with reference to FIG. When starting the periodic processing in S13 (see FIG. 11), the control unit 41 repeatedly executes the periodic processing at a constant cycle. The control unit 41 executes main processing and fixed cycle processing in parallel. First, the control unit 41 receives a radio wave signal transmitted from a GPS satellite (S31). The control unit 41 specifies the current date and time based on the date and time data included in the received radio signal (S33). The control unit 41 stores the specified current date and time in the RAM 44 (see FIG. 10) as the current date and time 31 (see FIG. 10) (S33). The control unit 41 acquires OBD information from the vehicle via the OBD connector 53 (S35). The control unit 41 stores the acquired OBD information in the RAM 44 as the OBD information 37 (see FIG. 10) (S35). Next, the control part 41 performs the process (target position specification process, refer FIG. 13) which specifies the position of the target object with respect to a vehicle (S37).

  The target position specifying process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 41 specifies coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle based on the radio signal received from the GPS satellite (S51). The control unit 41 stores the specified coordinate information in the RAM 44 as the vehicle position coordinates 32 (see FIG. 10) (S51). The control unit 41 refers to the map information 22 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5. The control unit 41 determines whether or not there is a target object in the vicinity of the coordinates indicating the position of the vehicle specified in S51 (S55). When there is a target object in the vicinity of the vehicle (S55: YES), the control unit 41 associates the type of the target object with the distance between the target object and the vehicle, and the peripheral information 35 (see FIG. 10). Is stored in the RAM 44 (S55). The process proceeds to S57. On the other hand, when there is no target object near the coordinates indicating the position of the vehicle (S55: NO), the control unit 41 proceeds to S57.

  Next, when there is a signal corresponding to the microwave in the frequency band emitted from the velocity measuring device that emits a radar wave such as a mobile radar, the control unit 41 sends a signal via the microwave receiver 46 (see FIG. 1). Is received (S57). In addition, the control unit 41 includes a control radio, a car radio, a digital radio, an extra radio, a police radio, a police phone, a police activity radio, a wrecker radio, a heli tele radio, a fire helicopter radio, a fire fight radio, an emergency radio, and an expressway radio. The frequency of security radio, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as car location radio) is scanned. When there is a radio signal at the scanned frequency, the signal is received via the radio receiver 47 (see FIG. 1) (S57). The control unit 41 determines whether the signal is received via the microwave receiver 46 or the wireless receiver 47 and whether the reception level of the received signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. When the reception level of the received signal is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, the control unit 41 has a speed measuring device that outputs the signal or a vehicle that outputs a car location radio (hereinafter referred to as a police emergency vehicle) in the vicinity of the vehicle. (S59: YES). The control unit 41 identifies the device (speed measurement device or police emergency vehicle) that has output the signal based on the frequency of the signal. The control unit 41 stores information indicating the specified target in the RAM 44 as the peripheral information 35 (S61). The target position specifying process ends, and the process returns to the fixed cycle process (see FIG. 12). On the other hand, when the control unit 41 does not receive a signal via the microwave receiver 46 or the wireless receiver 47, or the reception level of the received signal is lower than a predetermined level, the object that outputs the signal is a vehicle. (S59: NO). The target position specifying process ends, and the process returns to the fixed cycle process (see FIG. 12).

  As shown in FIG. 12, after the target position specifying process (S37, see FIG. 13) is completed, the control unit 41 calculates the travel distance of the vehicle based on the history of changes in the vehicle position coordinates 32 stored in the RAM 44. (S39). The control unit 41 calculates the travel distance 33 (see FIG. 10) by adding the calculated travel distance and the total travel distance so far stored in the EEPROM 43 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 41 stores the calculated travel distance 33 in the RAM 44 (S39).

  The control unit 41 specifies the familiarity based on the travel distance 33 (S40). The familiarity is a parameter determined according to the travel distance of the vehicle. The driving support system 4 assumes that the intimacy of the character with respect to the driver increases as the travel distance of the vehicle increases, and represents the degree of intimacy as intimacy. Specifically, the intimacy is determined as follows. When the travel distance of the vehicle from the time when the driving support system 4 is first activated is 100 km, the familiarity is zero. When the travel distance of the vehicle in the state in which the character mode is set is 0 km or more and less than 1000 km, the familiarity is 1. When the travel distance of the vehicle in the state in which the character mode is set is 1000 km or more and less than 2000 km, the familiarity is 2. When the travel distance of the vehicle in the state in which the character mode is set is 2000 km or more, the familiarity is 3. The control unit 41 stores the identified closeness in the RAM 44 as the closeness 34 (see FIG. 10) (S40).

  Next, the control unit 41 executes a process for specifying the driving state of the vehicle (driving state specifying process, see FIG. 14) (S41). The operation state specifying process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 41 acquires the vehicle speed from the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 54 (see FIG. 1) and the OBD information 37 stored in the RAM 44 in S35 (see FIG. 12) (S71). Next, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the vehicle is in a predetermined driving state based on the acquired acceleration and vehicle speed (S73). Specifically, the control unit 41 includes (a) meandering operation, (b) sudden braking, (c) sudden start, (d) right sudden handle, (e) left sudden handle, (f) concentration reducing operation, (G) It is determined based on the acceleration and the vehicle speed whether the vehicle is being driven in any driving state of the snoozing driving. The method of judgment is as follows.

  A state in which the vehicle's forward acceleration is 0.3G or more, the vehicle's backward acceleration is 0.15G or more, and the vehicle's lateral acceleration is 0.45G or more occurs 15 times or more within 15 minutes. When the condition is satisfied, the control unit 41 determines that (a) the meandering operation is performed. Further, when the acceleration in the forward direction of the vehicle becomes equal to or greater than 0.3 G, the control unit 41 determines that (b) sudden braking has been performed. Moreover, the control part 41 judges that the sudden start was performed, when the acceleration of the back of a vehicle becomes 0.15G or more. Further, when the acceleration in the left direction of the vehicle becomes 0.45 G or more, the control unit 41 determines that (d) the right sudden steering is performed. In addition, when the acceleration in the right direction of the vehicle becomes 0.45 G or more, the control unit 41 determines that (e) the left sudden steering is performed. When the vehicle speed is 55 km / h or more and the change width of the vehicle speed is 5 km / h or more and less than 10 km / h continuously for a predetermined time or more, the control unit 41 performs (f) concentration reduction operation. It is judged that In addition, the control unit 41 determines that (g) the snoozing operation is performed when the vehicle speed is 55 km / h or more and the change width of the vehicle speed is 10 km / h or more. As described above, the driving support system 4 can determine the driving state of the vehicle based on the acceleration applied to the vehicle and the vehicle speed. . The driving support system 4 can accurately specify the driving state of the vehicle by a simple method.

  When it is determined that the vehicle corresponds to any of the above and the vehicle is being driven in a predetermined driving state (S73: YES), the control unit 41 sets information indicating the corresponding driving state as the driving state 36 (FIG. 10). The data is stored in the RAM 44 (S75). The operation state specifying process ends, and the process returns to the periodic process (see FIG. 12). On the other hand, if none of the above applies (S73: NO), the control unit 41 ends the operation state specifying process, and the process returns to the periodic process (see FIG. 12).

  As shown in FIG. 12, after the operation state specifying process (S39) ends, the control unit 41 stores the peripheral information 35 in the RAM 44 in S55 (see FIG. 13) and S61 (see FIG. 13), or In S75 (see FIG. 14), it is determined whether or not the operation state 36 is stored in the RAM 44. When either is memorize | stored in RAM44, it judges that the event for performing a notification to a driver | operator generate | occur | produced (S43: YES). The control unit 41 turns on the event flag 38 (S45). The periodic processing ends. On the other hand, when neither the peripheral information 35 nor the driving state 36 is stored in the RAM 44 (S43: NO), the control unit 41 sets the event flag 38 because no event for notifying the driver has occurred. Turn off (S47). The periodic processing ends.

  As shown in FIG. 11, after starting the periodic processing (see FIG. 12) in S13, the control unit 41 refers to the setting information 23 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5 (see FIG. 9). Then, the set display mode is determined (S15). When a display mode other than the MAP display mode-character mode (see FIG. 2) is set as the display mode (S15: NO), the control unit 41 displays information corresponding to the set display mode on the SD card 5 It is read from the output information 21 (see FIG. 9) of (see FIG. 9) and output from the output device. Thus, the control unit 41 performs a known normal operation (S21). The process proceeds to S23. On the other hand, when the MAP-character mode is set as the display mode (S15: YES), the control unit 41 executes a process of notifying the driver through the character (character mode process, see FIG. 15) ( S19).

  The character mode process will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 41 reads the logo information 213 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5 and displays it on the display unit 48 (see FIG. 1) (S81). Thereby, for example, the logo screen 71 of FIG. 16 is displayed on the display unit 48.

  The control unit 41 determines whether or not the current date and time and the travel distance have already been specified and the current date and time 31 and the travel distance 33 are stored in the RAM 44 in the periodic processing (see FIG. 12) started in S13 (see FIG. 11). (S83). This is because in the periodic processing, the current date and time and the travel distance are specified by receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, and depending on the radio wave environment, it takes time to specify the current date and time and the travel distance. If the current date 31 and the travel distance 33 are not stored in the RAM 44, the current date and travel distance are not yet specified (S83: NO). In this case, the control unit 41 displays the wallpaper screen 73 on which the character 14 is lying on the display unit 48 as shown in FIG. 17 (S85), and the process returns to S83.

  When the current date and time and the travel distance are specified in the periodic processing and the current date 31 and the travel distance 33 are stored in the RAM 44 (S83: YES), the control unit 41 stores the still screen information 214 (stored in the SD card 5). 9) is read out and displayed on the display unit 48 (S86). As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, a still screen 72 showing a state in which the character 14 is dressed up is displayed on the display unit 48. The still screen information 214 includes a total of twelve still screens that differ from month to month. Seasonal scenes are reflected on each still screen. The control unit 41 refers to the current date 31 stored in the RAM 44, selects the corresponding month still screen from the still screen information 214, and displays it on the display unit 48.

  In this way, the driving support system 4 suppresses the driver from getting bored with the still screen by switching the still screen displayed on the display unit 48 according to the date and time. In addition, the driving support system 4 makes the driver feel that he wants to see a new still screen. Here, for example, the driving support system 4 may perform control so that a new still screen is not displayed on the display unit 48 when the driver performs dangerous driving or the like. Thus, the driver tries to drive safely in order to display a new still image on the display unit 48. In this way, the driving support system 4 can effectively guide the driver to safe driving.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the stationary screen was displayed on the display unit 48, the control unit 41 reads the activation screen included in the activation information 215 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5 and displays it on the display unit 48. It is displayed (S87). In addition, the control unit 41 reads the activation sound included in the activation information 215 and outputs it from the speaker 51 (S87).

  The activation information 215 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. The activation information 215 is information output to the output device at the time of activation in the MAP display mode-character mode. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the activation information 215 includes information for displaying a character image on the display unit 48 (hereinafter referred to as a character image), and information for outputting the character voice from the speaker 51 ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as character voice). The character image and the character sound are intimate (0-3) and time zone (0: 00-5: 00, 5: 00-7: 00, 7: 00-10: 00, 10: 00-17: 00, 17:00 to 22:00, 22: 0 to 0:00). The time zone indicates the time when the power source of the driving support system 4 is turned on. A plurality of character images and character voices are prepared for each intimacy and time zone so that the character can communicate with the driver in various ways of expression.

  FIG. 20 shows in detail the character voice corresponding to the time zone 7:00 to 10:00. If the intimacy 34 stored in the RAM 44 is 1, “Good morning. How are you?” “Well, please do your best. I will do my best.” “Good morning. "Please do it." The expression mode of the character with respect to the driver is the first face-to-face mode. On the other hand, when the intimacy 34 is 2, “Good morning. How are you?” “Every day, it ’s not just fun, but do your best.” “Oh, good morning. Thus, compared with the case where the familiarity 34 is 1, the character voice is intimate. The expression mode of the character for the driver is a normal friend mode. Furthermore, if the intimacy 34 is 3, “Good morning! Hey, I ’ve been waiting all the time since I got up.” “Wow! I can stay with you today. "I want new clothes, I'd like to do it." The expression mode of the character with respect to the driver becomes a mode of friendship.

  As described above, the driving support system 4 increases the intimacy of the character with respect to the driver in accordance with the intimacy 34 by outputting a more intimate character voice as the intimacy 34 increases. The driver feels that the intimacy of the character is gradually increasing, so that the familiarity with the character is gradually increased and emotions are strongly transferred to the character.

  Although not shown in the figure, the character voices in the time zone from 5:00 to 7:00 are compared for each familiarity. If the intimacy 34 is 1, the character voice sounds like "Good morning ぅ ~ Fah ~ I'm sorry." "Good morning. I'll do my best today." It has become. When the intimacy 34 is 2, the character sound is like the character sound of “That? Is it already in the morning?” “It ’s not good enough! Furthermore, if the intimacy 34 is 3, "Ohayo ~ wa ~~, sorry." "Oh uh ~ still sleepy ~. 1 minute." "Good morning. Therefore, the character voice is “ The driver feels as if the character is a living creature by listening to the sleepy voice of the character. In addition, the driver feels sorry for being awakened by the character. The driving support system 4 further increases the degree of emotion transfer to the driver's character by causing the user to have such emotions.

  In the above description, the example in which the character voice is switched every activation time has been described. However, the character image is also switched every activation time. For example, a time zone of 0:00 to 5:00 is associated with a character image in an expression mode in which the character is sleeping on a bed. The driver feels close to the character by watching the character go to bed. The driving support system 4 further increases the degree of emotion transfer to the driver's character by causing the driver to have such feelings.

  As described above, the driving support system 4 switches and outputs the character voice for each activation time zone as if the character is a real creature. Thus, the driver feels as if the character actually exists. In this way, the driving support system 4 can increase the degree of emotion transfer to the driver character.

  In the activation information 215 in FIG. 19, the character voice is not associated with the familiarity: 0. When the familiarity is 0, the driving support system 4 displays the character image on the display unit 48 and does not output the character voice from the speaker 51. In this case, the driver recognizes not only the character image but also the character voice, and inflates the expectation that he wants to start intimate communication with the character early. The driving support system 4 increases the degree of emotion transfer to the driver's character by using such driver's psychology.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 41 outputs the activation information 215 (S87), reads the character information 2114 from the standby information 211 of the SD card 5, and outputs it from the output device (S91). The character information 2114 is information output from the output device when the driving assistance system 4 operating in the MAP display mode-character mode is in a standby state. Details of the character information 2114 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. As shown in FIG. 21, the character information 2114 includes a character image and character voice. Character images and character voices are classified according to intimacy. Note that “intimacy 1-3” in FIG. 21 indicates that different character images and character voices are associated with the intimacy.

  A plurality of character images and character voices are prepared for each expression mode so that the character can communicate with the driver in various expression modes. Specifically, the character information 2114 includes character images and character voices corresponding to the expression modes of (1) blink & mouth pack, (2) blink only, (3) walk, and (4) back stretch. It is. For example, when a character image corresponding to (1) blink & mouth pack is displayed on the display unit 48, the character blinks and moves his mouth as if he is whispering something. Further, for example, (3) when a character image corresponding to a walk is displayed on the display unit 48, the character freely walks around the display area of the display unit 48. For example, when a character image corresponding to (4) stretching is displayed on the display unit 48, the character stretches. Moreover, the character voice corresponding to each expression mode is output from the speaker 51.

  FIG. 22 shows in detail the character voice corresponding to (1) blink & mouth-pack. If the intimacy 34 is 1, like "Do you like driving? I don't hate your driving." "Thank you for bringing me to your car!" A somewhat familiar character voice is associated. On the other hand, if the intimacy 34 is 2, “Hey, did you like me? I loved you too!” “When I drove, I looked quite serious. As shown, the character voice is more intimate as compared with the case where the familiarity 34 is 1. Furthermore, if the intimacy 34 is 3, the parent is like “I ’m happy every day because you ’re talking!” “I really want to talk more. I want to know you more.” Compared with the case where the density 34 is 1 or 2, a more intimate character voice is associated. When the character voice is output from the speaker 51, one of a plurality of character voices associated with familiarity: 1, 2, and 3 is randomly selected and output. Therefore, even in a situation where the intimacy 34 is the same, a different character voice is output from the speaker 51 each time.

  As described above, the driving support system 4 increases the intimacy of the character with respect to the driver in accordance with the intimacy 34 by outputting a more intimate character voice as the intimacy 34 increases. The driver feels that the character's intimacy with respect to himself / herself is gradually increasing, so that the friendship with the character gradually increases and emotions are strongly transferred to the character.

  Further, the driving support system 4 always displays the character on the display unit 48, and outputs the character voice from the speaker 51 so that the character speaks to the driver even in a standby state where no event occurs. As a result, the driving support system 4 makes the driver feel as if the character is a living creature and always beside him. Since the driver has a sense of familiarity with the character, the degree of emotional transfer of the driver to the character is further increased.

  Further, the driving support system 4 prepares a plurality of character images and character voices, selects them at random, and outputs them from the output device. This prevents the communication by the character from becoming monotonous and prevents the driver from getting bored with the communication with the character.

  In FIG. 21, only the character image is associated with the familiarity: 0, and the character voice is not associated. Therefore, when the intimacy 34 is 0, the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, and the character voice is not output from the speaker 51. Since the driver cannot hear the character voice when the intimacy 34 is low, the driver expects to recognize not only the character image but also the voice. The driving support system 4 further increases the degree of emotion transfer to the driver's character by using such driver's psychology.

  As shown in FIG. 15, after the character information 2114 corresponding to the standby state is output from the output device in S91, the control unit 41 determines whether it is time to output the character information 2124 (see FIG. 23, which will be described later). (S93). The character information 2124 is information output to the output device when an event occurs in the driving support system 4 operating in the MAP display mode-character mode. Details of the determination method and the output information will be described later. If it is determined that it is time to output the character information 2124 (S93: YES), the control unit 41 outputs the character information 2124 from the output device (S95), and the process proceeds to S97. On the other hand, if the control unit 41 determines that it is not time to output the character information 2124 (S93: NO), the process proceeds to S97.

  A method for determining whether or not to output the character information 2124 and details of the character information 2124 to be output will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 shows details of the character information 2124. The character information 2124 includes a character image and character voice. A plurality of character images and character voices are prepared for each expression mode. In FIG. 23, (1) go to bed, (2) get up, (3) sleep while sleeping, (4) attention to overspeeding, (5) get sick, (6) sudden braking, (7) sudden Start, (8) Right sudden handle, (9) Left sudden handle, (10) Get angry and disappear after 10 degrees, (11) Relieve and return, (12) Nap, (13) Wake up, (14) Concentration reduction, (15) Doze driving, (16) Orbis, crackdown, check alarm, (17) Radar, car location reception alarm, and (18) Other character images and voices corresponding to the target object are familiarity: 1 -3. Note that, as with the character information 2114 (FIG. 21), the character voice corresponding to the familiarity: 0 is not included in the character information 2124. Therefore, when the closeness 34 is 0, the control unit 41 outputs the character image from the output device and does not output the character sound from the speaker 51.

  (1) The character information corresponding to sleeping is output when the driving support system 4 is activated between 22:00 and 0:00. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character goes to sleep at the timing when one minute has passed after the driving support system 4 is activated. Also, at the time of going to bed, a voice to inform the driver about going to bed ("Is it fun today? Please take a drive again tomorrow." "I will sleep. Etc.) is selected according to the familiarity 34 and is output from the speaker 51 as character voice. In addition, after going to bed, the character's sleep is periodically output from the speaker 51 as the character voice.

  (2) The character information corresponding to waking up is output when the driving support system 4 is activated between 5:00 and 7:00. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character wakes up at the timing when one minute has elapsed after the driving support system 4 is activated. Also, when waking up, voices that inform the driver of waking up ("Good morning. Alarm resumes Mars", "Good morning. I can be together today! Happy!") Are selected according to intimacy 34, It is output from the speaker 51 as character voice.

  (3) Character information corresponding to sleeping while sleeping is randomly output in a period of 5 minutes in a period of 10 minutes to 30 minutes when the character is sleeping. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character moves his / her mouth. In addition, sleeping words (“starry beautiful.” “Re, regular full, please please” etc.) are selected according to the intimacy 34, and when the character moves his / her mouth, a speaker is used as the character voice. 51 is output.

  As described above, in the driving support system 4, the character information is output in an expression manner as if the character is a real creature. The driver feels as if the character actually exists. In this way, the driving support system 4 can increase the degree of emotion transfer to the driver character.

  (4) Character information corresponding to the warning about overspeed is output when the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit. The vehicle speed is specified based on the OBD information 37 (see FIG. 10) stored in the RAM 44. The speed limit is determined based on the vehicle position coordinates 32 stored in the RAM 44 and the map information 22 stored in the SD card 5. For example, when the vehicle is traveling on an expressway or an elevated road, a value obtained by adding 10 km / h to the speed limit on the expressway or the elevated road is compared with the vehicle speed. For example, when the vehicle is traveling in the vicinity of Orbis, the value obtained by adding 10 km / h to the Orvis speed limit is compared with the vehicle speed. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character notifies the driver of the current vehicle speed and the speed limit and prompts the driver to decelerate. In addition, the voice that notifies you of overspeed ("Hey ~! I can't get out of speed? It's dangerous ~", "Hey, I hate the person who overspeeds!") Is selected according to the familiarity 34 The character sound is output from the speaker 51. Thus, the driver can easily recognize that the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit. Since the driver's degree of emotion transfer to the character is strong, the driver pays attention to safe driving by slowing down in response to the notification from the character.

  (5) Character sickness corresponding to becoming sick is output when the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON and information indicating the meandering driving is stored as the driving state 36. This is because in such a case, there is a high possibility that the vehicle is traveling on a road with continuous curves. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character behaves as if he / she feels sick due to car sickness. In addition, the character's painful voice ("N, n-kun, I feel a little sick, I'm sorry", "I'm already drunk because I'm driving like that.") Selected and output from the speaker 51 as character voice. As a result, the driver feels sorry for the character's car sickness and tries to drive carefully with reduced speed. In this way, the driving support system 4 can prompt the driver to carefully drive.

  In addition, when the character image corresponding to (5) Car sickness is displayed on the display unit 48, the character may rest in a state of lying for 6 hours. In such a case, the travel distance 33 may be corrected so that the familiarity 34 becomes small. For example, the travel distance 33 may be reduced by 300 km.

  For the character information corresponding to (6) sudden braking, (7) sudden start, (8) right sudden handle, (9) left sudden handle, the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON, and the driving state 36 is output when information indicating sudden braking, sudden start, right sudden handle, and left sudden handle is stored. This is because when the driver drives with these driving methods, the vehicle is more likely to cause a traffic accident. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character loses its balance so as to change depending on the direction of the detected acceleration. Also, a voice to notify you of how to drive (sudden braking: “Cheer! I was about to fall. Next time I get angry?” “I ’m driving in front of you? -------- I hit my head, I saw it !? : "Keep the handle a little more slowly-my eyes will turn around" "Kyaaah I've seen it before? I thought it would fall down." And is output from the speaker 51 as character voice. This makes the driver aware that he is driving wildly and dangerously, and he tries to drive carefully. By giving such a warning, the driving support system 4 can prevent a traffic accident from occurring.

  (10) The character information corresponding to anger and disappear when the degree is over is: (4) Attention to overspeed, (5) Car sickness, (6) Sudden braking, (7) Sudden start, (8) Right sudden handle, (9) Output when the character information corresponding to the left sudden handle is output more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. Alternatively, it is output when the degree of excessive speed is very large in (4), for example, when the vehicle speed is higher than the value obtained by adding 30 km / h to the speed limit. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character gets angry and disappears from the display unit 48. Also, a voice that hits the driver with an anger ("Please don't ignore my attention." "Why did you say! Why do you do that?" "Wow! Wow! Is selected according to the familiarity 34 and is output from the speaker 51 as a character voice. Since the degree of the emotional transfer of the driver to the character is strong, the driver reflects on the character's angry state and tries to drive carefully. In this way, the driving support system 4 can prompt the driver to carefully drive. In the above description, the driving support system 4 may correct the travel distance 33 so that the closeness 34 becomes small. For example, the travel distance 33 may be reduced by 3000 km.

  (11) The character information corresponding to the recovery from anger is output 24 hours after the character disappears from the display unit 48 in (10). When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character requests reconciliation. Also, a voice requesting reconciliation (“I ’m sorry I ’ve been sorry ...”, “Please drive safely this time.” “I ’m sorry because I was too angry yesterday. If you are important to me, please drive safely! ”Is selected according to the intimacy 34 and is output from the speaker 51 as character voice. As a result, the driver further increases the degree of emotional transfer to the character.

  (12) Character information corresponding to nap is that the acceleration in the forward direction of the vehicle is less than 0.05 G, the acceleration in the backward direction of the vehicle is less than 0.1 G, and the acceleration in the left and right direction of the vehicle is less than 0.1 G. Output when the state continues for more than 10 minutes. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character naps. In addition, voice (“I ’m good at driving. I ’m safe.” “Do n’t speed up while I ’m asleep.” “I ’m a little sleepy. And is output from the speaker 51 as character voice. Since the character is output in an expression manner as if it were a living creature, the driver feels as if the character is real. Also, the driver is relieved to see the character sleeping, and tries to continue safe driving. In this way, the driving support system 4 can increase the degree of emotional transfer to the driver's character and allow the driver to easily perform safe driving.

  (13) Wake up In the state where the character is napping in (12), the acceleration in the front direction of the vehicle is 0.1 G or more, the acceleration in the rear direction of the vehicle is 0.2 G or more, and the left-right direction of the vehicle Is output when the acceleration of becomes 0.3 G or more. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character wakes up from nap. In addition, voice ("Nmm, driving very well. I felt like a cradle." Etc.) is selected according to the familiarity 34 and is output from the speaker 51 as character voice. Since the character information is output in an expression manner as if the character is a real creature, the driver feels as if the character is real. In addition, the driver resumes safe driving so that the character can sleep again with peace of mind. In this way, the driving support system 4 can increase the degree of emotional transfer to the driver's character and allow the driver to easily perform safe driving.

  In (14) Concentration reduction, (15) Dozing operation, the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON, and information indicating the concentration reduction or dozing operation is stored in the RAM 44 as the driving state 36. Is output if When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character alerts the driver, and at the same time, if there is a rest facility (SA, PA, etc.) near the vehicle, stop by the rest facility. To the driver. Whether there is a rest facility near the vehicle is determined based on the vehicle position coordinates 32 stored in the RAM 44 and the map information 22 stored in the SD card 5. In addition, voices that call attention and take a break (“Abunai. Please concentrate properly!” “Wake up properly?” “There is an SA nearby. And is output from the speaker 51 as character voice. As a result, the driver can recover his concentration and perform safe driving. In addition, the driver can restore concentration by taking a proper rest. Also, the driver can cancel the dozing state and resume safe driving. As a result, it is possible to prevent a traffic accident from occurring due to concentration reduction, drowsy driving, or the like.

  Further, the driving support system 4 can accurately specify the state of the driver by a simple method. This is because, when these conditions are satisfied, the driver's concentration tends to decrease, and the driver is easily drowsy.

  (16) The event information 38 stored in the RAM 44 is turned ON for the character information corresponding to the orbis, control, and inspection alarms. The information indicating the distance between the Orvis and the vehicle is 2100 m, 1100 m, and 600 m. Alternatively, this is output when the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON, and information indicating a control or an inspection is stored as the peripheral information 35.

  (17) Radar, car location reception alarm Character information corresponding to the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON, and information indicating the speed measuring device or police emergency car is stored in the RAM 44 as the peripheral information 35 It is output when it is done.

  The character image corresponding to (16) Orbis, control, inspection alarm, or (17) Radar, car location reception alarm is displayed on the display unit 48 as follows. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, first, the clothes of the character 14 change from white (FIG. 24) to black (FIG. 25). This change means that the character 14 has been transformed. As shown in FIG. 27, the transformed character 14 (see FIG. 26) has a distance 75 between the information 74 indicating any one of the Orbis, the control, the inspection, the speed measuring device, and the emergency car for police and the vehicle 75. To the user. In addition, voices for notifying the driver of the display contents ("Emergency, radar orvis discovered 2000 meters away." "Thousands of meters approached! Radar type Orbis!" Is not selected according to the familiarity 34 and is output from the speaker 51 as a character voice.

  As described above, the driving support system 4 can recognize that the object whose traffic is to be monitored is near the vehicle by receiving the radio signal transmitted from the object. Traffic monitoring devices are often installed in places where traffic accidents are likely to occur or where accidents have occurred in the past. Therefore, the driving support system 4 notifies the driver that the object to be monitored for traffic is near the vehicle, thereby allowing the driver to recognize a place where a traffic accident is likely to occur, and particularly in such a place for safe driving. You can encourage them to keep in mind.

  Also, the driver can easily and clearly recognize at a glance that the distance between the object whose traffic is to be monitored and the vehicle is approaching because the clothes of the character 14 have changed. The driver can accurately recognize a place where there is a high risk of a traffic accident in advance and can drive while keeping in mind traffic safety.

  Further, since the driver is notified by the character voice that the distance between the object whose traffic is to be monitored and the vehicle is approaching, driving even when the driver is not looking at the display unit 48 The support system 4 can make the driver surely recognize that the vehicle is approaching the Orvis or the like.

  In the above description, the character 14 displayed on the display unit 48 may change the notification mode according to the target target to be notified to the driver. For example, when a target object is specified by receiving a radio signal, such as a speed measurement device and a police emergency car, a ring-shaped symbol 76 that makes an image of radio waves appear on the character 14 as shown in FIG. It may be arranged around and displayed on the display unit 48.

  Further, in the above description, a character voice (for example, “henshin”) for notifying the driver that the character has been transformed may be output from the speaker 51. As a result, the driver can more reliably recognize that the vehicle is approaching the Orvis or the like.

(18) For other character information corresponding to the target object, the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON, and the prefectural border, prefecture, SA, PA, sharp curve, continuous curve, branch point, expressway, This is output when information indicating an elevated road is stored in the RAM 44 as the peripheral information 35. When the character information is displayed on the display unit 48, the character notifies the driver of the type of the target object and the distance to the target object (such as “km ahead”). Further, the character voice for notifying that the distance from the vehicle to the target object is approaching is selected according to the familiarity 34 and output from the speaker 51.

  The driving support system 4 notifies the driver that the vehicle is approaching the prefectural border, or notifies the driver of the prefecture where the vehicle is traveling, so that the vehicle is traveling in almost any place. Can be recognized by the user. The driving support system 4 can prevent the driver from concentrating and falling asleep, by letting the driver imagine a rough image of the destination.

  The driving support system 4 can prompt the driver to take a break by notifying the driver that the vehicle is approaching the PA or SA. For example, the driving support system 4 may encourage the driver to stop at the SA or PA and recommend a break when detecting a decrease in the concentration of the driver or a drowsy driving. As a result, the driving support system 4 can restore the driver's concentration and eliminate drowsiness. In addition, the above-mentioned notification is good for a character to notify a driver | operator by outputting character information. As a result, the driving support system 4 can effectively notify the driver of SA or PA.

  In addition, the driving support system 4 notifies the driver of a sharp curve, a continuous curve, a branch point, and the like, and specifically notifies the distance (for example, “km ahead”). This makes it possible for the driver to recognize in advance a dangerous place that can easily lead to an accident. As a result, the driving support system 4 can prevent the driver's concentration from being reduced, drowsy driving, and the like in a dangerous place. As a result, the driving support system can more reliably prevent traffic accidents.

  Whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a sharp curve, a continuous curve, a branch point, or the like may be specified based on acceleration applied to the vehicle. For example, when acceleration exceeding a predetermined value is momentarily applied to the vehicle, it may be determined that the vehicle is traveling on a sharp curve. In addition, when acceleration of a predetermined value or more is continuously applied in the lateral direction of the vehicle, it may be determined that the vehicle is traveling on a continuous curve.

  The driving support system 4 also notifies the driver that the vehicle is traveling on an expressway or an elevated road. This is because when the vehicle is traveling on such a road, the vehicle speed tends to be high, and monotonous driving with little steering and speed change is likely to occur. In such a case, the driver's concentration is likely to be reduced, and wakeful driving, doze driving, etc. are likely to occur. On the other hand, the driving assistance system 4 can prevent a traffic accident beforehand by notifying a driver by character information especially on such a road. Therefore, the driving support system 4 can effectively prevent a traffic accident and prompt the user to drive safely. In addition, since it is possible to perform an effect as if a passenger is present in the passenger seat, it is possible to perform low-awareness driving due to reduced concentration, prevention of dozing driving, and support for recovery of consciousness when falling into dozing driving. By constructing a character that the driver is fond of and making a voice, the character aims for an effect that is more than just voice.

  Whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a highway or an elevated road may be specified based on the vehicle speed. For example, when the vehicle speed is 80 km / h or more continuously for a predetermined time, it may be determined that the vehicle is traveling on a highway.

  The output of character information according to the above (1) to (18) may be repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 10 seconds). As a result, even if the driver is not aware of the notification at the initial stage of notification to the driver, the driver finally notices the notification and tries to drive safely by repeatedly performing the notification. . In this way, the driving support system 4 can make the driver recognize the notification contents with certainty.

  Moreover, when outputting character information repeatedly as mentioned above, the driving assistance system 4 is good to output character information so that a character may notify in a different aspect each time. As a result, the driver can be prevented from getting bored with the character information. As a result, the driver responds continuously to the character's notification and tries to drive safely. .

  Furthermore, when character voice is repeatedly output from the speaker 51, the output character voice may be gradually increased. As a result, even when the driver does not correct the driving method at the initial stage of the notification by the character voice, the driver finally corrects the driving method according to the sound of a loud volume. In this way, the driving support system 4 can reliably guide the driver to perform safe driving.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 41 determines whether a setting operation to the driving support system 4 by the driver has been detected (S97). When the control unit 41 detects that the driver touches the display unit 48 (FIG. 1) via the touch panel 49 (see FIG. 1) in the standby state, the control unit 41 determines that the driver has performed a setting operation (S97). : YES), the control unit 41 displays the setting screen on the display unit 48 based on the setting screen information 216 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5. Further, the control unit 41 sequentially switches setting screens displayed on the display unit 48 in accordance with the contents of the setting operation by the driver (FIGS. 31 to 40 (described later)). The setting screen changes as shown in FIG. The control unit 41 sets the setting information by storing the setting information set by the setting operation in the SD card 5 (see FIG. 9) as the setting information 23 (see FIG. 9) (S99). When the control unit 41 executes processing based on the setting information 23, the driving support system 4 operates as set by the driver. The process proceeds to S101. On the other hand, when the setting operation by the driver is not detected (S97: NO), the process proceeds to S101. The control unit 41 determines whether an operation to turn off the power of the driving support system 4 is detected (S101). When the control unit 41 detects an operation to turn off the power (S101: YES), the character mode process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process (FIG. 11). On the other hand, when the operation to turn off the power is in the detection sheet (S101: NO), the control unit 41 returns to S91.

  Details of the setting information 23 stored in the SD card 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The setting information 23 includes screen setting information 61 and system setting information 67. The screen setting information 61 is screen setting information displayed on the display unit 48. The screen setting information 61 includes still screen information 62, constant display mode information 63, alarm display mode information 64, and character clothes information 65. The system setting information 67 is setting information other than the screen setting information 61. The control unit 41 stores the input setting information as setting information 23 in the SD card 5 when setting processing described later is performed by the driver and setting information is input. Details of each information will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the setting screen information 216 (see FIG. 9) includes a main menu screen 110, a screen setting screen 120, a screen selection screen 130, an alarm display screen 140, a character setting screen 150, a system setting screen 190, and the like. ing. The control unit 41 sequentially switches the screen according to the operation by the driver. Accordingly, the driver can input desired setting information to the driving support system 4.

  When the control unit 41 detects that the driver touches the display unit 48 in the standby state, the control unit 41 first displays the main menu screen 110 (see FIG. 31) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 31, the main menu screen 110 is provided with a screen setting selection button 111, a radar menu selection button 112, a system selection button 113, a G sensor calibration selection button 114, and a main screen selection button 115. .

  The screen setting selection button 111 is a selection button for changing the screen display setting. The radar menu selection button 112 is a selection button for performing target setting of a target object, wireless sensitivity setting, notification presence / absence setting, and the like. The system selection button 113 is a selection button for performing operations such as touch panel correction, OBD data setting, setting initialization, and registration point deletion. The G sensor calibration selection button 114 is a selection button for calibrating the acceleration sensor 54 (see FIG. 1). When the main screen selection button 115 is selected, it returns to the main screen. Note that the processing of the control unit 41 when the radar menu selection button 112, the system selection button 113, the G sensor calibration selection button 114, and the main screen selection button 115 are selected, except for some setting items described later. Since it is the same as the processing in a known device, the description is omitted. In the following, the case where the screen setting selection button 111 is selected will be mainly described.

  When it is detected that the screen setting selection button 111 is selected in FIG. 31, the control unit 41 displays the screen setting screen 120 (see FIG. 32) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 32, the screen setting screen 120 includes a screen selection button 121, a brightness setting button 122, an alarm display selection button 123, a sub display selection button 124, a main screen selection button 125, a character setting button 126, and a return. A button 127 is provided.

  The screen selection button 121 is a selection button for determining a constant display mode (see FIG. 2). When it is detected that the screen selection button 121 has been selected, the control unit 41 displays a screen selection screen 130 (see FIG. 33) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 33, the screen selection screen 130 is provided with a MAP screen selection button 131, a radar standby selection button 132, an OBD information selection button 133, a main screen selection button 134, and a return button 135. The driver selects one of the selection buttons to display the MAP display mode (when the MAP screen selection button 131 is selected), the radar standby display mode (when the radar standby selection button 132 is selected), OBD It becomes possible to operate the driving support system 4 in any one of the display modes (when the OBD information selection button 133 is selected), which is always in the display mode (see FIG. 2). The constant display mode selected by the driver is stored in the SD card 5 as the constant display mode information 63 of the setting information 23.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the brightness setting button 122 is a button for adjusting the brightness of the display unit 48. When it is detected that the brightness setting button 122 has been selected, the control unit 41 displays a screen for performing settings for adjusting the brightness of the display unit 48 on the display unit 48. The driver can adjust the brightness of the display unit 48 by performing an input operation via the screen. The set information is stored in the SD card 5 as the system setting information 67 of the setting information 23.

  The alarm display selection button 123 is a selection button for determining an alarm display mode (see FIG. 2). When it is detected that the alarm display selection button 123 has been selected, the control unit 41 displays an alarm display setting screen 140 (see FIG. 34) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 34, on the alarm display setting screen 140, an animation selection button 141, a character selection button 142, and a live-action selection button 143 are displayed. Of these, the character selection button 142 displays an image of the character's face in an overlapping manner. The driver selects one of the selection buttons to select a character mode (when the character selection button 142 is selected) and a non-character mode (when the animation selection button 141 is selected), or The driving support system 4 can be operated in one of the alarm display modes (see FIG. 2) in the shooting mode (when the shooting mode selection button 143 is selected). Further, since the image of the character's face is superimposed on the character selection button 142, the driver can intuitively recognize the selection button for selecting the character mode. As described above, the function of intuitively recognizing and quickly selecting the character selection button 142 and immediately switching between the character mode and the non-character mode is particularly effective for the driver. The driver may not want other people to know that the driving support system 4 is operating in the character mode. In such a case, by using this function, the character mode is immediately switched to the non-character mode. This is because they can be switched. The alarm display mode selected by the driver is stored in the SD card 5 as the alarm display mode information 64 of the setting information 23.

  The control unit 41 mutes the character voice output from the speaker 51 when the character selection button 142 is repeatedly selected by the driver. Details are as follows. When detecting that the character selection button 142 has been selected once, the control unit 41 outputs the character voice from the speaker 51 as usual. When it is detected that the character selection button 142 is selected twice, the control unit 41 mutes the character voice output from the speaker 51 in the standby state, and the character voice output from the speaker 51 when an event occurs is normal. Output. When it is detected that the character selection button 142 is selected three times, the control unit 41 mutes all character voices. By doing so, the driver can mute the character voice output from the speaker 51 as necessary. This function is particularly effective when the driver does not want the other person to hear the character voice. This is because the driver can mute the character voice by a simple operation.

  In the above description, the control unit 41 may change the color around the character selection button 142 according to the output state of the character voice. For example, when the character selection button 142 is selected once, the color around the character selection button 142 may be blue. When the character selection button 142 is selected twice, the color around the character selection button 142 may be green. When the character selection button 142 is selected three times, the color around the character selection button 142 may be red.

  The following is recommended. Of the selection buttons of the animation selection button 141, the character selection button 142, and the live-action selection button 143, the control unit 41 determines the color around the selection button selected by the driver as the color around the other selection buttons. Change to a different color. Further, when the character selection button 142 is selected, the control unit 41 changes the color around the character selection button 142 according to the value of the familiarity 34 stored in the RAM 44. Specifically, when the familiarity is 1, the color is red, when the familiarity is 2, the color is yellow, and when the familiarity is 3, the color is green. As a result, the driver can grasp the familiarity just by looking at the selection button at a glance, and thus can clearly recognize the communication mode by the character.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the character setting button 126 is a selection button that is selected when setting the expression mode of the character displayed on the display unit 48. Here, when the intimacy 34 is 0, the character setting button 126 is represented by an image showing a key as shown in FIG. In this state, when it is detected that the driver has selected the character setting button 126, the control unit 41 rejects the character setting and returns to the main menu. The driver cannot set the character when the familiarity is low. In such a case, the driver greatly expects that the character can be set. The driving support system 4 increases the degree of emotion transfer to the driver's character by irritating the driver in this way.

  Further, when the control unit 41 detects that the character setting button 126 has been selected in a state where the character setting button 126 is represented by an image showing a key, the character voice is “refusing entry. If you do, you will be allowed to enter the room. " This allows the driver to clearly recognize that the character setting has been rejected. In this case, the tone of the character voice may be different from the tone that the character normally utters. This allows the driver to more clearly recognize that the character setting has been rejected. In this case, the driver may be notified of the nuances of the driving support system 4 together. Accordingly, the driver can recognize what concept the driving support system 4 is produced based on.

  In the above description, the control unit 41 explains how the character can be set at the same time as the notification that the setting is rejected when the character voice that rejects the character setting is output from the speaker 51. Sound may be output. For example, a character voice such as “because the mileage becomes 100 km or more can be used to set a character” may be output from the speaker 51. Thus, the driver can recognize the function of the driving support system 4 and know how to set the character. Even if the driver does not recognize the functions of the driving support system 4 well in advance, the driver can gradually recognize the functions while using the driving support system 4.

  In addition, when the character selection button 142 is not selected on the alarm display setting screen 140 (see FIG. 34), the control unit 41 has the familiarity 34 of 1 or more because the alarm display mode is not the character mode. Also, as shown in FIG. 32, the character setting button 126 is displayed with an image showing a key, and the setting of the character is rejected. The driver can set the character only when the driving support system 4 is operating in the character mode. Therefore, the driving support system 4 can prevent the wrong setting from being performed because the character is erroneously set when operating in the non-character mode.

  On the other hand, when the familiarity 34 stored in the RAM 44 is 1 or more and the alarm display mode is the character mode, as shown in FIG. (Character setting button 129). The driver can set a character by selecting the character setting button 129. By assigning an image showing the character's face to the selection button, the driver can clearly recognize the setting button to be selected for setting the character at a glance.

  When it is detected that the character setting button 129 has been selected, the control unit 41 displays a character setting screen 150 (see FIG. 36) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 36, the character setting screen 150 is provided with a still screen selection button 151, a clothing selection button 152, a background selection button 153, and a voice selection button 154.

  When it is detected that the still screen selection button 151 is selected by the driver, the control unit 41 displays the still screen selection screen 160 (see FIG. 37) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 37, the still screen selection screen 160 is provided with a selection button 161 to which the name of the still screen that can be displayed on the display unit 48 is attached. The driver can select any one of the selection buttons 161 to select the still screen displayed on the display unit 48 when the driving support system 4 is activated (see S85, FIG. 15) as desired. The still screen selected by the driver is stored in the SD card 5 as the still screen information 62 of the setting information 23.

  The control unit 41 may attach all of the still screens stored as the still surface information 214 in the SD card 5 to the selection buttons 161 as still screens that can be selected by the driver. Good. In S85 of FIG. 15, when a still screen is not set by the driver, a different still screen is automatically selected every month and displayed on the display unit 48. Here, the driver may set the still screen displayed on the display unit 48 as a still screen that can be selected via the still screen selection screen 160. The set still image may be stored in the setting information 23. Only the still screen set in this way may be attached to the selection button 161 of the still screen selection screen 160. In this case, since the number of still screens that can be selected increases every month, a total of 12 still screens can be displayed in one year. In this way, the driver can feel the pleasure of gradually increasing the number of still screens that can be displayed. Therefore, the driver can continue to enjoy the pleasure of collecting the still screen even when the driving support system 4 is used for a long time. In this way, the driving support system 4 can prevent the driver from getting tired of using the driving support system 4.

  When it is detected that the clothing selection button 152 (see FIG. 36) has been selected by the driver, the control unit 41 displays the clothing selection screen 170 (see FIG. 38) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 38, the clothing selection screen 170 is provided with a selection button 171 for selecting clothing to be worn by the character. The control unit 41 specifies the clothes associated with the selection button 171 selected by the driver, and causes the display unit 48 to display the character in a manner in which the character wears the specified clothes. Information indicating the clothing selected by the driver is stored in the SD card 5 as the character clothing information 65 of the setting information 23.

  Accordingly, the driver can display the character wearing the favorite clothes on the display unit 48. Since the driver can switch the appearance of the character as desired, the degree of emotion transfer to the character is further increased. In addition, the driving support system 4 can display the character in various display modes, and can prevent the user from getting bored.

  In the above description, the control unit 41 displays the character wearing the selected clothing on the display unit 48 even when the familiarity 34 stored in the RAM 44 is 1 and the clothing is selected by the driver. It is good to refuse to display with a predetermined probability. In this way, the driver tries to increase the intimacy 34 and change the character's clothes with certainty. As a result, the driver follows the notification of the character, and tries to drive safely according to the guidance from the driving support system 4 to the safe driving. In addition, the driving support system 4 can further increase the degree of the driver's emotion transfer to the character by making the character behave like a living creature.

  When it is detected that the background selection button 153 (see FIG. 36) has been selected by the driver, the control unit 41 displays a background selection screen (not shown) on the display unit 48. The background selection screen is provided with a selection button for selecting the background color of the character setting screen 150 (see FIG. 36), the still screen selection screen 160 (see FIG. 37), and the clothing selection screen 170 (see FIG. 38). . When the control unit 41 detects that the driver has selected a specific color as the background color, the control unit 41 changes the background color of the character setting screen 150, the still screen selection screen 160, and the clothing selection screen 170 according to the selected color. To do. As a result, it is possible to prevent the display mode of the character setting screen from being overwhelmed and bored by the user.

  In the above description, the control unit 41 may be configured to change the background image itself to another mode instead of the background color of the character setting screen 150, the still screen selection screen 160, and the clothing selection screen 170. For example, as a background image, a character room, a starry sky, a character after transformation, and a cyber tone are prepared, and the driver may select them. The background image may be changed only when operating in the character mode.

  When it is detected that the voice selection button 154 (see FIG. 36) is selected by the driver, the control unit 41 displays the voice selection screen 180 (see FIG. 39) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 39, the voice selection screen 180 is provided with a selection button 181 to which the contents of the character voice that can be output from the speaker 51 are attached. When it is detected that the driver has selected one of the selection buttons 181, the control unit 41 outputs the selected character voice from the speaker 51. The driver can hear the desired character voice.

  The control unit 41 may attach all of the character voices stored as the character information 2114 and 2124 (see FIG. 9) to the selection button 181 as character voices that can be selected by the driver. For example, it may be as follows. When the character voice is output from the speaker 51, the driver may be able to set the output character voice as a character voice that can be selected via the voice selection screen 180. The set character voice may be stored in the setting information 23. The contents of the character voice set in this way may be attached to the selection button 181 of the voice selection screen 180. In this case, the longer the period in which the driving support system 4 is used, the more character voices are output from the speakers 51, so the driver may feel the pleasure of gradually increasing the character voices that can be output. it can. In addition, since the character voice is selected and output at random according to the intimacy or the situation of the vehicle, it is difficult to hear again the character voice of the same phrase as the character voice that has been output once. On the other hand, the driving support system 4 can set the character voice that has been output once as the character voice that can be selected on the voice selection screen 180. You can listen again and again at any time.

  On the other hand, when the system selection button 113 is selected in FIG. 31, the control unit 41 displays the system setting screen 190 shown in FIG. 40 on the display unit 48. Of the selection screens provided on the system setting screen 190, a selection button unique to the present invention is a reset button 191. The reset button 191 is used to reset the travel distance 33 and the familiarity 34 stored in the RAM 44. When the reset button 191 is selected, the control unit 41 stores 0 in the travel distance 33 stored in the RAM 44 and stores 0 in the closeness 34, thereby resetting the travel distance and closeness. The driving support system 4 operates in a state where the familiarity is zero. As a result, the driver can experience the process of gradually increasing the intimacy of the character with respect to the driver many times from the beginning by initializing the intimacy.

  In the above case, even when the travel distance 33 and the closeness 34 are reset, the setting information 23 stored in the SD card 5 is not reset. For this reason, the information of the various settings which the driver performed with respect to the driving assistance system 4 is maintained as it is. Further, for example, when the driver sets a still screen that can be selected on the still screen selection screen 160 or when the driver sets a character voice that can be output on the voice selection screen 180, the setting information is as follows. The reset button 191 is not reset. Therefore, even when the reset button 191 is selected and the travel distance 33 and the closeness 34 are reset, the driver can continuously select a desired still screen from a large number of still screens and display it on the display unit 48. It becomes possible. Furthermore, even when the reset button 191 is selected and the familiarity is reset, the driver can continuously select a desired character voice from a large number of character voices and output it from the speaker 51. As described above, the driving support system 4 can initialize the intimacy so as not to delete the set setting information. Thereby, the user can save the trouble of setting the setting information to the driving support system 4 over and over again.

  By initializing the familiarity, the driver can redo the familiarity 34 from 0 while saving the still image and the character voice set so far. By repeating the relationship with the character many times, it is possible to obtain a still screen and character voice that could not be obtained before. For example, after driving the driving support system 4, if the user travels 1100 km at a stroke, the intimacy becomes 2 at a stroke. For this reason, the character voice at closeness 1 cannot be acquired. In such a case, it is possible to avoid such a problem by initializing the closeness 34. It also means that you can start with the character emotionally.

  When the setting process is completed as described above (S99, see FIG. 15) and an operation for turning off the power of the driving support system 4 is detected (S101: YES, see FIG. 15), the control unit 41 in FIG. As shown, the setting information 23 stored in the SD card 5 and the travel distance 33 and the intimacy 34 stored in the RAM 44 are stored in the EEPROM 43 (S23). This backs up the information. The main process ends. Note that the travel distance stored in the EEPROM 43 is referred to when the travel distance 33 is calculated (S39, see FIG. 12) when the driving support system 4 is turned on next time. When a new SD card 5 is inserted into the card reader 52, the setting information 23 stored in the EEPROM 43 is stored in the SD card 5. As a result, the driver can continue to use the setting information once set.

  As described above, the driving support system 4 causes the driver to recognize the character by outputting the character information (character image, character voice) to the driver. In the driving support system 4, the degree of empathy of the driver to the character is increased by changing the expression mode of communication by the character according to the degree of intimacy of the character with respect to the driver. The user can feel as if there is. The driver can obediently respond to the safe driving action by the character so that the character's intimacy with respect to the driver is maintained and further enhanced. In addition, the driver can respond more honestly to the notification from the character so as not to be disliked by the character. The driving support system 4 can easily guide the driver to actively perform safe driving by encouraging the driver to perform safe driving in such a state. In addition, the driving support system 4 outputs various and varied character information so that the degree of the emotional transfer of the driver to the character is maintained at a high level. As a result, the driving support system 4 can prevent the driver from getting bored with communication with the character, and can continuously encourage the driver to drive safely.

  In addition, the driving support system 4 appropriately determines the information to be notified to the driver according to the state of the vehicle (sudden braking, sudden start, sudden steering, etc.) and the positional relationship between the vehicle and the target object. It is possible to perform alerting to a person and an approach to safe driving through a character. In this way, the driving support system 4 can determine optimal information according to the situation in order to prevent traffic accidents and the like, and can notify the driver via the character.

  In addition, the driving support system 4 can identify an appropriate notification item based on the driving state of the vehicle and notify the user via the character. As a result, the driving support system 4 can warn of dangerous driving and encourage a gentle driving. In particular, since the driver is strongly empathized with the character, it is assumed that the driver responds honestly to the notification matter of the character. Therefore, the driving support system 4 can accurately guide the driver to perform safe driving.

  The driving support system can specify the state of the vehicle in detail based on the magnitude and direction of acceleration. Thus, the driver can perform safe driving by trying not to perform dangerous driving in response to the notification from the character.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various change is possible. The driving support system 4 may receive a radio signal transmitted from a GPS (Global Navigation) satellite and a radio signal transmitted from a regional navigation satellite. The driving support system 4 may specify coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle based on both radio signals. Accordingly, the driving support system 4 can specify the coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle in detail. In the above description, when radio waves are received from the regional navigation satellite, information indicating that the radio signal transmitted from the regional navigation satellite has been received may be displayed on the display unit 48. The fact that the radio signal transmitted from the local navigation satellite is received may be transmitted via the character displayed on the display unit 48. By doing so, the driver can recognize in detail what kind of satellite is used in the driving support system 4 to identify the position of the vehicle. Since the driver can know the specific movement of the driving support system 4 in detail, the familiarity with the driving support system 4 can be further enhanced.

  On the other hand, separately from the notification through the character, for example, an icon indicating that a radio signal has been received from a regional navigation satellite may be newly displayed on the display unit 48. Alternatively, the driver may be notified that the radio signal is received from the regional navigation satellite by switching the icon indicating that the radio signal transmitted from the GPS satellite is received to another mode. The driver can clearly recognize at a glance whether or not the position of the vehicle is specified by receiving the radio signal transmitted from the regional navigation satellite. The regional navigation satellite should be “Michibiki”.

  In the above description, when the familiarity is 0, the driving support system 4 displays the character image on the display unit 48 and does not output the character voice from the speaker 51. On the other hand, the driving assistance system 4 uses character information of a character different from the character (hereinafter referred to as the main character) indicated by the character image (hereinafter referred to as the separate character voice) as the character information corresponding to the familiarity 0. 2114 and 2124 may be stored in the SD card 5. The driving support system 4 may output another character voice from the speaker 51 when the familiarity is zero. For example, the separate character voice may be a voice of a character familiar to a person (such as a voice actor) who plays the character voice of the main character (hereinafter referred to as the main character voice).

  In such a case, the driver feels at ease while listening to the voice of another character, and at the same time wants to hear the voice of the character. In this state, when the intimacy becomes 1 or more and the main character voice can be heard, the degree of emotion transfer to the driver character is further increased as compared with the case of listening to the main character voice from the beginning. In particular, when the voice actor who plays the character is published, the fan of the voice actor expects to output another character voice instead of the main character voice. For example, when a new driving support system 4 is purchased, since the familiarity is 0, another character voice is output, so that the expectation can be met first, and the driver's strong emotional transfer to the character You can make a chance to do. After that, when the intimacy becomes 1 or more, the character voice can be heard for the first time. As a result, a new character voice of the voice actor can be heard, and a fan of the voice actor can enjoy two types of voice of the voice actor with a single product. For this reason, the driver's strong emotional transfer to the character can be caused. Further, for example, when such a mechanism is not known, the driver can be surprised and the driver can feel that the intimacy is to be increased.

  Furthermore, in the above description, when the closeness becomes 2 or more, both the main character voice and the other character voice may be switched according to the driver's setting. When another character voice is selected, the driving support system 4 may communicate with the driver by outputting another character voice from the speaker 51 instead of the main character voice. As a result, the driver can hear both the main character voice and the other character voice when the familiarity increases. In particular, it is preferable to insert a phrase of another character voice in the phrase of the main character voice as if the main character is playing another character. As a result, the character can behave as if it imitates another character. This character can produce an effect as if the driver was interested in another character. By doing so, it is felt that the common interest of another character can be shared between the main character and the driver, and the driver's strong emotional transfer to the character can be maintained. Moreover, this state is good to be made when closeness is n or more. By setting the familiarity n to the degree of familiarity or the familiarity before the occurrence, it is possible to prevent the mannerism and give the driver a fresh impression.

  In the above description, the character image and the character voice are determined so that the character communicates with the driver in such a manner that the character's intimacy with respect to the driver gradually increases as the familiarity increases. On the other hand, the expression mode of the character may be greatly different between the case where the familiarity is 0, 1 and the case where the familiarity is 3, 4. For example, when the closeness is 0 or 1, the character touches the driver with a strict attitude, and when the closeness is 2 or 3, the character may touch the driver with a gentle attitude. In this way, when the intimacy becomes 2 or more, the attitude suddenly changes, and the driver is attracted to the gap of the attitude. As a result, it is possible to cause and maintain a stronger emotional transfer of the driver to the character.

  Further, in the above description, when the intimacy becomes 2 or more, the attitude of the character with respect to the driver may be switched according to the driver's setting. For example, the driving support system 4 may be configured so that the character continues to contact the driver with a strict attitude even when the intimacy becomes 2 or more. This allows the driver to experience both a harsh attitude and a custom attitude when intimacy increases.

  As a still screen displayed on the display unit 48 when the driving support system 4 is activated, a screen for displaying a level of the intimacy of the character with respect to the driver may be displayed. Intimacy may be specified based on travel distance or intimacy. For example, as in the still image 200 shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the intimacy of the character may be indicated by the number of hair ornaments 201 of the character. For example, when the character's intimacy with respect to the driver is high, as shown in FIG. 41, by displaying many hair ornaments 201 on the display unit 48, the character's intimacy with respect to the driver is shown to the driver. Good. On the other hand, when the intimacy of the character with respect to the driver is low, as shown in FIG. 42, by displaying a small number of hair ornaments 201 on the display unit 48, the driver is informed that the intimacy of the character with respect to the driver is low. Good to show. As a result, the driver can recognize the intimacy of the character at a glance.

  Note that the number of hair ornaments 201 displayed on the display unit 48 may be increased by one every time the travel distance increases by 100 km. Further, when the driver repeats dangerous driving, specifically, when the driver is informed of driving such as a sharp curve, sudden start, left and right sudden steering, overspeed, etc., the display unit 48 At the same time as reducing the number of hair ornaments 201 displayed, the travel distance may be subtracted by 100 km.

  In the above description, the driving support system 4 specifies the intimacy according to the travel distance, but the intimacy may be specified by a parameter other than the travel distance.

  In the above description, 0 to 3 are set as the intimacy, but the present invention is not limited to this. The activation information 215, the character information 2214, and the character information 2124 may be based on intimacy determined by different criteria. For example, the activation information 215 may be based on the familiarity 1-0 to 1-3. The character information 2114 may be based on the familiarity 2-0 to 2-3. The character information 2124 may be based on the familiarity 3-0 to 3-3. Here, the intimacy 1-0 to 1-3, 2-0 to 2-3, 3-0 to 3-3 may be determined based on different distances based on different distances.

  The driving support system 4 is targeted at core users called the so-called Aniota layer, and creates a “young but caring wife character” for driving under highways and elevated roads to deepen the attachment to the character. At the same time, it aims to prevent drowsiness and drowsy driving.

  In the case where a certain evaluation is obtained from the user of the aniota layer for the driving support system 4, it is spread to the users of the light animation layer and the general layer to have versatility. The light animation layer refers to a user layer that has characteristics such as being interested in anime when you are young, watching anime with your family, and having no resistance to watching late-night animation. For example, the younger generation seems to have less resistance to the animation seen by the core layer. This is because the number of anime contents broadcast at midnight is enormous, and it is thought that there are some works that are normally viewed by young people living in the night. General users, for example, users in sales positions who frequently travel on highways, often purchase the cheapest model of radar on their own, but they are concerned only about suspension of driving licenses due to speed violations. On the other hand, for drivers who drive for a long time, the loss of concentration is a major enemy, and some people may try to recover their concentration by talking (speaking / listening) with hands-free phones. Providing drivers who frequently use such highways with a voice-speaking / voice-speaking (consent / intrusive, etc.) environment, helping to prevent a decline in concentration during driving, and further interest The possibility of providing high value-added products.

When spreading to the above users, be sure to differentiate from the core layer. The following methods can be cited as methods of differentiation.
・ Sell models with a limited number of prints and voices.
・ Do not get anything other than limited editions.
・ Distribute voices and images held by limited users such as Web members. However, only a small part, not all, is provided.
Depending on the restriction of voice actors, you may sell them separately for voice confidence anime voices and non-anime voices. This increases the premiere of limited edition models.
Sales to the core layer will limit the sales channel, otherwise general sales channels will also be considered

Specific devices that are targeted as the driving support system 4 are as follows.
・ Car navigation system (with map)
・ Drive recorder (without map)
・ Radar detector (without map)
・ Radar detector (with map)
・ Other in-vehicle devices with OBD connector connection or map information or GPS function

  There are the following two types of driving conditions in a mode for outputting character information to the user. (1) In the voice call mode (road registered in the map), it is good to consider 55km / h as an expressway / elevated road by running for 2 minutes or more. Also, in the case of (2) voice call mode (registered on the map but may have been changed to a new road, no map, not registered on the map, etc.), 55 km / h for 5 minutes It is better to regard it as an expressway / elevated road after traveling.

  Both may be specified by referring to vehicle speed information of OBD data or GPS data. (1) In the voice call mode, it is recommended that the voice is always set by acceleration / deceleration and left / right change. In addition, it is good to make the driver remember the lines when accelerating, decelerating, and changing left and right. As a result, if you fall into a low-pitched state or doze, you will be able to assist you in understanding the current situation by using voice quality that you can hear in the ears and speaking to the voice. Also, in some cases, it is better to set another mode and change the calling standard.

The following functions may be performed depending on the device to be mounted.
1. Acceleration ・ Fast increase in fuel injection amount by OBD data, rapid increase in speed ・ Acceleration G measurement by gyro sensor ・ Rapid increase in speed by GPS data In these cases, the voice of “Fast, Go fast, Wow…” It is good to output.

2. Deceleration, fuel injection cut time based on OBD data (ex. 2 seconds or more), rapid decrease in speed, deceleration G measurement with gyro sensor, rapid decrease in speed based on GPS data In these cases, "Fuel cut, speed will be up- "Brake, etc."

3. Measurement with left / right / gyro sensor In this case, it is better to output sound such as “turn to the right (left), still turn, long curve, etc.”.

  To improve the driver's comfort and focus, use serifs that have a positive content and make the impression as positive as possible. It is better to prepare things that are close to feelings about acceleration / deceleration and left / right changes rather than inferring badness, disappointment, other things that make drivers feel bad, and not to instill a negative psychology that alerts them to danger. The reason for not using a negative expression such as dangerous is that it is difficult to calculate it logically by the device, or that it is not used, and so long as it can calculate a situation that is logically dangerous in the future. Absent.

4). It is advisable to let the driver have a rough image of the destination by calling out to the prefectural borders, calling out to the ongoing prefectures, or recognizing where they are. As a result, it is possible to prevent the driver from driving low or snoozing.

5. It is good to speak to the parking area / service area in front of a predetermined distance. It is possible to prompt a break by calling out or announcing a place where a break can be taken, and the driver can be prevented from driving consciously and falling asleep.

6). Speak before a sharp curve / continuous curve Speak before a certain distance. Tensioning can be achieved by calling out or announcing that there is a change in driving, thereby preventing the driver from driving consciously or falling asleep.

7). Speak before branching / merging points Speak before a certain distance. It is possible to prevent a driver from driving swiftly or falling asleep by being nervous by calling out or announcing that there is a change in driving.

Even if there is no condition of 8.1-7, it is good to call out regularly. For example, it may be performed at intervals of 2 minutes.
・ Scenery and other information that is imaged due to the highway, lines that passengers are likely to talk about, content with consent (want to put in a conflict), content with unexpectedness (would you like to make a mistake), etc. It is good to utter the voice of the driver. In addition, in order to avoid the loss of concentration due to driving alone, it is better to speak with an interesting line of animated characters.

4 Driving support system 5 SD card 48 Display unit 51 Speaker 41 Control unit 54 Acceleration sensor

Claims (4)

In the expression mode determined based on the familiarity based on the driving state of the vehicle by the user, the function of outputting the character information,
A mode operation unit for selecting one of a character mode for outputting the character information and a non-character mode for not outputting the character information;
OPERATION support system that further comprising a function of the color of the outer frame of the mode operation part is varied according to the degree of intimacy. A function of outputting character information in an expression mode determined based on the driving state so that the intimacy of the character with respect to the user changes according to the driving state of the vehicle by the user,
When the positional relationship between the vehicle and the position of the target to be monitored on the map and the vehicle satisfies a predetermined relationship, an image of the character wearing predetermined clothes is output as the character information. OPERATION support system shall be the. The driving support system according to claim 2 , wherein the color of the predetermined clothes is a color different from the color of the clothes when the predetermined relationship is not satisfied . The driving assistance program for making a computer perform the function of the driving assistance system in any one of Claim 1 to 3 .