JP6780169B2 - System, receiver and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a system, a receiving device, a program, and the like for notifying a passenger of a vehicle of a tire abnormality.

Conventionally, a system for notifying the passengers of a vehicle of a tire abnormality has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that automatically measures tire air pressure and issues an alarm to a driver when the air pressure drops below a specified value. Further, Patent Document 1 also proposes a system capable of monitoring the air pressure during storage and use of a spare tire. This system notifies the tire abnormality by displaying a sentence explaining the tire abnormality on the entire screen of the display device mounted on the vehicle.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-228787

In general, display devices mounted on vehicles are rarely used for a single purpose and are used to display a wide variety of information. For example, when the in-vehicle electronic device has a function as a navigation device, the display device displays a map screen.

Further, for example, when the in-vehicle electronic device has a function as a radar detector, an alarm screen is displayed when the target is alerted, and various information useful for driving is displayed when there is no alarm. Will be done. As various information useful for driving, for example, there is a display such as a map, a clock, and a speed.

However, when a tire abnormality is detected, displaying a sentence explaining the tire abnormality on the entire screen in preference to all displays is to visually recognize other information of the occupant of the vehicle and acquire the information. Will hinder. In particular, for the driver, acquisition of necessary information during driving is hindered, which may hinder driving to a place where tire inspection, replacement, etc. are performed.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and is a place where the driver inspects, replaces, etc. tires without hindering the visibility and acquisition of information by the passengers of the vehicle. The purpose is to provide a system that does not interfere with the operation up to.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention: (1) In a system for controlling the display of information on a display means that can be visually recognized by the passenger, the passenger of the vehicle has an abnormality in the tires of the vehicle. It is characterized by having a control means for controlling the display of the display means so as to display the display on the display means in a manner that does not interfere with the visibility of other information required by the passenger of the vehicle.

In this way, it is possible to encourage the occupants of the vehicle to stop in a safe place, check the tires, and change the tires. Moreover, since the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire does not hinder the visibility of other information required by the passenger of the vehicle, it does not hinder the passenger of the vehicle from acquiring the information. Vehicle passengers can continue to obtain the information they need without being disturbed, so they are not offended. Furthermore, for the driver of the vehicle passengers, the necessary information can be continuously obtained while driving, so that it does not interfere with driving and maintains safe driving up to the place where tire inspection, replacement, etc. are performed. it can.

The display means may be, for example, a display that can be visually recognized by the passengers of the vehicle. For example, the display means may be a display screen or a plurality of light emitting members. In this way, it can be applied to various devices.

Tire anomalies may, for example, deviate from a set standard of air pressure or temperature. By doing so, a tire whose air pressure and temperature are significantly different from those in normal times can be regarded as an abnormal tire. Further, for example, the criteria for whether or not the tire is abnormal may differ depending on the type of tire, vehicle type, or mounting position. By doing so, since the air pressure or temperature to be abnormal differs depending on the type of tire, vehicle type, or mounting position, accurate abnormality determination can be performed.

The display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire may be, for example, a display capable of transmitting to the passengers of the vehicle that the abnormality has occurred in the tire. Further, for example, the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire may be a graphic. In this way, the passenger of the vehicle may be able to visually and intuitively recognize the abnormality of the tire visually and intuitively.

Other information required by the occupant of the vehicle may be, for example, information that the occupant of the vehicle does not want to be prevented from acquiring, depending on the occupant's preference, the purpose of travel, or the date and time. In addition, other information required by the passengers of the vehicle includes, for example, the position of the vehicle in the map display, the guide route, the destination, the figure or color for visually recognizing the notification target, the speed indicating the state of the vehicle, the fuel consumption, and the like. It is preferable to use a character or number such as an item name, a numerical value, or a unit for visually recognizing the tire pressure or temperature, or a figure that makes a specific object recognized by a figure. In this way, the driver does not have to be hindered from seeing other information during driving and the driving is not affected.

The mode that does not interfere with the visibility of other information required by the passenger of the vehicle may be, for example, a mode that does not overlap with other information required by the passenger of the vehicle, or may be transparent even if it overlaps with the other information. Then, other information may be visible. In this way, the passenger of the vehicle does not have to be hindered from acquiring the information. Further, for example, a mode in which an abnormality of the tire is visually recognized may be displayed in a region where only the background color does not form a specific meaning. By doing so, it is possible to notify the tire abnormality more clearly without obstructing the visibility of not only other information required by the passenger of the vehicle but also other information.

Further, for example, when the display means is composed of a plurality of light emitting members, a display is performed to visually recognize the abnormality of the tire depending on the presence or absence of light emission of a part of the plurality of light emitting members, and the light emission of the remaining light emitting members is performed. Depending on the presence or absence, other information required by the passenger of the vehicle may be displayed.
The control means may be provided entirely inside the vehicle, may be provided entirely outside the vehicle, a part thereof may be provided inside the vehicle, and a part other than the part thereof may be provided outside the vehicle. You may. Further, the control means may be realized by, for example, one control unit or a plurality of control units.

(2) As other information required by the passenger of the vehicle, the information is displayed in the area recognized as a specific group, and the mode that does not interfere with the visibility of the other information is recognized as the specific group. It is preferable to display in a region outside the region where the tire is abnormal.

In this way, the information displayed in the area recognized as a specific group is often information that is highly necessary for the passengers of the vehicle, and the visual recognition of the information in such an area is an abnormality of the tire. Since the display for visually recognizing the tire is not obstructed, the passenger of the vehicle can continuously acquire the information that is highly necessary.

The area recognized as a specific group may be, for example, an area recognized as an element common or related in appearance or idea. For example, the area surrounded by the outer edge of the mark indicating the vehicle position, destination, notification target, etc. in the map display, the area where the guide route and the traveling route are color-coded, the speed indicating the state of the vehicle, the fuel consumption, and the tire pressure. , The item name, numerical value, and unit for visually recognizing the temperature may be an area surrounded by a line or a color, or a graphic area for recognizing a specific object by a figure. The area outside the area recognized as a specific group is, for example, the area of the street other than the vehicle position, the destination, the guide route and the traveling route, the area outside the area surrounded by lines or colors, or the area outside the figure. It should be an area. By doing so, the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire becomes conspicuous and easy to see.

As the area recognized as a specific group, it is particularly preferable to set the area recognized as a specific object. The specific object may be, for example, an object related to driving of a vehicle, and in particular, an object similar to an object constituting the vehicle or an object visually recognized as the vehicle travels. As the material constituting the vehicle, for example, a meter, an engine, a vehicle body, or the like may be used. As an object that can be visually recognized as the vehicle travels, for example, a road sign, a logo such as a signboard, or the shape of a building or the like may be used.

(3) As other information required by the passengers of the vehicle, it is preferable that the displayed content changes.

The information whose display content changes is often, for example, information that the passenger of the vehicle needs or wants to continuously see, and the display that visually recognizes the abnormality of the tire may hinder the visibility of such information. Since there is no such thing, the passengers of the vehicle looking at the display means will not be uncomfortable.
The information whose display contents change may be, for example, information whose characters, numbers, shapes, colors, and sizes change with the passage of time.

(4) The information whose display content changes may be information that changes with a change in the state of the vehicle.

In this way, the information that changes according to the state of the vehicle is the information that the driver of the vehicle always wants to know, so that the acquisition of such information is not hindered, and the driver inspects the tires. It is possible to maintain safe operation up to the place where the tire is replaced.

Information that changes with changes in the state of the vehicle is, for example, information obtained based on signals input from the outside while the vehicle is running, such as the position of the vehicle, vehicle speed, fuel consumption, tire pressure, and temperature. Good.

(5) The display position of the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire may be a region where the display content does not change.

In this way, by displaying the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality in the area where the display content does not change, the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality can be made conspicuous, and the tire abnormality is notified to the passengers of the vehicle. You can be sure to let us know.

The area where the displayed contents do not change may be, for example, an area where the characters, numbers, shapes, colors, and sizes do not change with the passage of time. In addition, for example, when the color or shape of a part of a figure recognized with a certain unity changes, such as a figure that recognizes a specific object by a figure, the area where the display content does not change is the relevant area. It is preferable to use an area other than the entire figure. By doing so, it is possible to make the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire more conspicuous.

(6) It is preferable that there are a plurality of display areas for information whose display contents change.

In this way, even if the information whose display contents change is displayed in a plurality of areas, the display is made so that the abnormality of the tire is visually recognized in a manner that does not interfere with the visibility. Therefore, the vehicle is boarded together with a large amount of information. The person can clearly recognize the abnormality of the tire and is not confused.

(7) The display position of the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire may be set to the peripheral portion of the information display area where the display content changes.

In this way, the information whose display content changes is a place that easily catches the eyes of the passengers of the vehicle. Therefore, by displaying a display that visually recognizes the abnormality of the tire in the peripheral portion, the information that changes can be visually recognized. It is possible to make it easier for the passenger to notice the abnormality of the tire while avoiding the hindrance to the tire.

The peripheral portion may be, for example, a position outside the display area of information whose display content changes, and a position in contact with or in contact with the display area but in the vicinity thereof.

(8) The display area of the information whose display content changes is defined as the area of interest by the driver of the vehicle, and the display position of the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is a portion other than the area of interest of the driver of the vehicle. It is good to say.

In this way, the visibility of the area of interest to the driver of the vehicle is not obstructed, so that the driver can maintain safe driving up to the place where the tire is inspected or replaced without being confused.

The area of interest to the driver of the vehicle may be, for example, information that the driver must constantly check while driving. In particular, the area of interest to the driver of the vehicle may be, for example, the position of the own vehicle, the guide route, or the speed during traveling.

(9) It is preferable to superimpose the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire on the display portion of only one color.

In this way, the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality is made by superimposing it on the part of only one color, so that there is no confusing display behind the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality, and the passengers of the vehicle are confused. There is no. For example, if a figure that represents a specific object is displayed as a color-coded line with the background, and if the display that visually recognizes the abnormality of the tire is further overlapped, it is difficult for the passengers of the vehicle to see, but it is displayed in only one color. This makes it easier for the passengers of the vehicle to see.

(10) As other information required by the passengers of the vehicle, it is preferable to use information on the tire condition input from the outside.

In this way, even if it is difficult for the passenger of the vehicle to judge whether or not the tire is abnormal only by the information on the condition of the tire, the tire abnormality can be visually recognized separately. , You can surely notice the abnormality.

The information regarding the condition of the tire may be, for example, the tire pressure or temperature.
The input from the outside may be, for example, a wired input or a wireless reception.

(11) It is preferable that the control means has a switching instruction input means for inputting an instruction for switching to the information display regarding the state of the tire input from the outside while the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is displayed.

In this way, when the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is made, when the passenger of the vehicle inputs the switching instruction by using the switching instruction input means, the information on the tire condition is displayed. Therefore, detailed information about tire abnormalities can be obtained.

The switching instruction input means may be, for example, an input means such as a touch panel or a switch. For example, it is more preferable that the display area of the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is used as a switching instruction input means as a touch panel. By doing so, it is good that the passengers of the vehicle can easily operate the vehicle.

(12) The information regarding the state of the tire may be at least one of the air pressure of each tire, the temperature of each tire, and the average temperature of the tires.

In this way, the passenger of the vehicle can easily determine the occurrence of the abnormality based on, for example, the average temperature of the tires. Further, the passenger of the vehicle can identify the tire in which the abnormality has occurred, for example, by the air pressure of each tire and the temperature of each tire.

(13) It is preferable that the control means has a stop instruction input means for inputting a stop instruction for stopping the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire.

In this way, the passenger of the vehicle who has recognized the tire abnormality by the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality can stop the display by using the stop instruction input means, so that the display is always annoying. Can be avoided.

The stop instruction input means may be, for example, an input means such as a touch panel or a switch. For example, it is more preferable that the display area of the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is used as a stop instruction input means as a touch panel. By doing so, it is good that the passengers of the vehicle can easily operate the vehicle.

(14) It is preferable that different colors are set for the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire, depending on the degree of the abnormality.

In this way, the different colors allow the passengers of the vehicle to intuitively recognize the degree of danger.

(15) It is preferable to have an output means for outputting a sound together with a display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire.

In this way, by outputting the sound, it is possible to reliably notify the passenger of the vehicle who is not looking at the display screen of the display means of the tire abnormality.

(16) It is preferable to have a notification means for notifying the occurrence of a plurality of types of events, a display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire, and a priority setting means for setting the priority of notification of the plurality of types of events.

By doing so, it is possible to more reliably recognize the tire abnormality by giving priority to any of the notifications of the plurality of types of events and displaying the tire abnormality visually.

The event notification may be, for example, information to be notified based on information input from the outside. For example, the event may be an event that notifies the existence of a specific installation on the road, the existence of external wireless communication, the arrival at a destination, the passage of a waypoint, and the like.

The notification may be in a mode of notifying the passengers of the vehicle of the event by, for example, display by display means, voice by voice output means, or both of them.

(17) As other information required by the passenger of the vehicle, at least one of information on time, information on vehicle speed, information on acceleration, and information on fuel consumption may be used.

In this way, the display of the information required for the occupant of the vehicle is not obstructed by the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire, so that the occupant of the vehicle, especially the driver, is not uncomfortable. , You can continue safe driving.

(18) The control means may determine a tire abnormality based on information on the tire condition input from the outside.

In this way, since the control means determines the abnormality of the tire, it is not necessary to determine the passenger of the vehicle. The abnormality may be determined on a regular basis, for example, but it is more preferable to determine the abnormality immediately based on the information on the condition of the tire.

(19) A preset period after the control means determines a tire abnormality based on the information on the tire condition input from the outside and displays a display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality on the display means. , When the information on the condition of the tire which is regarded as abnormal is not input or when the information on the condition of the input tire does not change, it is preferable to stop the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire.

In this way, if the tire determined to be abnormal is replaced with a normal tire after the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is displayed, if the abnormal tire is removed and is outside the vehicle, that tire If no information about the condition of the tire is received and an abnormal tire is installed in the vehicle, the information about the condition of the tire does not change. Therefore, in such a case, it is possible to avoid the troublesomeness of continuing to be displayed by stopping the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire, assuming that the tire has been replaced.

(20) The information regarding the state of the tire input from the outside may be information transmitted from the sensor installed on the tire and included in the intermittently received signal.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the system from interfering with the reception of other signals by intermittently receiving the signal from the sensor installed on the tire.

Intermittent reception means, for example, not always continuously received, and may be received at a fixed timing or at a specific timing.

(21) A receiving means that configures any of the systems (1) to (20) as an in-vehicle electronic device and receives information on the state of the tire transmitted from a sensor installed on the tire, and the receiving means. It is preferable to provide a receiving device having an output means for outputting the received information on the state of the tire to the system so as to be connectable to the in-vehicle electronic device.

In this way, by connecting to an existing system configured as an in-vehicle electronic device, it is possible to easily add a function for visually displaying an abnormality in the tire. Vehicle owners can save money by purchasing a simple and inexpensive receiver rather than a new system.

(22) On the premise of the configuration of (21), the receiving means may intermittently receive a signal including information on the state of the tire transmitted from a sensor installed on the tire.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the system from interfering with the reception of other signals by intermittently receiving the signal from the sensor installed on the tire.

(23) On the premise of the configuration of (21) or (23), the vehicle has a signal input means for inputting vehicle self-fault diagnosis information from a signal line installed in the vehicle, and the output means is the tire. It is preferable to output the self-fault diagnosis information together with the information regarding the state.

In this way, the passenger of the vehicle can confirm the information regarding the condition of the tire together with the self-fault diagnosis information of the vehicle. The vehicle self-fault diagnosis information may be, for example, OBD information. For example, the control means of the system may display information on the tire condition by a screen interface common to the screen interface that displays the self-diagnosis information of the vehicle. By doing so, it may be possible for the passengers of the vehicle to have a display that does not feel uncomfortable with the existing screen display. In addition, it is advisable to display information about the tire condition on a part of the customizable screen interface. In this way, it may be possible to match the preference of the passengers of the vehicle.

(24) On the premise of the configuration of (23), the receiving means, the output means, and the signal input means are configured in the housing, and one side surface of the housing is connected to the signal input means, and the signal input means is connected to the inside of the vehicle. A plurality of types of connection terminals that are selectively selected for connection with a signal line are provided, and a side surface of the housing facing the one side surface is connected to the output means and is used for connection with the system. A plurality of types of connection terminals that are selectively selected may be provided.

In this way, since the input side and output side terminals are separated on the opposite side surfaces of the housing, it is easy for a person who connects the wiring. Since the output side is located on a substantially extension of the input side, it is easy to install wiring so that an unreasonable load is not applied to the connection part.

(25) On the premise of any of the configurations (21) to (24), it is characterized by having a light emitting means for notifying the reception state by the receiving means by emitting light.

In this way, the person who installs the receiving device can confirm the reception state of the signal from the tire sensor by the light emission of the light emitting means, so that the person can install the receiving device in a place where the receiving state is good.

(26) The functions as control means in the systems (1) to (20) can be configured as a program to be realized by a computer.

(27) The functions of (21) to (25) as a receiving device can be configured as a program to be realized by a computer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system or the like that does not hinder the visibility and acquisition of information by the passengers of the vehicle and does not hinder the driver from driving to a place where tire inspection, replacement, etc. are performed. it can.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the radar detector which is a preferable embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a radar detector. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a standby screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a warning screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the tire state display screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the map screen which displayed the icon which warns the condition of a tire. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of the triple meter including the object of the tire pressure. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the object of the tire pressure. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the object of the average temperature of a tire. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the object which displayed the temperature for each tire. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the TPMS setting screen. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a TPMS adapter. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection relationship between a TPMS adapter and a connector. It is one side view (a) which provided the input side terminal of the case of the TPMS adapter, and the other side view (b) which provided the output side terminal. It is one side view (a) which provided the power lamp of the case of the TPMS adapter, and the other side view (b) which provided the status lamp. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the installation mode of a TPMS adapter. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the tire state display screen which displayed the icon which warns the state of a tire. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of the triple meter which displayed the icon which warns the condition of a tire.

[1. Electronic device configuration]
1 and 2 show a radar detector 1 which is an embodiment suitable as an electronic device constituting the system of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view of the front surface (the surface facing the rear (driver side) of the vehicle) side of the radar detector 1, and FIG. 1 (b) is a perspective view of the rear surface side. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the radar detector 1.

The radar detector 1 is provided with a thin rectangular case body 2, and is attached and fixed on the dashboard of a vehicle or the like by using a bracket 3 attached to the lower part of the back side of the case body 2.

A display 5 is provided on the front surface of the case body 2 (the surface facing the rear (driver side) of the vehicle). The display 5 is composed of a 3.2-inch color TFT liquid crystal display. A touch panel 6 for detecting which part of the display 5 is touched is provided on the display 5. Further, a volume adjustment button 7 is arranged on the right side of the front surface of the case body 2, and various work buttons 8 are arranged on the left side of the case body 2.

The right side of the case body 2 is provided with a card insertion slot 9 for mounting a memory card 11 as a removable recording medium, and a memory card reader 10 is built in the card insertion slot 9 inside the case body 2. To. By inserting the memory card 11 through the card insertion slot 9, the memory card 11 is attached to the memory card reader 10. The memory card reader 10 takes in the data stored in the mounted memory card 11 inside. More specifically, the data stored in the memory card 11 has update information such as new alarm target (target) information (position information such as longitude and latitude, type information, etc.), and the update information is controlled. It is stored (downloaded) in the database 19 built in the apparatus under the control of the unit 18, and the data is updated.

The database 19 can be realized by a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM) inside the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. In the database 19, map data and information on a certain alarm target are registered at the time of shipment, and data and the like on the alarm target added after that are updated as described above.

The GPS receiver 13 is arranged inside the upper center of the back side of the case main body 2, and the microwave receiver 14 and the wireless receiver 15 are arranged next to the GPS receiver 13. The GPS receiver 13 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and outputs current position (longitude / latitude) information. The microwave receiver 14 receives a microwave having a predetermined frequency emitted from the speed measuring device. The radio receiver 15 receives the incoming radio of a predetermined frequency. A speaker 16 is also built in the lower part of the case body 2. The speaker port is provided on the bottom surface of the case body 2.

A DC jack 12 is arranged below the side surface of the case body 2. The DC jack 12 is for connecting a cigar plug cord (not shown), and is connected to a cigar socket of a vehicle via the cigar plug cord so that power can be supplied.

In addition to the above display 5, a lamp 31, a remote controller receiver 32, and an infrared communication device 34 are arranged on the front surface of the case body 2 (omitted in FIG. 1). The lamp 31 illuminates in various colors according to the type and urgency of the alarm to warn. The remote controller receiver 32 communicates data with the remote controller (portable device: slave unit) 33 by infrared rays, and makes various settings for the present device. The infrared communication device 34 transmits / receives data to / from a communication device having an infrared communication device such as a mobile phone 35.

A geomagnetic sensor 36 and an acceleration sensor 37 are provided in the case body 2. The geomagnetic sensor 36 is a sensor that detects the geomagnetism and detects which direction the north direction is with respect to the traveling direction. The acceleration sensor 37 is a sensor that detects the front-rear, left-right, and up-down acceleration of the vehicle.

Further, the radar detector 1 of the present embodiment is connected to an OBD-II (II is a Roman numeral "2", hereinafter "OBD-II" is referred to as "OBD2") connector mounted on a vehicle. The connection cable 22 is provided. A connector terminal 23 that can be detachably attached to the OBD2 connector of the vehicle is attached to the tip of the connection cable 22. The OBD2 connector is also called a failure diagnosis connector, is connected to the ECU of the vehicle, and outputs various vehicle information.

At the other end of the connection cable 22, a connector terminal 25 for connecting to the socket port 24 provided on the side surface of the case body 2 of the radar detector 1 is provided, and the connection cable 22 is also provided for the radar detector 1. Is made removable. Of course, the connection cable 22 may be directly connected to the radar detector 1.

By connecting the connector terminal 23 attached to the connection cable 22 and the OBD2 connector on the vehicle body side, the control unit 18 acquires various vehicle information every 0.5 seconds. This vehicle information includes, for example, vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load factor, throttle degree, ignition timing, ratio of remaining fuel, intake manifold pressure, intake air amount (MAF), injection open time, engine cooling water temperature. (Cooling water temperature), temperature of air taken into the engine (intake temperature), temperature outside the vehicle (outside air temperature), amount of remaining fuel in the fuel tank (remaining fuel amount), fuel flow rate, instantaneous fuel consumption, accelerator opening, There is winker information (left and right winker operations (ON / OFF)), brake opening, steering angle of steering, and the like.

The control unit 18 is a computer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, I / O, etc., and is connected to each of the above-mentioned units to provide various input devices (touch panel 6, GPS receiver 13, microwave receiver 14). , The wireless receiver 15 etc.) executes a predetermined process based on the information input, and outputs a predetermined alarm / message using an output device (display 5, speaker 16 etc.). As these basic configurations, basically the same ones as the conventional ones can be used. For example, for audio output, audio PCM data is stored in EEPROM, which is a non-volatile memory, and the control unit 18 reproduces the PCM data and outputs audio from the speaker 16.

[2. Basic functions of electronic devices]
The function of the radar detector 1 of the present embodiment is realized by being stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 as a program executed by the computer which is the control unit 18 and being executed by the computer of the control unit 18. Functions realized by the computer by the program included in the control unit 18 include a GPS log function, a standby screen display function, a map display function, a GPS alarm function, a radar wave alarm function, and a wireless alarm function.

The GPS log function is a function in which the control unit 18 associates the current position detected by the GPS receiver 13 with the detected time and speed (vehicle speed) every second and stores it in the non-volatile memory as a position history. This position history is recorded in, for example, NMEA format.

The standby screen display function is a function of displaying a predetermined standby screen on the display device 5. FIG. 3A shows an example of the standby screen, in which the speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude of the own vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 13 are shown.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the map display function is a function of accessing the database 19 based on the current position detected by the GPS receiver 13 and reading and displaying the map data stored therein. Further, the map display function searches for the alarm target around the current position based on the position information stored in the database 19, and when the alarm target exists in the vicinity, the alarm target is displayed at the corresponding position on the map. It also has a function to display information (target icon 112, etc.) in an overlapping manner. The specific display mode is as follows.

The control unit 18 displays a map in the main display area R1 on almost the entire surface of the display 5 so that the traveling direction of the vehicle always faces upward. The control unit 18 displays the map so that the lower center of the main display area R1 is the current position of the own vehicle, and displays the own vehicle icon 111 at that position.

The control unit 18 displays the status information in the status area R2 set on the upper side of the main display area R1. The status information displayed in the status area R2 is, in order from the left, the current time 121 (“15:10” in the figure) and the GPS radio wave reception level display icon 122 (in the figure, three straight lines having different lengths are parallel to each other). Standing maximum reception level), parking prohibited area icon 123 (displayed when the parking priority area is within the parking priority area), reception sensitivity mode display icon 124 indicating the radar reception sensitivity (in the figure, the highest sensitivity "SE"" ), The vehicle speed is 125 (“30 km / h” in the figure), and the compass is 126. The status area R2 is a transparent area, and is arranged by using a layer above the layer of the main display area R1. As a result, even in the status area R2, the map located on the lower side can be visually recognized in the place where the status information is not displayed.

The control unit 18 displays the current scale information (scale) in the scale display area R3 set on the left side of the main display area R1. The scale sets the position of the own vehicle to 0 m, and displays the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the intermediate position in the vertical direction of the main area R1 (“500” in the figure) and the distance to the upper position (“1000” in the figure). To do. The unit is "m". When the control unit 18 detects that the main display area R1 has been touched twice in succession, the control unit 18 displays a map scale change button at a predetermined position (a position along the scale display area R3) in the main display area R1 (illustrated). (Omitted), change the map scale according to the touch to the map scale change button. That is, the control unit 18 changes the scale of the map displayed in the main display area R1 according to the scale of the changed map scale, and also changes the scale information displayed in the scale display area R3.

While the standby screen display function as shown in FIG. 3A is being executed, the control unit 18 that detects one touch on the display 5 displays the menu screen. The control unit 18 that has detected that the screen switching button prepared in the menu screen is touched switches to the map display function as shown in FIG. 3B. Similarly, the control unit 18 that detects one touch on the display 5 while the map display function is being executed displays the menu screen. The control unit 18 that has detected that the screen switching button prepared in the menu screen is touched performs a process of switching to the standby screen display function.

The control unit 18 has a GPS alarm function, a radar wave alarm function, and a wireless signal according to an event that occurs during execution of the standby screen display function and the map display function (hereinafter, these functions are collectively referred to as the standby function). The process for realizing each function such as the alarm function is executed, and when the process of the function is completed, the process returns to the original standby function process. The priority of each function is set in the order of radar wave warning function, wireless warning function, and GPS warning function from the highest priority.

The GPS alarm function is a process executed at predetermined time intervals (1 second intervals) by an event from the timer of the control unit 18, and is detected by the latitude and longitude of the alarm target stored in the database 19 and the GPS receiver 13. The distance between the two is calculated from the latitude and longitude of the current position, and when the calculated distance reaches a predetermined approach distance, the GPS alarm display 130 (alarm target), which is an alarm screen as shown in FIG. 4A, is displayed on the display 5. (Schematic diagram, remaining distance, etc.), and output an approach warning sound indicating that effect from the speaker 16.

Such alarm targets include dozing driving accident points, speed measuring devices (radar type, loop coil type, H system, LH system, photoelectric tube type, mobile type, etc.), speed limit switching points, control areas, inspection areas, and ban monitoring. Area, N system, traffic monitoring system, intersection monitoring point, signal neglect deterrence system, police station, accident-prone area, on-board aiming area, steep / continuous curve (expressway), branch / confluence point (expressway), ETC Lane advance guidance (expressway), service area (expressway), parking area (expressway), highway oasis (expressway), smart interchange (expressway), PA / SA gas station (expressway), tunnel (expressway) There are roads), highway radio reception areas (expressways), prefectural border announcements, roadside stations, viewpoint parking, etc., and the type information of these targets, the latitude and longitude information indicating their positions, and the schematic diagram displayed on the display 5. Alternatively, the photograph data and the audio data are associated and stored in the database 19.

FIG. 4A shows a display example of the radar wave warning function. This radar wave warning function is provided when a signal corresponding to a microwave in a frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device (mobile radar or the like (hereinafter, simply referred to as “radar”)) is detected by the microwave receiver 14. This is an alarm function that displays the GPS alarm display 131, which is an alarm screen, on the display 5, and outputs an alarm sound from the speaker 16. For example, when microwaves in the microwave frequency band emitted by the radar are detected by the microwave receiver 14, a schematic diagram or a photograph of the radar stored in the database 19 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4 (b). Along with displaying it as an alarm screen on the device 5, the voice data stored in the database 19 is read out and "Radar. Be careful of speed. ] Is output from the speaker 16. The distance to be displayed may be, for example, a distance estimated from the electric field strength.

The wireless alarm function is a function of issuing an alarm when the wireless receiver 15 receives a radio wave emitted by an emergency vehicle or the like so as not to interfere with the traveling or the like. In the radio alarm function, control radio, car location radio, digital radio, extra small radio, station activity radio, police telephone, police activity radio, wrecker radio, heli-tele radio, fire heli-tele radio, fire-fighting radio, emergency radio, highway radio , The frequency of the security radio, etc. is scanned, and when the radio is received at the scanned frequency, a schematic diagram indicating that the radio corresponding to that frequency stored in the database 19 for each radio type is received is used as an alarm screen. In addition to displaying on the display 5, the voice data stored in the database 19 for each radio type is read out, and an alarm voice indicating the radio type is output from the speaker 16. For example, if you receive a crackdown radio, you will see "It is a crackdown radio. Be careful of speed. ] To output audio.

[3. Tire sensor]
In this embodiment, the control unit 18 executes a program to realize a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) function. In order to realize this TPMS function, the control unit 18 uses a signal transmitted from the tire sensor 38.

The tire sensor 38 will be described below. The tire sensor 38 is attached to the valve of each tire of the four-wheeled vehicle. Each tire sensor 38 wirelessly transmits a memory for storing an ID for identifying each tire, an air pressure detector for detecting the tire air pressure, a temperature detector for detecting the tire temperature, and the ID and the detected air pressure and temperature. A transmitter for transmitting in waves (for example, 315 MHz) is provided.

The radio receiver 33 of the radar detector 1 receives a radio wave (for example, 315 MHz) transmitted from the tire sensor 38 installed on each tire. The radio receiver 33 intermittently receives radio waves from the tire sensor 38. That is, the radio receiver 33 receives the radio waves periodically transmitted from the tire sensor 38 side. The control unit 18 determines the radio wave from the tire sensor 38 from the radio wave received by the radio receiver 33 by the radio wave determination program.

[4. TPMS function]
The TPMS function realized by the control unit 18 in addition to the above basic functions will be described. The TPMS function includes a tire information extraction function, a tire information display function, an abnormality determination function, an abnormality display function, an abnormality voice output function, a TPMS setting function, a sensor ID setting function, and the like.

The tire information extraction function is a function of extracting information (ID, air pressure, temperature) related to the tire condition from the radio wave of the tire sensor 38 determined by the control unit 18 by the radio wave determination program by the tire information extraction program.

The tire condition display function is a function in which the control unit 18 displays information on the tire condition extracted by the tire information extraction program on the display 5 by the tire condition display program. In the present embodiment, the control unit 18 displays information on the tire condition on the tire condition display screen and the preset screen.

The abnormality determination function is a function in which the control unit 18 determines whether or not the information regarding the tire condition extracted by the tire information extraction program is abnormal by the abnormality determination program. The control unit 18 determines that the abnormality is abnormal when the air pressure and temperature are equal to or less than the values set in the database 19 or when the values are far from the set values by a predetermined value or more.

The abnormality display function is a function of displaying an icon, which is a predetermined figure, on the display 5 by the abnormality display program when the control unit 18 determines that the tire condition is abnormal by the abnormality determination program. As will be described later, the display mode of the predetermined icon is a mode that does not interfere with the visibility of other information required by the passengers of the vehicle.

The abnormal voice output function is a function in which the control unit 18 outputs a sound for notifying the tire abnormality from the speaker 16 when the abnormality determination program determines that the tire condition is abnormal. This sound data is stored in the database 19 in advance.

The TPMS setting function is a function in which the control unit 18 sets values (air pressure, temperature) and the like for determining the tire condition as abnormal by the TPMS setting program. The control unit 18 displays the setting screen on the display 5, and stores the value input by the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 in the database 19. By default, the values stored in the database 19 in advance may be used. By default, a value indicating how far away from the set value should be determined as an abnormality is also stored in the database 19 in advance.

The sensor ID setting function is a function in which the control unit 18 sets which tire sensor 38 is attached to which tire by the sensor ID setting program by the ID given to the tire sensor 38. The control unit 18 displays the setting screen on the display 5, and stores the ID received from the tire sensor 38 or the ID input from the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 in association with each tire in the database 19.

The tire rotation function is a function in which the control unit 18 exchanges the correspondence between the sensor ID of the tire sensor 38 and the tire by the tire rotation program in response to the tire exchange by the tire rotation. The replacement of the sensor ID of the tire sensor 38 is performed by the control unit 18 displaying the setting screen on the display 5 and selecting the target tire from the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33.

[5. TPMS processing]
An example of the process in which the control unit 18 executes the TPMS function as described above will be described below.
[Tire status display]
The control unit 18 causes the display 5 to display information (air pressure, temperature) regarding the tire state extracted by the tire information extraction function from the signal received from the tire sensor 38 by the tire state display function. Since the tire sensor 38 can measure the tire pressure and temperature for each tire, the control unit 18 causes the screen display to display the information for each tire.

FIG. 5 is an example of a tire information display screen. This display screen is a screen in which numerical values indicating the air pressure and temperature of each tire and their units are displayed in an area surrounded by independent frames in the vicinity of each tire in the figure C of the vehicle.

The control unit 18 determines that the tire is abnormal when the information indicating the tire condition becomes a value far from a preset value by a predetermined value or more by the abnormality determination function. Then, the control unit 18 notifies the value determined to be abnormal by displaying a color different from the others. For example, when the air pressure of the right front wheel is abnormal, a number indicating the air pressure of the tire is displayed in red.

[Pronunciation that informs an abnormality]
When the control unit 18 determines that the tire condition is abnormal as described above, the control unit 18 causes the speaker 16 to output a sound notifying the tire abnormality by the abnormal voice output function. For example, "There is something wrong with the tire. Please be careful when driving. ] Is output. In addition, in the output of one sound, in consideration of the case where the passenger of the vehicle misses the sound, for example, the sound is output every 5 minutes to notify the tire abnormality.

[Alarm pronunciation]
The control unit 18 also gives an alarm that more specifically informs the content of the abnormality. First, when the tire pressure exceeds the preset specified value by 10%, the control unit 18 "exceeds the specified value of the air pressure. It will affect the driving operation. ] Is output from the speaker 16.

In addition, when the tire pressure falls below the preset specified value by 10%, the control unit 18 says, "It is below the set value of the air pressure. It will affect fuel efficiency. ] Is output from the speaker 16. Furthermore, the control unit 18 says, "Dangerous!" When the tire pressure is 1.5 kgf / cm2 or less. There is a risk of a flat tire. ] Is output from the speaker 16.

[Tire rotation]
When performing tire rotation, the user uses the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 to select the tire rotation button displayed on the display 5 by the control unit 18, and then selects two tires to be rotated in the figure of the vehicle.

Then, the control unit 18 displays the item "Do you want to rotate the tire?" And the YES and NO selection buttons on the display 5. When the user selects YES using the touch panel or the remote controller, the control unit 18 exchanges the registered sensor IDs for the two selected tires.

The selection operation of the touch panel 6 is performed by touching the buttons or the tire figures displayed on the display device 5. The selection operation of the remote controller 33 is the same as the operation content of the touch panel, by moving the cursor with the cursor button and using the enter button (for example, the ● button).

[If there is a tire abnormality while displaying another screen]
When the control unit 18 determines the tire abnormality by the abnormality determination function when the map is displayed on the display 5 by the map display function, the control unit 18 displays an icon on a part of the screen to recognize the tire abnormality. Display it to let you know the danger. Since the abnormality of the tire is very dangerous, the control unit 18 blinks the icon to make it stand out.

In FIG. 6, the icon M is displayed at the lower right of the screen. This icon M is a figure having an exclamation mark displayed inside the cross-sectional view of the tire. The control unit 18 displays the icon M in a manner that does not interfere with the display of other information required by the passengers of the vehicle. The display position of the icon M is also an area outside the area recognized as a specific group. That is, the icon M is displayed in an area other than the area surrounded by the outer edge of the own vehicle icon 111 indicating the position of the own vehicle, the area in which the guide route and the traveling route are color-coded, and the area such as letters and numbers.

In FIG. 6, the icon M is displayed in the area of the street other than the guide route and the traveling route. This area is also a part other than the area of interest to the driver of the vehicle. In this way, the control unit 18 displays the tire abnormality with the icon M even on a screen different from the tire status display.

While displaying such an icon M, the user selects the icon M with the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 to input a switching instruction. Then, the control unit 18 switches the screen of the display 5 to the screen for displaying the tire status by the tire status display function.

[Preset screen]
The control unit 18 can also display information indicating the tire status on the display 5 as one of the objects on the preset screen on the standby screen by the tire status display function. It is assumed that the image data for generating the preset screen is stored in the database 19 in advance as a part of the screen interface.

FIG. 7 is a preset screen including objects B1 to B3 in which the control unit 18 displays three types of information from a large number of information according to a selection by input using the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 of the user. .. The left object B1 in FIG. 7 shows the clock, the center object B2 shows the tire pressure, and the right object B3 shows the speed.

Each of the objects B1 to B3 displays various information about the vehicle inside the circular ring frame 41 as an outer shell. As an actual image, the ring frame 41 is decorated with a metal reflective portion as if it were made of metal. The objects B1 to B3 may be displayed independently, or a plurality of objects B1 to B3 may be displayed side by side.

The object B2 in the center is a number indicating the tire pressure, and the unit is kPа. The position of the numbers corresponds to the position of the tire when the front of the car is facing up on the display screen. That is, the upper right shows the air pressure of the right front wheel, the lower right shows the air pressure of the right rear wheel, the upper left shows the air pressure of the left front wheel, and the lower left shows the air pressure of the left rear wheel. Below these numbers, the unit (kPa) is displayed with a horizontal line in between.

The control unit 18 displays the air pressure of the tire determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination function separately from the air pressure of other tires. In FIG. 7, since the tire pressure of the right front wheel is low, the numbers are color-coded. For example, when the air pressure of the right front wheel is abnormal, a number indicating the air pressure of the tire is displayed in red.

The unit of tire pressure is kPa in the international unit. However, the tire pressure unit of Japanese cars may be kgf / cm2 (1 kgf / cm2 = 98.0665 kPa). Recent tire manufacturers often use kPa, but it is preferable that the indication of kgf / cm2 can also be used. Therefore, the control unit 18 can also display an object in which the unit of the displayed number is changed according to the user's selection.

FIG. 8 is an object in which the tire pressure is displayed in the unit kgf / cm2 used in Japanese cars. The display position of each number and the setting of the color-coded display at the time of abnormality determination are the same as those in FIG. In this way, the commonly used unit of air pressure varies from country to country, so it is possible to select objects with different units of displayed numbers.

FIG. 9 is an object in which the average temperature of the four tires obtained by the control unit 18 based on the temperature of each tire is displayed on a meter. This object has a meter needle in the upper half of the ring frame 41 that swings between the cold side (C) and the hot side (H) depending on the average temperature of the tire. In addition, this object has an arcuate scale that has a cold color on the low temperature side and a warm color as the temperature increases as the background of the needle of the meter. Further, the object has a display in the lower half of the ring frame 41 showing a number indicating the average temperature in units of ° C. In the figure, the unit ° C. is displayed on the right below the number, and a tire indicating that the tire is used is displayed on the left.

FIG. 10 shows a number indicating the temperature of each tire in units of ° C. The position of the numbers corresponds to the position of the tire when the front of the car is facing up on the display screen. That is, the upper right shows the temperature of the right front wheel, the lower right shows the temperature of the right rear wheel, the upper left shows the temperature of the left front wheel, and the lower left shows the temperature of the left rear wheel. Below these numbers, a unit (° C) indicating temperature is displayed with a horizontal line in between. Similar to the tire pressure object, the control unit 18 can display the temperature of the tire determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination function in red to distinguish it from the temperature of other tires.

In addition to the objects that show the tire condition, the default objects include clock, satellite information, tide information, vehicle speed, eco-driving, acceleration, tilt, compass that shows the direction, and so on. Further, when the socket port 24 of the radar detector 1 and the OBD2 connector on the vehicle body side are connected by the connection cable 22, an object based on the information acquired from the OBD2 can be displayed. This object includes instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, general road average fuel consumption, high-speed dynamic average fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, moving average fuel consumption, fuel flow rate, engine water temperature, intake temperature, outside temperature, throttle opening, engine load, There are displays such as an engine meter, boost gauge, and tacometer. These objects can be displayed on the display 5 by the control unit 18 alone or in a combination of a plurality of objects according to the user's selection.

[TPMS settings]
The optimum tire pressure differs depending on the vehicle type and tire type. Therefore, the control unit 18 needs to set the tire pressure in advance in order to realize the above-mentioned TPMS function. This air pressure is set by the user by inputting an air pressure suitable for the vehicle model.

FIG. 11 is a TPMS setting screen. This TPMS setting screen has a numeric keypad and input fields for air pressure of front wheels and rear wheels. The air pressure suitable for the vehicle type is stated as the specified air pressure on the instruction manual and the label attached to the part where the driver's door meets. The user inputs the designated air pressure by selecting an input field using the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 and selecting a number on the numeric keypad. Since the designated air pressures for the front wheels and the rear wheels may differ depending on the vehicle model, enter the designated air pressures for the front wheels and the rear wheels in the input fields for the front wheels and the rear wheels. If the specified air pressures for the front and rear wheels are the same, enter the same numbers in the input fields for the front wheels and the input fields for the rear wheels.

Since it is easier for the user to use the simple operation method, it is sufficient to set the specified air pressure for each vehicle model instead of setting the upper and lower limits of the air pressure. Further, the optimum temperature is set by default, and the user does not need to set the temperature.

[6. Effect of embodiment]
The present embodiment as described above has the following effects.
(A) By notifying the passengers of the vehicle of the abnormalities of the tires by the icon M which is a display for visually recognizing the abnormalities of the tires, the passengers of the vehicle are encouraged to stop at a safe place, inspect the tires, and change the tires. Can be done. Moreover, since the icon M does not interfere with the visibility of other information required by the passenger of the vehicle, it does not interfere with the acquisition of information by the passenger of the vehicle. Vehicle passengers can continue to obtain the information they need without being disturbed, so they are not offended. Furthermore, for the driver of the vehicle passengers, the necessary information can be continuously obtained while driving, so that it does not interfere with driving and maintains safe driving up to the place where tire inspection, replacement, etc. are performed. it can.

(B) By notifying the passengers of the vehicle of information on the condition of the tires, it becomes possible to drive more safely and further contribute to eco-driving. For example, when the tire pressure becomes too low, the following merits can be obtained by notifying the driver of the information and prompting the driver to take measures.
-It is possible to prevent deterioration of fuel efficiency due to increased grip.
・ It is possible to prevent a decrease in tire life due to an increase in the contact area with the road.
・ Burst due to standing wave phenomenon can be prevented.
-It is possible to prevent deterioration of operability (cornering performance, etc.).

Further, for example, when the tire pressure becomes excessive, the information is notified to the driver to prompt the driver to take measures, which has the following merits.
・ The tires are less likely to bounce, and the ride quality can be prevented from deteriorating.
-It is possible to prevent the braking performance and driveability from becoming difficult to be transmitted due to the reduction in the contact area with the road.

(C) Since the icon M is displayed in an area outside the area recognized as a specific group such as the own vehicle icon 111, the area surrounded by the outer edge of the target icon 112, and the guide path 113, the display is conspicuous. It becomes easier to see. The same applies even if the icon M is displayed in an area other than the destination other than the travel route. Further, since the icon M is displayed in a part other than the area of interest of the vehicle driver, such as the own vehicle icon 111, the target icon 112, the guide route 113, the traveling route, and the destination, the vehicle driver pays attention to it. The visibility of the area is not obstructed. Therefore, it is possible to maintain safe driving up to the place where the tire is inspected or replaced without confusing the driver.

(D) The occurrence of an abnormality can be easily determined by the air pressure of each tire, the temperature of each tire, and the average temperature of the tires included in the tire status display. In addition, the tire in which the abnormality has occurred can be identified by the air pressure of each tire and the temperature of each tire.

(E) Since the air pressure and temperature of the tire in which the abnormality has occurred are displayed in different colors, the passenger of the vehicle can intuitively recognize the tire in which the abnormality has occurred and the degree of danger thereof.

(E) While the icon M is being displayed, the user can switch to the screen related to the tire condition by inputting a switching instruction using the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33. This allows the user to know detailed information about the tire abnormality, such as whether the air pressure is abnormal, the temperature is abnormal, or which tire is abnormal.

(G) When a tire abnormality occurs, the tire is notified by voice, so that the passenger of the vehicle who is not looking at the display screen of the display 5 can be surely notified of the tire abnormality.

(H) Since the control unit 18 determines the tire abnormality based on the information regarding the tire condition received from the tire sensor 38, it does not take time and effort to determine the passenger of the vehicle. Since the abnormality can be immediately determined based on the information on the tire condition, it is possible to immediately notify the passenger of the vehicle of the danger of the tire with high urgency.

(I) The wireless receiver 15 can prevent the reception of other signals from being hindered by intermittently receiving the signal from the tire sensor 38.

[7. Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following aspects can also be configured.
[TPMS adapter]
There are countries where the installation of TPMS is becoming mandatory, and even in Japan, consideration of legislation has begun. On the other hand, radar detectors, navigation devices, drive recorders, etc. are becoming widespread, and many users have already installed these devices in their vehicles. In such a situation, it is troublesome and costly for the user to purchase a new TPMS display device and install it in the vehicle.

Therefore, a TPMS adapter is configured so that the TPMS function can be added to existing devices such as radar detectors, navigation devices, and drive recorders. This TPMS adapter is a receiving device that receives information on the tire condition transmitted from the tire sensor, and can output the received information to a radar detector, a navigation device, a drive recorder, or the like.

12 to 16 are examples of the TPMS adapter 100. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 12, the TPMS adapter 100 includes a control unit 102, a reception unit 103, and a power supply circuit 104 in a case 101 which is a rectangular parallelepiped housing. The control unit 102 is a processing unit having a function as an input means for inputting information from the outside and an output means for outputting the input information to an in-vehicle electronic device. The receiving unit 103 is a processing unit that receives information from the tire sensor 38. This reception is performed intermittently as in the above embodiment.

The power supply circuit 104 is a circuit that controls the supply of electric power to the control unit 102 and the reception unit 103. Although not shown, an antenna wire is connected to the receiving unit 103. The antenna wire may be bundled along a cable described later, or may be a lead wire configured independently of the cable.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the case 101 has various connection terminals for inputting / outputting information to / from the control unit 102. One side surface of the case 101 has three input connection terminals 101A, 101B, and 101C, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 (a). Of these, the two input connection terminals 101A and 101B are connection terminals that are connected to the control unit 102 and the power supply circuit 104 and are selectively selected for connection with the OBD2 connector on the vehicle body side. The input connection terminal 101A is an 8-pin MiniUSB terminal. The input connection terminal 101A is a 10-pin MiniUSB terminal.

An 8-pin MiniUSB connector terminal 25 provided at one end of the connection cable 22 is connected to the input connection terminal 101A. The connector terminal 23 provided at the other end of the connection cable 22 is connected to the OBD2 connector of the vehicle. As a result, the TPMS adapter 1 is connected to the ECU and the battery of the vehicle via the connection cable 22. The two connection cables 22 in FIG. 13 have different USB terminal orientations. Similarly, the input connection terminal 101B is connected to the ECU and the battery of the vehicle via the connection cable 22 in which the connector terminal 25 is a 10-pin MiniUSB.

The other input connection terminal 101C is a DC jack connected to the power supply circuit 104 and to which the DC plug 26a of the cigar plug cord 26 is connected. The cigar plug 26b of the cigar plug cord 26 is connected to the seager lighter socket of the vehicle. As a result, the input connection terminal 101C is connected to the battery of the vehicle via the cigar plug cord 26.

The side surface of the case 101 facing the one side surface has two output connection terminals 101a and 101b, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 (b). The output connection terminals 101a and 101b are connection terminals that are connected to the control unit 102 and the power supply circuit 104 and are selectively selected for connection with the socket port 24 of the radar detector 1. The output connection terminal 101a is an 8-pin MiniUSB terminal. The output connection terminal 101b is a 10-pin MiniUSB terminal.

The output connection terminal 101a is provided on or near the extension line of the input connection terminal 101A. The output connection terminal 101b is provided on or near an extension of the input connection terminal 101B. This extension line is a straight line orthogonal to the side surface provided with the input connection terminals 101A and 101B and the side surface provided with the output connection terminals 101a and 101b.

An 8-pin MiniUSB connector terminal 27a provided at one end of the connection cable 27 is connected to the output connection terminal 101a. The connector terminal 27b provided at the other end of the connection cable 27 is connected to the socket port 24 of the radar detector 1. The two connection cables 27 in FIG. 13 have different USB terminal orientations. Similarly, the output connection terminal 101b is connected to the socket port 24 of the radar detector 1 via a connection cable 27 in which the connector terminal 27a is a 10-pin MiniUSB.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, one side surface of the case 101 other than the two opposite side surfaces provided with the connection terminals has the power lamp 105. Then, as shown in FIG. 15B, one side surface facing the power lamp 105 has a status lamp 106.

The power lamp 105 is an LED that is connected to the control unit 102 and indicates that the power is turned on when it is turned on and that the power is turned off when it is turned off. The status lamp 106 is a three-color LED connected to the control unit 102 and indicating the reception state of the radio wave reception unit 103 from the tire sensor 38 by three colors.

As shown in FIG. 16, the case 100 of the TPMS adapter 1 as described above is attached and fixed to the right side of the center console with an adhesive tape, a hook-and-loop fastener, or the like. Then, it is connected to the radar detector 1 via the connection cable 27, and is connected to the ECU of the vehicle via the connection cable 22. This installation position is not limited to a specific position. However, if the input connection terminals 101A to 101B are connected to the power supply, the control unit 102 causes the status lamp 106 to emit light in a color corresponding to the level of the reception state of the reception unit 103. Therefore, the user can install the status lamp 106 at an optimum position by adjusting the position of the case 101 so that the emission color of the status lamp 106 becomes a color having a good reception state.

After such installation, the receiving unit 103 receives the signal of the information regarding the state of the tire from the tire sensor 38 and inputs it to the control unit 102. Information on OBD2 is also input to the control unit 102 from the ECU of the vehicle. The control unit 102 outputs information on the tire condition to the radar detector 1 together with the information on the OBD2. In the radar detector 1, the same TPMS function as described above can be realized based on the information on the tire condition and the information on OBD2 as in the above embodiment.

In this way, by connecting to an existing system such as a radar detector 1, it is possible to easily add a function of displaying a tire abnormality visually. Since the owner of the vehicle may purchase the TPMS adapter 100 as a simple and inexpensive receiving device instead of the new system, the expense can be suppressed. For example, TPMS support is possible only by updating the software on the radar detector 1 side.

In addition, the control unit 18 can display information on the tire condition on an existing OBD2 information display screen such as a preset screen. Therefore, for the passengers of the vehicle, the display can be displayed without any discomfort from the existing screen display.

Since the input side and output side terminals are separated on the opposite side surfaces of the case 101, it is easy for a person who connects the wiring. In particular, since the output side is located on or near the extension line of the input side, it is easy to perform wiring so that an unreasonable load is not applied to the connection portion. Since the information from the tire sensor 38 and the OBD2 information are mixed by the control unit 102 and output to the radar detector 1, it is necessary to separately provide the connection terminals for TPMS and OBD2 in the radar detector 1. No, the cord and connector are also simplified.

Further, since the person who installs the TPMS adapter 100 can confirm the reception state of the signal from the tire sensor 38 by the light emission of the status lamp 106, it can be installed in a place where the reception state is good. Further, by intermittently receiving the signal from the tire sensor 38, it is possible to prevent the radar detector 1 from interfering with the reception of other signals.

The radar detector 1 side to which the TPMS adapter 100 is connected does not necessarily have to have a tire state display function, and may at least have an abnormality determination function and an abnormality display function or an abnormality voice output function.

[Other aspects]
Furthermore, the following aspects can also be configured. For example, when the control unit 18 displays a screen for displaying the tire status and determines an abnormality by the abnormality determination function, an icon for visually recognizing the tire abnormality on a part of the screen by the abnormality display function. Can also be displayed. FIG. 17 is an example in which the control unit 18 displays the icon M on a part of the tire status display screen. Further, FIG. 18 is an example in which the control unit 18 displays the icon M on a part of the preset screen.

In this case, the icon M is displayed in a manner that does not interfere with the display of other information required by the passengers of the vehicle. That is, the display position of the icon M is one of the following.
・ Tire pressure, numerical value indicating temperature and vehicle figure, position that does not overlap the object ・ Tire pressure, area where the temperature display is surrounded by a line, area of the figure that recognizes the car, area outside the outer shell of the object ・Area where the display content does not change ・ Display part of only one color ・ Peripheral part of information where the display content changes

Information displayed in an area recognized as a specific group, such as a tire pressure, a numerical value indicating the temperature, a vehicle figure, a tire air pressure, an item name for visually recognizing the temperature, a numerical value, and an area surrounded by a line. Is often the information that is highly needed by the passengers of the vehicle. In this aspect, the icon M does not interfere with the visibility of information in such an area. Therefore, the passenger of the vehicle can continuously acquire the information that is highly necessary.

Information that changes the displayed contents such as tire pressure, temperature, time, vehicle speed, acceleration, fuel consumption, etc. is often information that the passengers of the vehicle need and want to continuously see. In this aspect, since the icon M does not interfere with the visibility of such information, the passenger of the vehicle looking at the display screen does not become uncomfortable.

Tire pressure, temperature, time, vehicle speed, acceleration, fuel consumption, etc. are information that changes according to the state of the vehicle, and are information that the driver of the vehicle always wants to know. In this aspect, the icon M does not interfere with the acquisition of such information, and the driver can maintain safe driving up to the place where the tire is inspected or replaced.

Since the display of information necessary for the vehicle occupant, such as time information, vehicle speed information, acceleration information, fuel consumption information, etc., is not obstructed by the icon M, the vehicle occupant, especially the driver, can use it. You can continue safe driving without any discomfort.

Since the display position of the icon M is an area where the display content does not change, the display of the icon M can be made conspicuous, and the passenger of the vehicle can be surely notified of the abnormality of the tire.

Even if information whose display contents change, such as tire status display and preset screen display, is displayed in multiple areas, the icon M is displayed in a manner that does not interfere with the visibility, so that the vehicle boarding is accompanied by a large amount of information. The person can clearly recognize the abnormality of the tire and is not confused.

Information whose display content changes is a place that easily catches the eyes of the passengers of the vehicle. Therefore, by displaying an icon around the information, the passengers can avoid obstructing the visibility of the changing information. It is possible to make it easier to notice the abnormality of the tire.

Since the display area of the icon M is a part other than the area of interest to the driver of the vehicle, such as the speed of the vehicle, the visibility of the area of interest to the driver of the vehicle is not hindered. Therefore, it is possible to maintain safe driving up to the place where the tire is inspected or replaced without confusing the driver.

Since the icon M is superimposed on the display portion of only one color, there is no confusing display behind the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire, and the passenger of the vehicle is not confused. For example, if the display of the icon M is further overlapped with the place where the figure representing a specific object is displayed as a color-coded line with the background, it is difficult for the passengers of the vehicle to see, but if it is displayed in only one color, it can be displayed. It will be easier for the passengers of the vehicle to see.

Since the icon M for visually recognizing the abnormality is displayed separately from the information on the tire condition, even if it is difficult to judge whether the tire is abnormal or not based on the information on the tire condition alone, it is necessary to make sure that the abnormality is noticed. Can be done.

When the number indicating the abnormality is displayed in different colors or the icon M indicating the abnormality is displayed on the preset screen, the control unit 18 can switch the screen by the user's selection or automatically.

For example, the temperature of each tire changes drastically because there is a difference in temperature between the tire on the sunlit side and the tire on the shadow side. If this drastically changing value is constantly displayed, it may be difficult for the passengers of the vehicle to grasp the state, which may cause anxiety. Therefore, in order not to give anxiety to the passengers of the vehicle, the average temperature is usually displayed.

Then, by switching to the object of the temperature display of each tire or the screen displaying the state of the tire according to the user's selection, the user can know the details. The user is selected, for example, by the user selecting an icon or a switching button indicating an abnormality with the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33. Further, when the control unit 18 determines an abnormality by the abnormality determination function, the above screen switching can be performed.

The passenger of the vehicle who has noticed the abnormality of the tire by the icon M or the output voice can stop the display of the icon M or the output of the voice by inputting the stop instruction. As a result, it is possible to avoid the trouble of always displaying or outputting audio. The stop instruction is input, for example, by the user selecting the icon M indicating an abnormality or the stop button on the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33. The display or audio output may be temporarily stopped by inputting the stop instruction, and the display or audio output may be performed again after a predetermined time set in the database 19 in advance has elapsed.

Further, after the control unit 18 determines the tire abnormality by the abnormality determination function and displays the icon M for visually recognizing the tire abnormality by the abnormality display function, the tire is determined to be abnormal for a period set in advance in the database 19. It is also possible to stop the display of the icon M and the audio output when the information regarding the state of the tire is not input or when the information regarding the input tire condition does not change.

For example, if an abnormal tire is replaced with a normal tire after the icon is displayed or audio is output, and if the abnormal tire is removed and outside the vehicle, information on the condition of that tire is received. However, if an abnormal tire is installed in the car, the information about the condition of the tire does not change. That is, the measured air pressure and temperature values remain constant. In such a case, the control unit 18 can avoid the trouble of continuing to display and output the sound by stopping the icon display and the sound output on the assumption that the tire has been replaced.

If the tire with the abnormality is replaced with a spare tire and then placed in the car, the tire sensor 38 of the tire with the abnormality senses that the air is still deflated even if the car operates normally. It will be. However, since the removed tires are not used for running, the temperature and air pressure do not change. The control unit 18 can also stop the icon display and voice output when the temperature is constant and the pressure is constant. Even when the tire sensor 38 is broken and the temperature is constant and the pressure is constant, the control unit 18 may stop the icon display and the voice output. When the tire sensor 38 runs out of battery, the tire sensor 38 notifies the tire sensor 38 before that. When this notification is given, the control unit 18 may stop the icon display or the voice output.

Color-coded displays of icons and numbers when an abnormality occurs may be set in different colors depending on the degree of abnormality. In this way, the different colors allow the passengers of the vehicle to intuitively recognize the degree of danger. For example, the display color may be switched from yellow to red depending on the degree of abnormality. Initially, only yellow may be displayed, and when the degree of abnormality increases, red and voice notification may be displayed.

Notification of the occurrence of a plurality of types of events such as notification of a radar detector or a navigation device, and priority of icon display and voice output may be set in advance in the database 19 as a priority setting means. By doing so, the tire abnormality is notified by the icon display and the voice output in preference to the notification of the occurrence of the event, so that the tire abnormality can be more reliably recognized.

The event notification may be, for example, information to be notified based on information input from the outside. For example, the presence of a specific installation on the road, the presence of external wireless communication, the arrival at a destination, the passage of a waypoint, etc. can be indicated by a display 5, voice by voice output means, or both of these. This is an event to notify passengers. The display and notification of tire abnormality may be given the same priority as the warning for the remaining battery power.

The display 5 as the display means may be any display that can be visually recognized by the passengers of the vehicle, and is a display means composed of a plurality of light emitting members in addition to a display screen such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL. May be. In this way, it can be applied to various devices that do not have a display screen. When the display means is composed of a plurality of light emitting members, a display is performed to visually recognize the abnormality of the tire depending on the presence or absence of light emission of a part of the plurality of light emitting members, and the presence or absence of light emission of the remaining light emitting members of the vehicle. Other information required by the passenger may be displayed. Further, the control unit 102 of the TPMS adapter 100 may be provided with an abnormality determination function by an abnormality determination program, and an LED lamp as a display means may be connected to the abnormality determination function. When the control unit 102 determines an abnormality of the tire based on the input signal, the LED lamp can be turned on or blinked to notify the abnormality.

The "display for visually recognizing an abnormality in the tire" is preferably a display capable of informing the passengers of the vehicle that an abnormality has occurred in the tire. Therefore, the figure may be a figure for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire other than the above icon M, and any embodiment may be used as long as the passenger of the vehicle can visually and intuitively recognize the abnormality of the tire visually and intuitively. In the above aspect, the notification is performed by voice output together with the display, but it may be display only or voice output only.

The "other information required by the occupant of the vehicle" may be information that the occupant of the vehicle does not want to be prevented from acquiring, depending on the preference of the occupant of the vehicle, the purpose of traveling, or the date and time. For example, the position of the own vehicle, the guide route, the destination, the figure or color for visually recognizing the notification target, the speed indicating the state of the vehicle, the fuel consumption, the item name for visually recognizing the tire pressure or temperature, the numerical value, etc. It may be a character or number such as a unit or a figure that recognizes a specific object by a figure. In this way, the driver does not have to be hindered from seeing other information during driving and the driving is not affected.

The "mode that does not interfere with the visibility of other information required by the passenger of the vehicle" may be a mode that does not overlap with other information required by the passenger of the vehicle, or may be transparent even if it overlaps with the other information. Then, other information may be visible. In this way, the passenger of the vehicle does not have to be hindered from acquiring the information. Further, for example, a mode in which an abnormality of the tire is visually recognized may be displayed in a region where only the background color does not form a specific meaning. By doing so, it is possible to notify the tire abnormality more clearly without obstructing the visibility of not only other information required by the passenger of the vehicle but also other information.

The control means may be realized by one control unit or by a plurality of control units. All the control units may be provided inside the vehicle, all the control units may be provided outside the vehicle, or a part of the control unit may be provided inside the vehicle and a part other than the part outside the vehicle. May be provided. At least a part of the functions of the control unit may be placed on the server, the functions may be executed on the server, and the electronic device owned by the user may be a system for acquiring the execution result. It is also possible to register a part or all of the information registered in the database in the server. The radar detector and other electronic devices / devices may be provided with a function of communicating with the server, and the control unit may be a system that appropriately accesses the server, acquires necessary information, and executes processing.

The "area recognized as a specific group" may be, for example, an area recognized as an element common or related in appearance or idea. For example, the area surrounded by the outer edge of the mark indicating the vehicle position, destination, notification target, etc. in the map display, the area where the guide route and the traveling route are color-coded, the speed indicating the state of the vehicle, the fuel consumption, and the tire pressure. , The item name, numerical value, and unit for visually recognizing the temperature may be an area surrounded by a line or a color, or a graphic area for recognizing a specific object by a figure.

The area "outside the area recognized as a specific group" is, for example, the area of the street other than the vehicle position, the destination, the guide route and the traveling route, the area outside the area surrounded by lines or colors, or the figure. It should be the outer area. By doing so, the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire becomes conspicuous and easy to see.

The "region recognized as a specific group" may be a region recognized as a specific object. The specific object may be, for example, an object related to driving of a vehicle, and in particular, an object similar to an object constituting the vehicle or an object visually recognized as the vehicle travels. As the material constituting the vehicle, for example, a meter, an engine, a vehicle body, or the like may be used. As an object that can be visually recognized as the vehicle travels, for example, a road sign, a logo such as a signboard, or the shape of a building or the like may be used.

The "information whose display content changes" may be information whose characters, numbers, shapes, colors, and sizes change with the passage of time. "Information that changes as the state of the vehicle changes" is information obtained based on signals input from the outside while the vehicle is running, such as the position of the vehicle, vehicle speed, fuel consumption, tire pressure, and temperature. Good. The "area in which the displayed contents do not change" may be an area in which the characters, numbers, shapes, colors, and sizes do not change with the passage of time.

The "peripheral portion of the display area of the information whose display content changes" may be a position outside the display area of the information whose display content changes and is in contact with or not in contact with the display area but in the vicinity thereof.

The "area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to" may be information that the driver must constantly check while driving. In particular, the area of interest to the driver of the vehicle may be, for example, the position of the own vehicle, the guide route, or the speed during traveling.

The "information on the condition of the tire" may be only one of the tire pressure and the temperature. The external input from the tire sensor may be, for example, a wired input or a wireless reception.

A different color may be set for the "display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire" depending on the degree of the abnormality. In this way, the different colors allow the passengers of the vehicle to intuitively recognize the degree of danger.

The mode of the sound output together with the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire may be other than the above. It may be something that identifies the tire and notifies the abnormality, such as "The air pressure on the right rear wheel is decreasing", or it may be something that prompts an inspection, such as "Please check the air on the left front wheel". .. If there is no abnormality, sounds such as "No abnormality" and "Good" may be output.

"Intermittent reception" means, for example, that it is not always continuously received, and may be received at a fixed timing or at a specific timing. For example, immediately after starting the radar detector 1, the tire information is displayed on the screen that communicates with the tire sensor 38, and if there is no particular abnormality, the normal standby screen is displayed. After that, it may be received at a regular timing. Even during running, if there is an abnormality in the tire, the tire information display is switched to notify the abnormality.

When the radio receiver 15 controlled by the control unit 18 receives a signal from the tire sensor during scanning of the control radio wave, if information on the tire condition can be received, the radar detector is continued by scanning. It becomes possible to be compatible with 1.

When the tire sensor 38 transmits for a certain period of time when the measured pressure value exceeds a certain pressure value or the measured temperature value exceeds a certain temperature value, the wireless receiver 15 receives the timing corresponding to the transmission. Will be received. If the control unit 18 does not determine an abnormality, the reception frequency is low, and if it is determined to be an abnormality, the reception frequency is increased to ensure compatibility with the crackdown radio waves and increase the frequency of tire abnormality monitoring. May be good.

The radio wave intensity and frequency of the tire sensor 38 may be any as long as they avoid interference with other radio waves used. For the detection frequency of the tire sensor, select the optimum one in consideration of the balance between power consumption and abnormality detection accuracy. As for the display frequency of the display 5, the optimum one is selected in consideration of the troublesomeness of screen change and the early detection of abnormality.

In this way, by connecting to an existing system configured as an in-vehicle electronic device, it is possible to easily add a function for visually displaying an abnormality in the tire. Vehicle owners can save money by purchasing a simple and inexpensive receiver rather than a new system.

The system to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the radar detector 1. It can be applied to in-vehicle electronic devices having various configurations, for example, car navigation systems and drive recorders. It is also conceivable to reduce the band that receives the wireless receiver in the in-vehicle electronic device and add the TPMS function to the extent that the cost is reduced.

In the judgment of magnitude of threshold value, judgment of match / mismatch, etc., judge by including the value as above, below, or do not include the value as greater than, less than, exceed, not exceed, exceed, below, or less. You are free to judge. Therefore, for example, depending on the value setting, "greater than or equal to" can be changed to "greater than", "greater than", "greater than", and "less than or equal to" can be changed to "less than", "not exceeded", "below", or "less than". Even if it is read as a new word, it is substantially the same. Upper and lower limit values are set as the threshold values of air pressure and temperature for determining a tire abnormality, and if the upper limit value is exceeded or the lower limit value is exceeded, it may be determined as an abnormality. ..

The function as a system of the present invention is configured as a program to be realized by a computer provided in the control unit 18, but the program is not limited to this, and the program may be distributed and processed in a plurality of computers.

1 ... Radar detector 2 ... Case body 3 ... Bracket 5 ... Display 6 ... Touch panel 7 ... Volume adjustment button 8 ... Work button 10 ... Memory card reader 11 ... Memory card 12 ... DC jack 13 ... GPS receiver 14 ... Micro Wave receiver 15 ... Wireless receiver 16 ... Speaker 18, 102 ... Control unit 19 ... Database 22, 27 ... Connection cable 23, 25 ... Connector terminal 24 ... Socket port 26 ... Cigar plug cord 31 ... Lamp 32 ... Remote control receiver 33 ... Remote control 34 ... Infrared communication device 35 ... Mobile phone 36 ... Geomagnetic sensor 37 ... Acceleration sensor 38 ... Tire sensor 41 ... Ring frame 100 ... TPMS adapter 101 ... Cases 101A, 101B, 101C ... Input connection terminals 101a, 101b ... For output Connection terminal 104 ... Power supply circuit 106 ... Status lamp 111 ... Own vehicle icon 112 ... Target icon 121 ... Current time 122 ... GPS radio reception level display icon 123 ... Parking prohibited area icon 124 ... Reception sensitivity mode display icon 125 ... Vehicle speed 126 ... Directional magnetic needle 130 ... GPS alarm display

Claims (3)

In a system that determines a tire abnormality based on information on the tire condition input from the outside and controls the display means to visually display the tire abnormality provided in the vehicle.
After determining a tire abnormality based on the information on the tire condition input from the outside and displaying a display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality on the display means, the information on the condition of the tire determined to be the abnormality is not received. A system characterized by having a function of stopping a display for visually recognizing an abnormality of the tire in some cases. It is characterized by having a function of stopping the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire on the display means when a stop instruction from the user is input after displaying the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire on the display means. The system according to claim 1. A program for realizing the function of the system according to claim 1 or 2 in a computer.