JP7270297B2 - System, receiver and program - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD 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 an abnormality in a tire.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a system for notifying a passenger of a vehicle of an abnormality in a tire. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a system that automatically measures the air pressure of a tire and warns the driver when the air pressure drops below a specified value. Furthermore, Patent Literature 1 proposes a system capable of monitoring the air pressure of a spare tire during storage and use. This system notifies a tire abnormality by displaying text explaining the tire abnormality on the entire screen of a display device mounted on the vehicle.

JP-A-2003-228787

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

Further, for example, if the electronic equipment for vehicle has a function as a radar detector, in addition to displaying a warning screen when a target is warning, various information useful for driving is displayed when there is no warning. be done. Various types of information useful for driving include, for example, maps, clocks, and speed displays.

However, when a tire abnormality is detected, displaying text explaining the tire abnormality on the entire screen in preference to all other displays is difficult for the occupant of the vehicle to view and obtain other information. will hinder In particular, the driver is prevented from obtaining necessary information while driving, which may hinder driving to a place where tire inspection, tire replacement, or the like is performed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems. The purpose is to provide a system etc. that does not interfere with driving to.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides: (1) A system that performs control for displaying information on a display means visible to a passenger, in which the passenger of the vehicle is notified of an abnormality in the tires of the vehicle. is displayed on the display means in a manner that does not hinder the visual recognition of other information required by passengers of the vehicle.

In this way, it is possible to prompt the occupants of the vehicle to stop at a safe place, check the tires, and change the tires. Moreover, the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality does not interfere with the visual recognition of other information required by the vehicle occupant, so that it does not interfere with the information acquisition by the vehicle occupant. Vehicle occupants can continue to obtain the information they need unhindered and without offense. In addition, for the driver of the vehicle, the necessary information can be continuously obtained while driving, so it does not interfere with driving and maintains safe driving to the place where tire inspection, tire replacement, etc. is performed. can.

The display means may, for example, be capable of displaying information visually recognizable by 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.

A tire anomaly may be, for example, a deviation of air pressure or temperature from a set standard. In this way, a tire whose air pressure and temperature are significantly different from those in normal conditions can be regarded as an abnormal tire. Furthermore, for example, the criteria for determining whether or not there is an abnormality may differ depending on the type of tire, vehicle type, or mounting position. In this way, since the air pressure or temperature to be regarded as abnormal differs depending on the type of tire, vehicle type, or mounting position, it is possible to accurately determine abnormality.

The display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire may be, for example, a display capable of informing the passenger of the vehicle that the abnormality has occurred in the tire. Further, for example, it is preferable to use a figure as a display for visually recognizing an abnormality in a tire. In this way, the occupant of the vehicle can immediately and intuitively visually recognize the abnormality of the tire.

Other information required by the vehicle occupant may be information that the vehicle occupant does not wish to be prevented from obtaining, for example, depending on the vehicle occupant's preferences, purpose of travel or time of day. Furthermore, other information required by passengers of the vehicle includes, for example, the position of the vehicle on the map display, the guidance route, the destination, the figure or color that visually recognizes the notification target, the speed that indicates the state of the vehicle, the fuel consumption, and the like. It is preferable to use letters or numerals such as item names, numerical values, units, etc. for visually recognizing the pneumatic pressure or temperature of the tire, or graphics for recognizing specific objects. In this way, the driver will not be hindered from viewing other information while driving, which may affect his or her driving.

A mode that does not hinder the visual recognition of other information required by the vehicle occupant may be, for example, a mode that does not overlap other information required by the vehicle occupant, or a mode that does not overlap with the other information. It is good also as the aspect which can visually recognize other information by doing. In this way, passengers of the vehicle do not have to be prevented from obtaining information. Further, for example, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which a tire abnormality is displayed visually in an area where the specific meaning is not formed only by the background color. In this way, it is possible to more clearly notify the tire abnormality without hindering not only other information required by the vehicle occupant but also other information.

Further, for example, in the case where the display means is composed of a plurality of light-emitting members, depending on the presence or absence of light emission from some of the plurality of light-emitting members, a display is provided to make the abnormality of the tire visible, and the remaining light-emitting members emit light. Depending on the presence, other information required by the vehicle occupants may be displayed.
For example, the control means may be provided entirely within the vehicle, may be provided entirely outside the vehicle, or may be partially provided inside the vehicle and other portions provided outside the vehicle. can be Also, the control means may be realized by, for example, one control unit or may be realized by a plurality of control units.

(2) Other information required by passengers of the vehicle is information displayed in an area recognized as a specific unit, and a mode that does not hinder the visual recognition of the other information is recognized as the specific unit. It is preferable to provide a display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality in an area outside the area where the tire is displayed.

In this way, the information displayed in the area recognized as a specific unit is often the information that is highly necessary for the vehicle occupants, and the visual recognition of the information in such an area can be used to determine if there is an abnormality in the tire. Since the visible display does not interfere with the vehicle occupants, they can continue to obtain highly necessary information.

A region recognized as a specific unit may be, for example, a region recognized as having common or related elements in terms of appearance or concept. For example, in the map display, the area surrounded by the outer edge of the mark representing the vehicle position, destination, notification target, etc., the area where the guide route and driving route are color-coded, the speed, fuel consumption, and tire pressure that indicate the state of the vehicle. , an area in which item names, numerical values, and units for visually recognizing the temperature are surrounded by lines or colors, and a graphic area for recognizing a specific object by its shape. The area outside the area recognized as a specific group includes, for example, the vehicle position, the destination, the area of the street other than the guide route and the driving route, the area outside the area surrounded by lines or colors, or the area outside the figure. area. By doing so, the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is conspicuous and easy to see.

The area recognized as a specific group is preferably an area recognized as a specific object. The specific object may be, for example, an object related to driving a car, particularly an object similar to an object constituting a vehicle, or an object visually recognized as the vehicle travels. For example, a meter, an engine, a vehicle body, and the like may be used as components of the vehicle. Objects that are visually recognized as the vehicle travels include, for example, logos such as road signs and billboards, and the shapes of buildings and the like.

(3) The other information required by the passengers of the vehicle may be information whose display contents change.

The information whose display contents change is, for example, information that is necessary for the vehicle occupants and information that they want to see continuously. Therefore, the passengers of the vehicle who are looking at the display means do not feel 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 contents change may be information that changes with changes in the state of the vehicle.

In this way, information that changes with the state of the vehicle is information that the driver of the vehicle wants to know at all times. You can maintain safe driving to the place where the replacement is performed.

Information that changes with changes in the state of the vehicle is, for example, the position of the vehicle, vehicle speed, fuel consumption, tire pressure, temperature, etc., obtained from external signals while the vehicle is running. good.

(5) It is preferable that the display position of the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality is a region in which the display content does not change.

In this way, by displaying the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality in an area where the display content does not change, the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality can be made conspicuous, and the tire abnormality can be noticed by the passengers of the vehicle. I can let you know for sure.

The area whose display content does not change may be, for example, an area whose characters, numbers, shape, color, and size do not change with the passage of time. In addition, for example, when the color or shape of a part of a figure that is recognized as a unit changes, such as a figure that recognizes a specific object by its shape, the area where the display content does not change is the A region other than the entire figure may be used. 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 information display areas in which the display contents change.

In this way, even if the information whose display contents change is displayed in a plurality of areas, the tire abnormality is displayed in a manner that does not hinder the visual recognition. A person can clearly recognize an abnormality in a tire without being confused.

(7) It is preferable that the display position of the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is the peripheral portion of the display area of the information in which the display content changes.

In this way, since the information whose display contents change is likely to catch the eye of the vehicle occupant, by displaying the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire in the surrounding area, the changing information can be visually recognized. It is possible to make it easy for the passenger to notice the abnormality of the tire while avoiding hindrance to the vehicle.

The peripheral portion may be, for example, a position outside the display area of information whose display content changes and in contact with the display area or a position in the vicinity thereof although not in contact with the display area.

(8) The display area of the information in which the display content changes is set as an area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to, and the display position of the display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality is set to a portion other than the area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to. should be

In this way, the driver of the vehicle is not prevented from visually recognizing the area of interest, so that the driver is not confused and can maintain safe driving to the place where the tire inspection or replacement is to be performed.

The area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to may be, for example, information that the driver always needs to check while driving. In particular, the area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to may be, for example, the position of the vehicle during travel, the guidance route, or the speed.

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

In this way, the tire abnormality is visually superimposed on the portion of only one color, so that there is no misleading display behind the tire abnormality visual confirmation display, and the occupants of the vehicle are not confused. There is no For example, if a graphic representing a specific object is displayed in a background and color-coded lines, and a tire abnormality display is superimposed on it, it may be difficult for the vehicle occupants to see it, but it is displayed in only one color. This makes it easier for the vehicle occupants to see.

(10) The other information required by the passenger of the vehicle may be information about the condition of the tires input from the outside.

In this way, even if it is difficult for the passenger of the vehicle to determine whether the tire is abnormal based only on the information about the tire condition, the tire abnormality can be separately visually recognized by displaying the information. , can be made to notice anomalies reliably.

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

(11) It is preferable to have switching instruction input means for inputting an instruction to switch to an externally input tire condition information display to the control means while the tire abnormality display is being displayed.

In this way, when the vehicle passenger inputs the switching instruction using the switching instruction input means when the tire abnormality is visually displayed, the information about the tire condition is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to know detailed information about tire abnormalities.

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 to use the switching instruction input means as a touch panel for the display area for displaying the abnormality of the tire. This is preferable because it facilitates operation by the passenger of the vehicle.

(12) The information about the state of the tires 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, a vehicle passenger can easily determine the occurrence of an abnormality based on, for example, the average tire temperature. In addition, the passenger of the vehicle can identify the tire in which the abnormality has occurred, for example, based on the air pressure of each tire and the temperature of each tire.

(13) The control means preferably has a stop instruction input means for inputting a stop instruction to stop the display for visually confirming the tire abnormality.

In this way, the passenger of the vehicle who has become aware of the tire abnormality from the display for visually confirming the tire abnormality can stop the display using the stop instruction input means. 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 to use the display area for displaying the tire abnormality visually as a stop instruction input means as a touch panel. This is preferable because it facilitates operation by the passenger of the vehicle.

(14) It is preferable that the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire has a different color according to the degree of the abnormality.

In this way, the passengers of the vehicle can be made to intuitively recognize the degree of danger by the different colors.

(15) It is preferable to have 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 vehicle occupants who are not looking at the display screen of the display means of the tire abnormality.

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

In this way, by giving priority to notification of a plurality of types of events and performing a display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality, it is possible to make the tire abnormality known more reliably.

The notification of the event may be, for example, information that is notified based on information input from the outside. For example, the presence of a specific installation on a road, the presence of external wireless communication, arrival at a destination, passage through a waypoint, etc., may be events to be reported.

The notification may be, for example, a mode in which the event is notified to the occupants of the vehicle by means of display by display means, sound by sound output means, or both.

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

In this way, the display of information necessary for the passenger of the vehicle is not obstructed by the display for visually confirming the tire abnormality, so that the passenger of the vehicle, especially the driver, does not feel uncomfortable. , you can continue to drive safely.

(18) It is preferable that the control means determines whether the tire is abnormal based on information about the state of the tire that is input from the outside.

In this way, the control means determines whether the tire is abnormal, so that it does not take time to determine the passenger of the vehicle. The determination of the abnormality may be made periodically, for example, but it is more preferable to make the determination immediately based on the information regarding the state of the tire.

(19) A predetermined period after the control means determines a tire abnormality based on the information about the tire condition input from the outside and causes the display means to display a display for visually recognizing the tire abnormality. If the information about the condition of the tire determined to be abnormal is not input or if there is no change in the information about the condition of the tire that is input, it is preferable to stop the display for visually confirming the abnormality of the tire.

In this way, when the tire determined to be abnormal is replaced with a normal tire after the display for visually confirming the tire abnormality is displayed, if the abnormal tire is removed and outside the vehicle, the tire can be If the information regarding the state of the tire is not received and an abnormal tire is installed in the vehicle, the information regarding the state of the tire does not change. Therefore, in such a case, it is possible to avoid the annoyance of the continuous display by stopping the display of the tire abnormality assuming that the tire has been replaced.

(20) The information about the state of the tire input from the outside may be information included in intermittently received signals transmitted from a sensor installed in the tire.

In this way, intermittent reception of the signal from the sensor installed on the tire can be prevented from interfering with reception of other signals in the system.

Intermittent reception means, for example, not always receiving continuously, and may be received at regular intervals or at specific timing.

(21) The system of any one of (1) to (20) is configured as an in-vehicle electronic device, receiving means for receiving information about the state of the tire transmitted from a sensor installed on the tire, and the receiving means A receiving device having output means for outputting the received tire condition information to the system may be provided 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 the function of visually recognizing tire abnormalities. Vehicle owners can save money by purchasing simple and inexpensive receivers rather than new systems.

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

In this way, intermittent reception of the signal from the sensor installed on the tire can be prevented from interfering with reception of other signals in the system.

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

In this way, the vehicle occupant can confirm the information about the tire condition together with the self-diagnosis information of the vehicle. The vehicle self-diagnosis information may be, for example, OBD information. For example, the control means of the system may display the tire condition information on a screen interface common to the screen interface on which the self-diagnostic information of the vehicle is displayed. In this way, it may be possible to provide a display that does not give a sense of incompatibility with the existing screen display for the passengers of the vehicle. Additionally, information about the condition of the tires may be displayed as part of the customizable screen interface. In this way, it may be possible to match the preferences of the vehicle occupants.

(24) Assuming the configuration of (23), the receiving means, the output means, and the signal input means are configured in a housing, connected to the signal input means on one side of the housing, and connected to the signal input means in the vehicle. A plurality of types of connection terminals that are alternatively selected for connection with a signal line are provided, and are connected to the output means on a side surface of the housing opposite to the one side surface for connection with the system. may be provided with a plurality of types of connection terminals that are alternatively selected.

In this way, since the terminals on the input side and the terminals on the output side are separated on the opposite sides of the housing, it is easy for those who perform wiring connection work. Since the output side is positioned approximately on the extension line of the input side, it is easy to install the wiring so as not to apply an excessive load to the connection portion.

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

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

(26) The functions as control means in the system of (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, etc., which does not hinder the visual recognition and acquisition of information by the passengers of the vehicle, and does not hinder the driver from driving to the place where the tire is inspected, replaced, or the like. can.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a radar detector that is a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radar detector; FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a standby screen; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a warning screen; It is an explanatory view showing an example of a tire condition display screen. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map screen displaying an icon warning about tire conditions; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a triple meter display screen including a tire pressure object; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a tire pressure object; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an object of tire average temperature; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an object displaying the temperature of each tire; It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a TPMS setting screen. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a TPMS adapter; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection relationship between a TPMS adapter and a connector; It is the one side view (a) provided with the input side terminal of the case of a TPMS adapter, and the other side view (b) provided with the output side terminal. It is one side view (a) provided with the power lamp of the case of a TPMS adapter, and the other side view (b) provided with the status lamp. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the installation aspect of a TPMS adapter. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a tire condition display screen displaying an icon warning about the condition of tires; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of a triple meter displaying an icon for warning the condition of a tire;

[1. Configuration of electronic device]
1 and 2 show a radar detector 1, which is a preferred embodiment of electronic equipment that constitutes the system of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the front side of the radar detector 1 (the side facing the rear of the vehicle (driver's side)), and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the rear side. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the radar detector 1. As shown in FIG.

The radar detector 1 is provided with a thin rectangular case body 2, and is attached and fixed to a vehicle dashboard or the like using a bracket 3 attached to the lower rear side of the case body 2. As shown in FIG.

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

A right side surface of the case main body 2 is provided with a card insertion slot 9 for inserting a memory card 11 as a detachable recording medium, and a memory card reader 10 is built inside the card insertion slot 9 in the case main body 2. be. The memory card 11 is attached to the memory card reader 10 by inserting the memory card 11 through the card insertion slot 9 . The memory card reader 10 takes in data stored in the attached memory card 11 . More specifically, the data stored in the memory card 11 includes update information such as new alarm target information (position information such as longitude and latitude, type information, etc.), and the update information is used for control. Under the control of the unit 18, the data is stored (downloaded) in the database 19 built in the device, 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. The database 19 has map data and information about certain warning targets registered at the time of shipment, and data about additional warning targets and the like are updated as described above.

A GPS receiver 13 is arranged inside the upper central part of the back side of the case body 2, and a microwave receiver 14 and a radio receiver 15 are arranged next to it. The GPS receiver 13 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and outputs current position (longitude/latitude) information. A microwave receiver 14 receives microwaves of a predetermined frequency emitted from the speed measuring device. The radio receiver 15 receives incoming radio waves of a predetermined frequency. A speaker 16 is also built in the lower part of the case body 2 . A 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 . This 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 indicator 5, a lamp 31, a remote control receiver 32, and an infrared communication device 34 are arranged on the front surface of the case body 2 (not shown in FIG. 1). The lamp 31 gives a warning by lighting in various colors according to the type and degree of urgency of the warning. A remote control receiver 32 performs data communication with a remote control (portable device: child device) 33 by infrared rays, and performs various settings for the apparatus. The infrared communication device 34 transmits and receives data to and 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 geomagnetism to detect which direction the north direction is relative to the traveling direction. The acceleration sensor 37 is a sensor that detects longitudinal, lateral, and vertical acceleration of the vehicle.

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

The other end of the connection cable 22 is provided with a connector terminal 25 for connecting to a socket port 24 provided on the side surface of the case body 2 of the radar detector 1. is detachable. 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. The vehicle information includes, for example, vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load factor, throttle degree, ignition timing, remaining fuel ratio, intake manifold pressure, intake air flow rate (MAF), injection opening time, engine cooling water temperature (cooling water temperature), temperature of the air taken into the engine (intake air temperature), air 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 are winker information (operation of left and right winkers (ON/OFF)), brake opening, rotation steering angle information of the steering wheel, and the like.

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

[2. Basic functions of electronic devices]
The functions of the radar detector 1 of this embodiment are stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 as programs executed by the computer that is the control unit 18, and are realized by the computer of the control unit 18 executing the programs. Functions realized by the computer by means of the programs of 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, a radio alarm function, and the like.

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, for example, in NMEA format.

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

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. In addition, the map display function searches for alarm targets around the current position based on the position information stored in the database 19, and if there are alarm targets in the vicinity, the alert target is displayed at the corresponding position on the map. It also has a function of superimposing and displaying information (target icon 112, etc.). A specific display mode is as follows.

The control unit 18 displays a map in the main display area R1 which is 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 such that the center of the lower side of the main display area R1 is the current position of the vehicle, and displays the vehicle icon 111 at that position.

The control unit 18 displays status information in a status area R2 set above the main display area R1. The status information displayed in the status area R2 is, from left to right, the current time 121 ("15:10" in the figure) and the GPS signal reception level display icon 122 (in the figure, three straight lines of different lengths are arranged in parallel). maximum reception level when standing up), no-parking area icon 123 (displayed when parking is in the most important parking area or in the parking important area), reception sensitivity mode display icon 124 indicating the reception sensitivity of the radar (in the figure, the highest sensitivity "SE") ), vehicle speed 125 (“30 km/h” in the figure), and compass needle 126 . The status area R2 is a transparent area and is arranged using a layer above the layer of the main display area R1. As a result, even within the status area R2, the map positioned below can be visually recognized in a place where the status information is not displayed.

The control unit 18 displays the current scale information (scale) in a scale display area R3 set on the left side of the main display area R1. The scale indicates the distance from the vehicle position to the middle 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). do. The unit is "m". When the control unit 18 detects that the main display region R1 has been touched twice in succession, the control unit 18 displays a map scale change button at a predetermined position within the main display region R1 (a position along the scale display region R3) (see omitted), and the map scale is changed according to the touch on 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 changed scale of the map scale, and also changes the scale information displayed in the scale display area R3.

The control unit 18 detects one touch on the display 5 during execution of the standby screen display function as shown in FIG. 3(a), and displays the menu screen. The control unit 18 detects that the screen switching button provided in the menu screen is touched, and switches to the map display function as shown in FIG. 3(b). Similarly, the control unit 18 that detects one touch on the display 5 during execution of the map display function displays the menu screen. The control unit 18 detects that the screen switching button provided in the menu screen has been touched, and performs processing for switching to the standby screen display function.

The control unit 18 controls the GPS warning function, the radar wave warning function, the wireless It executes processing for realizing each function such as an alarm function, and returns to the processing of the original standby function when the processing of the function is completed. The priority of each function is set in order of radar wave warning function, radio warning function, and GPS warning function from the highest one.

The GPS alarm function is a process that is executed at predetermined time intervals (one second intervals) by an event from a timer in the control unit 18, and the latitude and longitude of the alarm target stored in the database 19 and detected by the GPS receiver 13. The distance between the two is obtained from the latitude and longitude of the current position, and when the obtained distance reaches a predetermined proximity distance, a GPS alarm display 130 (alarm target), which is an alarm screen as shown in FIG. (schematic diagram, remaining distance, etc.), and outputting an approach warning sound from the speaker 16 to that effect.

Such warning targets include drowsy driving accident points, speed measuring devices (radar type, loop coil type, H system, LH system, phototube type, mobile type, etc.), speed limit switching points, control areas, inspection areas, and parking surveillance. Area, N system, Traffic monitoring system, Intersection monitoring point, Traffic signal ignoring control system, Police station, Accident-prone area, Vehicle target-prone area, Sharp/continuous curve (highway), Junction/merging point (highway), ETC Lane Advance Information (Highway), Service Area (Highway), Parking Area (Highway), Highway Oasis (Highway), Smart Interchange (Highway), PA/SA Gas Station (Highway), Tunnel (Highway) roads), highway radio reception areas (highways), prefectural border announcements, roadside stations, view point parking, etc. Type information of these targets, latitude and longitude information indicating their positions, and schematic diagrams displayed on the display 5 Alternatively, the photograph data and the voice data are stored in the database 19 in association with each other.

FIG. 4(a) shows a display example of the radar wave warning function. This radar wave warning function is activated when the microwave receiver 14 detects a signal corresponding to microwaves in the frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device (such as a mobile radar (hereinafter simply referred to as "radar")). , an alarm function for displaying a GPS alarm display 131 as an alarm screen on the display 5 and outputting an alarm sound from the speaker 16 . For example, when microwaves in the microwave frequency band emitted by radar are detected by the microwave receiver 14, a schematic diagram or photograph of the radar stored in the database 19 is displayed as shown in FIG. It is displayed as an alarm screen on the device 5, and the voice data stored in the database 19 is read out and displayed as "Radar. Beware of speed. ” is output from the speaker 16 . The displayed distance may be, for example, the distance estimated from the electric field strength.

The radio alarm function is a function of issuing an alarm so as not to hinder the movement of the emergency vehicle or the like when the radio receiver 15 receives the radio wave emitted by the emergency vehicle or the like. In the radio alarm function, control radio, car location radio, digital radio, special radio, station active radio, police phone, police activity radio, tow radio, helicopter radio, fire helicopter radio, firefighting radio, emergency radio, expressway radio , security radio frequencies, etc., and when a radio signal is received at the scanned frequency, a schematic diagram indicating that the radio signal corresponding to the frequency stored in the database 19 for each radio type has been received is displayed as an alarm screen. Along with being displayed on the display 5, the voice data stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is read out, and an alarm sound indicating the wireless type is output from the speaker 16. FIG. For example, if you receive a crackdown radio, "This is a crackdown radio. Beware of speed. ] to output the sound.

[3. Tire sensor]
The present embodiment implements a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) function by the control unit 18 executing a program. To implement this TPMS function, the control unit 18 uses signals transmitted from the tire sensors 38 .

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

The radio receiver 33 of the radar detector 1 receives radio waves (eg, 315 MHz) transmitted from tire sensors 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 radio waves that are 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]
A TPMS function realized by the control unit 18 in addition to the basic functions described above will be described. The TPMS functions include 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 extracting function is a function for extracting information (ID, air pressure, temperature) regarding the state of tires from the radio waves of the tire sensor 38 determined by the control unit 18 by the radio wave determination program.

The tire condition display function is a function in which the control unit 18 causes the display device 5 to display information about the tire condition extracted by the tire information extraction program, using the tire condition display program. In this embodiment, the control unit 18 displays information about tire conditions 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 tire condition information extracted by the tire information extraction program is abnormal by the abnormality determination program. The control unit 18 determines that there is an abnormality when the air pressure or temperature is above or below the values set in the database 19, or when the values deviate 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 controller 18 determines that the tire condition is abnormal by the abnormality determination program. As will be described later, the predetermined icon display mode is a mode that does not hinder the visual recognition of other information required by the vehicle occupant.

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

The TPMS setting function is a function for the control unit 18 to set values (pneumatic pressure, temperature) and the like for determining that the state of the tire is abnormal using the TPMS setting program. The control unit 18 causes the display device 5 to display a setting screen, and stores the values input from the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 in the database 19 . A value pre-stored in the database 19 by default may be used. By default, the database 19 also stores in advance a value indicating how far from the set value it should be determined to be abnormal.

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

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 according to the tire rotation program in response to tire replacement by tire rotation. The replacement of the sensor ID of the tire sensor 38 is performed by the controller 18 causing the display 5 to display a setting screen and selecting the target tire from the touch panel 6 or the remote control 33 .

[5. TPMS treatment]
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 device 5 to display information (pneumatic pressure, temperature) regarding the state of the tire 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 air pressure and temperature of each tire, the controller 18 displays the information for each tire on the screen.

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

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

[Pronunciation to indicate 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 indicating the tire abnormality by the abnormality sound output function. For example, "There is something wrong with the tires. Please be careful when driving. ] will be output. In the case where the sound is output once, for example, a sound is output every 5 minutes to notify the abnormality of the tire in consideration of the case where the passenger of the vehicle fails to hear the sound.

[Alarm sound]
The control unit 18 also issues an alarm that specifically informs the content of the abnormality. First, when the air pressure of the tire exceeds the specified value set in advance by 10%, the control unit 18 displays the message “The specified value of the air pressure is exceeded. It affects driving. ” is output from the speaker 16 .

In addition, when the air pressure of the tire is 10% below the specified value set in advance, the control unit 18 displays the message "The air pressure is below the set value. It affects fuel consumption. ” is output from the speaker 16 . Furthermore, when the air pressure of the tire is 1.5 kgf/cm2 or less, the controller 18 warns, "This is dangerous! There is a risk of puncture. ” is output from the speaker 16 .

[Tire rotation]
When performing tire rotation, the user uses the touch panel 6 or the remote control 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 vehicle graphic.

Then, the control unit 18 causes the display 5 to display the item "Would you like to rotate the tires?" and the selection buttons of YES and NO. When the user selects YES using the touch panel or remote controller, the control unit 18 exchanges the registered sensor IDs for the two selected tires.

The selection operation on the touch panel 6 is performed by touching a button or tire graphic displayed on the display 5 . The selection operation of the remote controller 33 is the same operation as that of the touch panel by moving the cursor using the cursor button and by using the decision button (for example, ● button).

[If there is a tire problem while displaying another screen]
When a map is displayed on the display unit 5 by the map display function, the control unit 18 displays an icon for recognizing the tire abnormality on a part of the screen when the abnormality determination function determines that the tire is abnormal. Display and notify of danger. Tire abnormalities are very dangerous, so the controller 18 flashes the icon to make it stand out.

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

In FIG. 6, an icon M is displayed in a street area other than the guide route and the travel route. This area is also a portion other than the area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to. In this way, the control unit 18 displays the tire abnormality with the icon M on a screen other than the tire status display.

The user inputs a switching instruction by selecting the icon M using the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 while the icon M is displayed. Then, the control unit 18 switches the screen of the display 5 to the screen displaying the tire condition by the tire condition display function.

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

FIG. 7 is a preset screen including objects B1 to B3 for displaying three types of information out of a large number of information in accordance with the selection by the user's input using the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33. . The left object B1 in FIG. 7 displays a clock, the central object B2 displays tire air pressure, and the right object B3 displays speed.

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

Object B2 in the center displays a number indicating the air pressure of the tire in units of kPa. The position of the numbers corresponds to the position of the tires with the front of the car pointing upwards on the display screen. That is, the upper right indicates the air pressure for the right front wheel, the lower right indicates the air pressure for the right rear wheel, the upper left indicates the air pressure for the left front wheel, and the lower left indicates the air pressure for the left rear wheel. Below these figures, the units (kPa) are displayed with a horizontal line between them.

The control unit 18 displays the air pressure of the tire determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination function, distinguishing it from the air pressure of other tires. In FIG. 7, since the tire pressure of the right front wheel is low, the numbers are displayed in different colors. For example, if the air pressure of the right front wheel is abnormal, the number indicating the air pressure of that tire is displayed in red.

The unit of tire pressure is kPa in international units. However, the unit of air pressure for Japanese car tires is kgf/cm2 (1 kgf/cm2 = 98.0665 kPa). Recently tire manufacturers often use kPa, but it would be preferable if kgf/cm2 could also be used. For this reason, the control unit 18 can also display objects in which the units of displayed numbers are changed according to the user's selection.

FIG. 8 is an object showing tire pressure in units of kgf/cm 2 used in Japanese cars. The display position of each number and the setting of color-coded display at the time of abnormality determination are the same as in FIG. In this way, the units of air pressure that are commonly used differ from country to country, so objects with different units of numbers to be displayed can be selected.

FIG. 9 is an object in which the average temperature of four tires obtained by the control unit 18 based on the temperature of each tire is indicated by a meter. This object has a meter needle in the upper half of the ring frame 41 that oscillates between the cold side (C) and the hot side (H) according to the average temperature of the tire. This object also has an arc-shaped scale as the background of the needle of the meter, which is cooler on the low temperature side and warmer on the higher temperature side. Furthermore, this object has a display in the lower half of the ring frame 41 showing a number indicating the average temperature in degrees Celsius. In the figure, the unit °C is displayed on the right under the number, and the tier indicating that it is a tire is displayed on the left.

FIG. 10 shows numbers indicating the temperature of each tire in units of degrees centigrade. The position of the numbers corresponds to the position of the tires with the front of the car pointing upwards on the display screen. That is, the upper right indicates the temperature of the right front wheel, the lower right indicates the temperature of the right rear wheel, the upper left indicates the temperature of the left front wheel, and the lower left indicates the temperature of the left rear wheel. Beneath these figures are indicated the temperature units (°C) with a horizontal line between them. It should be noted that the control unit 18 can display the temperature of a tire determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination function in red to distinguish it from the temperatures of other tires, similarly to the tire air pressure object.

In addition to the tire status object, the default objects include a clock, satellite information, tide information, vehicle speed, eco-driving, acceleration, tilt, compass indicating direction, and the like. Also, when the socket 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 obtained from the OBD2 can be displayed. As this object, instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average fuel consumption on ordinary roads, dynamic average fuel consumption at high speed, current fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, moving average fuel consumption, fuel flow rate, engine water temperature, intake air temperature, outside temperature, throttle opening, engine load, There are displays such as an intake manifold gauge, a boost gauge, and a tachometer. These objects can be displayed on the display 5 singly or in combination by the control unit 18 according to the user's selection.

[TPMS settings]
The optimal tire pressure varies 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 TPMS function as described above. This air pressure setting is performed by the user inputting an air pressure suitable for the type of vehicle.

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

The simpler the operation method, the easier it is for the user. Therefore, 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. Also, the optimum temperature is assumed to be 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 occupant of the vehicle of the tire anomaly with the icon M, which is a display for visualizing the tire anomaly, the occupant of the vehicle is urged to stop in a safe place, check the tire, and change the tire. can be done. Moreover, since the icon M does not interfere with the visual recognition of other information required by the vehicle occupant, it does not interfere with the acquisition of information by the vehicle occupant. Vehicle occupants can continue to obtain the information they need unhindered and without offense. In addition, for the driver of the vehicle, the necessary information can be continuously obtained while driving, so it does not interfere with driving and maintains safe driving to the place where tire inspection, tire replacement, etc. is performed. can.

(B) By notifying the passengers of the vehicle of the information about the condition of the tires, they can drive more safely and contribute to eco-driving. For example, when the air pressure of a tire becomes too low, the following merits can be obtained by informing the driver of the information and prompting the driver to take countermeasures.
・It is possible to prevent deterioration of fuel consumption due to an increase in grip force.
・It is possible to prevent the tire life from being shortened due to an increase in contact area with the road.
・Burst due to standing wave phenomenon can be prevented.
・The deterioration of operability (cornering performance, etc.) can be prevented.

Further, for example, when the air pressure of a tire becomes excessive, the following merits can be obtained by informing the driver of the information and prompting the driver to take countermeasures.
・Tires are less likely to bounce, preventing deterioration in ride comfort.
・It is possible to prevent the difficulty of transmission of braking performance and driving performance due to a 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 area surrounded by the outer edges of the own vehicle icon 111 and the target icon 112, and the guidance route 113, the display is conspicuous. easier to see. The same is true if the icon M is displayed in areas other than the travel route and the destination. In addition, since the icon M is displayed in areas other than the driver's attention, such as the vehicle icon 111, the target icon 112, the guide route 113, the travel route, and the destination, the driver of the vehicle can focus on the icon M. The visibility of the area is not obstructed. Therefore, it is possible to maintain safe driving to the place where the tire inspection or tire replacement is to be performed without confusing the driver.

(D) The air pressure of each tire, the temperature of each tire, and the average temperature of each tire included in the tire status display facilitate determination of the occurrence of an abnormality. Also, the tire in which the abnormality has occurred can be identified from the air pressure of each tire and the temperature of each tire.

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

(E) When the user inputs a switching instruction using the touch panel 6 or the remote control 33 while the icon M is being displayed, the screen can be switched to a screen related to tire conditions. As a result, the user can know detailed information about the tire abnormality, such as whether the air pressure is abnormal, whether the temperature is abnormal, and which tire is abnormal.

(G) When a tire abnormality occurs, it is notified by voice, so that even the vehicle occupants who do not see the display screen of the display 5 can be reliably notified of the tire abnormality.

(H) Since the control unit 18 determines whether the tire is abnormal based on the information about the state of the tire received from the tire sensor 38, it does not take time to determine the passenger of the vehicle. Since the abnormality can be immediately determined based on the information regarding the state of the tires, it is possible to immediately notify the occupants of the vehicle of the danger of the tires having high urgency.

(I) By intermittently receiving the signal from the tire sensor 38, the wireless receiver 15 can prevent interference with the reception of other signals.

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

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 about the state of tires transmitted from tire sensors, and can output the received information to radar detectors, navigation devices, drive recorders, and the like.

12-16 are examples of the TPMS adapter 100. FIG. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 12, the TPMS adapter 100 includes a control unit 102, a receiving unit 103, and a power supply circuit 104 inside a case 101, which is a rectangular parallelepiped housing. The control unit 102 is a processing unit having functions 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 power supply to the control unit 102 and the reception unit 103 . Although not shown, an antenna line is connected to the receiving section 103 . The antenna wire may be bundled along a cable, which will be described later, or may be a lead wire configured independently of the cable.

The case 101 has various connection terminals for inputting/outputting information to/from the control section 102, as shown in FIGS. One side surface of the case 101 has three input connection terminals 101A, 101B, and 101C, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14(a). Among them, 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 alternatively selected for connection to 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. A connector terminal 23 provided at the other end of the connection cable 22 is connected to an OBD2 connector of the vehicle. Thereby, 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 USB terminals with different orientations. Similarly, the input connection terminal 101B is connected to the ECU and the battery of the vehicle via the connection cable 22 whose connector terminal 25 is a 10-pin MiniUSB.

Another 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. A cigar plug 26b of the cigar plug cord 26 is connected to a cigar lighter socket of the vehicle. Thereby, the input connection terminal 101C is connected to the battery of the vehicle via the cigar plug cord 26 .

A 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 101 a and 101 b are connection terminals that are connected to the control unit 102 and the power supply circuit 104 and are alternatively selected for connection to 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 an extension line of the input connection terminal 101A. The output connection terminal 101b is provided on or near an extension line of the input connection terminal 101B. This extension line is a straight line perpendicular to the side surface on which the input connection terminals 101A and 101B are provided and the side surface on which the output connection terminals 101a and 101b are provided.

An 8-pin MiniUSB connector terminal 27a provided at one end of the connection cable 27 is connected to the output connection terminal 101a. A connector terminal 27 b 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 USB terminals oriented in different directions. Similarly, the output connection terminal 101b is connected to the socket port 24 of the radar detector 1 via a connection cable 27 whose connector terminal 27a is a 10-pin MiniUSB.

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

A power lamp 105 is an LED that is connected to the control unit 102 and indicates that the power is ON when lit and that the power is OFF when the LED is extinguished. A status lamp 106 is a three-color LED that is connected to the control unit 102 and indicates the reception state of the radio wave from the tire sensor 38 in the receiving unit 103 with three colors.

For example, 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, hook-and-loop fastener, or the like. Then, it is connected to the radar detector 1 via the connection cable 27 and 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 reception level of the reception unit 103. FIG. Therefore, the user can install the status lamp 106 at an optimum position by adjusting the position of the case 101 so that the color of the light emitted from the status lamp 106 will be a color suitable for good reception.

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

In this way, by connecting to an existing system such as the radar detector 1, it is possible to easily add a function of visually recognizing tire abnormalities. The vehicle owner can save money by purchasing the TPMS adapter 100 as a simple and inexpensive receiver rather than a new system. For example, only by updating the software on the radar detector 1 side, it becomes possible to support TPMS.

In addition, the control unit 18 can display information about the tire condition on an existing OBD2 information display screen such as a preset screen. For this reason, it is possible to provide a display that does not make the passenger of the vehicle feel uncomfortable with the existing screen display.

Input terminals and output terminals are provided on opposite sides of the case 101, making it easier for those who connect wiring. In particular, since the output side is located on the extension line of the input side or in the vicinity thereof, it is easy to wire such that an excessive load is not applied to the connection portion. Since information from the tire sensor 38 and OBD2 information are mixed by the control unit 102 and output to the radar detector 1, there is no need to separately provide connection terminals for TPMS and OBD2 on the radar detector 1. It also simplifies cords and connectors.

In addition, since the person who installs the TPMS adapter 100 can check 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. In addition, 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.

Note that the radar detector 1 side to which the TPMS adapter 100 is connected does not necessarily need to have a tire condition 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, if the control unit 18 determines an abnormality by the abnormality determination function while displaying a screen for displaying the tire condition, the control unit 18 displays an icon for visually confirming the tire abnormality on a part of the screen by the abnormality display function. can also be displayed. FIG. 17 shows an example in which the control unit 18 displays an icon M on a part of the tire condition display screen. FIG. 18 shows an example in which the control unit 18 displays an icon M on 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 occupants of the vehicle. That is, the display position of the icon M is one of the following.
・Values indicating tire pressure and temperature, vehicle graphics, and positions that do not overlap with objects ・The area surrounded by lines showing the tire pressure and temperature, the area of the figure that allows the car to be recognized, and the area outside the outline of the object ・Areas where the display content does not change, areas where only one color is displayed, and peripheral areas where the display content changes

Information displayed in an area that is recognized as a specific unit, such as an area surrounded by a line for item names, numerical values, and units for visual recognition of tire pressure and temperature, figures of vehicles, tire pressure, and temperature. is often highly necessary information for passengers of the vehicle. In this aspect, the icon M does not hinder the visual recognition of information in such an area. Therefore, the vehicle occupant can continuously acquire the highly necessary information.

Information such as tire air pressure, temperature, time, vehicle speed, acceleration, fuel consumption, etc., whose display contents change, is often necessary information for vehicle occupants and information that they want to see continuously. In this aspect, since the icon M does not interfere with the visual recognition of such information, the vehicle occupant viewing the display screen does not feel uncomfortable.

Tire air 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 wants to know at all times. In this aspect, the icon M does not interfere with acquisition of such information, and the driver can maintain safe driving to the place where the tire inspection or replacement is performed.

Since the icon M does not obstruct the display of information necessary for vehicle passengers, such as information on time, information on vehicle speed, information on acceleration, and information on fuel consumption, passengers of the vehicle, especially the driver, can easily view the information. You can continue to drive safely without feeling uncomfortable.

Since the display position of the icon M is set to a region where the display contents do not change, the display of the icon M can be made conspicuous, and the occupant of the vehicle can be reliably notified of the abnormality of the tire.

Even if information whose display contents change such as tire status display, preset screen display, etc. is displayed in a plurality of areas, the icon M is displayed in a manner that does not interfere with the visual recognition of the information. A person can clearly recognize an abnormality in a tire without being confused.

Since the information whose display contents change is likely to catch the eye of the passenger of the vehicle, by displaying the icon in the peripheral part, it is possible to prevent the changing information from being obstructed and the passenger can recognize it. It is possible to make it easier for the operator to notice the abnormality of the tire.

Since the display area of the icon M is a portion other than the area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to, such as the speed of the vehicle, the area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to is not obstructed. Therefore, it is possible to maintain safe driving to the place where the tire inspection or tire replacement is to be performed without confusing the driver.

Since the icon M is displayed superimposed on the display part of only one color, there is no confusing display behind the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire, and the occupant of the vehicle is not confused. For example, if the icon M is superimposed on the area where a figure representing a specific object is displayed with lines separated from the background, it is difficult for the passengers of the vehicle to see it. Easier to see for vehicle occupants.

Since the icon M for visually recognizing the abnormality is displayed separately from the information about the tire condition, the abnormality can be surely noticed even if it is difficult to judge whether the tire is abnormal only with the information about the tire condition. can be done.

When numbers indicating an abnormality are displayed in different colors or an icon M indicating an abnormality is displayed on the preset screen, the control unit 18 can switch screens by user selection or automatically.

For example, due to the difference in temperature between the tire on the sun side and the tire on the shade side, the temperature variation of each tire is drastic. If this rapidly changing value is displayed all the time, it is rather difficult for the occupant of the vehicle to grasp the state, and there is a possibility that it will make them feel uneasy. Therefore, the average temperature is usually displayed so as not to make the passengers of the vehicle uneasy.

If the user selects to switch to an object displaying the temperature of each tire or to a screen displaying the state of the tire, the user can know the details. The user's selection is made, for example, by the user selecting an icon or a switching button indicating an abnormality using the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 . Moreover, when the control unit 18 determines an abnormality by the abnormality determination function, the screen switching can be performed as described above.

The display of the icon M and the output of the sound can be stopped by the passenger of the vehicle who recognizes the tire abnormality from the icon M or the output sound and inputs a stop instruction. As a result, it is possible to avoid the annoyance of constant display and sound output. The stop instruction is input by, for example, the user selecting an icon M indicating an abnormality or a stop button using the touch panel 6 or the remote controller 33 . By inputting a stop instruction, the display and sound output may be temporarily stopped, and after a predetermined time set in the database 19 in advance, the display and sound output may be resumed.

Furthermore, 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 determined to be abnormal for a period set in advance in the database 19 The display of the icon M and the output of the sound can also be stopped when the information about the state of the tire is not input or when there is no change in the input information about the state of the tire.

For example, after the icon display and voice output, if the tire determined to be abnormal is replaced with a normal tire, and if the abnormal tire is removed and outside the vehicle, information regarding the condition of the tire is received. If an abnormal tire is installed in the vehicle, the information regarding the condition of that 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 annoyance of continuous display and voice output by stopping the icon display and voice output on the assumption that the tire has been replaced.

If the abnormal tire is replaced with a spare tire and left in the vehicle, the tire sensor 38 of the abnormal tire senses that the tire is deflated even though the vehicle operates normally. It will be. However, since the removed tire is not used for driving, the temperature and air pressure do not change. The control unit 18 can also stop icon display and voice output when the temperature and pressure are constant. Note that the control unit 18 may stop the icon display and the sound output even when the tire sensor 38 is broken and the temperature and pressure are constant. When the battery of the tire sensor 38 runs out, the tire sensor 38 notifies the user of this before the tire sensor 38 runs out of battery. Therefore, when this notification is received, the control unit 18 may stop the icon display and the sound output.

Different colors may be set for the color-coded display of icons and numbers when an abnormality occurs, 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. For example, the display color may be switched from yellow to red depending on the degree of abnormality. Only yellow may be displayed at first, and when the degree of abnormality increases, red and voice notification may be displayed.

The priority of notification of the occurrence of multiple types of events, such as notifications from radar detectors and navigation devices, icon display, and audio output may be set in advance in the database 19 as priority setting means. In this way, the notification of the occurrence of the event is prioritized, and the notification of the tire abnormality is performed by the icon display and the sound output, so that the tire abnormality can be more reliably notified.

The notification of the event may be, for example, information that is 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 the destination, the passing of the waypoint, etc. can be displayed by the display device 5, by voice by the voice output means, or by both of these. This is an event to be notified to passengers. Indication and notification of tire anomalies may be given the same priority as warnings for remaining battery power.

The display device 5 as display means may be any device that can visually recognize a display by passengers of the vehicle. 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, the presence or absence of light emission from some of the plurality of light-emitting members is used to visually indicate an abnormality in the tire, and the presence or absence of light emission from the remaining light-emitting members is used to indicate the state of the vehicle. Other information required by the passenger may be displayed. Further, the controller 102 of the TPMS adapter 100 may be provided with an abnormality determination function based on an abnormality determination program, and an LED lamp may be connected to the function as a display means. When the controller 102 determines a tire abnormality based on the input signal, the controller 102 can notify the abnormality by lighting or blinking the LED lamp.

The "indication for visually confirming tire abnormality" may be an indication capable of informing passengers of the vehicle that an abnormality has occurred in the tire. For this reason, a graphic other than the icon M may be used as long as it allows the vehicle occupant to visually and intuitively recognize the tire abnormality immediately and intuitively. In the above embodiment, the notification is made by voice output together with the display.

The 'other information required by the vehicle occupant' may be information that the vehicle occupant does not want to be prevented from obtaining, depending on the preference of the vehicle occupant, the purpose of travel, or the date and time. For example, in the map display, the position of the vehicle, the guidance route, the destination, the figure or color that visually recognizes the object to be notified, the speed that indicates the state of the vehicle, the fuel consumption, the air pressure or temperature of the tires, and the item names and numerical values that are visually recognized. Letters or numerals such as units, or figures that allow a specific object to be recognized by its shape may be used. In this way, the driver will not be hindered from viewing other information while driving, which may affect his or her driving.

"A form that does not hinder the visual recognition of other information required by vehicle passengers" may be a form that does not overlap with other information required by vehicle passengers, or may be transparent even if it overlaps with the other information. It is good also as the aspect which can visually recognize other information by doing. In this way, passengers of the vehicle do not have to be prevented from obtaining information. Further, for example, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which a tire abnormality is displayed visually in an area where the specific meaning is not formed only by the background color. In this way, it is possible to more clearly notify the tire abnormality without hindering not only other information required by the vehicle occupant but also other information.

The control means may be implemented by one control unit or may be implemented by a plurality of control units. The entire control unit may be provided inside the vehicle, the entire control unit may be provided outside the vehicle, or a part of the control unit may be provided inside the vehicle and the rest of the part may be provided outside the vehicle. may be provided. A system may be employed in which at least part of the functions of the control unit are placed on a server, the functions are executed by the server, and the user's electronic device acquires the execution result. Part or all of the information to be registered in the database can also be registered in the server. Then, the radar detector and other electronic equipment/apparatus may have a function of communicating with the server, and the control unit may access the server as appropriate, acquire necessary information, and execute processing.

The “region recognized as a specific unit” may be, for example, a region recognized as having common or related elements in terms of appearance or concept. For example, in the map display, the area surrounded by the outer edge of the mark representing the vehicle position, destination, notification target, etc., the area where the guide route and driving route are color-coded, the speed, fuel consumption, and tire pressure that indicate the state of the vehicle. , an area in which item names, numerical values, and units for visually recognizing the temperature are surrounded by lines or colors, and a graphic area for recognizing a specific object by its shape.

The area "outside the area recognized as a specific unit" includes, for example, the vehicle position, the destination, the area of the street other than the guide route and the driving route, the area outside the area surrounded by lines or colors, or the area of the figure It is preferable to use the outside area. By doing so, the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire is conspicuous and easy to see.

The "region recognized as a specific group" may be a region recognized as a specific entity. The specific object may be, for example, an object related to driving a car, particularly an object similar to an object constituting a vehicle, or an object visually recognized as the vehicle travels. For example, a meter, an engine, a vehicle body, and the like may be used as components of the vehicle. Objects that are visually recognized as the vehicle travels include, for example, logos such as road signs and billboards, and the shapes of buildings and the like.

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

The "periphery of the display area of information whose display content changes" may be a position outside the display area of information whose display content changes and in contact with or in the vicinity of the display area.

The "region that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to" may be information that the driver always needs to check while driving. In particular, the area that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to may be, for example, the position of the vehicle during travel, the guidance route, or the speed.

"Information on tire condition" may be either one of tire air pressure and tire temperature. The input from the outside from the tire sensor may be, for example, a wired input or a wireless input.

A different color may be set for the “indication for visually recognizing tire abnormality” according to the degree of abnormality. In this way, the passengers of the vehicle can be made to intuitively recognize the degree of danger by the different colors.

The form of the sound output together with the display for visually recognizing the abnormality of the tire may be other than those described above. It can be something like ``The air pressure of the right rear wheel is low'' or something like ``Please check the air pressure of the left front wheel'' to prompt an inspection. . If there is no abnormality, a sound such as "No abnormality" or "Good" may be output.

"Intermittent reception" means, for example, that reception is not always continuous, and reception may be performed at regular intervals or at specific timing. For example, immediately after starting the radar detector 1, communication with the tire sensor 38 is performed, tire information is displayed on the screen, and if there is no particular abnormality, a normal standby screen appears. After that, it may be received at regular timings. If there is an abnormality in the tires while driving, the tire information display switches 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 about the condition of the tire can be received, the scanning is continued to detect the radar detector. 1 can be compatible.

When the tire sensor 38 is configured to transmit for a certain period of time when the measured pressure value exceeds a certain pressure value or when the measured temperature value exceeds a certain temperature value, the wireless receiver 15 transmits at a timing corresponding to this. will receive. When the control unit 18 does not determine an abnormality, the frequency of reception is low, and when it determines that there is an abnormality, the frequency of reception is increased to ensure compatibility with control radio waves, while increasing the frequency of tire abnormality monitoring. good too.

The intensity and frequency of the radio waves from the tire sensor 38 may be those that avoid interference with other radio waves used. The optimum detection frequency of the tire sensor is selected in consideration of the balance between power consumption and abnormality detection accuracy. The frequency of display on the display 5 is also selected to be optimal in consideration of the troublesomeness of screen changes and early detection of anomalies.

In this way, by connecting to an existing system configured as an in-vehicle electronic device, it is possible to easily add the function of visually recognizing tire abnormalities. Vehicle owners can save money by purchasing simple and inexpensive receivers rather than new systems.

A system to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the radar detector 1 . The present invention can be applied to various configurations of in-vehicle electronic devices, such as car navigation systems and drive recorders. It is also conceivable to add a TPMS function to the cost reduction by reducing the band for receiving radio receivers in the vehicle-mounted electronic device.

In the judgment of magnitude against the threshold value, judgment of match/mismatch, etc., include the value as greater than or less than, or do not include the value as greater than, less than, exceed, do not exceed, exceed, below, or less than. You are free to judge. So, for example, "greater than" can be changed to "greater than", "greater than", "greater than", and "less than or equal to" can be changed to "less than", "not greater than", "less than", "less than", depending on the value setting. Even if the terms are changed, they are substantially the same. An upper limit value and a lower limit value may be set as threshold values for air pressure and temperature for judging whether the tire is abnormal. .

The functions of the system of the present invention are configured as a program to be implemented in the computer provided in the control unit 18, but the program is not limited to this and may be distributed to a plurality of computers for distributed processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 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 Radio receiver 16 Speaker 18, 102 Control unit 19 Database 22, 27 Connection cable 23, 25 Connector terminal 24 Socket 26 Cigar plug cord 31 Lamp 32 Remote control receiver 33 Remote controller 34 Infrared communication device 35 Mobile phone 36 Geomagnetic sensor 37 Acceleration sensor 38 Tire sensor 41 Ring frame 100 TPMS adapter 101 Case 101A, 101B, 101C Input connection terminals 101a, 101b Output Connection terminal 104 Power supply circuit 106 Status lamp 111 Vehicle icon 112 Target icon 121 Current time 122 GPS radio wave reception level display icon 123 No parking area icon 124 Reception sensitivity mode display icon 125 Vehicle speed 126 Compass 130 ... GPS alarm display

Claims (5)

It has a function to display information on the fuel consumption of the vehicle based on information from the vehicle ECU obtained through the vehicle's failure diagnosis connector , and a function to display information on the condition of the vehicle's tires on the screen. a radar detector ,
Information about the fuel consumption of the vehicle , information about the condition of the tires , and a power source are transmitted between the vehicle failure diagnosis connector and the radar detector via one connection cable. A radar detector characterized by having a function of obtaining information from a control unit and a power supply circuit provided in a case provided. Equipped with an alarm display function as notification of the approach of the vehicle to a predetermined position,
A function to display information related to the fuel efficiency of the vehicle on the screen based on information from the vehicle ECU acquired through the vehicle failure diagnosis connector, and information to prompt passengers of the vehicle to replace the tires of the vehicle. 2. The radar detector according to claim 1, wherein the screen display function is a standby display function for the alarm display function. 3. The radar detector according to claim 1, further comprising a function of displaying information on tire rotation of said vehicle. 4. The radar detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radar detector has a function of notifying the air pressure of the tire and the fuel consumption. A program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the radar detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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