JPH02147447A - Voice announcement device for vehicle running information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To notify the running information by audio means and enhance the safety of a car in running by furnishing a calculating/processing device, to which a running speed signal and a inter-car distance signal are fed and which emits a selection command signal, and providing an audio synthesizing/ generating means to read words corresponding to this selection command signal and emit them as an audio signal. CONSTITUTION:When a selector switch 7 is turned on by a driver of a car, a high level voltage signal S4 is supplied from a power supply 6 to a computer 1. Feeding this level signal S4 will start normal processing. When the driver puts on a push switch 11, a high level pulse S3 is fed from the power supply 6 to the computer 1. Even though the computer 1 is under implementation of normal processing, input of this pulse S3 interrupts it, and interrupt processing is implemented. If by these processings, a phrase selection command signal S5 given by the computer 1 and a start signal S6 a little delayed therefrom are fed to an audio synthesizing LSI 8, it converts digital data into an analog audio signal S7 and passes it to an amplifier 9. This audio signal S7 is amplified by the amplifier 9 and converted into audio by a speaker 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a vehicle driving information voice announcement device that notifies a driver of a vehicle, etc. of driving information necessary for safe driving of a vehicle.

(Prior Art and Problems Thereof) Conventionally, there has been a visual display device for the traveling speed of a vehicle, which is attached to the driver's seat panel of a vehicle and visually displays the traveling speed of the vehicle in analog or digital form to the driver. and issuing an audible warning such as a chime to the driver when the vehicle is traveling at a speed exceeding a predetermined speed (for example, look/h);
Audible annunciators of vehicle speed are commonly used.

In general, while driving a vehicle, a driver needs to appropriately adjust the vehicle speed according to driving conditions such as curves, course changes, safe driving according to speed limits, night driving, economical driving, etc. The driver must check the current speed of the vehicle as a prerequisite for adjusting the speed, and the driver either visually checks the speed of the vehicle using the conventional visual display device or looks at the speed display. Instead, the driver relies on his senses to perceive the vehicle's speed. Driving that relies on the latter sense is undesirable from the viewpoint of safe driving, since the driver's sense of speed is likely to be lost, especially when driving at night, in the rain, or when driving at high speed on a highway.

However, the former method of checking the driving speed using a visual display device installed on the front panel of the driver's seat requires the driver to temporarily shift his/her viewpoint from the driving path to the driving display device on the panel while the vehicle is moving. It won't happen. Although this act itself is necessary for safe driving, it is an extremely dangerous act of inattentive driving, and the driver's field of vision becomes narrower as the driver drives at higher speeds, which increases the need to check the speed of the vehicle. Since the driver's viewpoint is focused only on the far ahead, the time required for the driver to shift his/her viewpoint from this far ahead to the speed display on the front panel immediately in front of him, or vice versa, is increased, which is especially important for fatigue levels. The risk level increases for drivers with high levels of anxiety or elderly drivers, which is not desirable for safe driving.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned audible notification device for vehicle speed only generates a warning at a small number of predetermined speeds, so it is not necessary to adjust the speed of the above-mentioned vehicle.
The amount of information regarding the traveling speed is not included, and the above-mentioned problem cannot be solved.

Furthermore, while driving a vehicle, a driver generally visually observes a vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle and adjusts the traveling speed while ensuring an appropriate distance between the vehicles based on experience and intuition.

However, the safe distance between vehicles is closely related to the vehicle's speed, and adjusting the distance based on sense is not only inaccurate, but also
This experiential and intuitive adjustment of the distance between vehicles varies greatly depending on the physical, psychological, and environmental conditions of the driver, and as a result, it is unfavorable from the perspective of safe driving, especially when driving at high speeds. There is a problem in that rear-end collisions are more likely to occur.

(Objective of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle driving information audio notification device that enhances the safety of vehicle driving by announcing driving information necessary for safe driving of the vehicle by voice.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle driving information audio notification device of the present invention provides a driving situation signal of a vehicle, such as a driving speed signal or a driving speed signal and an inter-vehicle distance signal. an arithmetic processing device which outputs a selection command signal according to the driving situation signal; The speech synthesis generating means reads out a word or phrase corresponding to a selection command signal and outputs the word or phrase as a voice signal.

(Function) In the vehicle running information audio notification device configured as described in Section 2 above, the arithmetic processing unit operates according to the input vehicle running situation signal, for example, the running speed signal or the running speed signal and the inter-vehicle distance signal. A selection command signal is output to the speech synthesis generating means. The speech synthesis generating means reads a word or phrase corresponding to the selection command signal inputted from the arithmetic processing device from among a plurality of stored word groups, and outputs the word or phrase as an audio signal.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The microcomputer l has an input/output section and a storage section.

It has a calculation section, to which the output end of a vehicle running speed detection device 2 is connected, and a digital speed signal S+ is supplied from the detection device 2. The traveling speed detection device 2 can be configured with a normal speedometer, for example, the output shaft (
(not shown), and converts the rotational speed of the binion into a digital signal S1 representing the vehicle running speed and outputs it.

The output terminal of a condition setting device 3 is further connected to the input section of the computer l, and the condition setting device 3 detects rain, lightning, etc. and outputs a high level signal s2 indicating the presence of the rain, snow, etc. do. This condition setting device 3 not only detects rain, snow, etc., but also manually activates the condition setting device 3 when the driver confirms weather conditions such as rain or snow that pose a danger to high-speed driving. It may also be configured to output the level signal S2.

Furthermore, the condition setting device 3 may be configured to output the high level signal S2 when the vehicle lights are turned on.

Furthermore, a power supply 6 is connected to the input section of the computer 1 via a bushing switch 11, and when the switch 2 is on, the output voltage of the power supply 6 is supplied to the computer 1 as a high level signal S3. A resistor 4 and a capacitor ff15 are connected to the power supply 6 to protect the computer from surge current. Further, the switch 11 is of a normally open type and is installed, for example, on the steering wheel of a vehicle. When the switch 11 is turned on, execution of an interrupt process (FIG. 3), which will be described later, is started in the computer l, and as a result of the execution of the interrupt process, the running speed of the vehicle at the time the switch 11 was turned on is determined by the driver. will be notified.

Further, a changeover switch 7 is connected in parallel with a bushing switch 11 between the resistor 4 and the input section of the computer 1, and when the switch 7 is on, the output voltage of the power supply 6 is sent to a high level signal S.
4 to the computer 1. The changeover switch 7
As a result of the continuation of the on state, the normal processing (FIG. 2) described below is executed by the computer l, and as a result of the execution of the normal processing,
The driving speed of the vehicle is notified to the driver in a manner indicated by the normal processing program. When the driver considers that the voice notification by normal processing is unnecessary, the changeover switch 7 is turned off.

The output section of the microcomputer 1 includes a speech synthesis LSI.
8 is connected to the speech synthesis LSI 8, and the speech synthesis LSI 8 generates a plurality of predetermined phrases (hereinafter "phrase j
ROM (
(not shown), selects a phrase from the phrase group that corresponds to the phrase selection command signal S5 inputted from the computer l, converts the selected phrase into an analog audio signal, and outputs it as an audio signal S7. .

A start signal S6 is input from the computer 1 to the voice synthesis LSt8 with a slight delay from the phrase selection command signal S5, and conversion into the voice signal is performed in synchronization with the signal S6. Commercially available LSIs can be used as this speech synthesis LSI, such as Toshiba's type TC88.
01N (for example, can memorize up to 63 words (phrases),
It is preferable that one phrase can be uttered for a maximum of 24 seconds.

An audio amplifier 9 is connected to the output end of the audio synthesis LSI 8, and a speaker 10 is connected through the amplifier 9. The former amplifies the output audio signal S7 of the audio synthesis LSI 8, and the latter outputs the amplified signal as audio.

Next, the operation of the apparatus of the first embodiment will be explained in FIG. 2, which shows the normal processing executed by the microcomputer 1, and in FIG. This will be explained based on the diagram.

FIG. 2 shows that when the vehicle reaches a plurality of predetermined running speeds equal to or higher than a first predetermined speed and at every predetermined time interval, the running speed of the vehicle is announced to the driver by voice through the execution of normal processing;
Alternatively, if a high level signal S2 is input to the computer 1 from the condition setting device 3 due to rain, snow, etc., the above-mentioned travel speed notification is not performed at a second predetermined speed or higher, which is lower than the first predetermined speed. It will be done. The interrupt processing shown in FIG. 3 is performed even if the normal processing shown in FIG.
This interrupt processing is executed with priority over that processing, and the vehicle traveling speed at the time when the bush switch ti is turned on is notified to the driver by voice.

When the changeover switch 7 connected to the human power section of the microcomputer l is turned on by the driver of the vehicle, a high level voltage signal S4 is supplied from the power supply 6 to the computer l. The normal processing shown in FIG. 2 is started by inputting the level signal S4, and in step 21, the digital signal S1 representing the running speed of the vehicle from the speed detection device 2 and the first output from the condition setting device 3 are read. In step 22, it is determined whether or not the read output value of the condition setting device 3 is at a high level, that is, whether or not the high level signal S2 is input. If the determination is negative (No), that is, high-speed driving If the weather conditions are not dangerous, proceed to step 23 and execute task l.

According to task l, +1r, the speed signal S+ is greater than or equal to the first predetermined speed (e.g. 60+++/)t) or lower, e.g.
Speed in km/h (60, 65, 70, 75-km/h
), the microcomputer l has its storage section (R
The phrase selection command signal r, "S5 corresponding to the vehicle speed signal S1 is read out from the map stored in the vehicle speed signal S1, and outputted to the voice synthesis 1.Sr8, and after a short delay, the start signal S6 is sent to the LSI8. Output.

Furthermore, according to the task l, while the vehicle speed (No. 4 S1 indicates a value equal to or higher than the first predetermined speed), the computer l outputs the phrase selection command signal S5 and the start signal S6 corresponding to the lc speed multiplication signal S1 every 5 minutes, for example. Output.

Returning to step 22, the determination in step 22 is the previous run (
If yes), that is, if the weather conditions pose a danger to high-speed driving of the vehicle, proceed to step 24 and perform task 2.
Execute. According to task 2, the vehicle speed signal S+ is
A second predetermined speed lower than the predetermined speed (for example, 40
kn+/h) or more, for example, every 5 km/h (
40, 45, 50° 55...-/h), the computer reads out the phrase selection command signal S5 for vehicle speed signal %S+ from the map, and outputs the phrase selection command signal S5 which corresponds to the vehicle speed signal %S+, outputs it, and outputs the start signal % after a little delay. Output S6.

The above tasks 1 and 2 are continuously executed while the signal S4 based on the ON of the changeover switch 7 is input to the computer 1, and the execution is stopped when the signal S4 is no longer input. .

When the driver turns on a bushing switch 11 installed on a steering wheel or the like, a high-level pulse S3 is supplied from the power source 6 to the computer l. When the pulse S3 is input to the computer 1, the computer 1 performs normal processing (Fig. 2).
Even if it is being executed, it is interrupted and the interrupt processing shown in FIG. 3 is executed. In this interrupt process, the vehicle speed signal S1 is first read (step 31). Next, in step 32, the computer l stores in its memory (ROM)
The phrase selection command signal S5 corresponding to the vehicle speed signal S1 is read out from the map stored in the vehicle speed signal S1, and outputted to the speech synthesis LSI 5, and after a short delay, the start signal S6 is sent to the corresponding LS.
Output to I8 (step 32). computer l is
When the process in step 32 is completed, the process returns to the normal process in Figure 2 that was being executed before the interrupt process in Figure 3 was started, or if the normal process was not in progress before the interrupt. For example, it waits until the input of signal S3 or S4.

When the phrase selection command signal S5 output from the computer 1 and the start signal S6 after a little delay enter the speech synthesis LSI 8 through the processing shown in FIGS. A phrase corresponding to the input phrase selection command signal S5 is read out from among a plurality of phrases each representing a plurality of predetermined vehicle speeds stored in a ROM, and the read phrase is selected according to the input of the start signal S6. Amplifier that converts digital data to analog audio No. 1d S7! ). The audio signal S7 is amplified by the amplifier 9 and converted into audio by the speaker IO. In this way, the speaker 10 notifies the driver of the current traveling speed of the m vehicle by voice (n-phrase). Phrases expressing vehicle speed are not necessarily the vehicle speed itself (e.g. [60b dezuzu]), but depending on the detected vehicle speed, they can be expressed as, for example, [Let's slow down more], [Dangerous speed J, etc.] It can also be a phrase.

If the changeover switch 7 is turned on as shown in "-", when the vehicle speed reaches each predetermined value when the vehicle is traveling at a high speed equal to or higher than the first predetermined speed, or even at predetermined time intervals, the travel speed or information based on it will be changed. 2. In weather conditions where high-speed driving is dangerous or when driving at night, when the vehicle reaches a second predetermined speed that is lower than the first predetermined speed, the driver will be notified by voice, and then at each predetermined speed, and for a further predetermined period of time. The driving speed is notified to the driver.

Furthermore, a button switch 1 provided on the operating handle, etc.
By turning on 1, the driver can immediately know the current traveling speed by voice over the entire speed range, even in RIJ, if desired.

The first embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to a safety device for an automatic guided vehicle that travels in a factory or the like. In other words, safe travel can be ensured by audibly informing operators around the automated guided vehicle of the traveling speed of the automated guided vehicle itself, or of words read out according to the traveling speed from among a plurality of preset words. can do.

Next, an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 4 and 5. The device of the second embodiment adds an inter-vehicle distance detection device to the device of the first embodiment, and uses this to notify by voice driving information for safe driving of the vehicle, taking into consideration the inter-vehicle distance.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the device of the second embodiment.

In the drawings, elements corresponding to those in the first embodiment are shown with the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 12 indicates an inter-vehicle distance detection device that is installed, for example, in the front grill of a vehicle and detects the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle and a vehicle traveling ahead. Detect distance. The detection device 12 is connected to the input of the computer l and supplies it with an output signal S8.

FIG. 5 shows the vehicle speed signal S+ in the second embodiment.

2 is a flowchart showing the processing process of the computer I executed in response to the inter-vehicle distance detection signal Ss as well as the signal S2 from the condition setting device Mi. The flowchart is started by inputting the high level voltage signal S4,
While the signal S4 is input, the execution is repeated at predetermined time intervals or every time the condition is satisfied.

First, in step 51, the vehicle speed signal S1. Signal S2 from condition setting device 3. and the inter-vehicle distance signal S8 is read. Next, in step 52, 111. is obtained from the vehicle speed signal S+. When the vehicle running speed V is a predetermined value Vo (for example, 70
km/h). If the answer to the determination is 1''r (Yes), it is assumed that there is no need to issue a warning based on the inter-vehicle distance, and the process is terminated; if the determination in step 52 is negative (No), the process proceeds to step 53.

In step 53, the appropriate limit inter-vehicle pressure IIIL is calculated according to the vehicle running speed V and the variable C based on the signal S2 from the condition setting device 3. The variable C is a value determined based on the signal S2, and is set so that when the signal S2 becomes a high level, the appropriate limit inter-vehicle pressure 11tL increases. In addition to the values determined based on the two types of signals S2, it is also possible to set a large number of different values based on a large number of signal values from the condition setting device 3 corresponding to a large number of different conditions. be. The function f for calculating the appropriate limit inter-vehicle pressure 11iL is:
This is a function determined depending on tire performance, brake performance, etc. The appropriate limit inter-vehicle distance [,] may be read from a pre-stored map according to the speed V and the variable C.

Next, in step 54, the ratio Q/L between the actual inter-vehicle distance C obtained from the old distance signal S8 and the appropriate limit inter-vehicle pressure @1 is calculated. In the following step 5562, a phrase selection command signal S corresponding to the magnitude of the calculated ratio is
5 is output to the speech synthesis LSI 8. Audio stand J戊LSI
8, phrases 1 to 4 are set in advance, and the phrase corresponding to the signal S5 is read out. The phrase l is [
Phrase 2 corresponds to the phrase "Keep your distance between vehicles," phrase 3 corresponds to "dangerous," and phrase 4 corresponds to "extremely dangerous."

First, in step 55, it is determined whether the ratio Q/L is greater than 1.0 or not, and if the answer to this determination is affirmative (Yes), that is, if the actual inter-vehicle distance α is appropriate, there is no need to issue a warning. Therefore, this process ends. Below steps 56, 58.6
As shown in step 57), when the ratio Q/L is less than 1.0 and greater than 0.8, phrase 1 is designated (step 57), and the ratio α/1. When the ratio α/L is 0.8 or less and greater than 0.4, specify phrase 2 (step 59), and when the ratio α/L is 0.4 or less but greater than 0.2, specify phrase 3 (step 61), ratio Q When /L is 0.2 or less, phrase 4 is designated (step 62), a phrase selection command signal S5 corresponding to each designation is output to the speech synthesis LSI 8, and the present process is ended.

The processing of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may be performed descending from the processing shown in FIG. 2 and alternately based on time-divided time.

The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and for example, when driving at high speed, the rotational speed of each wheel of the vehicle is detected by a tachometer, and a difference signal between the detected speed signals of each wheel is generated. The abnormal slip of the wheels on the road surface can be detected, and this detection signal can be used as a driving situation signal to notify the driver of the abnormal slip by voice, or a pressure-sensitive element installed in the driver's steering wheel grip can be used. ! - A grip force signal may be extracted, and this grip force signal may be used as a driving situation signal to notify the driver of the driver's nervousness or sleepiness information by voice.

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail below, according to the vehicle running information audio notification device of the present invention, a vehicle running speed signal is input as vehicle running information, and a selection is made according to the running speed signal. an arithmetic processing device that outputs a command signal; and a processing device that is connected to the arithmetic processing device and reads a word or phrase corresponding to the mj selected command signal inputted from the arithmetic processing device n; , and a voice synthesis generating means that outputs the words and phrases as a voice signal, so the driver can appropriately check the vehicle's traveling speed without taking his/her viewpoint off the driving route, and this enables highly safe driving, especially when driving at high speeds. It becomes possible.

Furthermore, if the running situation of the vehicle (ITl), for example, the running speed of the vehicle (No. 3 and inter-vehicle pressure 1f! This makes it possible to significantly reduce rear-end collisions due to lack of distance, making highly safe driving possible (ii), especially when driving at high speeds.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of normal processing executed in the computer shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an interrupt diagram also executed in the computer. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart 1 of the processing executed in the computer shown in FIG. 4. 1... Computer (arithmetic processing unit), 2... Traveling speed detection device, 3... Condition setting device, 8-point voice synthesis L
SI (speech synthesis vocalization means), 12-vehicle distance detection device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An arithmetic processing device into which a vehicle driving situation signal is input and outputs a selection command signal in accordance with the driving situation signal, and a plurality of stored word groups connected to the arithmetic processing device. A vehicle running information voice notification device comprising voice synthesis generating means for reading a word or phrase corresponding to the selection command signal inputted from the arithmetic processing unit from the above and outputting the word or phrase as a voice signal. 2. The vehicle running information audio notification device according to claim 1, wherein the running situation signal is a vehicle running speed signal. 3. Further, a starting means is connected to the arithmetic processing device and artificially applies a starting signal to the arithmetic processing device from the outside, and when the arithmetic processing device receives the starting signal from the starting means, 3. The vehicle traveling information audio notification device according to claim 2, wherein said selection command signal is generated in response to said traveling speed value detected by said detection means. 4. The vehicle running information audio notification device according to claim 1, wherein the running status signal is a vehicle running speed signal and an inter-vehicle distance signal.