JPH06325291A - Emergency vehicle detection alarm device and position display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To report the conditions of an approaching emergency vehicle to a driver even when he is listening to a car stereo, etc., with windows closed and volume up. CONSTITUTION:The signal of a micropohone 1 is inputted to an emergency vehicle recognizing device 2 and the emergency vehicle recognizing device 2 detects the siren sound of an emergency vehicle and outputs the signal to a display controller 3 and a voice controller 5. When the signal is inputted from the emergency recognizing device 2, the display controller 3 generates the video signal of an alarm screen from a video signal generator and displays the alarm screen in a display 4. The voice controller 5 generates alarm announce from a voice synthesizer and drives a speaker 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a safety device for vehicle operation, and more particularly to an emergency vehicle detection alarm device and a position display device for alerting a driver that an emergency vehicle is approaching while driving a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a driver of an automobile has used an ear to judge the approach of an emergency vehicle. Therefore, when listening with the volume of the car stereo etc. raised, the user may not notice the approach of the emergency vehicle and may cause an accident or other obstacle.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to detect the approach of an emergency vehicle by a microphone or a recognition device to detect a car stereo or the like. Pause the performance, play the siren sound of the emergency vehicle and announce the alarm from the speaker,
Alternatively, another object is to provide an emergency vehicle detection alarm device or a position display device that displays the type, direction, or distance of the emergency vehicle on a display or a display.

[0004]

An emergency vehicle detection alarm device of the present invention is a microphone for detecting siren sound of an emergency vehicle and an emergency vehicle recognition for recognizing that the output signal of the microphone is the siren sound of the emergency vehicle. A device and a display controller for controlling a display in the vehicle or a voice controller for controlling a speaker in the vehicle,
When the emergency vehicle approaches, the display or speaker in the vehicle is configured to give priority to the emergency vehicle approach warning operation.

[0005] Further, a microphone for detecting the siren sound of the emergency vehicle, an emergency vehicle recognition device for recognizing that the output signal of the microphone is the siren sound of the emergency vehicle, and a voice controller for controlling a speaker in the vehicle are provided. When the emergency vehicle recognition device confirms the siren sound of the emergency vehicle, the operation of the voice reproducing device is temporarily stopped when the voice reproducing device such as a radio or car audio is activated, and the voice reproducing device is not activated when the voice reproducing device is inactive. Is started up, and the signal of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is input to the amplifier of the sound reproducing device to make the speaker in the vehicle sound.

Further, a microphone for detecting all directions and a memory in which the pattern of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is ROMized are provided, and the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is compared with the output signal of the microphone and the pattern stored in the memory. It has a recognition device that outputs a signal only when it is identified, and a memory that stores the pattern of the input signal in the RAM. The output signal of the recognition device is input, the signal pattern is stored in the RAM, and erroneous recognition is performed. To prevent this, the signal pattern input next time is compared with the pattern stored in RAM, and when the same pattern is input a predetermined number of times, a mute signal is output to reduce the volume of the speaker inside the car such as car audio. And a device.

Further, a microphone for detecting the siren sound of the emergency vehicle and a memory in which the pattern of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle type is stored in ROM are provided to compare the output signal of the microphone with the pattern stored in the memory to make an emergency. A recognition device for identifying the type of the vehicle is provided, and the type of the emergency vehicle is displayed on the display according to the signal of the recognition device, or the type of the emergency vehicle is announced by a voice announcement.

Further, the emergency vehicle position display device of the present invention includes a plurality of microphones for detecting siren sound of the emergency vehicle, an azimuth calculation unit for inputting signals from the microphones to calculate the azimuth of the emergency vehicle, and the microphones. An emergency vehicle recognition device for recognizing that the input signal is a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, a display for displaying the direction of the emergency vehicle, a display controller for controlling the display, and a voice for generating a voice signal. With an announcement section,
When an emergency vehicle approaches, its direction is displayed on the display and the speaker is used to notify the direction.

Further, in the emergency vehicle position display device, when the emergency vehicle approaches, the position of the emergency vehicle is displayed on a position indicator incorporated in the dashboard of the automobile.

Further, the emergency vehicle position display device is characterized by displaying a situation in which the position of the emergency vehicle changes moment by moment.

Further, in the emergency vehicle position display device, the emergency vehicle display position is turned on or blinked.

Further, the emergency vehicle position display device of the present invention inputs a plurality of microphones for detecting the siren sound of the emergency vehicle and the signals from the microphones and recognizes that the input signal is the siren sound of the emergency vehicle. An emergency vehicle recognition device, an azimuth calculation unit that inputs a signal from the microphone to calculate the azimuth of the emergency vehicle, a distance calculation unit that calculates the distance between the emergency vehicle and the host vehicle from the input signal level from the microphone, Equipped with a display for displaying the direction and distance of the emergency vehicle or a voice synthesizer for notifying by voice, configured to display the direction and distance on the display when the emergency vehicle approaches, or to notify the situation by a speaker It was done.

Further, the emergency vehicle position display device is characterized by displaying a situation in which the position of the emergency vehicle changes moment by moment.

In the emergency vehicle detection / alarm system, the method of warning may be changed depending on whether the distance between the emergency vehicle and the vehicle is short or long.

Further, in the emergency vehicle detection and warning device, the display by the position indicator and the speaker sound are used together.

[0016]

Since the microphone for detecting the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is generally arranged outside the vehicle, the siren sound can be input without being disturbed by the sound of the car stereo in the passenger compartment.
In addition, the siren sound of an emergency vehicle has its frequency and intermittent period determined depending on the type of vehicle, so by storing these patterns in a memory and comparing them with the input signal, they can be distinguished from other noises. The type of vehicle is also specified.

The azimuth of the emergency vehicle is calculated by arranging a plurality of microphones for detecting the siren sound and calculating from the input signal. Further, the distance of the emergency vehicle is calculated by the level of the input signal of the microphone.

The information thus obtained is notified to the driver by voice using a speaker such as a car stereo. Further, the information is displayed to the driver by using a position indicator provided on the dashboard or a display such as a television.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a microphone, which is arranged outside a vehicle. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the emergency vehicle recognition device 2. The emergency vehicle recognition device 2 has a memory that stores the pattern of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle and an arithmetic circuit that compares the input signal with the pattern of the memory. When the input signal matches the pattern of the memory, the signal is displayed by the controller 3 and the voice. Output to the controller 5. The display controller 3 is normally T
Video signals from the V receiver 7 or the car navigation system 8 are input, and these signals are output to the display 4 to display an image. When a signal is input from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the display controller 3 also generates a video signal of an alarm screen from a built-in video signal generator and outputs the signal to the display 4 to display the alarm screen.

The audio controller 5 normally receives the audio signals of the TV receiver 7, the navigation system 8 or the audio equipment 9, and drives the speaker 6 by these signals. When a signal is input from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the voice controller 5 causes the built-in voice synthesizer to generate an alarm announcement and drive the speaker 6 by the signal.

With the above configuration, when an emergency vehicle approaches, a siren sound is emitted from the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2.
The warning screen is displayed on the display 4 by the signal of the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, and the warning is announced from the speaker 6, so that the driver can approach the emergency vehicle even if the volume of the audio device is increased. Be sure to recognize. When the emergency vehicle leaves and the siren sound is no longer detected, the emergency vehicle recognition device does not output, and the TV receiver 7 etc. returns to the normal operating state.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a microphone for detecting all directions, which is arranged outside a vehicle. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the emergency vehicle recognition device 2. The emergency vehicle recognition device 2 has a memory that stores the pattern of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle and an arithmetic circuit that compares the input signal with the pattern of the memory. When the input signal matches the pattern of the memory, the detection signal is output by the voice controller 5 Output to. The detection signal of the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 and the sound signal of the microphone 1 are input to the sound controller 5, and a signal for starting an amplifier in the acoustic device 9 to activate an amplifier input changeover switch and a sound signal for the microphone 1 are input. Output to the audio device 9.

In the above structure, the speaker 6 is normally driven by the audio signal of the audio device (car radio / car audio) 9, but when the emergency vehicle approaches, a siren sound is emitted from the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2. The emergency vehicle recognition device 2 outputs the detection signal to the voice controller 5. The voice controller 5 is an audio device 9
The amplifier input is switched to the audio signal of the microphone 1, and the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is emitted from the speaker 6. If the audio device 9 is switched off, the audio controller 5
The sound device 9 is switched on by the signal of, and the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is emitted. When the emergency vehicle leaves and the siren sound is no longer detected, the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 outputs a stop signal and the acoustic device 9 returns to the original state.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a microphone for detecting all directions, which is arranged outside a vehicle. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the preamplifier 10. The preamplifier 10 is composed of a filter bank 10b in which narrow band filters matching the frequencies of various sirens are arranged in parallel, an A / D converter 10c and an interface 10d. Output to. Recognition device 2
Is an interface 2b, CPU 2a, RAM 2d, R
It is composed of the OM 2e, the interface 2c, and the memory 2f in which the siren sound pattern for each type of emergency vehicle is ROMized. When the input signal is compared with the pattern of the memory 2f and the signals match, the signal is output to the misrecognition prevention device 11. . The erroneous recognition prevention device 11 includes a computing device 11a and a RAM
11b and a mute signal generation circuit 11c, which stores the input signal pattern in the RAM, compares the next input signal pattern with the pattern stored in the RAM, and when the same pattern is input a predetermined number of times, the acoustic device. The mute signal is output to 9. When the mute signal is input, the audio device 9 lowers the volume of the speaker 6 or turns off the sound of the speaker 6.

In the above structure, the speaker 6 is usually driven by the audio signal of the audio device (car radio / car audio) 9, but when the emergency vehicle approaches, the siren sound is emitted from the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2. When recognized by, the pattern of the input siren sound is output to the misrecognition prevention device 11. The false recognition prevention device 11 outputs a mute signal to the acoustic device 9 when the same siren sound pattern is input a predetermined number of times, so that the approach of the emergency vehicle can be surely known even if the car audio or the like is heard with a high sound in the vehicle interior. be able to. Siren sound is confirmed by comparing multiple times, so malfunction does not occur. When the emergency vehicle leaves and the siren sound is no longer detected, the mute signal stops and the acoustic device 9 returns to the original state.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a microphone for detecting all directions, which is arranged outside a vehicle. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the preamplifier 10. The preamplifier 10 is composed of an amplifier 10a, a filter bank 10b in which narrow band filters matching the frequencies of various sirens are arranged in parallel, an A / D converter 10c and an interface 10d, and converts an input audio signal into a digital signal. Output to the recognition device 2. The recognition device 2 includes an interface 2b, a CPU 2a,
It is composed of a RAM 2d, a ROM 2e, an interface 2c, and a memory 2f in which a siren sound pattern for each type of emergency vehicle is ROMized, and an input signal is stored in the memory 2f.
If the two patterns match with each other, a signal indicating the type of the emergency vehicle is sent to the voice synthesizer 12 and the display controller 13.
Output to. The voice synthesizer 12 generates a voice signal informing the type of the emergency vehicle according to the input signal and causes the speaker 6 to ring. The display controller 13 turns on the lamp of the type indicator 14 according to the input signal. The type indicator 14 is arranged on the dashboard, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a panel on which the type of emergency vehicle is marked is provided, and a lamp is attached below the panel.

In the above structure, when the type of the emergency vehicle siren sound is identified by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 when the emergency vehicle approaches, the type of the emergency vehicle is displayed on the type indicator 14 and Informed by the speaker 6.

FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a microphone arranged outside the vehicle to output four channels of signals. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the preamplifier 10. The preamplifier 10 is composed of a 4-channel filter bank, an A / D converter and an interface, and converts an input voice signal into a digital signal and outputs it to the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 and the azimuth calculation unit 15. The recognition device 2 is an interface, CP
It is composed of U, RAM, ROM, interface, and memory that simplifies the siren sound pattern of the emergency vehicle, and when the input signal is compared with the pattern of the memory, if it matches, a signal indicating the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is output. Output to the azimuth calculation unit 15. The azimuth calculation unit 15 calculates the azimuth of the emergency vehicle from the own vehicle from the output of the 4-channel preamplifier 10. That is, the input signals of the two microphones are calculated, the acoustic intensity in the central axis direction of the two microphones (acoustic energy flowing in a unit area in a unit time) is obtained, and the direction of the vector is calculated from the acoustic intensities of the two orthogonal axes. (Sound wave traveling direction) is obtained.
The direction calculation unit 15 receives a signal indicating that it is a siren sound of an emergency vehicle from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2,
A signal indicating the azimuth is output to the display controller 13 and the voice synthesizer 12. The display controller 13 turns on the LED of the position indicator 16 according to the input signal. The position indicator 16 is arranged on the dashboard as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, an LED indicating the direction of the emergency vehicle is arranged around the mark indicating the own vehicle, and the LED corresponding to the direction of the emergency vehicle.
Flashes. The voice synthesizer 12 generates a voice signal informing the azimuth of the emergency vehicle according to the input signal and causes the speaker 6 to ring.

In the above structure, when the emergency vehicle siren sound is recognized by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 when the emergency vehicle approaches, the direction of the emergency vehicle is displayed on the position indicator 16 and the speaker 6 is also provided. Is notified by a voice announcement such as "Zempomigi" or "Kouhouhidari". Further, the above-mentioned operation is repeatedly performed at a constant cycle, and as the position of the emergency vehicle changes every moment, the changing situation is notified.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a microphone arranged outside the vehicle to output four channels of signals. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the preamplifier 10. The preamplifier 10 is composed of a 4-channel filter bank, an A / D converter, and an interface, converts an input voice signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the azimuth calculation unit 15, and the input level processing unit 17. . The recognition device 2 is composed of an interface, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an interface, and a memory in which the siren sound pattern of the emergency vehicle is ROMized. When the input signal is compared with the pattern of the memory, the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is output. A signal indicating that there is is output to the display controller 13 and the voice synthesizer 12. The azimuth calculation unit 15 calculates the azimuth of the emergency vehicle from the own vehicle from the output of the 4-channel preamplifier 10, and outputs a signal indicating the azimuth to the display controller 13 and the voice synthesizer 12. The input level processing unit 17 has 4
The distance between the own vehicle and the emergency vehicle is calculated according to the strength of the input level input from one microphone, and a signal indicating the distance is output to the display controller 13 and the voice synthesizer 12. When a signal indicating the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is input from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the display controller 13 displays the position of the emergency vehicle on the position indicator 18 according to the signals from the azimuth calculation unit 15 and the input level processing unit 17. The signal that displays is output. As shown in FIG. 6B, the position indicator 18 is formed with a circular LCD surface, and its own vehicle is drawn at the center. The position indicator 18 blinks and displays the position of the emergency vehicle at a position corresponding to the input signal. Further, the blinking of the position indicator 18 is made faster as the emergency vehicle approaches. The voice synthesizer 12 generates a voice signal informing the direction and distance of the emergency vehicle according to the input signal, and sounds the speaker 6. Further, the announcement of the voice synthesizer 12 is such that the emergency vehicle gives an instruction for approaching a predetermined distance and driving.

In the above structure, when the emergency vehicle siren sound is identified by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 when the emergency vehicle approaches, the position of the emergency vehicle is displayed on the position indicator 18, and the speaker 6 is also provided. Be informed by. Further, the above-mentioned operation is repeatedly performed at a constant cycle, and as the position of the emergency vehicle changes every moment, the changing situation is notified. In addition, the driver is not informed of the situation before the dangerous state occurs, and the driver does not have to make a wrong decision.

[0032]

According to the emergency vehicle detection alarm device and the position display device of the present invention, even if the emergency vehicle approaches when driving while listening to the sound of the car stereo etc. with the window closed, the position of the car is driven. Accidents and troubles can be avoided because the person is notified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection / alarm device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 (a) is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection / alarm device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 (b) is a diagram showing a type indicator of the emergency vehicle detection / alarm device. is there.

FIG. 5 (a) is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection / alarm device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 (b) is a layout of a position indicator and a speaker of the emergency vehicle detection / alarm device. FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of the position indicator of the emergency vehicle detection alarm device.

FIG. 6 (a) is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection / alarm device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 (b) is a diagram showing a position indicator of the emergency vehicle detection / alarm device. is there.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Microphone 2 Emergency Vehicle Recognition Device 3 Display Controller 4 Display 5 Voice Controller 6 Speaker 7 TV Receiver 8 Navigation System 9 Audio Equipment 10 Preamplifier 11 False Recognition Prevention Device 12 Voice Synthesis Device 13 Display Controller 14 Type Display 15 Direction Computation Unit 16 Position indicator 17 Input level processor 18 Position indicator

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 19, 1991

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 4]

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor, Democratic Takeda, 2-17-5, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Kenwood Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Shuhei Ota, 2-17-5, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Kenwood, Inc. Within

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A microphone for detecting a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, an emergency vehicle recognition device for recognizing that an output signal of the microphone is a siren sound of the emergency vehicle, a display controller for controlling a display in the vehicle, or a vehicle. An emergency vehicle detection and alarm device, which is provided with a voice controller for controlling a speaker in the vehicle, and is configured to give priority to an emergency vehicle approach warning operation by a display or a speaker in the vehicle when the emergency vehicle approaches. 2. A microphone for detecting a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, an emergency vehicle recognition device for recognizing that an output signal of the microphone is a siren sound of the emergency vehicle, and a voice controller for controlling a speaker in the vehicle. When the emergency vehicle recognition device confirms the siren sound of the emergency vehicle, the operation of the voice reproducing device is temporarily stopped when the voice reproducing device such as a radio or car audio is activated, and the voice reproducing device is not activated when the voice reproducing device is inactive. The emergency vehicle detection and alarm device configured to start up the amplifier of No. 1 and input the signal of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle to the amplifier of the voice reproduction device to sound the speaker in the vehicle. 3. A microphone for detecting all directions, and a memory in which a pattern of a siren sound of an emergency vehicle is stored in a ROM, and the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is compared with the output signal of the microphone and the pattern stored in the memory. It has a recognition device that outputs a signal only when it is identified, and a memory that stores the pattern of the input signal in the RAM. The output signal of the recognition device is input and the signal pattern is stored in the RAM and input next time. An emergency vehicle equipped with an erroneous recognition preventing device which compares a signal pattern with a pattern stored in a RAM and outputs a mute signal for lowering the volume of a vehicle interior speaker such as a car audio when the same pattern is input a predetermined number of times. Detection alarm device. 4. A microphone for detecting the siren sound of an emergency vehicle and a pattern of the siren sound of the type of the emergency vehicle are RO.
A recognition device for identifying the type of the emergency vehicle by comparing the output signal of the microphone with the pattern stored in the memory, and the type of the emergency vehicle on the display according to the signal of the recognition device. Is displayed, or an emergency vehicle detection alarm device configured to announce the type of the emergency vehicle by a voice announcement. 5. A plurality of microphones for detecting a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, an azimuth calculation unit for inputting a signal from the microphones to calculate an azimuth of an emergency vehicle, and an input signal for inputting an emergency signal from the microphones. An emergency vehicle recognition device that recognizes that the vehicle is a siren sound, an indicator that displays the orientation of the emergency vehicle, a display controller that controls the indicator, and a voice announcement unit that generates a voice signal are provided. An emergency vehicle position display device configured to display the direction on a display and to notify by a speaker. 6. The emergency vehicle position display device according to claim 5, wherein a situation in which the position of the emergency vehicle changes momentarily is displayed. 7. The emergency vehicle position display device according to claim 5, wherein the emergency vehicle position is displayed on a position indicator incorporated in the dashboard of the automobile when the emergency vehicle approaches. 8. The emergency vehicle position display device according to claim 7, wherein a situation in which the position of the emergency vehicle changes momentarily is displayed. 9. The emergency vehicle position display device according to claim 7, wherein the emergency vehicle display position is turned on or blinked. 10. A plurality of microphones for detecting a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, an emergency vehicle recognition device for inputting a signal from the microphone and recognizing that the input signal is a siren sound of the emergency vehicle, and a microphone for detecting the siren sound of the emergency vehicle. A direction calculation unit that inputs a signal to calculate the direction of the emergency vehicle, a distance calculation unit that calculates the distance between the emergency vehicle and the host vehicle from the input signal level from the microphone, and a display that displays the direction and distance of the emergency vehicle An emergency vehicle position display device which is provided with a voice synthesizer or a voice synthesizer for voice notification, and is configured to display the direction and distance on an indicator when an emergency vehicle approaches, or to notify the situation by a speaker. 11. The emergency vehicle position display device according to claim 10, wherein a situation in which the position of the emergency vehicle changes momentarily is displayed. 12. The emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to claim 10, wherein an alarm method is changed when the distance between the emergency vehicle and the own vehicle is short and when the distance is long. 13. The emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to claim 12, wherein the display by the position indicator and the speaker sound are used together.