JPH09109803A - Vehicle function explanation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle function explanation device capable of explaining the function of equipment installed on a vehicle without occupying a large space for operation and in proper timing. SOLUTION: A vehicle explaining machine 3 reads explanation data on the function of vehicle equipment stored in CD-ROM 1, and performs the explanation by the voice from a speaker 6. The explanation is started in accordance with the start of a prime mover by an ignition key 7, and is ended by detecting the operation indicating the operation starting such as operation of a shift key 8. The timing of explanation is set the period of three months after the purchase of a new vehicle.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle function explanation device for explaining a method of using various functions equipped in an automobile and a handling method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automobiles have been equipped with various equipment and facilities in order to realize a safe and comfortable driving environment. The functions such as the equipment and the usage are different for each vehicle type, and often different for each individual vehicle. Although general equipment may be explained in a lecture at a driving license driving school or the like, an automobile user himself has to approach new technologies and new functions. Such a user needs to read and understand the instruction manuals for each equipment or the like, or receive detailed explanations from the automobile dealer.

For example, even if an airbag for the driver's seat is installed, the driver cannot be protected from a collision outside the operating range of the airbag. Moreover, if the self-diagnosis function detects a failure and then leaves it unattended, effective protection cannot be provided even if an accident occurs within the operating range.

Prior art in which a device capable of explaining the functions of equipment and the method of use is mounted on the vehicle itself is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-151883 or 63-6134.
6 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-72142. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-151883, a navigation device is used to store map information as well as information for vehicle handling and function explanation in a CD-ROM. When the operation of requesting the explanation is performed, the stored explanation is given using the image display and the sound. Actual exploitation 63-6134
In No. 6 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-72142, a guide switch means is provided for each equipment to be explained, and when the guide switch means is operated, the function and usage of the corresponding equipment are explained. There is.

[0005]

If the user tries to understand the function explanation by reading the instruction manual carefully or listening in detail from the dealer, the user himself has to make a great effort. Also, the functions such as equipment are
Since the user learns it by actually operating the equipment and the like many times, gradually getting used to it, and learning, it takes time before it can be effectively used.

In the prior art of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-151883, handling of the vehicle is explained as a part of the function of the navigation device. It is a function different from the original function and cannot be used unless the user knows that such a function is provided.

Actual exploitation 63-61346 and actual exploitation 63
In the prior art of -72142, it is necessary to provide a guide switch for handling instructions. The guide switch is arranged near the driver's seat for convenience of operation. It is difficult to provide many guide switches, and at the expense of other equipment. If the user becomes accustomed to the equipment and the like, guidance is unnecessary, and it is not preferable to occupy a lot of valuable space near the driver's seat.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle function explanation device which can explain the function of equipment installed in a vehicle at an appropriate timing without occupying a lot of space for operation. That is.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a storage means for storing in advance data describing a function equipped in a vehicle, and a voice conversion means for converting the data stored in the storage means into a voice. And a control means for reading data from the storage means in response to the start of the prime mover of the vehicle and for converting the description of the vehicle function into voice by the voice conversion means. According to the invention, by starting the prime mover of the vehicle, the control means reads the data for explaining the function equipped in the vehicle from the storage means, and converts the data into voice by the voice conversion means. The user of the vehicle will repeatedly listen to the audio description, and can naturally acquire the knowledge about the function.

Further, the control means of the present invention is characterized in that the explanation of the vehicle function is stopped in response to the start of operation of the vehicle. According to the present invention, by starting the operation of the vehicle, the description of the vehicle function started after the start of the prime mover can be stopped. If the user gets used to the vehicle, it is not necessary to listen to the explanation of the vehicle function for a long time, and the explanation can be stopped simply by starting the driving, so that it is possible to avoid the troublesome operation of the switch.

The present invention further comprises request input means for requesting start and stop of vehicle function description, and the control means responds to the request to the request input means to start or stop vehicle function description. It is characterized by controlling to perform. According to the present invention, the description of the vehicle function can be started or stopped by inputting the request input means, so that the description can be heard at an appropriate timing according to the user's need.

The present invention further comprises voice input means capable of converting a voice question into a sentence by using voice recognition and inputting the question, and the control means responds to the sentence converted into the question to the voice input means. It is characterized by controlling so as to explain the vehicle function. According to the invention, when the user of the vehicle asks by voice, the control means gives a vehicle function explanation in response to the corresponding sentence recognized by voice. The user can have a Q & A type dialogue with the vehicle without any troublesome operation and can quickly understand the function of the equipment through the dialogue.

Further, the present invention has an image display means for explaining the vehicle function by an image, and the control means controls the image display means to explain the vehicle function in synchronization with the vehicle function explanation by voice. It is characterized by According to the present invention, the vehicle function description is performed by the image display means together with the sound, so that the user can receive the function description from the image. Since the explanation of the function can be received from various directions, it is easy to understand.

Further, the present invention has a voice input means capable of converting a voice question into a sentence by using voice recognition and inputting it, and the storage means has data for explaining a vehicle function in the form of voice data. Is stored, and the control means converts the voice data for explaining the vehicle function into a sentence by using the voice input means, and controls the image display means to display the voice data. According to the present invention, it is possible to convert the voice data of the functional description into a sentence by using the voice recognition of the voice input means and display it as a character string on the image display means. Even if there are homonyms and the like, it is less likely to make a mistake in listening, and the meanings of symbols and abbreviations can be explained easily.

Further, the storage means of the present invention is characterized in that data for explaining a vehicle function is stored in a read-only memory. According to the present invention, since the data for explaining the vehicle function is stored in the read-only memory, there is no possibility of rewriting the data and the reliability is high.

Further, the control means of the present invention is characterized in that the function of the vehicle is controlled so as to be explained when the traveling distance of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined distance. According to the present invention, the vehicle function is explained when the traveling distance of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined distance. Therefore, if the distance is set appropriately, carelessness due to user's familiarity can be prevented.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it has a communication function with the equipment mounted on the vehicle, and judges the content of the information that needs to be explained based on the information of each equipment and gives the explanation. According to the present invention, of the devices mounted on the vehicle, the information content that requires explanation is determined and explained using the communication function. The user can certainly know the necessary information about the device.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a basic electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. CD-RO which is a storage means
M1 stores audio explanation data about the equipment of the vehicle that requires explanation in advance. This CD-ROM1
Is inserted in the CD-ROM deck 2 used for navigation etc., the vehicle explanation device 3 which is a vehicle function explanation device.
The function is automatically explained by. Speech synthesizer 4
, The voice data is stored in the CD-ROM 1 in the form of text data. The voice data itself can be stored. The voice converted by the voice synthesizer 4 or the voice played directly is amplified by the audio amplifier 5 and converted into sound by the speaker 6.

The description of the function by the vehicle explanation device 3 is started when the prime mover of the vehicle is started by operating the ignition key 7. When the driving of the vehicle is started by operating the shift lever 8 or the like, the explanation of the function by voice is stopped. In the present embodiment, the display 9 also displays images such as sentences and figures in synchronization with the audio description. The display 9 can be shared with navigation and reception of television broadcasting.

The vehicle description device 3 includes a CPU 10,
ROM11, RAM12, input circuit 13, output circuit 14
And a communication circuit 15 and the like. A program for operation is stored in the ROM 11, and the CPU 10 is a RAM.
While using 12 as a work area or the like, control for functional description is performed. In addition, EEP is provided in a part of the ROM 11.
A rewritable element such as a ROM is included, and information such as the elapsed time from the time when the vehicle is new and the equipment actually installed in the vehicle is stored and can be referred to by the CPU 10. If you use the information about equipment, CD
-Even if the ROM 1 stores a description of all the equipment that may be mounted, only the necessary description can be selected. Further, by using the large-capacity ROM 11, it is possible to store all the necessary data for explanation. Alternatively, the explanation data can be stored in the form of an IC card. By using a read-only memory such as the CD-ROM 1 or the ROM 11 as the storage means, the reliability of the stored contents can be improved.

In this embodiment, a microphone 16 and a voice recognition device 17 are provided to enable voice input. Furthermore, a stop switch 18 that can stop the description of the started function at any time and a start switch 19 that can start the stopped description at any time. Voice recognition device 17,
The stop switch 18 and the start switch 19 are CD-Rs.
It is connected to the CPU 10 via the input circuit 13 together with the OM deck 2, the ignition key 7 and the shift lever 8. The voice recognition device 17 and the CD-ROM deck 2 are connected to the output circuit 14 together with the voice synthesizer 4, the audio amplifier 5 and the display 9. The CPU 10 controls the CD-ROM deck 2 to C
The description data stored in the D-ROM 1 can be selected, and the voice recognition device 17 can be used to convert the voice data into text data.

Most of the equipment mounted on the vehicle includes an electronic control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as "ECU"). The vehicle function explanation device 3 is connected to such various vehicle-mounted ECUs 20 via a communication circuit 15. With this, it is possible to obtain information about the operating state of the vehicle. According to the obtained information, for example, the part determined to be in failure can be explained. The ECU has a self-diagnosis function called a diag. When the diag detects an oil shortage, the ECU gives explanation and advice.

FIG. 2 shows the basic operation of the vehicle function explanation device 3 of FIG. CD-ROM 1 to CD-ROM deck 2
When the key is inserted into the cylinder of the ignition key 7 and turned to the starting position to start the prime mover in the state where the engine is mounted on, the operation from step a1 is started. Although it is possible to start the explanation by detecting another operation such as opening and closing the door, the electric power charged in the battery is consumed for explaining the function. By starting the prime mover, power generation is also performed, and it is possible to avoid the situation where the electric power charged in the battery is consumed, and it is possible to prevent so-called battery exhaustion.

At step a2, it is judged whether or not the CD-ROM 1 contains data for explaining the function.
If the explanation is included, the process proceeds to step a3, and it is determined whether it is time to give the explanation. When it is determined that it is time to explain, the process proceeds to step a4, and it is determined whether the stop switch 18 is ON. If it is not ON, it is determined in step a5 whether or not the driving of the vehicle has started. The start of operation is determined by whether or not the shift lever 8 is operated, for example. It can also be determined by detecting the vehicle speed and the vehicle body acceleration.

When the operation is not started, the function will be described from step a6. The function to be described is performed in a fixed order by selecting the equipment mounted on the vehicle using the information stored in the ROM 11 as described above. In step a7 in the middle of the description, it is determined whether or not a voice question is made from the microphone 16. When a question is asked, voice recognition is performed in step a8, a response explanation is selected in step a9, and the selected explanation is returned to step a4. The user of the vehicle can make a deeper understanding of the function of the equipment while asking questions by voice and continuing the dialogue with the vehicle explanation device 3 in the Q & A format.

If it is determined in step a7 that there is no question, the process returns to step a4 to continue the description. When it is determined in step a3 that it is not the explanation time and when it is determined in step a4 that the stop switch 18 is not ON, the process proceeds to step a10. In step a10, it is determined whether the start switch 19 is ON. If the start switch 19 is ON, the operation for explaining the function is started from step a5. Start switch 1
If 9 is not ON, the operation ends in step a11. When it is determined that the operation is started in step a5, the operation is finished in step a11. When it is determined in step a2 that the data for explaining the function is not included, the operation proceeds from step a12 to the operation as the navigation device. The presence or absence of data for explaining the function can be determined by, for example, whether or not the code data created in advance for the determination is detected.

Even when it is determined in step a5 that the operation is started, it is possible to change the operation to start the function explanation by operating the start switch 19. When the description is started after the operation is started and then the description is started, the operation excluding the operation of step a5 from the operations of steps a4 to a9 may be performed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a time when functions are automatically explained. For example, the user can be surely made to recognize the function by continuously performing it for three months after purchasing a new vehicle as shown in FIG. 3 (a). FIG.
When the traveling distance as shown in (b) reaches 10,000 km, 50,000 km, and 100,000 km, the function explanation is given a certain number of times, so that carelessness due to getting used to can be prevented. These times can be appropriately changed and set.

Equipment for explaining the function of the vehicle explanation device 3 includes an airbag, an anti-lock braking device (ABS),
Alternatively, a constant speed traveling device or the like is included. The airbag does not operate unless it is in the front left and right 60 degrees direction and the speed is 20 km / h or more. If you can repeatedly listen to the appropriate explanations during normal use before an accident, you can fully understand and prevent overconfidence and serious damage. A
As for the BS and the like, if the road surface condition is bad, the braking distance becomes long, so mistrust and overconfidence are forbidden, and safe operation cannot be expected unless the function is properly understood.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, by starting the motor of the vehicle, the data for explaining the function of the vehicle is converted into voice. The user of the vehicle can hear the audio description only by performing the operation of starting the prime mover. Each time the user tries to use the vehicle and starts the prime mover, the audio description is repeated, so that knowledge about the function can be naturally acquired at an appropriate timing.

Further, according to the present invention, by starting the operation of the vehicle, it is possible to stop the description of the vehicle function started after the start of the prime mover. While driving the vehicle, it is necessary to concentrate attention on driving, and if you get used to the vehicle, you do not need to listen to the explanation of vehicle functions for a long time, you can stop the explanation simply by starting driving. It is possible to avoid the hassle of switch operation.

Further, according to the present invention, the user of the vehicle can start or stop the description of the vehicle function by inputting operation of the request input means. Therefore, if necessary, the explanation can be heard at an appropriate timing. Alternatively, the explanation can be stopped.

Further, according to the present invention, when the user of the vehicle asks a question by voice, the vehicle function is explained by voice according to the question content. The user can connect to the vehicle and
It is possible to carry out & A type dialogue and quickly understand the function of the equipment through the dialogue.

Further, according to the present invention, since the vehicle function explanation is performed by the image display together with the sound, the user can receive the explanation of the function from the sound and the image in various directions. In many cases, it is possible to easily understand matters that are difficult to understand only by using sounds, if images are used together, and the function can be quickly understood.

Further, according to the present invention, by using voice recognition,
It is possible to convert the voice data of the function description into a sentence and display it as a character string in an image. Even if there are homonyms and the like, it is less likely to make a mistake in listening, and the meanings of symbols and abbreviations can be explained easily.

Further, according to the present invention, since the data for explaining the vehicle function is stored in the read-only memory, there is no possibility of rewriting the data and the reliability is high. Necessary data can be read out quickly and the function can be smoothly explained.

According to the present invention, the function of the vehicle is explained when the traveling distance of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined distance. Therefore, if the distance and the frequency are appropriately set, carelessness due to user's accustomedness can be prevented. can do. Safety equipment will not be used unless an accident occurs,
Sometimes the functions described are forgotten over time. Even in such a case, the memory can be updated.

Further, according to the present invention, the necessity of the explanation about the equipment mounted on the vehicle is judged by utilizing the communication function, and the explanation is given when necessary, so that the user can respond appropriately. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the vehicle explanatory device 3 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a time when a vehicle explanation device 3 of FIG. 1 gives an explanation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CD-ROM 2 CD-ROM deck 3 Vehicle explanation device 4 Voice synthesizer 6 Speaker 7 Ignition key 8 Shift lever 9 Display 10 CPU 11 ROM 15 Communication circuit 16 Microphone 17 Voice recognition device 18 Stop switch 19 Start switch 20 In-vehicle ECU

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for pre-storing data explaining a function installed in a vehicle, a voice conversion means for converting the data stored in the storage means into a voice, and a starter for starting a prime mover of the vehicle. A vehicle function explanation device, comprising: a control means for responding, reading data from the storage means, and converting the description of the vehicle function into voice by the voice conversion means. 2. The vehicle function explanation device according to claim 1, wherein said control means stops the explanation of the vehicle function in response to the start of driving of the vehicle. 3. A request input means for requesting start and stop of vehicle function description, wherein the control means starts or stops vehicle function description in response to a request to the request input means. 3. The vehicle function explanation device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle function explanation device is controlled according to claim 1. 4. A voice input unit capable of converting a voice question into a sentence using voice recognition and inputting the sentence, wherein the control unit responds to the sentence converted from the question to the voice input unit by a vehicle function. The vehicle function explanation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is controlled so as to perform an explanation. 5. An image display means for explaining a vehicle function by an image is provided, and the control means controls the image display means to explain the vehicle function in synchronization with the vehicle function description by voice. The vehicle function explanation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A voice input unit capable of converting a voice question into a sentence using voice recognition and inputting the sentence, wherein the storage unit stores data for explaining a vehicle function in the form of voice data. 6. The control means converts the voice data for explaining the vehicle function into a sentence by using the voice input means, and controls to display the sentence on the image display means. Vehicle function explanation device. 7. The vehicle function explanation device according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores data for explaining the vehicle function in a read-only memory. 8. The vehicle function according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the vehicle function so that the vehicle function description is performed when the traveling distance of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined distance. Description device. 9. The device according to claim 1, which has a communication function with a device mounted on a vehicle, and judges the information content that needs to be explained based on the information of each device and gives the explanation. The vehicle function explanation device according to any one of the above.