Driver cognitive function improvement system

Abstract

To provide a driver cognitive function improvement system which activates frontal and parietal lobes of the brain while preventing a driver from feeling discomfort.SOLUTION: A driver cognitive function improvement system includes: a sound input device 2 which is installed in a vehicle cabin and collects sound; a sound output device 3 which is installed in the vehicle cabin and outputs sound; an operation part 4 for allowing a driver to select one of a plurality of types of induction sound which has effect of inducing gamma waves in a driver's brain; a control part 6 for generating induction sound in the selected type and allowing the sound output device 3 to output induction sound so that it is overlapped with sound collected by the sound input device 2 when a sound pressure level of sound collected by the sound input device 2 is a prescribed threshold XdB or more. The control part 6 generates induction sound by amplitude-modulating sound collected by the sound input device 2 or specified sound which is previously stored by a gamma wave frequency in accordance with the type of induction sound selected by the operation part 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a driver cognitive function improvement system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 states that "We provide a signal processing device, a cognitive function improvement system, a signal processing method, and a program that change the amplitude of an input sound signal while suppressing discomfort to the listener. Patent Document 1 states that it is possible to generate gamma wave-inducing sounds that suppress discomfort to the listener." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-107248 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above Patent Document 1, sounds (music, voice, etc.) from TVs, radios, music players, etc. are modulated so that the amplitude changes correspond to the frequency of gamma waves, and this modulated sound is output, which raises concerns that the user may find it difficult to hear the sounds (music, voice, etc.), which may be unpleasant.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a system for improving driver cognitive function that activates the frontal lobe and parietal lobe of the brain without causing discomfort to the driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The driver cognitive function improvement system of the present invention comprises an audio input device installed in the vehicle cabin to collect sound, an audio output device installed in the vehicle cabin to output sound, an operation unit for allowing the driver to select one of a plurality of forms of induced sound that have the effect of inducing gamma waves in the driver's brain, and a control unit that, when the sound pressure level of the sound collected by the audio input device is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, generates an induced sound of the selected form and outputs the induced sound from the audio output device so that the induced sound is superimposed on the sound collected by the audio input device, and is characterized in that the control unit generates the induced sound by amplitude-modulating the sound collected by the audio input device or a pre-prepared specific sound with a gamma wave frequency in accordance with the form of induced sound selected by the operation unit.

[0007] In short, this configuration generates an inducement sound that has the effect of inducing gamma waves in the driver's brain, and outputs the generated inducement sound superimposed on the sound collected by the audio input device.

[0008] As a result, the driver's ears receive the sound collected by the sound input device and the inducement sound output from the sound output device almost simultaneously.

[0009] Therefore, the sound masking effect of the human hearing characteristics makes it difficult for the driver to recognize the inducing sound, thereby making it possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable or losing attention.

[0010] Furthermore, although the inducement sound is not recognized by the driver, it reaches the driver's ears, thereby inducing gamma waves in the driver's brain, which in turn activates the frontal and parietal lobes of the driver's brain, thereby contributing to improving the driver's cognitive function.

[0011] The specific sound may be a first specific sound or a second specific sound. The first specific sound is a vehicle driving sound (at least one of an engine sound and a motor sound) emitted from a vehicle driving source (at least one of an engine and a motor). The second specific sound may be, for example, any one of a 1 kHz sine wave, a sawtooth wave, an inverse sawtooth wave, a pulse wave, music, and voice.

[0012] The types of induced sounds that can be selected by the operation unit include a first induced sound that is generated by amplitude modulating the input sound signal at a gamma wave frequency, a second induced sound that is generated by amplitude modulating the first specific sound at a gamma wave frequency, and a third induced sound that is generated by amplitude modulating the second specific sound at a gamma wave frequency.

[0013] The driver cognitive function improvement system according to the present invention can further include a detection unit that detects the sound pressure level of the input sound signal, a first memory unit that stores information on the form of the induced sound (one of the first to third induced sounds) selected by the operation unit, a second memory unit that stores correlation information obtained by learning in advance the correlation between each rotation speed of the vehicle drive source as the first specific sound when the vehicle is stopped and the sound pressure level when the vehicle drive sound emitted at each rotation speed is collected by the sound input device, and a sound source in which the second specific sound is stored in advance.

[0014] The control unit further includes a determination unit (S3 in FIG. 3) that determines whether the sound pressure level detected by the detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value; a first processing unit (S11 to S13 in FIG. 3) that generates a first induced sound by amplitude-modulating an actual input sound signal collected by the sound input device with a gamma wave frequency when the determination unit makes a positive determination and when it is determined that the form of the induced sound selected based on the information stored in the first storage unit is the first induced sound; and a first processing unit (S11 to S13 in FIG. 3) that generates a first induced sound by amplitude-modulating an actual input sound signal collected by the sound input device with a gamma wave frequency when the determination unit makes a positive determination and when it is determined that the form of the induced sound selected based on the information stored in the first storage unit is the second induced sound. The system may include a second processing unit (S21 to S22 in FIG. 3) that extracts a vehicle drive sound as a corresponding first specific sound by comparing the current rotation speed of the vehicle drive source with the correlation information in the second storage unit, and generates a second induced sound by amplitude-modulating the vehicle drive sound with a gamma wave frequency; and a third processing unit (S31 to S32 in FIG. 3) that extracts the second specific sound from the sound source and amplitude-modulates the second specific sound with a gamma wave frequency when the determination unit makes a positive determination and determines that the form of the induced sound selected based on the information stored in the first storage unit is the third induced sound, and generates a third induced sound.

[0015] In the first processing unit, the actual input sound signal is used as the basis for the first induced sound, but the first induced sound may also be based on vehicle noise, which is an external sound included in the actual input sound signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system for improving driver cognitive function that activates the frontal lobe and parietal lobe of the brain while preventing discomfort to the driver. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a driver cognitive function improvement system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a driver cognitive function improvement system. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the driver cognitive function improvement system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3. The driver cognitive function improvement system shown in the figures is mounted on a vehicle 1, and includes an audio input device 2, an audio output device 3, an operation unit 4, a detection unit 5, a control unit 6, a vehicle control unit 7, a sound source 8, etc.

[0020] The sound input device 2 collects sounds (input sound signals) generated inside and outside the vehicle, and the sound signals input from a microphone 21 are input to the control unit 6 via an amplifier 22 and an A / D converter 23.

[0021] The sound outside the vehicle cabin may include vehicle noise (at least one of road noise, wind noise, engine noise, and motor noise) and in-vehicle audio sound (at least one of music content, voice content, and natural sound content output from an in-vehicle audio system (not shown)).

[0022] The sound output device 3 outputs the first to third inducing sounds A to C generated by the control unit 6, and outputs the output sound signals from the speaker 33 via an amplifier 31 and an A / D converter 32.

[0023] The operating unit 4 allows the driver to select, for example, one of the first to third inducement sounds A to C as the form of inducement sound that has the effect of inducing gamma waves in the driver's brain, and is, for example, a manually operated switch (not shown).

[0024] The first induced sound A is generated by amplitude-modulating, with a gamma wave frequency, vehicle noise as an external sound included in the input sound signal collected by the sound input device 2. The second induced sound is generated by amplitude-modulating, with a gamma wave frequency, an arbitrary first specific sound. The third induced sound is generated by amplitude-modulating, with a gamma wave frequency, an arbitrary second specific sound.

[0025] The first specific sound may be a vehicle driving sound (at least one of an engine sound and a motor sound) emitted from a vehicle driving source (at least one of an engine and a motor) not shown in the figure. The second specific sound may be, for example, any one of a 1 kHz sine wave, a sawtooth wave, an inverse sawtooth wave, a pulse wave, music, and voice.

[0026] The detection unit 5 detects the sound pressure level of the input sound signal collected by the sound input device 2.

[0027] As will be explained in detail later, when the sound pressure level of the input sound signal collected by the sound input device 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value XdB, the control unit 6 generates an inducement sound (one of the first to third inducement sounds A to C) of a type selected by the operation unit 4, and causes the sound output device 3 to output the inducement sound so as to overlap with the sound collected by the sound input device 2.

[0028] The control unit 6 is composed of a known electronic control unit (ECU) and includes a central processing unit (CPU), a non-volatile memory (Read Only Memory: ROM), a temporary memory (Random Access Memory: RAM), an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, etc. The ROM stores various control programs and maps to be referenced when executing the various control programs. The CPU executes arithmetic processing based on the various control programs and maps stored in the ROM. The RAM is a memory that temporarily stores the results of calculations by the CPU and data input from various sensors.

[0029] The RAM stores information on the type of the induced sound (one of the first to third induced sounds A to C) selected by the operation unit 4. The ROM also stores correlation information obtained by learning in advance the correlation between each rotation speed of the vehicle drive source while the vehicle is stopped and the sound pressure level when the vehicle drive sound (the first specific sound) emitted at each rotation speed is collected by the sound input device 2.

[0030] The vehicle control unit 7 can acquire operation information (driving operation information) of each functional element that operates in response to a driving operation action by the driver through in-vehicle CAN (Controller Area Network) communication.

[0031] Although not shown, the functional elements correspond to, for example, a vehicle drive source (at least one of an engine and a motor), an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a steering wheel, a drive shaft, etc. Furthermore, although not shown, the driving operation information corresponds to detection signals from an engine rotation speed sensor, a motor rotation speed sensor, an accelerator position sensor, a brake stroke sensor, a steering sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc. The engine rotation speed sensor detects the rotation speed of the crankshaft. The motor rotation speed sensor detects the rotation speed of the motor rotor. The accelerator position sensor detects the depression depth of the accelerator pedal. The brake stroke sensor detects the depression force of the brake pedal. The steering sensor is a sensor that detects the steering angle by the driver, and is, for example, a rotary encoder that detects the rotation angle of a steering shaft (not shown). The vehicle speed sensor detects the traveling speed of the vehicle. The acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of the vehicle (longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, vertical acceleration, etc.).

[0032] The vehicle control unit 7 is composed of a known electronic control unit (ECU) and includes a central processing unit (CPU), a non-volatile memory device (Read Only Memory: ROM), a temporary memory device (Random Access Memory: RAM), an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, etc. The ROM stores various control programs and maps referenced when executing the various control programs. The CPU executes arithmetic processing based on the various control programs and maps stored in the ROM. The RAM is a memory that temporarily stores the results of calculations by the CPU and data input from various sensors.

[0033] The sound source 8 stores a second specific sound that is the base of the third inducement sound C. When the control unit 6 recognizes that the driver has selected the second specific sound using the operation unit 4, the control unit 6 acquires the second specific sound from the sound source 8.

[0034] Next, the operation of the control unit 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0035] When a collected sound is input by the sound input device 2, the control unit 6 starts the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0036] In step S1, based on the information stored in the RAM of the control unit 6, it is recognized which of the first to third inducement sounds A to C the inducement sound of the type selected by the driver using the operation unit 4, and in the following step S2, the sound pressure level of the sound (input sound signal) input from the sound input device 2 is detected.

[0037] Thereafter, in step S3, it is determined whether the sound pressure level detected in step S2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value X dB, where the threshold value X is set to a value determined in advance through experiments or the like.

[0038] If a negative determination is made in step S3, the execution of the process for generating the inducement sound is cancelled in step S4, and the flowchart of FIG. 3 is then terminated.

[0039] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S3, the process proceeds to steps S5 to S7, where it is determined which of the first to third inducing sounds A to C the type of the inducing sound recognized in step S1 is.

[0040] Specifically, in step S5, it is determined whether the type of the inducement sound recognized in step S1 is the first inducement sound A.

[0041] If the determination in step S5 is affirmative, the process proceeds to steps S11 to S14. First, in step S11, vehicle noise (at least one of road noise, wind noise, engine noise, and motor noise) as a sound outside the vehicle cabin is extracted from the sound (input sound signal) collected by the sound input device 2. In the following step S12, a first induced sound A is generated by amplitude-modulating the extracted vehicle noise with a gamma wave frequency (35 to 45 Hz, preferably 40 Hz). In the following step S13, the sound pressure level of the generated first induced sound A is adjusted to an arbitrary value lower than the sound pressure level detected in step S2. In the following step S14, the sound output device 3 outputs the adjusted first induced sound A so as to overlap with the sound collected by the sound input device 2, and then the flowchart of FIG. 3 is terminated.

[0042] If a negative determination is made in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether the type of the inducement sound recognized in step S1 is the second inducement sound B.

[0043] If the determination in step S6 is affirmative, the process proceeds to steps S21 to S23. First, in step S21, a vehicle drive sound (at least one of an engine sound and a motor sound) is extracted as a first specific sound that serves as the basis for the second induced sound B. In step S21, drive information of at least one of the current engine rotation speed and the motor rotation speed is acquired from the vehicle control unit 7, and the drive information is compared with correlation information stored in the ROM of the control unit 6, so that a vehicle drive sound that matches the drive information is extracted as the first specific sound.

[0044] In the next step S22, a second induced sound B is generated. Specifically, in step S22, the vehicle driving sound as the first specific sound extracted in step S21 is amplitude-modulated with a gamma wave frequency (35 to 45 Hz, preferably 40 Hz), and then the sound pressure level is adjusted to an arbitrary value lower than the sound pressure level detected in step S2, thereby generating the second induced sound B. In the next step S23, the generated second induced sound B is output by the sound output device 3 so as to be superimposed on the sound collected by the sound input device 2, and then the flowchart of FIG. 3 is terminated.

[0045] If a negative determination is made in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether the type of the inducement sound recognized in step S1 is the third inducement sound C.

[0046] If the determination in step S7 is affirmative, the process proceeds to steps S31 to S33, but if the determination is negative, the flowchart in FIG. 3 ends.

[0047] First, in step S31, the second specific sound stored in the sound source 8 is extracted, and then in the following step S32, the third induced sound C is generated. Specifically, in step S32, the extracted second specific sound is amplitude-modulated with a gamma wave frequency (35 to 45 Hz, preferably 40 Hz), and then the sound pressure level is adjusted to an arbitrary value smaller than the sound pressure level detected in step S2, thereby generating the third induced sound C.

[0048] In the following step S33, the generated third inducing sound C is outputted from the sound output device 3 so as to be superimposed on the sound collected by the sound input device 2, and then the flowchart of FIG. 3 is terminated.

[0049] As described above, in the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, any one of the first to third inducement sounds A to C, which have the effect of inducing gamma waves in the driver's brain, is generated, and the generated inducement sound is output in a state overlapped with the sound collected by the sound input device 2.

[0050] As a result, the sound collected by the sound input device 2 and the inducement sound output from the sound output device 3 reach the driver's ears almost simultaneously.

[0051] Therefore, the sound masking effect of the human hearing characteristics makes it difficult for the driver to recognize the inducing sound, thereby making it possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable or losing attention.

[0052] Furthermore, although the inducement sound is not recognized by the driver, it reaches the driver's ears, thereby inducing gamma waves in the driver's brain, which in turn activates the frontal and parietal lobes of the driver's brain, thereby contributing to improving the driver's cognitive function.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof.

[0054] (1) In the above embodiment, when emergency information that must be promptly notified to the driver, such as an emergency vehicle, a warning sound, or a horn, is extracted from the input sound signal acquired by the sound input device 2, it is possible to configure the device to cancel the execution of the trigger sound generation process, and such a configuration is also included in the present invention.

[0055] Other configurations are basically the same as those of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. This embodiment also provides the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiment.

[0056] (2) If the vehicle 1 of the above embodiment is equipped with a system (not shown) that predicts dangerous traffic conditions based on images captured by an onboard camera, the system can be configured to cancel the execution of the trigger sound generation process when a traffic condition such as a large number of nearby vehicles or pedestrians is detected based on images captured by the onboard camera, and such a configuration is also included in the present invention.

[0057] Other configurations are basically the same as those of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. This embodiment also provides the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiment. [Industrial Applicability]

[0058] The present invention can be suitably used in a driver cognitive function improvement system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 vehicle, 2 acoustic input device, 3 acoustic output device, 4 operation unit, 5 detection unit, 6 control unit, 7 vehicle control unit, 8 sound source.

Claims

[Claim 1] an acoustic input device installed in a vehicle cabin to collect sound; an acoustic output device that is installed in a vehicle cabin and outputs sound; an operation unit for allowing the driver to select one of a plurality of types of induction sound that has the effect of inducing gamma waves in the driver's brain; a control unit that generates a proviso sound of the selected form when a sound pressure level of the sound collected by the sound input device is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, and causes the sound output device to output the proviso sound so as to overlap with the sound collected by the sound input device; The control unit generates an inducement sound by amplitude-modulating the sound collected by the acoustic input device or a specific sound prepared in advance with a gamma wave frequency in accordance with the type of inducement sound selected by the operation unit.

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