Vehicle alarm system

Abstract

Vehicle alarm device (1), comprising: a slumber detector configured to detect a driver's slumber; an inattention detector configured to detect driver inattention; a speed detector (4) configured to detect a vehicle speed (V); a training section (5) configured to perform driver alerting; and an alarm controller (2) configured to execute the alarm performed by the instruction section (5) based on a driver snooze detection result, a driver inattention detection result, and a vehicle speed (V) detection result, wherein the alarm controller (2) is configured to control the alarm according to the vehicle speed (V) by determining whether the vehicle speed (V) exceeds a predetermined threshold (Vth), and in a case where the vehicle speed (V) is equal to or less than the threshold (Vth), the alarm controller (2) is configured, to cause the instruction section (5) to execute the alarm when the driver's drowsiness is detected, and to instruct section (5) not to carry out the alarm, even if the driver's inattention is detected.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle alarm device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Traffic accidents caused by drowsiness or inattention are a social problem. Detecting a state of drowsiness or inattention and alerting the driver can contribute to a reduction in traffic accidents. On the other hand, there is a trade-off between the frequency of alerts and the inconvenience to the driver. If the alert is unnecessary, the driver will find it highly intrusive. LITERATURE ON THE STATE OF TECHNOLOGY PATENT LITERATURE

[0003] JP H08-290726A describes a device that detects when the driver is asleep (dozing) and does not trigger an alarm for drowsiness if there is no problem, even if the driver is actually dozing. If there is no problem while the driver is dozing, the device performs a determination based on three vehicle signals from a wheel speed sensor, a gear position sensor, and a side brake sensor. However, there is a problem: the device described above can only alert the driver regarding drowsiness and does not alert the driver if they are looking to the side.

[0004] In JP 2003 - 226 227 A, it is described that a device detects when the driver is dozing or looking to the side and alerts the driver. However, the device described above also triggers the alarm while the vehicle is stopped or moving at a very low speed in a parking space, for example, while searching for a parking position. Therefore, the driver may find the alarm annoying.

[0005] JP 2008-97445A discloses a vehicle alarm device comprising an inattention time measurement for measuring the duration of a driver's inattention, a slumber time measurement for measuring the duration of the driver's slumber, a first alarm output device for alerting the driver when the measured inattention time exceeds a first predetermined time, and a second alarm output device for alerting the driver when the measured slumber time exceeds a second predetermined time. The first predetermined time is shorter than the second predetermined time.

[0006] JP 2007-226666A discloses a navigation unit of a vehicle navigation system equipped with a CPU that sets a warning level based on at least one of the following conditions: geographical conditions around the vehicle, peripheral vehicle conditions, and vehicle driving conditions. If an image processor detects that the driver is driving inattentively by recognizing that the driver is looking to the side, the driver is warned of inattentive driving based on the set warning level. The warning is issued after a warning waiting period, which is modified depending, among other things, on whether the vehicle's speed is low or high.

[0007] JP 2017-208 007 A discloses an in-vehicle device for estimating the orientation of a driver's face while driving a vehicle. The in-vehicle device obtains a recognition result of the driver's face orientation and, based on this result, counts how often the driver has visually detected, for example, a side mirror installed on the vehicle. The in-vehicle device further determines whether the driver's gaze pattern has changed while viewing the side mirror due to a change in the position of a vanishing point in the foreground, and upon determining such a change in gaze pattern, modifies the content of the counting process accordingly. A speed measurement of the vehicle is performed to determine whether the vehicle is stopping.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle alarm device that can alert a driver when the driver is slumbering, and also to prevent as far as possible a situation in which the driver feels disturbed by the alarm.

[0009] The problem is solved by a vehicle alarm device having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims are directed to advantageous further developments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The above and other problems, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a vehicle alarm device according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a diagram (part 1) illustrating a control of a determination of a vehicle speed; Fig. 3 a diagram (part 2) illustrating the control of the determination of the vehicle speed; Fig. 4 a diagram showing a table of an alarm-on-off relationship when a speed range of the vehicle speed is in a state V ≈ 0; Fig. 5 a diagram showing a table of the alarm-on-off relationship when a speed range of the vehicle speed is in a state 0 < V ≤ Vth; Fig. 6 a diagram showing a table of the alarm-on-off relationship when a speed range of the vehicle speed is in a state Vth < V; Fig. 7 a flowchart showing a main control of an alarm control system; Fig. 8 a flowchart showing an initial alarm control; Fig. 9 a flowchart showing a second alarm control; Fig. 10 a flowchart showing a third alarm control; Fig. 11 a flowchart showing a second alarm control according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 12 a flowchart showing a third alarm control. DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS (First embodiment)

[0011] A first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 10. A vehicle alarm device 1 of the present embodiment comprises a control device 2, a vehicle interior camera 3, a vehicle speed detector 4, an instruction section 5 and an operation input section 6, as described in Fig. The control device 2 controls the entire vehicle alarm device 1 and has functions for inputting data from an image captured by the vehicle interior camera 3, inputting a vehicle speed signal detected by the vehicle speed detector 4, inputting an operation signal input by the operation input section 6, and driving and controlling the instruction section 5. The control device 2 has each function of a slumber detector, an inattention detector, and an alarm controller.

[0012] The vehicle interior camera 3 serially records the area around the driver's face and transmits the image data to the control unit 2. By receiving the image data described above and performing image recognition processing on the received image data, the control unit 2 detects, for example, the degree of opening of a driver's eyelid, the direction of the driver's face, the direction of the driver's line of sight, the driver's head position, or the like. The control unit 2 has a function for estimating a driver's state, that is, a function of a driver state monitor (FZM) based on data from each of the aforementioned detection results.

[0013] In the present embodiment, the control device 2 has a function for determining whether a driver is in an unsafe state, such as drowsiness, inattention, or an unsafe posture (i.e., an abnormal posture). For example, if "drowsiness" is determined as the driver state, the control device 2 determines whether the driver is in a drowsy state based on the degree of opening of the driver's eyelid (i.e., a value relative to the mean opening of a single eyelid), the driver's facial expression, or the like. It is preferred to use a determination control of generally known technology for this drowsiness determination control.

[0014] For example, if "inattention" is determined as the driver condition, the control device 2 determines the driver's face direction, the driver's line of sight direction, and their duration. In particular, the driver is considered to be driving inattentively if a condition in which the driver's face direction and the driver's line of sight direction are lateral directions, inclined, for example, by 30 degrees or more with respect to the front, lasts for, for example, two seconds or longer. In the present embodiment, when driver inattention is determined, the determination is made based on the driver's face direction and the driver's line of sight direction. Alternatively, the determination can be made based on the driver's face direction or the determination can be made based on the driver's line of sight direction.

[0015] Control device 2 has the function of determining, for example, the abnormal posture, that is, the unsafe posture, as the driver's state. Control device 2 determines that the driver's posture is abnormal if a state in which the driver's head position is outside a predetermined abnormal posture determination range, that is, a range that indicates a normal head position, persists for a specified time of, for example, two seconds or more.

[0016] The vehicle speed detector 4 detects a vehicle speed based on a vehicle speed pulse output from a vehicle speed sensor of the vehicle or a GPS signal output from a GPS receiver and sends the detected vehicle speed signal to the control device 2.

[0017] The instruction section 5 includes a loudspeaker, a sound output device that emits an alarm sound or the like from this loudspeaker, a speech output device that emits speech such as an alarm message from this loudspeaker, a display mounted on an instrument panel, and a display control device that displays the alarm message or the like on this display. The operation input section 6 includes a touch panel placed in a screen of the display, a mechanical switch placed on a periphery of the display, a remote control, or the like.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the control device 2 performs a control to alert or not alert the driver regarding drowsiness or inattention based on the vehicle speed. Therefore, it is necessary for the control device 2 to accurately determine whether a vehicle speed V exceeds a predetermined threshold Vth, such as 10 km / h, and in particular, the speed range of the vehicle speed Vth must be one of the ranges 0 < V ≤ Vth, Vth < V, or V ≈ 0, thus preventing erroneous detection.

[0019] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the control device 2 performs the following control to prevent erroneous detection of the vehicle speed. For example, as in Fig. Figure 2 shows that if the vehicle speed is measured 10 times every 100 ms, i.e., for 1 s, and if most of the ten vehicle speed measurements are close to 0, for example, a range between 5 km / h and Vth, then the speed range is determined to be 0 < V ≤ Vth. That is, the measurement value exceeding Vth, corresponding to a small number of measurements, or the measurement value less than 5 km / h, corresponding to a small number of measurements, is ignored as noise.

[0020] As in Fig. Figure 3 shows that if the vehicle speed is measured 10 times every 100 ms, i.e., for 1 s, and if most of the ten vehicle speed measurements exceed Vth, the speed range is determined to be a range of Vth < V. That is, the measurement value corresponding to a small number of measurements and equal to or less than Vth is ignored as noise.

[0021] In a case where it is determined that V is nearly equal to 0 (V ≈ 0) when the vehicle speed is measured 10 times every 100 ms, that is, for 1 s, and if most of the ten vehicle speed measurements are close to 0, for example, a range less than 5 km / h, then the speed range is determined to be a range of V ≈ 0. That is, the measurement value corresponding to a small number of measurements and equal to or greater than 5 km / h is ignored as noise.

[0022] If the vehicle speed is recorded 10 times every 100 ms, that is, for 1 s, and if the number of recordings of the vehicle speed values ​​with V ≈ 0, that is, the recording values ​​lower than 5 km / h among the 10 vehicle speed recordings is, for example, two, if the number of recordings of the vehicle speed values ​​in the range of 0 < V ≤ Vth is, for example, 3, and if the number of recordings of the vehicle speed values ​​in the range of Vth < V is, for example, 5, then the speed range of Vth < V is determined according to the highest number of recordings of the vehicle speed values ​​as the vehicle speed.

[0023] The control mechanism for preventing erroneous vehicle speed readings, as described above, is implemented by the control device 2. However, the control mechanism for preventing erroneous readings can alternatively be implemented by the vehicle speed detector 4 or the like. Furthermore, the vehicle speed is recorded 10 times every 100 ms. However, there is no limit to this frequency. For example, the vehicle speed can be recorded 10 times every second, i.e., for 10 seconds. The recording time of the vehicle speed, the number of readings, the recording duration, or similar parameters can be adjusted as needed. Furthermore, a bounce prevention function can be provided, meaning that the speed range of the vehicle speed once recorded can, for example, be ignored.

[0024] Furthermore, a driver, user, trip manager, or similar entity can change the vehicle's threshold Vth to a value greater than 10 km / h or a value less than 10 km / h, for example, by operating the operation input section 6. The change operation for the Vth threshold can preferably be performed at the end of the journey or similar.

[0025] In the present embodiment, a false alarm for the snooze alarm and the driver inattention alarm can occur based on image recognition processing. Therefore, by adding a vehicle speed detection condition, the occurrence of the false alarm can be suppressed as much as possible. That is, the control regarding whether an alarm should be triggered is based on the detection result for driver snooze, the detection result for driver inattention, or the detection result for vehicle speed. Specifically, the vehicle speed is divided into three speed ranges: V ≈ 0, 0 < V ≤ Vth, and Vth < V. This defines the condition for triggering the snooze alarm or the inattention alarm.

[0026] In a case where the velocity range V ≈ 0, as in a table of Fig. As shown in figure 4, the alarm will not be triggered regardless of whether the driver is asleep or looking to the side.

[0027] Next, in a case where the speed range is 0 < V ≤ Vth, as in a table of Fig. As shown in Figure 5, if the driver is slumbering, the alarm will sound regardless of whether the driver is looking to the side. If the driver is not slumbering, the alarm will sound regardless of whether the driver is looking to the side. That is to say, in the case of the speed range, if the driver looks to the side without slumbering, the alarm will not sound.

[0028] In a case where the speed range Vth < V, as in a table of Fig. As shown in Figure 6, if the driver is snoozing, the alarm will sound regardless of whether the driver is looking to the side. If the driver is looking to the side without snoozing, the alarm will sound. If the driver is not looking to the side, the alarm will not sound. That is to say, in the case of the speed range, if the driver is looking to the side without snoozing, the alarm will sound.

[0029] Next, the alarm control of the configuration described above will be discussed with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 10 described. Flowcharts of Fig. 7 to Fig. 10 show contents of control device 2. In one step S10 of Fig. 7. When the control device 2 receives a vehicle speed detection signal from the vehicle speed detector 4, it executes the control mechanism for preventing erroneous detection, as described above, based on the received vehicle speed detection signal and determines in which of the three speed ranges the vehicle speed V is located, i.e., it obtains the vehicle speed. The control device 2 receives the image data from the vehicle interior camera 3 and performs the image recognition processing for the received image data. In doing so, the control device 2 determines the driver's state, in particular whether the driver is slumbering and whether the driver is looking to the side, and stores the determination result in the memory within the control device 2. This image processing for the driver corresponds to a driver state determination control system.

[0030] The processing then continues with step S20, which determines whether the vehicle speed range V is within the range V ≈ 0. If the speed range is V ≈ 0 (YES), the processing continues with step S50, and an initial alarm is triggered. This initial alarm is described later. In step S20, if the speed range is not within the range V ≈ 0 (NO), the processing continues with step S30.

[0031] In step S30, it is determined whether the vehicle speed range V is 0 < V ≤ Vth. If the speed range is 0 < V ≤ Vth (YES), processing continues with step S60 and a second alarm control is executed. The second alarm control is described later. In step S30 described above, if the speed range is not 0 < V ≤ Vth (NO), processing continues with step S40.

[0032] In step S40, it is determined whether the vehicle speed range V is Vth < V. If the speed range is Vth < V (YES), the processing continues with step S70 and a third alarm control is executed. The third alarm control is described later. In step S40 described above, if the speed range is not Vth < V (NO), the processing returns to step S10 and the processes described above are executed again. In the present embodiment, the control of Fig. 7, that is, the vehicle speed determination control is executed repeatedly in a predetermined cycle.

[0033] Next, the first alarm control will be implemented in step S50 according to... Fig. 8 described. In one step S110 of Fig. 8. The control device 2 receives the image data from the vehicle interior camera 3 and performs image processing on the received image data. This allows the control device 2 to determine the driver's state, in particular whether the driver is slumbering and whether the driver is looking to the side, and to store the result of this determination in the memory within the control device 2. This image processing for the driver, i.e., the driver state determination control, was already described in step S10 of Fig. 7. Therefore, the processing of step S110 can be omitted. If image processing is performed in step S110, image processing can be performed in step S10. Fig. Number 7 can be omitted.

[0034] Next, processing continues with step S120, which determines whether the driver is drowsy. If the driver is drowsy (YES), processing continues with step S130, which determines whether the driver is looking to the side. If the driver is looking to the side (YES), processing continues with step S140, and the drowsiness and inattention alarm is deactivated; that is, the alarm is not triggered. This ends the first alarm control, and processing returns to the main control of... Fig. 7 back.

[0035] In step S120 described above, if the driver is not slumbering (NO), processing continues with step S140. The slumber and inattention alarm is deactivated, and the first alarm control phase ends.

[0036] In step S130 described above, if the driver does not look to the side (NO), processing continues with step S140. The snooze and inattention alarm is deactivated, and the first alarm control phase ends.

[0037] In the first alarm control, the alarm is not triggered regardless of whether the driver is slumbering or looking to the side. Therefore, steps S110 to S130 can be omitted from the processing, and only step S140 needs to be executed.

[0038] Next, the second alarm control will be implemented in step S60 according to... Fig. 9 described. In one step S210 of Fig. 9. The control device 2 receives the image data from the vehicle interior camera 3 and performs image processing on the received image data. This allows the control device 2 to determine the driver's state, in particular whether the driver is slumbering and whether the driver is looking to the side, and to store the result of this determination in the memory within the control device 2. This image processing for the driver, i.e., the driver state determination control, was already described in step S10 of Fig. 7. Therefore, the processing of step S210 can be omitted. If image processing is performed in step S210, image processing can be performed in step S10. Fig. Number 7 can be omitted.

[0039] The processing then continues with step S220, which determines whether the driver is drowsy. If the driver is drowsy (YES), the processing continues with step S230, and the drowsiness and inattention alarm is activated. In this case, control device 2, by executing the drive control for instruction section 5, causes the loudspeaker to emit an alarm sound, an alarm voice, or the like, or displays the alarm message on the display.

[0040] This ends the second alarm control and processing returns to the main control of Fig. 7 back.

[0041] In step S220 described above, if the driver is not slumbering (NO), processing continues with step S240, which determines whether the driver is looking to the side. If the driver is looking to the side (YES), processing continues with step S250, and the slumber and inattention alarm is deactivated; that is, the alarm is not triggered. This ends the second alarm control, and processing returns to the main control. Fig. 7 back.

[0042] In step S240 described above, if the driver does not look to the side (NO), processing continues with step S250. The snooze and inattention alarm is deactivated, and the second alarm control ends.

[0043] In the second alarm control, if the driver is not slumbering, the alarm is not triggered, regardless of whether the driver is looking to the side. Therefore, the processing of step S240 can be omitted. If the determination in step S220 is "NO", the processing of step S250 can be executed.

[0044] Next, the third alarm control will be implemented in step S70 according to... Fig. 10 described. In one step S310 of Fig. In step 10, the control device 2 receives the image data from the vehicle interior camera 3 and performs image processing on the received image data. This allows the control device 2 to determine the driver's state, in particular whether the driver is slumbering and whether the driver is looking to the side, and to store the result of this determination in the memory within the control device 2. This image processing for the driver, i.e., the driver state determination control, was already described in step S10. Fig. 7. Therefore, the processing of step S310 can be omitted. If image processing is performed in step S310, image processing can be performed in step S10. Fig. Number 7 can be omitted.

[0045] Next, processing continues with step S320, which determines whether the driver is drowsy. If the driver is drowsy (YES), processing continues with step S330, activating the drowsiness and inattention alarm. In this case, control device 2, by executing the drive control for instruction section 5, causes the loudspeaker to emit the drowsiness alarm sound, the drowsiness alarm voice, or the like, or displays the drowsiness alarm message on the display. This concludes the third alarm control, and processing returns to the third main control. Fig. 7 back.

[0046] In step S320 described above, if the driver is not slumbering (NO), processing continues with step S340, which determines whether the driver is looking to the side. If the driver is looking to the side (YES), processing continues with step S330, triggering the slumber and inattention alarm. This concludes the third alarm control, and processing returns to the third main control step. Fig. 7 back.

[0047] In step S340 described above, if the driver does not look to the side (NO), processing continues with step S350. The snooze and inattention alarm is deactivated; that is, the alarm is not triggered. This ends the third alarm control, and processing returns to the third main control. Fig. 7 back.

[0048] In the present embodiment, each control of Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. This means that the driver state determination control is executed repeatedly in a predetermined cycle. The vehicle speed determination control of Fig. 7 and each driver state determination control of Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are executed repeatedly and synchronously.

[0049] In each embodiment described above, the vehicle speed determination control is executed first. This is followed by the driver state determination control, that is, the control for driver drowsiness, inattention, or the like. However, alternatively, the driver state determination control can be executed first, followed by the vehicle speed determination control. Even such a configuration can have a similar effect.

[0050] In the present embodiment, which has such a configuration, the instruction section triggers the alarm when driver drowsiness or inattention is detected. The alarm is triggered based on the detection result for driver drowsiness, driver inattention, or vehicle speed. According to this configuration, it may be possible to trigger the alarm even if the driver is drowsy or looking to the side. Furthermore, it may be possible to refrain from triggering the alarm if it is unnecessary. Thus, it may be possible to prevent, as far as possible, situations in which the driver feels bothered by the alarm.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the threshold value Vth is adjustable. This allows the stage at which an alarm is triggered to be determined to better suit the driver's, i.e., the user's, needs. This reduces false alarms and may minimize driver annoyance. Consequently, it may be possible to improve usability compared to the conventional configuration.

[0052] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, if the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the threshold value Vth, the alarm is triggered when driver drowsiness is detected. Even if driver inattention is detected, the alarm is not triggered. According to this configuration, if the vehicle is moving at an extremely low speed, for example, to search for a parking space, the alarm is not triggered. Therefore, it may be possible to prevent the driver from feeling disturbed by the alarm.

[0053] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, if the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold value Vth and driver drowsiness or inattention is detected, an alarm is triggered. According to this configuration, if the vehicle is traveling at normal speed, an alarm is triggered when drowsiness or inattention is detected. Therefore, it may be possible to prevent driving while drowsy or inattentive.

[0054] In the present embodiment, if the vehicle speed is 0 or close to 0, the alarm is not triggered when the driver's drowsiness is detected. Therefore, if the vehicle speed is 0 or close to 0, the alarm regarding drowsiness or inattention is not triggered. This may prevent the driver from feeling disturbed by the alarm. (Second embodiment)

[0055] Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows a second embodiment. A configuration identical to that of the first embodiment is provided with an identical reference numeral. In this second embodiment, in addition to detecting the driver's drowsiness or inattention, an abnormal driver posture is detected, triggering an alarm. The second alarm control of step S60 in the first embodiment, that is, the flowchart of Fig. 9 and the third alarm control of step S70, that is, the flowchart of Fig. 10 will be amended as described above.

[0056] First, a second alarm control of the second embodiment is installed according to Fig. 11 described. Each processing of steps S210, S220 and S230 in Fig. Step 11 is implemented similarly to the first embodiment. If the driver is not slumbering (NO) in step S220, processing continues with step S235 and it is determined whether the driver posture is abnormal. Detection processing for abnormal driver posture is performed in the image processing of step S210 or step S10. Fig. 7 is executed, that is, the driver state determination control. The measurement result is stored in the memory within the control device 2.

[0057] In step S235, as described above, if the driver posture is abnormal (YES), processing continues with step S230 and the alarm is triggered; that is, the alarm regarding drowsiness, inattention, and abnormal posture is executed. In step S235 described above, if the driver posture is abnormal (NO), processing continues with step S240 and it is determined whether the driver is looking to the side. Each processing step of S240 and S250 is performed similarly to the first embodiment.

[0058] Next, a third alarm control of the second embodiment will be implemented according to Fig. 12 described. Each processing of steps S310, S320 and S330 in Fig. Step 12 is implemented similarly to the first embodiment. In step S320, if the driver is not slumbering (NO), processing continues with step S335 and it is determined whether the driver posture is abnormal. Detection processing for the abnormal driver posture is performed in the image processing of step S310 or step S10 in Fig. 7 is executed, that is, the driver state determination control. The measurement result is stored in the memory within the control device 2.

[0059] In step S335, as described above, if the driver posture is abnormal (YES), processing continues with step S330 and the alarm is triggered; that is, the alarm regarding drowsiness, inattention, and abnormal posture is executed. In step S335 described above, if the driver posture is abnormal (NO), processing continues with step S340 and it is determined whether the driver is looking to the side. Each processing step of S340 and S350 is performed similarly to the first embodiment.

[0060] Configurations according to the second embodiment, other than those described, are similar to corresponding configurations according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the second embodiment can provide an operational effect similar to the first embodiment. In particular, the second embodiment detects the driver's abnormal posture. If the driver's posture is abnormal, it may be possible to alert the driver to this abnormal posture and encourage the driver to adopt a correct posture.

[0061] In each of the embodiments described above, the initial value of the threshold Vth, that is, a default value, is set to 10 km / h. However, it can be set to a different speed. In each of the embodiments described above, the threshold Vth can be changed by the user, the ride manager, or the like. However, there is no restriction on how this can be done. For example, the threshold can be changed as follows.

[0062] After the vehicle's driving ends, the driver enters information regarding the annoyance caused by the alarm, and the threshold value Vth is set for each driver based on this input. Specifically, when the vehicle's driving ends and the driver exits the vehicle, a message such as "Is the alarm frequency annoying?" appears on the display screen. If the driver then operates the touch field of Operation Input Section 6 and selects "YES" or "NO," the threshold value is changed according to the selection. This change in the Vth threshold value is then reflected in the alarm processing during the next driving session.

[0063] For example, if the driver selects "YES", the control unit 2 changes the threshold value Vth to increase it by, for example, 5 km / h. That is, the control unit 2 sets the threshold value Vth to Vth = Vth + 5 km / h and stores the changed threshold value Vth in its memory. In contrast, if the driver selects "NO", the control unit 2 keeps the threshold value Vth at its current value and uses the same threshold value Vth for alarm processing on the next trip.

[0064] If "NO" persists many times, it is assumed that there is a large amount of undetected snooze or similar activity. Therefore, the threshold value Vth is changed to a smaller value, thereby facilitating the detection of the snooze or similar activity. For example, if the response "NO" persists after five attempts, the threshold value Vth is changed to decrease by, say, 5 km / h; that is, the threshold value Vth is set to Vth = Vth - 5 km / h. The modified threshold value Vth is stored in memory within the control device 2, such as non-volatile memory. This means that the next time the detection control is started, the modified threshold value Vth is read and used for detection control. The control device 2 and the operation input section 6 function as a threshold change section.

[0065] Each of the embodiments described above may include a configuration for receiving feedback from the driver after the driver's driving has ended, regarding whether the alarm frequency or the like is appropriate. In such a configuration, if, for example, the response indicates that the alarm frequency or the like is appropriate, the alarm corresponds to the user's understanding. Therefore, it is preferred that the threshold value Vth remains unchanged and is maintained.

[0066] In each of the embodiments described above, it is not determined whether the vehicle is in a traffic jam, and no control action is performed in a case where it is determined that the vehicle is in a traffic jam. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined whether the vehicle is in a traffic jam, and in a case where it is determined that the vehicle is in a traffic jam, even if the vehicle speed V is in the range V ≈ 0 (0), it is preferred that the alarm not be switched off and continue. The vehicle speed detector alone cannot accurately determine the traffic jam. Therefore, it is preferred that traffic jam information be obtained through VICS communication (registered trademark) and that a determination regarding whether the vehicle is in a traffic jam be performed.However, such a configuration requires cooperation with another facility, which can increase manufacturing costs. Furthermore, if the vehicle is on the road, for example, based on its GPS signal position, the alarm cannot be deactivated and will continue to sound. However, if the vehicle is not on the road, the alarm can be deactivated.

[0067] In each of the embodiments described above, to simplify the overall system configuration and a detection algorithm for snooze or similar functions, if the vehicle speed range V is in the range of V ≈ 0, no distinction is made between whether the vehicle is stopped or in heavy traffic, and the alarm is switched on or off depending on the vehicle speed. According to this configuration, in a case of heavy traffic, if the vehicle is moving slightly, the vehicle speed range V is in the range of 0

Claims

[1] Vehicle alarm device (1) comprising: a slumber detector configured to detect a driver's slumber; an inattention detector configured to detect driver inattention; a speed detector (4) configured to detect a vehicle speed (V); a training section (5) configured to perform driver alerting; and an alarm controller (2) configured to execute the alarm performed by the instruction section (5) based on a driver snooze detection result, a driver inattention detection result, and a vehicle speed (V) detection result, wherein the alarm controller (2) is configured to control the alarm according to the vehicle speed (V) by determining whether the vehicle speed (V) exceeds a predetermined threshold (Vth), and in a case where the vehicle speed (V) is equal to or less than the threshold (Vth), the alarm controller (2) is configured, to cause the instruction section (5) to execute the alarm when the driver's drowsiness is detected, and to instruct section (5) not to carry out the alarm, even if the driver's inattention is detected. [2] Vehicle alarm device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value (Vth) is variable. [3] Vehicle alarm device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in a case where the vehicle speed (V) is higher than the threshold (Vth), the alarm controller (2) is configured to cause the instruction section (5) to execute the alarm when driver slumber is detected or when driver inattention is detected. [4] Vehicle alarm device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in a case where the vehicle speed (V) is zero or close to zero, the alarm controller (2) is configured to cause the instruction section (5) not to execute the alarm, even if driver slumber is detected or driver inattention is detected.

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