Notification device

Abstract

To provide a notification device capable of appropriately giving notice to occupants while suppressing lowering of an in-vehicle entertainment property.SOLUTION: A notification device 9 for issuing notification by emitting sound into a cabin 1S of a vehicle 1 comprises: a speaker 23 for emitting sound into the cabin; a microphone 25 installed in the vehicle and converting collected sound into a sound signal to output it; and a control device 27 for outputting sound from the speaker based on the sound signal. The control device is configured to: acquire content sound information relating to a content sound of in-vehicle entertainment; acquire alert sound information for producing an attention urging sound to attract attention; estimate a travel state of the vehicle based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone; set a sound volume of each of the content sound and the attention urging sound based on the estimated travel state; and output corresponding content sound and attention urging sound from the speaker with the set sound volume based on the content sound information and the alert sound information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an alarm device that is mounted on a vehicle and that issues an alarm by sound. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increase in efforts to provide access to sustainable transport systems that take into consideration vulnerable transport participants, such as the elderly, people with disabilities and children. To achieve this, research and development into passenger notification is important to further improve road safety.

[0003] A driving support device that issues a warning to a driver before driving a vehicle is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The driving support device disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects an object located in the planned driving direction, such as a right or left turn, at an intersection on a planned driving route where there is a possibility of turning right or left, and issues a warning by sounding an attention alert.

[0004] In the driving support device of Patent Document 1, a sound that sounds like it comes from a real object, such as a vehicle engine sound or road noise, is generated from a virtual sound source as an attention-calling sound. The volume of the sound is set to a level that does not interfere with conversation or music.

[0005] A vehicle attention-attention device is known that is provided in a vehicle seat and includes a vibration device that applies vibrations to an occupant in order to warn and alert the occupant (for example, Patent Document 2). The vibration devices are provided on the seat back and the seat cushion. The vibration device on the seat back is disposed, for example, near the occupant's shoulders and shoulder blades, and the vibration device on the seat cushion is disposed near the occupant's buttocks and feet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5867171 [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-116221 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In recent years, the use of IT in vehicles has placed importance on comfort within the vehicle cabin, and in-car entertainment systems such as car audio have become increasingly sophisticated. On the other hand, in order to ensure the safety of the vehicle, it is important to provide appropriate warnings and attention to passengers, especially the driver, who are enjoying the in-car entertainment, as necessary.

[0008] In the driving support device of Patent Document 1, the attention-calling sound is set to a level that does not disturb conversation or music. Therefore, there is a risk that the driver may not be sufficiently alerted, particularly when a strong attention is required of the driver.

[0009] In the vehicle attention calling device of Patent Document 2, there is a risk that the vibrations generated by the vibration device may not be effectively transmitted to the driver depending on the physique or posture of the driver.

[0010] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide an alarm device that can appropriately notify occupants while suppressing a decrease in in-vehicle entertainment, and thereby further improve traffic safety and contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is an alarm device (9) that issues an alarm by emitting sound into a passenger compartment (1S) of a vehicle (1), comprising a speaker (23) that emits sound into the passenger compartment, a microphone (25) that is provided in the vehicle and converts the picked-up sound into a sound signal and outputs it, and a control device (27) that outputs the sound from the speaker based on the sound signal, wherein the control device acquires content sound information related to content sounds of in-car entertainment, acquires caution sound information for generating an attention sound for calling attention, estimates the driving state of the vehicle based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone, sets the volume of each of the content sound and the attention sound based on the estimated driving state, and outputs the corresponding content sound and the attention sound from the speaker at the set volume based on the content sound information and the caution sound information, respectively.

[0012] According to this aspect, the volume of the content sound and the volume of the attention-calling sound can be set according to the driving state of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not to issue an attention-call based on the driving state of the vehicle and to appropriately set the volume, so that it is possible to provide an alarm device that can appropriately alert occupants without reducing the entertainment value inside the vehicle.

[0013] In the above aspect, preferably, the control device sets an attention level indicating the degree of attention required of the occupants based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone, and as the attention level becomes higher, reduces the volume of the sound generated from the speaker based on the content sound information.

[0014] According to this aspect, the volume of the content sound is reduced as the level of attention required of the occupant increases, thereby preventing the occupant from having difficulty hearing the attention-call sound due to the content sound when attention is required.

[0015] In the above aspect, preferably, the control device increases the volume of the sound generated from the speaker based on the caution sound information as the caution level becomes higher.

[0016] According to this aspect, when the degree of attention required of the occupant increases, the volume of the attention calling sound based on the attention sound information increases. This makes it easier for the occupant to hear the attention calling sound when attention is required, so that the occupant can be appropriately notified.

[0017] In the above aspect, preferably, the vehicle control device further comprises a vibration device (31) that generates vibrations to notify an occupant, and the control device drives the vibration device based on the estimated running state.

[0018] According to this aspect, the vibration device can notify the occupant.

[0019] In the above aspect, preferably, when the attention level is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, the control device stops output of a sound based on the attention sound information and drives the vibration device.

[0020] According to this aspect, when the attention level is equal to or lower than the threshold, the vibration device is driven and the output of the sound based on the attention sound information is stopped. This makes it possible to notify the occupants without reducing the entertainment value inside the vehicle.

[0021] In the above aspect, preferably, when the attention level is greater than a predetermined threshold, the control device increases the volume based on the attention sound information as the attention level increases.

[0022] According to this aspect, the volume of the attention warning sound increases as the degree of attention required of the occupant increases. This makes it easier for the occupant to hear the attention warning sound when attention is required, so that the occupant can be appropriately notified.

[0023] In the above aspect, preferably, a vibration device (31) is included that generates vibrations to alert the occupant, and the control device increases the amplitude of the vibrations generated by the vibration device as the attention level becomes higher.

[0024] According to this aspect, when the degree of attention required of the occupant increases, the amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibration device increases. As a result, when attention is required, the occupant can easily feel the vibration, and therefore the occupant can be appropriately notified.

[0025] In the above aspect, preferably, the control device estimates whether or not the vehicle is traveling in the rain based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone, and when it determines that the vehicle is traveling in the rain, sets the attention level higher than when it determines that the vehicle is not traveling in the rain.

[0026] According to this aspect, when driving in rainy weather that requires a warning, the warning level is set to be higher than when not driving in rainy weather, so that the warning level can be set appropriately.

[0027] In the above aspect, preferably, when the control device determines that the vehicle is not traveling in the rain, it determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling at a high speed based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone, and when it determines that the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, it sets the attention level higher than when it determines that the vehicle is not traveling at a high speed.

[0028] According to this aspect, the attention level is set to be higher when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds requiring attention than when the vehicle is not traveling at high speeds, so that the attention level can be set appropriately. Effect of the Invention

[0029] According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide an alarm device that can appropriately notify occupants without reducing the entertainment value inside the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a notification device; [Diagram 2] Functional block diagram of a vehicle equipped with a notification device [Diagram 3] Example of the intensity of the sound signal picked up by the microphone during rainfall [Figure 4] Flowchart of output setting process [Diagram 5] A table showing the relationship between driving conditions and the corresponding attention level and amplification factor settings. [Figure 6] Flowchart of driving state estimation process DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, an alarm device according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and issues an alarm by emitting a sound into the passenger compartment (ie, the vehicle interior) of the vehicle.

[0033] 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 is provided with an attention calling system 3 that generates information regarding attention calling, a navigation system 5 that generates information related to driving guidance, a content acquisition system 7 that generates information for playing music or radio sounds in the vehicle interior 1S, and an audio system 9 that generates sounds in the vehicle interior 1S to give alerts and the like based on information from the attention calling system 3, the navigation system 5, and the content acquisition system 7. In this embodiment, the audio system 9 can alert the occupants by vibration in addition to alerting them by sound.

[0034] The attention calling system 3 generates information (attention sound information) for generating a sound (attention sound) for calling the attention of an occupant, based on various conditions such as the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 1. The attention calling system 3 includes at least one sensing device 11 and an alarm generating device 13 that generates information for calling the attention of an occupant, based on the detection result of the sensing device 11.

[0035] The sensing device 11 may be a radar 11A, a lidar 11B, a sonar 11C, a camera 11D that captures images of the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle 1, or the like. Alternatively, the sensing device 11 may be one or more sensors that detect information related to the driver. Specifically, for example, the sensing device 11 may be a sensor that detects biological information such as the driver's heart rate and respiratory rate, or may be a camera that detects the driver from the front to monitor whether the driver is dozing.

[0036] The warning generation device 13 is configured by a computer including a processor 13A and a storage device 13B. The processor 13A of the warning generation device 13 determines, based on the detection result of the sensing device 11, whether or not it is necessary to alert the occupant.

[0037] Specifically, when the sensing device 11 includes, for example, a radar 11A, a lidar 11B, or a sonar 11C, the warning generation device 13 (processor 13A) acquires information relating to, for example, nearby vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles, etc. Based on the acquired information, the warning generation device 13 determines whether to issue a warning to the driver based on the distance between the vehicle 1 on which the warning generation device 13 is installed, etc. When, for example, the distance between a surrounding object located behind the vehicle 1 and the vehicle 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the warning generation device 13 determines that a warning sound should be generated, generates warning sound information indicating the corresponding warning sound, and outputs it to the audio system 9.

[0038] In addition, the alarm generating device 13 generates information required to issue a warning (warning information) based on the detection result of the sensing device 11, and outputs it to the audio system 9, etc. The warning information may include, in addition to warning sound information, information related to the mode of vibration to be output by the audio system 9 (also referred to as warning vibration information). The warning vibration information may include various information required to output vibration, such as the timing and position at which vibration is generated, the vibration amplitude, and the vibration frequency.

[0039] The navigation system 5 searches for a driving route to a set destination, and generates information for displaying the route obtained by the search, as well as information related to sounds for providing guidance to the driver regarding the obtained route.

[0040] The navigation system 5 includes a position detection device 15 and a guidance processing device 17 .

[0041] The position detection device 15 identifies the current position of the vehicle 1 by a known method, and outputs information indicating the identified current position to the guidance processing device 17. The position detection device 15 may be configured, for example, by a GPS receiver that receives signals from GPS satellites and identifies the position of the vehicle 1.

[0042] The guidance processing device 17 is composed of a computer including a processor 17A such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), various memories (not shown) such as volatile memory and non-volatile memory, and a storage device 17B in which map information is stored. The guidance processing device 17 searches for a driving route from the current position to the destination based on the current position of the vehicle 1 acquired by the position detection device 15 and the map information stored in the storage device 17B. The guidance processing device 17 outputs information (guidance image information) for displaying the searched route on the display device and a signal related to a sound (guidance sound information) for guiding the driver along the route obtained by the search to the audio system 9. Hereinafter, the guidance image information and the guidance sound information will be collectively referred to as guidance information.

[0043] The content acquisition system 7 acquires information for providing in-car entertainment to occupants, such as music playback, radio reception, movie playback, etc. The content acquisition system 7 acquires information related to entertainment content such as music, radio, and movies, generates a signal corresponding to the sound to be output (content sound information), and outputs it to the audio system 9.

[0044] The content acquisition system 7 outputs to the audio system 9 signals corresponding to sounds for playing music or videos, and signals corresponding to videos, in order to provide in-car entertainment to the passengers.

[0045] The content acquisition system 7 may be configured by a computer including a content acquisition device 19 and a content processing device 21. The content acquisition device 19 may be configured by various media reading devices that read content information related to music and videos from various media such as CDs (Compact Discs) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs). The content processing device 21 may be configured by a processor 21A that processes content information. The content acquisition device 19 may further include various memories such as volatile memories and non-volatile memories. The content acquisition system 7 (more specifically, the processor 21A) generates information corresponding to sounds to be output (hereinafter, content sound information, also referred to as signals corresponding to sounds) and information corresponding to videos (content video information, also referred to as signals corresponding to videos) based on the content information acquired by the content acquisition device 19, and outputs them to the audio system 9. Hereinafter, the content sound information and the content video information will be collectively referred to as content information.

[0046] The content acquisition device 19 may be configured to download content information from various servers via a mobile communication network and store it in a storage device such as a memory, an SSD, an HDD, etc. The content acquisition device 19 may also generate a signal corresponding to a sound to be output (i.e., content sound information) or a signal corresponding to a video based on content information such as a radio program or a television program received from a receiver (not shown) for radio broadcast waves and television broadcast waves, and output the signal to the audio system 9.

[0047] The audio system 9 includes at least one speaker 23, at least one microphone 25, and an output control device 27. In this embodiment, the audio system 9 includes, in addition to the speaker 23, the microphone 25, and the output control device 27, a display device 29, and a vibration device 31.

[0048] The speaker 23 is provided on a wall surface that defines the vehicle interior 1S, a headrest of a seat, or the like, and emits sound toward the interior of the vehicle interior 1S. When the speaker 23 is provided on a wall surface that defines the vehicle interior 1S, such as a door trim, it is preferable that the speaker 23 is fixed so that the direction from which the sound is emitted (also called the sound emission direction) faces the inside of the vehicle.

[0049] Each of the speakers 23 is connected to the output control device 27 by wiring such as an audio cable. A signal is supplied to each of the speakers 23 from the output control device 27. When a signal is supplied from the output control device 27 to the speaker 23, the speaker 23 emits a sound corresponding to the signal into the vehicle interior 1S.

[0050] The sounds emitted from the speaker 23 may include three types of sounds: a sound corresponding to warning sound information generated by the attention warning system 3, a sound corresponding to guidance sound information generated by the navigation system 5, and a sound corresponding to content sound information generated by the content acquisition system 7.

[0051] The microphone 25 (also called a microphone) is mounted on the vehicle 1, picks up sounds inside or outside the vehicle cabin 1S, and converts them into an electric signal (sound signal). The microphone 25 may be provided outside the vehicle cabin 1S or may be provided inside the vehicle cabin 1S. The microphone 25 may be provided, for example, on the roof (ceiling) near the driver's seat.

[0052] The microphone 25 is configured to be able to pick up sounds within the vehicle compartment 1S and sounds outside the vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as "external vehicle sounds"). The external vehicle sounds picked up by the microphone 25 include the sound of rain around the vehicle 1, wind noise accompanying high-speed driving of the vehicle 1, sounds from the road surface accompanying driving of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter, referred to as "road noise"), noise due to construction work being carried out around the vehicle 1, and the like.

[0053] Rain noise, wind noise, and road noise have characteristics that depend on the cause of the sound. For example, rain noise occurs when raindrops reach the vehicle 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when driving in the rain, a spike-shaped peak (see the arrow in FIG. 3) indicating the sound caused by raindrops occurs in the sound pressure (the square of the amplitude of the sound signal detected by the microphone 25, which corresponds to the intensity of the sound signal) picked up by the microphone 25. Road noise is characterized by including many frequency components below 1 kHz, while wind noise includes many frequency components above 500 Hz.

[0054] 1, the microphone 25 is connected to the output control device 27 via a harness (signal line). The microphone 25 converts the picked-up sound into a sound signal and outputs the converted sound signal to the output control device 27.

[0055] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the display device 29 is provided at a position visible to the occupants in the vehicle interior 1S, and notifies the occupants of visual information by displaying a screen. The display device 29 may be configured as a touch panel display or the like. The display device 29 can display map information and routes output by the navigation system 5, and content information such as videos acquired by the content acquisition system 7. The display device 29 is connected to the output control device 27 via a harness (signal line), and displays a screen based on a signal from the output control device 27. When the display device 29 is configured as a touch panel display, the display device 29 outputs information related to an operation input to the screen to the output control device 27.

[0056] The vibration device 31 notifies the occupant by tactile stimulation. The vibration device 31 may be configured by a known vibration device using, for example, an eccentric motor, a linear resonance actuator, or the like.

[0057] The vibration device 31 may be provided, for example, on a seat provided in the vehicle interior 1S. In this case, the vibration device 31 may be provided anywhere as long as the vibration is transmitted to the occupant sitting on the seat, for example, on the backrest surface of the seat back or on the back side of the seating surface of the seat cushion. When provided on the seat back, the vibration device 31 may be disposed near the shoulders or shoulder blades of the occupant sitting on the seat. When provided on the seat cushion, the vibration device 31 may be disposed near the buttocks or feet of the occupant. The vibration device 31 is connected to the output control device 27 by a harness (signal line), and the amplitude and frequency of the vibration output by the vibration device 31 are controlled by the output control device 27.

[0058] Alternatively, the vibration device 31 may be provided on a steering wheel that is held by a driver, thereby making it possible to notify the driver who is holding the steering wheel to perform driving operations.

[0059] The output control device 27 is composed of one or more electronic control devices (ECUs) equipped with a processor 33 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), a volatile memory 35, a non-volatile memory 37, and a storage device 39 such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0060] The output control device 27 may have an A / D converter 41 for digitally processing the sound signal from the microphone 25, and a D / A converter 43 for outputting sound from the speaker 23 and / or vibration from the vibration device 31. In addition, the output control device 27 may have an amplifier 45 for amplifying the output from the D / A converter 43. The processor 33 can set the amplification factor (also called gain) corresponding to each of the caution sound information, guidance sound information, and content sound information, and set the volume of the corresponding sound, by performing arithmetic processing on the output to the D / A converter 43 and / or by controlling the amplification factor of the amplifier 45.

[0061] The output control device 27 is connected to the attention calling system 3, the navigation system 5, and the content acquisition system 7 via harnesses (signal lines). The output control device 27 acquires attention calling information from the attention calling system 3, guidance information from the navigation system 5, and content information from the content acquisition system 7.

[0062] When the output control device 27 acquires the caution sound information, the guidance sound information, or the content sound information, it amplifies the corresponding sounds (attention sound, guidance sound, and content sound) at a predetermined amplification rate, synthesizes (mixes, also called superimposition), and generates the sounds from the speaker 23. When the output control device 27 acquires the guidance image information, the content video information, or the like, it causes the display device 29 to perform screen display corresponding to each of the information.

[0063] When the output control device 27 acquires the content sound information and the caution sound information, it performs an output setting process and sets the amplification factor corresponding to each sound based on the traveling state of the vehicle 1. The amplification factor here means the ratio of the output to the input to the output control device 27, and is also called gain or gain. The amplification factors set in the output setting process include values ​​less than 1 (i.e., attenuation; negative gain, negative gain) and 0 times (i.e., the corresponding sound is stopped).

[0064] In this embodiment, the output control device 27 sets an amplification factor corresponding to each sound signal, and also sets an amplification factor for the amplitude of vibration output from the vibration device 31. A flowchart of the output setting process according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. Hereinafter, the output setting process executed by the output control device 27 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of the output setting process shown in Fig. 4.

[0065] In the first step ST1 of the output setting process, the output control device 27 estimates the running state of the vehicle 1 based on the sound signal acquired from the microphone 25, and acquires the attention level (ST1). The attention level indicates the degree of attention required of the occupants (particularly the driver), and as the attention level increases, the degree of attention required of the occupants increases, and the driver is required to drive with more care.

[0066] 5 shows a table showing the relationship between the driving state and the corresponding attention level according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, the driving state of the vehicle 1 may include the driving manner of the vehicle 1, such as the speed and acceleration of the vehicle 1, and the situation around the vehicle 1.

[0067] 5, the estimated driving states are exemplified as a rainy driving state in which the vehicle 1 is driving in an environment where it is raining relatively heavily, a high-speed driving state in which the vehicle 1 is driving at a high speed, and a normal driving state in which the vehicle 1 is driving at a normal speed and noise is detected due to construction work being carried out around the vehicle 1. In the rainy driving state, the attention level is set to 3 (high), in the high-speed driving state, the attention level is set to 2 (medium), and in the normal driving state, the attention level is set to 1 (low). After acquiring the attention level, the output control device 27 executes step ST2.

[0068] In step ST2, the output control device 27 refers to the table shown in FIG. 5 based on the attention level acquired in ST1 and sets the amplification factor of the sound corresponding to the attention sound information (i.e., the attention sound). When the attention level acquired in ST1 is 3 (rainy weather driving state), the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the attention sound to a predetermined value greater than 1 (e.g., 1.5 times). When the attention level acquired in ST1 is 2 (high-speed driving state), the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the attention sound to 1. When the attention level acquired in ST1 is 1 (normal driving state), the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the attention sound to 0 (i.e., the attention sound is stopped). When setting of the amplification factor of the sound corresponding to the attention sound information is completed, the output control device 27 executes step ST3.

[0069] In step ST3, the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the drive amount of the vibration device 31 by referring to the table shown in Fig. 5 based on the caution level acquired in ST1. When the caution level acquired in ST1 is 3 (driving in rainy weather) or 2 (driving at high speed), the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the drive amount of the vibration device 31 to a predetermined value greater than 1 (for example, 1.5 times). When the caution level acquired in ST1 is 1 (normal driving), the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor to 1. When setting of the amplification factor of the drive amount of the vibration device 31 is completed, the output control device 27 executes step ST4.

[0070] In step ST4, the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the sound corresponding to the content sound information (i.e., the content sound) with reference to the table shown in Fig. 5 based on the caution level acquired in ST1. When the caution level acquired in ST1 is 3 (driving condition in rainy weather), the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the content sound to a value smaller than 1 (i.e., negative gain), for example, 0.5 times. When the caution level acquired in ST1 is 2 (high-speed driving condition) or 1 (normal driving condition), the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the content sound to 1 times. When setting of the amplification factor corresponding to the content sound is completed, the output control device 27 ends the output setting process.

[0071] Based on the acquired warning sound information and content sound information and the amplification rate set by the output setting process, the output control device 27 amplifies the warning sound and content sound by the corresponding amplification rate, and then synthesizes (mixes, also called superimposes) them and outputs them from the speaker 23.

[0072] In this embodiment, the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor corresponding to the sound corresponding to the guidance sound information (i.e., the guidance sound) to the same value as the amplification factor corresponding to the attention sound in the output setting process. However, the output control device 27 may set the amplification factor corresponding to the guidance sound to be smaller than the amplification factor corresponding to the attention sound and larger than the amplification factor corresponding to the content sound in the output setting process.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 5, in step ST1 of the output setting process, the output control device 27 acquires a caution level by estimating a driving state based on the output of the microphone 25. Fig. 6 shows an example of a flowchart of a process for estimating a driving state performed by the output control device 27, that is, a driving state estimation process. An example of the driving state estimation process shown in Fig. 6 will be described below.

[0074] First, in step ST11, the first step of the driving state determination process, the output control device 27 estimates the presence or absence of rainfall and the degree of rainfall based on the sound signal output from the microphone 25. Specifically, the output control device 27 counts the number of sounds (spike sounds) made by raindrops within a predetermined time based on the sound signal output from the microphone 25, and when the number of sounds made by raindrops per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, executes step ST12, the output control device 27 estimates that the driving state is a rainy weather driving state, and ends the driving state estimation process. When the microphone 25 does not detect the sound of raindrops, or when the sound of raindrops made by raindrops is less than a predetermined threshold, the output control device 27 determines that the driving state is not a rainy weather driving state, and executes step ST13.

[0075] In step ST13, the output control device 27 determines whether the proportion of sound signals caused by wind noise among the sound signals acquired by the microphone 25 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In this embodiment, the output control device 27 first performs known signal processing to remove sound signals caused by raindrops from the sound signals acquired by the microphone 25. At this time, for example, the output control device 27 may remove spike-like sound signals caused by raindrops by applying a known filter to the sound signals acquired by the microphone 25. The output control device 27 may also remove sound signals corresponding to spike sounds caused by raindrops by removing sound signals of a predetermined time width centered on the peak of the spike-like sound signal caused by raindrops. Next, the output control device 27 calculates the proportion of sound signals whose frequencies are equal to or greater than a predetermined frequency threshold (for example, 500 Hz) by frequency analysis of the sound signals after the sound signals caused by raindrops are removed. Next, the output control device 27 determines that the proportion of sound signals caused by wind noise is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold when the proportion of the sound signals is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion threshold.

[0076] When the output control device 27 determines that the proportion of sound signals caused by wind noise is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it determines that the vehicle is in a high-speed driving state (step ST14) and ends the driving state estimation process. When the output control device 27 determines that the proportion of sound signals caused by wind noise is not equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it determines that the vehicle is in a normal driving state (step ST15) and ends the driving state estimation process.

[0077] Next, the operation and effects of the audio system 9 configured as above will be described.

[0078] 5, the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor, i.e., the volume, corresponding to each of the content sound and the attention-calling sound based on the traveling state of the vehicle 1 estimated in step ST1, and generates the content sound and the attention-calling sound from the speaker 23. Thus, the audio system 9 functions as an alarm device that generates the attention-calling sound and issues the sound toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 to provide an alarm.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 5, the output control device 27 estimates the running state of the vehicle 1 based on the sound collected by the microphone 25. For example, the output control device 27 estimates that the vehicle is running in rainy weather based on the sound of rain collected by the microphone 25. When the output control device 27 determines that the vehicle is not running in rainy weather, it determines whether the vehicle is running at high speed based on the strength of the wind noise. In this way, by using the sound collected by the microphone 25, the running state of the vehicle 1 can be obtained appropriately and simply.

[0080] 5, when the caution level is 3 (driving in rainy weather), the output control device 27 sets the amplification rate of the content sound to be smaller than when the caution level is 2 (driving at high speed). As a result, when the caution level changes from 2 to 3, the sound generated from the microphone 25 based on the content sound information, i.e., the volume of the content sound, is set to be smaller.

[0081] Therefore, when the vehicle changes from a high-speed driving state to a rainy driving state requiring a high level of caution, the volume of the content sound is reduced. This makes it possible to prevent the content sound from making it difficult for the occupants to hear the attention-call sound when attention is required.

[0082] Furthermore, when the attention level is 2 or higher, the output control device 27 sets the amplification rate of the attention sound to be larger as the attention level increases. As a result, when the attention level increases and goes from 2 to 3, the volume of the sound generated from the microphone 25 based on the attention sound information, i.e., the volume of the attention sound, is set to be larger.

[0083] This makes it easier for occupants to hear the warning sound when attention is required, so that occupants can be properly notified.

[0084] 5, when the attention level is 1 or lower, that is, when the vehicle 1 is in a normal driving state, the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the attention sound to 0 and stops the output of the attention sound. At the same time, the output control device 27 sets the amplification factor of the vibration device 31 to 1 and drives the vibration device 31 to notify the occupants.

[0085] As a result, when the attention level is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold (in this embodiment, the threshold is 1), instead of stopping the output of the attention-calling sound, the vibration device 31 is driven to notify the passengers by vibration. As a result, the volume of the content sound is maintained when the notification is made, so that the passengers can be appropriately notified without reducing the entertainment value inside the vehicle.

[0086] Furthermore, when the attention level is 2 or lower, the output control device 27 increases the amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibration device 31 as the attention level increases. Therefore, when the attention level changes from 1 (normal driving state) to 2 (high-speed driving state) and the degree of attention required of the occupant increases, the amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibration device 31 increases. This makes it easier for the occupant to feel the vibration when attention is required, so that the occupant can be appropriately notified.

[0087] In this way, the audio system 9 can set the volume of the content sound and the volume of the attention-calling sound according to the driving state of the vehicle 1. This makes it possible to set the volume of the content sound and the attention-calling sound according to the degree of attention required. This allows the audio system 9 to appropriately notify the occupants without reducing the entertainment value inside the vehicle.

[0088] In this way, the present disclosure provides an alarm device (audio system 9) that can properly notify occupants without compromising in-vehicle entertainment. The alarm device (audio system 9) of the present disclosure is expected to further improve traffic safety and contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0089] Although the specific embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and its modified examples, and can be modified in a wide range of ways.

[0090] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, when the attention level is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (2 or higher in Fig. 5), the output control device 27 sets the amplification rate of the attention sound to be higher as the attention level increases, but this is not limited to the embodiment. Specifically, the output control device 27 may set the amplification rate of the attention sound to be higher as the attention level increases, regardless of the threshold, and set the volume of the content sound to be lower as the attention level increases. Even in this case, the volume of the content sound decreases as the level of attention required of the occupant increases. This makes it possible to prevent the occupant from having difficulty hearing the attention sound due to the content sound when attention is required.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the output control device 27 was configured to estimate the running state of the vehicle 1 using the microphone 25, but in addition to the microphone 25, the output control device 27 may be configured to estimate the running state of the vehicle 1 based on the output of the sensing devices 11 such as the radar 11A, the lidar 11B, the sonar 11C, the camera 11D, etc., and the output of various sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor and an acceleration sensor provided on the vehicle body.

[0092] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the alarm generation device 13, the guidance processing device 17, the content processing device 21 and the output control device 27 are configured as separate entities, but this is not limited to the above, and the alarm generation device 13, the guidance processing device 17, the content processing device 21 and the output control device 27 may be configured as a single processing device.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the caution level is set higher when the vehicle is traveling in rain or at high speed than when the vehicle is traveling normally, but the present invention is not limited to this. The caution level may be set higher than when the vehicle is traveling normally when the microphone 25 detects, for example, rumbling, a roar caused by a strong wind or lightning, or a warning sound issued by a local government. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1: Vehicle 1S: Car room (passenger room) 9: Sound system (alarm device) 23: Speaker 25:Mike 27: Output control device (control device) 31: Vibration device

Claims

1. An alarm device that issues an alarm by emitting a sound into a passenger compartment of a vehicle, A speaker for emitting sound into the passenger compartment; A microphone provided in the vehicle for converting a picked-up sound into a sound signal and outputting the sound signal; a control device that outputs a sound from the speaker based on the sound signal; The control device includes: Acquire content sound information relating to content sound of in-car entertainment; Obtaining attention sound information for generating an attention sound for calling attention; estimating a running state of the vehicle based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone; setting a volume of each of the content sound and the attention-call sound based on the estimated driving state; An alarm device that outputs the corresponding content sound and the attention sound from the speaker at set volumes based on the content sound information and the attention sound information, respectively.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control device sets an attention level indicating the degree of attention required of the occupant based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone, and reduces the volume of the sound generated from the speaker based on the content sound information as the attention level becomes higher.

3. The notification device according to claim 2 , wherein the control device increases the volume of the sound generated from the speaker based on the caution sound information as the caution level becomes higher.

4. A vibration device that generates vibrations to notify an occupant, The notification device according to claim 2 , wherein the control device activates the vibration device based on the estimated running state.

5. The alarm device according to claim 4 , wherein the control device stops output of the sound based on the caution sound information and activates the vibration device when the caution level is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value.

6. The notification device according to claim 2 , wherein the control device increases the volume of the warning sound based on the warning sound information as the warning level increases when the warning level is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

7. A vibration device that generates vibrations to notify an occupant, The notification device according to claim 6 , wherein the control device increases an amplitude of the vibration generated by the vibration device as the attention level increases.

8. The control device estimates whether the vehicle is traveling in the rain based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone, and when it determines that the vehicle is traveling in the rain, sets the warning level higher than when it determines that the vehicle is not traveling in the rain.

9. The warning device according to claim 8, wherein when the control device determines that the vehicle is not traveling in the rain, it determines whether the vehicle is traveling at a high speed based on the sound signal acquired by the microphone, and when it determines that the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, it sets the warning level higher than when it determines that the vehicle is not traveling at a high speed.

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