Notification device for vehicle

Abstract

To enable a driver to more easily recognize a notification regarding the state of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A notification device for a vehicle performs an auditory notification to prompt recognition by a driver that the vehicle is in a prescribed state when it is determined that the vehicle is in the prescribed state. The prescribed state includes multiple types of regulatory attribute states and non-regulatory attribute states that are different from the regulatory attribute states. The device is capable of notifying a driver of a fact that the vehicle is in one of the multiple types of regulatory attribute states by using a different signal sound for each type of the regulatory attribute state, when the vehicle is in two or more types of regulatory attribute states (S105), performs such a notification that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute states, and stops such a notification that the vehicle is in the non-regulatory attribute state (S113).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a notification device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] When generating a plurality of states belonging to different warning levels and simultaneously notifying them by warning sounds according to the warning levels, there is a technique of sounding a warning sound indicating the occurrence of a state with a higher warning level while stopping the sounding of other warning sounds. This makes it easier for the driver to recognize the occurrence of a state with a high warning level.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, according to this technique, even though a plurality of states to be warned are occurring, since there is only one warning sound actually sounding, when there are a plurality of states with different warning levels mixed among these, there is a problem that the driver cannot recognize the occurrence of a state that should be notified by other warning sounds.

[0005] On the other hand, when simultaneously sounding a plurality of warning sounds according to the warning levels, there is a concern that the warning sound indicating the occurrence of a state with a high warning level may be buried in the warning sound indicating the occurrence of a state with a lower warning level, making it difficult for the driver to recognize the occurrence of a state with a high warning level.

[0006] In view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a notification device for a vehicle that enables a driver to appropriately recognize notifications regarding the state of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a vehicle notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle state determination unit that determines that the vehicle is in a predetermined state, and when the vehicle state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in the predetermined state, an auditory notification is performed to prompt the driver of the vehicle to recognize that the vehicle is in the predetermined state. The predetermined state includes a plurality of types of regulatory attribute states and a non-regulatory attribute state different from the regulatory attribute state. The notification unit can notify that the vehicle is in the plurality of types of regulatory attribute states by different signal sounds for each type of regulatory attribute state. When the vehicle is in two or more of the regulatory attribute states, while performing the notification that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state, the notification that the vehicle is in the non-regulatory attribute state is stopped.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle is in two or more regulatory attribute states, while performing a notification by a signal sound for each of the two or more regulatory attribute states, the notification that the vehicle is in the non-regulatory attribute state is stopped. As a result, it becomes possible for the driver to easily recognize that the vehicle is in a regulatory attribute state, in other words, that the vehicle is in a state where the importance or priority of recognition by the driver is high.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Configuration of the Notification Device) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a notification device (hereinafter simply referred to as "notification device") 1 of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The notification device 1 includes a controller 101 as a main component according to the present embodiment, and also includes a vehicle speed sensor 151, a front sonar sensor 152, a seat belt switch 153, a shift position sensor 154, a direction indicator 155, an alarm 161, and a voice generator 162. The vehicle according to the present embodiment includes, in addition to the controller 101 of the notification device 1, a collision mitigation brake (AEB) controller 201 and a lane keep assist (LKA) controller 301. The controller 101 can communicate with the AEB controller 201 and the LKA controller 301. In the present embodiment, in addition to the controller 101, the AEB controller 201 and the LKA controller 301 are included as components of the notification device 1.

[0013] The controller 101 constitutes the arithmetic unit of the notification device 1. The controller 101 receives output signals from various sensors that constitute the detection unit of the notification device 1, such as the vehicle speed sensor 151, and executes a predetermined calculation related to notification control. Then, a command signal corresponding to the result of the calculation is generated and output to the alarm 161 and the voice output device 162 described later.

[0014] The vehicle speed sensor 151 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle speed. The vehicle speed can be detected by detecting the rotational speed of the wheels (for example, the left and right rear wheels which are driven wheels, hereinafter referred to as "wheel speed") and converting the wheel speed into the traveling distance per unit time using the tire dynamic radius of the wheels or the like. Not limited to this, the vehicle speed can also be detected by converting the rotational speed of the drive source (for example, an internal combustion engine) of the vehicle using the gear ratio, the tire dynamic radius, or the like.

[0015] The front sonar sensor 152 is installed, for example, on the front bumper of the vehicle so as to be able to emit ultrasonic waves toward the front of the vehicle. The front sonar sensor 152 receives the reflected wave of the emitted ultrasonic wave and detects the emission direction of the ultrasonic wave, that is, the presence of an obstacle in the front of the vehicle and the distance from the vehicle to the obstacle. When there is an obstacle in the irradiation range of the ultrasonic wave, the front sonar sensor 152 notifies the controller 101 of the presence of the obstacle and notifies the distance from the vehicle to the obstacle. The detection targets by the front sonar sensor 152 include, for example, other vehicles traveling in front of the host vehicle, pedestrians crossing the road in front of the host vehicle, and installations placed on the road in front of the host vehicle.

[0016] The seat belt switch 153 notifies the controller 101 that the seat belt is not fastened when the driver or another passenger (including the driver and passengers, hereinafter referred to as "occupants") is traveling in the vehicle with the seat belt unfastened. In the present embodiment, the unfastening of the seat belt is detected and notified for each seat. Specifically, a seating sensor (not shown) is installed for each seat, and when the seat belt provided on the seat where the seating of the occupant is confirmed by the seating sensor is unfastened during the traveling of the vehicle, the unfastening of the seat belt provided on that seat is notified.

[0017] The shift position sensor 154 detects the shift position or the gear range of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the vehicle has a drive (D) range, a park (P) range, a neutral (N) range, and a reverse (R) range, and is set to the D range during forward travel. Further, it is set to the P range during parking and to the R range during reverse travel. In the N range, the power transmission between the drive source and the drive wheels (for example, the left and right front wheels) is interrupted. When the shift position sensor 154 detects that the gear range of the vehicle is the R range, it notifies the controller 101 that the vehicle is in the R range.

[0018] The direction indicator 155 is a device for indicating the direction of travel after a route change when the vehicle changes its route, such as turning right, turning left, or changing lanes, and includes direction-indicating lamps arranged on each of the right and left sides of the vehicle. When the vehicle changes its route, the direction indicator 155 blinks the lamp corresponding to the direction to display the direction of travel after the change. At that time, the direction indicator 155 outputs a signal indicating that the direction indicator 155 is in operation to the controller 101. In the present embodiment, the direction indicator 155 operates as a hazard lamp by blinking all the lamps in an emergency. Also in this case, the direction indicator 155 notifies the controller 101 that it is in operation.

[0019] The alarm 161 generates a signal sound corresponding to the state when the vehicle is in a predetermined state based on the output signals from various sensors such as the vehicle speed sensor 151, thereby prompting the driver to recognize the occurrence of that state in the vehicle. In the present embodiment, among the states that require the driver's recognition and have a high importance or priority, those that are required by law to be notified are referred to as "statutory attribute states", and the other states are referred to as "non-statutory attribute states". Both the statutory attribute states and the non-statutory attribute states are subject to notification by signal sound. Here, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of states occur simultaneously among the statutory attribute states and the non-statutory attribute states, the alarm 161 selects the states to be actually notified according to the rules and priorities described later, and generates a signal sound corresponding to those states.

[0020] The sound generator 162 notifies the driver, through voice guidance, of the occurrence of a state that is the target of notification by a signal sound, specifically, a state with a low importance or priority that requires recognition by the driver as compared with the regulatory attribute state and the non-regulatory attribute state. Examples of the target of voice guidance include information related to route guidance by the navigation system, road traffic information that can be acquired via VICS (registered trademark), etc. The state notified through voice guidance is hereinafter referred to as the "voice notification state". As an example of the voice notification state, it is stated that the vehicle is at an intersection on the set route and should turn right at the intersection.

[0021] When the distance to an obstacle existing in front of or behind the vehicle is short and there is a possibility of the vehicle colliding with these obstacles, the AEB controller 201 activates the collision damage mitigation brake to force the braking force to act regardless of the driver's brake operation, aiming to avoid a collision or reduce damage in the event of a collision. For example, when the AEB controller 201 is traveling forward and the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and another vehicle (i.e., the preceding vehicle) traveling in front of the host vehicle becomes extremely short and the predicted collision time of the host vehicle with respect to the preceding vehicle becomes shorter than a predetermined time, the AEB controller 201 activates the collision damage mitigation brake. At this time, the AEB controller 201 notifies the controller 101 that the collision damage mitigation brake is in operation.

[0022] The LKA controller 301 assists or supports the driver's steering operation through automatic control of the electric power steering device so as to maintain the vehicle near the center of the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling. In addition, the LKA controller 301 is configured to be able to detect that the driver is not holding the steering wheel or the steering handle, and when such a state continues for a certain period of time or more, it notifies the controller 101 that the steering wheel is in a released state.

[0023] (Internal Configuration of the Controller) Figure 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the controller 101.

[0024] In this embodiment, the controller 101 is configured as an electronic control unit by a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU), an input / output interface, and storage units such as a ROM and a RAM.

[0025] In this embodiment, as described above, the regulatory attribute state, the non-regulatory attribute state, and the voice notification state are the objects of notification. Then, when the vehicle is in any one or a plurality of these states, a signal sound or voice that is predetermined for each state and stored in the controller 101 is generated to prompt the driver to recognize that the vehicle is in such a state.

[0026] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the classification of the regulatory attribute state and the non-regulatory attribute state.

[0027] In this embodiment, the objects of notification by the signal sound are roughly classified into the regulatory attribute state and the non-regulatory attribute state, and each of these states is classified into a plurality (three in this embodiment) of levels H, M, and L according to the importance. In other words, for the objects of notification by the signal sound, in addition to the attribute of being regulatory or non-regulatory, an attribute according to the importance levels H, M, and L is given. The importance level H (high) indicates that the importance required for the driver's recognition is particularly high, and among the objects of warning, the states related to collisions are targeted. The importance level M (medium) indicates that the importance required for the driver's recognition is relatively high, and among the objects of warning, the states other than the states classified into the importance level H are targeted. The importance level L (low) indicates that such importance is low, and the states other than the states targeted for warning are targeted. Examples of the states classified into the importance level L include that a device (for example, the turn signal 155) operated by the driver is in operation and a state for the purpose of simply notifying the driver. The classification according to the importance is not limited to three levels, and may be, for example, two levels of high and low, or four levels or more. On the other hand, the classification according to the importance levels H, M, and L is not applied to the voice notification state, and all the voice notification states listed above are treated as having the same importance.

[0028] The regulatory attribute states are classified into a plurality (four in this embodiment) of types A to D according to their nature, and the plurality of regulatory attribute states belong to any one of types A to D. Type A classifies regulatory attribute states related to the situation in front of or behind the vehicle. Type B classifies regulatory attribute states related to the situation on the side of the vehicle. Type C classifies situations related to the driver. Type D classifies situations related to the traveling speed of the vehicle. In this embodiment, as a regulatory attribute state of importance H belonging to type A, it is classified that the collision damage reduction brake is in operation. As a regulatory attribute state of importance H belonging to type B, it is classified that the steering wheel is released during the operation of the lane keep assist (LKA). As a regulatory attribute state of importance M belonging to type C, it is classified that the vehicle is traveling with the seat belt not fastened. As a regulatory attribute state of importance M belonging to type D, it is classified that the vehicle speed exceeds the upper limit speed (for example, the designated maximum speed or the legal maximum speed).

[0029] Regarding this embodiment, the state belonging to type A corresponds to "the first type of state", the state belonging to type B corresponds to "the second type of state", the state belonging to type C corresponds to "the third type of state", and the state belonging to type D corresponds to "the fourth type of state".

[0030] On the other hand, for non-regulatory attribute states, classification according to types is not applied, and only classification according to importance levels H, M, and L is applied. For example, as a non-regulatory attribute state of importance H, it is classified that the presence of an obstacle in front of the vehicle is detected by the front sonar sensor 152. As a non-regulatory attribute state of importance M, it is classified that the reverse alarm is in operation, in other words, the traveling direction of the vehicle is the reverse direction. As a non-regulatory attribute state of importance L, it is classified that the direction indicator 155 is in operation. As described above, the operation of the direction indicator 155 includes not only when changing the course but also when the direction indicator 155 is operating as a hazard lamp.

[0031] When multiple occurrences among the regulatory attribute state, non-regulatory attribute state, and voice notification state occur simultaneously in the vehicle, the notification shall be carried out according to the following rules and order. a) For the regulatory attribute state and the non-regulatory attribute state, the combined signals shall be simultaneously notified by the signal sound up to a total of 4 states. In other words, the signal sounds that can be sounded simultaneously shall be up to a total of 4. b) When the number of regulatory attribute states for which notification is actually carried out is less than 4, notification regarding the non-regulatory attribute state or the voice notification state shall be carried out. c) For the regulatory attribute state, for the state with the highest importance H, M, L in each of types A to D, notification by the signal sound shall be carried out. d) After allocating the signal sound for the regulatory attribute state, additional allocation shall be carried out according to the importance H, M, L within the range that satisfies the conditions listed in d1, d2, and d3 below and does not exceed a total of 4. d1) The additional allocation regarding importance H shall be within the range where the total number of allocated signal sounds, including the regulatory attribute state, does not exceed 2. d2) The additional allocation regarding importance M shall be possible up to 1 when there is no allocation for the state of importance H. d3) The additional allocation regarding importance L shall be possible up to 1 when there are no allocations for the states of importance H and M. e) When there is no allocation or only one allocation of the signal sound for the regulatory attribute state and the non-regulatory attribute state, and there is only one voice notification state for which voice notification is carried out, the voice shall be allocated to that voice notification state.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle state determination unit B111 determines the state of the vehicle based on the output information from various sensors such as the vehicle speed sensor 151.

[0033] The signal sound setting unit B112 sets the allocation of the signal sound for these states according to the above rules and order when the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state or the non-regulatory attribute state.

[0034] The voice setting unit B113 sets the allocation of the voice for the voice notification state according to the above rules when the vehicle is in the voice notification state.

[0035] The alarm drive unit B114 outputs a drive signal that generates a cue sound to the alarm 161. In the present embodiment, the cue sounds related to each of the notification states are synthesized and sounded by a single alarm 161.

[0036] The voice output drive unit B115 outputs a drive signal that generates voice to the voice output device 162.

[0037] (Contents of notification control) FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of control (hereinafter referred to as "notification control") implemented for state notification.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the notification control is performed by the controller 101 at predetermined time intervals after the vehicle power is turned on.

[0039] In S101, various sensor information such as output information from the vehicle speed sensor 151 is acquired.

[0040] In S102, based on the information acquired in S101, the state of the vehicle is determined. In other words, it is determined whether the vehicle is in a regulatory attribute state, a non-regulatory attribute state, or a voice notification state. The states that occur simultaneously in the vehicle may be only one of these states, or may be multiple. And when multiple states occur in the vehicle, these multiple states may be only one of the regulatory attribute state, the non-regulatory attribute state, and the voice notification state, or may span multiple. For example, when two states occur in the vehicle, these two states may both be in the regulatory attribute state, or one may be in the regulatory attribute state and the other may be in the non-regulatory attribute state or the voice notification state. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether the vehicle is in any one or more of the states listed in FIG. 7, such as during operation of the collision damage mitigation brake, driving with the seat belt not fastened, or detecting the presence of an obstacle in front of the vehicle by the front sonar sensor 152.

[0041] In S103, it is determined whether the vehicle is in a regulatory attribute state, specifically, whether the vehicle is in one or more types of regulatory attribute states among types A to D. Here, when the vehicle is in a plurality of regulatory attribute states with different importance levels H, M, and L within the same type, the one with the highest importance level is determined as the regulatory attribute state regarding that type. Therefore, in this embodiment, the maximum number of regulatory attribute states determined as the vehicle state is four or four types. If the vehicle is in a regulatory attribute state, the process proceeds to S104; if not, the process proceeds to S110.

[0042] In S104, it is determined whether the number of types of regulatory attribute states is four, in other words, whether the vehicle is in all types of regulatory attribute states among types A to D. If the number of types of regulatory attribute states is four, the process proceeds to S107; otherwise, specifically, if the number of types of regulatory attribute states is from one to three, the process proceeds to S105.

[0043] In S105, it is determined whether there are two or more regulatory attribute states with importance level H. If there are two or more regulatory attribute states with importance level H, specifically, when the number of types of regulatory attribute states is two or three and there are two or more regulatory attribute states with importance level H among them, the process proceeds to S107. On the other hand, in other cases, specifically, if the number of types of regulatory attribute states is only one, or if the number of types of regulatory attribute states is two or three but the number of those with importance level H is one or less, the process proceeds to S106.

[0044] In S106, it is determined whether there is one regulatory attribute state with importance level H, in other words, whether there is only one regulatory attribute state with importance level H, or whether there is no regulatory attribute state with importance level H. If there is only one regulatory attribute state with importance level H, the process proceeds to S108; if there is no regulatory attribute state with importance level H, the process proceeds to S109.

[0045] In S107, operation mode A is selected as the operation mode of the alarm 161.

[0046] In S108, operation mode B is selected as the operation mode of the alarm 161.

[0047] In S109, operation mode C is selected as the operation mode of the alarm 161.

[0048] In S110, operation mode D is selected as the operation mode of the alarm 161.

[0049] In S111, the assignment of the signal sound for the regulatory attribute state and the non - regulatory attribute state is set.

[0050] In S112, the assignment of the voice for the voice notification state is set.

[0051] In S113, according to the assignment of the signal sound and the voice, the alarm 161 and the voice generator 162 are activated to notify the driver of the state.

[0052] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing the content of the signal sound assignment process (S111 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3) in the notification control. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the content of the signal sound assignment process (part A shown in FIG. 4) in the notification control.

[0053] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, in S201, it is determined whether the alarm 161 is in operation mode A. If it is in operation mode A, the process proceeds to S204; if not, the process proceeds to S202.

[0054] In S202, it is determined whether the alarm 161 is in operation mode B. If it is in operation mode B, the process proceeds to S205; if not, the process proceeds to S203.

[0055] In S203, it is determined whether the alarm 161 is in operation mode C. If it is in operation mode C, the process proceeds to S206; if not, the process proceeds to S301 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.

[0056] In S204, the assignment of the signal sound for the illegal regulatory attribute state is set to 0 (0 sound). When the vehicle is in all types of regulatory attribute states of types A to D, or when the vehicle is in two or three types of regulatory attribute states and there are two or more of those regulatory attribute states with importance level H, in order to ensure that the signal sound indicating the illegal regulatory attribute state does not interfere with the notification of the regulatory attribute state, by setting the assignment of the signal sound for the illegal regulatory attribute state to 0, regardless of whether the vehicle is in the illegal regulatory attribute state or not, the notification of the illegal regulatory attribute state is stopped.

[0057] In S205, the assignment of the signal sound for the illegal regulatory attribute state is set to 1 (1 sound). When the vehicle is in one to three types of regulatory attribute states and among those regulatory attribute states, there is only one with importance level H, regardless of the types and the number of regulatory attribute states with importance level M or L, the assignment of the signal sound for the illegal regulatory attribute state with the highest importance level H is set to 1, so that the signal sound indicating the illegal regulatory attribute state does not overly interfere with the notification of the regulatory attribute state.

[0058] In S206, the assignment of the signal sound for the illegal regulatory attribute state is set to 2 (2 sounds). When the vehicle is in one to three types of regulatory attribute states but there is no regulatory attribute state with importance level H among them, the assignment of the signal sound for the illegal regulatory attribute state with the highest importance level H is set to 2. Since the regulatory attribute states with importance levels M and L are not directly related to collisions and are warning states but have an attention - attracting aspect, the notification by a plurality of signal sounds indicating the illegal regulatory attribute state is allowed. When there is only one illegal regulatory attribute state with importance level H, instead of the above, in addition to the one illegal regulatory attribute state with importance level H, an assignment may be set for one illegal regulatory attribute state with relatively high importance levels M and L, and notifications for these states may be implemented using different signal sounds.

[0059] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, when the alarm 161 is in the operation mode D, that is, when the vehicle is in a state without a regulatory attribute, the assignment of the signal sound for the illegal regulatory attribute state is set.

[0060] In S301, it is determined whether there is a state with the highest importance H among the illegal attribute states determined in S102. If there is an illegal attribute state with importance H, the process proceeds to S304; if not, the process proceeds to S302.

[0061] In S302, it is determined whether there is a state with a relatively high importance M among the illegal attribute states. If there is an illegal attribute state with importance M, the process proceeds to S305; if not, the process proceeds to S303.

[0062] In S303, it is determined whether there is a state with a low importance L among the illegal attribute states. If there is an illegal attribute state with importance L, in other words, if there is no state with importance H or M among the illegal attribute states and all the determined illegal attribute states have a low importance L, the process proceeds to S306; otherwise, assuming the vehicle has no illegal attribute state, the process proceeds to S112 in the flowchart shown in Figure 3.

[0063] In S304, the assignment of the cue sound for the illegal attribute state is set to a maximum of 2 (two sounds) only for the state with importance H.

[0064] In S305, the assignment of the cue sound for the illegal attribute state is set to 1 (one sound) only for the state with importance M.

[0065] In S306, the assignment of the cue sound for the illegal attribute state is set to 1 (one sound) only for the state with importance L.

[0066] Here, if there is a priority among the illegal attribute states with the same importance H, M, and L, the assignment may be preferentially set for the illegal attribute state with the higher priority.

[0067] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the content of the voice assignment process in the notification control.

[0068] In S401, it is determined whether there are two or more signal sounds assigned to the legal attribute state and the illegal attribute state in total. If there are two or more assigned signal sounds, the process proceeds to S404. If there is one or less assigned signal sound, the process proceeds to S402.

[0069] In S402, it is determined whether the vehicle is in the voice notification state. If the vehicle is in the voice notification state, the process proceeds to S403. If it is not in the voice notification state, the voice assignment process ends and the process proceeds to S113 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3.

[0070] In S403, it is determined whether the voice notification state determined in S402 is two or more, in other words, whether a plurality of voice notification states are occurring simultaneously in the vehicle. If a plurality of voice notification states are occurring, the process proceeds to S404. If only one voice notification state is occurring, the process proceeds to S405.

[0071] In S404, voice notification of the vehicle being in the voice notification state is prohibited. If there are two or more states (legal attribute state, illegal attribute state) for notification by signal sound, in order to prioritize the driver's recognition of the vehicle being in these states and make it more reliable, voice notification that may interfere is prohibited. Furthermore, if a plurality of voice notification states are occurring simultaneously in the vehicle, if notification by a plurality of voices with meaning in content is carried out simultaneously, it becomes difficult for the driver to hear information from any of the voices. Therefore, notification itself of voice notification states that are treated equally in terms of importance is prohibited.

[0072] In S405, voice assignment is carried out.

[0073] (Description of operation and effect) The notification device 1 of the vehicle according to the present embodiment has the above configuration. The effects obtained by the present embodiment will be described below.

[0074] First, when the vehicle is in two or more regulatory attribute states, in other words, when the conditions for the vehicle to be in a regulatory attribute state are simultaneously satisfied for two or more types, an alert sound notification is performed for each of these two or more regulatory attribute states, while the notification of the vehicle being in an illegal regulatory attribute state is stopped.

[0075] This enables the driver to easily recognize that the vehicle is in a regulatory attribute state, in other words, in a state where the importance or priority required for the driver's recognition is high.

[0076] Second, when the vehicle is in two or more regulatory attribute states and the weights of these two or more regulatory attribute states are all high, by stopping the notification of the vehicle being in an illegal regulatory attribute state, the driver can easily recognize that the vehicle is in a regulatory attribute state, particularly in a regulatory attribute state with a high importance, and at the same time, the notification of the vehicle being in an illegal regulatory attribute state is carried out within the possible range, enabling the driver to have a more accurate understanding of the state that has occurred in the vehicle.

[0077] Third, the more the number of types of regulatory attribute states with high importance is small, the more the alert sounds for illegal regulatory attribute states to be notified are increased. In this embodiment, when there is no regulatory attribute state with importance H in the regulatory attribute state (operation modes C, S206), the allocation of alert sounds for illegal regulatory attribute states is increased compared to when the number of types of regulatory attribute states with importance H is one (operation modes B, S205). This enables the driver to recognize that more illegal regulatory attribute states have occurred in the vehicle, and it is possible to prompt the driver to have a more accurate understanding of the state that has occurred in the vehicle.

[0078] Fourth, when the vehicle is in the voice notification state, by performing voice notification, the driver can easily recognize that the vehicle is in the voice notification state through the voice notification. Further, when the vehicle is in two or more regulatory attribute states or in a plurality of states including each of the regulatory attribute state and the non-regulatory attribute state, by stopping the voice notification, it is possible to suppress a situation where the voice notification hinders the driver's recognition that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state or the non-regulatory attribute state.

[0079] Fifth, when the vehicle is in two or more voice notification states, by prohibiting the voice notification, it is possible to suppress a situation where a plurality of voice notifications indicating that the vehicle is in the voice notification state hinder the driver's recognition that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state or the non-regulatory attribute state.

[0080] Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the burden caused by the simultaneous execution of a plurality of voice notifications that require a relatively large amount of capacity, and to ensure the capacity used for the notification of the regulatory attribute state or the non-regulatory attribute state with a higher importance.

[0081] When performing voice notification, lower the sound pressure of the voice than the signal sound when notifying that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state or the non-regulatory attribute state. Thereby, the signal sound can be made prominent with respect to the voice, and it is possible to prompt the driver to more surely recognize the notification by the signal sound, that is, that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state or the non-regulatory attribute state.

[0082] Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the regulatory attribute states belonging to types A and B are only the states with importance H, and those with importance M and L are not set. The regulatory attribute states belonging to types C and D are only the states with importance M, and those with importance H and L are not set. The setting of the regulatory attribute state is not limited to this, and the regulatory attribute state that meets the conditions can be set as appropriate.

[0083] That is, in each or some of types A to D, it is also possible to set a plurality of or different regulatory attribute states with importance levels H, M, and L. When the vehicle is in a plurality of regulatory attribute states belonging to the same type, for the regulatory attribute state of that type, by performing notification by means of a signal sound set for the regulatory attribute state with the highest importance level, it is possible to preferentially notify that the vehicle is in a state with particularly high importance among the regulatory attribute states, and when a variety of regulatory attribute states occur simultaneously, it becomes possible for the driver to more appropriately recognize the regulatory attribute states.

[0084] Regarding the notification that the vehicle is in an audio notification state, when another audio notification state occurs during the notification regarding the previously occurred audio notification state, the notification regarding the previously occurred audio notification state is aborted, and the notification regarding the other audio notification state is implemented. Thereby, it becomes possible to preferentially implement the notification regarding the latest audio notification state that has occurred in the vehicle, and while ensuring the capacity required for the notification of being in a regulatory attribute state or a non-regulatory attribute state, it becomes possible to prompt the driver to more accurately recognize the state that has occurred in the vehicle.

Description of Signs

[0085] 1... Notification device of vehicle, 101... Controller, 151... Vehicle speed sensor, 152... Front sonar sensor, 153... Seat belt switch, 154... Shift position sensor, 155... Direction indicator, 161... Alarm, 162... Voice generator, 201... AEB controller, 301... LKA controller.

Claims

1. Vehicle state determination means for determining that the vehicle is in a predetermined state, and notification means for performing an auditory notification to prompt the driver of the vehicle to recognize that the vehicle is in the predetermined state when the vehicle state determination means determines that the vehicle is in the predetermined state. The predetermined state is a plurality of types of regulatory attribute states, and a non-regulatory attribute state different from the regulatory attribute state, and the notification means is capable of notifying that the vehicle is in the plurality of types of regulatory attribute states by different signal sounds for each type of the regulatory attribute states, and a vehicle notification device that, when the vehicle is in two or more of the regulatory attribute states, notifies that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state while stopping the notification that the vehicle is in the non-regulatory attribute state.

2. The regulatory attribute states are classified and set into at least two levels of importance in each of the plurality of types, and the notification means stops the notification that the vehicle is in the non-regulatory attribute state when the vehicle is in two or more of the regulatory attribute states and the importance levels of the two or more regulatory attribute states are all high. The vehicle notification device according to Claim 1.

3. The notification means increases the non-regulatory attribute state for which notification is performed as the number of types of the regulatory attribute states with high importance decreases. The vehicle notification device according to Claim 2.

4. The notification means is capable of notifying that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state by different signal sounds for each level of importance in each of the plurality of types, and when the vehicle is in a plurality of the regulatory attribute states belonging to the same type, notifies that the vehicle is in the regulatory attribute state by the signal sound set for the regulatory attribute state with the highest importance level regarding the regulatory attribute state of that type. The vehicle notification device according to Claim 2.

5. The vehicle state determination means determines that the vehicle is in a predetermined voice notification state in addition to the predetermined state, and the notification means is when the vehicle state determination means determines that the vehicle is in the voice notification state, performs a voice notification to the driver that the vehicle is in the voice notification state. The notification device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the vehicle is in two or more of the aforesaid regulatory attribute states or in a plurality of states including each of the regulatory attribute state and the non-regulatory attribute state, the voice notification is stopped.

6. The voice notification state includes a plurality of states notified by voices with different contents. The notification device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein when the vehicle is in two or more of the aforesaid voice notification states, the notification of the vehicle being in the voice notification state is prohibited.

7. The voice notification state includes, as the plurality of states, a first voice notification state and a second voice notification state. The notification device for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein when the vehicle state determination means determines that the vehicle is in the second voice notification state while the notification of the vehicle being in the first voice notification state is being carried out, the notification of the vehicle being in the first voice notification state is terminated and the notification of the vehicle being in the second voice notification state is carried out.

8. The notification device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein when the voice notification is carried out, the sound pressure of the voice is made lower than the signal sound.

9. The regulatory attribute state includes a first type of state related to the situation in front of the vehicle, a second type of state related to the situation on the side of the vehicle, a third type of state related to the driver, and a fourth type of state related to the traveling speed of the vehicle. The notification device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the notification device can notify the first to fourth types of states by different signal sounds for each type.

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