Electronic instrument, connection adapter and program

Abstract

To provide an electronic instrument that detects a micro wave even when receiving any of the micro wave of a non-modulated continuous wave and the micro wave of a modulated continuous wave.SOLUTION: An electronic instrument comprises: double superheterodyne method reception circuits 11 to 17; and control means (18 to 22) of determining whether the reception circuit receives the micro wave of a warning target on the basis of an output signal of the reception circuit, and controlling the warning. The micro wave of the warning object is the micro wave of a non-modulated continuous wave, and the micro wave of a modulated continuous wave. The electronic instrument is configured so that a reception frequency band in the reception circuit is set to a range in which both micro waves are detected, and when the modulated micro wave is received, a modulation signal is outputted in responce to modulation, and a sine wave does not fall under a voltage releasing a sweep stop during a period of the sweep stop accompanied by the reception of the micro wave.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a connection adapter, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A large number of vehicle speed measurement devices for measuring the speed of automobiles are installed on the roadside and the like. As an example of a vehicle speed measurement device, microwaves in a predetermined frequency band are emitted toward a vehicle, and the reflected wave is received to measure the traveling speed of the vehicle.

[0003] In order to detect the presence of such a vehicle speed measurement device, there is an electronic device that detects microwaves emitted from the vehicle speed measurement device and outputs an alarm. Although the specific circuit configuration of this electronic device is omitted, its microwave detector generally captures microwaves arriving from the outside with an antenna and receives them with a reception circuit such as a superheterodyne system. Conventional vehicle speed measurement devices include unmodulated continuous-wave microwaves and non-continuous-wave microwaves with pulse modulation called an H-type speed measurement device (H system). The above-described conventional electronic device can receive these two types of microwaves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventional vehicle speed measurement devices emit a predetermined microwave and determine the vehicle to be measured based on the reception of the reflected wave, and what can be measured was the vehicle speed. Among the recently developed vehicle speed measurement devices, there are some that can also measure the distance and direction to the vehicle being measured. Since the distance and direction are known, for example, the measured vehicle speed can be associated with the distance and direction, the vehicle speed can be measured multiple times at different positions, and control such as taking a picture of the vehicle based on the measurement results of the multiple times can be performed. On a road with multiple lanes on one side, various processes such as accurately identifying which lane the vehicle is traveling in can be performed.

[0006] In order to be able to measure the distance and direction to the vehicle, such recent vehicle speed measurement devices do not use the conventional unmodulated microwave, which makes it difficult to detect with existing electronic devices. Therefore, a new problem has been found that it is desired to detect the radio waves emitted from either the conventional vehicle speed measurement device that emits an unmodulated microwave or the recently developed vehicle speed measurement device with one electronic device.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In order to achieve the above-described object, the electronic device according to the present invention includes (1) receiving means for receiving radio waves, and control means for determining whether or not radio waves to be alerted are received based on the output signal of the receiving means and controlling the alert. The receiving means is capable of receiving an unmodulated wave and an FSK-modulated wave. Since the present invention is capable of receiving an FSK-modulated wave, for example, it can detect either an unmodulated continuous wave microwave or an FSK-modulated continuous wave microwave. The frequency band of the unmodulated wave is the X band, the frequency band of the FSK-modulated wave is the K band, and it is preferable that the receiving means lowers the lower frequency side of the reception frequency band of the X band.

[0008] (2) It is preferable that the receiving means is configured to maintain the level of the demodulated signal corresponding to the modulation of the FSK-modulated wave at a level equal to or higher than the set level.

[0009] ​For example, it includes receiving means for receiving radio waves such as microwaves, and control means for determining whether or not radio waves to be warned against are received based on the output signal of the receiving means and controlling the warning. The radio waves to be warned against are at least unmodulated continuous-wave radio waves and modulated continuous-wave radio waves. The reception frequency range in the receiving means is set to a range in which both the unmodulated continuous-wave radio waves and the modulated continuous-wave radio waves are detected. When the modulated continuous-wave radio waves are received by the receiving means, a demodulation signal corresponding to the modulation is output from the receiving means. While the sweep is stopped due to the reception of the radio waves, it is preferably configured such that the demodulation signal does not fall below the voltage that releases the sweep stop.

[0010] As described above, since the reception frequency range in the receiving means is set to a range in which both unmodulated radio waves and modulated radio waves are detected, radio waves are detected and a reception signal is output regardless of which radio waves are being received. When the modulated radio waves are received by the receiving means, a demodulation signal corresponding to the modulation is output from the receiving means. At this time, for example, if the lower peak of the demodulation signal corresponding to the modulation falls below the voltage that maintains the sweep stop, the sweep stop is released halfway and it is no longer recognized as the reception of a normal radio wave. Therefore, for example, while the sweep stop is in effect, the demodulation signal corresponding to the modulation is prevented from falling below the voltage that releases the sweep stop, so that the modulated continuous-wave radio waves can be reliably detected. Thus, both unmodulated continuous-wave radio waves and modulated continuous-wave radio waves can issue a warning as the reception of radio waves to be warned against. As a result, radio waves emitted from either a conventional vehicle speed measuring device that emits unmodulated radio waves or a recently developed vehicle speed measuring device can be detected together by a single electronic device, and by issuing a warning upon detection, safe driving can be promoted for the driver.

[0011] (3) It is provided with type determination means for determining whether the received radio wave is the FSK modulated wave or not, and the control means may control the alarm based on the determination result of the type determination means. When the type determination means detects the reception of, for example, a radio wave of a continuous wave modulated by FSK, for example, by notifying in a mode different from the alarm associated with the reception of other radio waves, the driver can be informed that it is the reception of such an FSK modulated radio wave or the like.

[0012] There are speed measurement devices that emit radio waves such as microwaves of a continuous wave modulated by FSK, and some are formed to be relatively compact and small. For example, they may be installed in an area where zone 30 is set. Zone 30 is defined as an area (zone) for the purpose of ensuring the safe passage of pedestrians, bicycles, etc. on a living road, implementing a speed limit with a maximum speed of 30 kilometers per hour, and implementing other safety measures as necessary. The area where such zone 30 is set is, for example, a place with a lot of human traffic and a high risk of traffic accidents. Therefore, for example, when a speed measurement device that emits radio waves of a continuous wave modulated in zone 30 is installed, and when the radio wave from the speed measurement device is received, it is preferable to notify in a mode different from other alarms so that the driver can know that fact, because the driver can drive more safely. Since zone 30 has a maximum speed limit of 30 km / h in order to ensure the safe passage of pedestrians, etc., it is easy to exceed the speed, but with the alarm according to the present invention, safe driving for pedestrians, etc. can be promoted.

[0013] (4) The type determination means may make the determination based on whether there is a signal based on the modulation wave in the demodulated signal output from the reception means. It is good because the determination can be easily made by determining the presence or absence of a signal based on the modulation wave in the demodulated signal. The signal based on the modulation wave may be the modulation wave itself, or may be a rectangular wave or the like with waveform shaping as in the embodiment.

[0014] (5) The type determination means may be configured to perform the determination based on at least one of the time component and the amplitude component of the demodulated signal output from the receiving means. (6) Also, the type determination means may be configured to perform the determination based on the period of the demodulated signal output from the receiving means. A speed measurement device that emits a modulated continuous wave radio wave, for example, has a constant period, so it is good that the determination can be made easily and accurately based on such a period. For example, the demodulated signal accompanying the reception of the radio wave emitted from the speed measurement device may have a variable duty ratio and signal width, but may have a constant period. In such a case, the present invention that makes a determination based on the period is preferable because it can surely detect the reception of the radio wave to be warned.

[0015] (7) The type determination means may be configured to perform the determination based on at least one of the duty ratio and the signal width of the rectangular wave based on the demodulated signal output from the receiving means. If the duty ratio and signal width of the radio wave to be warned are known, in such a case, it is preferable because the reception of the radio wave to be warned can be easily detected based on the duty ratio and signal width. (8) The determination based on the time component may be performed based on the amplitude width based on the demodulated signal output from the receiving means.

[0016] (9) When a modulated continuous wave radio wave that is not a warning target is detected, the control means may not perform a normal warning. Not performing a normal warning means, for example, not performing the warning itself, or giving a warning in a different manner. Warnings in different manners may include, for example, changing the type of warning, making the type of warning the same but less noticeable (for example, lowering the volume), or changing the notification content. When changing the notification content, it is good to identify the type of the source of the received radio wave and notify the type.

[0017] Store information about radio waves such as microwaves of FSK - modulated continuous waves received since power - on. When the control means receives such radio waves, it is advisable that the control means does not give a normal warning. The radio waves to be warned about are not received constantly but are received when approaching a device that emits the radio waves to be warned about. Therefore, since the modulated continuous - wave radio waves received since power - on may be emitted from in - vehicle devices or the like mounted on the own vehicle, by not giving a normal warning even when such radio waves are received, the occurrence of false alarms can be suppressed. Also, by incorporating such a function, even if the frequency of the radio waves emitted from the devices mounted on the own vehicle that are received since power - on falls within the reception frequency band, false alarms can be prevented, so it is preferable because the allowable range of the reception frequency band setting increases.

[0018] (10) Among the demodulation signals for which a plurality of reception determinations are made when the reception frequency band is swept once, set two demodulation signals that satisfy the set conditions as a pair. When one of the two demodulation signals in the pair is a demodulation signal corresponding to the modulation, it is advisable to determine that the radio wave of the modulated continuous wave is received and not to make a determination based on the other reception signal of the two reception signals in the pair.

[0019] Due to the characteristics of the receiving means, the received signal appears twice for one wave of the reception frequency, and one of them does not include a demodulation signal corresponding to the modulation. Then, if a determination is made based on the demodulation wave without modulation that contains a lot of noise components and does not include the demodulation wave corresponding to such modulation, it will be erroneously determined that it is not a radio wave of a modulated continuous wave. Therefore, by setting pairs as in the present invention, when a radio wave of a modulated continuous wave is received, it can be surely detected, which is good.

[0020] (11) When it is determined that the modulated continuous-wave radio wave is received based on the pair, it is preferable to maintain the previous determination result for a predetermined period thereafter. The modulated continuous-wave radio wave to be the warning target may have a low received electric field strength, for example, and may not be reliably detected for each sweep. Even in such a case, if the reception of the radio wave is detected by the pair once, the previous determination result can be maintained even if the pair cannot be detected several times thereafter, so that an appropriate warning can be continuously issued. The modulation may be FSK modulation.

[0021] (12) It is provided with a traffic monitoring information notification function for notifying a display unit of traffic monitoring information related to traffic monitoring activities set in an area including the current position of the acquired vehicle. When the traffic monitoring information includes road identification information for identifying the road on which the monitoring activity is performed, it is preferable to perform notification in a mode different from the notification of other traffic monitoring information that does not include the road identification information. By doing so, when the target road for enforcement or the like is disclosed as traffic monitoring information, it is possible to easily know the existence of the target road.

[0022] (13) The notification in the different mode may be performed so that the target road specified by the road identification information among the roads drawn in the map image where the displayed vehicle exists is easily recognizable. Since it becomes easy to know that the road drawn on the map is the target road, for example, it is possible to easily understand whether the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling is the target road.

[0023] (14) The notification for making the target road easily recognizable may be to draw the target road of the monitoring activity in a prominent color. By doing so, it is preferable because the target road can be found at a glance.

[0024] (15) The traffic monitoring information notification function has a function of displaying text-based display information based on traffic monitoring information on the display unit, and for the notifications in different modes, it is preferable to make the display colors of the text different. In the embodiment, the display of the text-based display information corresponds to displaying a message in the sub-display area 52 by means of a telop or the like. The display color may be a single color, but it is more preferable to display multiple colors alternately as in the embodiment because it is more prominent. By performing the display by text in different modes, it is good because it is easy to understand that traffic monitoring information is publicly available for the road and its content and so on.

[0025] (16) It is preferable to make the display color of the text and the display color of the road be related colors. Related colors include those that are the same color or of the same color system. By making them related colors, it is easy to link the target road displayed on the map with the content displayed by text, and it is good because it is easy to understand the text-based display information for which road.

[0026] (17) The traffic monitoring information has public security information and speed enforcement guideline information, and it is preferable to have a function of notifying the public security information and the speed enforcement guideline information in different modes. It is also possible to notify both pieces of information in the same mode, but by using different notification modes, it is good because it is easy to understand what kind of traffic monitoring information it is. In the embodiment, the different modes are such that the public security information is notified based on red and the speed enforcement guideline information is distinguished by color as if it is based on blue, but other distinguishing methods may also be used. However, it is good because it is easier to understand and intuitively comprehensible when based on color.

[0027] (18) For the notifications in different modes, it is preferable to notify the traffic monitoring information of the target road specified by the road identification information when driving on the target road of the monitoring activity specified by the road identification information. By doing so, it is preferable because it is easy to understand that traffic monitoring information is being issued for the road being driven on, and it is good because it can more surely encourage safe driving when driving on the target road.

[0028] (19) When not driving on the target road, it is preferable not to provide notifications in different modes for that target road. By doing so, the process of providing notifications in different modes for traffic monitoring information unrelated to the currently traveled road becomes unnecessary, thus reducing the load on the device, which is beneficial. For example, if the notification in a different mode is to draw the target road in a prominent color, the map image can, for example, be used as it is stored without displaying different colors. Also, in the case of providing display information by text, by not providing notifications for traffic monitoring information unrelated to the traveled road, it is possible to appropriately notify the driver of the necessary traffic monitoring information, which is beneficial. Note that if notifications in different modes are not provided, it is acceptable to provide notifications for traffic monitoring information about a road not being traveled in the normal mode.

[0029] (20) The notification in a different mode is preferably triggered by entering the target road of the monitoring activity specified by the road identification information, and then notifying the traffic monitoring information of that target road. The trigger for entering the target road can take various forms, such as immediately after entering, at the time of entering, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since entering. It is better to perform the notification relatively soon, such as immediately after entering or at the time of entering, because the relationship with the notification of traffic monitoring information about the traveled road can be understood more smoothly.

[0030] (21) The notification in a different mode is preferably triggered by entering the target road of the monitoring activity specified by the road identification information, and then notifying the display information by text based on the traffic monitoring information of that target road. There may be a plurality or a large number of traffic monitoring information related to the area / region including the current position of the vehicle. In such a case, those multiple traffic monitoring information will be sequentially displayed in an appropriate order. Therefore, it is preferable that when notifying in the normal order, if the text notification of traffic monitoring information about the road being traveled is delayed, it can be preferentially notified.

[0031] (22) It is preferable to store road elevation information for specifying the elevation of a road, and based on the acquired current position information, the acquired information regarding the current altitude, and the stored road elevation information, identify the road on which the vehicle is traveling, and based on the identified road, perform notification of notification target information. For example, when a general road and an expressway overlap vertically or are provided adjacent to each other, it may not be possible to identify which road the vehicle is traveling on based on the current position information. In the present invention, since road elevation information is provided, the control unit determines which road elevation information matches from the elevation of the acquired current position, and accurately determines the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling. The notification target information includes, for example, traffic monitoring information.

[0032] (23) A connection adapter capable of connecting to the electronic device according to any one of the above, enabling connection of a device different from the electronic device at the same time, having a function of transmitting vehicle information periodically output from a vehicle to the electronic device, and having a function of transmitting information output at a different interval from a device different from the electronic device to the electronic device at a timing when the vehicle information is not being transmitted.

[0033] In this way, the electronic device can periodically acquire vehicle information output from the vehicle, and can also efficiently acquire information sent from another device. Then, the electronic device can perform predetermined control, notification, or recording based on the acquired information and the like.

[0034] (24) A connection adapter capable of connecting to the electronic device according to any one of the above, enabling connection of a device different from the electronic device at the same time, having a function of transmitting vehicle information periodically output from a vehicle to the electronic device, and having a function of mixing a signal transmitted from a device different from the electronic device and the vehicle information and transmitting the mixture to the electronic device may also be provided. (25) The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to realize the function of the control means in the electronic device according to any one of the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0035] According to the present invention, it is possible to detect whether an unmodulated radio wave or an FSK-modulated radio wave is being received.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration, shape, etc. of the described device are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto, and various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0038] [Basic Configuration] FIG. 1 shows a preferred first embodiment of an electronic device of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example applied to a radar detector, which is one form of an electronic device, is shown. As shown in the figure, the radar detector includes a double superheterodyne receiving circuit. This receiving circuit includes an antenna 11 that receives radio waves in a predetermined frequency band, a first local oscillator 12, a first mixer 13 that frequency mixes the received signal received by the antenna 11 and the signal output from the first local oscillator 12, a second local oscillator 14, a second mixer 15 that frequency mixes the first intermediate frequency signal output from the first mixer 13 after the frequency mixing and the signal output from the second local oscillator 14, and a detector 16 that receives the output obtained by the frequency mixing in the second mixer 15 and detects the reception of radio waves of a predetermined frequency.

[0039] The first local oscillator 12 outputs a signal with a constant frequency. Also, the second local oscillator 14 is configured using a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) and is based on the control voltage from the local oscillation frequency control unit 17 It repeatedly sweeps a predetermined frequency range.

[0040] The detector 16 amplifies and detects the second intermediate frequency signal from the second mixer 15. When the detector 16 does not receive microwaves of a predetermined frequency, it outputs white noise, and when it receives microwaves of a predetermined frequency, it outputs a demodulated signal of a certain level or higher.

[0041] When each processing unit provided at the subsequent stage of the detector 16 detects the reception of microwaves to be warned about, an alarm is issued from the alarm unit 23. Each processing unit includes a detection determination unit 18 that determines the presence or absence of a demodulated signal output accompanying the reception of microwaves, a detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19 that generates a determination signal for determining whether the demodulated signal continues for a certain period of time, a reception signal generation unit 20 that generates a reception signal based on the output of the detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19, a reception intensity signal generation unit 21 that generates a signal based on the received electric field strength from the S-meter output of the detector 16, and a control unit 22 that performs control to notify an alarm when the alarm condition is satisfied based on the outputs of the reception signal generation unit 20 and the reception intensity signal generation unit 21.

[0042] The local oscillator frequency control unit 17 controls the sweep voltage based on the output of the detection determination unit 18. That is, when the local oscillator frequency control unit 17 does not receive microwaves of a predetermined frequency, it repeatedly sweeps the control voltage within the set range. When it receives microwaves of a predetermined frequency, it holds the control voltage for a certain period of time and stops the sweep. When a certain period of time has elapsed, the sweep is continued again. If the microwaves are no longer received before the certain period of time has elapsed, the pause is released and the sweep is started again.

[0043] The radio waves to be alarmed include unmodulated continuous-wave microwaves emitted from a conventionally existing vehicle speed measuring device and pulsed microwaves emitted from a vehicle speed measuring device called an H-type speed measuring device (H system). Both the former unmodulated continuous-wave microwaves and the latter pulsed microwaves exist in the X-band frequency band. Also, there is a K-band frequency band that can be used for the vehicle speed measuring device. In this way, the detection target band in the X-band is covered using the fundamental wave of the local oscillator, and the detection target band in the K-band is covered using the second harmonic of the local oscillator so that microwaves existing in different frequency bands are detected in the same reception frequency band. Although the microwaves emitted from the H-type speed measuring device are pulsed microwaves and are emitted discontinuously, when receiving the microwaves from the H-type speed measuring device, if there is a frequency, the sweep stops, and a predetermined detection waveform is output from the detector 16 in the same manner as the unmodulated continuous-wave microwaves.

[0044] The detection determination unit 18 monitors the output of the detector 16 and determines whether there is a received signal of the microwave in the detection output. Specifically, for example, threshold processing is performed on the output of the detector 16, and a process of determining that reception has occurred when the output is equal to or greater than the threshold is performed.

[0045] The detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19 performs a process of generating a signal based on the time during which the output of the detection determination unit 18 continues to indicate reception. For example, this process performs a process of integrating when the output of the detection determination unit 18 indicates reception and resetting the integration when the output of the detection determination unit 18 indicates no reception.

[0046] Based on the output of the detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19, the received signal generation unit 20 generates a received signal that becomes valid when the detected signal continues for a certain period of time. The certain period of time corresponds to the certain period of time for sweep stop, and is set to a time with a predetermined margin with respect to the certain period of time for sweep stop. That is, it becomes valid when the microwave of a predetermined frequency that has stopped sweeping is continuously received while the sweep is stopped. Specifically, the received signal generation unit 20 performs threshold processing on the integrated value output from the detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19 using the continuation determination value as a threshold value, and outputs a received signal when the threshold value is exceeded.

[0047] The received intensity signal generation unit 21 receives the S-meter output of the detector 16, and generates and outputs a level signal that divides the received electric field intensity into a plurality of levels (for example, five levels). Further, in the present embodiment, based on the received signal output from the received signal generation unit 20, the S-meter output is observed when a predetermined microwave is being received. Thereby, during the period when the microwave is not received, the level signal is not generated, so that the processing load can be suppressed.

[0048] The control unit 22, for example, causes the alarm unit 23 to give an alarm if the received signal of the received signal generation unit 20 becomes valid. The alarm unit 23 issues a predetermined alarm in accordance with the output of the control unit 22. The alarm unit 23 includes, for example, a speaker, a display panel, a light emitter, etc. The predetermined alarm is, for example, to announce the reception of the radar by voice from the speaker, to announce it by sound or music using an alarm buzzer, to display characters, graphics, images, etc. notifying the radar reception on the display panel, or to cause the light emitter to emit light or blink.

[0049] While receiving the microwave to be alarmed, one or two received signals appear each time the sweep is performed once. Therefore, when the received signal appears in multiple sweeps, assuming that the microwave to be alarmed is being received, a predetermined alarm is continuously given, for example.

[0050] In addition, the control unit 22 notifies the received electric field strength based on the level signal output from the received signal strength signal generation unit 21. This notification of the received electric field strength is performed, for example, by displaying a level meter on a display panel, or by notifying the reception level of the microwave in terms of the emission color, emission pattern, level meter mode, etc. of a light emitter. Further, the control unit 22 may control the mode of an alarm associated with the generation of the received signal by the received signal generation unit 20 according to the received level signal. For example, the alarm may be made less conspicuous when the received electric field strength is small, and more conspicuous when the received electric field strength is large.

[0051] [Signal Processing during Reception of Unmodulated Continuous Wave] The radio wave emitted from a conventional vehicle speed measurement device is a continuous wave and an unmodulated microwave. Therefore, taking the case of receiving such an unmodulated continuous wave microwave as an example, the signal processing functions of each of the above processing units will be described. FIG. 2 shows the signal waveforms output from each processing unit in one sweep. Since an unmodulated continuous wave microwave is being received, the output (b) of the local oscillation frequency control unit stops twice. Also, the output signal (a) of the detector 16 outputs a constant level of white noise in the section where no microwave is received, and a detection signal at a level higher than the noise is continuously output while the sweep is stopped. It becomes a state of being unmodulated with noise superimposed.

[0052] The detection determination unit 18 has a threshold set in accordance with the level of the white noise of the output signal (a) of the detector 16, and binarizes the output signal (a) with the threshold to generate a pulse. Further, in the present embodiment, the signal is such that High is the reference side and the Low level is valid. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the output signal (c) of the detection determination unit 18 becomes a pulse in which High / Low is repeated in a short cycle in the section where no microwave is received, and the valid (Low) continues in the section where the microwave is received.

[0053] The detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19 is configured by, for example, an integrating circuit or the like. When the output signal (c) of the detection determination unit 18 repeats High / Low at a short period, integration is set during High, so the continuation determination signal (d) maintains a high value. In the section where microwaves are being received, the integrated value gradually becomes a low value. Then, when a certain period of time has elapsed and the sweep stop is released, microwaves are not received and the integrated value is reset. When the detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19 is configured by hardware, the output of the detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19 becomes a voltage. becomes.

[0054] The received signal generation unit 20 is configured by, for example, a comparator or the like. When the Low of the output signal (c) of the detection determination unit 18 continues for a certain period of time or more, the output value (for example, the reference value continuation determination voltage value) of the detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19 is set as the reference value. Thereby, the received signal generation unit 20 compares the output value of the detection continuation determination signal generation unit 19 with the reference value, and outputs a received signal (e) that becomes High if it is equal to or higher than the reference value and becomes Low, that is, ON, when it becomes lower than the reference value. The time when this received signal (e) becomes ON and then Low indicates the reception of microwaves of a predetermined frequency.

[0055] [Continuous wave reception function of FSK modulation] Among recently developed vehicle speed measurement devices, there are those that can also measure the distance and direction to the vehicle being measured for speed. In order to know the distance and direction, the radio wave emitted from the vehicle speed measurement device is a continuous wave microwave that switches between two frequencies alternately (hereinafter referred to as "FSK modulation"). And the frequency band of the microwave is the K band. The frequency of the first local oscillator 12 and the frequency of the second local oscillator 14 are controlled so that the K band FSK-modulated microwave, together with the unmodulated microwave in the X band and the pulsed microwave in the X band described above, are detected in the same received frequency band. Set the received frequency band of the control voltage in the local oscillator frequency control unit 17.

[0056] In the reception frequency band of a radar detector that takes into account the detection of conventional unmodulated and pulse - modulated X - band microwaves and K - band microwaves with a conventionally established and predicted pulse modulation, the frequency band of the FSK - modulated microwaves to be detected in this embodiment cannot be covered. Therefore, although the reception frequency band could be widened while keeping the center frequency of the X - band reception frequency band set in conventional electronic devices the same for wide - band detection, in this embodiment, the frequency of the first local oscillator 12 is shifted to the lower frequency side. That is, for example, in a collision prevention system mounted on a vehicle, there are those that measure the distance to a vehicle ahead using, for example, millimeter waves and issue an alarm or apply brakes automatically when the distance approaches. Therefore, if the band is made wide without changing the center frequency, the fundamental frequency harmonic components for generating the millimeter - wave frequency used when measuring the distance to the vehicle ahead will be received, which will cause false alarms. Therefore, as in this embodiment, when the reception frequency band maintains the conventional X - band bandwidth and the K - band reception band is slid downward, the millimeter waves will not be received. Thus, it is preferable to install the radar detector of this embodiment in a vehicle equipped with a collision prevention system because false alarms can be suppressed.

[0057] When the reception frequency band is set appropriately as described above, when receiving microwaves emitted from a new type of vehicle speed measuring device that can also measure the distance and direction to a vehicle, the output of the detector 16 is as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in the figure, similar to the unmodulated continuous wave in the X - band, in one sweep, the received signal appears twice, so the sweep stops twice. And when receiving an FSK - modulated wave including FM, among the two demodulated signals, one demodulated signal appears as a demodulated signal in which two frequencies are switched as shown in the enlarged view, and the other demodulated signal is in a state where the two - frequency switching mode is not demodulated and noise is added. Thus, when receiving microwaves from a new type of vehicle speed measuring device, a binary demodulated wave and an unmodulated - like demodulated wave with a lot of noise components are output in a pair. Although the binary demodulated wave and the unmodulated - like demodulated wave are output in a pair, the magnitude of their levels is indefinite, and as shown in FIG. 3, the binary demodulated wave does not necessarily have a higher level.

[0058] In this embodiment, during a certain period when the sweep stop is in effect for the receiving circuit of the double super heterodyne, the demodulated signal corresponding to the modulation is prevented from dropping to a level at which the sweep stop is released. For example, when the lower peak of the sine wave during the sweep stop reaches the white noise level when the microwave is not being received, the output of the detection determination unit 18 becomes High, and there will be a problem that the sweep stop is released even though the microwave is being received. Therefore, in this embodiment, by setting the sine wave so that it does not drop to the level at which the sweep stop is released, the microwave can be continuously received during a certain period when the sweep stop is in effect, and a normal microwave reception determination can be performed. In order not to drop to the level at which the sweep stop is released, in this embodiment, the detection band of the detector 16 is widened. For example, in a detector such as an FM radio receiver, a detection band of ±3.5 kHz with respect to the center frequency is set, but in this embodiment, it is widened to the order of MHz. By widening the detection band in this way, the waveform becomes smoother and the amplitude becomes smaller, so that the lower peak of the sine wave maintains a level higher than the threshold value in the detection determination unit 18. Usually, a normal detector narrows the detection bandwidth to increase the amplitude, thereby improving the radar reception sensitivity as well. However, in this embodiment, contrary to that idea, the detection band is deliberately widened so that microwaves from a new type of vehicle speed measurement device can also be detected.

[0059]

[0060] ​Figure 4 shows the signal waveforms output from each processing unit in one sweep when receiving the microwave of the FSK modulated wave including FM output from the new vehicle speed measuring device. As described above, with the reception of the microwave, the received signal appears as a pair of a sine wave and a non-sine wave. Therefore, the output (a) of the detector 16 first outputs the demodulated signal of the sine wave and then outputs the non-sine wave signal. Since the detection band of the detector 16 is set wide, the sine wave signal maintains a level sufficiently higher than the white noise level as shown in the figure. Therefore, the output signal of the detection determination unit 18 maintains Low for a certain period of time when the sweep is stopped. And as is clear when comparing Figure 4 and Figure 2, the subsequent signal processing is the same as in the case of the unmodulated continuous wave described above.

[0061] Also, the non-sine wave signal output second is in a state with noise similar to the unmodulated continuous wave. Therefore, if the microwave is continuously received for a certain period of time when the sweep is stopped, Low is maintained. Thus, it is processed in the same manner as in the case of the unmodulated continuous wave described above. And the received signal generation unit 20 outputs the received signal upon reception in both the sine wave and the non-sine wave.

[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, in the same reception frequency band, it is possible to detect and notify the reception of any of the unmodulated continuous wave microwave, the discontinuous microwave with H system pulse modulation, and the FSK modulated continuous wave microwave of the new vehicle speed measuring device.

[0063] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, it has a function of determining the type of microwave, such as whether the received microwave is from a new type of vehicle speed measuring device modulated by FSK. In this embodiment, on the premise of the radar detector of the first embodiment, a type determination unit 30 is provided. The output of the detector 16 is connected to the detection determination unit 18 and the type determination unit 30 respectively. The type determination unit 30 acquires the output signal of the detector 16, determines the type of the received microwave based on the output signal, and gives the determination result to the control unit 22. The control unit 22 gives an alarm according to the type based on the type of the received microwave.

[0064] The type determination unit 30 includes a demodulated signal selection unit 31, a waveform shaping unit 32, a periodic signal generation unit 33, a modulation determination unit 34, and a frequency analysis unit 35. The functions of each processing unit will be described by referring to the signal waveform diagrams shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows the case where a microwave output from a new type of vehicle speed measuring device modulated by FSK is received. The output signal (a) of the detector 16 shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the output signal (a) of the detector 16 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 shows the case where an unmodulated continuous wave microwave is received. The output signal (a) of the detector 16 shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the output signal (a) of the detector 16 shown in FIG. 2.

[0065] The demodulated signal selection unit 31 selects the fluctuating signal portion from the demodulated signal output from the detector 16. As shown by the signal (f) in FIGS. 6 and 7, white noise is selected in the section where no microwave is received, and a signal such as a sine wave or a non-sine wave is generated and output in the section where a microwave is received.

[0066] The waveform shaping unit 32 acquires the signal (f) output from the demodulated signal selection unit 31, performs threshold processing on the signal (f) to binarize it, and generates a rectangular wave. The threshold is set, for example, to the center level of the amplitude of a sine wave. As a result, when the waveform shaping unit 32 outputs a sine wave demodulated signal, as shown by the signal (g) in FIGS. 6 and 7, it generates and outputs a rectangular wave that repeats at a constant period. When the waveform shaping unit 32 is not receiving microwaves, or when a non-sine wave signal associated with the reception of an FSK modulated microwave including FM emitted from a new type of vehicle speed measurement device is output (see FIG. 6), or when it is receiving an unmodulated microwave (see FIG. 7), it generates and outputs a rectangular wave that repeats High / Low at an indefinite and short period compared to the case where a sine wave demodulated signal is output. Further, comparing the rectangular wave when receiving a microwave other than a sine wave with the rectangular wave when not receiving a microwave, the rectangular wave when receiving a microwave repeats High / Low at a shorter period.

[0067] The periodic signal generation unit 33 generates a signal representing the period of the signal (g) output from the waveform shaping unit 32. In the present embodiment, the periodic signal generation unit 33 detects the falling edge of the signal (g) and generates a single-shot pulse of a predetermined width. When the signal (g) has a very short period, such as when receiving an unmodulated microwave or when outputting a non-sine wave signal associated with the reception of an FSK modulated microwave, the periodic signal generation unit 33 does not generate a single-shot pulse and maintains the Low state.

[0068] The output (periodic signal (h)) of this periodic signal generation unit 33 is supplied to the modulation determination unit 34 and the frequency analysis unit 35. The modulation determination unit 34 determines whether the received microwave is an FSK-modulated microwave. The modulation determination unit 34 generates and outputs a modulation determination signal (i) that is High during normal times and becomes Low when pulses are output from the periodic signal generation unit 33 at appropriate intervals. For example, the modulation determination unit 34 detects the falling edge generation interval of the periodic signal (h), and when the generation interval is a certain value or more, the modulation determination signal (i) is changed from High to Low along with the falling edge of the periodic signal (h). Thereafter, when pulses are generated by the periodic signal (h) at a generation interval of a certain value or more, the Low state is maintained. On the other hand, when pulses are generated at a short generation interval without receiving a microwave, the modulation determination unit 34 switches the modulation determination signal (i) from Low to High. Also, when an output other than the demodulation signal of the sine wave accompanying the reception of the microwave is output, the periodic signal (h) becomes Low, so no pulses are generated and no falling edge of the pulse is detected. Therefore, the modulation determination unit 34 maintains the modulation determination signal (i) in the High state. Thus, when the microwave of the new vehicle speed measurement device is received, the modulation determination signal (i) becomes Low when the demodulation signal of the first sine wave is output, as shown in FIG. 6, and becomes High in other sections. On the other hand, when a normal unmodulated continuous wave microwave is received, the modulation determination signal (i) remains High, as shown in FIG. 7. Based on the modulation determination signal (i), it is possible to determine whether an FSK-modulated microwave has been received.

[0069] The frequency analysis unit 35 determines whether the frequency of the sine wave and the modulation frequency of the detected demodulation signal of the received microwave are within a predetermined range when the received microwave is an FSK-modulated sine wave signal. The modulation frequency of the microwave emitted from the new vehicle speed measurement device is set at a certain fixed value (for example, a period of several milliseconds or less). One period of the sine wave is equal to, for example, one period T of the rectangular wave signal (g) having the waveform shown in FIG. 6. This one period T is equal to the generation interval T' of each pulse of the periodic signal (h).

[0070] Therefore, the frequency analysis unit 35 determines that the generation interval of the pulses of the periodic signal (h) output from the periodic signal generation unit 33 within a certain range is the valid FSK frequency, outputs Low, and outputs High when it is outside the range.

[0071] Specifically, for example, the frequency analysis unit 35 starts integration at the falling edge of the periodic signal (h) and performs a process of resetting at the rising edge of the next pulse, and determines whether each peak of the integrated value is within the range of the upper limit threshold value and the lower limit threshold value. If it is within the range, it is set to Low, and if it is outside the range, it is set to High. Then, the frequency analysis unit 35 maintains the previous state until the determination of the next peak is made.

[0072] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when receiving a microwave of an FSK-modulated sine wave, the frequency determination signal (j) becomes Low in the section where the demodulation signal of the sine wave is output. When a non-sine wave signal is output or when receiving an unmodulated microwave, the peak exceeds the upper limit threshold value, so it becomes High.

[0073] In addition, the FSK-modulated radio wave received by the electronic device of this embodiment is not limited to the new vehicle speed measurement device, and can be received as long as it is within the swept bandwidth range. For example, a device for detecting the approach of a vehicle from behind emits microwaves backward. This microwave is in the K band. When approaching the rear of the vehicle equipped with the device, the microwave is received, and if no countermeasure is taken, a false alarm will be issued. However, since the modulation frequency of the microwave emitted from such a device is different from the modulation frequency of the microwave emitted from the new vehicle speed measurement device, the peak of the integrated value is less than the lower limit threshold value or exceeds the upper limit threshold value, so the frequency determination signal (j) becomes High. Based on this frequency determination signal (j), it can be determined whether the received microwave is emitted from the new vehicle speed measurement device that is the warning target.

[0074] The modulation determination signal (i) output from the modulation determination unit 34 and the frequency determination signal (j) output from the frequency analysis unit 35 are provided to the control unit 22. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the received signal (e) and the level signal are provided to the control unit 22. The control unit 22 performs alarm control by appropriately using the provided signals.

[0075] As an example of alarm control, for example, when the control unit 22 uses the received signal (e) and the modulation determination signal (i) to issue an alarm for radar reception upon receiving a microwave, when the modulation determination signal (i) is High, it issues an alarm associated with normal radar reception, and when the modulation determination signal (i) is Low and the frequency determination signal (j) is also Low, it issues an alarm different from normal. An alarm different from normal is, for example, to change the display mode, generate an identification voice or a dedicated alarm sound so as to indicate that the radar reception is from a new vehicle speed measurement device. Also, the microwave emitted from a new vehicle speed measurement device has a smaller received signal intensity level compared to the microwave emitted from a conventional normal vehicle speed measurement device, and further, since it is detected based on the second harmonic component of the K band, the S-meter output of the detector 16 is also small. Therefore, even if the level signal is small, when detected, there is a possibility of approaching a new vehicle speed measurement device, so the alarm level is set to the maximum 5 for alarm output. Or issue a dedicated alarm sound.

[0076] On the other hand, when the modulation determination signal (i) is Low and the frequency determination signal (j) is High, the alarm is stopped or suppressed. Also, when the type of the microwave generation source (for example, vehicle approach identification alarm) is known, it is advisable to issue an alarm based on the type of the generation source. By issuing such an alarm, it is possible to provide a wider range of information.

[0077] [Determination Using a Pair] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 6, and 7, due to the characteristics of the receiving circuit, the received signal appears twice for one wave of the received frequency. Along with this double appearance, the output of the received signal generation unit 20 generates two ON signals (Low). Therefore, the determination process in the control unit 22 is to recognize the received signals within the same sweep period as a pair and perform the determination. When an FSK modulated wave including FM emitted from a new type of vehicle speed measuring device is received, a demodulated signal of a sine wave can be obtained only in the AF output linear region (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 6). For this reason, the type determination unit 30 can determine that only one of the received FSK modulated microwaves is received, and the other one has the same output as an unmodulated continuous wave, so it will be determined as a continuous wave as it is. Therefore, when recognized as a pair and one of the pair is determined to be an FSK modulated wave, regardless of the other determination results, it is determined that an FSK modulated wave is received, thereby suppressing the misjudgment as a continuous wave due to the other signal that appears when the FSK modulated microwave is received. The specific pair setting process is as follows.

[0078] [Pair Setting] The control unit 22 sets two received signals that satisfy the following conditions as a pair. (1) The two received signals that appear in the same sweep period are paired. If more than two received signals appear in the same sweep period, they are not paired in principle. However, if one received signal appears in a certain period and three received signals appear in the next period, the increased two are paired. (2) Set as a pair the two when they are the first and second received signal levels that exceed the received signal level of the received signal in the past period. (3) Set as a pair the two when the first received signal level exceeds the first received signal level of the received signal in the past period and the second appears. (4) The pair setting is performed only for the first time when any of the above pair conditions is satisfied.

[0079] [Retention and Update of Received Signal Information] In a situation where stable reception cannot be obtained, the FSK determination value changes due to fluctuations in the reception level. Therefore, the identification alarm and alarm stop processing become unstable due to fluctuations in the FSK determination value. In addition, due to changes in the ambient temperature, a shift in the control voltage of the local oscillator frequency control unit 17 occurs and is determined as a different frequency, resulting in a problem that the identification alarm and alarm stop processing become unstable.

[0080] Therefore, the control unit 22 holds the determination and pair management reception information performed in the past reception, and stabilizes the alarm process by using the held reception information for alarming. As a result, even in a situation where the held reception of the received signal information is unstable, the same processing as before is performed, which is preferable for stabilization. The holding period is, for example, about 25 seconds. If reception does not occur during the holding period, it is released.

[0081] [Update of control voltage] In addition, the control voltage output from the local oscillator frequency control unit 17 fluctuates due to fluctuations in the ambient temperature or the internal temperature of the product (for example, when the consumption current increases, the internal temperature rises), and the transmission frequency of the local oscillator fluctuates. Therefore, when it exceeds the update allowable voltage, it is updated and adjusted so that the transmission frequency becomes a desired value.

[0082] [Update of FSK determination value] When the received signal level rises, the demodulated waveform becomes stable, enabling FSK determination. Therefore, if the determination value is once determined as an FSK modulation wave at the same control voltage, the determination result is updated and held. As a result, even if a sine wave signal does not appear during the subsequent sweep process after once being determined to receive an FSK modulation wave, and if the above release does not occur, the previous determination result is maintained. Thus, the alarm control based on the reception of the FSK-modulated signal is stably performed.

[0083] [Change of FSK determination value] Change the determination result of the received signal paired with the received signal determined as FSK to the same. By doing so, the determination results of each received signal based on the reception of the FSK-modulated signal both become FSK signals. Therefore, the control unit 22 can perform alarm control using such determination results as they are without false alarms.

[0084] [Alarm Processing] Based on the received signal determination value within the same sweep period, the control unit 22 performs alarm processing with the following priorities. (Priority 1) When a valid FSK determination is made, an alarm is issued with the alarm level set to "5". (Priority 2) When it is determined to be a continuous wave, a normal alarm is issued. (Priority 3) When an invalid FSK determination is made, the alarm is stopped. Alternatively, instead of stopping the alarm of "Priority 3", the type of device other than the vehicle speed measurement device can be specified based on the received level, and an alarm corresponding to the specified device type can be issued. For example, when changing from weak reception to strong reception, it is highly likely that a vehicle equipped with a device that outputs an FSK-modulated signal is approaching, so an "approaching vehicle alarm" is issued. Also, if the received level drops from the level at the time of stopping, it is highly likely that the vehicle in front has started but the own vehicle remains stopped, so a "notification of the vehicle in front starting" is issued. This can prevent the panoramic vehicle from continuing to stop without noticing that the vehicle has started.

[0085] Also, as an electronic device mounted on a vehicle that emits microwaves, for example, there is a beacon receiver. The frequency of the microwaves emitted from this beacon receiver falls within the reception frequency band of the present embodiment. Therefore, without any countermeasures, the microwaves will be detected and a received signal will be output, resulting in a false alarm. Since the beacon receiver is located close to the radar detector, the microwaves emitted from the beacon receiver are continuously detected from the time when the power of the radar detector is turned on. On the other hand, the microwaves emitted from the vehicle speed measurement device to be alarmed are usually not received when the power of the radar detector is turned on. Therefore, the microwaves of the frequency received from the time when the power is turned on are stored, and the reception of the microwaves of the stored frequency is excluded from the alarm processing target of this function.

[0086] In the above-described embodiments, a function of discriminating between an unmodulated continuous-wave microwave emitted from a conventional speed measurement device and an FSK-modulated continuous-wave microwave emitted from a new vehicle speed measurement device has been described. The microwave emitted from the H system that can be received by the radar detector of the present embodiment is pulse-modulated, but in the determination method in the above-described type determination unit 30, the determination result when receiving the microwave is the same as the determination result for an unmodulated continuous-wave microwave. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish it from an FSK-modulated microwave. When discriminating from an unmodulated continuous-wave microwave, for example, it is determined by discriminating whether the received microwave is a continuous wave.

[0087] [Third Embodiment] FIG. 8(a) shows the main part of the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the type determination unit 30 is different from that in the second embodiment. A frequency analysis unit 35' is connected to the output of the waveform shaping unit 32, and frequency analysis is performed based on the signal output from the waveform shaping unit 32. The frequency analysis performed here is a determination based on the duty ratio.

[0088] As described in the second embodiment, based on the detection signal of an FSK-modulated microwave including FM, the rectangular wave signal (g) obtained by waveform-shaping the demodulated signal of the sine wave has a constant period, but for signals based on microwaves output from the same speed measurement device, the duty ratio is constant. Therefore, the frequency analysis unit 35' determines whether the duty ratio of the waveform-shaped signal (g) is within a set range and outputs the determination result. Since the other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the description thereof is omitted.

[0089] Figure 8(b) shows a modification of the third embodiment. In this modification, the frequency analysis performed by the frequency analysis unit 35' is changed. The frequency analysis performed in this modification is based on the signal width. As described above, the rectangular wave signal (g) obtained by shaping the waveform of the demodulated signal of the sine wave is a signal based on the microwave output from the same speed measurement device, and thus the period and duty ratio are also constant. Therefore, the signal width of Hhig and the signal width of Low that constitute one period each take unique values. Therefore, the frequency analysis unit 35' determines whether the signal width of, for example, the High portion of the waveform-shaped signal (g) is within a set range, and outputs the determination result. The determination based on the signal width of Low is the same. Note that since the other configurations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the description thereof is omitted.

[0090] Also, the specific frequency analysis in the frequency analysis units 35 and 35' of the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the modifications thereof may be performed individually or in an appropriate combination of a plurality. Performing a plurality of combinations is preferable because it is possible to more accurately determine whether it is a microwave from the vehicle speed measurement device. That is, for example, even if there are cases where the frequency of the sine wave of the demodulated signal generated with the reception of the FSK-modulated microwave from the vehicle speed measurement device is equal to the frequency of the demodulated signal generated with the reception of the microwave emitted from a device of a different type from the speed measurement device, if the duty ratio and signal width are different, it can be discriminated based on this condition, which is preferable.

[0091] On the other hand, when performing any one of the frequency analyses, it is preferable to perform it based on one period and frequency as in the second embodiment. For example, when there are a plurality of driving lanes, the vehicle speed measurement device can measure the driving speed of each vehicle traveling in each driving lane by emitting microwaves with different duty ratios for each driving lane. Even in such a case, since the frequency is fixed, performing it based on one period and frequency is good because there are many compatible devices and the versatility is high.

[0092] [Modification Example] In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, as shown in FIG. 9, in one reception frequency band, the reception frequency band may be set so as to separate a region for detecting X-band microwaves from a region for detecting FSK-modulated microwaves. By doing so, it is possible to identify the type of microwave based on the control voltage value and frequency when receiving and sweep-stopping the microwave.

[0093] [Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, it is an electronic device that notifies information related to warnings and other traffic based on information such as the currently acquired vehicle position information. As shown in FIG. 10, the electronic device includes a control unit 41 that controls the overall operation. Various devices such as a GPS reception unit 42, a microwave reception unit 43, a wireless reception unit 44, a display unit 45, a speaker 46, a storage unit 47, and a memory card reader 48 are electrically connected to the control unit 41. A memory card 49 is detachably mounted on the memory card reader 48.

[0094] Showing the correspondence with each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the display unit 45 and the speaker 46 correspond to the warning unit 23, the control unit 41 corresponds to the control unit 22, and the microwave reception unit 43 corresponds to the hardware configuration parts of the double superheterodyne reception circuit and each processing unit after the detector 16. When each processing unit after the detector 16 is configured by software, it is incorporated as a function of the control unit 41. And the function of issuing a warning when receiving a predetermined microwave described in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications is realized by the microwave reception unit 43, the control unit 41, the display unit 45, and the speaker 46 in this embodiment.

[0095] The control unit 41 is a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory, an I / O, etc. It executes predetermined processing based on information input from the above various input devices (GPS reception unit 42, microwave reception unit 43, wireless reception unit 44, etc.) and outputs predetermined warnings, messages, and information using output devices (display unit 45, speaker 46, etc.).

[0096] The display unit 45 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like. The control unit 41 controls, for example, the display unit 45 to display a desired image. The control unit 41 also controls the speaker 46 to output a desired sound.

[0097] The memory card reader 48 is an interface for accessing the memory card 49. The control unit 41 reads information stored in the memory card 49 via the memory card reader 48, or writes the contents of the memory of the storage unit 47 or the control unit 41 to the memory card 49.

[0098] The storage unit 47 is a non-volatile memory element that stores various types of information. The storage unit 47 is, for example, an EEPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk drive, or the like, which is inside the microcomputer of the control unit 41 or externally attached to the microcomputer.

[0099] The storage unit 47 stores map data, data of images displayed on the display unit 45, data of sounds output from the speaker 46, and various databases. As an example of the various databases, there are a first DB and a second DB. The first DB stores information regarding target objects to be notified to the driver. Examples of target objects include speed measurement devices (including speed measurement devices that emit radar waves (microwaves) like a radar and speed measurement devices that do not emit radar waves like a loop coil), speed limit switching points, enforcement areas, checkpoint areas, no-parking monitoring areas, N systems, traffic monitoring systems, intersection monitoring points, signal violation suppression systems, police stations, accident-prone areas, areas with frequent vehicle thefts, sharp / continuous curves (highways), branch / merge points (highways), ETC lane advance notice (highways), service areas (highways), parking areas (highways), highway oases (highways), smart interchanges (highways), gas stations inside PA / SA (highways), tunnels (highways), highway radio reception areas (highways), prefecture boundary notifications, road stations, viewpoint parking, etc. Hereinafter, the target objects to be notified to the driver are also referred to as notification target objects. The first DB stores information indicating the type of the notification target object, information on latitude and longitude indicating the position of the notification target object, data of a schematic diagram or a photograph to be displayed on the display unit 45, and data of sounds to be output from the speaker 46 in an associated manner.

[0100] The second DB stores polygon data that can identify administrative divisions based on position information. The administrative divisions are defined for each city, town, and village. Hereinafter, the area represented by the administrative division is also referred to as a section area. The polygon data has area identification information for identifying the section area associated therewith. The control unit 41 can specify, in units of city, town, and village smaller than the prefecture unit, the area identification information for identifying the section area in which the own vehicle is located by referring to the second DB based on the position information output from the GPS reception unit 42. Note that the area represented by the section area in the present invention is not limited to cities, towns, and villages and may represent other areas.

[0101] The database is stored in the storage unit 47 at the time of shipment of the radar detector. Also, the database can be updated by a well-known method. For example, a memory card 49 storing update information is attached to a memory card reader 48. When there is update information about new information to be alerted (position information including longitude and latitude, type information, etc.), the control unit 41 reads out the update information, stores (downloads) it in the database in the storage unit 47, and updates the data in the database.

[0102] The GPS receiver 42 is a wireless module for receiving wireless signals transmitted from GPS satellites. The GPS receiver 42 detects and outputs the position information of the host vehicle based on the received wireless signal. The position information is the latitude and longitude of the host vehicle position. The control unit 41 refers to the database based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 42, identifies the object to be notified near the host vehicle, obtains the information necessary for notification by referring to the storage unit 47, and performs notification using the display unit 45 and the speaker 46.

[0103] The wireless receiver 44 is a wireless module for receiving wireless signals. Specific examples of wireless signals received by the wireless receiver 44 include wireless signals transmitted from wireless communication devices for traffic control, digital wireless signals transmitted and received between each police headquarters and mobile stations, wireless signals used in a dedicated police vehicle mobile phone system, and wireless signals transmitted from emergency vehicles. The wireless receiver 44 scans the frequency of the wireless signal to be detected, and outputs a detection signal when a wireless signal is received at the scanned frequency.

[0104] The control unit 41 accesses the first database of the storage unit 47 using the wireless type of the received wireless signal as a key, obtains a schematic diagram indicating that the wireless corresponding to the frequency stored for each wireless type in the first database has been received, and displays it on the display unit 45 as an alarm screen. Further, the control unit 41 reads out the voice data stored for each wireless type in the first database of the storage unit 47 and outputs an alarm voice indicating the type of that wireless from the speaker 46. For example, when a regulatory wireless is received, a voice such as "This is a regulatory wireless. Pay attention to speed" is output. Since the alarm and notification functions other than the alarm associated with microwave reception are the same as those of the conventional ones, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0105] [Basic Configuration of Traffic Monitoring Information Notification Function] And in this embodiment, it is provided with a traffic monitoring information notification function for notifying traffic monitoring information such as public enforcement information. This function notifies the public enforcement information when there is public enforcement information or the like indicating traffic monitoring activities publicly disclosed in the surrounding area based on the current position of the vehicle. The public enforcement information is publicly disclosed and updated from, for example, the Metropolitan Police Department or prefectural police regularly. Therefore, in this embodiment, the public enforcement information is stored in the memory card 49 so that the data can be updated in the electronic device.

[0106] The memory card 49 stores a third database in which a plurality of pieces of traffic monitoring information are stored. The traffic monitoring activities are information regarding monitoring activities for promoting safe driving. As an example of the monitoring activities, there are crackdowns and interrogations conducted by the police. The monitoring activities are carried out at unspecified locations irregularly. The control unit 41 specifies the details of the monitoring activities being carried out near the own vehicle by referring to the third database and notifies according to predetermined notification conditions.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 11, the details of the third DB will be described. Among the respective information stored in indexes 1 to 15, the information stored in the lower row corresponds to traffic monitoring information. In the traffic monitoring information, the "prefecture", "start date", "start time", "end date", "end time", the "jurisdiction" police station that conducts the monitoring activity, and the "implementation location" are associated. For example, the information of index 2 in FIG. 11 ("start date: 20110307", "start time: 12h00m", "end date: 20110307", "end time: 18h00m", "jurisdiction: Iwate Prefectural Police", "implementation location: Kakkemaki-cho: 302", "traffic monitoring information: [enforcement] afternoon Iwate Prefectural Police~") means that enforcement is carried out in a certain area within Kakkemaki-cho under the jurisdiction of the Iwate Prefectural Police from 12:00 to 18:00 on March 7, 2011. Among the "implementation location", 302 is area identification information for specifying the municipality.

[0108] As traffic monitoring information, text information regarding the monitoring activity is stored. The text information stored as traffic monitoring information is used as it is as the message displayed on the display unit 45. In the part surrounded by [] in the text information, the category of the monitoring activity is stored. The text of the text information stored as traffic monitoring information is written in a single sentence with the structure of "what", "when", and "where" so that the driver can grasp the content even while driving (while glancing). The information of "what" indicates the content of the enforcement such as "speed violation", "drinking", "stop". The information of "when" indicates the time zone or date when the monitoring activity is carried out. The information of "where" indicates, for example, the address or route where the monitoring activity is carried out.

[0109] Traffic monitoring information is information that has been digitized based on a predetermined format from information published via the official websites (hereinafter referred to as "HP") of the police in each prefecture and municipality across the country. The control unit 41 displays a message based on the traffic monitoring information as a telop on the display unit 45 at a location and time corresponding to the content. By noticing the telop-displayed message, the driver becomes more mindful of safe driving. The traffic monitoring information includes the type of monitoring activity ("what"), the period during which the monitoring activity is carried out ("when"), and the area where the monitoring activity is carried out ("where"). Therefore, when a message is created based on the traffic monitoring information and notified to the driver, the driver can recognize, for example, the key items of enforcement as the type of monitoring activity. Examples of the key items of enforcement include speeding, overloading, seat belts, drunk driving, and ignoring signals. Another example is that the driver can recognize, as the area where the monitoring activity is carried out, the police jurisdiction, route, municipality, etc. By these means, the driver can grasp the traffic monitoring information in detail and drive with special attention to these points, thereby driving with consideration for traffic safety. Hereinafter, the information regarding the monitoring activity that is published via the HP of the police in each prefecture and municipality across the country is collectively referred to as public enforcement information.

[0110] The information stored in the third DB is created by the operator digitizing the enforcement information published via the HP of the police in each prefecture and municipality across the country. As shown in FIG. 11, from the published public enforcement information, the implementation date, time zone, location, type, etc. are extracted in the same wording as much as possible and digitized, and are associated with the traffic monitoring information. Since the public enforcement information is published via the HP of each prefecture and municipality police, as shown in FIG. 11, each traffic monitoring information is summarized by prefecture. Also, each piece of information is regarded as one piece per date, time zone, jurisdiction, municipality, or enforcement type.

[0111] The third DB containing traffic monitoring information created by digitizing the relevant public security information is downloaded and acquired by the user from the dedicated HP. The downloaded third DB is stored in the memory card 49. By setting the memory card 49 storing this third DB in the memory card reader 48, the public security information notification function becomes available.

[0112] The control unit 41 accesses the third DB stored in the memory card 49 based on the acquired current position of the host vehicle and notifies the necessary public information. Specifically, it is as follows. When the position of the host vehicle is specified for the first time and when there is a change in the section area including the position of the host vehicle, based on the position information output from the GPS reception unit 42, the control unit 41 accesses the memory card 49 set in the memory card reader 48. When the section area where the host vehicle is located is determined, the traffic monitoring information regarding the monitoring activities being carried out in the nearest area is read from the third DB stored in the memory card 49. The control unit 41 displays it on the display screen 50 of the display unit 45 based on the read traffic monitoring information (see Fig. 12).

[0113] Referring to Fig. 12 showing an example of the notification mode of the traffic monitoring information existing within the section area including the position of the host vehicle, the public security information and other notification functions of this embodiment will be described. The display screen 50 is provided with a main display area 51 and a sub-display area 52. The main display area 51 is an area for displaying an image for showing the positional relationship between the host vehicle and the object to be notified. The sub-display area 52 is an area for displaying a message regarding the monitoring activity in relation to this embodiment. It is also a status area for displaying various statuses. The sub-display area 52 is an area for displaying a message regarding the monitoring activity in relation to this embodiment. It is also a status area for displaying various statuses.

[0114] In the main display area 51, there are provided an area 511 for displaying a map image, an area 512 for displaying the type of the object to be notified and the distance to the object to be notified (not displayed in the figure because there is no object to be notified around), an area 513 for displaying the traveling speed of the vehicle, an area 514 for displaying the display mode and the current time, an area 515 for displaying the route number (for example, National Route XX, Prefectural Route XX, etc.) and the common name (XX Street) of the road being traveled, etc. By displaying the route number, etc. of the current road being traveled, it is possible to confirm whether it is the current road being traveled when, for example, the route number, etc. such as "National Route XX" or "Prefectural Route XX" is shown in the public notice information.

[0115] The control unit 41 reads out the map data around the position of the host vehicle from the storage unit 47, generates a map image, and displays it in the area 511. The range of the map image to be displayed in the area 511 of the main display area 51 is determined based on the setting by the driver. On the map image displayed in the area 511, the host vehicle icon 61 and the target icon indicating the position and type, etc. of the object to be notified are superimposed and displayed. The host vehicle icon 61 is for indicating the position of the host vehicle with respect to the map image. The control unit 41 specifies the position of the host vehicle based on the position information output from the GPS reception unit 42, and superimposes and displays the host vehicle icon 61 on the portion corresponding to the position of the host vehicle in the map image.

[0116] The target icon is for indicating the position where the object to be notified is installed with respect to the map image. The figure displayed inside the target icon indicates the type of the object to be notified. The control unit 41 specifies the position of the object to be notified based on the second DB, and superimposes and displays the target icon on the portion corresponding to the position of the object to be notified in the map image. Also, a figure indicating the type of the object to be notified is displayed inside the target icon. Furthermore, the type of the object to be notified and the distance to the object to be notified are displayed in the area 512.

[0117] The sub-display area 52 is arranged below the main display area 51. The sub-display area 52 may be always displayed, but when displaying a message related to the monitoring activity, it may appear like a telop and be displayed so as to overlap the main display area 51. By doing so, when the message related to the monitoring activity is not displayed, the sub-display area 52 is not displayed, and the main display area 51 can be displayed across the entire display screen 50. Also, since the appearance of the sub-display area 52 allows the driver to notice that something has happened even if not looking at the screen, it is preferable. Then, the driver can understand the content by looking at the display screen 50 later and reading the message related to the specific monitoring activity.

[0118] The message to be displayed in the sub-display area 52 is created based on the traffic monitoring information stored in the third DB stored in the memory card 49. The message includes information such as the enforcement date, time, type of enforcement, location of enforcement (route, jurisdiction, etc.). Note that since the content of the public enforcement information announced by each prefectural police differs, the displayed content varies by prefecture. When the number of traffic monitoring information included in the message is two or more, the number of characters in the message increases, so the control unit 41 scrolls the message as a telop and displays it in the sub-display area 52.

[0119] The message includes a plurality of phases classified for each category of traffic monitoring information. Each phase includes one or more traffic monitoring information. When a plurality of traffic monitoring information is included in one phase, these are arranged and displayed in order. At the head of each phase, a title indicating the outline of the traffic monitoring information is displayed. In this way, the message is created by classifying the plurality of traffic monitoring information to be notified to the driver for each category and is displayed in the sub-display area 52. Thereby, the driver A delinquent person can easily distinguish and recognize information related to surveillance activities by category. Note that the number of characters that can be registered in one phase is limited to, for example, 128 full-width characters (256 bytes in terms of byte count). This enables the driver to grasp the content even while driving. If the number of characters that can be registered in one phase exceeds 128 characters, the traffic surveillance information is further classified into more detailed categories.

[0120] When the created message does not fit in the sub-display area 52, the control unit 41 scrolls and displays the message. When the driver visually recognizes the display unit 45 while driving, since the driver cannot continuously view the display unit 45 for a long time while driving, if a large number of messages are displayed on the display unit 45 at once, there is a possibility that the driver may not accurately recognize the messages. In contrast, the electronic device of this embodiment classifies text-based messages created based on traffic surveillance information by category and scrolls and displays them in the sub-display area 52, thereby reducing the amount of information of the messages displayed in the sub-display area 52 at once and increasing the size of the characters of the displayed text. As a result, even when the driver repeatedly visually recognizes the display unit 45 at short intervals while driving, the driver can accurately recognize the messages displayed in the sub-display area 52.

[0121] Also, in the above description, public surveillance information is registered in the third DB, but the present invention is not limited to this. Separate from the public surveillance information from the police, speed enforcement guideline information announced for safe driving is also registered, and when the current position of the own vehicle enters the area specified by the speed enforcement information, the control unit 41 notifies the information.

[0122] [Problems and Solutions in the Basic Configuration of the Traffic Surveillance Information Notification Function: Public Enforcement Route Warning] By the way, the traffic surveillance information notification function that notifies traffic surveillance information such as speed enforcement guideline information and public enforcement information using the above-described sub-display area 52 has a problem that it is difficult to know the target road because it only notifies by characters in the sub-display area 52 provided at the lower part of the screen in the target area.

[0123] Among traffic monitoring information, there is some that discloses road identification information for identifying roads such as specific route numbers being monitored or common names of streets. For example, Index 8 states "Route 45" and Index 9 states "Route 106". Therefore, in this embodiment, when traffic monitoring information related to the current position includes road identification information such as the target location or route number and common name, notification is performed in a manner different from the notification of other traffic control information.

[0124] The notification in a different manner is to perform notification so that the target road can be easily understood. For easy-to-understand notification, for example, it is advisable to use the map image displayed in the main display area 51. By using the map image, the driver can easily understand the existence of the target road. Also, for example, the display mode of the message when driving on the target road may be made prominent. In that case, when the display mode of the message is prominent, the road currently being traveled can be recognized as the target road. Also, combining them is better.

[0125] Showing a specific example is as follows. FIG. 11(a) shows a display example when entering a route where public enforcement information has been issued. The control unit 41 identifies the road to be traveled from the map data and the like stored in the storage unit 47 based on the current position information acquired from the GPS reception unit 42. When the identified road exists in the traffic monitoring information regarding the monitoring activities being carried out in the nearest area, the enforcement information of that route is output in characters with alternating red and white flashing for each item in the telop to be displayed in the sub-display area 52. The order of the items is: title (displayed as [Public Enforcement] in the figure) → road name → address or intersection name → type of enforcement → date and time → name of the jurisdiction.

[0126] The display of the telop in the said display mode is, for example, when entering a route where public enforcement information has been issued It is advisable to do so when triggered by the above. As described above, when there are multiple traffic control information, each piece of information is displayed in order. However, when entering the relevant route, it is advisable to display the corresponding telop by interrupt processing. By displaying the corresponding telop immediately after entering, the driver can quickly learn the public control information about that road, which is beneficial for traffic safety. Also, it is preferable to display the telop when entering, as it allows for an intuitive understanding of the relevance to the road being traveled. And while driving on the relevant road, it is advisable to repeatedly display the telop.

[0127] In addition, the control unit 41 displays the road R1 being traveled, for which surveillance activities are specified in the public control information, in a prominent manner in the main display area 51. As a prominent manner, in this embodiment, it is drawn in a prominent color (for example, red). For example, by drawing it in red, it is easier to attract attention, and by matching the display color of the message displayed in the sub-display area 52, the driver can be easily and surely made aware that they are driving on a road where public control is being carried out. As a prominent manner, for example, it is advisable to draw the road width wider. By drawing the road width wider, the road where public control is being carried out stands out compared to other roads, making it easier to understand. Also, various methods can be adopted, such as blinking or flashing the colored part of the road. However, drawing in a different color (for example, red) as in this embodiment can be done with a simple process such as changing the display color and can attract attention without interfering with driving, so it is preferable.

[0128] Also, the message displayed in the sub-display area 52 is preferably repeatedly displayed with the public control information about the relevant road while driving on that road. By doing so, even if the driver misses a single notification, they can surely learn the information.

[0129] In addition, usually, there is also public safety information other than that related to the current road, and messages regarding other public safety information may be appropriately displayed. By doing so, it is possible to know the public safety information of the neighboring areas other than the road being traveled, recognize in advance the public safety information regarding other roads, etc. that are planned to be traveled when making right or left turns at intersections, etc., which can contribute to safe driving. In this case, it is preferable not to change the display color of the road. Here, since the color of the road being traveled remains red, even if no telop is displayed, it is possible to understand that there is public safety information on the road being traveled.

[0130] FIG. 11(b) shows a display example when entering a route where speed limit guidance information is issued. Based on the current position information acquired from the GPS receiver unit 42, the control unit 41 identifies the road to be traveled from the map data, etc. stored in the storage unit 47. When the identified road is specified by the speed limit guidance information, the speed limit information of that route is output as characters with alternating blue and white flashing for each item to the telop displayed in the sub-display area 52. The order of the items is: title (displayed as [Speed Limit Guidance] in the figure) → road name → address or intersection name → regulated speed → date and time → jurisdiction name. The control of the display timing, etc. of the telop in this display mode may be the same as that of the above-described public safety information, for example.

[0131] In addition, the control unit 41 displays the road R2 being traveled, which is specified by the speed limit guidance information, in a prominent manner in the main display area 51. As a prominent manner, in this embodiment, it is drawn in a color different from the normal color, preferably a color different from that of the public safety route (for example, blue). By drawing it in blue, which is different from the color (red in the embodiment) when notifying public safety, it can be understood that it is not a public safety area, and by matching the display color of the message displayed in the sub-display area 52, the driver can be easily and surely made to recognize that they are traveling on a road where speed limit guidance is issued. Furthermore, it is preferable to draw the road width wider. By drawing the road width wider, the road where speed limit guidance is being carried out is more prominent compared to other roads.

[0132] In FIG. 11(c), when the driving route is not a restricted route and there is restriction information (for example, public restriction information, speed restriction guidelines, or traffic safety campaign) within the jurisdiction or the prefecture, the control unit 41 scrolls the information in white characters.

[0133] Further, when there is a road where monitoring activities or the like are being carried out around, rather than the road on which the vehicle is traveling, the control unit 41 may be provided with a function of performing notification to make it easier to recognize the road R3 where the monitoring activities are being carried out. Here, the color of the corresponding road R3 is displayed in, for example, red or blue according to the type. By doing so, since the road where the restriction or the like is being carried out is displayed in the same color as the notification shown in FIGS. 11(a) and (b), it is possible to easily determine whether there is a road where the restriction or the like is being carried out around, and if so, to identify the road at a glance.

[0134] [Modification Example] The route information may be stored in association with road identification information (e.g., information for identifying Route 248 of the national highway) that identifies the route, such as the start point coordinates, end point coordinates, and route name of the route. The map data is information supplied by the navigation software manufacturer, and it is difficult to directly add public restriction coordinate data or the like to the road link data, such as changing the information itself. Therefore, it is advisable to align the positions of the start point coordinates and end point coordinates of the route with either of the two coordinates of the start point and end point of the road link.

[0135] In the configuration where the route information is stored using the start point coordinates and end point coordinates of the route, it is advisable to adopt a configuration for searching which group of road links constituting the road network corresponds to the route.

[0136] As a method of exploration, for example, a straight line connecting the starting point coordinates and the ending point coordinates of a route is translated parallel to the perpendicular direction intersecting the straight line, and among the road links intersecting the translated straight line, a road link in which the information specifying the route of the road link and the information specifying the route having the route information are the same route is picked up, and the picked-up group of road links may be extracted as the group of road links of the target route. The road link data stores information specifying the route of the road link in association with it.

[0137] It is advisable to give an audible alert when entering a route with public disclosure information or a route with a speed limit guideline. Also, when entering a route without these, it is advisable not to give an audible alert. And the alert sound should be different from the alert sound of the object of notification (also referred to as POI). By doing so, even without looking at the display unit, the user can distinguish whether they are approaching the object of notification or entering a route with public disclosure information, etc., which is good.

[0138] Also, the alert sound when entering a route with public disclosure information and the alert sound when entering a route with a speed limit guideline should be different sounds. The warnings for the objects of notification on these routes should be in a different notification mode from the warnings for the objects of notification outside these routes, and in particular, a notification mode that the user feels is of a higher degree of danger is advisable.

[0139] Also, although it is desirable to configure as in the above-described embodiment, since the speed limit guideline is not revised frequently, for example, once every few years, information indicating that the road link itself is a road with a speed limit guideline may be added in advance. Similarly, for a route that has had public disclosure information in the past, especially a route that has had public disclosure information several times or more, or a route that frequently has public disclosure information, information indicating that the road link itself is a road with public disclosure information may be added in advance.

[0140] Also, although it is desirable to configure as in the embodiment, without giving relevance to public disclosure information, etc., simply in a form that overwrites the drawing of the road link data on the map, or the road link on the map For these routes, a process may be performed to draw them in a color different from that of the routes without them in a form of drawing without drawing the dot data in advance.

[0141] When the road is, for example, extremely curved, at the inflection points and the like, the route information may be divided into a plurality of sets of the starting point coordinates and the ending point coordinates of the route, associated with each other, and stored, and searched. Each of these starting points and ending points may be matched with the starting point and ending point of the road link.

[0142] Also, the plurality of sets of the starting point coordinates and the ending point coordinates and the information for specifying the route included in the route information may be stored in a one-to-many correspondence and used for searching and extracting the corresponding road link data group.

[0143] The map data stored in the storage unit 47 includes road elevation information. The elevation information is formed, for example, at intervals of 5 m. Connecting the positions of the same height of the elevation information results in contour lines. The control unit 41 receives the output of a sensor capable of detecting the height of the vehicle, such as a barometric pressure sensor, acquires the current vehicle height information, and has a function of determining which road the vehicle is traveling on based on the acquired height information.

[0144] For example, when a general road and an expressway overlap vertically or are provided adjacent to each other, it is unclear which road the vehicle is traveling on based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 42. Also, for example, when traveling near the entrance / exit of an interchange, it may be difficult to identify which road the vehicle was traveling on until it travels for a while and reaches a position where the general road and the expressway are separated.

[0145] In this modification, since the road elevation information is provided, the control unit 41 determines which road elevation information matches the acquired elevation of the current position, and accurately determines the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling. The estimated traveling route is determined by comparing the elevation difference data after passing through the branch point with the amount of altitude change by the inertial sensor (barometric pressure) or GNSS. In this way, based on the road elevation difference data, it is possible to improve the accuracy of high-speed / general road determination and estimated coordinates in a GNSS non-positioning area.

[0146] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the road related to the traffic monitoring information is drawn in a predetermined color. At this time, it may be better to blink it to make it more noticeable. Also, when the information on public order and the enforcement guidelines overlaps, it may be better to prioritize the public order. Since the public order information has specific specifications such as the date and time, it is information with higher urgency and importance. By giving priority to notifying, the user can recognize the information.

[0147] The message to be displayed in the sub-display area 52 may be performed in the manner shown after FIG. 13, for example. First, the control unit 41 displays "information type and jurisdiction name" in the sub-display area 52 (see FIG. 13(a)). The information type is information that specifies a specific type of traffic monitoring information such as public order information or enforcement guidelines (in the figure, the text display of "speed enforcement guidelines"). The jurisdiction name is information that identifies the responsible police (in the figure, the text display of "Azabu Police Station"). Also, an icon 62 indicating that it is a notification of traffic monitoring information may be drawn together. This icon 62 may correspond to the traffic monitoring information, but it may be easier to understand if it corresponds to a specific type of information such as public order information / speed enforcement guidelines information. Also, as will be described later, since the content of the message displayed in the sub-display area 52 changes sequentially, by using the icon 62 indicating specific information such as public order information / speed enforcement guidelines information, it is possible to understand what the information is about from the icon.

[0148] Next, the control unit 41 displays "road identification information" in the sub-display area 52 (see FIG. 13(b)). In the example of the figure, the route number is displayed such as "Route 1". Next, the control unit 41 displays the "section and approximate location" where the enforcement is carried out (see FIG. 13(c). ) In the figure, it is displayed as "Akabane Bridge Intersection ~ Azabu-dai". By showing the section and approximate location in this way, when the user is driving on the road where the monitoring activity is designated, the user can understand whether enforcement is being carried out at the actual location where they are driving, or whether enforcement is being carried out ahead on the road they are driving on.

[0149] Next, the control unit 41 displays the "regulated speed" (see Fig. 14(a)). This regulated speed is the regulated speed at locations where monitoring activities such as speed enforcement are specified. In the figure, it is displayed as 50 km. As shown in the figure, in the upper left of the main display area 51, in order to display the current driving speed (30 km / h in the figure), the user can, by looking at both displayed on the same screen, immediately understand whether there is a problem with the current vehicle speed or whether the speed limit is exceeded, and thus it is good for safe driving.

[0150] Furthermore, the control unit 41 displays information on the "date and time zone" where enforcement etc. is carried out in the sub-display area 52 (see Fig. 14(b)). By displaying the date and time in this way, it is good for the user to know whether enforcement etc. will be carried out currently or in the near future while driving.

[0151] Also, in the above-described embodiment, it has a function of giving an alarm when the current position comes into a predetermined proximity relationship with the notification target stored. As one of the notification targets, there is an "enforcement area". This "enforcement area" is, for example, an area where enforcement is frequently carried out. Based on conditions such as such an "enforcement area", the "enforcement route" specified by traffic monitoring information, the driving route of the own vehicle, and the date and time, an interlocking alarm (see Fig. 15) is output. The interlocking information is to carry out an alarm for the notification target based on position information and an alarm based on traffic monitoring information in an interlocking manner.

[0152] The start condition of this interlocking alarm is, for example, when entering a restricted area on a restricted route. Each time the restricted area is focused, the control unit 41 outputs a jingle for the restricted route (for example, a sound such as "Pirorirorin") and a voice message of "Caution for Enforcement". The control unit 41 displays the target name of the restricted area in the sub-display area 52 (see Fig. 15(a)). In the figure, it is displayed as "Restricted Area". The control unit 41 outputs the icon 63 of the restricted area and the icon 62 of the restricted route overlaid in the sub-display area 52. Further, the control unit 41 displays the remaining distance to the target ( "680m" in the figure) and the direction of the target (arrow 64) in the sub-display area 52. This remaining distance, direction, etc. are displayed until passing through.

[0153] Next, the control unit 41 displays "Road Name" in the sub-display area 52 (see Fig. 15(b)). In the figure, it is displayed as "Prefectural Road No. 319 (Ring Restricted Area". Next, the control unit 41 displays "Section and Approximate Location" in the sub-display area 52 (see Fig. 15(c)). Although specific illustrations are omitted hereinafter, the control unit 41 sequentially displays information such as "Regulatory Speed" and "Date and Time Zone" in the sub-display area 52.

[0154] As shown in Fig. 16, the radar detector 80 of this embodiment is communicably connected to other devices via a connection adapter 70, acquires information from the other devices, and has a function of notifying based on the acquired information. The other devices include, for example, optional products such as a side glance detector 81 and a laser FCWS 82, and an OBD mounted on a vehicle. Vehicle information is output from the vehicle periodically (for example, every 200 msec).

[0155] The side glance detector 81 detects a driver's side glance while driving. The side glance detector 81 captures an image of the driver's face, obtains the direction of the face, and periodically outputs angle information specifying the direction in which the face is facing. The power supply voltage is 5V. The output of the side glance detector 81 is sent to a host product such as the radar detector 80 via the connection adapter 70, and notification is made using the notification function of the host product.

[0156] The laser FCWS82 is equipped with various sensors, a CPU, etc., and gives an alarm according to the traveling speed, the amount of change in the relative distance, etc. Taking an example of the functions, for example, there are rapid approach alarms (collision alarms), forward vehicle departure notifications when stopping (Stop&Go), etc.

[0157] This connection adapter 70 has a power supply function of +12V and +5V, a data mixing function, and a command distribution function. The connection adapter 70 includes an MCU 71 that executes each function, a female connector 72 for the host product to connect the host product, a female connector 73 for the option product, a first female connector 74 for OBD to connect to OBD, a second female connector 75 for OBD, a power connector 76, a DC / DC converter 77 that converts the +12V voltage supplied from the power connector 76 to +5V, a regulator 78 that steps down the output of the DC / DC converter 77 to +3.3V to supply the power voltage of the MCU 71, etc.

[0158] The power connector 76 is linked to the vehicle battery via the car connect cord 97. It receives a +12V power supply from the vehicle battery. The supplied +12V is connected to the +12V terminals of the female connector 72 for the host product and the female connector 73 for the option product. The +5V output from the DC / DC converter 77 is connected to the +5V terminals of the female connector 72 for the host product and the female connector 73 for the option product.

[0159] Either the first cable 91 for 12V or the second cable 92 for 5V is detachably attached to the female connector 72 for the host product. The first cable 91 and the second cable 92 each have male connectors 91a, 92a connected to the female connector 72 for the host product at one end, and jacks 91b, 92b for connecting to the terminals of their respective host products at the other end.

[0160] The first cable 91 is a cable for the radar detector 80 operating at 12V and the drive recorder 83. The radar detector 80 and the drive recorder 83 are connected to the connection adapter 70 via the first cable 91. The host products are not limited to this, and there are, for example, a navigation device 84 operating at 5V. This navigation device 84 is connected to the connection adapter 70 via the second cable 92. Also, the female connector 73 for optional products detachably mounts either the third cable 93 for 5V or the fourth cable 94 for 12V. The power supply function supplies power to the host products and optional products via these respective cables.

[0161] The transmission and reception terminals of the female connector 72 for host products, the female connector 73 for optional products, the first OBD female connector 74, and the second OBD female connector 75 are each connected to the transmission and reception terminals of the MCU 71. The devices connected to each connector perform data transmission and reception with the MCU 71 via the transmission and reception terminals of the connector. Then, the MCU 71 transfers the received data to a predetermined device, realizing a data mixing function and a command distribution function.

[0162] The data mixing function is a function that time-divisionally synthesizes data from optional products and OBD data and outputs it to the host product. Each optional product is identified by individual header data. For example, it is good to appropriately combine and display OBD data as one aspect of the standby screen.

[0163] Since the OBD data is output periodically at 200 msec intervals, the MCU 71 transmits it to the host product each time it receives the OBD data. Therefore, the MCU 71 transmits the OBD data to the host product periodically at the 200 msec intervals. The peripheral view detector 81 and the laser FCWS 82 have transmission intervals different from that of the OBD data. Therefore, the MCU 71 appropriately distributes the data output from each device with different transmission intervals and transmits them in a time-division manner. As an example of time-division transmission, the OBD data is given priority and transmitted at 200 msec intervals, and during the non-transmission period, data from other optional products and data from the host product are transmitted. The command distribution function is a function that distributes and sends commands from the host product to each optional product. This command is also transmitted during the non-transmission period of the OBD data.

[0164] The function of transmitting such data will be described more specifically. The first female OBD connector 74 and the second female OBD connector 75 are detachably attached with the first OBD cable 95 and the second OBD cable 96, respectively. When mounting on an actual vehicle, since it is determined whether the vehicle has a 5V-compatible OBD or a 12V-compatible OBD, either one is selected and used.

[0165] The first OBD cable 95 and the second OBD cable 96 are each provided with male connectors 95a, 96a that connect to their respective female connectors at one end, and have OBD adapters 95b, 96b for connecting to the OBD terminals of the vehicle at the other end. The OBD adapters 95b, 96b each incorporate a CPU, appropriately acquire the OBD data output from the vehicle, generate a packet with the final destination information and the like added, and transmit it to the MCU 71.

[0166] The final destination is specified by the ID attached to the connector. Also, a command for mass transmission is prepared. When the ID is specified by the final destination information stored in the received packet, the MCU 71 transmits the packet toward the connector specified by the ID. As a result, the product connected to the specified connector acquires the data transmitted in the packet and uses it within the product. Such use includes, for example, display on the display unit, output of sound using a speaker, recording in the storage means, and use of information for executing various determinations and controls.

[0167] For example, vehicle speed information, which is one of the OBD data, is sent to the laser FCWS 82. The laser FCWS 82 performs control on whether to issue a proximity warning based on the acquired vehicle speed information. For example, control is performed such that no warning is issued when approaching at a low speed, but a warning is issued when approaching at a high speed. Even if the laser FCWS 82 does not have a vehicle speed sensor, high-performance and high-precision control can be performed using the OBD information.

[0168] Also, when the ID is not specified by the final destination information stored in the received packet or there is an ID for mass transmission, the MCU 71 transmits the packet toward all the connectors. Along with this, each product connected to each connector receives the packet simultaneously. Each product uses the data stored in the received packet as necessary.

[0169] In the example shown in FIG. 16, one female connector 72 for the host product and one female connector 73 for the option product are provided respectively, enabling connection of one host product and one option product each. However, a plurality of female connectors 72 for the host product or a plurality of female connectors 73 for the option product may be installed. By installing a plurality, for example, information from a plurality of option products can be given to the host product, or data transmission can be performed between a plurality of option products or between a plurality of host products. For example, the video being shot by the drive recorder 83 can be sent to the radar detector 80 and displayed on the display unit as a standby screen or other screen.

[0170] For example, the angle information output from the peripheral view detector 81 is sent to the radar detector 80. When the control unit 41 of the radar detector 80 recognizes that the face has moved up, down, left, or right by a certain angle or more based on the angle information, a predetermined notification is issued. The predetermined notification is, for example, as shown in Fig. 17(a), the warning display unit 65 is superimposed and displayed on the map screen, or as shown in Fig. 17(b), the warning display unit 65 is superimposed and displayed on the standby screen. The warning display unit 65 is obtained by adding the text "Caution for Side Glance" to a region of a predetermined size (for example, the ground pattern is semi-transparent white, etc.).

[0171] Also, the erasure timing of such a warning display unit 65 may be, for example, when it can be determined based on the output from the peripheral view detector 81 that the side glance has been eliminated, or it may be erased after a set time display regardless of the output from the peripheral view detector 81. Also, it is preferable to issue a warning by voice / sound together with or separately from the notification of the warning display unit 65 described above.

[0172] Fig. 18 shows a display example of the radar detector 80 based on the information sent from the laser FCWS 82. The laser FCWS 82 has a function of measuring and outputting the distance to a vehicle ahead or the like. Fig. 18(a) shows a display example of a collision caution warning. The collision caution warning is issued, for example, when approaching a vehicle ahead rapidly and there is a risk of collision in a few seconds, by displaying the collision caution warning display unit 66 to give a warning. In the figure, since a collision caution event has occurred while the standby screen is being displayed, the collision caution warning display unit 66 is superimposed and displayed on the standby screen. However, it may also be superimposed and displayed on the map screen as in Fig. 17(a). This point is the same hereinafter.

[0173] Figure 18(b) shows an example display of a proximity warning. The proximity warning displays and warns the proximity warning display section 67, for example, when the inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead continues to be short. Figure 18(c) shows an example display of a forward confirmation warning. The forward confirmation warning displays and warns the forward confirmation warning display section 68, for example, when it detects that the preceding vehicle has left while the vehicle is stopped waiting for a signal. By doing so, when the vehicle is temporarily stopped waiting for a signal and the driver is not aware of the green signal, and when the preceding vehicle starts moving, the driver can be notified of this and start moving upon noticing it.

[0174] Note that, for example, when the map data etc. includes signal information position data, the state of being stopped waiting for a signal is determined as being stopped waiting for a signal when the vehicle is temporarily stopped near the location where the signal is installed based on the said map data. Also, regardless of the actual presence or absence of a signal, simply being temporarily stopped (for example, engine ON and speed 0, etc.) may be regarded as the state of being stopped waiting for a signal. By doing so, the control can be easily performed, which is good.

[0175] Also, when the driver fails to notice that the vehicle ahead has started moving while the vehicle is temporarily stopped regardless of waiting for a signal such as in traffic congestion, by performing the above simple control, the driver can notice before the following vehicle honks etc., and the own vehicle can also start moving, which is good.

[0176] Furthermore, when detecting being stopped waiting for a signal based on the signal position information etc. as described above and adding that information to the output conditions of the forward confirmation warning, it is good to give a forward confirmation warning when the vehicle is temporarily stopped in a state of approaching the vehicle ahead when there is no signal. By doing so, during a temporary stop due to traffic congestion, it is possible to efficiently and appropriately give a forward confirmation warning that the preceding vehicle has started moving.

[0177] Also, it is good to give a forward confirmation warning when the vehicle is temporarily stopped in a state of approaching the vehicle ahead and the distance from the vehicle ahead increases in that state. By doing so, although it is not possible to distinguish between waiting for a signal / traffic congestion, it is possible to efficiently and appropriately give a forward confirmation warning. When giving the above warning, it is advisable to also output a warning sound. Also, the display of this warning may, for example, turn off after being displayed for a certain period of time.

[0178] Also, although the angle information is output from the side view detector 81, it may be possible to output the video / image information taken instead of or together with the angle information and send it to the host product.

[0179] Each function described in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be configured into an electronic device by replacing and changing each element embodying the technical idea, either individually or in appropriate combination. Moreover, when combining, it is advisable to select some configurations and combine them with other forms. Furthermore, another invention may be configured by making some configurations shown in each embodiment and modification essential. For example, in an electronic device having a function of notifying traffic monitoring information such as public notice information of the fourth embodiment, it may be applied to an electronic device that does not have a function of receiving a modulated continuous wave such as a microwave emitted from a new vehicle speed measuring device.

[0180] Also, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, examples of applying to the traffic monitoring information notification function such as specifying the road on which the vehicle is traveling using the road elevation information and determining whether the vehicle is traveling on the target road specified by the road specification information have been described, but it may be used separately from the traffic monitoring information notification function.

[0181] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, examples of applying to a radar detector as an electronic device have been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be incorporated as one function of a car navigation device or other electronic devices.

[0182] As described above, various aspects of the present invention have been explained using embodiments and variations. It should be noted that these embodiments and explanations are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are provided to facilitate the understanding of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations and limitations explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in this specification within its scope. Among the present invention, the configuration for which a patent is sought has been specified in the appended claims. However, even if the configuration is not currently specified in the claims, it is stated for the record that the configurations disclosed in this specification may potentially be claimed in the future.

Explanation of Signs

[0183] 11 Antenna 12 First local oscillator 13 First mixer 14 Second local oscillator 15 Second mixer 16 Detector 17 Local oscillation frequency control unit 18 Detection determination unit 19 Detection continuation determination signal generation unit 20 Received signal generation unit 21 Received intensity signal generation unit 22 Control unit 23 Alarm unit 30 Type determination unit 31 Demodulated signal selection unit 32 Waveform shaping unit 33 Periodic signal generation unit 34 Modulation determination unit 35 Frequency analysis unit 35′ Frequency analysis unit 41 Control unit 42 GPS receiver unit 43 Microwave receiver unit 44 Wireless receiver unit 45 Display unit 46 Speaker 47 Storage unit 48 Memory card reader 49 Memory card 50 Display screen 51 Main display area 52 Sub display area 70 Connection adapter 80 Radar detector 81 Side view detector 82 Laser FCWS 83 Drive recorder 84 Navigation device

Claims

1. It is a radar detector, A control unit that acquires angle information output from a distraction detector, which is another device that is communicatively connected to the radar detector via a connection adapter, Display unit and Equipped with, The aforementioned distraction detector captures an image of the driver's face, determines the orientation of the face, and outputs angle information to identify the direction the face is facing. The control unit, based on the angle information, recognizes that the face has moved up, down, left, or right by an angle greater than a certain range, and then performs the control to overlay a warning display on the map screen or standby screen. A radar detector characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned warning display unit is an area of ​​a predetermined size with the text "Caution: Distracted Driving" added to it. A radar detector according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. The control unit turns off the warning display unit after the set time has been displayed. A radar detector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the following:

4. When the control unit recognizes that the face has moved up, down, left, or right by an angle greater than a certain angle based on the angle information, it will display a warning on the warning display unit and also issue an audible or sound warning. A radar detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the following:

5. The control unit acquires video / image information captured by the distraction detector in place of, or together with, the angle information. A radar detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. The radar detector is equipped with a control unit that acquires information output from a laser FCWS, which is another device that is communicatively connected to the radar detector via a connection adapter. The aforementioned laser FCWS is equipped with a function to measure and output the distance to the vehicle ahead, etc. The control unit performs control to overlay a warning display unit on the map screen or standby screen based on the information sent from the laser FCWS. A radar detector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the following:

7. The aforementioned warning display unit is a collision warning display unit. A radar detector according to claim 6, characterized by the following:

8. The aforementioned warning display unit is a proximity warning display unit. A radar detector according to claim 6, characterized by the following:

9. The warning display unit is a confirmation warning display unit at the front. A radar detector according to claim 6, characterized by the following:

10. The aforementioned laser FCWS provides warnings according to the driving speed, relative distance change, etc. A radar detector according to claim 6, characterized by the following:

11. The control unit performs control to send vehicle speed information to the laser FCWS. The laser FCWS controls whether or not to issue an approach warning based on the acquired vehicle speed information. A radar detector according to claim 6, characterized by the following:

12. The control unit, when it detects that the vehicle ahead has moved away while the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light, performs the control to display the forward confirmation warning display unit. A radar detector according to claim 9, characterized by the following:

13. The control unit performs the following control: when the vehicle is approaching the vehicle in front, it temporarily stops, and when the distance to the vehicle in front increases, it displays the forward confirmation warning display unit. A radar detector according to claim 9, characterized by the following:

14. A program for a computer to implement the functions of the control unit in a radar detector according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images