Device and others

Abstract

To provide a system capable of plainly reporting monitoring information on traffic monitoring activity.SOLUTION: A radar detector 1 forming a system that reports monitoring information on traffic monitoring activity includes two liquid crystal displays each having a screen 15, and a control unit that acquires the monitoring information on the traffic monitoring activity and executes control to display the monitoring information on the screen 15 of at least one of the displays. One screen 15L can display monitoring position information indicating an execution point of the traffic monitoring activity, and the other screen 15R can display monitoring type information indicating a type of the traffic monitoring activity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for assisting vehicle driving by providing information related to various traffic monitoring activities such as traffic control and checkpoint inspections.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a system for assisting vehicle driving, in-vehicle devices such as radar detectors that issue an alarm when receiving radar waves for speed enforcement and arouse the driver's attention have been realized. Among such in-vehicle devices, there are those that have a GPS function for measuring the current position of the vehicle and a database of GPS targets such as the installation points of speed enforcement systems, and detect approaching a specific GPS target and notify the driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to such an in-vehicle device, by notifying the approach to the implementation point of traffic monitoring activities, it is possible to suppress in advance the risk that the driver may unknowingly exceed the speed.

[0003] As GPS targets for which the in-vehicle device having the above configuration notifies the approach, in addition to permanent points such as the installation points of speed enforcement systems and police stations, there are temporary points where traffic monitoring activities such as speed enforcement by mobile orbis and drunk driving inspections are frequently carried out. The in-vehicle device attempts to enhance the driver's awareness of safe driving by notifying the approach to various GPS targets.

[0004] In particular, vehicle speed measurement devices and the like applied to speed enforcement are often installed at dangerous points where excessive speeding is likely to be induced. Notifying the approach to such points is very effective in enhancing the driver's awareness of safe driving before danger occurs and avoiding danger. In-vehicle devices such as radar detectors are extremely useful for motivating the driver to drive safely, and contribute to ensuring traffic safety and assist driving.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Japanese Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-248180 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the above conventional in-vehicle device has the following problems. That is, while there are users who require the presentation of a lot of information such as the type of traffic monitoring activity to be alerted about, the location of implementation, and the distance to the implementation point, there are also quite a few users who feel that the alert is difficult to understand because the amount of information to be presented is too large.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and is an invention for providing a system capable of clearly notifying monitoring information related to traffic monitoring activities. Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is a system for notifying monitoring information related to traffic monitoring activities, comprising: a plurality of displays having screens; control means for acquiring monitoring information related to traffic monitoring activities and executing control to display the monitoring information on the screen of at least one of the displays.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the system according to the first aspect.

[0010] The system according to the present invention includes a plurality of displays for displaying monitoring information related to traffic monitoring activities. By using a plurality of displays to display the monitoring information, the amount of display information per display can be reduced, and it becomes possible to notify clear monitoring information.

[0011] The number of displays provided in the system according to the present invention may be two, or may be three or more. The system according to the present invention may be used, for example, for in-vehicle applications or for applications other than in-vehicle use. The control means provided in the system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of executing control to display monitoring position information indicating the implementation location of traffic monitoring activities on any one display and display monitoring type information indicating the type of traffic monitoring activities on any other display. In this case, by separating the display for displaying the monitoring position information and the display for displaying the monitoring type information, each piece of information can be displayed clearly. For example, in the case where the implementation location is plotted and displayed on a scope surface imitating a map or a radar scope, the size of the map or the scope surface is very important for grasping the monitoring position information. There is no need to display the monitoring type information overlaid on the map or the scope surface, or to narrow the map or the scope surface to secure a place for displaying the monitoring type information, so the monitoring position information can be displayed clearly.

[0012] The control means provided in the system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention displays a scope surface representing a predetermined area around the vehicle on any one of the displays, and plots and displays an icon representing the implementation location of traffic monitoring activities on the scope surface. The control means is capable of executing control to display character information indicating the type of traffic monitoring activities related to the icon plotted and displayed on the scope surface on any other display. In this case, the positional relationship between the host vehicle and the implementation location can be clearly displayed using any one of the displays. Furthermore, if the character information is displayed on any other display, the type of traffic monitoring activities can be displayed very clearly.

[0013] The plurality of displays provided in the system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention can display a predetermined standby screen when the monitoring information is not being notified, and the standby screen can be selectively set for each display. If the standby screen can be set for each display, the number of combinations of standby screens to be displayed will be very large. For example, in the case of two displays, if 10 types of standby screens can be set for each, 10×10 = 100 combinations are possible. If there are multiple displays, multiple types of standby screens can be displayed in parallel, and the types of information that can be presented will increase. For example, if a standby screen for displaying the time and a standby screen for displaying the vehicle speed are set, a standby state where the time and the vehicle speed can be grasped at a glance can be realized.

[0014] In a system according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, as a setting mode for selectively setting the types of display screens to be displayed on the plurality of displays, at least two setting modes with different numbers of selectable display screen types are provided, and operation means for selecting any one of the setting modes is provided.

[0015] In a system provided with a plurality of displays, the degree of freedom of setting on the user side becomes very high. For users who enjoy using such a system, in-depth advanced settings become possible. On the other hand, for users who prioritize basic functions over using the system, there is a risk that it may be difficult to use due to the high degree of freedom of setting. Therefore, if a plurality of setting modes with differences in the degree of freedom of setting are provided as described above, the degree of freedom of setting can be selected according to the user's preference, and a wide range of user needs from heavy users to general users can be met.

[0016] In the setting mode of a system according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, in addition to the setting mode in which the types of display screens to be displayed on the plurality of displays can be selectively set, a simple setting mode in which the types of display screens to be displayed on the plurality of displays are predefined and the types of display screens cannot be changed is included. If a simple setting mode is prepared, the basic functions can be utilized immediately after purchase, and a user-friendly system that can be introduced relatively easily can be realized. Then, when a need to use it more deeply arises through use, a setting mode that allows detailed settings can be selected.

[0017] In a system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a gap is provided between at least any two adjacent display devices among the plurality of display devices, and a detection sensor for detecting a nearby human body is disposed in the gap. The detection sensor disposed between adjacent display devices is suitable for detecting, for example, a hand waving operation on the screen. When only one display device is provided, it is very difficult to dispose a detection sensor at an intermediate position of the screen, and it is difficult to realize an operation feeling such as waving a hand over the screen. Even for a plurality of display devices, adjacent screens are easily visually recognized as one screen. By disposing the detection sensor in the gap, an operation feeling such as waving a hand over the screen can be realized.

[0018] A system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an operation unit having illumination means for lighting an operation area. The control means can execute control to switch the operation area to a lit state in response to detection of a human body by the detection sensor. In this case, a novel operation feeling can be realized such that the system is activated by a hand waving operation or the like. The fun of operation such as operating with hand power can be realized.

[0019] A system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an operation unit having illumination means for lighting an operation area. The control means can execute blinking control to alternately switch the operation area between a lit state and a turned-off state or a dimmed state. By executing the blinking control, it becomes possible to make a specific operation area conspicuous. Further, for example, the period of the blinking control may be changed. For example, it may be good to express information to the effect that it is a situation requiring haste by increasing the period. For example, it may be good to execute blinking control for a plurality of operation areas and change the phase of the blinking control to realize control such that light moves between the plurality of operation areas. In this case, a two-dimensional movement in which light moves can be generated, and visual fun can be produced.

[0020] The control means included in a system according to a preferred aspect of the present invention acquires the degree of necessity for notification regarding the monitoring information, and changes the period for blinking the operation area according to the degree of necessity for notification. For example, if the period is shortened as the degree of necessity for notification increases, it is possible to intuitively convey that it is an urgent situation, and it becomes possible to present information that is easy to understand at a glance.

[0021] In a system according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, on both the left and right sides of the area where the screens of the plurality of displays are arranged, an operation unit having illumination means for lighting the operation area is provided. The control means can execute control for notifying the direction of the location where traffic monitoring activities are carried out depending on which side of the operation units arranged on both the left and right sides lights up the operation area.

[0022] In this case, it becomes possible to notify the direction of the implementation location using the operation unit. Notification of the direction by lighting the operation unit is an extremely simple notification method and can be a notification that can be intuitively grasped by the user at a glance. Furthermore, if the operation unit can be used to notify the direction of the implementation location, for example, it is not necessary to display the direction on the display side. It becomes possible to reduce the amount of information to be displayed on the display, and the display by the display can be configured to be even easier to understand.

[0023] In a system according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of displays has an angle in the normal direction of the screen that is different from the screens of the other displays. When there is only one display, even if the size of the screen can be enlarged by changing the display, it is difficult to set multiple types of screen orientations (normal directions). In the case of providing a plurality of displays as in the system according to the present invention, a configuration such as making the screen orientations different can be relatively easily realized. For example, it is also good to provide displays on a plurality of faces of a die-shaped housing and display different information on each display. In this case, by changing the orientation of the die-shaped housing, it becomes possible to switch the display information visible from the user side.

[0024] In a system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of displays has a screen that is not flush with the screens of the other displays but has different positions in the depth direction, while being substantially parallel to them. In this case, a sense of depth can be given to the display. While the information that can be displayed on the screen is two-dimensional planar information, by using a plurality of displays with different positions in the depth direction, it becomes possible to give a sense of depth to the displayed information. For example, it is also possible to perform control such that important information is displayed on the front display and less important information is displayed on the rear display. In this case, important information can be intuitively recognized by the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below using the following examples. (Example 1) This example is an example related to a radar detector (device) 1 which is an aspect of the system and whose main function is to give an alarm regarding traffic control. This radar detector 1 is a device suitable for in-vehicle use. This radar detector 1 notifies various information useful during vehicle driving, including monitoring information regarding traffic monitoring activities such as speed control. This content will be described in the following order with reference to FIGS. 1 to 65.

[0027] 1. Shape 2. Structure 3. Electrical Configuration 4. Basic Operation 5. Standby Screen 6. Warning Screen 7. Alarm Operation 8. Various Settings

[0028] ■ 1. Shape ■ As shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the radar detector 1 of this example includes a horizontally long and wide case body (housing) 2, and is installed on the dashboard of a vehicle or the like via a bracket 28 (FIGS. 9 to 12). This radar detector 1 can also be installed on the back side of the sun visor, the back side of the rearview mirror, etc. according to the change of the bracket 28. The radar detector 1 can also be used by removing the bracket 28. When the bracket 28 is removed, it is also possible to directly install it on the dashboard or the like by using the adhesive force of double-sided tape or the like attached to the bottom surface of the case body 2.

[0029] On the front (front surface) of the radar detector 1, a screen area 15A (FIG. 1) is formed in which two 1.8-inch color screens 15L and 15R are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (horizontal direction). Above and below the boundary between the left and right screens 15L and 15R, a label area 210 on which the model number and model name of the radar detector 1 are printed is provided so as to protrude toward the screen area 15A. On both sides of the screen area 15A as the display area, operation buttons (operation means) 24 forming an operation area (predetermined area) are arranged. On the right outer side of the right screen 15R as seen from the driver's side, an UP button 242, a DOWN button 244, and a MUTE button 248, which are volume adjustment buttons, are arranged. On the left outer side of the left screen 15L, a MEMO button 241 and a VIEW button 243 are arranged.

[0030] On the right side surface of the case body 2 as seen from the driver's side, a card insertion port 251 for inserting a memory card 171 such as an SD card, which is an insertable recording medium (FIG. 28), is provided. At the lower part of the back surface of the case body 2, a USB connector 252, a power switch 253, an attachment part 258 of the bracket 28, etc. are provided. A cigarette plug cord extended from the cigarette socket of the vehicle, an OBD adapter (FIG. 13), a USB cable, etc. are connected to the USB connector 252. The radar detector 1 operates by receiving power supply via the cord connected to the USB connector 252.

[0031] The OBD adapter in Fig. 13 is a communication cable that is connected to the OBD connector provided on the vehicle side in accordance with the OBD (On-board Diagnostics)-II (II is the Roman numeral "2"; hereinafter referred to as "OBD") standard, which is a vehicle inspection standard. This OBD connector, also called a fault diagnosis connector, is electrically extended from a vehicle ECU (not shown) and can output various vehicle information. A connector that is detachably attached to the vehicle's OBD connector is attached to the vehicle-side tip of the OBD adapter.

[0032] ■ 2. Structure ■ As shown in Fig. 14, the radar detector 1 is configured by attaching a touch screen sheet 151 to the front surface on the front side of the case body 2 that houses the first and second substrates 31 and 32. The case body 2 has a two-part structure formed by combining a front frame 21 on the front side and a case 22 on the back side.

[0033] The touch screen sheet 151 in Figs. 14 and 15 is a horizontally long sheet disposed close to the entire width in the left-right direction of the case body 2. In the middle portion in the left-right direction of the touch screen sheet 151 (Fig. 15), a constricted shape 151D that protrudes downward or upward from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side is provided, and a narrow portion with a narrow width in the up-down direction is formed. The touch screen sheet 151 provided with this narrow portion has a shape like glasses as a whole.

[0034] In the touch screen sheet 151, touch areas (detection areas) 151S are formed in two vertical columns on the left and right sides for the screens 15L and R, respectively. Instead of the configuration of this example, a touch area may also be provided in the middle of the two left-right columns of touch areas 151S. If three columns of touch areas are provided for the screen 15 in this way, for example, a touch operation in which the touch position moves from the touch area on the right side via the center to the left side can be detected, and a so-called flick operation becomes possible.

[0035] At both ends of the touch screen sheet 151, watermarks 151V such as characters like MEMO and triangular shapes (▲ and ▼) are provided at positions corresponding to the respective operation buttons 24 (Fig. 1). According to the watermark 151V of the touch screen sheet 151, the operation area of the operation button 24 can be clearly shown by transmitting the light of the white LED (lighting means) 137 housed inside.

[0036] The front frames 21 in Figs. 16 and 17 have a shape close to that of a frame body provided with an opening 218. The opening 218 is an opening for arranging two liquid crystal displays (displays) 152L and 152R mounted on the first substrate 31. Through holes 29 are formed at positions corresponding to the respective operation buttons 24 in the frame portion of the front frame 21. Note that the through hole 29 on the left side from the front side has one side surface in the circumferential direction missing and is an incomplete hole communicating with the opening 218.

[0037] On the outer surface facing the front side, a shallow recessed portion 210A conforming to the sheet shape of the touch panel 151 is formed. The bottom surface of this shallow recessed portion 210A is substantially flush with the surfaces of the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R in the assembled state. The touch screen sheet 151 is attached to the recessed portion 210A along the surfaces of the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R.

[0038] Label regions 210 protruding from the outer peripheral side toward the opening 218 side are formed above and below the front of the front frame 21. The upper label region 210 is formed to protrude downward in the vertical direction, and the lower label region 210 is formed to protrude upward in the vertical direction. Each label region 210 is formed to be raised by the thickness of the touch screen sheet 151 with respect to the bottom surface of the recessed portion 210A. Note that in the assembled state where the touch screen sheet 151 is attached to the front frame 21, a front appearance like glasses is formed by the combination of the label regions 210 protruding in the vertical direction and the glossy touch screen sheet 151.

[0039] The label area 210 of the front frame 21 conforms to the constricted shape 151D (FIG. 15) of the touch panel 151 described above, and serves as a positioning shape when attaching the touch screen sheet 151. In the radar detector 1 of this example, since the positioning shape is located at the intermediate portion in the left-right direction of the case body 2, it is not necessary to start attaching the touch screen sheet 151 from either the left or right end side. For example, it is possible to start attaching from either the top or bottom.

[0040] If there is a deviation in the angle of the touch screen sheet 151 when trying to start attaching the touch screen sheet 151 from either the left or right end, there is a risk that the deviation will be amplified as it goes towards the opposite end, resulting in a very large deviation at the end of the attachment. On the other hand, when the positioning shape is provided at the intermediate portion in the left-right direction, for example, it is also possible to start attaching from around the middle in the left-right direction of the touch screen sheet 151 and attach it to both sides in the left-right direction.

[0041] If starting to attach the touch screen sheet 151 from around the middle to both sides in the left-right direction, the distance from the start to the end of the attachment becomes approximately half, so the deviation occurring at the left and right ends becomes smaller. Also, for example, it is possible to start attaching the touch screen sheet 151 in the up-down direction from either the top or bottom. Since the width of the touch screen sheet 151 in the up-down direction is narrow, even if there is a slight angular deviation when starting to attach from the upper side, for example, there is less risk of a large deviation occurring at the lower side.

[0042] On the back side of the front frame 21 (see FIG. 17), screw posts 213 are erected at the four corners, and screw holes 211 are drilled in two places each in the up-down direction. A seat portion that abuts against the first substrate 31 is formed on the outer periphery of the screw hole 211. A cylindrical portion extends in the through hole 29 corresponding to each operation button 24, and its end face is flush with the seat portion of the screw hole 211 so as to be able to abut against the first substrate 31.

[0043] On the outer peripheral side of the screw support column 213, a seat portion 213A extending linearly in the radial direction is provided. This seat portion 213A is formed at a circumferential position that hits the outer peripheral side of the front frame 21 in the vertical direction and at a circumferential position that hits the outer peripheral side of the front frame 21 in the left-right direction. For example, regarding the lower right screw support column 213 (see FIG. 17) when looking at the front frame 21 from the back side, a seat portion 213A extending downward and a seat portion 213A extending to the right are provided. This seat portion 213A is formed to be lower in height than the screw support column 213, and this height difference is substantially the same as the thickness of the second substrate 32 (slightly smaller than the thickness of the substrate 32).

[0044] The case 22 in FIG. 18 is a bottomed member that is screwed to the front frame 21. Switch holes 253H, USB connector holes 252H, etc. are drilled in the bottom surface of the case 22. At the four inner corners of the inside of the case 22, columns 221 with through holes drilled are erected.

[0045] The end surface of the column 221 forms a seat portion that abuts against the second substrate 32. Also, each hole such as the speaker hole 254, the switch hole 253H, and the USB connector hole 252H is provided with a cylindrical portion or a seat portion (hereinafter referred to as a cylindrical portion or the like). Further, a seat portion 226 is also provided at the upper part inside the case 22. The column 221, the cylindrical portion or the like, and the seat portion 226 are formed at the same height so as to be substantially flush. In the assembled state, the column 221, the cylindrical portion or the like, and the seat portion 226 are in a state of abutting against the second substrate 32.

[0046] On the upper, lower, left, and right inner peripheral side surfaces of the case 22, ribs 222 and 223 for supporting the first and second substrates 31 and 32 are provided in two places each. Each of the ribs 222 and 223 stands on the bottom surface in a state of being connected to the inner peripheral side surface of the case 22. Although it will be described in detail later, the ribs 222 on both the left and right sides are accommodated in slit holes 312 and 322 provided on the outer periphery of the substrates 31 and 32 (FIGS. 20 and 25). The upper and lower ribs 223 are accommodated in slit holes 313 and 323 provided on the outer periphery of the substrates 31 and 32.

[0047] The left and right ribs 222 have a constant cross-sectional shape in the depth direction of the case 22. On the other hand, among the upper and lower ribs 223, for the three ribs 223 at the upper left, upper right, and lower left (Fig. 18), the end faces on the opening side are formed in a stepped manner with a difference in level, and the height from the bottom surface is lower on the inner peripheral side (see Fig. 19). The lower end face forming the shelf surface serves as the contact surface against the first substrate 31 in the assembled state. For the rib 223Z located at the lower right (Fig. 18), the cross-sectional shape is constant in the depth direction of the case 22, and no shelf surface is formed.

[0048] In the following description, for the rib 223 in which the end face on the opening side is formed with a difference in level and the protruding width at the tip is narrow, the portion on the root side is referred to as the rib main body portion 223B, and the portion with the narrow protruding width at the tip is referred to as the rib tip portion 223A.

[0049] The first substrate 31 in Fig. 20 is a double-sided mounting substrate. On the mounting surface (see Fig. 20) on the front frame 21 side (front side) of the first substrate 31, liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R are mounted. On the mounting surface facing the second substrate 32 on the back side thereof, a memory card reader 17 (see Fig. 24) is mounted. On the lower side of the first substrate 31, two cutout portions 319 are provided, and connectors 319C for connecting the control cables (flexible flat cables) of the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R are attached facing the cutout portions 319.

[0050] On the surface of the substrate 31 on the side where the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R are mounted, an operation unit 315 including a capacitive touch sensor 315A and white LEDs 315B (Fig. 28) is disposed at each position corresponding to the operation buttons 24. In the assembled state, as described above, the cylindrical portion of the through hole 29 of the front frame 21 abuts against the first substrate 31, and the operation unit 315 is located inside this cylindrical portion (Fig. 21).

[0051] The white LED 315B is a lighting means for illuminating the operation area of the operation button 24 from the back side. The light of the white LED 315B passes through the watermark 151V of the touch screen sheet 151 (see Fig. 15) to clarify the operation area. Each white LED 315B can be controlled to change the brightness of the illumination. Note that, instead of the white LED 315B, a multi-color LED can also be adopted. If a multi-color LED is adopted, in addition to changing the brightness, control such as changing the color becomes possible.

[0052] In the gap 152S between the left and right liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R, for example, a proximity sensor (detection sensor, electronic component) 125 (not shown) for detecting a human body such as a hand is disposed. This proximity sensor 125 is used to detect a hand-waving operation with respect to the screen area 15A (Fig. 1) where the screens 15L and 15R are disposed. Note that the proximity sensor 125 is shown in Fig. 28, while its illustration is omitted in Fig. 20. In this example, the proximity sensor 125 is disposed in the gap 152S. Instead of or in addition to this, electronic components such as LEDs can also be disposed. If a physical gap 152S is formed at the boundary between the two liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R, it becomes possible to dispose wirings for transmitting various signals or electronic components in the middle of the screen area 15A (Fig. 1).

[0053] On the outer periphery of the first substrate 31 (Fig. 20), slit holes 312 and 313 for accommodating the ribs 222 and 223 of the case 22 (Figs. 18 and 19) are formed. These slit holes 312 and 313 are incomplete holes that open to the outer periphery of the substrate 31. The slit holes 313 provided above and below the substrate 31 are provided at positions corresponding to the ribs 223 of the case 22, and are formed so as to accommodate the rib tip portions 223A located on the tip side of each rib 223 (see Figs. 22 and 23).

[0054] The extending width of the slit hole 313 from the outer peripheral surface of the substrate 31 is set to be narrow enough not to accommodate the rib main body portion 223B. In the assembled state, the shelf surface between the rib tip portion 223A and the rib main body portion 223B is in contact with the first substrate 31. Note that a notch portion 319 is provided at a position corresponding to the rib 223Z of the case 22 in the outer peripheral shape of the first substrate 31, so that the accommodating structure of the rib 223 is not formed.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 24, the first substrate 31 is fixed to the front frame 21 by screwing. Notch portions 318 (FIG. 20) are provided at the four corners of the first substrate 31 fixed by screwing. This notch portion 318 is shaped to avoid interference with the screw columns 213 and the seat portions 213A of the front frame 21. The first substrate 31 having this notch portion 318 is screwed in a state of abutting against the seat portion of the screw hole 211 (FIG. 17) and the end surfaces of the cylindrical portions extending from the through holes 29 (FIG. 17) corresponding to the respective operation buttons 24.

[0056] Note that since the first substrate 31 is screwed to the front frame 21, it is impossible to remove only the front frame 21 leaving the first substrate 31. FIGS. 22 and 23 are virtual views showing a state in which only the front frame 21 is removed leaving the first substrate 31 in order to explain the accommodating structure of the substrate 31.

[0057] The second substrate 32 (FIG. 25) on the back side is a substrate on which a one-chip microcomputer (not shown), a USB connector 328, a speaker 16, an RF module (wireless module) 321, a GPS module 325, a power switch 253, etc. are mounted. Each electronic component other than the one-chip microcomputer is mounted on the mounting surface shown in FIG. 25, and the one-chip microcomputer (not shown) is mounted on the back mounting surface. The second substrate 32 is electrically connected to the first substrate 31 via a control cable (not shown). As the control cables between the first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32, there are two control cables connected to the connector 319C (FIG. 20) of the first substrate 31 extending from the liquid crystal display 152L, R.

[0058] A one-chip microcomputer is an electronic component that integrates a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. into one chip. In particular, the one-chip microcomputer in this example has a control function for the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R and serves as an electronic component shared between the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R. The mounting position of the one-chip microcomputer on the second substrate 32 is inside the area obtained by projecting the arrangement areas of the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R on the first substrate 31 onto the second substrate 32 in the thickness direction of the case body 2. The bus lines for transferring display data, etc. toward each of the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R are laid on both the left and right sides of the one-chip microcomputer. It is also possible to arrange the one-chip microcomputer at an intermediate position with respect to the two connectors 319C (Fig. 20) on the first substrate 31. In this case, the electrical path lengths from the one-chip microcomputer to each connector 319C can be made approximately equal, suppressing the adverse effects due to differences in electrical delay times.

[0059] The RF module 321 is a wireless module that houses a microwave receiver 122 (Fig. 28) for receiving radar waves in the microwave wavelength band emitted from a speed measurement device such as a mobile radar (hereinafter simply referred to as a radar), and a wireless receiver 123 (Fig. 28) for receiving radio waves of a predetermined frequency. The RF module 321 is provided with an antenna for receiving radio waves, a detection circuit, etc. The GPS module 325 is a module that houses a GPS receiver 121 (Fig. 28) for receiving GPS radio waves flying in from GPS satellites and outputs the current time, current position information (latitude and longitude), current speed, altitude, etc.

[0060] The RF module 321 housing the microwave receiver 122 and the wireless receiver 123, and the GPS module 325 housing the GPS receiver 121 are incorporated into the case body 2 so as to be located on the back side of the radar detector 1. Such a mounting position is suitable for receiving radio waves, etc. flying in from the front of the vehicle.

[0061] In the radar detector 1, the RF module 321 covered by a metal housing and noise-suppressed is disposed at a position overlapping the gap 152S (see FIG. 20) between the two liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R on the left and right in the thickness direction of the case body 2 (the normal direction of the screen). By arranging the heavy RF module 321 so as to overlap the gap 152S between the liquid crystal display units 152L and 152R, the center of gravity is positioned near the center in the left-right direction of the case body 2, and the weight balance when supported by the bracket 28 can be improved. By realizing such a weight balance, the weight of the case body 2 can be securely supported by the bracket 28, and the swaying of the case body 2 according to vibrations of the vehicle or the like can be suppressed.

[0062] At the four corners of the second substrate 32, through holes 326 for passing through the screw columns 213 (FIG. 17) of the front frame 21 are formed. The through holes 326 are formed to have a smaller diameter than the columns 221 (FIG. 18) of the case 22. In the assembled state, the second substrate 32 is supported in a state of abutting against the end faces of the columns 221 of the case 22 (FIG. 18), the end faces of the cylindrical portions of the holes such as the switch holes 253H, and the seat portion 226. On the other hand, from the front frame 21 side, a seat portion 213A (FIG. 17) provided on the outer periphery of the screw column 213 abuts against the second substrate 32. The second substrate 32 in the assembled state is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the case 22 and the front frame 21 in this way.

[0063] Slit holes 322 and 323 for accommodating the ribs 222 and 223 of the case 22 are formed on the outer periphery of the second substrate 32. The slit holes 322 and 323 are incomplete through holes that open to the outer periphery of the substrate 32. The slit hole 323 is provided at a position corresponding to the ribs 223 provided above and below the case 22, and is formed to accommodate the rib main body portions 223B of the respective ribs 223 (FIGS. 26 and 27).

[0064] ■ 3. Electrical Configuration ■ As shown in Fig. 28, the radar detector 1 is electrically configured with the control unit (control means) 10 at the center. To the control unit 10, a GPS receiver 121, a microwave receiver 122, a wireless receiver 123, an air pressure sensor 128, a clock unit 129, a proximity sensor 125, a touch screen sheet 151, liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R, a touch sensor 315A, a white LED 315B, a speaker 16, a memory card reader 17, etc. are electrically connected. Further, in the radar detector 1, a database 100 accessible from the control unit 10 is provided.

[0065] The GPS receiver 121 is a receiver that receives GPS radio waves flying from GPS satellites and outputs the current time, current position information (latitude and longitude), current speed, altitude, etc. The control unit 10 that has acquired the position information of the current position from the GPS receiver 121 can calculate the speed of the vehicle based on the variation of the current position.

[0066] The microwave receiver 122 is a receiver that receives radar waves in the microwave wavelength band emitted from a speed measurement device such as a mobile radar (hereinafter simply referred to as radar). In the microwave receiver 122, as the electric field strength of the microwave, five levels of L (received level) 1 to L5 from the lower intensity are set. The wireless receiver 123 is a receiver that receives wireless at a predetermined frequency. The wireless receiver 123 in this example can be selectively set to any one of a plurality of frequencies so as to be compatible with various radio waves.

[0067] The clock unit 129 is a clock that outputs calendar information. The calendar information includes data representing the year, month, day, day of the week, and data representing the current time. The control unit 10 uses the current time acquired from the GPS receiver 121 to calibrate the current time (including date and time) of the clock unit 129 once a day.

[0068] The speaker 16 is assembled in the case body 2 so that sound, etc. can be output through a speaker hole 254 that opens on the back side of the case body 2. The memory card reader 17 transfers the data recorded on the memory card 171 to the read control unit 10. The memory card 171 inserted into the card insertion slot 251 is mounted on this memory card reader 17.

[0069] The control unit 10 is composed of a microcomputer (not shown) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, I / O, etc. The ROM stores software programs to be executed by the CPU. The control unit 10 realizes various functions by executing these programs. In the storage area of the non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, a storage area for storing various setting information such as alarm settings and screen settings is provided.

[0070] The database 100 is composed of a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM) inside or outside the microcomputer of the control unit 10. In the database 100 at the time of product shipment, in addition to POI data of targets (GPS targets) including location information such as the implementation locations of traffic monitoring activities for alarm targets and the locations of various facilities and tourist spots, regulation information such as speed limits, etc., illustration data of illustrations representing the types of traffic monitoring activities, and various voice data (record data) such as alarm voices are stored. In the database 100, the POI data of the target is stored in a state where illustration data, voice data, etc. are associated.

[0071] The stored data in the database 100 can be updated using the memory card 171. If the memory card 171 storing update data such as POI data and voice data is mounted on the memory card reader 17, the update data is read out under the control of the control unit 10, and the data in the database 100 can be updated. It is also possible to update the database 100 by connecting a PC storing update data to a hard disk, etc. via USB.

[0072] ■ 4. Basic Operations ■ The radar detector 1 realizes various functions by causing the CPU to execute the software program read from the ROM. The functions of this radar detector 1 include a current information display function, a GPS log function, an alarm function for executing various alarms, an OBD function, a setting function, a registration function, etc. The alarm function includes functions such as a GPS alarm function, an RD alarm function, and a wireless alarm function, which are functions provided by general radar detectors. Each means for realizing these functions is formed in the control unit 10.

[0073] The current information display function is a function for displaying current information by displaying a preset standby screen on the screen 15. The current information includes various vehicle information such as the position information (monitoring position information) of surrounding targets, time information, tide information, vehicle speed, fuel consumption information, eco-drive information, satellite information, altitude information, and various other information. The current information to be displayed can be selectively set by selecting the standby screen. The setting of the standby screen is realized by the setting function described later.

[0074] The OBD function is a function for acquiring vehicle information. This OBD function only functions when the radar detector 1 is connected to the vehicle side via an OBD adapter (Figure 13) connected to the OBD connector on the vehicle side. If the radar detector 1 is connected to the vehicle side using the OBD adapter, various vehicle information can be acquired every 0.5 seconds. Examples of the vehicle information that can be acquired from the vehicle side include speed, average speed, maximum speed, 5-second speed, average 5-second speed, maximum 5-second speed, rotational speed, average rotational speed, maximum rotational speed, engine load, average load, maximum load, throttle opening, average throttle opening, maximum throttle opening, ignition timing, fuel level, intake manifold pressure, maximum intake manifold pressure, MAF, INJ, coolant temperature, maximum coolant temperature, intake air temperature, maximum intake air temperature, outside air temperature, maximum outside air temperature, remaining fuel, fuel flow rate, maximum fuel flow rate, fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, maximum current fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average fuel consumption on ordinary roads, average fuel consumption on highways, moving average fuel consumption, maximum moving average fuel consumption, driving time, running time, idle time, idle ratio, driving distance, lifetime driving distance, 0 - 20 km / h acceleration time, 0 - 20 km / h average acceleration, 0 - 20 km / h shortest acceleration, 0 - 40 km / h acceleration time, 0 - 40 km / h average acceleration, 0 - 40 km / h shortest acceleration, 0 - 60 km / h acceleration time, 0 - 60 km / h average acceleration, 0 - 60 km / h shortest acceleration, 0 - 80 km / h acceleration time, 0 - 80 km / h average acceleration, 0 - 80 km / h shortest acceleration, 0 - 20 km / h running time, 20 - 40 km / h running time, 40 - 60 km / h running time, 60 - 80 km / h running time, running time above 80 km / h, lifetime engine driving distance, lifetime engine driving ratio, and other vehicle data.

[0075] The GPS logging function is a function for storing, as a position history, the current position output from the GPS receiver 121 every second in the database 100. This position history is recorded, for example, in the NMEA format. For the stored current position, the time when the control unit 10 detected the current position and the speed (vehicle speed) are associated. The registration function is a function for a driver who is a user to register personal locations (my points) and regions (my areas), and is executed by registration means that is realized software-wise in the control unit 10.

[0076] The GPS warning function is a function for warning of approaching a warning target such as Obis (automatic speed violation control device). In the GPS warning function, arithmetic processing for obtaining the distance between the position of the warning target (enforcement location) and the current position is repeatedly executed at a predetermined time interval (for example, 1 second). When this distance reaches a predetermined approach distance and an event called warning point approach occurs, a GPS warning indicating that fact is executed.

[0077] Warning targets by the GPS warning function include Obis, enforcement areas, checkpoint areas, intersection monitoring points, no parking monitoring areas, N systems, traffic monitoring systems, signal violation suppression systems, police stations, accident-prone areas, vehicle targeting-prone areas, sharp curves, branch and merge points, ETC lanes, etc. Warning targets may include drowsy driving accident locations, radars, speed limit switching points, etc.

[0078] In addition, targets other than the warning targets of the GPS warning function include service areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), highway oases (expressways), smart interchanges (expressways), gas stations inside PA / SA (expressways), tunnels (expressways), highway radio reception areas (expressways), prefectural borders, road stations, viewpoint parking lots, etc. In the radar detector 1 of this example, an arbitrary point can be registered or canceled as a my area by a predetermined operation on the user side. A point registered as a my area is treated as a target, and a notification is executed when approaching.

[0079] The RD warning function is a function for warning of reception of radar waves (microwaves) emitted from a radar-type control device. When an event called reception of radar waves (hereinafter referred to as RD reception) by the microwave receiver 122 occurs, an RD warning indicating that fact is executed.

[0080] The wireless warning function is a function that gives warnings so as not to interfere with the running of emergency vehicles or the like. When an event of receiving radio waves emitted by an emergency vehicle or the like (hereinafter referred to as wireless reception) occurs, a wireless warning that prompts the driver to pay attention is executed. The warning targets include traffic control radio, car stereo radio, digital radio, very small radio, police activity radio, police telephone, police activity wireless, radar wireless, helicopter radio, fire helicopter radio, fire radio, emergency radio, highway radio, security radio, etc.

[0081] The setting function is a function for performing various settings related to the radar detector 1. The settings include standby settings related to the standby screen, mode settings, warning settings related to warning operations, screen·LED settings related to screen 15 and white LED 315B (operation button 24), voice settings, system settings, OBD settings, etc. The details of each setting content will be described later.

[0082] Next, the basic operation of the radar detector 1 will be described. When power is started in response to the on / off switching of the vehicle ignition, the control unit 10 first displays an opening animation (not shown). After that, a positioning information screen (not shown) is displayed until the GPS satellite's GPS radio waves are received and the current position can be measured.

[0083] When the current position can be measured, the control unit 10 outputs a voice saying "Position measured" and switches the display screens of screens 15L and 15R to a predetermined standby screen. In the radar detector 1, for the left and right screens 15L and 15R, a preferred standby screen can be set according to the setting operations described later, respectively.

[0084] When in the standby state where no events to be alarmed such as RD reception, wireless reception, or approach to the alarm location occur, the control unit 10 causes the standby screen to be displayed on the left and right screens 15L and R. When any of the events of approach to the alarm location, RD reception, or wireless reception occur in the standby state, the control unit 10 executes a process of executing the corresponding function among the GPS alarm function, RD alarm function, and wireless alarm function, and causes the warning screen to be displayed on the screens 15L and R. Note that the priority order of each function when two or more events occur simultaneously is, from highest to lowest, the RD alarm function, the wireless alarm function, and the GPS alarm function. Also, when the vehicle ignition is switched on or when executing the alarm operation, the control unit 10 causes the white LEDs 315B incorporated in each operation button 24 to perform various lighting operations (described later).

[0085] ■ 5. Standby Screen ■ In the radar detector 1, by touching the left and right touch areas 151S (Fig. 29) of each of the screens 15L and R, it is possible to change the standby screen of the touched screen 15. When the control unit 10 detects a touch operation on any of the screens 15, it changes the standby screen of that screen 15 according to the circular arrangement order as shown in Fig. 29. When the left touch area 151S is touched, the standby screen is changed counterclockwise in the circular arrangement order, and when the right touch area 151S is touched, the standby screen is changed clockwise in the circular arrangement order.

[0086] For example, for the screen 15 where the clock screen is set as the standby screen, when the left touch area 151S is touched, the standby screen is changed to the calendar screen adjacent to the left, and when the right touch area 151S is touched, the standby screen is changed to the speed screen adjacent to the right.

[0087] Each standby screen in Fig. 29 can be set on either the left or right screen 15L, R. For example, it is also possible to set the same standby screen on the left and right screens 15L, R. When the same display screen is displayed on the left and right screens 15L, R, when sunlight shines on the screen area and it is difficult to see one of the screens 15, it is possible to use it by visually recognizing the easier-to-see screen 15. Since the left screen 15L is located close to the passenger seat of the vehicle with the right handle, it is also good to display the same display screen on the left and right screens 15L, R when there is a passenger.

[0088] Next, the specifications of each display screen that can be set as the standby screen will be described. (1) Radar scope screen The radar scope screen in Fig. 30 is a display screen that visually represents information (monitoring position information) indicating the positional relationship with the current position when approaching a target registered in the radar detector 1. In the radar scope screen, a scope surface corresponding to the peripheral area of the current position is displayed, and a target icon representing the location of traffic monitoring activities and the like, and a self-vehicle icon representing the current position are plotted and displayed on the scope surface. At the upper part, target information, which is text information on the type of target, and the distance to the target are displayed. At the lower left, the current driving speed (vehicle speed) is displayed, and the speed limit is displayed above the display column.

[0089] In the case of the radar scope screen of the right screen 15R, the current time is displayed at the lower right. Note that the display color (character color) of the driving speed is changed depending on whether the speed is exceeded, and the characters are displayed in red when the speed is exceeded.

[0090] In the case where a radar scope screen is displayed on one screen 15 and another standby screen other than the radar scope screen is displayed on the other screen 15, it is also good to omit the display of target information and the like on the radar scope screen and display a telop (for example, reference numeral 41 in Fig. 42) including target information on the other standby screen. In this case, a wide display area for the scope surface can be secured and the radar scope screen can be displayed clearly.

[0091] (2) Clock screen The clock screen in Fig. 31 is a display screen that shows the current time. In the case of the right screen 15R, the speed is displayed at the bottom of the clock screen. However, when GPS positioning is not available, the speed is not displayed. Regarding the time displayed on the clock screen, the control unit 10 performs time adjustment.

[0092] (3) Speed screen The speed screen in Fig. 32 is a display screen that shows the speed of the vehicle. In the case of the right screen 15R, a clock is displayed at the bottom of the speed screen. On the right side of the display column that shows the speed numerically, a vertical segment display representing the degree of speed is arranged. As the speed increases, the control unit 10 increases the number of segments to be displayed in this segment display. Since the control unit 10 calculates the speed using GPS radio waves, the speed display becomes 0 km / h in places such as inside a tunnel where GPS radio waves cannot be received.

[0093] (4) Eco-drive screen The eco-drive screen in Fig. 33 is a display screen that shows eco points, which are indicators of the degree of achievement of fuel-efficient driving. The control unit 10 calculates eco points from sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, idling time, economic speed, etc. On the right side of the display column for eco points, a display column for speed is arranged. This speed becomes 0 km / h when GPS positioning is not available. In the case of the right screen 15R, a clock is displayed at the bottom of the eco-drive screen. Note that the control unit 10 calculates eco points using GPS radio waves.

[0094] (5) Altitude screen The altitude screen in Fig. 34 is a display screen that shows the altitude of the vehicle. The control unit 10 graphs and displays the change in altitude. In the case of the right screen 15R, a clock is displayed at the bottom of the altitude screen. Since the control unit 10 calculates the altitude using GPS radio waves, the altitude display is fixed to the previous numerical value in places such as inside a tunnel where GPS radio waves cannot be received.

[0095] (6) Air pressure screen The air pressure screen in FIG. 35 is a display screen that shows the current air pressure. The control unit 10 graphs and displays the change in past air pressure together with the numerical value of the current air pressure.

[0096] (7) Positioning information screen The positioning information screen in FIG. 36 is a display screen that shows the reception status of GPS signals. The control unit 10 displays the satellite number and reception level for the satellites from which GPS signals are being received. Note that the satellite number is the number assigned to the satellite.

[0097] (8) Satellite information screen The satellite information screen in FIG. 37 is a display screen that shows information about the satellites being received. The control unit 10 displays the satellite number, type (GPS, QZSS (Michibiki), SBAS, GLONASS), elevation angle (Elev.), and azimuth angle (Azim.). The control unit 10 periodically switches and displays the display screen to show the satellites in order.

[0098] (9) OBD meter screen The OBD meter screen in FIG. 38 is a display screen that shows vehicle information obtained via an OBD adapter (FIG. 13). The OBD meter screen can be selected when the OBD adapter is connected. For example, when the OBD adapter is connected and the left touch area 151S of screen 15 that shows the satellite information screen is touched, the OBD meter screen is displayed. On the other hand, when not connected, the OBD meter screen and the next OBD fuel consumption information screen are skipped without being displayed. Vehicle information that can be selectively displayed on the OBD meter screen includes, for example, vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load, throttle opening, fuel level, intake manifold pressure, coolant temperature, intake air temperature, outside air temperature, engine oil temperature, instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, and current fuel consumption as shown in FIG. 38.

[0099] (10) OBD fuel consumption information screen The OBD fuel consumption information screen in FIG. 39 is a display screen that shows the instantaneous fuel consumption and average fuel consumption calculated by the control unit 10 using vehicle information. Since the vehicle information is acquired via the OBD adapter, when the OBD adapter is not connected, it is not switched and displayed, similar to the OBD meter screen. On the OBD fuel consumption information screen, two types of fuel consumption are displayed in the upper and lower rows. In each row, a numerical display of fuel consumption and a segment display of the degree of fuel consumption are arranged vertically. Combinations of the two types of fuel consumption include combinations of instantaneous fuel consumption and average fuel consumption, combinations of instantaneous fuel consumption and current fuel consumption, combinations of current fuel consumption and average fuel consumption, etc. In addition to the above, as standby screens, a calendar screen that displays the date, etc., and an OFF screen in which screen 15 becomes completely dark are set (FIG. 29).

[0100] Note that the control unit 10 displays various status icons exemplified in FIG. 40 at the bottom of the standby screen. Usually, the control unit 10 displays status icons on the left screen 15L. However, when the left screen 15L is a radar scope screen, an OBD meter screen, or an OFF screen, the status icons are displayed on the right screen 15R. When both the left and right screens 15L and R are either a radar scope screen or an OBD meter screen, the status icons are not displayed.

[0101] Also, as target icons displayed by the control unit 10 on the radar scope screen, there are the icons exemplified in FIG. 41. Each target icon has a different display color according to the attention level (degree of notification required), and the attention level increases in the order of green → blue → yellow → red. The allocation of the attention level is predefined according to the type (content) of the traffic monitoring activity related to the target.

[0102] Note that on some standby screens, it is possible to select the display color of the text from among six pre-prepared colors. Furthermore, it is possible to set the standby to automatically switch and display each standby screen at regular intervals (for example, every 1 minute).

[0103] ■ 6. Warning Screen ■ In the radar detector 1, the control unit 10 can set the display pattern of the warning screen to be displayed during a warning. When the VIEW button 243 is long-pressed while the standby screen is being displayed, the control unit 10 switches to the display of the warning screen. The display patterns of the warning screen include patterns of two-screen warning, one-screen warning part 1, one-screen warning part 2, and no warning screen. In each display pattern, it is also possible to display by swapping the left and right screens 15L and R.

[0104] (1) Two-screen warning The display pattern of the two-screen warning is a display pattern that simultaneously displays a radar scope screen for displaying the positional relationship between the own vehicle position and the target, and a notification panel screen for notifying the target type and the distance to the target, as shown in FIG. 42. On the notification panel screen, a telop (character information) 41 for displaying the target type (monitoring type information) and distance in characters is displayed at the uppermost stage, and an illustration 42 representing the target type is displayed in the center. Further, the time is displayed in the lower right. The illustration 42 is displayed based on the illustration data stored in the database 100.

[0105] There are the following three methods for displaying the display pattern of the two-screen warning. The first method is a method of displaying by long-pressing the VIEW button 243. The second method is a method of selecting 《Radar Scope》 for the left screen 15L and setting 《Display Switching Distance → No Switching》 and 《Target Information → Notification Panel》 for the right screen 15R. Here, for example, 《 》 such as 《Display Switching Distance → No Switching》 indicates a setting item in the radar detector 1. The third display method is a method of setting 《Radar Scope》 for the left screen 15L and setting 《Display Switching Distance → Set Distance》 and 《Target Information → Notification Panel》 for the right screen 15R. In the case of this method, when the distance between the own vehicle and the target reaches the distance set by the display switching distance, the display pattern switches to the two-screen warning display pattern.

[0106] In the two-screen warning, a radar scope screen is displayed on one screen 15, and an information panel screen is displayed on the other screen 15. For example, in other radar detectors with only one screen, it is necessary to use a part of the radar scope screen to display target information such as the type and distance of the target. In the case of a two-screen warning, target information can be displayed separately from the radar scope screen. With such a display specification, a wider display area of the scope surface can be secured on the radar scope screen, making it easier to grasp the position of the target and making the display of target information very easy to understand.

[0107] (2) Single-screen warning part 1 The display pattern of this single-screen warning part 1 is, as shown in Fig. 43, a setting where a radar scope screen that displays the position of the own vehicle and the target, and a telop 41 that notifies the type and distance of the target is displayed at the upper part of the standby screen. In the radar detector 1 of this example, the display pattern of the single-screen warning part 1 with the clock screen set as the standby screen is the initial setting.

[0108] There are the following two methods for displaying the display pattern of the single-screen warning part 1. The first method is to set 《Radar Scope》 for the left screen 15L, and set 《Display Switching Distance → No Switching》 and 《Target Information → Telop》 for the right screen 15R. The second method is to set 《Radar Scope》 for the left screen 15L, and set 《Display Switching Distance → Set Distance》 and 《Target Information → Telop》 for the right screen 15R. In the case of this method, when the distance between the own vehicle and the target reaches the distance set by the display switching distance, a warning screen as shown in Fig. 43 is switched and displayed. Note that which of the left and right screens 15L and R the telop 41 is displayed on can be selectively set by the operation of the user side.

[0109] (3) Single-screen warning part 2 The display pattern of this one-screen warning part 2 is, as shown in Fig. 44, that the left screen 15L displays a standby screen, and when an alarm occurs, the right screen 15R displays an information panel screen. This one-screen warning part 2 can be set to display a standby screen other than the radar scope screen on the left screen 15L, and for the right screen 15R, set "Display switching distance → No switching" and "Target information → Information panel" for display. Note that which of the left and right screens 15L and R to display the information panel screen can be set in the "Notification display" setting item.

[0110] (4) No warning screen The display pattern of no warning screen is, as illustrated in Fig. 45, that both the left and right screens 15L and R display a standby screen, and when an alarm occurs, only the telop 41 is displayed on either the left or right screen 15 (in this figure, an example of the right screen 15R). The display pattern of no warning screen can be set to display a standby screen other than the radar scope screen for both the left and right screens 15L and R, and for the right screen 15R, set "Display switching distance → No switching" and "Target information → Telop" for display. Which of the left and right screens 15 to display the telop 41 can be set by the "Notification display".

[0111] ■ 7. Alarm operation ■ (1) Alarm operation when receiving a regulatory radio wave When the control unit 10 receives a regulatory radio wave such as a radar wave or a stealth wave, it executes alarm operations such as displaying a warning screen on the screen 15 and outputting an alarm sound. Fig. 46 is an example of an alarm by the left screen 15L with the radar scope screen set as the standby screen. The control unit 10 executes a W alarm that alarms both by sound (electronic sound / alarm voice) and screen display. The control unit 10 changes the scope surface of the radar scope screen to red and displays a telop 41 representing the type of traffic monitoring activity at the top of the radar scope screen. This telop 41 includes a display of the reception level of radio waves such as radar waves (e.g., L5).

[0112] When a predetermined mute operation is performed during an alarm, the control unit 10 executes control to temporarily turn off the alarm sound until the received radar wave disappears. Examples of the mute operation include a hand waving operation in which the hand is waved over the screen area 15A (FIG. 1) for a certain period of time (1 second), a long-press operation of the MUTE button 248, and the like. Further, when the reception of the radar wave continues for about 30 seconds or more, the control unit 10 automatically executes control to reduce the volume of the alarm sound. Also, as shown in FIG. 47, the control unit 10 executes control to increase the tempo of the synthesized voice according to the change (L1 → L5) in the reception level (radio wave intensity) as the vehicle approaches the transmission source of the radar wave during the alarm operation when the enforcement radar wave is received.

[0113] (2) Alarm operation when the target approaches When the distance between the host vehicle and the target becomes small (when approaching the target), the control unit 10 causes the telop 41 that displays the target information and the distance as characters to be displayed at the upper part of the screen 15 as shown in FIG. 48.

[0114] FIG. (a) of the same figure is an example when the <Telop display> is set for the clock screen set as the standby screen. FIG. (b) of the same figure is an example when the <Telop display> is set for the radar scope screen. Note that in the case of the radar scope screen of the left screen 15L, the time is not displayed, but in the case of the radar scope screen of the right screen 15R, the time is displayed at the lower right. FIG. (c) of the same figure shows the change in the background color of the screen 15 controlled by the control unit 10 according to the attention level of the alarm. FIG. (d) of the same figure is an example when the <Telop display> is set for the notification panel screen.

[0115] (3) Alarm voice When the control unit 10 outputs an alarm voice targeting a target located approximately 25° or more to the right or left direction with respect to the traveling direction (see Fig. 49), it executes control to add a phrase of "left direction" or "right direction" to inform the direction (azimuth of the implementation point). The voices of "right direction" and "left direction" are the directions of the target at the time of notification. Note that when the distance to the target is extremely close, the phrase for identifying the left and right directions may not be added. Here, ' ' means voice output by the alarm voice.

[0116] The alarm voice is output at each timing shown in Figs. 50 to 53. In Fig. 50, the alarm voice regarding orbis (speed violation control) is shown in the upper row, and the alarm voice regarding the control area is shown in the lower row. For example, in the case of the orbis alarm voice, stages of 2 km ahead (only on highways), 1 km ahead, 500 m ahead, immediately before, and passing are set, and the alarm voice is output for each stage under the control of the control unit 10. At each stage up to 500 m ahead, for example, the distance such as '2 km ahead' is voice-output. Further, at 1 km ahead, in addition to the voice-output of the distance, an alarm voice for informing the speed limit and speed violation is output, and at 500 m ahead, an alarm voice for informing the camera position is output. When the speed has been exceeded immediately before, the control unit 10 executes control to output an alarm voice for informing the speed violation in addition to informing the immediately preceding driving speed.

[0117] For example, in the case of the alarm voice for the control area, stages of 1 km ahead, entering the area, and exiting the area are set, and the alarm voice is output for each stage under the control of the control unit 10. At the stage of 1 km ahead, it is also voice-output by the alarm voice which side of the left or right direction the area is in. Note that during the display on a display screen other than the radar scope screen, the control unit 10 displays an icon corresponding to the control / interrogation area (see Fig. 40) at the lower part of the display screen.

[0118] Note that the voice output (utterance) such as an alarm voice can be muted by a hand waving operation on the screen area 15A (Fig. 1). When the proximity sensor 125 arranged in the gap 152S (Fig. 20) between the left and right liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R detects a human body and the duration of the detection state reaches 1 second, the control unit 10 controls to mute the voice output so that it is not output. If a threshold value such as 1 second is set for the duration of the detection state, for example, there is little possibility of erroneously detecting the movement of the driver's hand when trying to operate the audio or the like by leaving the hand from the steering wheel.

[0119] ■ 8. Various Settings ■ In the radar detector 1, a plurality of operation specifications are prepared, and the user can set a preferred operation specification by operating on the user side. The setting method will be described below. When the MUTE button 248 is long-pressed while the power is on, the control unit 10 executes control to display the setting menu. The left figure in Fig. 54 shows the items of the setting menu, and the right figure is an example of the display screen during the selection operation of the setting menu.

[0120] The setting menus include (1) Easy Mode Setting, (2) Mode Setting, (3) Alarm Setting, (4) Screen / LED Setting, (5) Voice Setting, (6) System Setting, (7) OBD Setting, and in addition, a setting end menu is prepared. The control unit 10 changes the selected menu according to the operations of the ▲ button 242 and the ▼ button 244, and when the MUTE button 248 is operated, it executes control to display the setting screen corresponding to the selected menu. The right figure in the same figure is the display screen when the easy mode setting menu is selected, and the current setting is displayed below the easy mode setting menu (in the figure, the normal mode is set).

[0121] (1) Easy Mode Setting When the easy mode (simple setting mode) is set to on as shown in Fig. 55, it becomes a simple setting mode with only easy settings, enabling simple settings. When the easy mode is on, the control unit 10 greatly restricts the selectable setting menu as shown in the left figure of Fig. 55. The easy settings can change the brightness of the display screen and the type of radar warning sound (electronic sound / voice), and can only view the software version, which is a very simple setting.

[0122] (2) Mode Setting In the radar detector 1, in addition to the preset four warning modes (Normal, Minimum, Special, All On), a Manual mode is provided. The user can set the preferred warning mode by operating. The Normal mode is a warning mode with settings that emphasize balance. The Minimum mode is a warning mode in which only the minimum items are set to on. The Special mode is a warning mode with settings that emphasize items related to enforcement. The All On mode is a warning mode in which all functions are set to on. The Manual mode is a warning mode in which each function can be set individually.

[0123] When the MUTE button 248 is long-pressed during the display of the standby screen (the figure on the upper left side of Fig. 56), the control unit 10 switches to the display of the setting screen (the figure on the upper right side of Fig. 56). When 《Mode》 in the setting menu is selected, the control unit 10 switches to the display of the mode screen (the figure on the lower left side of Fig. 56). After the preferred warning mode is selected and when setting completion is selected (the figure on the lower right side of Fig. 56), the control unit 10 executes control to return to the state where the original standby screen is displayed. Note that the content of each warning mode is as shown in Fig. 57.

[0124] (3) Warning Setting In the warning setting, as shown in Fig. 58, it is possible to set each item of reception sensitivity mode, road selection, display switching distance, target information, and notification display. In the reception sensitivity mode, any one of "City" suitable for urban areas, "Extra" suitable for suburbs and highways, and "AAC / ASS" in which unnecessary alarms are cut and the optimal reception sensitivity is automatically set can be selectively set.

[0125] In road selection, the target roads for GPS alarms can be selected from "General Road", "High-Speed Road", "ALL", "AUTOGPS Priority", and "AUTO Barometric Pressure Priority". In the "General Road" setting, only the targets on general roads are alarmed. In the "High-Speed Road" setting, only the targets on high-speed roads are alarmed. In the "ALL" setting, all targets on general roads and high-speed roads are alarmed. The "AUTOGPS Priority" setting preferentially uses the position information of GPS, and it is a setting in which the control unit 10 automatically identifies the type of the driving road (general road or high-speed road). The "AUTO Barometric Pressure Priority" setting preferentially uses the change in barometric pressure, and it is a setting in which the control unit 10 automatically identifies the type of the driving road (general road or high-speed road). The control unit 10 executes control to alarm only the targets on general roads when it can identify a general road, and to alarm only the targets on high-speed roads when it can identify a high-speed road. For other setting items, it is as shown in the same figure.

[0126] As the display switching distance, any one of the distances such as "No Switching", "500m", "1000m", and "1500m" can be selectively set. If the display switching distance is set, as described in "6. Warning Screen", when the distance from the own vehicle to the target becomes close, the display switching from the preset standby screen to the notification panel screen or the like can be executed. For example, in the two-screen warning of FIG. 42, when "Radar Scope" is set for the left screen 15L, and "Display Switching Distance → 1000m is set" and "Target Information → Notification Panel" are set for the right screen 15R, the control unit 10 executes control to display the notification panel screen including the telop 41 of the target information instead of the standby screen when the distance to the target reaches 1000m. Note that the initial setting of the display switching distance is "1500m".

[0127] (4) Screen and LED Settings In the screen and LED settings, as shown in FIG. 59, each item such as screen brightness, presence or absence of screen inversion, screen color setting, LED mode, and LED brightness can be set. For example, for the screen brightness, any one of "Minimum", "Dim", "Normal", and "Bright" can be selectively set. For the LED mode, any one of "Alarm / Touch ON", "Always ON", and "OFF" can be set. For the other setting items, it is as shown in the figure.

[0128] Here, the content of each setting of the LED mode will be described with reference to FIG. 60. As the settings of the LED mode, there are three types as described above: "Alarm / Touch ON", "Always ON", and "OFF". This figure is a diagram for explaining the operation content of the white LED 315B for each operation state from state 1 to state 3 for each of these three types of settings (control modes).

[0129] In the case of the "Alarm / Touch ON" LED mode, the control unit 10 executes the following control. In the standby state of state 1, usually, each white LED 315B is controlled to be in the off state (OFF state). When the screen 15 is touched or a hand is held over the screen area 15A (FIG. 1), the control unit 10 controls all the white LEDs 315B of the operation buttons 24 to be in the on state. The touch operation on the screen 15 is detected by the touch area 151S of the touch screen sheet 151. The hand-holding operation on the screen area 15A (FIG. 1) is detected by the proximity sensor 125 (FIG. 28) arranged in the gap 152S (FIG. 20) between the liquid crystal displays 152L and 152R.

[0130] The hand gesture operation for turning on the white LED 315B and the hand gesture operation for muting the voice output in the standby state are both determined to be operations by the control unit 10 when the detection state of a human body or the like by the proximity sensor 125 continues for a predetermined duration. As the predetermined duration, 1 second is set for the hand gesture operation for muting as described above. For the hand gesture operation in the standby state, for example, it is preferable to set a time shorter than 1 second. For the hand gesture operation for muting, it is necessary to avoid the possibility that the hand operating the car audio or the like is misdetected and the warning voice or the like is muted. On the other hand, for the hand gesture operation in the standby state, it is necessary to prioritize the operation response so that a slow impression is not given.

[0131] After a hand gesture operation or the like is performed in the standby state (state 1) as described above, when any of the operation buttons 24 is touched, the control unit 10 turns off only the white LED 315B of the operated operation button 24 and executes control to return to the lighting state in response to the end of the touch operation. After that, when the non-operation period during which none of the operation buttons 24 is operated exceeds a predetermined time, the control unit 10 executes control to switch all the white LEDs 315B to the off state. Instead of this example, it is also good to blink the operation button 24 for a predetermined time when the touch operation ends. It becomes easier for the user to know that the operation has been accepted.

[0132] In state 2 when an alarm is received, the control unit 10 executes control to blink all the white LEDs 315B. In addition, when there is a directionality such as left, right, or front regarding the position (implementation point) of the traffic monitoring activity targeted by the alarm, for example, it is also effective to execute control to blink only the white LED 315B on the left side or only the upper two white LEDs 315B. During an alarm, for example, it may be appropriate to execute control to blink all the white LEDs 315B according to the degree of attention (degree of necessity for notification) of the alarm target. Regarding the operation buttons 24 arranged at five locations on the outer periphery of the screen area 15A, it may also be appropriate to execute control such that the lighting positions circulate around the screen area 15A during the alarm by slightly varying the lighting timings. Furthermore, as the degree of attention increases, the circulation period may be accelerated to create a sense of urgency. Alternatively, when entering an area with frequent traffic accidents, etc., it may be appropriate to randomly light the five operation buttons 24 to sensuously express a high-risk situation.

[0133] In state 3 which occurs when power is turned on according to the on / off switching of the vehicle ignition, the control unit 10 executes control to blink all the white LEDs 315B, and then executes control to turn them all off when a predetermined time has elapsed. Note that the blinking of the white LEDs 315B is realized by control that periodically changes the brightness, rather than a complete on / off periodic switching. According to the control that periodically changes the brightness, it is possible to execute blinking of light like a firefly (the blinking period is preferably faster than that of a firefly), and a high-class feeling of the device can be produced.

[0134] In the "Always ON" LED mode, the control unit 10 executes control to turn on each white LED 315B in the standby state (state 1), and executes control to blink the white LEDs 315B during an alarm (state 2) or when the power is turned on (state 3).

[0135] In the "OFF" LED mode, the control unit 10 executes control (blinking control) to blink the white LEDs 315B when the power is turned on (state 3), and controls the white LEDs 315B to be in the off state in other states.

[0136] (5) Voice setting The voice settings are for the output mode (output mode) of various voice information such as alarm voices and sound effects. In the voice settings, as shown in Fig. 61, settings for each item such as speech speed (speed of speaking), narrator switching, radar alarm sound, positioning announcement, RELAX chime, time announcement, operation sound, and target approach sound can be made. The speech speed can be switched among four levels: "Slow", "Normal", "Fast", and "Alarm-linked". In particular, in the "Alarm-linked" mode, the speech speed changes according to the type of alarm. In the narrator switching, the alarm voice can be switched between "Female" and "Male". In the radar alarm sound, the alarm when the radar is received can be switched between "Voice" and "Electronic sound".

[0137] In the positioning announcement, the on / off of the positioning announcement can be selected. For example, when the reception state of GPS radio waves is not good, such as in the gaps between buildings, the positioning announcement may repeat "GPS cannot be received" and "GPS has been received". However, if the positioning announcement is turned off, such repetitions can be avoided. The RELAX chime is a function that prompts a break every certain period of time, and the time interval for voice outputting "You have been driving for a long time. Don't you want to take a break?" can be selected. The time announcement is a function that announces the time at the exact hour every hour, and the presence or absence of the time announcement can be selected. The operation sound can be set to generate a confirmation sound when a button is operated. The target approach sound is the output sound when a target approaches, and the target approach sound is output according to the on setting.

[0138] The speech speed of the voice settings (Fig. 62) can be selectively set to any one of the four types: "Slow", "Normal", "Fast", and "Alarm-linked" as described above. When "Normal" is set, the control unit 10 outputs all the warning voices of the announcements at a speech speed of 100% (average speed). When "Slow" is set, the control unit 10 outputs all the warning voices of the announcements at a speech speed of 90%. When "Fast" is set, the control unit 10 outputs all the warning voices of the announcements at a speech speed of 120%.

[0139] Note that a speaking speed of 100% means the normal speaking speed, and a speaking speed of 120% means the speaking speed is 120%. In the radar detector 1 of this example, voice data obtained by digitally recording the actual voice of the narrator is recorded in the database 100. The voice data in the database 100 is record data corresponding to a speaking speed of 120%. If the voice data is played back as it is, the speaking speed will be 120%. If the voice data is played back about 20% slower, the speaking speed will be 100%, and if it is played back even slower, the speaking speed will be 90%.

[0140] In the radar detector 1 of this example, by recording voice data corresponding to a speaking speed of 120% in the database 100, the data size of the voice data stored in the database 100 is reduced. Naturally, it is also possible to record voice data corresponding to a speaking speed of 100% in the database 100, or to record voice data with a speaking speed exceeding the actual output speaking speed, such as 130%, in the database 100.

[0141] When "Alarm Linkage" is set, the control unit 10 changes the speaking speed according to the type and situation of the traffic monitoring activity to be alarmed, as shown in Fig. 62. In the figure, Stealth Notification and RD Notification are the alarm operations when receiving the suppression radio wave described in "(1) Alarm operation when receiving the suppression radio wave" in "7. Alarm operation". Stealth Notification is the alarm operation when receiving a stealth wave, and RD Notification is the alarm operation when receiving a radar wave. Obis Notification, Interrogation / Suppression Notification, and My Area Notification are the alarm operations when the target approaches described in "(2) Alarm operation when the target approaches" in "7. Alarm operation". In the figure, "All Sound Effects" (the fourth row from the bottom) in the column of notification content means the sound effects (such as "pong~~") in the phrase such as "(Sound effect) Stealth reception, Stealth reception" in the column of phrase examples. For example, in the case of Stealth Notification, the control unit 10 outputs the phrase "Stealth reception, Stealth reception" at a speaking speed of 120% following the output of the sound effects at a speed of 100%.

[0142] For example, in the case of an RD notification, the control unit 10 outputs a phrase such as "Please pay attention to the speed" following the output of the sound effect at 100% speed. At this time, the control unit 10 changes the speaking speed of phrases such as "Please pay attention to speed limits" according to the received level (L1~5) of the radar wave. For example, in the case of received level 1 or 2, since the degree of attention is not so high, the control unit 10 outputs the phrase "Please pay attention to speed limits" at 90% speaking speed following the output of the sound effect at 100% speed. In the case of received level 3, the control unit 10 outputs the phrase "Please pay attention to the speed" at 100% speaking speed following the output of the sound effect at 100% speed. In the case of received level 4 or 5, since the degree of attention is high, the control unit 10 outputs phrases such as "Please pay attention while driving" or "Let's slow down the speed" at 120% speaking speed following the output of the 100% sound effect. The control unit 10 outputs an alarm voice every time the received level changes, such as from received level 2 to 3.

[0143] Note that received levels 1 and 2, which set the speaking speed of the latter half of the phrase to 90%, correspond to the received levels from radio wave sources such as automatic doors. In the radar detector 1, since there is a possibility of false alarms for RD notifications at such received levels, the speaking speed is suppressed to less than 100%.

[0144] The control unit 10 controls the speed of the sound effect to be constant at 100% regardless of the speaking speed of the subsequent phrase. In this way, if the output mode of the sound effect that triggers the alarm operation is set to exactly the same specification regardless of the speaking speed of the phrase, the sound effect meaning the start of the alarm operation can be strongly impressed on the user side, and the effect of suppressing the possibility of missing the alarm can be achieved.

[0145] If the speech rate of a phrase is changed as described above, the impression on the user side regarding the utterance can be made different. For example, if a fast speech rate is set, it is possible to give an impression that the degree of attention is high by creating a sense of urgency. In this example, the degree of attention is defined according to the type of traffic monitoring activity that is the target of the warning, and the display color of the target icon corresponding to the degree of attention is set (Fig. 41). It is also good to change the speech rate according to the display color of the target icon. For example, for a traffic monitoring activity with a low degree of attention and a green display color of the target icon, it is also good to apply control such as always setting a slow speech rate and not changing the speech rate.

[0146] For example, in the case of Orbis notification, the control unit 10 changes the speech rate according to the distance to Orbis and the presence or absence of speed violation. The closer the distance, the faster the speech rate of the phrase following the sound effect, and in the case of speed violation, the speech rate of the phrase is set faster than when there is no speed violation. For example, in the case of checkpoint / regulation notification, the control unit 10 changes the speech rate of the phrase according to whether the vehicle speed is 52 km / h or more or less than 52 km / h. When the vehicle speed is 52 km / h or more, the speech rate is faster than when it is less than 52 km / h.

[0147] Regarding the target approach sound of the voice setting (the distance-linked Orbis sonar sound shown in Fig. 63), "On" and "Off" can be selectively set. When the target approach sound is set to "On", the control unit 10 outputs a sonar sound when approaching Orbis as shown in the figure. After the control unit 10 executes an Orbis notification when the distance to Orbis reaches 1 km or 2 km, if there is no other notification, the Orbis sonar sound is output at a transmission cycle of 1 Hz. At this time, the volume of the Orbis sonar sound is set to minus 8 dB with respect to the volume of the Orbis notification. When the distance to Orbis becomes 800 m and there is no other notification, the control unit 10 changes the transmission cycle of the Orbis sonar sound to 1.25 Hz.

[0148] In this way, the control unit 10 gradually increases the transmission cycle of the orbis sonar sound according to the distance, and when it reaches 200 m, it increases it up to 2.5 Hz. After that, the output of the orbis sonar sound is terminated according to the passage of the orbis. By changing the transmission cycle of the orbis sonar sound in conjunction with the distance to the orbis in this way, it becomes possible to grasp the degree of attention only by the orbis sonar sound. Even if the distance by the orbis notification is missed, it becomes possible to grasp the degree of distance by the orbis sonar sound.

[0149] (6) System settings In the system settings, as shown in FIG. 64, various system settings are possible. (7) OBD settings In the OBD settings, as shown in FIG. 65, it is possible to set each item of the OBD meter, fuel consumption information, coefficient correction, and data deletion for each screen 15. When the OBD meter is set, as the vehicle information to be displayed, vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load, throttle opening, fuel level, intake manifold pressure, coolant temperature, intake air temperature, outside air temperature, engine oil temperature, instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, and current fuel consumption can be selectively set. For example, for the OBD meter, it is possible to select whether to set the OBD meter on each of the left and right screens 15L and R. For the other items, it is as shown in the figure.

[0150] The radar detector 1 of this example configured as described above includes screens 15L and R for displaying monitoring information related to traffic monitoring activities. For example, it is possible to realize a display pattern of a two-screen warning in which a radar scope screen is displayed on one screen 15 while a telop is displayed on the other screen 15. In this display pattern, in addition to the radar scope screen, by displaying a telop indicating the type of traffic monitoring activity and the like on the notification panel screen, the amount of information displayed on the radar scope screen is suppressed, and the understandability of the monitoring position information is improved. By using a plurality of screens 15L and R in this way, it becomes possible to notify the monitoring information in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0151] In addition, the radar detector 1 can control the operation area of the operation button 24 to blink. By blinking the operation button 24, it is possible to effectively attract the user's attention by creating a movement such as a change in brightness. If the user's attention can be attracted, it is possible to suppress the risk that the monitoring information to be notified will be missed without being recognized by the user.

[0152] The radar detector 1 changes the output mode of sound information such as an alarm voice according to the degree of attention (degree of necessity of notification) of the monitoring information to be notified. By changing the output mode of the sound information according to the monitoring information, it is possible to increase the amount of information that can be output compared to the case where the sound information is output in exactly the same output mode. For example, by changing the speech speed, it is possible to notify the difference in the degree of attention. Also, the user can intuitively recognize the difference in the output mode of the sound information. As described above, the radar detector 1 of this example has excellent characteristics that can notify the monitoring information related to traffic monitoring activities in an easily understandable manner.

[0153] In the radar detector 1, a housing structure is realized in which ribs are housed in slit holes provided on the outer periphery of the substrate. In this housing structure, a contact structure between the outer peripheral surface of the rib and the inner peripheral surface of the slit hole of the substrate is realized. By providing such a contact structure, it is possible to expect an improvement in the rigidity (especially torsional rigidity) of the housing (case body 2) by utilizing the strength of the substrate. Note that the rib may be configured to stand on the bottom surface without being connected to the inner peripheral side surface of the case 22. The through hole on the substrate side for housing such a rib may be a closed hole that does not open to the outside.

[0154] In the radar detector 1 of this example, the screens 15L and 15R are arranged in parallel flush with each other. Instead of this configuration, in the thickness direction (depth direction) of the case body 2, the positions of the screens 15L and 15R may be changed. For example, it is also good to arrange the screen 15R on the back side with respect to the screen 15L. Furthermore, the screen 15L and the screen 15R may be arranged so as to overlap in the depth direction, and the front screen 15 may be formed to be transparent. In this case, image information with a sense of depth can be displayed by two overlapping screens in the depth direction.

[0155] Furthermore, it is also good to arrange screens on different surfaces of the dice-shaped housing. Furthermore, it is also good to adopt a bracket that rotatably supports the housing. In this case, the image information visible from the user side can be switched according to the orientation of the dice-shaped housing.

[0156] Regarding the front surface of the case body 2, it is also good to raise the center in the left-right direction and position it on the front side in the depth direction, and form inclined surfaces that are positioned on the back side in the depth direction toward both the left and right sides. If screens are installed on the inclined surfaces formed on both sides with the center in the left-right direction in between, for example, when the radar detector is installed in the middle of the dashboard, one screen faces the driver side and the other screen faces the passenger side of the passenger seat, and the visibility of both the driver and the passenger can be achieved. In this case, it is also good to display the same display screen on each screen. Also, when the orientations (normal directions) of the screens are different in this way, for example, in a situation where sunlight is shining on one screen, it is highly likely that the reflection of sunlight on the other screen can be avoided.

[0157] In the radar detector 1 of this example, operation buttons 24 are arranged on an operation unit 315 provided with white LEDs 315B on both the left and right sides of a screen area 15A where screens 15L and R are arranged. For example, depending on which operation button 24 is lit or blinking, it may be possible to indicate the direction of the target. For example, if the target is to the left with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle, it may be possible to blink the left-side operation buttons 241 and 243, and if the target is ahead, it may be possible to blink the upper-left and upper-right operation buttons 241 and 242. If the direction is indicated by blinking the operation buttons 24 or the like, it is possible to realize an easy-to-understand notification that allows the user to grasp the direction at a glance.

[0158] Furthermore, in the radar detector 1, five operation buttons 24 are arranged so as to surround the screen area. By using the five operation buttons 24 on the outer periphery of the screen area, for example, control such that the lit operation buttons 24 circle around the screen area 15A becomes possible. For example, when executing an alarm regarding traffic monitoring activities, it may be good to change the cycle of circling the lit position according to the degree of attentiveness, and the higher the degree of attentiveness, the faster the circling. In this case, the user can recognize the degree of attentiveness at a glance.

[0159] Note that the easy mode of the radar detector 1 of this example is a simple setting mode in which the standby screens of each screen 15 cannot be selected. Under the easy setting, a radar scope screen is displayed on the left screen 15L, a clock screen as a standby screen is displayed on the right screen 15R, and a telop 41 is displayed at the upper part of the clock screen when the distance to the target reaches a predetermined distance (Fig. 43). As described above, under the easy setting of this example, the display screens of each screen 15 are fixed, but for example, it may be good to add an intermediate simple setting mode in which two or three types of standby screens can be selectively set. Although the easy setting of this example is insufficient, it is possible to meet user needs such as that a mode in which all settings can be made is too complicated. While the display screen of the left screen 15L is fixed to the radar scope screen, it may be possible to enable selection of the standby screen for the right screen 15R.

[0160] Note that in addition to having a touch sensor for detecting touch operations corresponding to each operation button 24, the radar detector 1 in this example is equipped with a proximity sensor for detecting operations such as hand waving. A capacitive touch sensor is adopted for each operation button 24, and it is also possible to detect hand waving operations using these touch sensors. In this case, it is advisable to change the detection distance of the touch sensor between the state of waiting for a hand waving operation and the state of waiting for a touch operation. For example, the detection distance can be set to be long in the state of waiting for a hand waving operation, while after detecting a hand waving operation, the detection distance can be made closer to zero to reliably detect touch operations on each operation button 24.

[0161] By using a configuration that can individually control the lighting of each operation button 24 and sequentially lighting the operation button 24 to be operated next, it is also possible to navigate the operations. For example, various setting contents such as "Set two-screen warning" and "Set the speech speed for alarm linkage" can be listed for selection, and when any of the setting contents is selected, it is also possible to sequentially light the operation button 24 to be operated for that setting. In this case, the user can perform the desired settings simply by operating the lit operation buttons 24 in sequence.

[0162] It is also good to include a map display function in the radar detector 1 of this example. It is also good to display a map with the target icons plotted on one screen and display a telop that shows the information of the target icons on the other screen. For example, it is also good to display maps with different scales on multiple screens. A wide-range map display is suitable for grasping the positional relationship between the target and the vehicle, and a narrow-range map display is suitable for accurately grasping the distance to the target. Further, for example, it is also good to display the target icons with the implementation points specified on the map of one screen and display the targets with the areas specified on the map of the other screen. Generally, for targets with the implementation points specified, it is necessary to display the position pinpointedly, so plotting on a narrow-range map is suitable. On the other hand, for targets with the areas specified, it is necessary to show the entire area, so a wide-range map display is suitable.

[0163] Figures 66 to 76 are diagrams showing external variations with different designs and dimensional specifications, etc. In Figure 66, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form that can be achieved by using two small liquid crystals, a hard design with frequent chamfers, etc. are the points of the appearance. In Figure 67, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form that can be achieved by using two small liquid crystals, a hard design with left-right asymmetry, etc. are the points of the appearance. In Figure 68, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form that can be achieved by using two small liquid crystals, a plain shape with large corner R (chamfer R of the corner), etc. are the points of the appearance. In Figure 69, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form that can be achieved by using two small liquid crystals, a hard design with frequent chamfers, etc. are the points of the appearance. In Figure 70, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form that can be achieved by using two small liquid crystals, a hard design with left-right asymmetry, etc. are the points of the appearance. In FIG. 71, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form made possible by using two small liquid crystals, a black & white coloring giving a sense of lightness, etc. are the points in terms of appearance. In FIG. 72, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form made possible by using two small liquid crystals, a hard design using chamfers frequently, etc. are the points in terms of appearance. In FIG. 73, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form made possible by using two small liquid crystals, a design emphasizing the image of a retrofitted meter, etc. are the points in terms of appearance. In FIG. 74, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form made possible by using two small liquid crystals, a hard design with left-right asymmetry, etc. are the points in terms of appearance. In FIG. 75, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form made possible by using two small liquid crystals, a plain shape with large rounded corners, etc. are the points in terms of appearance. In FIG. 76, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form made possible by using two small liquid crystals, a hard design using chamfers frequently, etc. are the points in terms of appearance. In FIG. 77, two-screen simultaneous display taking advantage of dual liquid crystals, a wide & low form made possible by using two small liquid crystals, a hard design with left-right asymmetry, etc. are the points in terms of appearance.

[0164] As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the embodiments, but these specific examples merely disclose an example of the technology included in the claims. Needless to say, the claims should not be construed restrictively by the configurations, numerical values, etc. of the specific examples. The claims include technologies obtained by variously modifying, changing, or appropriately combining the specific examples using known technologies and the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0165] 1 Radar detector 2 Case body 21 Front frame 22 Case 24 Operation button (operation means) 222, 223 Rib 31 First substrate 32 Second substrate 312, 322, 313, 323 Slit hole (through hole) 10 Control unit (control means) 100 Database 121 GPS receiver 122 Microwave receiver 123 Wireless receiver 125 Proximity sensor 128 Barometric pressure sensor 129 Clock unit 15 Screen 15A Screen area 151 Touch screen sheet 152 Liquid crystal display 152S Gap 16 Speaker 17 Memory card reader 171 Memory card 24 Operation button 315 Operation unit 315A Touch sensor 315B White LED

Claims

Claim 1 A function of displaying monitoring information related to traffic monitoring activities on a display, and a function of changing the information displayed on the display when an operation on an operation unit provided around the display is received, comprising: a function of causing the operation unit to emit light in a manner corresponding to the content of the monitoring information A system characterized by that. Claim 2 A function of causing the operation unit to emit light in a manner corresponding to the degree of necessity of notification of the traffic monitoring activity The system according to claim 1, characterized by that. Claim 3 A function of causing the operation unit to emit light in a manner corresponding to the direction of the implementation location of the traffic monitoring activity The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that. Claim 4 A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images