Answer-back sound volume setting device, answer-back sound volume setting method, answer-back sound volume setting system, and program

Abstract

To provide an answer-back sound volume setting device which enables a user to adjust a sound volume of a buzzer sound for an answer-back according to a site and a time zone, and to provide an answer-back sound volume setting method, an answer-back sound volume setting system, and a program.SOLUTION: An answer-back sound volume setting device 100 uses a controller 10 to set a sound volume of a buzzer sound for an answer-back of a vehicle 1. The controller 10 acquires sound volume data related to a site and a time zone and refers to the sound volume data to set the sound volume according to a current position and a current time of the vehicle 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an answerback volume setting device, an answerback volume setting method, an answerback volume setting system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The pseudo sound generating device for electric vehicles described in Patent Document 1 measures noise around the vehicle, and sets a higher pseudo sound volume for the louder the noise. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-182587 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the artificial sound generating device for electric vehicles described in Patent Document 1 cannot adjust the volume depending on the location and time of day.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an answerback volume setting device, an answerback volume setting method, an answerback volume setting system, and a program that can adjust the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback depending on the location and time of day. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by setting the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback in accordance with the current location of the vehicle and the current time, with reference to volume data associated with the location and time period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that the volume of the buzzer sound for answering back can be adjusted depending on the place and the time of day. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an answerback volume setting system and an answerback volume setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of an environmental noise database stored in a server of the answerback volume setting system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a volume setting database stored in a server of the answerback volume setting system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a volume data table acquired by the answerback volume setting device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the answerback volume setting device shown in FIG. 1 acquires and stores volume data. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the answerback volume setting device shown in FIG. 1 sets a buzzer sound and the buzzer outputs the buzzer sound. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the answerback volume setting device shown in FIG. 1 acquires an environmental noise data set and transmits it to a server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1, the answerback volume setting system 200 according to this embodiment is composed of an answerback volume setting device 100 and a server 2, both of which are provided in a vehicle 1. The answerback volume setting device 100 and the server 2 can communicate with each other via the Internet. The answerback volume setting device 100 and the answerback volume setting system 200 set the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback in the vehicle 1.

[0010] The vehicle 1 includes an answerback volume setting device 100, a door lock control unit 101, a buzzer 102, a time acquisition unit 103, a position acquisition unit 104, a sound collection device 105, and a shift ECU 106. The vehicle 1 also receives user instructions regarding locking and unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 1 via an interface 3. The interface 3 is, for example, an intelligent key capable of communicating with the vehicle 1 or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the user. The interface 3 may also be a switch provided on the door of the vehicle 1.

[0011] The door lock control unit 101 of the vehicle 1 controls the door lock mechanism of the vehicle 1 so that the doors of the vehicle 1 are locked or unlocked based on a lock or unlock command received via the interface 3. The buzzer 102 outputs a buzzer sound for answerback of the vehicle 1 when a command to lock or unlock the doors of the vehicle 1 is received from the interface 3. The time acquisition unit 103 acquires the current time. The position acquisition unit 104 is composed of a GPS unit, a gyro sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, etc., and acquires the current position of the vehicle 1. The sound collection device 105 is, for example, a microphone. The sound collection device 105 acquires sounds around the vehicle 1. The shift ECU 106 identifies the position of the shift lever (not shown) of the vehicle 1 based on a detection signal from a shift lever sensor (not shown).

[0012] Next, the configuration of the server 2 will be described. The server 2 has an environmental noise storage unit 21, a set volume estimation unit 22, and a set volume storage unit 23. The environmental noise database T0 is stored in the environmental noise storage unit 21. As shown in Fig. 2, the environmental noise database T0 can be expressed as a data table in which the environmental noise level corresponding to each location (points A, B, C) and each time is indicated by the darkness of the display color. That is, in each square of the data table shown in Fig. 2, the darker the display color, the higher the environmental noise level. Furthermore, points A, B, and C each correspond to a regional attribute (residential area, suburban area, urban area) that classifies the locations where environmental noise data was acquired according to the level of the environmental noise.

[0013] The set volume estimation unit 22 also generates a set volume database T1 based on the environmental noise database T0 in the environmental noise storage unit 21. As shown in FIG. 3 , the set volume database T1 can be represented as a data table indicating set volume levels (high, medium, low) corresponding to regional attributes (residential area, suburban area, urban area) and time periods (morning, afternoon, evening, night). The set volume estimation unit 22 references the environmental noise database T0, and sets a higher set volume level for the corresponding regional attribute and time period as the environmental noise level in a location corresponding to a predetermined regional attribute is higher. The set volume estimation unit 22 also sets a lower set volume level for the corresponding regional attribute and time period as the environmental noise level in a location corresponding to a predetermined regional attribute is lower. That is, in a predetermined time period, the set volume corresponding to a first regional attribute, in which the environmental noise level is a first level, is higher than the set volume corresponding to a second regional attribute, in which the environmental noise level is a second level lower than the first level. The set volume estimation unit 22 can also set the set volume for residential areas at night to zero, regardless of the information in the environmental noise database T0. Furthermore, the regional attributes set in the set volume database T1 are not limited to residential areas, suburban areas, or urban areas. For example, regional attributes may be classified according to whether or not the area is near a highway.

[0014] Furthermore, the volume setting storage unit 23 of the server 2 stores the volume setting database T1 generated by the volume setting estimation unit 22.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the answerback volume setting device 100 will be described. The answerback volume setting device 100 includes a controller 10. The controller 10 sets the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback of the vehicle 1 by executing a pre-stored program. That is, the program according to this embodiment causes the controller 10 to set the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback of the vehicle 1. The controller 10 also includes a volume data acquisition unit 11, a data storage unit 12, a volume setting unit 13, and a data transmission unit 14.

[0016] The volume data acquisition unit 11 acquires volume data associated with a location and a time period. Specifically, first, based on information acquired from the shift ECU 106, it determines whether or not a shift lever (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is in the P range, i.e., whether or not the vehicle 1 is parked. Note that the volume data acquisition unit 11 may determine that the vehicle 1 is parked when the vehicle 1 arrives at a parking lot or a home, based on the current location of the vehicle 1 acquired from the location acquisition unit 104. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the volume data acquisition unit 11 determines the regional attribute (residential area, suburban area, or urban area) to which the current location of the vehicle 1 acquired from the location acquisition unit 104 belongs. For example, if the current location is near the home of the user of the vehicle 1, the volume data acquisition unit 11 determines that the current location belongs to a residential area. Then, the volume data acquisition unit 11 extracts and acquires a volume data table T2 corresponding to the regional attribute to which the current location belongs (suburban area in the example shown in FIG. 4) from a set volume database T1 stored in the set volume storage unit 23 of the server 2 via communication means such as the Internet, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0017] 1 stores the volume data table T2 acquired by the volume data acquisition unit 11. The volume data table T2 is stored in the data storage unit 12 shown in FIG.

[0018] Furthermore, the volume setting unit 13 references a volume data table T2 stored in the data storage unit 12, i.e., volume data associated with locations and time periods, to set the volume of the buzzer 102 according to the current location of the vehicle 1 and the current time. Specifically, when a condition that triggers answerback is satisfied, the volume setting unit 13 references the volume data table T2 to set a volume corresponding to the current time. "When a condition that triggers answerback is satisfied" refers to, for example, when a user transmits a command to lock or unlock the doors of the vehicle 1 to the vehicle 1 via the interface 3. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 4, when the current time is morning or evening, the volume setting unit 13 sets the volume level of the buzzer 102 to "high." On the other hand, when the current time is daytime or nighttime, the volume setting unit 13 sets the volume level of the buzzer 102 to "medium." The buzzer 102 outputs a buzzer sound for answerback based on the volume level set by the volume setting unit 13.

[0019] 1 transmits to the server 2 an environmental noise data set for generating or updating the set volume database T1. The environmental noise data set includes environmental noise data acquired by the sound collection device 105 of the vehicle 1, sound collection position information indicating the location where the environmental noise data was acquired, and sound collection time information indicating the time the environmental noise data was acquired. Specifically, the environmental noise storage unit 21 of the server 2 generates or updates the environmental noise database T0 shown in FIG. 2 based on the environmental noise data set received from the data transmission unit 14. The environmental noise storage unit 21 also acquires environmental noise data sets not only from the vehicle 1 but also from multiple other vehicles 4, and reflects them in the set volume database T1. The environmental noise storage unit 21 may also acquire environmental noise data sets from mobile devices owned by multiple users, noise databases for each region, etc. The set volume estimation unit 22 then generates or updates the set volume database T1 based on the environmental noise database T0 generated or updated based on the environmental noise data set. The data transmission unit 14 transmits the environmental noise data set to the server 2 immediately before the vehicle 1 goes into sleep mode and the function of the sound collection device 105 is turned off.

[0020] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a procedure for the controller 10 of the answerback volume setting device 100 to acquire and store volume data will be described. First, in step S01, the controller 10 determines, based on information acquired from the shift ECU 106, whether or not the vehicle 1 has started parking.

[0021] If it is determined in step S01 that "vehicle 1 has not started parking," the process ends.

[0022] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S01 that "the vehicle 1 has started parking," the controller 10 acquires the current position of the vehicle 1 from the position acquisition unit 104 in step S02.

[0023] Next, in step S03, the controller 10 refers to the volume setting database T1 (see FIG. 3) of the server 2 via the communication means.

[0024] Then, in step S04, the controller 10 acquires and stores the volume data table T2 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the current position of the vehicle 1.

[0025] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a procedure for the controller 10 of the answerback volume setting device 100 to set the volume of the buzzer 102 will be described. First, in step S11, the controller 10 determines whether an answerback trigger has occurred, i.e., whether the condition for triggering an answerback has been satisfied. Specifically, the controller 10 determines whether the user has input a command to lock or unlock the doors of the vehicle 1 to the interface 3.

[0026] If it is determined in step S11 that "an answerback trigger has not occurred," the process ends.

[0027] Next, in step S12, the controller 10 acquires the current time from the time acquisition unit 103.

[0028] Next, in step S13, the controller 10 refers to the volume data table T2 (see FIG. 4).

[0029] Next, in step S14, the controller 10 sets the volume level of the buzzer sound corresponding to the time zone to which the current time belongs, based on the volume data table T2.

[0030] Then, in step S15, the buzzer 102 outputs a buzzer sound based on the volume set in step S14.

[0031] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a procedure in which the controller 10 of the answerback volume setting device 100 acquires the environmental noise data set and transmits it to the server 2 will be described. First, in step S21, the controller 10 determines whether or not the doors of the vehicle 1 are locked after the vehicle 1 has stopped.

[0032] If it is determined in step S21 that the doors have not been locked after the vehicle 1 has stopped, the process ends.

[0033] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that "the doors of the vehicle 1 are locked," then in step S22 the controller 10 determines whether the user has not operated the interface 3 or any equipment of the vehicle 1 for a predetermined time. Note that this "predetermined time" is a time that is shorter than the time it takes for the vehicle 1 to enter a sleep state after the doors of the vehicle 1 are locked.

[0034] If it is determined in step S22 that "an operation that causes the predetermined time to elapse has been performed," the process ends.

[0035] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that "no operation has been performed for the predetermined time," in step S23, the controller 10 measures environmental noise around the vehicle 1 via the sound collection device 105. That is, the controller 10 acquires environmental noise data.

[0036] Then, in step S24, the controller 10 acquires the current position, that is, sound collection position information, from the position acquisition unit 104.

[0037] Furthermore, in step S25, the controller 10 acquires the current time, that is, sound collection time information, from the time acquisition unit 103.

[0038] Next, in step S26, the controller 10 transmits to the server 2 an environmental noise data set including the environmental noise data, sound collection position information, and sound collection time information.

[0039] Then, in step S27, the vehicle 1 goes into a sleep state. Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 goes into a sleep state, the function of the sound collection device 105 is turned off. That is, in step S26, the controller 10 transmits the environmental noise dataset to the server 2 before the function of the sound collection device 105 is turned off.

[0040] The order of steps S23 to S25 is not limited to the order shown in the flowchart of Fig. 7. Steps S23 to S25 may also be performed simultaneously.

[0041] As described above, the answerback volume setting device 100 according to this embodiment acquires volume data associated with a location and a time period, and sets the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback of the vehicle 1 according to the current location and current time of the vehicle 1 by referring to the volume data. This allows the answerback volume setting device 100 to adjust the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback according to the location and time period.

[0042] Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 is parked, the answerback volume setting device 100 acquires volume data corresponding to the location where the current position belongs, and when the condition that triggers answerback is satisfied, it sets the volume corresponding to the current time by referring to the volume data. This allows the answerback volume setting device 100 to acquire the volume data before the timing when it is highly likely that the condition that triggers answerback will be satisfied (the doors of the vehicle 1 will be locked or unlocked). Therefore, when the condition that triggers answerback is satisfied, the answerback volume setting device 100 can quickly set an appropriate volume that corresponds to the current time.

[0043] The volume data also includes area attributes that classify locations according to the level of environmental noise, time periods, and set volumes corresponding to the area attributes and time periods, which allows the answerback volume setting device 100 to set the volume of the buzzer sound according to the level of environmental noise.

[0044] Furthermore, during the specified time period, the set volume corresponding to the first regional attribute, in which the volume of the environmental noise is at a first level, is higher than the set volume corresponding to the second regional attribute, in which the volume of the environmental noise is at a second level lower than the first level. This allows the answerback volume setting device 100 to set a higher volume for the buzzer sound the louder the environmental noise, making it easier for the user to hear the buzzer sound. Furthermore, the answerback volume setting device 100 can set a lower volume for the buzzer sound the quieter the environmental noise, preventing the user or people around the vehicle 1 from finding the buzzer sound too loud or from disturbing a quiet environment and causing a nuisance to nearby residents.

[0045] Furthermore, the answerback volume setting device 100 acquires volume data via a communication means from the set volume database T1 stored in the server 2. This allows the answerback volume setting device 100 to acquire appropriate volume data from the set volume database T1 of the server 2, which includes detailed information.

[0046] Furthermore, the answerback volume setting device 100 transmits an environmental noise data set for generating or updating the set volume database T1 to the server 2. The environmental noise data set includes environmental noise data acquired by the sound collection device 105 of the vehicle 1, sound collection position information indicating the location where the environmental noise data was acquired, and sound collection time information indicating the time when the environmental noise data was acquired. This allows the server 2 to generate or update the set volume database T1 based on the environmental noise data set acquired from the answerback volume setting device 100, thereby improving the accuracy of the set volume database T1.

[0047] Furthermore, the answerback volume setting device 100 transmits the environmental noise data set to the server 2 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the doors of the vehicle 1 were locked after the vehicle 1 was stopped and before the function of the sound collection device 105 is turned off. This allows the answerback volume setting device 100 to obtain the necessary environmental noise data and transmit it to the server 2 before the function of the sound collection device 105 is turned off.

[0048] The answerback volume setting system 200 according to this embodiment also includes a server 2 having a set volume memory unit 23 storing volume data associated with locations and time periods, and an answerback volume setting device 100 that acquires the volume data from the server 2 and sets the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback of the vehicle 1 according to the current location and current time of the vehicle 1 by referring to the volume data. This allows the answerback volume setting system 200 to adjust the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback according to the location and time period. Furthermore, because the server 2 can store a large amount of data, the answerback volume setting system 200 can set an appropriate volume of the buzzer sound according to the current location and current time of the vehicle 1 based on the detailed volume data.

[0049] Furthermore, the answerback volume setting device 100 transmits to the server 2 an environmental noise dataset that includes environmental noise data acquired by the sound collection device 105 of the vehicle 1, sound collection position information indicating the location where the environmental noise data was acquired, and sound collection time information indicating the time the environmental noise data was acquired. The server 2 generates or updates volume data based on the environmental noise dataset. This enables the server 2 to generate or update the set volume database T1 based on the environmental noise dataset acquired from the answerback volume setting device 100, thereby improving the accuracy of the set volume database T1.

[0050] The server 2 also acquires environmental noise data sets from multiple vehicles (the vehicle 1 and multiple other vehicles 4). This allows the server 2 to improve the accuracy of the set volume database T1 based on the environmental noise data sets in various environments.

[0051] Furthermore, the program according to this embodiment causes the controller 10 of the answerback volume setting device 100 to acquire volume data associated with a location and a time period, and to set the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback according to the current location and the current time of the vehicle 1 by referring to the volume data. This enables the answerback volume setting device 100 to adjust the volume of the buzzer sound for answerback according to the location and the time period.

[0052] The answerback volume setting device 100 of the vehicle 1 may have the set volume database T1 shown in Fig. 3. The answerback volume setting device 100 of the vehicle 1 may generate or update the set volume database T1 based on the environmental noise database T0 shown in Fig. 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100...Answerback volume setting device 200...Answerback volume setting system 1...Vehicle 2...Server 10...Controller 23...Set volume memory section 105...Sound collection device T1...Volume setting database

Claims

1. An answerback volume setting device for setting the volume of a buzzer sound for an answerback of a vehicle using a controller, The controller Obtaining volume data associated with a location and a time period; an answerback volume setting device that sets the volume according to the current position of the vehicle and the current time by referring to the volume data;

2. The controller When the vehicle is parked, the volume data corresponding to the location to which the current location belongs is acquired; The answerback volume setting device according to claim 1 , wherein when the condition that triggers the answerback is satisfied, the volume data is referenced and the volume corresponding to the current time is set.

3. 2. The answerback volume setting device according to claim 1, wherein the volume data includes a regional attribute that classifies the location according to the volume of environmental noise, the time period, and a set volume corresponding to the regional attribute and the time period.

4. 4. The answerback volume setting device of claim 3, wherein, during a specified time period, the set volume corresponding to a first regional attribute in which the loudness of the environmental noise is at a first level is higher than the set volume corresponding to a second regional attribute in which the loudness of the environmental noise is at a second level lower than the first level.

5. The answerback volume setting device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller acquires the volume data from a volume setting database stored in a server.

6. The controller transmitting an environmental noise data set to the server for generating or updating the volume setting database; 6. The answerback volume setting device according to claim 5, wherein the environmental noise data set includes environmental noise data acquired by a sound collection device of the vehicle, sound collection position information indicating a location where the environmental noise data was acquired, and sound collection time information indicating a time when the environmental noise data was acquired.

7. The answerback volume setting device of claim 6, wherein the controller transmits the environmental noise data set to the server after a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle doors were locked after the vehicle stopped and before the function of the sound collecting device is turned off.

8. 1. An answerback volume setting method for setting the volume of a buzzer sound for an answerback of a vehicle using a controller, comprising: The controller Obtaining volume data associated with a location and a time period; The answerback volume setting method includes setting the volume according to the current position of the vehicle and the current time by referring to the volume data.

9. An answerback volume setting system for setting the volume of a buzzer sound for an answerback of a vehicle, a server having a volume setting storage unit storing volume data associated with a location and a time period; and an answerback volume setting device that acquires the volume data from the server, references the volume data, and sets the volume according to the current location and current time of the vehicle.

10. the answerback volume setting device transmits to the server an environmental noise data set including environmental noise data acquired by a sound collection device of the vehicle, sound collection position information indicating the location where the environmental noise data was acquired, and sound collection time information indicating the time when the environmental noise data was acquired; The answerback volume setting system of claim 9 , wherein the server generates or updates the volume data based on the environmental noise data set.

11. The answerback volume setting system of claim 10 , wherein the server obtains the environmental noise data sets from a plurality of the vehicles.

12. A program for causing a controller to set the volume of a buzzer sound for an answerback of a vehicle, Obtaining volume data associated with a location and a time period; and setting the volume according to the current position of the vehicle and the current time by referring to the volume data.

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