Sound output device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a sound output device for vehicle 10 that generates a sound composed of a predetermined maker custom sound Y2 and a user custom sound Y1 specified by a user without using a memory in which user custom sound data is recorded in advance.SOLUTION: A central processing unit 21 outputs user custom sound data representing a maker custom sound Y2. The central processing unit 21 generates user custom sound data representing a user custom sound Y1 having a plurality of sine waves combined. The central processing unit 21 generates a composite sound composed of the user custom sound Y1 and the maker custom sound Y2 based upon the user custom sound data and maker custom sound data. A sound generation body 40 generates the composite sound generated by the central processing unit 21 as an approach notification sound.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sound output device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a vehicle sound output device has been proposed that includes a synthesis unit that outputs a synthesized sound that is a synthesis of a warning sound and a background sound (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The vehicle sound output device includes a warning sound generation unit that generates a warning sound, and a sound source memory that stores at least one sound source signal that serves as a sound source for a first background sound. The control unit selects one of the at least one sound source signals stored in the sound source memory based on selection information related to the sound source signal selected by the user, and generates the background sound based on the selected sound source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-97383 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-described vehicle sound output device, the background sound and warning sound selected by the user are synthesized and output as a notification sound. However, in order to output the background sound, a sound source memory is required to store the sound source signal that serves as the sound source of the background sound.

[0006] In view of the above, the present disclosure aims to provide a sound output device for a vehicle that produces a synthetic sound as an alarm sound by combining a predetermined sound with a sound including a sine wave specified by the user, without using a sound source memory. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle sound output device, comprising: a sound information output unit (S310, S310A) that outputs first sound information indicating a predetermined first sound; a sound information generating unit (S300) that generates second sound information indicating a second sound including at least one sine wave designated by a user; a synthesis unit (S330) that generates a synthetic sound by synthesizing the first sound and the second sound based on the first sound information and the second sound information; and a sound generator (40) that produces the synthesized sound generated by the synthesis unit as an alarm sound.

[0008] Therefore, since the sound information generation unit generates the second sound information, a sound source memory in which the second sound information is pre-recorded is not required, and therefore it is possible to provide a vehicle sound output device that generates an alarm sound by combining a predetermined sound with a sound including a sine wave specified by the user without using a sound source memory.

[0009] The reference symbols in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between the component and the specific components described in the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the electrical configuration of the vehicle sound output device in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a diagram for assisting in the explanation of user custom setting values ​​and manufacturer custom setting values ​​recorded in memory. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for assisting in the detailed description of user custom setting values ​​recorded in the memory of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for assisting in the detailed description of manufacturer custom setting values ​​recorded in the memory of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing details of a user custom setting value acceptance process by a central processing unit of the vehicle sound output device in the first embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 5]10 is a flowchart showing details of a user custom identification symbol acceptance process performed by the central processing unit of the vehicle sound output device in the first embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a flowchart showing details of an approach warning sound generation process by a central processing unit of the vehicle sound output device in the first embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams for assisting in the explanation of the amplitude of a synthesized sound when a user customized sound and a manufacturer customized sound are in opposite phases in the approach warning sound generation process by the central processing unit of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7A and 7B are diagrams for assisting in the explanation of the amplitude of a synthesized sound when the phase of one of the user customized sound and the manufacturer customized sound is shifted in the approach warning sound generation process by the central processing unit of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a diagram for assisting in the explanation of the process of compressing the amplitude of the synthesized sound of the user customized sound and the manufacturer customized sound when the amplitude of the synthesized sound exceeds a predetermined range in the approach warning sound generation process by the central processing unit of FIG. [Figure 10] 7 is a diagram showing details of a specific example of sound data generation processing for generating a user customized sound in the approach warning sound generation processing by the central processing unit of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 11] 7 is a diagram showing details of a specific example of sound data generation processing for generating a manufacturer-customized sound in the approach warning sound generation processing by the central processing unit of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 12] 7 is a diagram showing the results of frequency analysis of a synthesized sound of a user customized sound and a manufacturer customized sound generated in the approach warning sound generation process by the central processing unit of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the electrical configuration of a vehicle sound output device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a diagram for assisting in the description of user custom setting values ​​and sound source data recorded in a memory. [Figure 14] 14 is a flowchart showing details of an approach warning sound generation process by a central processing unit of the vehicle sound output device in the second embodiment of FIG. 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, identical or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings to simplify the description.

[0012] (First embodiment) Next, a first embodiment of a sound output device for a vehicle according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1 etc. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the details of the electrical configuration of a sound output device 10 for a vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0013] Vehicle sound output device 10 is an electronic control device that is mounted on an automobile and emits an approach warning sound to notify surrounding pedestrians of an approaching automobile while the automobile is traveling. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, vehicle sound output device 10 includes a microcomputer 20, a power amplifier 30, and a sound generator 40. Microcomputer 20 includes a central processing unit 21, a memory 22, and a digital-to-analog converter 23.

[0014] The central processing unit 21 executes a computer program stored in the memory 22 to perform a user custom setting value reception process, a user custom identification symbol reception process, and an approach warning sound generation process.

[0015] In conjunction with the execution of the user custom setting value reception process, the central processing unit 21 receives, for each user custom identification symbol, a user custom setting value designated by the user via the electronic control device 60 and the input device (i.e., input unit) 62. The user custom setting value is sine wave information relating to a sine wave representing a sound designated by the user.

[0016] Specifically, the user custom setting values ​​are the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate [%], and sound playback vehicle speed range [km / h], as shown in Figure 2. The user custom identification symbols indicate the symbols A, B, C, etc. in Figure 2 that identify sine waves.

[0017] As will be described later, the reference frequency is used as the frequency of the sine wave when the vehicle speed is the reference speed within the variable frequency range. The frequency of the sine wave increases as the vehicle speed increases within the variable frequency range, and decreases as the vehicle speed decreases.

[0018] The volume is the volume output from the sound generating unit 40 when the sound generating unit 40 generates a sine wave as sound, and the volume has a one-to-one relationship with the amplitude of the sine wave. Therefore, the volume is used to determine the amplitude of the sine wave.

[0019] The sound reproduction vehicle speed range is a vehicle speed range that allows the central processing unit 21 to generate a sine wave. In other words, when the vehicle speed is within the sound reproduction vehicle speed range, the central processing unit 21 generates a sine wave. On the other hand, when the vehicle speed is outside the sound reproduction vehicle speed range, the central processing unit 21 stops generating the sine wave.

[0020] This allows the user to specify the reference frequency, volume (i.e., amplitude of the sine wave), pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range for each sine wave.

[0021] For ease of explanation, the speed of the automobile will also be referred to as the vehicle speed. A certain vehicle speed within the sound reproduction vehicle speed range will be referred to as the reference vehicle speed. The reference frequency is the frequency when the vehicle speed is the reference speed within the sound reproduction vehicle speed range.

[0022] In this embodiment, the reference vehicle speed is, for example, the lowest speed within the sound reproduction vehicle speed range, and the reference frequency is, for example, the lowest frequency within the frequency range of the sine wave.

[0023] Here, in the sine wave frequency that changes with the change in the speed of the vehicle, the amount of change in frequency per unit speed is defined as the frequency change per unit speed. Below, an example will be explained using 1 km / h as the unit speed.

[0024] In this embodiment, the pitch shift rate [%] indicates the percentage of the frequency change per 1 km / h of the lower limit frequency, assuming that the lower limit frequency is 100%. The pitch shift rate [%] is used to set the frequency of the sine wave that changes depending on the vehicle speed, as follows:

[0025] Let Ps be the pitch shift rate [%] and fk be the reference frequency (i.e., the lower limit frequency). When ΔSa is the difference obtained by subtracting the reference speed (i.e., the lower limit speed) from the vehicle speed, the frequency fs of the sine wave is determined by the following equation 1.

[0026] fs = fk (1 + ΔSa PS / 100) Equation 1 That is, the central processing unit 21 sets the frequency fs of the sine wave based on the vehicle speed, the reference speed, the reference frequency, and the pitch shift rate.

[0027] For example, when the sound reproduction vehicle speed range is 5 km / h or more and 35 km / h or less, the reference frequency is 440 Hz, the pitch shift rate [%] is 1 [%], and the vehicle speed is 10 km / h, the frequency fs of the sine wave is 462 Hz.

[0028] Furthermore, the central processing unit 21 in FIG. 1 accepts a user custom identification symbol designated by the user via the electronic control unit 60 and the input device 62 in conjunction with the execution of the user custom identification symbol acceptance process.

[0029] The user custom identification symbol is a symbol for identifying a sine wave used to generate the user custom sound by the central processing unit 21. In conjunction with the execution of the approach warning sound generation process, the central processing unit 21 generates an approach warning sound that combines the user custom sound and the manufacturer custom sound.

[0030] For ease of explanation, the user custom sound will be referred to as user custom sound Y1, the manufacturer custom sound will be referred to as manufacturer custom sound Y2, and the user custom sound Y1 and the manufacturer custom sound Y2 will be collectively referred to as custom sounds Y1 and Y2.

[0031] The electronic control unit 60 is composed of a microcomputer, a memory, etc. The electronic control unit 60 executes control processing of the interface between the vehicle sound output device 10 and the vehicle occupants via a display panel 61 and an input device 62. The electronic control unit 60 is connected to the microcomputer 20 of the vehicle sound output device 10 via an in-vehicle LAN.

[0032] The display panel 61 is disposed on an instrument panel inside the vehicle cabin. The display panel 61 is controlled by an electronic control unit 60 to display various types of display information such as text and images to the occupants.

[0033] The input device 62 is disposed on an instrument panel inside the vehicle. The input device 62 receives various information, such as sine wave information, input by a vehicle occupant. In this embodiment, a touch panel in which the display panel 61 and the input device 62 are integrated may be used.

[0034] The memory 22 stores user custom setting values ​​for each user custom identification symbol along with the computer program. The user custom setting values ​​are a reference frequency, a volume, a pitch shift rate, and a sound reproduction vehicle speed range that are specified by the user for each user custom identification symbol when the central processing unit 21 executes a user custom setting value reception process.

[0035] The memory 22 stores manufacturer custom setting values ​​for each manufacturer custom identification symbol. The manufacturer custom setting values ​​are predetermined values ​​for each manufacturer custom identification symbol. As shown in FIG. 3, the manufacturer custom setting values ​​include a reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound playback vehicle speed range set for each manufacturer custom identification symbol.

[0036] The reference frequency in the manufacturer custom setting value is used as the reference frequency of the sine wave for generating the manufacturer custom sound, just like the reference frequency in the user custom setting value. The volume in the manufacturer custom setting value is used to determine the amplitude of the sine wave for generating the manufacturer custom sound, just like the volume in the user custom setting value.

[0037] The pitch shift rate in the manufacturer custom setting value is used to determine the frequency of the sine wave for generating the manufacturer custom sound, just like the pitch shift rate in the user custom setting value.

[0038] The sound reproduction vehicle speed range in the manufacturer custom setting values ​​is the range of vehicle speeds that allows the generation of a sine wave for generating the manufacturer custom sound, similar to the sound reproduction vehicle speed range in the user custom setting values.

[0039] 1 converts the synthesized sound data output from the central processing unit 21 into a sound generation signal, which is an analog signal. The power amplifier 30 amplifies the power of the sound generation signal output from the digital-to-analog converter 23 and outputs it to the sound generation unit 40.

[0040] The sound generator 40 emits an approach warning sound around the vehicle based on the output signal of the power amplifier 30. The approach warning sound is an alarm sound that notifies pedestrians around the vehicle that the vehicle is approaching.

[0041] Next, the user custom setting value reception process by the central processing unit 21 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the user custom setting value reception process by the central processing unit 21.

[0042] The central processing unit 21 starts the execution of the user custom setting value acceptance process when it receives a command from the user to start the execution of the user custom setting value acceptance process via the electronic control unit 60 and the input device 62. The central processing unit 21 executes the user custom setting value acceptance process in accordance with the flowchart of FIG.

[0043] First, in step S100, the central processing unit 21 controls the display panel 61 via the electronic control unit 60 to display on the display panel 61 a display that prompts the user to input user custom setting values ​​for each user custom identification symbol.

[0044] Next, in step S110, the central processing unit 21 determines whether or not a user custom setting value designated by the user has been input by the user via the input device 62 for each user custom identification symbol.

[0045] That is, the central processing unit 21 determines whether or not the user has input the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range for each user custom identification symbol via the input device 62.

[0046] At this time, in step S110, the central processing unit 21 judges YES when the user inputs the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound playback vehicle speed range for each user custom identification symbol via the input device 62.

[0047] At this time, in step S120, the central processing unit 21 records the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range specified by the user for each user custom identification symbol in the memory 22, and then ends the execution of the user custom setting value acceptance process. Figure 2 shows the user custom setting values ​​for each user custom identification symbol recorded in the memory 22.

[0048] On the other hand, the central processing unit 21 determines NO when the user has not input the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, or sound reproduction vehicle speed range for each user custom identification symbol via the input device 62. Accordingly, the central processing unit 21 skips the setting value recording process of step S120 and ends the execution of the user custom setting value acceptance process.

[0049] Next, the user custom identification symbol acceptance process performed by the central processing unit 21 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the user custom identification symbol acceptance process performed by the central processing unit 21.

[0050] The central processing unit 21 starts the execution of the user custom identification symbol acceptance process when it receives a command to start the execution of the user custom identification symbol acceptance process from the user via the electronic control unit 60 and the input device 62. The central processing unit 21 starts the execution of the user custom identification symbol acceptance process in accordance with the flowchart of FIG.

[0051] First, in step S200, the central processing unit 21 controls the display panel 61 via the electronic control unit 60 to display a display on the display panel 61 that prompts the user to input a user-customized identification symbol.

[0052] Next, in step S210, the central processing unit 21 determines whether or not a user-specified user custom identification symbol has been input by the user via the input device 62.

[0053] That is, the central processing unit 21 determines whether or not a user-specified user custom identification symbol has been input by the user via the input device 62.

[0054] At this time, if a user-specified user custom identification symbol is input by the user via the input device 62 in step S210, the central processing unit 21 determines YES.

[0055] At this time, in step S220, the central processing unit 21 records the user-specified custom identification symbol in the memory 22, and ends the execution of the user-specified custom identification symbol reception process.

[0056] On the other hand, in step S210, the central processing unit 21 determines NO if the user has not input a custom identification symbol designated by the user via the input device 62. Accordingly, the central processing unit 21 skips the identification symbol recording process in step S220 and ends the execution of the custom identification symbol receiving process.

[0057] Next, the approach notification sound generation process by the central processing unit 21 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the approach notification sound generation process by the central processing unit 21. The central processing unit 21 repeatedly executes the approach notification sound generation process in accordance with the flowchart of Fig. 6.

[0058] First, the central processing unit 21 executes the sound data generation processes in the following steps S300 and S310 in parallel.

[0059] Specifically, in step S300 (i.e., sound information generation unit), the central processing unit 21 acquires the vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed. Based on the acquired vehicle speed, the central processing unit 21 generates user customized sound data (i.e., second sound information) that indicates a user customized sound Y1, as will be described later. The user customized sound Y1 is a second sound that combines multiple sine waves designated by the user.

[0060] Meanwhile, in step S310 (i.e., the sound information output unit), the central processing unit 21 reads out a manufacturer custom identification code from the memory of the electronic control unit 50, as described below. A predetermined manufacturer custom identification code is recorded in the memory of the electronic control unit 50. The central processing unit 21 acquires the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor. Based on the acquired vehicle speed and manufacturer custom identification code, the central processing unit 21 outputs manufacturer custom sound data (i.e., first sound information) indicating the manufacturer custom sound Y2.

[0061] In this embodiment, the amplitude and frequency of the manufacturer custom sound Y2 are set in advance so that the sound pressure output from the sound generating body 40 becomes the target sound pressure value. The manufacturer custom sound Y2 is a first sound that combines multiple sine waves that correspond to a manufacturer custom identification code that is specified in advance by the manufacturer.

[0062] 7, when the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are in opposite phases, the amplitude of the synthesized sound Y3 obtained by synthesizing the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 is smaller than the amplitudes of the individual custom sounds Y1 and Y2. As a result, the sound pressure output from the sound producing unit 40 when the synthesized sound Y3 is produced from the sound producing unit 40 is less than the target sound pressure.

[0063] In response to this, in step S320 (that is, the phase determination section), the central processing unit 21 determines whether or not the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are in an anti-phase state based on the user custom sound data and the manufacturer custom sound data.

[0064] In this embodiment, the "out-of-phase state" refers to a state in which the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are in or close to being in out-of-phase. Specifically, the "out-of-phase state" refers to a state in which the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 have a phase difference Φ of 160 degrees or more and 200 degrees or less.

[0065] Therefore, in step S320, the central processing unit 21 determines whether the phase difference Φ between the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 is greater than or equal to 160 degrees and less than or equal to 200 degrees, thereby determining whether the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are in an antiphase state.

[0066] At this time, if the phase difference Φ is equal to or greater than 160 degrees and equal to or less than 200 degrees, the central processing unit 21 determines that the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are in an anti-phase state and determines YES. Accordingly, in step S325 (i.e., in the phase adjustment unit), the central processing unit 21 adjusts the phase of one of the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 to make it in-phase with the other custom sound.

[0067] In this embodiment, the in-phase state means that the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are in phase or close to being in phase. Specifically, the in-phase state refers to the state of the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 when the phase difference Φ between the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 is greater than or equal to −20 degrees and less than or equal to 20 degrees.

[0068] In this embodiment, in step S325, the central processing unit 21 generates a phase-adjusted maker custom sound Y2a by shifting the phase of one of the custom sounds Y1 and Y2, the maker custom sound Y2, by 180 degrees, as shown in FIG.

[0069] For ease of explanation, the user custom sound Y1 and the phase-adjusted manufacturer custom sound Y2a will also be collectively referred to as custom sounds Y1 and Y2a. As a result, the phase difference Φ between the custom sounds Y1 and Y2a is greater than or equal to −20 degrees and less than or equal to 20 degrees, and the custom sounds Y1 and Y2a are in phase.

[0070] Next, in step S330, the central processing unit 21 generates a synthesized sound Y3 by synthesizing the customized sounds Y1 and Y2a.

[0071] On the other hand, in step S320, if the phase difference Φ between the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 is equal to or greater than 0 degrees and less than 160 degrees, the central processing unit 21 determines that the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are not in an out-of-phase state and makes a NO determination.Also, if the phase difference Φ is equal to or greater than 200 degrees and less than 360 degrees, the central processing unit 21 determines that the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are not in an out-of-phase state and makes a NO determination.

[0072] In this way, the central processing unit 21 determines that the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are not out of phase with each other in step S320 and determines NO. Then, in step S330, the central processing unit 21 generates a synthesized sound Y3 by synthesizing the custom sounds Y1 and Y2.

[0073] 9, if the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 generated in step S330 is outside the predetermined range Hs, the volume of the synthetic sound may exceed the output capacity of the vehicle sound output device 10. In this case, it is necessary to compress the waveform of the synthetic sound to reduce the volume of the synthetic sound Y3 (i.e., the sound pressure of the synthetic sound Y3).

[0074] Here, the predetermined range Hs in this embodiment is a range that is equal to or less than a threshold value S1 and equal to or greater than a threshold value S2. The threshold value S1 is a positive value, and the threshold value S2 is a negative value. The threshold values ​​S1 and S2 are values ​​whose absolute values ​​are the same.

[0075] Therefore, in step S340 (that is, the amplitude determination unit), the central processing unit 21 determines whether or not the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 is outside the predetermined range Hs, thereby determining whether or not the synthetic sound Y3 needs to be compressed.

[0076] At this time, if the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 is outside the predetermined range Hs in step S340, the central processing unit 21 determines that the synthetic sound Y3 needs to be compressed and makes a determination of YES.

[0077] In this case, in step S345 (i.e., the amplitude adjustment unit), the central processing unit 21 compresses the synthetic sound Y3 so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within a predetermined range Hs, as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows a specific example in which the waveform of the synthetic sound Y3 is compressed so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within the predetermined range Hs, since the maximum and minimum amplitude values ​​of the synthetic sound Y3 are outside the predetermined range Hs.

[0078] Specifically, the central processing unit 21 shapes the waveform of the synthetic sound Y3 so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within a predetermined range Hs while including signal components in a region Y3a of the synthetic sound Y3 that are greater than the threshold value S1.

[0079] Furthermore, the central processing unit 21 shapes the waveform of the synthetic sound Y3 so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within a predetermined range Hs while including signal components in a region Y3b of the synthetic sound Y3 that are smaller than the threshold value S2.

[0080] On the other hand, in step S340, when the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 is within the predetermined range Hs, the central processing unit 21 determines that there is no need to compress the synthetic sound Y3, judges the result to be NO, and terminates the execution of the approach warning sound generation process.

[0081] In this way, the central processing unit 21 generates synthetic sound data indicative of the synthetic sound Y3 whose amplitude is within the predetermined range Hs. Accordingly, the digital-to-analog converter 23 converts the synthetic sound data generated by the central processing unit 21 into a synthetic sound signal, which is an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal to the power amplifier 30.

[0082] The power amplifier 30 amplifies the power of the synthesized sound signal output from the digital-to-analog converter 23 and outputs the amplified sound to the sound generator 40. Based on the output signal from the power amplifier 30, the sound generator 40 generates an approach warning sound around the vehicle.

[0083] Next, the sound data generation processing of steps S300 and S310 by the central processing unit 21 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0084] For example, a specific example will be described in which user-specified user-customized identification symbols A, B, and C are input by the user via the input device 62 in the user-customized identification symbol receiving process.

[0085] 10, the central processing unit 21 reads out the user custom identification symbols A, B, and C from the memory 22. The central processing unit 21 executes the user custom control processing in steps S301A, S301B, and S301C (i.e., the sine wave generating unit) corresponding to the read out user custom identification symbols A, B, and C.

[0086] First, in step S302a, the central processing unit 21 reads out the reference frequency corresponding to the user custom identification symbol A from the memory 22, and generates a sine wave Sa of this read reference frequency.

[0087] Next, in step S303a, the central processing unit 21 reads out the volume corresponding to the user custom identification symbol A from the memory 22, and adjusts the amplitude value of the sine wave Sa according to the read out volume.

[0088] Next, in step S304a, the central processing unit 21 reads out the pitch shift rate corresponding to the user custom identification symbol A from the memory 22, and sets the frequency of the sine wave Sa based on the read pitch shift rate, the reference frequency, the reference speed, and the vehicle speed.

[0089] Next, in step S305a, the central processing unit 21 reads out from the memory 22 the sound reproduction vehicle speed range corresponding to the user custom identification symbol A. The central processing unit 21 sets this read sound reproduction vehicle speed range as the sound reproduction vehicle speed range of the sine wave Sa.

[0090] Similarly, the central processing unit 21 reads out from the memory 22 the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range corresponding to the user custom identification symbol B in steps S302b, S303b, S303b, and S303b.

[0091] Here, the central processing unit 21 generates the sine wave Sb based on the reference frequency, volume, and pitch shift rate corresponding to the user custom identification symbol B. Furthermore, the central processing unit 21 sets the sound reproduction vehicle speed range corresponding to the user custom identification symbol B as the sound reproduction vehicle speed range of the sine wave Sb.

[0092] Similarly, the central processing unit 21 reads out from the memory 22 the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range corresponding to the user custom identification symbol C in steps S302c, S303c, S303c, and S303c.

[0093] Here, the central processing unit 21 generates a sine wave Sc based on the frequency, volume, and pitch shift rate corresponding to the user custom identification symbol C. Furthermore, the central processing unit 21 sets the sound reproduction vehicle speed range corresponding to the user custom identification symbol C as the sound reproduction vehicle speed range of the sine wave Sc.

[0094] For example, when the vehicle speed falls within the sound reproduction speed ranges of the sine waves Sa and Sb, and falls outside the sound reproduction speed range of the sine wave Sc, the central processing unit 21 will behave as follows.

[0095] That is, the central processing unit 21 generates sine waves Sa and Sb and stops generating sine wave Sc in steps S301A, S301B, and S301C, respectively. Accordingly, the central processing unit 21 generates user custom sound data indicative of user custom sound Y1 obtained by synthesizing sine waves Sa and Sb that indicate a sound designated by the user in step S306X (i.e., in the sine wave synthesis unit).

[0096] For example, when the vehicle speed falls within the sound reproduction vehicle speed ranges of the sine waves Sa and Sc, and falls outside the sound reproduction vehicle speed range of the sine wave Sb, the central processing unit 21 will be as follows.

[0097] That is, in steps S301A, S301B, and S301C, the central processing unit 21 generates the sine waves Sa and Sc, respectively, and stops generating the sine wave Sb. Accordingly, in step S306X, the central processing unit 21 generates user custom sound data representing a user custom sound Y1 that combines the sine waves Sa and Sc representing the sound specified by the user.

[0098] For example, when the vehicle speed falls within the sound reproduction speed range of the sine wave Sb and falls outside the sound reproduction speed ranges of the sine waves Sa and Sc, the central processing unit 21 operates as follows.

[0099] That is, the central processing unit 21 generates a sine wave Sb and stops generating the sine waves Sa and Sb in steps S301A, S301B, and S301C. Accordingly, in step S306X, the central processing unit 21 generates user custom sound data representing a user custom sound Y1 that includes a sine wave Sb representing a sound specified by the user.

[0100] In this manner, the central processing unit 21 generates user custom sound data representing a user custom sound Y1 that is a combination of sine waves Sa, Sb, and Sc that represent a sound designated by the user. Next, the sound data generation process in step S310 by the central processing unit 21 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0101] For example, a specific example will be described in which the central processing unit 21 reads out the manufacturer custom identification codes A and C designated by the manufacturer from the electronic control unit 50 through the manufacturer custom identification code reception process.

[0102] The central processing unit 21 executes the manufacturer custom control processing in steps S311A and S311C corresponding to the manufacturer custom identification symbols A and C read from the electronic control unit 50 in step S310 of FIG.

[0103] First, in step S312a, the central processing unit 21 reads out the reference frequency corresponding to the manufacturer custom identification symbol A from the memory 22, and generates a sine wave Ra of this read reference frequency.

[0104] Next, in step S313a, the central processing unit 21 reads out the volume corresponding to the manufacturer custom identification symbol A from the memory 22, and adjusts the amplitude value of the sine wave Ra according to the read volume.

[0105] Next, in step S314a, the central processing unit 21 reads out the pitch shift rate corresponding to the manufacturer custom identification code A from the memory 22, and sets the frequency of the sine wave Ra according to the read pitch shift rate.

[0106] Next, in step S315a, the central processing unit 21 reads out from the memory 22 the sound reproduction vehicle speed range corresponding to the manufacturer custom identification symbol A. The central processing unit 21 sets this read sound reproduction vehicle speed range as the sound reproduction vehicle speed range of the sine wave Ra.

[0107] Similarly, the central processing unit 21 reads out the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range corresponding to the manufacturer custom identification symbol C from the memory 22 in steps S302c, S303c, S303c, and S303c.

[0108] Here, the central processing unit 21 generates the sine wave Rb based on the reference frequency, volume, and pitch shift rate corresponding to the manufacturer custom identification symbol C. Furthermore, the central processing unit 21 sets the sound reproduction vehicle speed range corresponding to the user custom identification symbol C as the sound reproduction vehicle speed range of the sine wave Rb.

[0109] For example, when the speed of the vehicle falls within the sound reproduction speed ranges of the sine waves Ra and Rc, the central processing unit 21 operates as follows.

[0110] That is, the central processing unit 21 generates the sine waves Ra and Rc in steps S301A and S301C, respectively. Accordingly, the central processing unit 21 generates maker custom sound data indicative of a maker custom sound Y2 obtained by combining the sine waves Ra and Rc in step S316X.

[0111] For example, when the vehicle speed falls within the sound reproduction speed range of the sine wave Ra and falls outside the sound reproduction speed range of the sine wave Rb, the central processing unit 21 performs the following.

[0112] That is, in steps S301A and S301C, the central processing unit 21 generates the sine wave Ra and stops generating the sine wave Rc. Accordingly, in step S316X, the central processing unit 21 sets the sine wave Ra as the maker custom sound Y2 and generates maker custom sound data representing this maker custom sound Y2.

[0113] For example, when the vehicle speed falls within the sound reproduction speed range of the sine wave Rc and falls outside the sound reproduction speed range of the sine wave Ra, the central processing unit 21 performs the following.

[0114] That is, in steps S301A and S301C, the central processing unit 21 generates the sine wave Rc and stops generating the sine wave Ra. Accordingly, in step S316X, the central processing unit 21 sets the sine wave Rc to the maker custom sound Y2 and generates maker custom sound data that indicates this maker custom sound Y2.

[0115] As a result of the above, the central processing unit 21 generates maker custom sound data representing the maker custom sound Y2 that is a combination of the sine waves Ra and Rc.

[0116] Next, Fig. 12 shows the results of frequency analysis of a synthesized sound generated by synthesizing the user customized sound Y1 and the manufacturer customized sound Y2 by the central processing unit 21. In Fig. 12, the vertical axis represents the sound pressure [dB] of the synthesized sound, and the horizontal axis represents the frequency [Hz].

[0117] 12, the dashed line graph represents the spectrum of the manufacturer custom sound Y2, and the solid line graph represents the spectrum of the user custom sound Y1. The sound pressure of the manufacturer custom sound Y2 is greater than the sound pressure of the user custom sound Y1.

[0118] Therefore, it can be seen that by previously setting the sound pressure of the manufacturer custom sound Y2 to be equal to the target sound pressure, it is possible to set the sound pressure of the synthesized sound produced by the sound generator 40 to be equal to the target sound pressure.

[0119] According to the present embodiment described above, in the vehicle sound output device 10, the central processing unit 21 outputs user custom sound data representing a predetermined manufacturer custom sound Y2. The central processing unit 21 also generates user custom sound data representing a user custom sound Y1 that combines multiple sine waves representing a sound designated by the user.

[0120] The central processing unit 21 generates a synthetic sound by combining the user custom sound Y1 and the manufacturer custom sound Y2 based on the user custom sound data and the manufacturer custom sound data. The sound generator 40 generates the synthetic sound generated by the central processing unit 21 as an approach warning sound.

[0121] Therefore, the central processing unit 21 generates the user custom sound data as described above, and therefore does not require a sound source memory for pre-recording the user custom sound data.

[0122] Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle sound output device 10 that produces a synthesized sound by combining a predetermined manufacturer custom sound Y2 with a user custom sound Y1 that combines multiple sine waves designated by the user, without using a sound source memory.

[0123] According to this embodiment configured as above, the following advantageous effects (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) can be obtained.

[0124] (a) When the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are out of phase or in an out-of-phase state, the absolute value of the amplitude of the synthesized sound Y3 obtained by synthesizing the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 becomes small, and the sound pressure of the synthesized sound Y3 becomes less than the target sound pressure.

[0125] In contrast, in this embodiment, when the central processing unit 21 determines that the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are out of phase with each other, it generates a custom sound Y2a by shifting the phase of the custom sound Y2 by 180 degrees. This makes it possible to generate a custom sound Y2a that is in phase with the user custom sound Y1.

[0126] Accordingly, the central processing unit 21 generates a synthetic sound Y3 by synthesizing the user customized sound Y1 and the phase-adjusted manufacturer customized sound Y2a. This prevents the absolute value of the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 from decreasing, and allows the sound pressure of the synthetic sound Y3 to be the target sound pressure.

[0127] (b) If the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 is outside the predetermined range Hs, there is a risk that the sound pressure of the synthetic sound Y3 will exceed the output capacity of the vehicle sound output device 10. In response to this, when the central processing unit 21 determines that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 is outside the predetermined range Hs, it shapes the waveform of the synthetic sound Y3 so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within the predetermined range Hs.

[0128] Therefore, the sound pressure of the synthesized sound Y3 can be prevented from exceeding the output capacity of the vehicle sound output device 10. (c)

[0129] The central processing unit 21 shapes the waveform of the synthetic sound Y3 so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within a predetermined range Hs, while including signal components in a region Y3a of the synthetic sound Y3 that are greater than the threshold value S1.

[0130] The central processing unit 21 shapes the waveform of the synthetic sound Y3 so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within a predetermined range Hs, while including signal components in a region Y3b of the synthetic sound Y3 that are smaller than the threshold value S2. As a result, even if the synthesized sound Y3 is waveform-shaped, the sound quality of the approach notification sound output from the sound generator 40 can be maintained. (d)

[0131] The central processing unit 21 generates a plurality of sine waves representing a sound designated by the user, and synthesizes the generated plurality of sine waves to generate the user custom sound Y1. This allows the user to designate the user custom sound Y1. Accordingly, an approach alert sound that suits the user's preferences can be generated.

[0132] (e) The central processing unit 21 generates a sine wave when the vehicle speed is within the sound reproduction vehicle speed range specified by a user's input to the input device 62, and stops generating the sine wave when the vehicle speed is outside the sound reproduction vehicle speed range. This makes it possible to appropriately switch between generating and stopping the sine wave according to the vehicle speed, as specified by the user.

[0133] (f) When a certain speed within the sound reproduction vehicle speed range is set as the reference speed and the frequency of the sine wave at the reference speed is set as the reference frequency, the reference frequency for each sine wave is specified by input by the user via the input device 62. The central processing unit 21 generates a plurality of sine waves each having a frequency that increases as the vehicle speed increases from the reference frequency.

[0134] Therefore, it is possible to generate a plurality of sine waves with frequencies that increase as the speed of the vehicle increases, with the reference frequency specified by the user being the lower limit frequency of the sine waves.

[0135] (g) In the frequency that changes with changes in the vehicle's speed, the amount of change in frequency per 1 km / h is defined as the frequency change per 1 km / h. When the reference frequency is 100%, the percentage of the reference frequency that the frequency change per 1 km / h accounts for is defined as the pitch shift rate. The pitch shift rate for each sine wave is specified by a user input via the input device 62.

[0136] The central processing unit 21 sets the frequency of each sine wave based on the vehicle speed, the reference frequency, the reference speed, and the pitch shift rate, and therefore the frequency of each sine wave can be changed based on the vehicle speed and the pitch shift rate.

[0137] (h) The amplitude and frequency of the manufacturer custom sound Y2 are set so that the sound pressure of the manufacturer custom sound Y2 emitted from the sound generator 40 becomes the target sound pressure value. Therefore, the sound pressure of the approach warning sound emitted from the sound generator 40 can become the target sound pressure value.

[0138] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the central processing unit 21 outputs, in step S310, manufacturer custom sound data representing the manufacturer custom sound Y2 obtained by combining a plurality of sine waves.

[0139] However, instead of this, the central processing unit 21 outputs manufacturer custom sound data based on sound source data recorded in memory 22 in step S310A (i.e., the sound information output unit), as will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14 regarding this second embodiment.

[0140] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the details of the electrical configuration of the vehicle sound output device 10 of this embodiment. In Fig. 13, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 indicate the same components, and their explanations will be omitted. The memory 22 of the vehicle sound output device 10 in Fig. 13 stores sound source data that replaces the manufacturer custom setting values ​​in Fig. 1.

[0141] The sound source data includes pre-recorded information about the manufacturer custom sound, the vehicle speed range for sound playback of the manufacturer custom sound, and the pitch shift rate of the manufacturer custom sound. As with the first embodiment, the amplitude and frequency of the manufacturer custom sound are set in advance so that the sound pressure output from the sound generator 40 reaches the target sound pressure value.

[0142] Next, the approach notification sound generation process by the central processing unit 21 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the approach notification sound generation process by the central processing unit 21. In Fig. 14, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 6 indicate the same steps, and their description will be omitted.

[0143] The central processing unit 21 executes the approach notification sound generation process according to the flowchart of FIG. 14, which replaces the flowchart of FIG.

[0144] First, the central processing unit 21 executes the sound data generation process of step S310A in parallel with the next step S300. That is, the central processing unit 21 reads sound source data from the memory 22 and outputs maker custom sound data based on the read sound source data.

[0145] Next, in step S320, the central processing unit 21 determines YES when the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are in an anti-phase state based on the user custom sound data and the manufacturer custom sound data.

[0146] Accordingly, in step S325, the central processing unit 21 generates a phase-adjusted manufacturer custom sound Y2a by shifting the phase of the manufacturer custom sound Y2 by 180 degrees. Then, in step S330, the central processing unit 21 generates a synthesized sound Y3 by synthesizing the user custom sound Y1 and the phase-adjusted manufacturer custom sound Y2a.

[0147] On the other hand, if the phase difference Φ is less than 160 degrees or is equal to or greater than 200 degrees, the central processing unit 21 determines that the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 are not out of phase and determines NO. Accordingly, in step S330, the central processing unit 21 generates a synthesized sound Y3 by synthesizing the custom sounds Y1 and Y2.

[0148] Thereafter, in step S340, if the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 is outside the predetermined range Hs, the central processing unit 21 determines that the synthetic sound Y3 needs to be compressed and makes a determination of YES.

[0149] In this case, in step S345, the central processing unit 21 compresses the amplitude of the synthesized sound Y3 in the region where the amplitude is outside the predetermined range Hs so that the amplitude falls within the predetermined range Hs.

[0150] On the other hand, in step S340, if the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 is within the predetermined range Hs, the central processing unit 21 determines that there is no need to compress the synthetic sound Y3, judges NO, and terminates the execution of the approach warning sound generation process. Thereafter, the digital-to-analog converter 23 converts the synthetic sound data generated by the central processing unit 21 into a synthetic sound signal, which is an analog signal, and outputs the converted signal to the power amplifier 30.

[0151] The power amplifier 30 amplifies the power of the synthesized sound signal output from the digital-to-analog converter 23 and outputs the amplified sound to the sound generator 40. Based on the output signal from the power amplifier 30, the sound generator 40 generates an approach warning sound around the vehicle.

[0152] According to the present embodiment described above, in the vehicle sound output device 10, the central processing unit 21 outputs user custom sound data representing a predetermined manufacturer custom sound Y2. The central processing unit 21 also generates user custom sound data representing a user custom sound Y1 that combines multiple sine waves designated by the user.

[0153] The central processing unit 21 generates a synthetic sound Y3 by combining the custom sounds Y1 and Y2 based on the user custom sound data and the manufacturer custom sound data. The sound generator 40 generates the synthetic sound Y3 generated by the central processing unit 21 as an approach warning sound.

[0154] Therefore, the central processing unit 21 can provide a vehicle sound output device 10 that produces a synthesized sound Y3 by synthesizing the customized sounds Y2 and Y1 without using a memory for pre-storing user customized sound data.

[0155] (Other embodiments)

[0156] (1) In the first and second embodiments, the lower limit speed of the sound reproduction vehicle speed range is set as the reference vehicle speed. However, instead of this, the highest upper limit speed of the sound reproduction vehicle speed range may be set as the reference vehicle speed.

[0157] In this case, if the difference obtained by subtracting the upper limit speed (i.e., the reference speed) from the vehicle speed is ΔSa, the frequency fs of the sine wave can be found by substituting the reference frequency fk, the difference ΔSa, and the pitch shift rate PS into the above equation 1.

[0158] Further, a speed between the lower limit speed and the upper limit speed of the sound reproduction vehicle speed range may be set as the reference vehicle speed.

[0159] In this case, when the difference obtained by subtracting the reference speed from the vehicle speed is ΔSa, the frequency fs of the sine wave can be found by substituting the reference frequency fk, the difference ΔSa, and the pitch shift rate PS into Equation 1 above.

[0160] (2) In the above first and second embodiments, an example was described in which the central processing unit 21 generated a sine wave using a reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound playback vehicle speed range specified by the user via the input device 62.

[0161] However, the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range for each user custom identification symbol may be recorded in advance in memory 22. In this case, the central processing unit 21 may read the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range from memory 22, and generate a sine wave using the read reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range.

[0162] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the reference frequency, volume, pitch shift rate, and sound reproduction vehicle speed range may be generated for each user custom identification symbol by executing a computer program using artificial intelligence.

[0163] (3) In the above first and second embodiments, an example was described in which the central processing unit 21 generated user custom sound data representing the user custom sound Y1 that combines three sine waves Sa, Sb, and Sc designated by the user.

[0164] However, instead of this, the central processing unit 21 may generate user custom sound data indicating a combined user custom sound Y1 including one sine wave, or may generate user custom sound data indicating a combined user custom sound Y1 including two sine waves, or may further generate user custom sound data indicating a combined user custom sound Y1 including four or more sine waves.

[0165] (4) In the above first and second embodiments, the central processing unit 21 uses a touch panel as the input device 62 into which the user custom setting values ​​and user custom identification symbols designated by the user are input.

[0166] However, instead of this, a voice input device may be used to input the user custom setting values ​​and user custom identification symbols by voice, or the user may input the user custom setting values ​​and user custom identification symbols by using a mobile terminal.

[0167] (5) In the first embodiment, the central processing unit 21 generates the manufacturer custom sound data representing the manufacturer custom sound Y2 that is a combination of two sine waves Ra and Rc.

[0168] However, instead, the central processing unit 21 may generate maker custom sound data representing a maker custom sound Y2 that includes one sine wave, or may generate maker custom sound data representing a maker custom sound Y2 that is a combination of three or more sine waves.

[0169] (6) In the first and second embodiments, the predetermined speed used to calculate the pitch shift rate is 1 km / h. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a speed other than 1 km / h may be used as the predetermined speed.

[0170] (7) In the above first and second embodiments, an example was described in which the waveform of the synthetic sound Y3 is shaped so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within a predetermined range Hs while maintaining the signal components of the synthetic sound Y3 that are included in the region Y3a that is greater than the threshold value S1.

[0171] However, instead of this, in order to waveform-shape the synthetic sound Y3 so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within the predetermined range Hs, a region Y3a of the synthetic sound Y3 that is greater than the threshold value S1 may be eliminated, and a clamp waveform may be formed in which the amplitude maintains the threshold value S1.

[0172] (8) In the above first and second embodiments, an example was described in which the waveform of the synthetic sound Y3 is shaped so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within a predetermined range Hs while maintaining the signal components of the synthetic sound Y3 that are included in the region Y3b that is smaller than the threshold value S2.

[0173] However, instead of this, in order to waveform-shape the synthetic sound Y3 so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound Y3 falls within the predetermined range Hs, a region Y3b of the synthetic sound Y3 that is smaller than the threshold value S1 may be eliminated, and a clamp waveform may be formed in which the amplitude maintains the threshold value S2.

[0174] (9) In the first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which a proximity notification sound is emitted as an alarm sound from the sound generator 40. However, this is not limiting, and an alarm sound other than a proximity notification sound may be emitted from the sound generator 40.

[0175] (10) Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are not unrelated to each other and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. It goes without saying that, in each of the above-described embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless they are specifically stated as essential or are considered to be clearly essential in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, and ranges of the components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0176] (Aspects of the present disclosure) The present disclosure described above can be understood from the following viewpoints, for example.

[0177] [First viewpoint] A sound output device for a vehicle, a sound information output unit (S310, S310A) that outputs first sound information indicating a predetermined first sound; a sound information generating unit (S300) that generates second sound information indicating a second sound including at least one sine wave designated by a user; a synthesis unit (S330) that generates a synthetic sound by synthesizing the first sound and the second sound based on the first sound information and the second sound information; a sound generator (40) that produces the synthesized sound generated by the synthesis unit as an alarm sound; A sound output device for a vehicle comprising:

[0178] [Second perspective] The vehicle sound output device according to a first aspect, wherein the sound information generation unit generates the second sound information indicating the second sound that is a combination of a plurality of the sine waves designated by the user.

[0179] [Third Perspective] a phase determination unit (S320) that determines whether the first sound and the second sound are in an anti-phase state; a phase adjustment unit (S325) that adjusts the phase of one of the first sound and the second sound to generate the one sound in phase with the other sound, The vehicle sound output device according to the first or second aspect, wherein when the phase determination unit determines that the first sound and the second sound are in the antiphase state, the synthesis unit generates the synthesized sound by synthesizing the one sound and the other sound generated by the phase adjustment unit.

[0180] [Fourth viewpoint] an amplitude determination unit (S340) that determines whether the amplitude of the synthetic sound generated by the synthesis unit is outside a predetermined range (Hs); an amplitude adjustment unit (S345) that, when the amplitude determination unit determines that the amplitude of the synthetic sound is outside the predetermined range, adjusts the waveform of the synthetic sound so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound falls within the predetermined range, The vehicle sound output device according to a third aspect, wherein the sound generator generates the synthesized sound adjusted by the amplitude adjustment unit.

[0181] [Fifth viewpoint] The sound information generation unit a sine wave generating unit (S301A, S301B, S301C) that generates a plurality of sine waves representing the sound designated by the user; a sine wave synthesis unit (S306X) that synthesizes the plurality of sine waves generated by the sine wave generation unit to generate the second sound.

[0182] [Sixth viewpoint] The sine wave generating unit generates the sine wave when the vehicle speed is within a vehicle speed range specified by input by the user to an input unit (62), and stops generating the sine wave when the vehicle speed is outside the vehicle speed range.

[0183] [Seventh viewpoint] The vehicle sound output device according to a sixth aspect, wherein the sine wave generating section generates each of the plurality of sine waves at a frequency that increases as the speed of the vehicle increases.

[0184] [Eighth viewpoint] a certain speed within the vehicle speed range is set as a reference speed, and a frequency of a sine wave at the reference speed within the vehicle speed range is set as a reference frequency, the reference frequency for each sine wave is specified by an input by the user to the input unit, In the frequency of the sine wave that changes in accordance with a change in the speed of the vehicle, a change in the frequency per unit speed is defined as a frequency change per unit speed; the pitch shift rate is designated by an input by the user to the input unit, where the reference frequency is set to 100% and the percentage of the reference frequency that the frequency change amount for each unit speed occupies is set to a pitch shift rate, The vehicle sound output device according to a seventh aspect, wherein the sine wave generation unit sets the frequencies of the plurality of sine waves based on the speed of the vehicle, the reference speed, the reference frequency, and the pitch shift rate.

[0185] [Ninth viewpoint] A vehicle sound output device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the amplitude and frequency of the first sound emitted from the sound-emitting body are set so that the sound pressure of the first sound becomes a target sound pressure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0186] 10 Vehicle sound output device 20 Microcomputer 21 Central Processing Unit 22 Memory 23 Digital-to-analog converter 30 Power Amplifier 40 Sounding Body 50 Electronic control device 60 Electronic control device 61 Display panel 62 Input Device

Claims

1. A sound output device for a vehicle, a sound information output unit (S310, S310A) that outputs first sound information indicating a predetermined first sound; a sound information generating unit (S300) that generates second sound information indicating a second sound including at least one sine wave designated by a user; a synthesis unit (S330) that generates a synthetic sound by synthesizing the first sound and the second sound based on the first sound information and the second sound information; a sound generator (40) that produces the synthesized sound generated by the synthesis unit as an alarm sound; A sound output device for a vehicle comprising:

2. The vehicle sound output device according to claim 1 , wherein the sound information generating unit generates the second sound information indicating the second sound that is a combination of a plurality of the sine waves designated by the user.

3. a phase determination unit (S320) that determines whether the first sound and the second sound are in an antiphase state; a phase adjustment unit (S325) that adjusts the phase of one of the first sound and the second sound to generate the one sound in phase with the other sound, 2. The vehicle sound output device according to claim 1, wherein when the phase determination unit determines that the first sound and the second sound are in the antiphase state, the synthesis unit generates the synthesized sound by synthesizing the one sound and the other sound generated by the phase adjustment unit.

4. an amplitude determination unit (S340) that determines whether the amplitude of the synthetic sound generated by the synthesis unit is outside a predetermined range (Hs); an amplitude adjustment unit (S345) that, when the amplitude determination unit determines that the amplitude of the synthetic sound is outside the predetermined range, adjusts the waveform of the synthetic sound so that the amplitude of the synthetic sound falls within the predetermined range, The vehicle sound output device according to claim 3 , wherein the sound generator generates the synthesized sound adjusted by the amplitude adjustment unit.

5. The sound information generation unit a sine wave generating unit (S301A, S301B, S301C) that generates a plurality of sine waves representing the sound designated by the user; The vehicle sound output device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a sine wave synthesis unit (S306X) that synthesizes the plurality of sine waves generated by the sine wave generation unit to generate the second sound.

6. 6. The vehicle sound output device of claim 5, wherein the sine wave generation unit generates the sine wave when the vehicle speed is within a vehicle speed range specified by input by the user to the input unit (62), and stops generating the sine wave when the vehicle speed is outside the vehicle speed range.

7. The vehicle sound output device according to claim 6 , wherein the sine wave generating unit generates the plurality of sine waves at frequencies that increase as the speed of the vehicle increases.

8. a certain speed within the vehicle speed range is set as a reference speed, and a frequency of a sine wave at the reference speed within the vehicle speed range is set as a reference frequency, the reference frequency for each sine wave is specified by an input by the user to the input unit, In the frequency of the sine wave that changes in accordance with a change in the speed of the vehicle, a change in the frequency per unit speed is defined as a frequency change per unit speed; the pitch shift rate is designated by an input by the user to the input unit, where the reference frequency is set to 100% and the percentage of the reference frequency that is occupied by the frequency change amount per unit speed is set to a pitch shift rate, 8. The vehicle sound output device according to claim 7, wherein the sine wave generating unit sets the frequencies of the plurality of sine waves based on the speed of the vehicle, the reference speed, the reference frequency, and the pitch shift rate.

9. 2. The vehicle sound output device according to claim 1, wherein an amplitude and a frequency of the first sound are set so that the sound pressure of the first sound emitted from the sound generator becomes a target sound pressure.

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