Speedometer using acoustic sense and tactile sense

Abstract

To provide a speedometer which uses other senses to constantly grasp a speed as a vehicle speedometer requires a visual sense and thus is not suited for constant speed grasping during driving.SOLUTION: A vehicle speed is divided at stages within a plurality of speed ranges, time in which time occupied by beats in a measure in a music score of music output in a vehicle is a unit is increased / decreased corresponding to the increase / decrease of a vehicle speed in which a speed range is a unit, and vibration is generated at a steering wheel or the like by a signal similar to an output of a sound source based on a musical note in the time occupied by the beats. Thus, a driver can grasp a beat count of a note in a measure matching in vibration to the output music, and can constantly grasp a vehicle speed in which a speed range is a unit on the premise that the beat count matches the stage of the speed range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a speedometer for a vehicle or the like that uses both auditory and tactile senses, and a program that enables this. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle speedometers are generally presented as visual information. Therefore, drivers estimate the vehicle's speed from the engine sound produced by the vehicle and the scenery passing by, and occasionally check the speedometer to confirm that speed. However, the act of looking at the speedometer interrupts the driver's attention to the road ahead, resulting in a tendency to check the speedometer less frequently, which makes it more likely that the driver will violate the speed limit. Furthermore, recent electric vehicles often have no engine sound, or even if there is, the sound is unrelated to the vehicle's speed. This makes it difficult to estimate speed using auditory information such as engine sound.

[0003] As a solution to this problem, there is a speedometer (hereinafter referred to as "sonic speedometer") that divides the vehicle speed (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle speed") into multiple speed ranges and outputs music corresponding to each speed range inside the vehicle to indicate the speed to the driver using sound. This sound speed meter continuously outputs music parts from a plurality of sound sources associated with each speed range at speeds above the minimum speed of each speed range, thereby superimposing different music parts as the vehicle speed increases. Therefore, the driver can distinguish between these overlapping music parts to grasp the number of types of sound sources, and by assuming that the number of types matches the number of speed range stages, the method allows the driver to quantitatively determine the speed range stages that indicate the vehicle speed using only their hearing. This method has the advantage of being able to grasp the speed range corresponding to the vehicle speed without using vision. However, the speed range that is set must be equal to or less than the number of parts in the music being used. For this reason, for a solo piece using only a guitar as the sound source or a duet using a piano and violin as the sound source, the number of speed ranges that can be set on the sound speed meter is limited to one or two, respectively, which creates the problem that some music pieces cannot be used effectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7202514 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-66116 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-110180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As explained above, the sound velocity meters proposed so far require that the number of speed ranges be small compared to the number of sound sources. For example, in piano solo pieces or piano and violin duets with a small number of sound sources, the number of speed ranges that can be set on the sound velocity meter is limited to one or two stages, which poses the problem that some pieces cannot actually be used. This reduces the freedom of song selection and poses a problem in terms of convenience, so a sound speed meter that can solve this problem is needed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a sound velocity meter that uses the bars of a specific part of a piece of music as the repeating period so that it can be used with a sound velocity meter that has a multi-stage speed range even for a piece of music with only one part, such as a piano solo. This speedometer provides the driver with vehicle speed information in the following steps: 1. The vehicle speed is divided into multiple speed ranges in stages, and the time (hereinafter referred to as "beat time"), which is the time taken up by one beat in a measure of the musical score of the music to be output to the vehicle, is increased or decreased in response to an increase or decrease in the vehicle speed in units of the speed ranges. Since the beat is the basic unit of this beat time, it also matches the number of beats. 2. Vibrations are generated in the steering wheel, seat, etc. using a signal with the same waveform as or a similar waveform to the waveform output by the sound source according to the notes present within this beat time. 3. By simultaneously listening to music output into the car from the same sound source that generates the vibrations, the driver can understand the number of beats of the notes in the measure whose vibrations match the music. 4. The driver understands in advance that the beat rate corresponds to the number of stages in the speed range, so that the driver can always grasp the vehicle speed in units of stages in the speed range. These are the most important features. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the sound speed meter of the present invention, a piece of music is output into the vehicle via a speaker using a signal output from a preset sound source in accordance with the notes in a bar repeated in the musical score of the piece of music being used, and vibrations generated using a portion of the same signal are transmitted to the steering wheel or the like held by the driver, allowing the driver to determine the part of the music where the output from the speaker and the vibrations from the steering wheel or the like coincide. Furthermore, if the driver determines up to which beat of each measure the musical note on the score corresponding to the matching portion is repeated, and understands in advance that the number of beats matches the number of stages in the speed range, the driver can determine which stage of the speed range the current vehicle speed is in. This allows the use of music with fewer parts with a sonic speedometer, broadening the music selection even further. At the same time, there is no longer a period of time when drivers are not paying attention to the road ahead due to checking their speed, which is a feature of sonic speedometers, and the advantage of being able to obtain speed information immediately at any time is maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the layout of the vehicle. (Example 1), (Example 3), (Example 4) [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the relationship between speed range and output (Example 2). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows examples of notes in measure units. (Example 3) (Example 4) [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the vibration output time versus speed range (Example 4). [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment. (Example 5) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to improve the freedom of music selection for the sound velocity meter installed in the vehicle, The system divides the vehicle speed into multiple step-by-step speed ranges, and increases or decreases the time (beat time) measured in units of the number of beats in the musical score of the music to be output inside the vehicle in accordance with the increase or decrease in the speed range step, and by equipping the vehicle with a function to output vibrations to the steering wheel or seat of the vehicle using the same signal as the sound source output according to the musical notes within that time, or a similar signal, it becomes possible to determine how many beats in the repeated measure the musical notes of the music to be output inside the vehicle that are synchronized with the vibrations are limited to.The driver understands in advance that the number of beats matches the number of steps in the speed range that indicates the vehicle speed, and this is realized by making it possible to quantitatively understand the number of steps in the speed range in which the vehicle is traveling from the number of beats, and at all times while driving. [Example]

[0010] 1 is a layout diagram showing an outline of the device of a vehicle embodying the present invention, in which a drive unit 1 consisting of a motor, an engine, etc. drives a pair of wheels 3 via a transmission 2. The drive unit 1 is rotated by supplying energy from an energy source 9, which stores electricity, gasoline, etc., under the control of an energy control unit 8. This vehicle is driven by controlling the vehicle speed with a speed setting value input unit 7, which corresponds to the accelerator pedal and brake pedal in the vehicle, the running speed is detected by a speed detection unit 5, and the direction is controlled with a steering wheel 17. Although the explanation up to this point has been somewhat abbreviated, it is a general form of vehicle driving control.

[0011] The vehicle also has a sign recognition unit 4 that recognizes speed limit signs on the road and a GPS (Global Positioning System) information detection and processing unit 6 installed in appropriate locations. Data generated by these units is sent to a control unit 10, which will be explained next. The control unit 10 reads data from the memory unit 12, such as sound sources and musical scores, and performs necessary data calculations and control. The display unit 11 serves as the man-machine interface. It also controls the signal generator 13, which converts the data from the memory unit 12 into specific signals, to generate musical instrument and vocal signals and specify the volume. The music information in the memory unit 12 may be compressed audio data (MP3), lyrics, musical scores, music, or MIDI. The music data generated by the musical instrument and other signal generator 13 is converted from digital to analog via the D / A converter 14, amplified by the amplifier unit 15, and output from the speaker 16 inside the vehicle. The bundle vibration unit 18 and the seat vibration unit 20 generate vibrations identical to or similar to the output of the speaker 16, vibrating the steering wheel 17 and the driver's seat 19. Although FIG. 1 shows a pair of vibration units 18 that vibrate the left and right sides of the steering wheel 17 held by the driver, the present invention can also fulfill its role satisfactorily by using a configuration in which the steering wheel support poles are vibrated to transmit vibrations to the entire steering wheel.

[0012] Furthermore, it is possible to distinguish between speed ranges that carry different penalties, such as by using different vibration sections 18 on the left and right sides of the steering wheel 17 and the driver's seat 19 separately, and vibrating only the steering wheel 17 in a speed range that corresponds to a license suspension, as described below, and vibrating both the steering wheel 17 and the driver's seat 19 in a speed range that corresponds to a license revocation. [Example]

[0013] First, we will explain examples of sound velocity meters that have been proposed so far (Figure 2). Figure 2 shows the relationship between speed and output of music, etc., with the horizontal axis representing vehicle speed and the vertical axis representing sound output. Here, there is no sound output in the speed range of 0 to S1, and from speed S1 onwards, the output of music into the vehicle increases as the speed increases, saturating appropriately as the speed increases, and at speeds above that, output 41 maintains the output level. This is shown by the solid line in the figure. As the vehicle speed increases, from speed S2, output 42 is output by a part different from output 41 shown by the dashed line. Similarly, from speed S3, output 43 shown by the one-dot chain line, from speed S4, output 44 shown by the long dashed line, and from speed S5, output 45 shown by the two-dot chain line are continuously output like output 41. As a result, in the speed range 31 between speeds S1 and S2, only the music with output 41 is output to the car, but in the speed range 32 between speeds S2 and S3, outputs 41 and 42 are added, in the speed range 33 between speeds S3 and S4, outputs 41, 42, and 43 are output to the car, in the speed range 34 between speeds S4 and S5, outputs 41, 42, 43, and 44 are output to the car, and in the speed range 35 above speed S5, outputs 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 are output to the car just like an ensemble of music.

[0014] The music used here may have, for example, output 41 outputting a cymbal sound source, output 42 outputting a saxophone sound source, output 43 outputting a vibraphone sound source, output 44 outputting a bass sound source, and output 45 outputting a piano sound source. Furthermore, each of these sound sources outputs its own part of the same ensemble piece. As a result, in speed range 21 shown in Figure 2, a piece with only cymbals is output, in speed range 22, a piece with both cymbals and saxophone parts is output, and in speed range 23, a piece with each of the cymbals, saxophone, and vibraphone parts is output. This allows the driver to determine how many different instruments (sound sources) are being output at once. The driver understands in advance that the number of types of overlapping sound sources corresponds to the number of stages in the speed range that indicates the vehicle speed, and from that number, the driver can quantitatively understand the number of stages in the speed range that the vehicle is traveling in, and at all times while driving. As this makes it possible to easily and constantly determine the speed range in which the vehicle is traveling using only hearing, there is a proposal to apply this function to the speed range of fines and violation points imposed for speeding violations, and to use it as a sonic speedometer for warning violations. This sound speed meter can use each part of an ensemble consisting of five different sound sources, numbered 41 to 45 in Figure 2, so it can present a more musical speed than a simple beep or other warning, and has the advantage of maintaining a natural atmosphere inside the car. However, to be able to distinguish between these five speed ranges, the instrument must be composed of five or more sound sources, and there is a limitation that it cannot be used for violin solo pieces or violin and piano ensembles, etc., because there are not enough sound sources. Furthermore, since the music to be used is broken down into parts, there are restrictions that limit the music to those that have undergone procedures to avoid infringing on the adaptation rights under copyright law. The present invention eliminates this restriction on song selection. First, the information used by the present invention in a musical score will be described. [Example]

[0015] Figure 3 shows an example of notes in a musical score in measure units. For the sake of explanation, the musical score is divided into measures (1) through (6). In the upper left corner of measure (1) there is a symbol 50 (made up of "quarter note" and "=60") indicating the tempo (speed) of the performance, which indicates that the music is played at a speed of 60 quarter notes per minute. Furthermore, there is a tone symbol in measure 1 and a symbol 51 indicating (4 / 4) to the right of it, which indicates that the song is in "4 / 4 time," specifically that the note type (note value) that forms the basis of one beat is a quarter note, and that one measure consists of four beats. These symbols vary depending on the song, and each song uses these symbols to define the relationship between the tempo (speed) of its performance and the notes. The time that one beat occupies on the score is called "beat time," and here we define one beat as "the basic unit of time." Next, let's explain the notes in Figure 2. Note 52 shown in measure 2 is a quarter note, note 53 shown in the following measures is an eighth note, rest 54 is a quarter rest, rest 55 is an eighth rest, and note 56 is a half note. There are many other types of notes and rests, but we will not explain them here to avoid complexity. The above information is contained on the musical notes, and the following embodiment will be explained on the assumption that this information will be utilized.

[0016] In the present invention, in order to make it possible to apply solo pieces and duets with a small number of parts to the speed range with a large number of steps of the sound speed meter, A piece of music containing a specific part is output into the car from the speaker 16 in Fig. 1 using various sound sources, and at the same time, vibrations based on signals that are the same as or similar to the waveform of the audio signal output by the sound source for that part according to the notes in each measure, with the repetition of measures in the same part of the music as the period, and the output is adjusted based on the beat time for the output duration of the signal according to the speed range stage, are generated on the steering wheel 18 in Fig. 1, etc. This allows the driver to know up to which beat of each measure of the music being output into the car the synchronized vibration occurs. Therefore, by assuming that the speed range indicated by the sound speed meter is proportional to the number of beats or beat time (1 beat is defined as 1 beat time) that accompanies vibration, the driver can quantitatively and constantly grasp the speed range. An example of this will be explained in detail below. [Example]

[0017] Figure 4 shows "vibration output time versus speed range," with the vertical axis representing the speed range and the horizontal axis representing the elapsed time. The leftmost column in the figure shows the speed range in km / h, such as "0 to 10." The next column contains the names of the items in the rows to the right, from top to bottom: "Bar time," "Beat time," and "Vibration amount." The measure time line has a double arrow indicating the time range and a number that distinguishes that range. The beat time rows show the progression of beat time in order from (1) to (4). The rows of vibration amount correspond to the speed ranges in the left column, and the presence or absence of a vertical bar indicates whether vibration is output for each row in the four speed ranges. The presence of a vertical bar indicates that vibrations that are the same as or synchronized with the music being output in the car are output to the steering wheel 18, seat 19, etc. in Figure 1. Next, the presence or absence of vibration in each speed range and synchronization with music output in the vehicle will be described.

[0018] When the vehicle speed range is 0~10 (Km / h), During all beats of the measure (here, from (1) to (4)), no vibrations synchronized with the notes in the music are output, and only the music is output inside the car. As a result, the driver will determine that the speed of the traveling vehicle is in the speed range of 0 to 10 (Km / h).

[0019] In the speed range of 10~20 (Km / h), At beat time (1) in measure time 1, vibrations are output according to the notes in the music, and from beat times (2) to (4) thereafter, no vibrations are output, and the system moves on to the next measure time, 2, where it behaves in the same way as measure time 1. As a result, the driver perceives tactile vibrations and synchronized auditory sensations of the music at the first beat time (1) of measure time 1. However, from beat time (2) to beat time (4), the driver perceives the music auditorily, but recognizes that there are no tactile vibrations, and perceives this repetition in the following measure times. This allows the driver to determine that the vehicle speed is within the range of 10 to 20 (Km / h), and by continuing this output, the driver will be able to understand the speed range at any time. When the speed range is 20-30 (Km / h), vibrations according to the notes in the music are output at beat times (1) and (2) in measure time 1, but vibrations are not output at subsequent beat times (3) and (4) before moving on to the next measure time 2. As a result, the driver experiences tactile vibrations at the first beat time (1) and the next beat time (2) of measure time 1 of the music, and perceives the music through their ears in synchronization with them. However, there are no vibrations at the subsequent beat times (3) and (4), and only the music is perceived through their ears. The same cycle continues from measure 2 onwards. This allows the driver to determine at any time that the speed range is 20-30 (Km / h). When the speed range is 30~40 (Km / h), vibrations according to the notes in the music are output during beat times (1), (2), and (3) in measure time 1, and then no vibrations are output during the subsequent beat time (4) before moving on to the next measure time, 2. As a result, the driver perceives tactile vibrations at the first beat time (1) of measure time 1 of the music, and the following beat times (2) and (3), as well as the synchronized auditory perception of the music. However, there is no vibration at the following beat time (4), and only the auditory perception of the music is present. This repetition continues from measure 2 onwards. This allows the driver to determine at any time when necessary that the speed range is 30-40 (Km / h). When the speed range is 40-50 (Km / h), vibrations are output in accordance with the notes in the music at beat times (1), (2), (3), and (4) in measure time 1, before moving on to the next measure time, 2. This allows the driver to perceive tactile vibrations at beat time (1) in measure time 1 of the music, and all of the following beat times (2), (3), and (4), as well as the music through their ears in sync with these vibrations. This allows the driver to determine that the speed range is 40-50 (Km / h). By outputting music to the vehicle in this way and controlling the generation of vibrations corresponding to each speed range, it is possible to quantitatively grasp the speed range corresponding to the vehicle's speed by understanding up to which beat (which can also be considered beat time) in each measure there is vibration that is synchronized with the musical notes, and this has the characteristic that it can be understood immediately at any time while driving. [Example]

[0020] Next, an example of a flowchart of a program that realizes this function will be explained with reference to FIG. The program starts at 101. In 102, you can start the sound velocity meter and select the sound source and sheet music. 103 allows you to select the vibration phrases from the music you want to use and set the vibration level. In 104, the time width T0 of the measure and the time width t0 of the note are determined from the beat of the music. In step 105, the output of the music starts according to the score. In 106, the elapsed time is set to T=0. In 110, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling within the range of 0 to S1. If the answer is yes, go to 111, do not output the same vibration as the music, and go to 150. If no, go to 120. In 120, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling in the range of S1 to S2. If the answer is affirmative (yes), the process moves to 121, where a vibration with the same waveform as the output of the music is output from time T=0 to t0, and the process moves to 150. If no, go to 130. In 130, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling in the range of S2 to S3. If the answer is affirmative (yes), the process moves to 131, where vibrations with the same waveform as the output of the music are output until time T= 0 to 2×t0 (twice t0), and the process moves to 150. If the answer is no, the process moves to the next step. Although the process here is not described, the same decisions as before are repeated, and the process moves to 140 after going through these steps. In 140, it is determined whether the vehicle speed is within the range of Sn to Sn+1. If the answer is affirmative (yes), the process moves to 141, where vibrations with the same waveform as the output of the music are output until time T= 0 to n×t0 (n times t0), and the process moves to 150. If the answer is negative (no), the process moves to 142, where vibrations with the same waveform as the output of the music are output until time T= 0 ~ (n+1) × t0 ((n+1) times t0), and the process moves to 150. At 150, the sonic speedometer determines whether it has stopped. If the answer is yes, go to 151 and stop the program at 151. If no, go to 160. At 160, it is determined whether the elapsed time T is equal to or greater than T0. If the answer is yes, go to 161, reset the elapsed time to T=0, and go to decision 110. If not, proceed to decision 110. That's all. By using this program, it becomes possible to output vibrations synchronized with the music in the car to the steering wheel and seats, similar to the "vibration output time for speed range" shown in Figure 4.

[0021] Up to this point, we have explained the premise that repetitions occur in measure units of musical scores, but in fast-tempo performances or complex pieces of music, amateur musicians may not understand the divisions between measures or beats. For this reason, it is possible to change a unit that combines several measures into a new repetition unit, or to use an easy-to-understand repetition unit time that is different from the beat time specified in the original musical score. Accordingly, the bar time T0 and the note duration t0 will be changed to the unique values ​​of the sound velocity meter. Furthermore, rests 54 and 55 shown in Figure 3 are essentially periods of no sound output from the sound source, so no vibration occurs. However, by detecting the presence of rests using a sound velocity meter, it is possible to clarify whether or not there are valid beats. For this reason, since most conventional instruments have waveforms with a lingering reverberation, to indicate the presence of a rest, a signal without a lingering waveform, such as a square wave, can be used, and the vibrations caused by this signal can be shown in place of the rest.

[0022] In this way, with the sound speed meter of the present invention, even if the selected piece of music is a solo piece consisting of only one part for piano, the driver can grasp the number of beats at which the vibrations in each repeated measure of the music are synchronized with the sound output inside the vehicle, and thereby grasp the speed range in which the vehicle is traveling. This makes it possible to use music with a small number of different parts with a sound velocity meter, which has the advantage of allowing for greater freedom in music selection than ever before. Furthermore, this sound speed meter allows the music output in the car to be tailored to the driver's preferences, which has the advantage of making it possible to maintain a more pleasant sound environment inside the car compared to sound speed meter outputs that are limited to beeps or special music set specifically for the sound speed meter. In addition, since it is possible to prevent vibrations corresponding to the speed range from being transmitted to anyone other than the driver, passengers will not know that a sonic speed meter is being used, and the driver will be able to grasp the speed range indicated by the sonic speed meter at any time. [Industrial Applicability]

[0023] In addition to the speedometers installed in ordinary vehicles, the sonic speedometer of the present invention, which has a vibration generating unit (vibration unit), can be installed on the steering wheel, seat, etc., which the driver is always in contact with. By using music that is output to the car for enjoyment, the speed range corresponding to the vehicle speed can be grasped by the presence or absence of vibrations synchronized with the beats in the music score, making it possible to instantly understand at any time. Therefore, it can be used as a speedometer that can immediately recognize the level of violation when a speeding violation occurs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] Reference numeral 1 is a drive unit, 2 is a transmission, 3 is a wheel, 4 is a sign recognition unit, 5 is a speed detection unit, 6 is a GPS detection and processing unit, 7 is a speed setting value input unit, 8 is an energy control unit, 9 is an energy source, 10 is a control unit, 11 is a display unit, 12 is a memory unit for sound sources, sheet music, etc., 13 is a signal generation unit for instruments, voice, etc., 14 is a D / A converter, 15 is an amplifier unit, 16 is a speaker, 17 is a steering wheel, 18 is a steering wheel vibration unit installed in two places, 19 is a driver's seat, 20 is a seat vibration unit, 31 to 35 are each a speed range, 41 to 45 are outputs of music etc. corresponding to each speed range, 50 is a symbol indicating the tempo, 51 is a symbol indicating a 4 / 4 time signature, 52 is a quarter note, 53 is an eighth note, 54 is a quarter rest, 55 is an eighth rest, 56 is a half note, and 101 to 161 are each processing in the flowchart.

Claims

1. A speedometer in which various sound sources output music in accordance with a musical score or the like into a vehicle, the speed of the vehicle is divided into a plurality of speed ranges, the time occupied by a beat in each measure that appears repeatedly on the musical score of the music or the like is increased or decreased in accordance with the increase or decrease in the speed range, and vibrations are output to the steering wheel, seat, or the like of the vehicle in accordance with signals that are the same as or similar to the output of the sound sources or the like in accordance with the notes within the time occupied by the beat.

2. A program having a function of outputting music into a vehicle from various sound sources according to a musical score, dividing the speed of the vehicle into a plurality of speed ranges, increasing or decreasing the time occupied by beats in each measure that recurs on the musical score of the music in accordance with the increase or decrease in the speed range, and outputting vibrations to the steering wheel, seat, or the like of the vehicle by signals that are the same as or similar to the output of the sound sources according to the notes within the time occupied by the beats.

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