Tactile speedometer

Abstract

As the maximum number of speed steps in a tactile velocity meter increases, the number of vibration patterns required also increases. Therefore, understanding the number of speed steps determined by the vibration patterns becomes increasingly difficult as the number of steps increases. [Solution] By changing the number of speed range steps in the tactile velocometer from the usual decimal system to a positional numeral system with fewer steps, and reducing the number of different values ​​used in each digit of the new numeral system, the total number of vibration patterns required by the tactile velocometer was reduced, making it easier to understand the number of speed range steps through touch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a speedometer that utilizes vibration through the sense of touch.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicle speedometers are generally presented as visual information. Therefore, the driver estimates the vehicle speed from the engine sound generated by the vehicle and the appearance of the passing scenery, and occasionally checks the speedometer to confirm the speed. However, the act of looking at the speedometer interrupts the forward view, resulting in a time of inattention ahead. For this reason, the driver tends to reduce the frequency of checking the speedometer, and accordingly, is likely to violate the speed limit. Due to such circumstances, in recent years, proposals have been made for speedometers that utilize hearing or touch without using vision.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One type of speedometer that utilizes hearing and touch divides the vehicle's speed (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle speed") into multiple speed ranges in stages. The number of stages is associated with multiple musical pieces, and as the vehicle speed increases, the musical pieces are superimposed. The number of different types of musical pieces superimposed indicates the number of stages in the speed range. In addition, vibrations are generated in the steering wheel and driver's seat to alert the driver that they are driving in a special speed range, such as a speeding violation, like an alarm. While it is possible to distinguish between different types of vibrations and indicate several levels of speed overruns with alarms, realizing a vibration speedometer that can indicate 10 or more speed ranges solely through vibration distinction is thought to have limitations due to the complexity of distinguishing between vibrations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The speedometer of the present invention is a tactile speedometer (hereinafter referred to as a tactile speedometer) that outputs different vibration patterns, etc., according to the speed range from the steering wheel or driver's seat of the vehicle, allowing the speed range to be easily understood using only the sense of touch. In the tactile speedometer of the present invention, the speed range stages are represented using a positional numeral system of decimal numbers or less (a method of representing a number by arranging several digits), and the distinction of each digit in the positional numeral system is assigned to each vibration part installed on the left side of the steering wheel, the right side, or the driver's seat. The distinction of the numerical value of each digit is indicated by the distinction of each different vibration pattern, making it possible to indicate a large number of speed range stages despite using only a small number of different vibration patterns. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The present invention relates to a vehicle in which the vehicle's speed is divided into multiple stepped speed ranges, and multiple vibration units are arranged to generate different tactile information such as vibrations according to the number of steps in each speed range, wherein the number of steps in the speed range is represented by a positional numeral value of decimal or less, and the multiple vibration units share the output of vibration patterns, etc., that represent the numerical value of each digit of the positional numeral. Therefore, compared to using a decimal positional numeral system, it is possible to reduce the number of vibration patterns used, and consequently, the number of vibration patterns used can be reduced compared to the total number of speed range stages of the tactile velocometer. Reducing the types of vibration patterns, etc., has the effect of making it easier to determine the number of steps in the speed range and to increase the maximum number of steps in a tactile speedometer.

[0007] Specifically, for example, the use of a base-4 system is similar to using an abacus with 5-beads and 1-beads to represent numbers from 0 to 9 using four 1-beads and one 5-bead for each digit. Compared to simply using nine 1-beads to represent numbers from 0 to 9, the ease of understanding the numbers on the abacus is significantly superior. The present invention has another advantage: a similar method of understanding numbers is possible with smaller positional numeral systems such as base-10. In addition to these benefits, the number of vibration patterns can be reduced, which facilitates pre-training for drivers to understand the relationship between the number of speed range stages and vibration patterns. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle in which the vehicle speed is divided into a plurality of stepped speed ranges, and a plurality of vibration units are arranged to generate different tactile information such as vibrations according to the number of steps in each speed range. This tactile speedometer represents the number of steps in the speed range using a positional numeral system of decimal or lower, and replaces only the first digit of the value indicating the number of steps in the speed range with a value obtained by adding 1 to the complement of the first digit (the smallest number that, when added to the original number, results in a carry-over), and outputs the vibration pattern of the first digit indicated by the new value into the vehicle. Therefore, instead of simply using vibration patterns that indicate the number of steps in the speed range used in this invention, using vibration patterns that indicate the last digit of a number obtained by adding 1 to the complement of the last digit has the advantage of allowing the driver to understand from the changes in vibration patterns that they are approaching a speed range step where a special meaning (such as a speed limit) occurs, or conversely, that they are moving away from it during deceleration. This makes it possible to create an emphasis effect on a special speed (such as a speed limit) that evokes a similar psychological feeling to the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve. Furthermore, when a vehicle is traveling at a nearly constant speed, misjudgments of the speed range can occur, but this technology can help reduce the number of stages in which these misjudgments occur. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Vehicle equipment layout diagram (Example 1) (Example 3) [Figure 2] Example of a ternary vibration output pattern (Example 4) [Figure 3] Examples of quaternary vibration output patterns (Example 4) (Example 5) (Example 7) (Example 8) [Figure 4] Examples of vibration output patterns in base 5 (Example 4) (Example 6) [Figure 5] Example of a vibration output force pattern with a quaternary number prediction function (Example 8) [Figure 6] Vibration output pattern within a measure (example of numerical value 3) (Example 9) [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The tactile speedometer of the present invention divides the vehicle speed into steps within a speed range, and the number of steps is derived from the decimal system commonly used in everyday life. This tactile speedometer reduces the number of required vibration patterns by converting to a positional numeral system of decimal or lower, assigns each digit of the converted positional numeral system of decimal or lower to multiple vibration units, and has each vibration unit repeatedly output a vibration pattern representing the value of each digit, thereby allowing the driver to easily understand the number of speed range steps of the vehicle they are driving through touch. [Examples]

[0010] FIG. 1 is an arrangement diagram showing an overview of a vehicle device for implementing the present invention. A drive unit 1 including a motor, an engine, etc. drives a pair of wheels 3 via a transmission 2. The drive unit 1 rotates by supplying energy from an energy source 9 storing energy such as electricity or gasoline under the control of an energy control unit 8. This vehicle performs vehicle speed control for driving by a speed setting value input unit 7 corresponding to the control of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal in the vehicle. The traveling speed is detected by a speed detection unit 5, and the direction control is performed by a steering wheel 17. The above explanation has some omissions, but it is a general form of traveling control for automobiles and the like.

[0011] In addition, a sign recognition unit 4 for recognizing a speed limit sign on the road and a detection / processing unit 6 for GPS information (Global Positioning System) are installed at appropriate positions in the vehicle. Data and the like generated by these respective units are sent to a control unit 10 described below. The control unit 10 performs calculation and control of necessary data, and a display unit 11 manages its man-machine interface. Also, using a left vibration part 18 of the steering wheel, a right vibration part 19 of the steering wheel installed at two positions on the left and right sides of the steering wheel 17, and a vibration part 21 installed on a seat 20, the control unit 10 instructs the type of vibration pattern output to a vibration signal generation unit 15 and the distinction of the vibration parts so that each generates vibration.

Embodiment

[0012] First, the decimal system and the place-value notation method below the decimal system (a method of representing a numerical value by arranging several numbers) used in daily life will be described. To understand the speed range steps in the decimal system by using vibration, different vibration patterns indicating the number of speed range steps required are output to the steering wheel 17, etc., and a driver holding the steering wheel must immediately grasp the vibration pattern and judge the corresponding number of speed range steps. For this reason, when the number of speed range steps increases, there is a problem that the vibration pattern becomes complicated, such as the number of vibrations per unit time increasing, and it gradually becomes difficult to grasp. Hereinafter, on the assumption that the vibration pattern outputs pulsed vibrations within a unit time and the number thereof is the same as the number of steps in the speed range, the description will continue on the premise that the number of steps in the speed range can be understood from the vibration pattern. When the maximum number of steps in this speed range increases, the problem that the number of pulsed vibrations becomes too large and difficult to grasp can be most effectively solved by limiting the maximum number of the pulsed vibrations. Regarding this problem, for example, in the binary system among the place value notations, it is helpful to note that even with numerical values using only two types, 0 (zero) and 1, when expressed in two digits, four types of numerical values, 00, 01, 10, and 11, can be represented. Focusing on this, in the tactile speedometer of the present invention, by using a place value notation of up to decimal (a method of representing a numerical value by arranging several digits), the number of types of vibration patterns required to indicate the speed range is reduced.

[0013] For example, when representing a quaternary system (a notation using four types of numbers from 0 to 3) in two digits, there are 16 types of numerical values between 00 and 33. Among them, both the first digit and the second digit use four types of numerical values, 0, 1, 2, and 3. Therefore, for 1, 2, and 3 in the first digit other than 0 (zero), vibration patterns of 1 pulse / unit time, 2 pulses / unit time, and 3 pulses / unit time are respectively assigned and represented, and by assigning the same vibration patterns as the first digit to 1, 2, and 3 in the second digit, it is possible to manage with four types of vibration patterns (even when there is no vibration for the numerical value 0, it is included as a pattern type). However, it is necessary to make a distinction such that, for example, the left side of the handle is used for the first digit and the right side is used for the second digit of the vibration, and it is assumed that the user has learned this distinction in advance. Thereby, by representing the value of the first digit of the quaternary numerical value with four types of vibration patterns on the left side of the handle and the value of the second digit of the quaternary numerical value with four types of vibration patterns on the right side of the handle, it becomes possible to represent 16 steps of the quaternary system. Thereby, the driver can easily understand the number of steps in the speed range from the numerical values indicated by the vibration patterns of each digit for the steps in the speed range.

Example

[0014] Up to this point, we have explained the use of positional numeral systems using base-4 and other methods, but below we will explain the use of positional numeral systems in vibration velocity meters, including the base (radix) of other values.

[0015] [Table 1] Table 1 above shows three types of tables for binary, ternary, and quaternary systems, labeled as Table (1.1), Table (1.2), and Table (1.3), respectively. The first row of each table shows the base, and the second row shows the names of the columns for "Step," "Second Digit," and "First Digit." However, the column names for "Second Digit" and "First Digit" are abbreviated to "Second Digit" and "First Digit" respectively due to insufficient width in the table. Note that each table in Table 1 explains the case where the maximum number of digits is limited to two. However, this limit on the number of digits is actually unnecessary, and it is possible to increase the number of digits further. Furthermore, it is assumed that the tactile velocity meter of the present invention outputs vibrations of the required vibration pattern according to the numerical values ​​in each row of digits. Furthermore, the first and second rows from the bottom of each table show, for reference, the number of vibration patterns required for each digit. Specifically,

[0016] Table (1.1) shows that in binary, if the 0th level is not included, it is possible to represent 3 levels, and the number of vibration patterns requires one type of vibration output for the first digit and one type for the second digit. Table (1.2) shows that in the ternary system, if the 0th level is not included, it is possible to represent 8 levels, and the number of vibration patterns requires 2 types of vibration output for the first digit and 2 types for the second digit. Table (1.3) shows that in the quaternary system, if the 0th level is not included, it is possible to represent 15 levels, and the number of vibration patterns requires 3 types for the first digit and 3 types for the second digit. Here, for example, the first digit of each table represents the vibration output of the left vibrating part 18 of the handle 17 in Figure 1, the second digit represents the vibration output of the right vibrating part 19 of the handle 17 in Figure 1, and assuming that the left and right vibrating parts (18 and 19) can use the same vibration pattern, the above results can be summarized again: Using binary, it is possible to represent three speed ranges using only one type of vibration pattern. Using the ternary system, it is possible to represent eight speed ranges by utilizing two types of vibration patterns. Using a quaternary system, it becomes possible to represent 15 speed ranges by utilizing three types of vibration patterns. Although this explanation does not include stage 0, a tactile velocity meter that utilizes stage 0 is also possible. Therefore, these tables show that by using vibration patterns that follow positional numeral systems of decimal or lower, it is possible to represent multiple speed ranges using vibration patterns with a small number of types of vibration patterns. This has the advantage that vehicle drivers can grasp multiple speed ranges with a small number of types of vibration patterns, and can always and easily understand the number of speed ranges they represent without relying on visual cues. [Examples]

[0017] Next, we will explain examples of vibration pattern outputs using Figures 2, 3, and 4. Here, since the explanation can be simplified by making each vibration pattern similar to the explanation in musical notation, these diagrams show and explain the vibration pattern for one measure (hereinafter simply referred to as "vibration pattern") corresponding to each stage of the speed range. Furthermore, each measure in these diagrams is assumed to be in 4 / 4 time, and is shown divided into four columns A, B, C, and D separated by four dotted lines. Instead of musical notes, the vibration output is shown as vibration quantities in bar graphs. Furthermore, the vibration pattern for one measure is repeatedly output to the interior of the vehicle when traveling within the same speed range. Furthermore, since the symbols in columns A, B, C, and D repeat the same pattern across all speed ranges, their inclusion in columns other than the first four was omitted. Furthermore, the vertical axis shows each digit of the number as the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st digit from the top. However, the 3rd digit is not shown in Figures 3 and 4 to avoid making the diagrams too long. Furthermore, the two-way arrow lines shown in the lower section indicate the same speed range, and the speed indications from 0 to S10 show the minimum and maximum speed ranges for each speed range simplified with a ~ symbol.

[0018] Figure 2 shows vibration patterns using a 3-digit ternary number system (using three values: 0, 1, and 2). Each pattern represents a vibration output corresponding to 2 / 4 time, and the output of each vibration is defined as a vibration output with a rest between it and the next vibration (a beat without subsequent vibration outputs is simply referred to as a "rest"). Furthermore, the "2 / 4 time signature" mentioned above means that each measure in the diagram consists of four beats, and two of those beats are involved in the vibration output. Figure 2 will be explained in detail below.

[0019] Specifically, in the 00 step of the speed range, the first digit of the oscillation is a rest, rest, rest, rest (hereinafter referred to as a whole rest), and the second and third digits of the oscillation are both whole rests, both of which are 0. In the 01 step of the speed range, the first digit of the oscillation indicates 1 for output, rest, rest, rest, while the second and third digits of the oscillation indicate 0 for a whole rest. In the 02 speed range, the first digit of the vibration indicates 2 (output, rest, output, rest), while the second and third digits of the vibration indicate 0 (whole rest). In the 10-step speed range, the first-digit vibration is a whole rest, indicating 0; the second-digit vibration is a rest, output, rest, rest, indicating 1; and the third-digit vibration is a whole rest, indicating 0. It becomes clear that the carry-over occurred due to the first vibration output of the second digit and the whole rest of the first-digit vibration. In the 11th and 12th speed ranges, the second-digit vibration repeatedly outputs the same vibration pattern as the 10th speed range, while the first-digit vibration outputs the same vibration pattern as the 01st and 02nd speed ranges, respectively. In the speed ranges of 20, 21, and 22, the second-digit vibration is rest, output, rest, output. This makes it possible to understand that the second digit of the speed range stage has reached 2. As the speed level increases further, the first-digit vibration outputs the same vibration pattern as the 00 to 02 steps in the speed range. Note that for all steps in the speed range up to this point, the third-digit vibration is a whole rest and remains 0 (zero). In the 300-step speed range, the third-digit vibration is represented by 1 (output, rest, rest, rest), while the first and second-digit vibrations are represented by 0 (zero) (whole rest). By continuing to increase the speed levels in this way, and by creating three points of vibration output within the vehicle (on the left and right of the steering wheel and in the seats), it becomes possible to increase the number of speed range levels to a total of 18 (including level 00). In this ternary vibration output, the vibration output within each sub-measure of each digit number simply distinguishes between three velocity patterns: 0, 1, and 2 times. Therefore, by understanding the vibration frequencies at the three locations mentioned above, it becomes easy to determine the stages within the velocity range. [Examples]

[0020] Figure 3 shows the vibration patterns when using a 2-digit base-4 number system (using four types of numbers: 0, 1, 2, and 3), and each vibration pattern is an output vibration corresponding to a 3 / 4 time signature. in particular, In the 00 step of the speed range, the vibration patterns of the first and second digits are both whole rests. In the 01 speed range, the vibration pattern for the first digit is output, rest, rest, rest, and the vibration pattern for the second digit is a whole rest. In the 02 speed range, the vibration pattern for the first digit is output, output, rest, rest, and the vibration pattern for the second digit is a whole rest. In the 03 speed range, the vibration pattern for the first digit is output, output, output, rest, and the vibration pattern for the second digit is a whole rest. In the 10-step speed range, the first digit of the vibration pattern is a whole rest, and the second digit of the vibration pattern is output, rest, rest, rest. The initial output of this second-digit vibration pattern, combined with the complete resting of the first-digit vibration pattern, makes it clear that a carry-over occurred. In the speed range from 11 to 13 levels, the second-digit vibration pattern outputs the same vibration pattern as in level 10, while the first-digit vibration pattern outputs the same vibration pattern as in levels 01 to 03 of each speed range. In the speed range of 20 to 23 steps, the second-digit vibration pattern is always output, output, rest, rest, and it can be understood that the second-digit of each step in each speed range is 2. Furthermore, as the step level increases, the vibration pattern of the first digit will output the same vibration pattern as the speed range from step 00 to step 03. However, the output pattern diagrams for steps 22 and 23 have been omitted. Furthermore, since we only need to distinguish whether the vibration output of the repeating vibration pattern is 0, 1, 2, or 3 times, it becomes easy to determine the speed range stage. Although Figure 3 depicts the second and third vibration outputs as if they were continuous vibrations, it may be necessary to clearly distinguish the vibration patterns by intervening with short periods of vibration cessation. [Examples]

[0021] Figure 4 shows the vibration patterns when using a 2-digit base-5 number system (using four types of numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4), with each vibration pattern representing an output vibration corresponding to a 4 / 4 time signature. in particular, In the 00 step of the speed range, all vibration patterns for the first, second, and third digits are all rests. In the 01 speed range, the vibration pattern for the first digit is output, rest, rest, rest, and the vibration pattern for the second digit is a whole rest. In the 02 speed range, the vibration pattern for the first digit is output, output, rest, rest, and the vibration pattern for the second digit is a whole rest. In the 03 speed range, the vibration pattern for the first digit is output, output, output, rest, and the vibration pattern for the second digit is a whole rest. In the 04 speed range, the vibration pattern for the first digit is output, output, output, output, and the vibration pattern for the second digit is a whole rest. In the 10-step speed range, the first digit of the vibration pattern is a whole rest, and the second digit of the vibration pattern is output, rest, rest, rest. The initial output of this second-digit vibration pattern, combined with the complete resting of the first-digit vibration pattern, explains the carry-over, which means the second digit of the speed range stage has become 1. In the speed range from 11 to 14 levels, the second-digit vibration pattern outputs the same vibration pattern as level 10, and as the level increases, the first-digit vibration pattern outputs the same vibration pattern as levels 00 to 04 in each respective speed range. Furthermore, since the vibration output within the repeated measures here is simply distinguished into four types—0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 times—a driver with even a slight musical sense can easily determine the speed range. While we have explained up to the base-5 system, similar effects occur in output patterns of base-6 and above. However, as we approach the base-10 system, the oscillation patterns become more complex, and the simplicity gradually decreases. Nevertheless, even positional numeral systems close to the base-10 system can be useful in some cases, such as when only a small number of steps are actually used despite the large number of steps, or when there are many initial steps that are used for filtering. [Examples]

[0022] This tactile speedometer allows the driver to easily determine the speed range of the vehicle using only their sense of touch. Therefore, it can be used as a tactile speedometer for speed violation warnings, constantly outputting vibrations inside the vehicle indicating the fines and penalty points for each speed range. I will now explain a specific example. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department assigns penalty points for speeding violations on public roads to five different groups of drivers, corresponding to the degree of speeding: 1 point, 2 points, 3 points, 6 points, and 12 points. Looking at these in detail, the initial point increase is 1 point at a time. However, from a certain point onward, the point increase doubles, and once the penalty points reach 6, the violation becomes punishable by "imprisonment for up to 6 months or a fine of up to 100,000 yen," meaning that speeding violations are treated as criminal offenses. For this reason, special attention is required to speeding violations that change from 3 points to 6 points.

[0023] Therefore, using the vehicle speed S1 in Figure 3 (vibration pattern in base 4), as the starting speed for speeding, The 00 scale represents the speed of a vehicle without any violations. Stage 01 starts at vehicle speed S1 and is a speed range where the penalty point is 1 point. The second stage starts at vehicle speed S2, and the speed range incurs a penalty of 2 points. The 03 stage starts with vehicle speed S3, and the speed range incurs a penalty of 3 points. The 10 levels start with vehicle speed S4, and the speed ranges in which penalty points are 6. The 11 levels start with vehicle speed S5 and include speed ranges with 12 penalty points. So, Level 00 indicates no vibration output at all, meaning the speed limit has not been reached, resulting in a vibration-free state. In the 01 stage, the first digit outputs a vibration that repeats once per measure, while the second digit represents no vibration. In the 02 stage, the first digit outputs a vibration that repeats twice per measure, while the second digit is silent. In the 03 stage, the first digit outputs a vibration that repeats 3 times per measure, while the second digit represents no vibration. The 10-level setting means that the first digit represents no vibration, and the second digit represents repeated vibrations at a rate of once per measure. In the 11-step system, the first digit outputs a repeating vibration once per measure, and the second digit outputs a vibration pattern once per measure. Therefore, in stages 01 to 03, only the vibration unit 18 on the left side of the steering wheel 17 outputs a vibration of the first digit, and from stage 10 onwards, the vibration unit 19 on the right side of the steering wheel 17 adds a vibration output of the second digit, making it possible for the driver to clearly feel that the situation is different from stage 10, thereby creating a "tactile speedometer specialized for speeding violations" that indicates that the speeding violation has reached a stage requiring special attention (a speed range that incurs criminal penalties). As mentioned earlier, the key feature of this tactile speedometer is that it uses a quaternary output pattern, making it easy to use as it only requires understanding each vibration representing a level from 0 to 3. Furthermore, only the driver can access the information from the tactile speedometer, and this information is not transmitted to passengers, thus preventing the leakage of speeding violation information to them. Furthermore, as explained earlier, it has the advantage of being able to identify stages that require special attention by utilizing the characteristics of carry-overs. [Examples]

[0024] Generally, vehicles often travel at speeds around the speed limit. For this reason, for example, in the quaternary vibration pattern of Figure 3, there is a lot of driving that fluctuates between the 03 steps between speeds S3 and S4, and the 10 steps between speeds S4 and S5. However, this vibration can sometimes result in alternating vibration outputs, as the first digit of the 03-step scale has a vibration output of 1 beat (value 1), and the second digit of the 10-step scale has a vibration output of 3 beats (value 3). This output is similar to the vibration pattern of the 13-step scale between speeds S7 and S8 in the speed range, where the first digit of the vibration indicates 1 beat (value 1), and the second digit of the 10-step scale indicates 3 beats (value 3). This difference in speed steps could lead to the misunderstanding that the speed range starts from speed S7, three steps above the speed limit S4, which is a significant potential source of confusion. Therefore, it is difficult to completely eliminate this misunderstanding, but if the vibration output in which the first-digit vibration pattern of stage 03 and the second-digit vibration pattern of stage 04 alternate is closer to velocity S4 than the misleading vibration pattern (stage 13), it may be possible to reduce the level of misunderstanding and make it acceptable. The output vibration pattern that makes this possible is shown in Figure 5, "Vibration pattern with quaternary number prediction function".

[0025] Figure 5 shows an output pattern similar to Figure 3, but the number of vibrating beats in stages 01 to 03 in Figure 3 is different from that in Figure 5. In Figure 3, the number of vibrating beats increases in the order of stages 01, 02, and 03, whereas in Figure 5, the number of vibrating beats decreases in the order of stages 01, 02, and 03. This corresponds to the first digit of the value obtained by adding 1 to the quaternary complement of each stage number. Therefore, even if there is a vibration output during driving where the vibration pattern of the first digit of the 03 level and the vibration pattern of the second digit of the 04 level alternate, the value will be mistakenly perceived as 11 levels, where the first digit is 1 beat (numerical value 1) and the second digit is also 1 beat (numerical value 1). This makes it possible to reduce the misleading stage to a speed range starting from speed S5, one step higher than the original speed limit S4, thereby reducing the number of misleading speed range stages and improving the reliability of the vibration speed meter of the present invention. Furthermore, since the number of beats accompanied by vibration is reduced in the order of 01, 02, and 03, it becomes possible to also have a function that indicates the number of remaining speed ranges up to the carry-over indicating the speed limit S4 using the last digit. [Examples]

[0026] Up until now, vibration patterns have been represented by the presence or absence of horizontal or vertical lines within the beat frame to indicate vibration output within a measure. However, other examples of vibration patterns are listed in Figure 6, which shows excerpts from within the measure frame. Figure 6 shows five types of vibration patterns, labeled (1) to (5), arranged vertically and connected at both ends with dashed lines. As explained earlier, each vibration pattern is designed to repeat the vibration within one measure and output it inside the vehicle within the same speed range. Also, here, each vibration pattern is explained assuming an 8 / 8 time signature, and the absence of vibration output is indicated by a dashed vertical line. Furthermore, each measure is explained using the third stage of the speed range, which corresponds to the numerical value 3, as an example.

[0027] Figures 6(1) and (2) show the presence or absence of vibration output, respectively, divided into black-filled beats (hereinafter referred to as "black") and uncolored beats (hereinafter referred to as "white"). Black indicates the presence of vibration output, and white indicates the absence of vibration output. The vibration pattern in (1) outputs "black, white, black, white, black, white, white, white" starting from the first beat of the 8 beats. Since there are three black notes, this vibration pattern represents the number 3. Furthermore, it becomes possible to represent numerical values ​​with vibrations by increasing or decreasing the number of black notes. In the vibration pattern of (2), black represents a vibration output treated as a quarter note with twice the length, and white represents an eighth rest. The vibration pattern in (3) is the same as the vibration pattern in (1), but instead of blacked-out beats, a series of vertical lines indicates the vibration output, and the series of vertical lines represents a vibration output with rhythm. This same rhythm is applied to subsequent patterns of series of vertical lines as well. The rhythm is controlled by the intensity of the vibration and the period of repetition of the vibration. The vibration pattern in (4) is a vibration pattern in which the vibration output has a rhythm and the output width gradually increases, such as with eighth notes, quarter notes, and half notes. The vibration pattern in (5) is a vibration pattern in which the output width of the rhythmic vibration output gradually increases, and the amount of vibration output also changes. [Examples]

[0028] Up to this point, we have focused on vibration as a mechanical stimulus to the skin within the sense of touch, but the sense of touch also includes mechanical stimuli to the skin, electrical stimuli, and temperature stimuli. Among these, braille displays are known to provide mechanical stimulation to the skin by using the vertical movement of pins to allow the fingertips to feel the protrusion of the pin tips. Braille is made up of combinations of six dots arranged in a 3x2 grid, called "cells." The rule for numbers is to place a "number symbol" in the first cell and write the Braille number in the second cell. However, since tactile speedometers only use numbers, a pin arrangement corresponding to the second cell is sufficient. Furthermore, the second cell can also represent numbers from 0 to 9 using a combination of four dots arranged in a 2x2 grid. Therefore, by installing cells with a 2x2 grid and four dots in place of vibration units 17 and 18, a tactile speedometer indicating speed ranges from 0 to 9 can be realized. However, a certain amount of prior study time will be necessary for a healthy driver to understand the 10 different pin arrangements for 0 to 9. Therefore, by limiting the number of different digits used, the amount of prior study required can be reduced, making the use of positional numeral systems with small values ​​effective. Furthermore, while thermal heads commonly used in thermal printers generate excessively high temperatures, by reducing power consumption and switching to a lower heating temperature, and by installing them on the left and right sides of the handle, it becomes possible to realize a tactile speedometer. Furthermore, by installing electrodes for a health device that utilizes electrical stimulation on the left and right sides of the handlebars, it is possible to prepare a tactile velocity meter. The components required for implementing any of these tactile speedometers in a vehicle are already based on established technology, and the tactile speedometers are ready to be realized at any time. [Industrial applicability]

[0029] In addition to the speedometer installed in a normal vehicle, the tactile speedometer of the present invention, which has vibration generating parts (vibration parts) installed on the steering wheel, seat, etc., that the driver of the vehicle is constantly in contact with, becomes available as an output of the tactile speedometer that constantly displays the stages of the speed range corresponding to the vehicle speed. Furthermore, it can be used as a tactile speedometer that constantly informs the driver of the stage of the speeding violation when speeding is committed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1 is the drive unit, 2 is the transmission, 3 is the wheel, 4 is the sign recognition unit, 5 is the speed detection unit, 6 is the GPS detection / processing unit, 7 is the speed setting value input unit, 8 is the energy control unit, 9 is the energy source, 10 is the control unit, 11 is the display unit. 15 is the vibration signal generator, 17 is the steering wheel, 18 is the left steering wheel vibration unit, 19 is the right steering wheel vibration unit, 20 is the seat, 21 is the seat vibration unit, and A, B, C, and D are the beats within the measure.

Claims

1. A vehicle in which the vehicle's speed is divided into multiple stepped speed ranges, and multiple vibration units or the like that generate different tactile information such as vibrations according to the number of steps in each speed range, A tactile speedometer that uses tactile information, characterized in that the number of steps in the speed range is represented by a positional numeral value of decimal or less, and multiple vibration units share the output of vibration patterns, etc., that represent the numerical value of each digit of the positional numeral.

2. A vehicle in which the vehicle's speed is divided into multiple stepped speed ranges, and multiple vibration units are arranged to generate different tactile information such as vibrations according to the number of steps in each speed range, The number of steps in the aforementioned speed range is expressed using a positional numeral system of decimal or lower, and only the first digit representing the number of steps in the aforementioned speed range is replaced with a new first digit by adding 1 to the complement of the first digit. A tactile speedometer that uses tactile information, characterized by outputting the vibration pattern of the first digit indicated by the new value inside the vehicle.

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