A control device for switching the display function of a mobile device on or off, and the system thereof.

Abstract

To provide a control device that facilitates the driver turning on or off the display function of a mobile device while operating a saddle-type vehicle. [Solution] The control device includes an acquisition unit that acquires signals from sensors that measure physical quantities based on the actions of the driver of a saddle-type vehicle, a determination unit that determines whether the driver has performed a predetermined gesture based on the physical quantity, and a command generation unit that generates a command to switch the display function of a portable device equipped with navigation and display functions on or off when the determination unit determines that the predetermined gesture has been performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device that determines a predetermined gesture of a driver operating a saddle-type vehicle and switches on or off the display function of a mobile device equipped with a navigation function and a display function when the predetermined gesture is determined, and a system including the control device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in saddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles, the case where a smartphone equipped with a navigation function is attached to a holder attached to the vehicle body and the driver of the saddle-type vehicle tours while referring to the navigation information displayed on the smartphone has been increasing. At this time, since it is extremely difficult for the driver to operate the display screen of the smartphone while driving, a technique has been developed in which an operating device is provided near the handle of the saddle-type vehicle to facilitate the operation of the display screen of the smartphone by the driver.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, motorcycle handlebars are equipped with switches for electrical equipment such as horns and headlights, and bicycle handlebars are equipped with switches for bells and gear shifts. Adding more complex switches near the handlebars requires careful consideration of the structure and layout to minimize the risk of accidental operation. Furthermore, while the navigation function is active, the smartphone screen will continuously display navigation information, which will significantly drain the smartphone's battery if it continues for extended periods. On the other hand, drivers do not constantly refer to navigation information while driving, so it is desirable to be able to turn the display of navigation information on or off at the driver's discretion when needed.

[0005] This invention was made against the backdrop of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control device that allows the driver to easily turn on or off the display of navigation information on a smartphone at their discretion, while minimizing the impact on the driver's driving, and a system equipped with this control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The system according to the present invention comprises a sensor that measures a physical quantity based on the actions of a driver of a saddle-type vehicle, a portable device equipped with a navigation function and a display function that displays navigation information, and a control unit that determines whether the driver has performed a predetermined gesture based on the physical quantity measured by the sensor, and a command generation unit that generates a command to switch the display function on or off when the determination unit determines that the predetermined gesture has been performed.

[0007] Furthermore, the control device according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives signals from a sensor that measures a physical quantity based on the actions of the driver of a saddle-type vehicle, a determination unit that determines whether the driver has performed a predetermined gesture based on the physical quantity, and an execution unit that, when the determination unit determines that the predetermined gesture has been performed, switches the display function of a portable device equipped with a navigation function and a display function on or off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The system and control device according to the present invention determine whether the driver has performed a predetermined gesture based on physical quantities detected based on the driver's actions, and if it is determined that the predetermined gesture has been performed, the display function of the mobile device is switched on or off. As a result, the driver of a saddle-type vehicle can switch the display function on and off without directly touching the mobile device while driving, which significantly reduces battery consumption of the mobile device equipped with navigation functions, etc., and allows the driver to refer to the information displayed on the mobile device when needed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention mounted on a motorcycle or the like. [Figure 2] This figure shows the system configuration of the system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the operation flow of the control device of the system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows the operation flow of the control device of the system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the operation flow of the control device of the system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the operation flow of the control device of the system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The control device and system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The configurations and operations described below are merely examples, and the control device and system according to the present invention are not limited to such configurations and operations.

[0012] For example, the following explanation describes the case where the saddle-type vehicle is a motorcycle, but the saddle-type vehicle may also be a bicycle or a three-wheeled vehicle.

[0013] Furthermore, similar or identical explanations have been simplified or omitted as appropriate. Also, in each figure, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Additionally, detailed structural elements have been simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0014] Embodiment 1. The system according to Embodiment 1 is described below.

[0015] <System Configuration> The system configuration according to Embodiment 1 will now be described. Figure 1 shows the system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention mounted on a motorcycle 100. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the system configuration of the system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 1 includes a first sensor 11 attached to a helmet 50 worn by a driver to detect the movement of the driver's head, a control device 20, and a smartphone 30 which is an example of a portable device equipped with a navigation function and a screen display function. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the control device 20 and the smartphone 30 are described as separate devices, but the functions realized by the control device 20 may be built into the smartphone 30. Further, instead of or in addition to the first sensor 11 attached to the helmet 50, the sensor for detecting the movement of the driver may be a second sensor 12 built into a smartwatch (not shown) worn on the driver's wrist.

[0017] The first sensor 11 and the second sensor include a three-axis gyro sensor and a three-direction acceleration sensor, and output the detected inertia to the control device 20. The first sensor and the second sensor may detect other physical quantities that can be substantially converted into the inertia generated in the helmet 50.

[0018] The first sensor and the second sensor can exchange electrical signals with the control device 20 or the smartphone 30 by wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0019] The control device 20 includes at least an acquisition unit 21, a determination unit 22, a command generation unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a storage unit 25. Each part of the control device 20 may be provided together in one housing, or may be built into the smartphone 30. Further, a part or all of the control device 20 may be composed of, for example, a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, etc., or may be composed of something that can be updated such as firmware, or may be a program module executed by a command from a CPU or the like.

[0020] The acquisition unit 21 acquires measurements of a first physical quantity and a second physical quantity relating to the operation of at least one of the helmet 50 and the smartwatch from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor, respectively. The first physical quantity may be the acceleration generated in the helmet 50 based on the driver's head movement. The second physical quantity may be the acceleration generated in the smartwatch based on the driver's wrist movement.

[0021] The determination unit 22 uses at least one of the first and second physical quantities acquired by the acquisition unit 21 to determine whether the driver has performed a predetermined gesture. Here, a predetermined gesture refers to an action that indicates the driver's intention to switch between displaying navigation information on the smartphone 30 screen or not (i.e., turning the display function on or off). Specifically, this includes actions such as the driver looking down from the home position, which is the normal head position where the driver faces forward while driving straight on a paved road, to look at the smartphone 30 screen; the driver returning their head position to the home position from looking at the smartphone 30 screen; nodding multiple times in a row; tilting the head to the side; or tapping the handlebars multiple times with either the left or right hand. The determination of whether the driver has performed a predetermined gesture may be based on any one of the above actions, or on a combination of the above actions. For example, the determination of whether a predetermined gesture has been performed may be made when both the driver looking down to look at the smartphone 30 screen and the driver tapping the handlebars multiple times are confirmed.

[0022] To determine whether the driver has tilted their head down to view the screen of the smartphone 30, the driver's head position corresponding to their home position may be stored in the memory unit 25 beforehand. When the driver tilts their head down to view the screen of the smartphone 30, the distance traveled between the home position and the current head position is calculated from the acceleration generated in the helmet 50. If this distance reaches a predetermined distance, it may be determined that the driver has tilted their head down to view the screen of the smartphone. Alternatively, to determine whether the driver has returned their head position to their home position from the state of viewing the screen, the tilt of the helmet in the vertical and horizontal directions calculated from the signal of the first sensor may be calculated. If the tilt falls within the range of the helmet tilt corresponding to the pre-stored home position, it may be determined that the driver has returned their head position to their home position from the state of viewing the screen.

[0023] Whether the driver has nodded multiple times in a row can be determined by repeatedly detecting a vertical acceleration of a predetermined magnitude or greater within a predetermined time from the signal of the first sensor. The acceleration is calculated by simplifying the head movement and treating it as a linear acceleration: a = 2d / t 2 (Here, d is the distance the head moves, and t is the time taken for one way.) This can be calculated from the given formula. From this formula, the acceleration generated when the driver nods is 2 to 10 m / s². 2 The degree of this is such that the predetermined time can be calculated to be between 0.2 and 1.0 seconds. The same acceleration range and predetermined time can be used to calculate the same effect for the driver tilting their head to the side. Whether the driver performed the action of tapping the handlebars multiple times with either the left or right hand can be determined by repeatedly detecting an acceleration of a predetermined magnitude or greater from the signal of the second sensor within a predetermined time. Here, the acceleration generated when the driver taps the handlebars multiple times is 10 to 50 m / s². 2 The approximate duration is calculated to be 0.2 to 0.5 seconds.

[0024] The command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the display of navigation information on the smartphone 30 screen on or off, according to the determination result by the determination unit 22. In other words, when the detection unit detects a predetermined gesture such as looking down to view the smartphone 30 screen from the home position (the head position when the driver is facing forward while driving on a straight road), nodding multiple times in a row, tilting the head to the side, or tapping the handlebars multiple times with either the left or right hand, the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the display of navigation information on. Also, when the detection unit 22 determines that the driver's head position is in the home position, the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the display of navigation information off.

[0025] The communication unit 24 communicates wirelessly with the smartphone and transmits commands generated by the command generation unit 23. Wireless communication is performed using a short-range communication standard (e.g., Bluetooth®). If the functions of the control device 20 are built into the smartphone, data is exchanged within the smartphone 30.

[0026] In this invention, the smartphone 30 is equipped with a navigation function and a display function. The navigation function is a function that calculates the optimal route from the current location to the destination and calculates the direction to proceed, distance, and required time in real time, and the display function is a function that displays the navigation information on the smartphone screen. In this invention, the expression "on or off the display function" refers to turning the display function itself on or off, and it is assumed that the navigation function itself operates regardless of whether the display function is on or off. The system receives a command transmitted by the communication unit 24 and, according to that command, switches the display of navigation information on the screen on or off. In this case, if the display switching instructed by the command already matches the current display state, that is, if the command instructs to turn on the screen display but the current screen display is already on, or if the command instructs to turn off the screen display but the current display is already off, the smartphone 30 may be provided with a function to cancel the command. Alternatively, such a cancellation function may be provided within the control device 20.

[0027] <Operation of the Information Management System> The operation of the information management system according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the control device 20 of the system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] The control device 20 executes the operation flow shown in Figure 3.

[0029] (Acquisition Step) In step S101, the acquisition unit 21 acquires physical quantities based on the driver's movements detected by the first sensor.

[0030] (Judgment step) In step S102, the determination unit 22 determines whether the driver performed a predetermined gesture based on the physical quantity acquired in step S101. Specifically, it determines whether the driver turned downwards to look at the screen of their smartphone. If it is determined that the specified gesture occurred (yes), the process proceeds to step S103; if it is determined that the specified gesture did not occur (no), the process is restarted from the beginning.

[0031] (Command generation step) In step S103, the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the smartphone 30 screen display on or off according to the determination result of the determination unit 22. In this embodiment, it is determined that a predetermined gesture has been made in which the driver looks down to view the smartphone screen, so the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the display function on.

[0032] (Communication step) In step S104, the communication unit 24 sends the command generated by the command generation unit to the smartphone.

[0033] (Execution step) In step S105, based on the command generated by the command generation unit, the execution unit 31 performs a process to turn on the display function that displays navigation information on the smartphone screen (yes). However, if the display function that displays navigation information on the smartphone screen is already turned on, the execution unit 31 terminates the process without performing the said process (no).

[0034] (Display control step) In step S106, the display control unit 32 performs processing to display navigation information on the smartphone screen based on the processing performed by the execution unit 31.

[0035] <System Effects> The effects of the information management system according to Embodiment 1 will be explained. Drivers can turn on the screen display function of their smartphone without directly touching it by performing a predetermined gesture that does not interfere with driving. This allows drivers to safely access navigation information when needed while driving, while minimizing smartphone battery consumption.

[0036] <Operation of the Information Management System> The operation of the system according to Embodiment 2 will now be described. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the control device of the system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0037] (Acquisition Step) In step S201, the acquisition unit 21 acquires a physical quantity representing the driver's actions detected by the first sensor.

[0038] (First judgment step) In step S202, the determination unit 22 determines whether the driver performed a predetermined gesture based on the physical quantities acquired in step S201. Specifically, it determines whether the acceleration measured by the first sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold in order to determine whether the driver performed a nodding motion. If it is determined that the acceleration detected by the first sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold (yes), the process proceeds to step S203; if it is determined that the predetermined threshold was not exceeded (no), the process is restarted from the beginning.

[0039] (Second Judgment Step) In step S203, the determination unit 22 determines whether the acceleration detected by the first sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold within a predetermined time since the acceleration was detected in step S202, in order to determine whether the driver performed a second nodding motion. If it is determined that the acceleration detected by the first sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold within a predetermined time (yes), the process proceeds to step S204; otherwise, the process is restarted from the beginning.

[0040] (Command generation step) In step S204, the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the smartphone 30's screen display on or off according to the determination result of the determination unit 22. In this embodiment, it is determined that the driver has performed a predetermined gesture, which is nodding multiple times (twice in this embodiment), so the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the display function on.

[0041] (Communication step) In step S205, the communication unit 24 sends the command generated by the command generation unit to the smartphone.

[0042] (Execution step) In step S206, based on the command generated by the command generation unit, the execution unit 31 executes a process to turn on the display function that displays navigation information on the smartphone screen (yes). However, if the display function that displays navigation information on the smartphone screen is already turned on, the execution unit 31 terminates the process without executing the said process (no).

[0043] (Display control step) In step S207, the display control unit 32 performs processing to display navigation information on the smartphone screen based on the processing performed by the execution unit 31.

[0044] <System Effects> The effects of the information management system according to Embodiment 2 will be explained. Since the system determines whether the driver has performed a predetermined gesture based on multiple nodding motions, it can improve the accuracy of detecting the presence or absence of the driver's predetermined gesture compared to determination based on a single motion.

[0045] <Operation of the Information Management System> The operation of the system according to Embodiment 3 will now be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the control device of the system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0046] (Acquisition Step) In step S301, the acquisition unit 21 acquires physical quantities representing the driver's actions detected by the first sensor and the second sensor.

[0047] (First judgment step) In step S302, the determination unit 22 determines whether the driver performed a predetermined gesture based on the physical quantity detected by the first sensor acquired in step S301. Specifically, it determines whether the driver turned downwards to look at the screen of a smartphone. If it is determined that the predetermined gesture occurred (yes), the process proceeds to step S303; if it is determined that the predetermined gesture did not occur (no), the process returns to the beginning.

[0048] (Second Judgment Step) In step S303, the determination unit 22 determines whether the acceleration detected by the second sensor exceeded a predetermined threshold multiple times within a predetermined time in order to determine whether the driver performed the action of tapping the handlebar multiple times. If it is determined that the acceleration detected by the second sensor has exceeded a predetermined threshold multiple times within a predetermined time (yes), the process proceeds to step S304; otherwise, it is determined that the condition is not met (no), the process returns to the beginning.

[0049] (Command generation step) In step S304, the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the smartphone 30 screen display on or off according to the determination result of the determination unit 22. In this embodiment, it is determined that a predetermined gesture has been performed based on the detection that the driver looks down to look at the smartphone screen and simultaneously taps the handlebar multiple times, so the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the display function on.

[0050] (Communication step) In step S305, the communication unit 24 sends the command generated by the command generation unit to the smartphone.

[0051] (Execution step) In step S306, based on the command generated by the command generation unit, the execution unit 31 executes a process to turn on the display function that displays navigation information on the smartphone screen (yes). However, if the display function that displays navigation information on the smartphone screen is already turned on, the execution unit 31 terminates the process without executing the said process (no).

[0052] (Display control step) In step S307, the display control unit 32 performs processing to display navigation information on the smartphone screen based on the processing performed by the execution unit 31.

[0053] <System Effects> The effects of the information management system according to Embodiment 3 will be explained. By determining whether the driver performed a predetermined gesture based on whether they simultaneously looked down to view their smartphone screen and tapped the handlebars multiple times, the accuracy of detecting the presence or absence of the predetermined gesture can be improved compared to detection based on a single action.

[0054] <Operation of the Information Management System> The operation of the system according to Embodiment 4 will now be described. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the operation flow of the control device of the system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0055] (Acquisition Step) In step S401, the acquisition unit 21 acquires a physical quantity representing the driver's actions detected by the first sensor.

[0056] (Judgment step) In step S402, the determination unit 22 determines whether the driver performed a predetermined gesture based on the physical quantity acquired in step S401. Specifically, it determines whether the driver moved their head to the home position. If it is determined that the specified gesture occurred (yes), the process proceeds to step S403; otherwise, the process is restarted from the beginning.

[0057] (Command generation step) In step S403, the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the display of the smartphone 30 on or off according to the determination result of the determination unit 22. In this embodiment, it is determined that a predetermined gesture has been made in which the driver has moved their head to the home position, so the command generation unit 23 generates a command to switch the display function off.

[0058] (Communication step) In step S404, the communication unit 24 sends the command generated by the command generation unit 23 to the smartphone.

[0059] (Execution step) In step S405, based on the command generated by the command generation unit, the execution unit 31 performs a process to turn on the display function that displays navigation information on the smartphone screen (yes). However, if the display function that displays navigation information on the smartphone screen is already off, the execution unit 31 terminates the process without performing the said process (no).

[0060] (Display control step) In step S406, the display control unit 32 performs a process to turn off the smartphone screen based on the processing performed by the execution unit 31.

[0061] <System Effects> The effects of the information management system according to Embodiment 1 will be explained. Drivers can turn off the screen display function without directly touching their smartphone simply by performing a designated gesture, thus reducing smartphone battery consumption without interfering with driving.

[0062] Although Embodiments 1 to 4 have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the descriptions of each embodiment. For example, only a part of each embodiment may be implemented, or all or part of each embodiment may be combined. Furthermore, in order to further improve the accuracy of detecting the driver's movements, signals from sensors that detect the vehicle's behavior may be incorporated into the predetermined gesture determination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 System, 11 First sensor, 12 Second sensor, 20 Control device, 21 Acquisition unit, 22 Judgment unit, 23 Command generation unit, 24 Communication unit, 25 Memory unit, 30 Smartphone, 31 Execution unit, 32 Display control unit, 50 Helmet, 100 Motorcycle.

Claims

1. Sensors (11, 12) that measure physical quantities based on the actions of the driver of a saddle-type vehicle and A portable device (30) equipped with a navigation function and a display function for displaying navigation information and A control unit comprising: a determination unit (22) that determines whether the driver has performed a predetermined gesture based on a physical quantity measured by the sensor; and a command generation unit (23) that generates a command to switch the display function on or off when the determination unit determines that the predetermined gesture has been performed, A system equipped with these features.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is attached to a helmet (50) worn by the driver.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is built into a smartwatch worn on the driver's wrist.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the predetermined gesture has been performed when it detects the driver repeating the same action.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the predetermined gesture has been performed when an acceleration of a predetermined magnitude or greater is repeatedly detected within a predetermined time.

7. The system according to claim 2, wherein when the determination unit determines that the helmet is in the home position, the command generation unit generates a command to turn off the display function.

8. An acquisition unit (21) that acquires signals from sensors that measure physical quantities related to the movements of the driver of a saddle-type vehicle, A determination unit (22) that determines whether the driver performed a predetermined gesture based on the aforementioned physical quantity, When the predetermined gesture is determined by the determination unit, a command generation unit (23) generates a command to switch the display function of a mobile device (30) equipped with a navigation function and a display function on or off, A control device equipped with the following features.

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