Speedometers that utilize touch and hearing

Abstract

The present invention provides a device that divides the vehicle's speed into multiple stepped speed ranges and outputs different tactile or auditory information according to the number of steps in each speed range. [Solution] The number of speed range steps in the tactile speedometer is changed from the usual decimal number to a lower base n number, and the number of different values ​​used by each digit of the new base n number is reduced, thereby reducing the total number of numerical patterns used by the tactile speedometer to display numerical values, making it easier to understand the number of speed range steps via touch. Furthermore, it is possible to change the type of base n number used for each speed range step, so that the speed range indicated by the first digit of each base n number is shown in the same speed range unit across the entire speed range, making it possible to unify the speed range of the first digit. This enables the speedometer to display speed in a unified speed range unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is a speedometer for vehicles that utilizes tactile and auditory senses.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicle speedometers are generally presented as visual information. Therefore, a driver estimates the vehicle speed from the engine sound generated by the vehicle and the scenery passing by, and sometimes checks the speed by looking at the speedometer. However, the act of looking at the speedometer interrupts the forward view, resulting in a time of inattention ahead. For this reason, drivers tend to reduce the frequency of checking the speedometer, and accordingly, are likely to violate the speed limit. Due to such circumstances, in recent years, proposals have been made for speedometers that utilize hearing or the like 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] [[ID=�0]] Conventional speedometers that utilize touch and hearing have included a speedometer that divides the vehicle's speed (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle speed") into multiple speed ranges in stages, and associates the number of stages with multiple musical pieces, etc., so that the musical pieces, etc., are superimposed as the vehicle speed increases, and the number of stages in the speed range is indicated by the number of types of superimposed musical pieces, etc. There are also speedometers that generate vibration output to the steering wheel or driver's seat to alert the driver with vibrations like an alarm when the vehicle is driving in a special speed range, such as a speeding violation. While it is easy to use this vibration output as an alarm to indicate several speed limits, it is believed that there are limitations to realizing a tactile speedometer that indicates 10 or more speed ranges simply by distinguishing vibration outputs, as the distinction between outputs would become too complicated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The speedometer of the present invention is a tactile speedometer that uses touch and other senses to easily understand the number of speed range steps by outputting a fixed pattern (hereinafter referred to as "numerical pattern") that produces a different output depending on the numerical value of each step in the speed range as tactile or auditory information from the steering wheel or driver's seat of the vehicle. In the tactile speedometer of the present invention, the stages of the speed range are represented using a decimal or less base-n number (a method of representing a number by arranging several digits), and the distinction of each digit in the base-n number is divided among various output units installed on the left side of the steering wheel, the right side of the steering wheel, or in the driver's seat, and the numerical values ​​of each digit are distinguished and shown by their respective numerical patterns, making it possible to indicate a large number of speed range stages and speeds despite using only a small number of different numerical patterns. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The present invention A device that divides the speed of a vehicle into multiple stepped speed ranges and outputs different tactile or auditory information according to the number of steps in each speed range, Each step in the aforementioned speed range is represented by a base-n number of decimal or lower, and the base-n number is obtained by separating each digit. This speedometer converts each of the aforementioned numerical values ​​into corresponding numerical patterns and outputs them to the vehicle as tactile or auditory information. Therefore, even if the required speed range differs for the same speedometer, By appropriately changing and adopting the value n of a base-n number less than or equal to decimal, the first digit of the base-n number This makes it possible to unify the values ​​across the entire speed range into a single unit of speed range, and has the advantage of always being able to treat the first digit of each base-n number as the basic unit speed range for the speedometer of this invention. Furthermore, by using decimal or lower-ary number systems to display vehicle speed at multiple haptic information output units distributed within the vehicle, it becomes possible to limit the number of different numerical values ​​used in each digit. This simplifies the pre-training required to understand the meaning of the numerical patterns used, making it highly practical.

[0007] Furthermore, this invention A device that divides the speed of a vehicle into multiple stepped speed ranges and outputs different tactile or auditory information according to the number of steps in each speed range, Each step in the aforementioned speed range is represented by a base-n number of decimal or lower, and the base-n number is obtained by separating each digit. The first digit of the speedometer represents a unified unit of speed, and the second digit represents the type of speed range or the number of steps within that speed range. Therefore, the second digit of the value indicates the type of speed range and the number of stages within it, and it becomes possible to concretely understand the speed range they occupy using a unified speed unit indicated by the first digit. In particular, the display of speed in a unified speed unit for the first digit (5 km / h in this example) is a core function of the speedometer, and the simultaneous display of the type and number of speed ranges for the second digit makes it easier to grasp the specific speed. Specifically, the degree of vehicle speed within the speed range indicated by the second digit can be determined by multiplying the first digit displayed inside the vehicle by a speed unit (5 km / h in this example). Therefore, compared to simply recognizing that the vehicle is traveling within the speed range indicated by the second digit, it becomes possible to grasp the detailed vehicle speed within the speed range. Furthermore, if the initial speed within the speed range indicated by the second digit is understood, the absolute speed (distance traveled per unit time) is obtained by adding the initial speed multiplied by the unit speed (5 km / h in this example) to the first digit. Thus, the vehicle speed can be understood in absolute speed, just like with a normal speedometer that requires visual observation. Moreover, this invention has the advantage of enabling the vehicle speed to be determined at all times and in real time without distraction from the road ahead.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is A speedometer that divides the vehicle's speed into multiple stepped speed ranges and outputs different tactile or auditory information according to the number of steps in each speed range, wherein each step in the speed range is represented by an n-ary number in decimal or lower, the n-ary number is divided into digits, and the first digit of each digit is converted to the "n's complement" or "(n-1)'s complement" of the digit and output as tactile or auditory information inside the vehicle. Therefore, by simply replacing the first digit of the base-n number corresponding to the number of speed range stages used in this invention with the "complement of n" or the "complement of (n-1)", it becomes possible to indicate the number of stages remaining until a new speed range stage is reached as the vehicle increases speed, and conversely, as it decelerates, the driver can understand the number of stages that are moving away from the vehicle through changes in the pattern of tactile information. This has the advantage of emphasizing a special speed (such as a speed limit) to psychologically attract attention, much like the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve with "3, 2, 1". Furthermore, when the vehicle travels at a substantially constant speed, it may move back and forth near the boundary between two speed ranges. At this time, due to the alternating exchange of the numerical patterns indicating the low-speed range and the numerical patterns indicating the high-speed range, there may be a misidentification with other numerical patterns. Furthermore, although this misidentification may not be avoidable, there is an additional advantage that by making the numerical patterns on both sides of the boundary of the speed range smaller, it becomes possible to reduce the speed error of this misidentification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] Vehicle device layout diagram (Example 1) [Figure 2] Example of speed steps using quaternary numbers (Example 3) [Figure 3] Examples of output values and numerical patterns (Example 4) [Figure 4] Violation point table for general roads (Example 5) [Figure 5] Haptic speedometer using variable n-ary numbers (Example 6) (Example 7) (Example 8) [Figure 6] Examples of numerical patterns (Example 9) [Figure 7] Example of numerical pattern in Braille (Example 10)

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The haptic speedometer of the present invention divides the vehicle speed stepwise into speed ranges, reduces the number of types of required numerical patterns by converting the number of steps from the decimal number used in daily use to an n-ary number less than or equal to the decimal number, assigns the value of each digit of the n-ary number after the conversion to a plurality of output parts, and each output part repeatedly outputs the numerical patterns of the tactile and auditory information indicating the value of each digit, so that the driver can always understand the number of steps in the speed range of the vehicle being driven through touch and hearing. It is a speedometer for vehicles. In the following, all terms of "numerical value" and "number" are expressed as "number".

Examples

[0011] Figure 1 is an outline diagram of the vehicle's system for implementing the present invention, in which a drive unit 1, consisting of a motor and engine, drives a pair of wheels 3 via a transmission 2. The drive unit 1 rotates by receiving energy from an energy source 9 that stores electricity or gasoline, under the control of an energy control unit 8. This vehicle is driven by controlling the vehicle speed using a speed setting input unit 7, which is equivalent to controlling the accelerator and brake pedals inside the vehicle. The driving speed is detected by a speed detection unit 5, and the direction is controlled by a steering wheel 17. The explanation up to this point is somewhat abbreviated, but it is a general form of driving control for automobiles and the like.

[0012] The vehicle also has a traffic sign recognition unit 4 that recognizes speed limit signs on the road and a GPS information (Global Positioning System) detection and processing unit 6, each installed in appropriate locations. The data generated by these units is sent to the control unit 10, which will be described next. The control unit 10 performs calculations and controls for the necessary data, and the display unit 11 manages its human-machine interface. Furthermore, the control unit 10 instructs the output signal generation unit 15 on the type of numerical pattern to be output and the distinction between output units, via the left output unit 18 and the right output unit 19 of the steering wheel, which are installed in two locations on the left and right sides of the steering wheel 17, as well as the output unit 21 and the sound output unit 16 installed on the seat 20, so that each unit outputs a numerical pattern inside the vehicle. [Examples]

[0013] This section includes explanations of decimal numbers used in everyday life and base-n numbers (methods of representing values ​​by arranging several digits), and explains that the initial focus is on mechanical stimuli to the skin within tactile information. To understand the speed range stages using tactile information output, different numerical patterns indicating the required number of speed range stages are output to the steering wheel 17, etc., and the driver holding the steering wheel must immediately grasp these numerical patterns as numerical values ​​and determine the corresponding speed range stages, etc. Therefore, simply increasing the number of speed range steps leads to a complexity in the numerical patterns, making them increasingly difficult to understand. The countermeasures described below will be explained as follows, but from here on, we will assume that tactile information is vibration output, that the number of such vibration pulses represents a value, and that the number of pulses or other outputs within a unit time is the numerical pattern that represents the value. In reality, the numerical pattern also includes things like the number of protrusions per surface area, as in Braille, and the distribution of heat per unit area of ​​a minute heating element. As the maximum number of stages in this speed range increases, a problem arises where the number of pulsed outputs becomes too large to manage. However, if the maximum number of these pulsed outputs can be limited, this problem can be solved most effectively. In contrast, a helpful clue is that, for example, in binary numbers within a base-n number system, even values ​​that only use two digits, 0 (zero) and 1, can be represented by two digits to show four different values: 00, 01, 10, and 11. Focusing on this, the tactile speedometer of the present invention reduces the number of different numerical patterns required to indicate a speed range by utilizing base-n numbers with decimal or lower digits.

[0014] For example, when a quaternary number (a number system using four numbers from 0 to 3) is displayed with two digits, there are 16 possible values ​​between 00 and 33, but both the first and second digits utilize the same four values: 0, 1, 2, and 3. Therefore, the first digits 1, 2, and 3 (excluding 0) can be reinterpreted and represented as numerical patterns assigned to vibrations of 1 pulse / unit time, 2 pulses / unit time, and 3 pulses / unit time, respectively. The same numerical patterns can also be assigned to the second digits 1, 2, and 3, resulting in four types of numerical patterns (including the case where there is no output of value 0). By, for example, outputting vibrations from the left output unit 18 of the handle for the first digit and from the right output unit 19 of the handle for the second digit, it becomes possible to distinguish and understand the values ​​of the first and second digits. However, it is assumed that users have learned the rules for making that distinction in advance. By representing the first digit of these quaternary values ​​with four different numerical patterns on the left side of the steering wheel, and the second digit of these quaternary values ​​with four different numerical patterns on the right side of the steering wheel, it becomes possible to represent 16 levels in quaternary. This makes it easy for drivers to understand the number of levels in the speed range, etc. [Examples]

[0015] Figure 2 shows an example of speed stages using quaternary numbers. The horizontal axis represents vehicle speed (km / h), and the vertical axis items, from top to bottom, are the speed range stage, the second digit of the quaternary number, and the first digit of the quaternary number. Each stage within the same speed range is indicated by a double-headed arrow. The three items on the vertical axis are, from top to bottom: The speed range is divided into 20 km / h intervals. The second digit of the quaternary number represents a frame with a width of 20 km / h. The first digit of the quaternary number is shown separated by a box with a width of 5 km / h. The width of the frame for the speed range stages and the width of the frame for the second digit of the quaternary number are the same. This allows the second digit of the quaternary number to serve both as a function to indicate the speed range stage value in quaternary and as a function to indicate the speed range stage. These measures make it possible to display each vehicle speed to the driver or other relevant parties using a two-digit base-4 number. However, for the average person to understand the "stages" of the speed range, it is preferable to convert the quaternary number to decimal and present it that way. Note that the frame widths shown in Figure 2, with the first digit representing 5 km / h units and the second digit representing 20 km / h units, are specific to this example and are not fixed base-n numbers. To further explain the specific configuration in Figure 2, the speed range stage 0 is from vehicle speed 0 to 20 km / h. The first digit of the value consists of four levels: 0, 1, 2, and 3, in 5 km / h increments, allowing users to understand changes in vehicle speed in 5 km / h units.

[0016] Furthermore, the second digit remains 0 until the first digit (in base 4) carries over at 20 km / h, which is the same value as speed range stage 0. To understand the specific vehicle speed, for speeds from 0 km / h to 5 km / h, the first digit is 0, and the second digit is also 0, so the quaternary number is 00. Similarly, From 5 km / h to 10 km / h, the quaternary number is 01. From 10 km / h to 15 km / h, the quaternary number is 02. It can be determined that the quaternary number for speeds between 15 km / h and 20 km / h is 03. These two-digit quaternary values ​​indicate that the vehicle speed falls within the 0 range (0 to 20 km / h) because the second digit is 0. Furthermore, the first digit increases in increments of 5 km / h as the speed increases, so the vehicle speed is expressed in units of speed obtained by multiplying the first digit by 5 km / h. It should be noted that this speed indication, including an error of 5 km / h, is considered to have an acceptable level of accuracy for normal vehicle driving.

[0017] Similarly, in the speed range of Stage 1, from 20 to 40 km / h, The first digit of the value is divided into four stages from 20 km / h: 0, 1, 2, and 3. The second digit, 1, represents a range from 20 km / h to 40 km / h. This is due to a carry-over in the first digit of the quaternary number when the vehicle speed exceeds 20 km / h, resulting in the second digit being 1. Therefore, From 20 km / h to 25 km / h, the value is 10 in base 4. From 25 km / h to 30 km / h, the value is 11 in base 4. From 30 km / h to 35 km / h, the value is 12 in base 4. It can be determined that speeds between 35 km / h and 40 km / h correspond to the quaternary number 13. Similarly, speed ranges above 40 km / h can also be understood as quaternary values, and the four stages within the same range, divided into 5 km / h increments, can be understood as a single unit. Note that for speeds between 80 km / h and 100 km / h, the second digit needs to carry over, making the third digit in base 4 1. However, in this example, there is no third digit, so the second digit is tentatively represented as 10 in base 4, and also as (4) for clarity. Furthermore, in this example, the frame width for the first digit has been explained using units of 5 km / h, but the frame width can be freely changed to units such as 2 km / h or 10 km / h as needed. [Examples]

[0018] Next, Figure 3 illustrates an example of the relationship between the quaternary output value and the numerical pattern. In Figure 3, the horizontal axis represents vehicle speed, and the vertical axis represents the first and second digits of a base-4 number, each showing a range up to a vehicle speed of 80 km / h. Figure 3 also shows numerical patterns (1), (2), (3), and (4), with dotted arrows indicating the relationship between each output value and the numerical pattern they correspond to. Thick dotted arrows are for the first digit, and thin dotted arrows are for the second digit. These numerical patterns correspond to the output of a 3 / 4 time signature in musical notation, and each measure is divided into four sections to indicate the presence or absence of output. The presence or absence of output is indicated by the black-filled frame: black frames indicate output such as tactile information, while white frames indicate output such as tactile information. As long as the first and second digits of these values ​​are the same, the same numerical pattern will be repeated and output in measure units. Furthermore, the distinction between the first and second digits is made by outputting to output units 18 and 19 added to the left and right of the steering wheel 17, or to output unit 21 on the seat 20, etc. These features make it possible to understand vehicle speeds with a minimum speed unit of 5 km / h using only four types of numerical output patterns. Note that the fourth of the four boxes in the first digit of the numerical pattern is always filled in white. This is to clearly indicate the division, and in musical terms, it is equivalent to the last note of a measure always being a rest. [Examples]

[0019] 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 displaying the fines and penalty points for each speed range within the vehicle, as well as as an auditory speedometer. The following is a specific example of such a target. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department publishes different penalty points and fines for speeding violations for general roads and expressways, and the speed limits also differ, albeit slightly, depending on the type of violation. Furthermore, the conditions for license suspension or revocation vary from driver to driver, as they depend on the accumulation of past violation points. Therefore, the speed range divisions of tactile speedometers need to be changed to suit the purpose, such as for determining penalty points on general roads or fines on expressways. In this context, Figure 4 is a summary of the penalty points for speeding violations on general roads as presented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. It shows five levels of penalty points on the vertical axis and the speed of the violation on the horizontal axis. Note that the penalty point system for expressways differs from that shown in Figure 4. Here, the range of speeds to which each penalty point applies is indicated by the presence or absence of a series of vertical bars. To explain in detail the range of speeds to which each penalty point applies: A speed violation within the range of 0 to 20 km / h incurs 1 penalty point, and this speed range is limited to a 20 km / h margin. A speed violation of 20 to 25 km / h incurs 2 penalty points, and this speed range has a margin of 5 km / h. A speed violation of 25 to 30 km / h incurs 3 penalty points, and this speed range has a margin of 5 km / h. A speed violation of 30 to 50 km / h incurs 6 penalty points, with a speed range of 20 km / h. For speed violations exceeding 50 km / h, 12 penalty points are incurred, and the speed range for this violation is 50 km / h or higher, with no upper limit specified. Using a tactile speedometer based on this penalty point table, as shown in Figure 2, by fixing each speed range to base 4, would create a problem where various exceptions would need to be established. Therefore, it is necessary to select a base-n number system that matches each speed range. [Examples]

[0020] Next, we will describe the tactile velocity meter that uses a variable base-n number as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 contains three versions: Figure 5-1, Figure 5-2, and Figure 5-3. These figures are all explanatory diagrams of the first and second digit values ​​of variable base-n numbers, based on the violation point table in Figure 4, and the carry-over rule. Figure 5-1 is a diagram showing the values ​​and rounding rules required to realize the tactile velocity meter needed in Figure 4, based on Figure 2. The difference from Figure 2 is that the top row of the vertical axis changes from the speed range in Figure 2 to the range of penalty points, the horizontal axis changes from vehicle speed in Figure 2 to violation speed, and the position of violation speed 0 moves to the speed at which penalty points 1 begin. Furthermore, the base-n numbers for the first and second digits of the vertical axis vary depending on the level of the violation points and are not consistent; the base-n numbers are changed as needed. As shown in Figure 2, if we standardize the system to base 4, for example, the speed range for violation point 1 in Figure 4 is 20 km / h in total, so the first digit will be in units of 5 km / h, which is the 20 km / h range divided into 4 sections. In contrast, the speed range for a penalty of 2 points is 5 km / h in total. If treated as a base-4 number, the first digit will be a unit of 1.25 km / h, which is the 5 km / h range divided into 4 segments. This means that the unit of the first digit will differ depending on the level of penalty points. Therefore, here we use the smallest speed range occupied by the second digit of the penalty points (hereinafter referred to as the minimum speed range; in Figure 5-1, this is 5 km / h) as the basis, and appropriately select and use a base-n number so that the unit of the first digit is unified to a range of 5 km / h. As a specific example of selecting a base-n number system, we use a base-n number system where the value n is obtained by dividing the speed range x for each violation point by the minimum speed range y. In Figure 5-1, the speed range for penalty points is, for example, x = 20 (Km / h), and the minimum speed range is y = 5 (Km / h). Therefore, the value n = x / y is 20 / 5 = 4, and a base-4 number is used. Furthermore, it is certainly possible to subdivide the first digit of the minimum speed range y by setting it to an integer fraction or an integer multiple of y, or conversely, to make it coarser, as needed.

[0021] To illustrate a specific example of selecting a base-n number system, Figure 5-1 shows: For a 1-point violation, the first digit of the value can be any of the four quaternary numbers: 0, 1, 2, or 3. For a violation of 2 points, the first digit is 0, and it is a single type of unary number. For a violation of 3 points, the first digit is 0, and it is a single type of unary number. For a violation of 6 points, the first digit of the value must be one of four quaternary numbers: 0, 1, 2, or 3. This allows the last digit of each penalty point to be standardized to a 5 km / h unit. In this way, the second digit indicates the type of speed range corresponding to each violation point and the number of stages within that speed range, while the first digit can always be a consistent speed unit with the same speed range (in this case, 5 km / h). This makes it possible to indicate the relative speed within each speed range by multiplying the first digit value, which is within the speed range of each violation point indicated by the second digit, by 5 km / h. Furthermore, if you understand the initial speed a (Km / h) at a specific stage, such as the speed limit, you can multiply the first digit value b by 5 km / h to get 5b (Km / h), and add this value to the initial speed a (Km / h) at that specific stage, resulting in (a + 5b), which is the absolute speed of the vehicle. In this case, there is an error of up to 5 km / h, but it can be said that it adequately fulfills the role of a speedometer for the purpose of allowing the driver to understand whether they are speeding. In this way, by grasping the numerical patterns that indicate the constantly changing vehicle speed through touch and other means, it becomes possible to understand the vehicle speed in near real time, and accordingly, it also becomes possible to understand the changes in speeding violation points. Note that the 12 penalty points in Figure 5-1 are treated as a base X number because there is no upper limit, and the base n number is arbitrary. Furthermore, if performing the above calculations mentally is cumbersome, changing the first digit to a 10 km / h increment will make mental calculation easier, as multiplying each value by 10 will represent the target speed. However, since the 2-point and 3-point violations are in 5 km / h increments, expressing them in 10 km / h increments would be inconvenient.

[0022] In Figure 5-1, a penalty point of 0 indicates a speed outside the violation zone, and therefore does not inherently require an output. However, it can be used here as an output to indicate that the vehicle is approaching the speed limit. Therefore, in Figure 5-1, binary numbers are provided starting from a speed 10 km / h below the speed limit. With this setting, a driver of a moving vehicle will determine that the vehicle speed is below the speed limit because the second digit is 0, and that the speed is 01 because the first digit is 1. They will also determine that the speed is within the range of -5 to 0 km / h below the speed limit, and will be able to recognize that they are approaching the speed limit by 5 km / h. If the vehicle speed increases further and exceeds the speed limit, a carryover occurs in the first digit of the value within the speed range where the penalty points are 0, and the second digit becomes 1. This indicates that the vehicle has entered the speed range where the penalty points are 1, and since the first digit is 0, it can be understood that the violation is exceeding the speed limit within the range of 0 km / h to 5 km / h. If the speed increases further and exceeds the speed limit by more than 5 km / h, the second digit remains 1, but the first digit changes to 1, indicating that the vehicle has entered a speed range of 11 (a speed range exceeding the speed limit by 5 to 10 km / h). Thus, in Figure 5-1, the value in the second-digit box indicates the type of speed range and the number of stages within it, and the value in the first-digit box that divides the speed range occupied by that box indicates the speed. Furthermore, the degree of vehicle speed within the speed range indicated by the second digit can be simultaneously determined by multiplying the value indicated by the first digit by the speed unit (5 km / h in Figure 5-1). Therefore, compared to simply recognizing that the vehicle is traveling within the speed range indicated by the second digit, this method offers the advantage of providing a more detailed understanding of the vehicle's speed. [Examples]

[0023] Figure 5-2 is based on Figure 5-1, but the value of the "first digit" on the horizontal axis is different from that of Figure 5-1. Specifically, the value is the (n's complement) of the "base n number" on the vertical axis. Note that (n's complement) is the smallest number that, when added to a number in base n, increases the value by one digit. This serves as an indicator of the permissible speed for the remaining acceleration (in this case, in increments of 5 km / h) before the next penalty point is incurred, and it can also be expected to have a psychological effect similar to a countdown (counting backward from the largest number). This countdown-like numerical pattern output serves to indicate the remaining speed until the next level of penalty points are reached. Furthermore, by replacing the value with (n's complement), in Figure 5-2, the 5 km / h just before a carry-over can always be represented as 1 in the first digit of the numerical pattern. Therefore, it can always be used as an indicator that a change in penalty points will occur with an increase of 5 km / h or less. Note that the 12 penalty points in Figure 5-2 cannot be converted to (n's complement) because there is no upper limit, so the first digit is simply set to an increasing value. [Examples]

[0024] Figure 5-3 is basically the same as Figure 5-2, but differs in that the "value of the first digit" on the horizontal axis is converted to the complement of (n-1). Here, the complement of (n-1) is the maximum value that, when added to a number in base n, does not result in a carry-over. This makes it possible to show the remaining speed until the next penalty point is awarded (in units of 5 km / h in this case) as a longer countdown than in Figure 5-2. [Examples]

[0025] Up to this point, the numerical patterns have been explained based on the numerical patterns shown in Figure 3, but other examples of numerical patterns will be explained next. Up to this point, we have explained the numerical patterns in Figure 3, where the output corresponds to a 3 / 4 time signature in musical notation, and one measure is divided into four sections to indicate the presence or absence of output. From here on, we will explain examples of other numerical patterns using Figure 6, assuming that one measure is in 8 / 8 time. Figure 6 shows the numerical patterns representing the values ​​of 2 and 3, respectively, in Figure 6-1 and Figure 6-2. Figures 6-1 and 6-2 show five types of numerical patterns, labeled (1) through (5), arranged vertically and connected at both ends with dashed lines. When there is no output (corresponding to a rest), the separation is indicated by a dashed vertical line. Furthermore, as explained earlier, during constant-speed driving, the same sub-measure of each numerical pattern is repeatedly output inside the vehicle.

[0026] Figures 6-1 and 6-2, respectively (1) and (2), show the presence or absence of output separated into black-filled frames (hereinafter referred to as "black") and colorless frames (hereinafter referred to as "white"), where black indicates the presence of output and white indicates the absence of output. The numerical pattern in (1) of Figure 6-1, starting from the first frame of the 8-beat rhythm, is "black, white, black, white, white, white, white, white," and since the number of blacks is two, it is a numerical pattern that represents the value 2. Furthermore, the numerical pattern in (1) of Figure 6-2, starting from the first frame of the 8-beat rhythm, outputs "black, white, black, white, black, white, white, white," and since the number of blacks is 3, it is a numerical pattern that represents the value 3. Similarly, for other values, we will understand their meaning based on the number of black dots. In Figure 6-1 (2) and Figure 6-2 (2), the numerical patterns are such that black represents twice the frame length and is treated as a quarter note in musical notation, while white represents an eighth rest in musical notation. The numerical patterns in (3) of Figure 6-1 and (3) of Figure 6-2 have the same intervals as the numerical pattern in (1), but instead of blacked-out beats, the output is shown as a series of vertical bars. The series of vertical bars is intended to give the output a rhythm. Similarly, the numerical patterns of vertical bar series that follow also have a rhythmic output. Rhythm, by the way, is an output that controls the strength and repetition period of the output, and specifically, the rhythm output by a drum instrument is one possible example. The numerical patterns in (4) of Figure 6-1 and (4) of Figure 6-2 are numerical patterns in which the output width of the musical score, such as eighth notes, quarter notes, and half notes, gradually increases, while the output has a rhythmic quality. The numerical patterns in (5) of Figure 6-1 and (5) of Figure 6-2 are numerical patterns in which the output width of the rhythmically generated output gradually increases, and the output amount also changes. [Examples]

[0027] Up to this point, we have focused on the output of mechanical stimuli to the skin within the sense of touch. However, the sense of touch also includes electrical stimuli and thermal stimuli in addition to mechanical stimuli to the skin. Among these, braille displays for reading are known to use the vertical movement of pins to allow the fingertips to feel the protrusion of the pins, thereby providing mechanical stimulation to the skin. Braille is made up of combinations of six dots arranged in a 3x2 grid, called a "frame." The rule for numbers is to place a "number symbol" in the first frame and write the Braille number in the second frame. However, since tactile speedometers only use numbers, the first frame is unnecessary, and the arrangement of pins corresponding to the second frame is sufficient. Figure 7 shows an example of a numerical pattern in Braille. Here, the value is represented by a combination of six dots arranged in a 3x2 grid. Furthermore, the second frame can also represent numbers from 0 to 9 using a combination of four dots arranged in two vertical and two horizontal rows. Therefore, by installing a frame with a combination of four dots arranged in two vertical and two horizontal rows in place of output units 17 and 18, a tactile speedometer that indicates the number of steps in the speed range from 0 to 9 can be realized. However, it will take some prior learning time for a healthy driver to understand the nine different pin configurations from 0 to 8 for the first time. Therefore, by limiting the number of different digits used, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of pre-training time, and thus the use of small base-n values ​​becomes effective, allowing the present invention to be put to good use.

[0028] Furthermore, thermal heads, which are widely used in thermal printers, can be used to provide tactile information from different locations. However, as it stands, the heating temperature is too high. By reducing power consumption and changing to a lower heating temperature, and by installing them on the left and right sides of a steering wheel, for example, it could be used as 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. [Examples]

[0029] Up to this point, the present invention has been described primarily in terms of vibrations felt by the skin, but there is also a separate hearing-based speedometer that utilizes the present invention. Next, the hearing-based speedometer will be specifically described based on the carry-over rule shown in Figure 5-1. There is a speedometer that divides the vehicle's speed into multiple speed ranges, and outputs the number of steps in each speed range by superimposing different sound sources or musical performances inside the vehicle. The speed range is then determined from the number of superimposed sounds. Specifically, the first digit of the number will be represented by superimposing the performances of three instruments: piano, violin, and flute. A value of 1 indicates piano-only performance. The value 2 represents a piano and violin duet. The value 3 represents an ensemble of piano, violin, and flute. Each value is determined based on the number of different types of sound sources. The second digit represents the superimposition (chorus) of the singing voices of a boy, a girl, a low-pitched adult male, a high-pitched adult male, and an adult female. The number 1 represents the singing voice of a boy. The number 2 represents a chorus of a boy's singing voice and a girl's singing voice. The number 3 represents a chorus of a boy's singing voice, a girl's singing voice, and a low-pitched adult male singing voice. The number 4 represents a chorus of a boy's singing voice, a girl's singing voice, a low-pitched adult male singing voice, and a high-pitched adult male singing voice. The value 5 represents a chorus of a boy's singing voice, a girl's singing voice, a low-pitched adult male singing voice, a high-pitched adult male singing voice, and an adult female singing voice. Each value is determined based on the number of different types of singing voices. By utilizing these numerical judgments, the numerical output in Figure 5-1 can be judged using hearing, enabling the realization of an auditory speedometer. Furthermore, these auditory speedometers can also be applied to the rules shown in Figures 5-2 and 5-3. [Industrial applicability]

[0030] In addition to the speedometer installed in a normal vehicle, the present invention provides a tactile speedometer or auditory speedometer with an output unit located on the steering wheel, seat, or other parts that the driver is constantly in contact with. This allows the vehicle speed to be constantly monitored without the temporary distraction caused by visually checking the speedometer, as is the case with conventional speedometers. Furthermore, it can be used as a tactile speedometer or auditory speedometer to constantly display penalty points for speeding violations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 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 output signal generation unit, 16 is the sound output unit, 17 is the steering wheel, 18 is the left output unit for the steering wheel, 19 is the right output unit for the steering wheel, 20 is the seat, and 21 is the output unit for the seat.

Claims

1. A device that divides the speed of a vehicle into multiple stepped speed ranges and outputs different tactile or auditory information according to the number of steps in each speed range, Each step in the aforementioned speed range is represented by a base-n number of decimal or lower, and the base-n number is obtained by separating each digit. Replacing each of the above values ​​with the corresponding numerical patterns, A speedometer characterized by outputting tactile or auditory information into the vehicle.

2. A device that divides the speed of a vehicle into multiple stepped speed ranges and outputs different tactile or auditory information according to the number of steps in each speed range, Each step in the aforementioned speed range is represented by a base-n number of decimal or lower, and the base-n number is obtained by separating each digit. The first digit represents a standardized unit of speed. A speedometer characterized in that the second digit is treated as the type of speed range or the number of steps within the speed range.

3. A device that divides the speed of a vehicle into multiple stepped speed ranges and outputs different tactile or auditory information according to the number of steps in each speed range, Each step in the aforementioned speed range is represented by a base-n number of decimal or lower, and the base-n number is obtained by separating each digit. Convert the first digit of each of the above numbers into the "complement of n" or "complement of (n-1)" of the above number, A speedometer characterized by outputting tactile or auditory information into the vehicle.

Images