Vehicle-mounted equipment

Abstract

To provide an in-vehicle device capable of more reliably notifying a driver of a disaster or danger report. [Solution] The in-vehicle device includes a receiver 12, a display 11, and a controller 15. The receiver 12 is capable of receiving a disaster notification, and the display 11 switches from another screen to display a notification screen 34 showing the content of the disaster notification received by the receiver 12. The receiver 12 receives multiple disaster notifications simultaneously or within a short period of time. The controller 15 stores a predetermined priority set for each disaster notification, generates notification screens 34 showing the content of the multiple disaster notifications in order of priority, and outputs them to the display 11 in order of priority.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device capable of receiving a disaster report. [Background technology]

[0002] In-vehicle devices such as drive recorders, radar detectors, car navigation systems, car audio systems, and televisions provide information to drivers according to their purpose. For example, drive recorders display captured images, radar detectors display a screen encouraging drivers to observe the speed limit, car navigation systems display the vehicle's position and route overlaid on a map, car audio systems display the name and spectrum of the music being played, and televisions display television broadcast images. In recent years, smartphones and tablet devices have also been used as in-vehicle devices by activating apps that act as these in-vehicle devices and being removably attached to the vehicle.

[0003] These in-vehicle devices may also provide external information other than the main use. For example, a radar detector displays information other than traffic monitoring information, such as information on events such as intensive months, seasonal trends, and customs, and road regulation information such as construction restrictions and traffic restrictions due to disasters (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this technology, for these external information other than the main use, a strip-like elongated area is provided at the bottom edge of the screen, and character strings or sentences expressing the contents of the external information are scrolled within this area. In other words, since this information cannot be said to be related to the main use of the in-vehicle device, it is displayed with care not to interfere with the screen display for the main use.

[0004] In recent years, in addition to positioning information, "Michibiki," a quasi-zenith satellite system in Japan, has been transmitting emergency reports on earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and other large-scale disasters issued by government agencies responsible for disaster prevention and crisis management, crisis management information on terrorism, and evacuation advisories, through the disaster and crisis management reporting service (hereinafter referred to as disaster and crisis reports). Disaster and crisis reports are expected to be a tool for rapid evacuation in the event of a disaster. When equipping vehicles with receivers compatible with "Michibiki," rather than installing a dedicated receiver, attempts are being made to give in-vehicle devices with other main uses the ability to receive disaster and crisis reports from "Michibiki" and display disaster and crisis reports using the display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-182831 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Since a disaster or crisis indicated by a disaster or crisis report may cause harm to the driver, those close to the driver, and their property, the driver must be notified and must be made to understand the report. However, the driver is concentrating on driving. Therefore, if text is simply displayed scrolling at the bottom of the screen, not only is it difficult for the driver to understand the content of the disaster or crisis report, but there is also a risk that the disaster or crisis report may induce a traffic accident, etc. Furthermore, there is also a risk that the driver will not notice the disaster or crisis report.

[0007] The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and has an object to provide an in-vehicle device that can more reliably notify a disaster notification to a driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the in-vehicle equipment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a receiving unit capable of receiving a disaster notification, a control unit that generates a notification screen showing the contents of the disaster notification, and a display unit that switches from another screen to display the notification screen generated by the control unit.

[0009] The disaster or danger report may include information indicating a type of disaster or danger, and the control unit may arrange an icon representing the type in a graphic form on the report screen.

[0010] The control unit may be configured to place a character string representing the type and a text showing detailed content of the disaster report, the text being a sentence, a list, or both, together with the icon on the report screen.

[0011] The control unit may place the icon in the center or to the right of the reporting screen, place the character string in an emphasized manner at the top of the reporting screen, and place the sentence to the left of the reporting screen.

[0012] The disaster or danger report may include information indicating a location of the disaster or danger, and the control unit may further place a map indicating the location within the report screen.

[0013] The control unit may arrange the map around the icon.

[0014] The control unit may zoom in on the map within the notification screen.

[0015] The control unit may compare a distance between a predetermined point or a predetermined route and the location with a threshold, and if the distance is equal to or less than the threshold, zoom in on the map within the reporting screen.

[0016] The control unit may be provided with a memory unit for storing disaster notifications received by the receiving unit, and may generate the notification screen showing a disaster notification having content different from disaster notifications received by the receiving unit in the past, and output the notification screen to the display unit.

[0017] The control unit may store display conditions in advance, and when a disaster danger report received by the receiving unit satisfies the display conditions, generate a report screen showing the contents of the disaster danger report and output it to the display unit.

[0018] The display conditions are a specified priority set for each disaster notification and the type of other screen to be displayed by the display unit, and the control unit may generate a notification screen indicating the content of the disaster notification in accordance with the priority of the disaster notification and the type of other screen to be displayed, and output the generated notification screen to the display unit.

[0019] The control unit may generate the notification screen showing a disaster notification issued after the vehicle is started, and output the notification screen to the display unit.

[0020] The receiving unit may receive multiple disaster reports simultaneously or within a short period of time, and the control unit may store a specified priority set for each disaster report, generate each report screen showing the contents of the multiple disaster reports in order of priority, and output them to the display unit in order of priority.

[0021] The display unit may display a setting screen for setting the priority, display a string of characters indicating the type of disaster notification in response to an operation on the setting screen within the setting screen, and display the icon representing the same content as the string of characters within the setting screen.

[0022] The device may be a smartphone or tablet terminal, a drive recorder, a radar detector, a car navigation system, a car audio system, or a television that is detachably attached to a vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, even a driver concentrating on driving can easily grasp changes in the display and notice a disaster notification. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of an in-vehicle device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an in-vehicle device. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of an in-vehicle device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a notification screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display condition. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying a notification screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a priority setting screen according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 13A to 13C are schematic diagrams showing transitions of notification screens according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing a transition procedure of a notification screen according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying a notification screen according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] (First embodiment) (composition) A first embodiment of an on-vehicle device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking a radar detector as an example. FIG. 1 is an external view of the on-vehicle device, and FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the on-vehicle device. The on-vehicle device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a so-called radar detector. The on-vehicle device 1 displays a main function screen 31 that prompts the driver to observe the speed limit, which is the main use of a radar detector. When the vehicle is not in a situation where the driver is prompted to observe the speed limit, the on-vehicle device 1 displays a standby screen 32 such as a map showing the vehicle's position ...3 of the on-vehicle device 1 in response to an operation.

[0026] Such an in-vehicle device 1 includes a display unit 11, an audio reproduction unit 14, a receiving unit 12, an acceleration sensor 13, and a non-volatile memory 17. The display unit 11 is a device that displays information in a form that appeals to the passenger's visual sense, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 11 normally displays a main function screen 31, a standby screen 32, or a setting screen 33, or turns off the screen. The audio reproduction unit 14 includes a DAC that converts digital audio into analog audio, an amplifier, and a speaker, and emits audio, etc., that encourages the driver to observe the speed limit, to attract attention together with the main function screen 31.

[0027] The receiver 12 includes an antenna and demodulator capable of receiving radio signals from positioning satellites, receives the radio signals from the positioning satellites, demodulates the radio signals to a positioning signal, and outputs the positioning signal. The acceleration sensor 13 detects the acceleration / deceleration and direction of the vehicle in which the in-vehicle device 1 is installed, and outputs acceleration information. The non-volatile memory 17 is an internal memory of the in-vehicle device 1 or an external memory such as a microSD card, and stores map data, speeding point information indicating points where speeding should be encouraged, and audio data encouraging speeding.

[0028] The in-vehicle device 1 also includes a control unit 15. The control unit 15 is a so-called computer or microcomputer that includes a non-volatile memory 17 as a component and further includes a processor 16 and the like. The control unit 15 is connected to the receiving unit 12 and the acceleration sensor 13 by signal lines, and receives the positioning signal and acceleration information. The control unit 15 is also connected to the display unit 11 and the audio reproduction unit 14 by signal lines, and the processor 16 calculates the latitude and longitude of the vehicle's position from the positioning signal and acceleration information, measures the distance between the vehicle's position and a point indicated by the speed limit point information in the non-volatile memory 17, evaluates the distance, and switches the display of the display unit 11 from the standby screen 32 to the main function screen 31 according to the evaluation result, and causes the audio reproduction unit 14 to output sound source data.

[0029] As a result, in the in-vehicle device 1, when the vehicle approaches the point indicated by the speed limit point information, the display unit 11 displays a main function screen 31 encouraging the driver to observe the speed limit, and the audio playback unit 14 generates an audio message encouraging the driver to observe the speed limit. If the vehicle is far from the point indicated by the speed limit point information, the display unit 11 displays a standby screen 32 on which the vehicle's position is plotted on a map stored in the non-volatile memory 17. The setting screen 33 is switched in response to an input by the operator. The input may be performed using a touch panel provided on the display unit 11, a remote control separate from the in-vehicle device 1, or a physical button attached to the in-vehicle device 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 1 switches from other screens such as the main function screen 31, the standby screen 32, or the setting screen 33 to display a report screen 34 showing the contents of the disaster report. The disaster report includes disaster type information, location information, action guideline information, and issuance date and time information. The disaster type information indicates the type of disaster that may cause harm to the body or property, such as disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, volcanoes, or typhoons, or threats such as terrorism, and is also distinguished by, for example, seismic intensity, wave height, flood depth, scale of fire, scale of terrorism, and the like. That is, the disaster type information includes scale information. Furthermore, the location information indicates the location of the disaster, that is, the area for which the disaster report is issued. The action guideline information indicates recommended actions such as an evacuation advisory. The issuance date and time information indicates the date and time when the disaster report is issued. At least one or more of the contents that constitute the disaster report are displayed on the report screen 34.

[0031] In such an in-vehicle device 1, the receiver 12 further receives a radio signal including a disaster notification from a positioning satellite, demodulates the disaster notification from the radio signal, and outputs the disaster notification. The disaster notification is transmitted, for example, from the control station of the quasi-zenith satellite "Michibiki" via the satellite at the same center frequency as the positioning signal.

[0032] A disaster notification program 25 is stored in the non-volatile memory 17. The disaster notification program 25 is written in object code or machine language instructions executable by the processor 16. The disaster notification program 25 is executed by the processor 16. As a result of the execution of this disaster notification program 25 by the processor 16, the control unit 15 includes an information accumulation unit 21, an identity determination unit 22, a generation unit 23, and a screen parts storage unit 24, as shown in FIG.

[0033] The identity determination unit 22 is configured to include the processor 16, and determines whether the disaster danger report with the latest reception date and time received by the receiving unit 12 has the same content as a disaster danger report stored in the past. This identity determination unit 22 compares the disaster danger report with the latest reception date and time with past disaster danger reports that have already been stored in terms of disaster danger type information, location information, action guideline information, and issuance date and time information, and determines whether the disaster danger report with the latest reception date and time is different from the past reports. This is because even if the disaster danger report with the same disaster danger type information, location information, action guideline information, and issuance date and time information is the same, the same content may continue to be transmitted periodically until the issuance is lifted.

[0034] The information storage unit 21 includes a non-volatile memory 17, and stores disaster reports that are determined to be different from past reports by the identity determination unit 22. The information storage unit 21 stores a plurality of disaster reports, from the past to the latest.

[0035] The generating unit 23 is configured to include the processor 16, generates bitmap data of a reporting screen 34 indicating the contents of a disaster report, and outputs the bitmap data to the display unit 11. However, the generating unit 23 generates the reporting screen 34 only when the identity determining unit 22 determines that the disaster report with the latest received date and time is different from past reports. When the bitmap data of the reporting screen 34 is input from the control unit 15, the display unit 11 displays the reporting screen 34. That is, even if the display unit 11 is displaying a screen other than the reporting screen 34, such as the main function screen 31, the standby screen 32, the setting screen 33, or the screen off, the display unit 11 switches from the other screen to display the reporting screen 34.

[0036] The screen parts storage unit 24 is configured by the non-volatile memory 17, and stores various parts that configure the notification screen 34. The generation unit 23 reads out the various parts from the screen parts storage unit 24, renders the notification screen 34 in which the various parts are laid out, and outputs it to the display unit 11.

[0037] Furthermore, the generation unit 23 outputs audio data indicating that a disaster notification has been received to the audio playback unit 14, and the audio playback unit 14 plays back the audio data indicating that a disaster notification has been received.

[0038] (action) The display operation of the notification screen 34 of the in-vehicle device 1 having such a configuration is as follows. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the display procedure of the notification screen 34 in the in-vehicle device 1. First, a disaster notification is issued, and the receiver 12 receives a radio signal including the disaster notification (step S01).

[0039] When a disaster warning is received (step S01), the identity determination unit 22 compares the disaster warning of the latest reception date and time extracted from the radio signal with the contents of past disaster warnings (step S02). Since there is a risk that disaster warnings with different contents are frequently issued at short intervals, it is desirable to compare with each of the past disaster warnings going back several times. Note that the comparison may be performed using a checksum value calculated from part or all of the disaster warning, and items other than the disaster warning type information, location information, action guideline information, and issuance date and time information may also be compared.

[0040] If the disaster danger report with the most recent received date and time differs from any of the past disaster danger reports in any of the disaster danger type information, location information, action guideline information, and issue date and time information (Step S02, Yes), the information storage unit 21 stores the disaster danger report with the most recent received date and time (Step S03).

[0041] When the disaster notification of the latest reception date and time is stored (step S03), the generation unit 23 switches from another screen to display a notification screen 34 showing the contents of the disaster notification of the latest reception date and time on the display unit 11 (step S04). That is, bitmap data of the notification screen 34 is generated, and the bitmap data of the notification screen 34 is output to the display unit 11 in place of the data of the other screen. The generation unit 23 also causes the audio playback unit 14 to play audio indicating that the disaster notification has been received (step S05).

[0042] In this way, when the main function screen 31, the standby screen 32, the setting screen 33, or the screen off is switched to the notification screen 34, the appearance of the display unit 11 changes completely, so that even a driver who is concentrating on driving can easily catch the screen change in the corner of his or her field of vision and notice the disaster notification. Note that it is also possible not to switch to the notification screen 34 for a screen that is intended to be operated by the user, such as the setting screen 34.

[0043] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a reporting screen 34 generated by the generating unit 23. The generating unit 23 places an icon 35, which represents the type of disaster or danger in a pattern, in the center or to the right of the reporting screen 34. Various icons 35 are stored in the screen parts storage unit 24. Typically, the icon 35 is designated according to the type of disaster or danger in the disaster or danger reporting program 25, and the generating unit 23 reads out the icon 35 corresponding to the disaster or danger type information included in the disaster or danger report.

[0044] Furthermore, the generation unit 23 highlights and arranges the character string 36 indicating the type of disaster at the top of the notification screen 34. That is, the generation unit 23 converts the disaster type information included in the disaster notification into text and arranges it on the notification screen 34. As a method for highlighting the character string 36, for example, the character string 36 is made larger and thicker, and if the background of the notification screen 34 is based on a lower brightness such as black, the background color of the character string 36 is made to be based on a higher brightness such as yellow or gold to make it stand out.

[0045] The generating unit 23 also places a sentence 37 indicating the details of the disaster / danger report on the left side of the reporting screen 34. The sentence 37 is composed of one or more sentences, a list of items, or a sentence and a list of items. For example, at the beginning of the sentence 37, disaster type information is written in a sentence, such as "We will inform you of information related to ashfall," and then the issuance date / time information, location information, and the like are listed in items. The generating unit 23 stores template data for the sentence 37 in advance, and creates the sentence 37 by applying each element of the disaster / danger report to the template data, and places the sentence 37 on the left side of the reporting screen 34. Note that a part of the information in the sentence 37, such as the issuance date / time information, may be displayed in the area where the character string 36 is displayed.

[0046] Furthermore, the generation unit 23 places a map 38 showing the location of the disaster, i.e., the target area for the disaster notification, around the icon 35 in the notification screen 34. For example, the surrounding area is preferably, but not limited to, below the icon 35 on the screen or to the right of the icon 35 on the screen from the viewpoint of continuity between the icon 35 and the character string 36.

[0047] The map 38 is stored in the screen parts storage unit 24. For example, the map 38 is polygon data representing the Japanese archipelago, and attribute data of latitude and longitude information is attached in association with characteristic points such as vertices of the polygon. The generation unit 23 calculates the location of the disaster in the map 38 based on the relationship between the latitude and longitude indicated by the location information included in the disaster notification and the latitude and longitude information in the map 38, and plots the location of the disaster on the map 38. The generation unit 23 also calculates the vehicle position in the map 38 based on the relationship between the vehicle position calculated from the positioning signal, the acceleration information, or both, and the latitude and longitude information in the map 38, and plots the vehicle position on the map 38 together with the location of the disaster.

[0048] Each polygon on the map 38 is also accompanied by area name information, such as prefectures, cities, towns, and villages, which the polygon represents, as attribute data. When polygons are coarse, such as prefecture units, each polygon is accompanied by a prefecture name and a city, town, and village name included in the polygon. When the location information is not latitude and longitude but is, for example, an area name such as a prefecture or city, town, and village, the generation unit 23 applies a texture with a different color from other polygons to the polygon accompanied by area name information that matches the location information, and displays the map 38 on the reporting screen 34.

[0049] Here, the display unit 11 is assumed to be located to the left of the driver's seat in a right-hand drive vehicle, for example, on or near the rearview mirror, in the center of the dashboard, or in or near the center console. Therefore, when the notification screen 34 is displayed, the driver notices a change in the appearance of the display unit 11 and moves his or her eyes to the left toward the display unit 11.

[0050] In the initial stage of this line of sight movement, the driver's eyes first catch the icon 35 and the map 38. The icon 35 and the map 38 visually express the disaster notification. Therefore, the driver recognizes the type and location of the disaster instantly, even if it is only by sense, through the icon 35 and the map 38.

[0051] Next, as the driver's line of sight moves further, the driver sees character strings 36 at the top of the notification screen 34. Character strings 36 express the type of disaster in words. Therefore, the driver can convert the type of disaster that he or she intuitively recognizes from the icon 35 and map 38 into words and clearly identify it.

[0052] Then, in the final stage of the driver's line of sight movement, the driver sees text 37 displayed on the left side of the notification screen 34. The driver has already recognized the type of disaster through language, and has visually recognized the location of the disaster and its vehicle position through map 38, so that the driver can instantly read the details of text 37 even while driving.

[0053] That is, this notification screen 34 transitions from general information to detailed information from the closest to the driver to the furthest, gradually deepening the driver's understanding as he concentrates on driving. Also, the character string 36 functions to connect the icons 35 and the map 38 to the text 37, and to easily convert the icons 35 and the map 38, which are visual, into the text 37, which is language.

[0054] Returning to the procedure explanation, if the disaster report with the latest reception date and time is the same as the past disaster report (step S03, No), the display process of the report screen 34 ends. The control unit 15 maintains the rendering of the main function screen 31, the standby screen 32, or the setting screen 33, and the display unit 11 maintains the display of the main function screen 31, the standby screen 32, or the setting screen 33.

[0055] Here, the same disaster notification that is periodically and repeatedly transmitted is stopped after being displayed once on the notification screen 34, and is not displayed repeatedly. This allows the driver who is notified of the disaster notification 34 to concentrate on driving the vehicle without being distracted by the same disaster notification. Also, the driver does not become accustomed to seeing the notification screen 34 showing the disaster notification and loses his or her sense of danger, and is able to take the disaster notification seriously.

[0056] Furthermore, while the same disaster notification is being repeatedly transmitted, a different disaster notification may be issued. If the same disaster notification is repeatedly displayed, the newly issued different disaster notification may be displayed among the same disaster notification being repeatedly displayed, and the driver who has become accustomed to seeing the same disaster notification may overlook the newly issued different disaster notification. However, by not repeatedly displaying the same disaster notification, the driver's attention is more likely to be directed to the newly issued different disaster notification.

[0057] (effect) As described above, the in-vehicle device 1 includes the receiver 12 capable of receiving a disaster notification, the display unit 11 that switches from another screen to display a notification screen 34 showing the content of the disaster notification received by the receiver 12, and the control unit 15 that receives the disaster notification from the receiver 12, generates the notification screen 34, and outputs it to the display unit 11. This makes it easy for a driver who is concentrating on driving to catch a change in the display unit 11 in the corner of their field of vision and notice the disaster notification.

[0058] The control unit 15 also includes an information storage unit 21 that stores disaster reports received by the receiving unit 12, and the display unit 11 displays a report screen 34 that shows a disaster report with content different from that of a disaster report previously received by the receiving unit 12. This allows the driver who is notified of the disaster report 34 to concentrate on driving the vehicle without being distracted by the same disaster report. The driver also does not become accustomed to seeing the report screen 34 showing the disaster report and loses his or her sense of danger, and can take the disaster report seriously. Furthermore, the same disaster report is not confused with a different disaster report that has been newly issued, and the driver's attention is more likely to be directed to the different disaster report that has been newly issued.

[0059] Furthermore, in this in-vehicle device 1, an icon 35 showing information indicating the type of disaster or danger contained in the disaster or danger report is displayed on the report screen 34. This allows the driver to instantly recognize the type of disaster or danger, even if it is only by instinct.

[0060] Furthermore, in this in-vehicle device 1, the reporting screen 34 displays character strings 36 indicating the type of disaster or crisis included in the disaster report, and text 37 showing the detailed content of the disaster report and consisting of sentences, items, or both, together with icons 35. As a result, general information and detailed information are displayed on the reporting screen 34, so that the driver, who is concentrating on driving, can gradually deepen his or her understanding of the disaster report.

[0061] Moreover, the icon 35 is displayed in the center or to the right of the notification screen 34, the character string 36 is displayed in an emphasized manner at the top of the notification screen 34, and the text 37 is displayed to the left of the notification screen 34. In this way, when the in-vehicle device 1 is installed to the left of the driver's seat of a right-hand drive vehicle, the information is displayed from general to detailed information in order from closest to the driver to furthest from the driver, allowing the driver who is concentrating on driving to gradually deepen his or her understanding.

[0062] Although a box-shaped radar detector has been taken as an example of the in-vehicle device 1, the in-vehicle device 1 is not limited to this. That is, the in-vehicle device 1 may be any device that is attached to an automobile, motorcycle, or other vehicle and includes a receiver 12, a display 11, and a control unit 15 that can execute a disaster notification program 25. The in-vehicle device 1 may be a device that is continuously attached to the vehicle away from the occupant, or a device that is normally carried by the occupant and temporarily attached to the vehicle when the occupant gets in the vehicle.

[0063] Examples of such in-vehicle equipment 1 include, in addition to a box-type radar detector, a drive recorder equipped with a receiving unit 12, a rear-view mirror-type radar detector, a car navigation system, a car audio system, an in-vehicle television, a smartphone with a disaster notification program 25 installed, or a tablet terminal.

[0064] A drive recorder takes and records images inside and outside the vehicle, while displaying a main function screen 31 showing the taken images as another screen. A car navigation system displays a main function screen 31 that plots the vehicle's position and the route to the destination on a map based on radio signals from a positioning satellite as another screen. A car audio system outputs content as audio, while displaying a main function screen 31 showing the name and spectrum of the content as another screen. An in-car television displays a main function screen 31 that receives broadcast radio waves and shows television broadcasts as another screen. By installing apps, smartphones and tablet terminals can become drive recorders, radar detectors, car navigation systems, car audio systems, or in-car televisions.

[0065] Some of these in-vehicle devices 1 can be installed on the dashboard to the right of the driver's seat in a right-hand drive vehicle. In this case, the icon 35 in the center or to the right of the notification screen 34 is placed on the side farther from the driver. However, this installation location is closer to the driver than when the icon 35 is installed to the left of the driver's seat. If the driver and the in-vehicle device 1 are located close to each other, the entire notification screen 34 can be viewed at once with a short eye movement. In this case, it is better to arrange the information from closest to the driver to rough information. This is because rough information is easy to understand even if it is located far from the driver, as long as it is located close to the driver.

[0066] Therefore, even in the case of an in-vehicle device 1 that can be installed on the dashboard to the right of the driver's seat of a right-hand drive vehicle, it is desirable that the icon 35 be displayed in the center or to the right of the notification screen 34, the character string 36 be displayed highlighted at the top of the notification screen 34, and the text 37 be displayed to the left of the notification screen 34.

[0067] In addition, assuming that the in-vehicle device 1 is installed in a left-hand drive vehicle, a setting screen 33 may be provided for changing the display to a notification screen 34 in which the relative positions of the icon 35, character string 36, and text 37 are reversed, so that the relative positions can be reversed in response to a user operation.

[0068] Furthermore, the receiver 12 is not limited to a dedicated device capable of receiving a disaster notification signal from a positioning satellite, so long as it can receive the disaster notification. For example, when the disaster notification is transmitted by a wireless LAN conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.11, a wireless PAN conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.15, a mobile phone communication line, or radio waves from a road traffic information communication system such as VICS (registered trademark), the in-vehicle device 1 may include a receiver 12 capable of receiving information in these communication formats. For example, a smartphone or tablet terminal may be interposed between the in-vehicle device 1 and the transmission source, so that the smartphone or tablet terminal may receive the disaster notification in these communication formats.

[0069] In addition, the disaster notification program 25 has been described as being pre-installed in the control unit 15, but is not limited thereto. The disaster notification program 25 may be stored in a portable storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, a storage medium on a network such as a server, or a storage medium such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. After the user obtains the in-vehicle device 1, the user may download the disaster notification program 25 and install it in the in-vehicle device 1. When the user is to download the disaster notification program 25, the in-vehicle device 1 is provided with a slot for reading a file in a portable storage medium or a receiver for receiving a wireless signal or a wired signal, and the disaster notification program 25 is installed from the storage medium in which the disaster notification program 25 is stored.

[0070] However, the control unit 15 may also be provided with an information storage unit 21, an identity determination unit 22, a generation unit 23 and a screen part storage unit 24, all of which are constructed in part or in whole by dedicated hardware circuits, rather than relying on software processing by the disaster notification program 25.

[0071] Second embodiment Next, the in-car device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same configurations or functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

[0072] (composition) The in-vehicle device 1 according to the second embodiment switches to a notification screen 34 only when a disaster notification of a predetermined content is received. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit 15 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 15 includes an information accumulation unit 21, an identity determination unit 22, a generation unit 23, and a screen part storage unit 24, as well as a notification necessity determination unit 26.

[0073] The notification necessity determination unit 26 includes the processor 16 and the non-volatile memory 17, and determines whether a disaster notification of a predetermined content has been received. The notification necessity determination unit 26 stores display conditions for disaster notifications in advance. The notification necessity determination unit 26 determines whether the received disaster notification satisfies the display conditions, and the generation unit 23 displays the disaster notification that satisfies the display conditions on the notification screen 34.

[0074] The necessity of a disaster report is determined by a combination of factors such as the type of disaster, the scale of the disaster, and the positional relationship between the location of the disaster and the vehicle's position, destination, route, or registered points such as the home. For example, if a small-scale disaster occurs far away from the vehicle's position and on the opposite side of the destination, there is little effect in displaying the report screen 34. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7, the display conditions stipulate whether or not to display one or a combination of two or more of the following: the type of disaster, the scale of the disaster such as seismic intensity, wave height, flood depth, and scale of terrorism, and the positional relationship.

[0075] (action) The display operation of the notification screen 34 of the in-vehicle device 1 having such a configuration is as follows. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the display procedure of the notification screen 34 in the in-vehicle device 1 of the second embodiment. When a disaster notification is issued and the receiver 12 receives a radio signal including the disaster notification (step S11), the identity determination unit 22 compares the disaster notification of the latest reception date and time stored in the information accumulation unit 21 with the contents of past disaster notifications (step S12).

[0076] If the disaster report of the latest reception date and time is different from past disaster reports (step S12, Yes), the information storage unit 21 stores the disaster report of the latest reception date and time (step S13). Then, the report necessity determination unit 26 compares the disaster report with the display conditions (step S14).

[0077] In step S14, the notification necessity determination unit 26 searches the display conditions for a type of disaster that matches the disaster type information. The notification necessity determination unit 26 also searches the display conditions for a scale of disaster that matches the disaster type information. Furthermore, the notification necessity determination unit 26 calculates the distance between the vehicle position, destination, route, or specific registered point relative to the location information, and searches the display conditions for a section in which the calculated distance falls. Each node on the route is the subject of distance calculation. The specific registered point is a point that is highly related to the driver, such as the driver's home, parent's home, or workplace. Then, the notification necessity determination unit 26 reads out the necessity associated with the combination of the type of disaster, scale of disaster, and distance section. If the read content is necessary, the disaster notification matches the display conditions.

[0078] If the comparison result indicates that the disaster notification satisfies the display condition (step S14, Yes), the generation unit 23 switches from another screen to a notification screen 34 showing the content of the disaster notification at the latest reception date and time and displays it on the display unit 11 (step S15). In addition, the generation unit 23 causes the audio playback unit 14 to play audio indicating that the disaster notification has been received (step S16).

[0079] On the other hand, if the disaster report with the latest reception date and time is the same as a past disaster report (step S12, No), or if the disaster report does not meet the display conditions (step S14, No), the display process of the report screen 34 ends. The control unit 15 maintains the rendering of the main function screen 31, the standby screen 32, or the setting screen 33, and the display unit 11 maintains the display of the main function screen 31, the standby screen 32, or the setting screen 33.

[0080] (effect) In this way, the in-vehicle device 1 is configured to display disaster reports that meet predetermined display conditions on the report screen 34. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without being distracted by unnecessary and non-urgent report screens 34. Then, when the report screen 34 does appear, the driver can take the disaster report seriously.

[0081] Disaster reports that are not displayed on the report screen 34 are also stored in the information storage unit 21. In response to an operation by the operator, the control unit 15 may display a list of disaster reports stored in the information storage unit 21 on the display unit 11, or may display it as the standby screen 32. Then, the control unit 15 may display a disaster report on the list selected by the operator on the report screen 31. Alternatively, in response to an operation by the operator, the control unit 15 may continuously display the report screens 31 of each disaster report in the list in order.

[0082] The display conditions do not have to be directly related to the type of disaster, the scale of the disaster, the locational relationship, or a combination of two or more of these. For example, priority information representing top priority, priority, or normal may be defined for one or a combination of two or more, and the display of the reporting screen 34 may be determined according to the priority of the disaster report. In this case, the display condition is the priority of the disaster report, and satisfying the display condition means that the priority is such that the reporting screen 34 is displayed.

[0083] The display conditions may further include the type of other screens displayed on the display unit 11. The display conditions associate a priority for displaying the notification screen 34 with the type of other screens. The notification necessity determination unit 26 reads out the priority corresponding to the type of screen displayed on the display unit 11 in the display conditions, and compares the read out priority with the priority of the disaster notification. If the disaster notification is higher than the read out priority, the generation unit 23 displays the notification screen 34. This makes it possible to balance the urgency of the disaster notification with the performance of the original function of the in-vehicle device 1. For example, it is possible to avoid a situation where the main function screen 31, which encourages users to observe the speed limit, cannot be displayed due to an unnecessary and non-urgent disaster notification.

[0084] Furthermore, even when the notification screen 34 is displayed, the method of highlighting the character string 36 may be changed using the priority set for the disaster notification. For example, for top priority, the character string 36 may be highlighted with a red background color that conveys urgency, for priority, the character string 36 may be highlighted with a yellow background color that conveys the need for caution, and for normal notification, the character string 36 may be highlighted with a green background color that differs from the overall tone of the notification screen 34 but does not give the driver a great sense of tension.

[0085] (Third embodiment) Next, an in-vehicle device 1 according to a third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same configurations or functions as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] (composition) New disaster reports with different contents may occur frequently at short intervals. The in-vehicle device 1 assigns priorities to the disaster reports, not in the order in which they are received or in the order of their issuance, and displays the report screen 34 for the disaster reports in descending order of priority. The control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 1 further includes a priority determination unit 27, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0087] The priority determination unit 27 includes the processor 16 and the non-volatile memory 17. The priority determination unit 27 first stores disaster danger type information and priority in association with each other. When multiple disaster danger reports are received simultaneously, or when a next disaster danger report is received before displaying a report screen 34 for one disaster danger report, the priority determination unit 27 searches for the priority associated with the disaster danger type information included in each disaster danger report. The generation unit 23 then generates the report screens 34 in descending order of priority from the disaster danger reports with the highest priority.

[0088] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a priority setting screen 33. As shown in Fig. 10, the priority determination unit 27 displays the priority setting screen 33. This setting screen 33 is operated by the operator, and the priority is determined by the operator. This is because the disaster notification desired by the operator differs depending on the operator's living area, the vehicle driven by the operator, the operator's destination, etc.

[0089] A plurality of frames 33a are arranged side by side on the setting screen 33. A numerical value indicating the priority is attached to each frame 33a. Each time the operator touches the same frame 33a, the priority determination unit 27 changes the type of disaster notification displayed in the frame 33a. The type of disaster notification displayed in the frame 33a is represented by a character string. Meanwhile, a frame 33b is also displayed in the location where the icon 35 is displayed on the notification screen 34. The priority determination unit 27 displays in the frame 33b the icon 35 that is the same as the type of disaster notification displayed in the frame 33a.

[0090] (effect) In this way, the in-vehicle device 1 has a priority for each disaster report, and displays the report screens 34 of disaster reports in descending order of priority. When successive report screens 34 are displayed, the first report screen 34 attracts the most attention. Since the in-vehicle device 1 displays a disaster report with a higher priority that requires more attention first, it is possible to convey an important disaster report to the driver while the driver is still paying attention to it.

[0091] The priority level can be selected by the operator. When a character string indicating a type of disaster is selected on the setting screen 33, the icon 35 of that type is displayed at the same time. This allows the operator to be aware of the meaning of the icon 35 in advance, and when the reporting screen 34 is displayed, the operator can quickly recognize the meaning of the icon 35.

[0092] In addition to displaying multiple reporting screens 34 consecutively, multiple selection buttons matching the disaster type information of multiple disaster reports may be arranged, and the reporting screen 34 of the disaster report corresponding to the selected selection button may be displayed according to the selection button selected by the operator. Since it is difficult to distinguish if the map 38 displayed together with the screen for selecting the selection button is the whole of Japan, it is preferable that it is a region including the vehicle position or a neighboring prefecture unit. Icons 35 may be used as the selection buttons.

[0093] (Fourth embodiment) Next, an in-vehicle device 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same configurations or functions as those of the first to third embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0094] (composition) Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the transition of the notification screen 34. As shown in Fig. 11, the generation unit 23 first displays a wide-area map 38a within the notification screen 34. Then, the generation unit 23 changes to a detailed map 38b of the area including the point indicated by the disaster location information. When changing, the generation unit 23 makes the detailed map 38b appear from the point on the wide-area map 38a indicated by the disaster location information, and performs a zoom-up animation display in which the detailed map 38b becomes larger.

[0095] However, if the distance between the location of the disaster indicated by the location information and the predetermined point and route is equal to or less than a certain distance, the generation unit 23 does not display the zoomed-up animation, but keeps the wide-area map 38a as it is. The predetermined point is the vehicle position, the destination, or a specific registered point closely related to the registrant, such as the registrant's home, parent's home, workplace, or other.

[0096] (action) The display operation of the notification screen 34 of the in-vehicle device 1 having such a configuration is as follows: The display operation of the notification screen 34 is the same as in the first to third embodiments, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] 12 is a flowchart showing a transition procedure of the notification screen 34 in the fourth embodiment. First, the generation unit 23 causes the display unit 11 to display the notification screen 34 including the wide-area map 38a (step S31). Then, the generation unit 23 reads out the location information included in the disaster notification (step S32), and calculates the distance between a predetermined point and a predetermined route (step S33).

[0098] In step S33, the generation unit 23 calculates the difference between the latitude and longitude of the predetermined point and the latitude and longitude indicated by the location information. If the predetermined point is the vehicle position, the latitude and longitude calculated by the control unit 15 is used. If the predetermined point is the destination or a specific registered point, the latitude and longitude are read from the non-volatile memory 17.

[0099] Incidentally, there are cases where an area name is included as location information in a disaster warning report. To prepare for this case, in addition to the area name information, latitude and longitude information representative of the area indicated by the area name information is further associated as attribute data with each polygon on the map 38. The generation unit 23 reads out the latitude and longitude information of the area indicated by the location information from the map 38, and calculates the difference from the latitude and longitude of a specified point. When multiple area names are included as location information in the disaster warning report, the difference from the latitude and longitude information of each area name is calculated, and the smallest difference is adopted.

[0100] Furthermore, in step S33, with regard to the distance from the route, the generation unit 23 reads out the latitude and longitude information attached to the nodes on the route, and calculates the difference between the latitude and longitude of each node and the location information.

[0101] When the distance between the specified point and the specified route is calculated (step S33), that is, when the difference in latitude and longitude is calculated in this embodiment, the generation unit 23 compares the calculated distance with a threshold value (step S34). The threshold value is stored in advance in the generation unit 23. In other words, it is included in the disaster notification program 25. When the difference in latitude and longitude is used as the threshold value, the calculated difference does not need to be converted to the metric system or the like, but if the threshold value is in the metric system, the difference in latitude and longitude is converted to the metric system before comparison.

[0102] If the comparison result indicates that the calculated distance is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S34, No), the generation unit 23 ends the process without executing the zoom-up animation display. On the other hand, if the comparison result indicates that the calculated distance is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S34, Yes), the generation unit 23 displays the zoom-up animation using the detailed map 38b including the location of the disaster indicated by the location information (step S35).

[0103] The generation unit 23 uses polygon data including the latitude and longitude indicated by the location information from the map 38 and its adjacent polygon data as the detailed map 38b, and continuously enlarges and displays the detailed map 38b with the location of the disaster plotted on the wide-area map 38a as the center. Alternatively, the generation unit 23 uses polygon data with the area name indicated by the location information from the map 38 attached thereto and its adjacent polygon data as the detailed map 38b.

[0104] When this zoom-up animation display occurs, the driver recognizes that the vehicle position, destination, home, parent's home, workplace, route, etc. are close to the disaster location indicated by the disaster notification. Therefore, the driver recognizes that the disaster notification may be of danger to the driver, someone close to the driver, or their property, and can take the notification screen 34 more seriously.

[0105] (effect) In this way, the control unit 15 compares the distance between the disaster location and a predetermined point or a predetermined route with the threshold, and if the distance is equal to or less than the threshold, generates data for the notification screen 34 in which the map 38 zooms up. This allows the driver to take the disaster notification screen 34 more seriously, triggered by the zoom-up animation display.

[0106] It is also possible to omit the comparison between the distance and the threshold value and to uniformly display the zoom-up animation. That is, the display unit 11 may display the map 38 while zooming in on all the notification screens 34. There is a risk that the driver will not notice that the notification screen 34 has been switched to while driving, but this zoom-up animation display causes the notification screen 34 to change in the corner of the driver's vision, making it easier for the driver to notice the notification screen 34.

[0107] Fifth embodiment Next, an in-vehicle device 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same configurations or functions as those in any of the first to fourth embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] (composition) Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 15 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the control unit 15 includes an information accumulation unit 21, an identity determination unit 22, a generation unit 23, a screen part storage unit 24, and an issuance date and time determination unit 28.

[0109] The issuance date and time determination unit 28 includes the processor 16, and searches for disaster notifications issued after the in-vehicle device 1 is started up. This issuance date and time determination unit 28 obtains the time when the in-vehicle device 1 is started up. The in-vehicle device 1 may be provided with a clock IC. The generation unit 23 then obtains a disaster notification including issuance date and time information after the start-up date and time, and displays the disaster notification on the notification screen 34 on the display unit 11.

[0110] (action) The display operation of the notification screen 34 of the in-vehicle device 1 having such a configuration is as follows. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the display procedure of the notification screen 34 in the in-vehicle device 1. First, when the vehicle starts (step S41), the announcement date and time determination unit 28 stores the date and time when the vehicle starts (step S42). The start of the vehicle is, in other words, the supply of power to the in-vehicle device 1 or the establishment of communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and other electronic devices in the vehicle. When power is supplied or communication is established, the announcement date and time determination unit 28 obtains the date and time counted by, for example, a clock IC in the in-vehicle device 1 and stores it in the non-volatile memory 17.

[0111] After the vehicle starts, when the receiver 12 receives a radio signal including a disaster notification (step S43), the identity determination unit 22 compares the content of the disaster notification at the latest reception date and time with the past disaster notifications (step S44). If the disaster notification is different from the past ones (step S44, Yes), the information storage unit 21 stores the disaster notification extracted from the radio signal (step S45).

[0112] Next, the issuance date and time determination unit 28 reads out the issuance date and time information from the disaster notification (step S46) and compares it with the date and time when the vehicle was started (step S47). If the comparison shows that the issuance date and time information is after the vehicle was started (step S47, Yes), the generation unit 23 switches the notification screen 34 showing the contents of the disaster notification from another screen and displays it on the display unit 11 (step S48). On the other hand, if the disaster notification is the same as the past one (step S44, No) or the issuance date and time information is before the vehicle was started (step S47, No), the display process of the notification screen 34 ends.

[0113] (effect) In this way, the display unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 displays the notification screen 34 showing only the disaster notification received by the receiving unit 12 after the in-vehicle device 1 is started. When the in-vehicle device 1 is powered by the vehicle, after the in-vehicle device 1 is started can be rephrased as after the vehicle is started. When the in-vehicle device 1 is a smartphone or a tablet terminal, the issuance date and time determination unit 28 may determine that the vehicle is starting when a connection is established with other electronic devices in the vehicle via wireless LAN or wireless PAN, and the generation unit 23 may display the notification screen 34 showing only the disaster notification received by the receiving unit 12 after the connection is established. In this way, disaster notifications that the driver already knows are not displayed continuously as the in-vehicle device 1 is started, which does not bother the driver.

[0114] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiment and modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1 In-vehicle equipment 11 Display section 12 Receiving section 13 Acceleration Sensor 14 Audio playback section 15 Control section 16 processors 17 Non-volatile memory 21 Information Storage Unit 22 Identity determination section 23 Generation part 24 Screen parts memory section 25 Disaster Reporting Program 26 Report necessity determination unit 27 Priority judgment section 28. Date and time of issuance determination unit 31 Main function screen 32 Standby screen 33 Setting screen 34 Report screen 35 Icons 36 String 37 sentences 38 Map 38a Wide Area Map 38b Detailed map

Claims

[Claim 1] A receiving unit capable of receiving a disaster report; A control unit that generates a notification screen showing the content of the disaster notification; a display unit that switches from another screen to the notification screen generated by the control unit and displays the same; Equipped with The receiving unit receives a plurality of disaster reports simultaneously or within a short period of time, the control unit stores a prescribed priority level set for each disaster notification, generates notification screens showing the contents of the plurality of disaster notifications in order of priority, and outputs the notification screens of the disaster notifications to the display unit in order of priority, The control unit displays a setting screen for the priority on the display unit, changes a character string representing a type of disaster notification in response to an operation by the operator on the setting screen, and displays an icon corresponding to the type of disaster represented by the character string on the setting screen, and stores the priority by the operator setting the priority on the setting screen. An in-vehicle device characterized by the above.

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