Electronic device and program

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus capable of issuing an alarm desired by a user.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus has an alarm function in which, when an alarm condition is satisfied during display of a standby screen such as a surrounding map of a current position, alarm displays 36a-36e that show, by characters, information of an alarm object satisfying the alarm condition in a pentagonal slender region, for example, are displayed on a display unit 5 in the state in which alarm display are overlaid on the standby screen. The alarm function can simultaneously display a plurality of alarm display on the display unit, and outputs the information of different alarm objects to each alarm display. The display positions of the plurality of alarm display are set as predetermined fixed positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As one of electronic devices, there is a microwave detector (radar detector) that detects microwaves in a predetermined frequency band emitted from a speed measurement device installed on the roadside or the like and outputs an alarm. Also, some speed measurement devices cannot be detected by such a microwave detector. For example, as called a loop type, there is one that embeds a loop-shaped coil in the ground, detects a vehicle passing over the coil, and determines the vehicle speed. There are also those that detect the speed of a vehicle using light other than microwaves. Therefore, there is also an electronic device that stores in advance the installation position information of the speed measurement device and issues an alarm regardless of the detection of microwaves when the current position approaches the stored installation position (when a predetermined relationship is established) using GPS (Global Positioning System) information (Patent Document 1).

[0003] This type of electronic device includes, for example, a flat rectangular case and is installed on a dashboard or the like. The front surface of the case in the installed state (the surface facing the rear of the vehicle (the driver side)) is provided with a display unit. The above-mentioned alarm is issued by outputting alarm information composed of an image, video, characters, etc. to the display unit when predetermined event occurrence conditions and alarm conditions are satisfied. Also, a speaker is built into the case, and alarm information using sound is also output from the speaker. The predetermined event occurrence conditions include, for example, the current position and the distance to the alarm target reaching a predetermined reference distance (for example, 2000 m, 1000 m, 500 m, etc.), or receiving predetermined microwaves, radio waves, etc. And the alarm outputs an audio alarm such as "It's ○○ 500 m ahead." (○○ is information for specifying the alarm target (loop coil, etc.)), or displays an animated image corresponding to the type of the alarm target, a real image of each alarm target, the name of the type of the alarm target (alarm name), and the remaining distance on the display unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventional alarms associated with the occurrence of an event are issued for one alarm target determined according to a predetermined rule. The predetermined rule, for example, sets priorities for each type of alarm target and selects the alarm target with the highest priority, or selects, for example, the alarm target closest to the current position. Also, they can be combined. For example, when there are multiple alarm targets with the same high priority, the alarm target closest to the current position among them may be selected.

[0006] However, there are often multiple alarm targets that are candidates for alarming. If only one alarm target uniquely determined by the above rules is notified, the existence of other alarm targets cannot be known or the knowledge thereof will be delayed. Also, the one alarm target determined by such rules is not necessarily the one that the user most wants to know first. Therefore, it cannot be said to provide sufficient information.

[0007] In addition, there are various standby screens displayed on the display unit when no event is occurring. Among them, there is a standby screen that displays a map of the vicinity of the current location (hereinafter also referred to as the "Map screen"). When an event occurs during the display of such a Map screen and a predetermined animation or live-action image is to be displayed, for example, the area where the map is displayed is slid, and the animation or live-action image is displayed in the vacated area. Then, since the map moves and the display area becomes smaller, there arises a problem that the map becomes difficult to view. Also, usually, since a self-vehicle icon is displayed at the current position on the map, the self-vehicle icon also slides as the area where the map is displayed slides, increasing the difficulty of viewing.

[0008] Also, conventional warning contents are changed depending on, for example, the type of warning target. That is, in this type of conventional electronic device, the main focus is on accurately conveying the warning target, which is easy to understand but lacks in entertainment value. Also, there is not enough playfulness, and there is a risk of boring the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above-described problems, the electronic device according to the present invention has an alarm function that displays, on a display unit, an alarm display that shows, in characters, information on an alarm target that satisfies an alarm condition within a region. The alarm function enables a plurality of alarm displays to be simultaneously displayed on the display unit, and each alarm display outputs information about a different alarm target. By doing so, when there are a plurality of alarm targets that satisfy the alarm condition, information about those plurality of alarm targets is output to different alarm displays, which is preferable because the user can know the alarm target that the user most wants to see and is interested in. Further, this alarm display may be, for example, overlaid on a standby screen displayed on the display unit when the alarm condition is not satisfied. In this case, the standby screen is used as it is as the background during an alarm. Also, a plurality of alarm displays may be output overlaid on another alarm screen.

[0010] (2) Among the plurality of alarm displays, it is preferable that the alarm display for displaying information on an alarm target with a high priority has a prominent display mode. By doing so, when alarm displays for a plurality of alarm targets are simultaneously displayed, it is preferable because it becomes easier for the user to naturally look at the alarm display for the alarm target with a high priority.

[0011] (3) Among the plurality of alarm displays, it is preferable that the alarm display for displaying information on an alarm target with a high priority has a prominent display mode, and the prominent display mode may be at least either making the display of the alarm display a prominent color in the red system or positioning it on the upper side when arranged vertically. For the display of the alarm display made into a prominent color, for example, the color of the characters, the frame or the background pattern specifying the area of the characters may be in the red system.

[0012] (4) The alarm targets are preferably divided into a plurality of groups and stored based on the types of the alarm targets, and the plurality of alarm displays are preferably associated with the plurality of groups. The grouping is, for example, based on the types of the alarm targets, and by making those of the same type of alarm target belong to the same group, information on different types of alarm targets is displayed in each alarm display. Therefore, it is less likely that the plurality of alarm displays are filled with information on the same type of alarm target, and the possibility that the type of alarm target the user wants to know is displayed is increased. Also, for example, when priorities are set for each type of alarm target, it is good to make those of the same type of alarm target with the same priority belong to the same group. By doing so, even alarm targets with a low priority are displayed as alarm displays, so that information can be provided to the user in a wide range without omission.

[0013] (5) It is preferable to fix the display position in the display area of the display unit of the plurality of alarm displays. By fixing the display position, the user can predict the appearance position of the alarm display. Therefore, for example, if the user remembers the position of the alarm display where the alarm target he / she wants to know is displayed, he / she can immediately look at the display position of the alarm display and acquire information.

[0014] (6) The alarm display may be arranged on the left and right of the display area of the display unit, and the left and right alarm displays may be arranged alternately up and down. By arranging them alternately, they can be neatly arranged and easier to view.

[0015] (7) When the number of alarm targets that satisfy the alarm condition is less than the maximum number of alarm displays that can be shown, the number of alarm displays shown may be the number of alarm targets that satisfy the alarm condition. By doing so, there will be no display area for alarm displays with blank spaces where information is not shown. For example, when the alarm display is shown by overlaying it on the screen displayed in the display area of the display unit, the screen drawn below the alarm display will not be hidden or made difficult to view by the blank alarm display, which is preferable. In particular, for example, when the alarm display area is made easier to view by being framed or painted with a ground pattern of a predetermined color or pattern within the area, it is preferable because the presence of a blank alarm display increases the difficulty of viewing.

[0016] (8) When displaying a map display function for displaying map information around the current position on the display unit and displaying an alarm image related to an alarm target that satisfies the alarm condition, the alarm image may be displayed over the map information without sliding the display area of the map information being displayed by the map display function. The alarm image may be, for example, an animation, a still image associated with the type of alarm target, a real - life image of an individual alarm target, etc.

[0017] By doing so, the area where the map is displayed does not have its display area reduced or move in a predetermined direction, so the display area of the map to be output can be ensured to remain large. Therefore, the map is easy to view. Also, when a vehicle icon indicating the current position is displayed on the map, when the map is slid, the vehicle icon also slides and displaces. Also, the time for displaying this type of warning image is often relatively short. Then, if the display area of the map information changes and the vehicle icon also displaces during such a short period of time, it will instead become difficult to view. However, according to the present invention, such a situation does not occur and it can be made easy to view. Also, since the warning image is output and displayed superimposed on the map, the area for displaying the warning image can also use, for example, the entire screen of the display unit. As a result, the dimensional shape of the warning image can be enlarged, or if there is movement, the movement can be enlarged, making it easy to view, and also making it easier to intuitively understand the type of warning target and giving a certain feeling.

[0018] (9) It is preferable to make the transmittance of the warning image changeable. By changing the transmittance, for example, the warning image changes such as flashing, so there is an impact and the user's attention can be obtained. Also, for example, it is preferable to make the warning image emerge from a nearly transparent state onto the screen, which can give a greater impact and inform the user of its presence. Furthermore, for example, when the size of the warning image is enlarged, many parts of the map displayed below it will be hidden, but by increasing the transmittance, the map information below can also be shown to the user while displaying the warning image, which is preferable.

[0019] (10) The alarm image has an anime main body part for identifying the type of the alarm target and a distance gauge arranged around the anime main body part. The distance gauge is for informing the distance to the alarm target, and may be divided into a plurality of sections according to the distance to the alarm target, and the plurality of sections may be color-coded and displayed. By doing so, it is preferable because the approximate remaining distance and the approach degree can be known by looking at the color displayed on the distance gauge. Also, if the anime main body is, for example, an object representing the alarm target in 2D or 3D, it is preferable because the type of the alarm target can be intuitively understood. Further, this distance gauge may also be applied to be arranged around a main body image element composed of a still image corresponding to the type of the alarm target, for example.

[0020] (11) When the alarm condition is satisfied, the alarm content to be displayed may be determined based on information other than the type of the alarm target. The alarm content output when the alarm condition is satisfied is not the alarm content related to the alarm target that satisfies the condition, but is determined based on information other than the type of the alarm target, so it is novel and can surprise the user. By appropriately devising the alarm content, it can exert an entertaining and soothing effect on the user, and moreover, it can surely inform that there is an alarm target that satisfies some kind of alarm condition.

[0021] (12) Information other than the type of the target of the alarm is information related to the current time, and the alarm content may be an animation specified from the information related to the current time. Information related to time includes time, time zone, day and night, date, month, season, etc. In particular, in Japan, there are four seasons, and since Japanese people experience various seasons, it is advisable to use animations suitable for that time based on seasons or the like as the alarm content. By doing so, it is possible to give users a sense of comfort and pleasure felt in each season, such as a soothing effect and a refreshing feeling. Also, for example, during the day, people are more active and in a better mood, while at night they are calmer. Since the mood of the user differs between day and night, it is preferable to vary the animations played depending on day and night so that, for example, it matches the user's mood and can entertain the user.

[0022] (13) It is good to have a function of notifying the type of the target of the alarm that satisfies the alarm condition. Such a notification function can be realized, for example, by displaying character information or the like on a character alarm section provided on a display unit, or by voice output or the like. By doing so, it is preferable because the type of the target of the alarm can also be recognized.

[0023] (14) It is advisable to determine the standby screen displayed on the display unit when the alarm condition is not satisfied based on the current date and time information. In particular, by integrating with the invention described in (12), it is preferable because the animation corresponding to the current time becomes more vivid.

[0024] (15) When the second alarm condition defined separately from the normal alarm condition is satisfied, a special alarm may be issued such that the alarm content output when the target of the alarm that satisfies the second alarm condition also satisfies the normal alarm condition is different. The second alarm condition includes both the case of the normal alarm condition and additional conditions, that is, the case of satisfying the normal alarm condition and further satisfying the additional conditions, and the case of being set separately from the normal alarm condition.

[0025] (16) The special alarm may be configured to output a special animation before the normal alarm. In the embodiment, the special animation may include, for example, the screen being cracked by waves (e.g., FIGS. 17(a)-(c)), the display on the display unit being distorted (noise in FIG. 19(a), ice cracking in FIG. 20(a), etc.), being sucked into a black hole (FIG. 20(e)), the screen disappearing (FIGS. 19(b), 21(b)), cooperating with a light tube (FIGS. 19(c), 21(c)), etc. By presenting the special animation, the user can intuitively understand that something has happened, and then be made to pay attention to the subsequent alarm. Also, since an animation that is not usually seen is displayed, it is good because it can amuse the user.

[0026] (17) The special alarm may be configured to output an animation that makes the display on the display unit difficult to view. In the embodiment, making it difficult to view may include, for example, the display on the display unit being distorted (noise in FIG. 19(a), ice cracking in FIG. 20(a), etc.), a black hole (FIG. 20(e)), etc. Similar to the warning by the above-described special animation, by making the screen momentarily difficult to view and playing an animation different from normal, the user can be made to pay attention to the screen. In particular, by making the screen momentarily difficult to view, emotions such as "what happened?" can be evoked in the user, and the effect of making the user focus on the screen in an attempt to see it better can also be expected.

[0027] (18) The special alarm may be configured to return to normal after creating a state that appears to have an abnormality. For example, to create a feeling of a malfunction or power-off, the display unit may be set to all black with the backlight off, or an effect sound of a cathode ray tube TV disappearing may be output. By creating a state that appears to have an abnormality, the user will be momentarily surprised and pay attention to what has happened to the in-vehicle device. And since it then returns to normal, the user can watch the alarm while still paying attention to the in-vehicle device.

[0028] (19) It is provided with an optical tube having a light-emitting part connected to its end. The optical tube emits light by the light of the light-emitting part, and the optical tube is arranged at a position where the light emitted from the optical tube is visible to the driver. The special alarm may utilize the light emitted from the optical tube. Utilizing light means, for example, that when a normal alarm is being given, light may be emitted from the optical tube.

[0029] The optical tube includes a core material and a clad material formed to cover the outer periphery of the core material. Different from an optical fiber used for optical transmission etc., the interface between the core material and the clad material has structural irregularities. Therefore, the light incident from the end face propagates while repeatedly undergoing total reflection at the interface between the core material and the clad material, and gradually leaks light from the side surface due to the structural irregularities of the interface, causing the side surface to emit light. This optical tube is also referred to as, for example, a side-leakage type silicone optical fiber. The core material and the clad material are formed using, for example, elastomers with different refractive indices (for example, the core material is a high refractive index and highly transparent elastomer, and the clad material is a low refractive index transparent elastomer), so that the optical tube has high elasticity and flexibility and can be bent or flexed at any position.

[0030] Visible means that it is sufficient if the driver can confirm the light emitted from the optical tube along with the emission of the light-emitting part. That is, when the light is off, it is not necessary for the driver to know the existence of the optical tube, or it may be visible, but in particular, it is preferable to have a configuration where the existence of the optical tube is not known when the light is off. By doing so, an impact can be given when the light is on. Also, the optical tube may be exposed to the outside, but it is particularly good to arrange and cover, for example, a cover member such as a transparent or translucent member that transmits various lights on the part facing the driver. Even if the optical tube is covered with a cover member etc., it is sufficient if the lit optical tube can be visually recognized from the driver's side when the optical tube emits light. The light-emitting part may be, for example, monochromatic or capable of full-color output. It is preferable that the one capable of full-color output has a wider variety of color development states.

[0031] Then, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit enters the optical tube from the end of the optical tube, and while traveling inside the optical tube, a part of the light is emitted to the outside from the periphery of the optical tube. Since it emits light along the shape of the optical tube, by arranging the optical tube at an appropriate position on the front surface facing the driver of the electronic device, the light emitted from the optical tube can be visually recognized by the driver.

[0032] The optical tube can be attached to the electronic device in any shape of a straight line or a curve, and emits light along such a shape. Therefore, it becomes a light source having a certain length instead of a point like a lamp. Also, since it does not require a driver or the like corresponding to its light-emitting position like a display module, it can be arranged, for example, near the periphery of the electronic device.

[0033] (20) It is preferable that the special warning controls so that it is related to the display object output to the display unit and the light of the optical tube. Examples of the display object include a predetermined picture / motif, characters (in the embodiment, "X"), etc. By fusing the display unit and the optical tube, the display area becomes larger than the display screen of the display unit, and a more impactful, innovative, and surprising warning can be given.

[0034] (21) When passing through the warning target, it is preferable to cut in an image showing the passing state. By cutting in a predetermined number of images, an impact can be given to the user, and it can be more surely notified that the passage has been made. For example, when giving a warning by a normal animation, it is preferable to output an image by such a cut-in. This cut-in may be used as a special warning.

[0035] (22) It is preferable to determine the driving situation when passing through the warning target and output a screen of the determination result. By outputting the screen of the determination result, it can be more surely notified to the user that the warning target has been passed. Furthermore, since the driving situation at the time of passing is determined, there is a game element and the fun is increased. Also, it is good because it can be expected that the driver will drive carefully so that a better determination result screen is output. (23) The driving situation is preferably the deviation between the speed limit and the driving speed.

[0036] (24) It is preferable to include a function of notifying that public notice information is being announced at the current location, and a function of superimposing and displaying a public notice information display section that displays the public notice information as static text on the display screen in accordance with a display request from the user. In the embodiment, the notification function performs a process of blinking the warning lamp unit 71. Further, the notification function is not limited to displaying characters or other display elements on the display unit, and notification by sound may also be used. In order to display the public notice information as static text, the user can confirm the content of the public notice information at any timing while the public notice information is being displayed. The static state means that, for example, the display position of each character does not move like scrolling, but rather the display position of the character does not change. Therefore, for example, when continuously displaying at the same position, or when blinking by repeatedly displaying / non-displaying characters at the same position, it is also included in the static state. It can also be said that the text is displayed with the display position of the character fixed. Since it notifies that there is public notice information and the notification of the actual content of the public notice information is performed waiting for an instruction from the user, it is possible to suppress the provision of unnecessary information for users who do not want to see such public notice information or who already know and do not need to see it, and it is preferable because it eliminates useless information for the user. Also, when displaying the public notice information as text, since it is performed according to a request from the user, for example, the public notice information may be displayed using a relatively large area such as the entire screen of the display unit, and information can be displayed in an easy-to-see manner.

[0037] (25) It is provided with a standby screen display function for displaying a standby screen to be displayed on the display unit when the warning condition is not satisfied. The standby screen display function may display the direction and magnitude of the acceleration applied to the vehicle with an acceleration gauge arranged around a vehicle object indicating the vehicle. By doing so, it is preferable because the user can intuitively understand the acceleration state at a glance.

[0038] (26) Based on the direction of the acceleration applied to the vehicle, it is preferable to determine the display position of the acceleration gauge on the outer periphery of the vehicle object, and determine the gradient display of the acceleration gauge based on the magnitude of the acceleration. From the display position of the acceleration gauge, the direction of the acceleration can be intuitively understood, and by representing the magnitude of the acceleration in gradation, it is clean, easy to understand, and interesting.

[0039] (27) It is provided with a standby screen display function for displaying a standby screen to be displayed on the display unit when the warning condition is not satisfied. The standby screen display function preferably graphically displays the CN values of a plurality of GPS satellites. By graphically displaying, the magnitude relationship of the CN values of the plurality of GPS satellites currently being received can be intuitively understood, and the number of GPS satellites being received, etc. can also be known, which is preferable. In this case, for example, the graphical display is a bar graph, and if the display color of the bar line is changed based on the magnitude of the CN value, in addition to the area of the display area, the magnitude of the CN value can be understood by the color, that is, the suitability of the radio wave reception status from the GPS satellite, which is preferable. In particular, if the CN value is at a sufficient level for positioning, it is colored green or blue, if it is not quite sufficient or insufficient for positioning, it is colored red, and furthermore, if the intermediate values are color-coded yellow, it is related to the colors of traffic lights, etc., and the state of the reception status becomes easier to understand, which is good.

[0040] When the warning condition is not satisfied, it has a standby screen display function for displaying a standby screen on the display unit. The standby screen display function performs scoring of a plurality of predetermined items based on driving data, and displays a comprehensive result obtained by obtaining a comprehensive evaluation of driving based on the scoring of the plurality of items. The display of the comprehensive result may be in a display mode such that the better the comprehensive evaluation, the better the user's mood. By doing so, the user's mood improves, and it is possible to encourage the user to drive in a relaxed mood, which is preferable. Furthermore, the user, that is, the driver, will try to drive in a display mode that makes the user feel good, and it is possible to encourage safe driving and eco-driving, which is good. Also, the display of such a comprehensive result has a game-like nature and a sense of playfulness, which is preferable.

[0041] (29) The display of the comprehensive result may be in a display mode such that the lower the comprehensive evaluation, the worse the user's mood. By doing so, when the comprehensive result is bad, it becomes a display mode that is not preferable for the user. Therefore, the user will try to drive in a way that does not result in such a display mode. As a result, it is possible to encourage safe driving and eco-driving, which is good. Also, the display of such a comprehensive result has a game-like nature and a sense of playfulness, which is preferable. (30) The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to realize the functions as the electronic device according to any one of (1) to (29).

Advantages of the Invention

[0042] According to the present invention, it is possible to issue a warning desired by the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0043]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the described device and the like is not intended to be limited thereto, but is merely an illustrative example.

[0045] [Basic Configuration of Electronic Device] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the configuration of a radar detector, which is a preferred embodiment as an electronic device constituting the system of the present invention. The radar detector 1 includes a thin rectangular case 2 and is attached and fixed to the dashboard of a vehicle or the like using a bracket 3 attached to the lower part on the back side of the case 2.

[0046] On the front surface of the case 2 (the surface facing the rear of the vehicle (the driver side)), a display unit 5 is provided. The display unit 5 is composed of a color TFT liquid crystal display. On this display unit 5, a touch panel 6 for detecting which part of the display unit 5 has been touched is provided. In addition, a volume adjustment button 7 is arranged on the right side of the front surface of the case 2, and various operation buttons 8 are arranged on the left side thereof.

[0047] On the right side of the case 2, there is a card insertion slot 9 for mounting a memory card as a removable recording medium, and a card reader 10 is built inside the case 2 on the inner side of the card insertion slot 9. By inserting the memory card 11 through this card insertion slot 9, the memory card 11 is mounted on the card reader 10. The card reader 10 takes in the data stored in the mounted memory card 11 internally. More specifically, if the data stored in the memory card 11 is update information such as new alarm target information (position information such as latitude and longitude, type information, etc.), the update information is stored (downloaded) in the database 19 built in the device via the control unit 18, and the data is updated.

[0048] The database 19 can be realized by a non-volatile memory (such as a NAND Flash memory) built in the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. Also, the memory card 11 itself may be configured as part or all of the database 19. Note that map data and information regarding certain alarm targets are registered in the database 19 at the time of shipment, and data such as data regarding alarm targets added later is updated as described above.

[0049] A GPS receiver 13 is arranged inside the upper part of the center on the back side of the case 2, and a microwave receiver 14 and a wireless receiver 15 are arranged beside it. The GPS receiver 13 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and outputs current position (latitude and longitude) information. The microwave receiver 14 receives microwaves of a predetermined frequency emitted from a speed measuring device. The wireless receiver 15 receives VHF and UHF band radio waves for traffic control communication, etc. A speaker 16 is built in a predetermined position inside the case 2.

[0050] A mini USB connector 12 is arranged at the lower part of the back side of the case 2. This mini USB connector 12 is for connecting a cigarette plug cord (not shown), and can receive power supply by connecting to the cigarette socket of a vehicle via the cigarette plug cord.

[0051] In Case 2, an OBD adapter 21 that is detachably attached to an OBD-II (II is the Roman numeral "2", hereinafter "OBD-II" will be referred to as "OBD2") connector mounted on the vehicle is connected. The OBD2 connector, also called a fault diagnosis connector, is connected to the vehicle's ECU, and various vehicle information is output periodically. Therefore, by connecting this OBD adapter 21 and the OBD2 connector on the vehicle body side, the control unit 18 periodically acquires various vehicle information.

[0052] This vehicle information includes the vehicle's mileage, vehicle speed, injection time, intake air volume, remaining fuel information, etc. The remaining fuel is the amount of fuel remaining in the current fuel tank and is output with a resolution of 0.5 liters. Therefore, by periodically acquiring the remaining fuel and recording the timing when a change occurs between the previous remaining fuel and the current remaining fuel, it can be said that the fuel consumed from the previous change to the current change is 0.5 liters. Also, some output information related to fuel consumption (such as lifetime fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, etc.) periodically.

[0053] Also, the above OBD adapter 21 is detachably linked to a connection terminal 23 provided in Case 2. When the vehicle information from the OBD2 connector is not required, removing the OBD adapter 21 suppresses the wiring from being scattered on the dashboard or the like, and makes the area around the radar detector clean.

[0054] Case 2 is provided with an acceleration sensor (G sensor) 25 and a gyro sensor 26. The acceleration sensor 25 detects the acceleration related to the vehicle and obtains the acceleration in two directions, the front-rear direction and the lateral direction of the vehicle. The gyro sensor 26 integrates the angular velocity so that the control unit 18 can obtain the traveling direction of the host vehicle on the map.

[0055] The control unit 18 is a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, I / O, etc., and is connected to each of the above-described units as shown in FIG. 2. The control unit 18 creates information to be notified to the driver based on information input from the above various input devices (touch panel 6, GPS receiver 13, microwave receiver 14, wireless receiver 15, acceleration sensor 25, gyro sensor 26, etc.), and outputs the information using output devices (display unit 5, speaker 16, etc.). These basic configurations are basically the same as those of the prior art.

[0056] The functions of the radar detector 1 in this embodiment are realized by the CPU of the control unit 18 executing the firmware stored in the NAND Flash memory of the control unit 18 as firmware. The firmware stored in the NAND Flash memory can be updated by the new firmware stored in the memory card 11.

[0057] "Notification Using an Optical Tube" Case 2 has a horizontally long, roughly ladle shape when viewed from the front. The roughly ladle shape referred to in this embodiment is a shape in which two circles arranged on the left and right sides are connected to each other, and a constricted portion is provided in which the connecting portion is recessed toward the center. In this embodiment, the diameters of the circles on the left and right sides are made equal, and the distances from the center in the longitudinal direction to the centers of the respective circles are also made equal. The front surface of case 2 has a vertically arranged, left-right symmetric shape. Further, the display unit 5 has a rectangular shape and is disposed at the center of the front surface of case 2.

[0058] Place the optical tube 20 at a predetermined position on the front surface of the case 2. The optical tube 20 includes a core material and a cladding material formed to cover the outer periphery of the core material. Different from the optical fiber used for optical transmission and the like, the interface between the core material and the cladding material has structural irregularities. Therefore, the light incident from the end face propagates while repeatedly undergoing total reflection at the interface between the core material and the cladding material, and gradually leaks light from the side surface due to the structural irregularities of the interface, causing the side surface to emit light. This optical tube is also referred to as, for example, a side-leakage type silicone optical fiber. The core material and the cladding material are formed using, for example, elastomers with different refractive indices (for example, the core material is a high refractive index and highly transparent elastomer, and the cladding material is a low refractive index transparent elastomer), so that the optical tube has high elasticity and flexibility and can be bent or bent at an arbitrary position. The optical tube can be attached to the electronic device in an arbitrary shape of a straight line or a curve, and emits light along such a shape. Therefore, it becomes a light source having a certain length instead of a point like a lamp.

[0059] The optical tubes 20 are arranged along the peripheries on both the left and right sides of the front surface. Each optical tube 20 is arc-shaped, and one end of the optical tube 20 is arranged to approach the upper side of the display unit 5, and the other end of the optical tube 20 is arranged to approach the lower side. The optical tubes 20 are arranged so as to wrap around the outside of the volume adjustment button 7 and the work button 8.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, light emitting portions are connected to both ends of the optical tube 20 respectively. For example, full-color LEDs 22 are used as the light emitting portions. Light of a predetermined emission color emitted from the full-color LEDs 22 enters the optical tube 20 from the end portion of the optical tube 20. This incident light travels inside the optical tube, and a part of it leaks out from the periphery of the optical tube 20 and is emitted. Light is emitted from the entire optical tube 20 and emits light in a predetermined color along the shape of the optical tube 20. Since the optical tube 20 is arranged on the front surface of the case 2 facing the driver, the light emitted from the optical tube 20 can be visually recognized by the driver.

[0061] Furthermore, the front surface of the case 2 is open along the outer peripheral edge of a substantially gourd shape, and a transparent cover 24 is attached to the opened portion to close the opening on the front surface. The transparent cover 24 keeps the regions facing the display unit 5, the volume adjustment button 7, the operation button 8, and the optical tube 20 transparent, so that the display of the display unit 5, the light from the optical tube 20, etc. are emitted to the front surface and the outside. Therefore, as described above, the driver can visually recognize the display of the display unit 5 and the light from the optical tube 20. The transparent cover 24 smokes the inner surface of the portions outside the regions facing the display unit 5, the volume adjustment button 7, the operation button 8, and the optical tube 20, making it difficult to see inside the case 2.

[0062] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the optical tube 20, the full-color LED 22, and the display unit 5. The full-color LEDs 22 are connected to both ends of the optical tube 20, respectively. The full-color LED 22 connected to one end of the optical tube 20 located on the upper side of the display unit 5 is defined as the first full-color LED 22a, and the full-color LED 22 connected to the other end of the optical tube 20 located on the lower side of the display unit 5 is defined as the second full-color LED 22b. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish each full-color LED, they are simply collectively referred to as the full-color LED 22, and when distinction is required, either the first or the second is indicated. The full-color LED 22 is arranged on the back side of the display unit 5. When the driver views the radar detector 1 from the front, the full-color LED 22 is in a state of being hidden by the display unit 5.

[0063] The control unit 18 controls the light emission of the first full-color LED 22a and the second full-color LED 22b. As an example of the control of light emission, it is controlled so that the respective emission colors are different. The light of the first emission color emitted by the first full-color LED 22a enters the optical tube 20 from one end of the optical tube 20, and while traveling through the optical tube 20 toward the other end, a part of the light is emitted to the outside from the periphery of the optical tube 20. Therefore, the first section K1 from one end of the optical tube 20 to a point at a predetermined distance away emits light of the first emission color. On the other hand, the light of the second emission color emitted by the second full-color LED 22b enters the optical tube 20 from the other end of the optical tube 20, and while traveling through the optical tube 20 toward one end, a part of the light is emitted to the outside from the periphery of the optical tube 20. Therefore, the second section K2 from the other end of the optical tube 20 to a point at a predetermined distance away emits light of the second emission color. The respective lights incident from both ends of the optical tube 20 collide and mix at a predetermined position inside the optical tube 20. In the third section K3 where both lights are mixed, it emits light of an intermediate color between the two emission colors.

[0064] When the first emission color is, for example, red and the second emission color is, for example, blue, the first section K1 emits red light, the second section K2 emits blue light, and the third section K3 emits purple light. The color of the light near the boundary between adjacent sections gradually changes. The position of the third section K3 is determined by the difference in the emission intensity between the first full-color LED 22a and the second full-color LED 22b. When the emission intensities of both are equal and there is no difference in the emission intensity, it is the central position in the length direction where the distances from both ends are equal. When the light intensity of the second full-color LED 22b is stronger, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the third section K3 is closer to one end of the light tube 20 and the first section K1 becomes shorter. When the light intensity of the second full-color LED 22b is stronger, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the third section K3 is closer to one end of the light tube 20 and the first section K1 becomes shorter. Conversely, when the light intensity of the first full-color LED 22a is stronger, as shown in Fig. 3(c), the third section K3 is closer to the other end of the light tube 20 and the second section K2 becomes shorter. Therefore, for example, when the control unit 18 performs control such that the light intensity difference obtained by subtracting the light intensity of the second full-color LED 22b from the light intensity of the first full-color LED 22a gradually approaches zero from a large negative value and then increases the positive value, the position of the third section K3 that emits intermediate-color light moves from one end of the light tube 20 toward the other end. Along with this movement, the region that emits light of the first emission color in the first section K1 gradually extends, and the region that emits light of the second emission color in the second section K2 gradually shrinks.

[0065] The control performed by the control unit 18 to achieve different emission colors makes at least one of, for example, hue, saturation, and lightness different. It is not limited to those with different hues like the red and blue mentioned above. For example, even when only the R component is considered, when the values of R are different, such as the color (255, 0, 0) and the color (128, 0, 0) when R, G, and B are each represented in 256 gradations, they are also different emission colors.

[0066] [Cooperation and Fusion between Light Tube and Display Unit] The notification and alarm using the optical tube may be performed by the single emission of the optical tube 20 or may be performed together with the display unit. The control unit 18 may control such that the display object output to the display unit 5 is related to the light emitted from the optical tube 20. Here, the display object includes, for example, a predetermined picture / motif, characters, and the like. By fusing the display unit 5 and the optical tube 20, the display area becomes larger than the display screen of the display unit 5. The display module constituting the display unit 5 does not emit light at the edge due to relationships such as a driver. Therefore, even if the size of the display unit 5 is increased, it is difficult to use the entire front surface of the case 2 of the radar detector 1, particularly up to the immediate vicinity of the outer peripheral edge, as the display area. In addition, since the front surface of the case 2 faces the driver, various switch buttons (for example, the volume adjustment button 7, the work button 8, etc.) are arranged as one of the user interfaces. Therefore, due to the influence of such switch buttons, the display area of the display unit 5 becomes narrower than the outer peripheral edge of the radar detector 1. Further, when the shape of the outer peripheral edge of the front surface is non-rectangular including a curved portion like a substantially gourd shape as in the present embodiment, a gap is generated between the peripheral edge of the rectangular display unit 5 and the outer peripheral edge of the radar detector 1.

[0067] On the other hand, in the case of the optical tube 20, it can be arranged right up to the peripheral edge of the case of the electronic device. Therefore, the entire front surface of the case facing the driver can be used to represent the display object. And the control such that the display object output to the display unit 5 is related to the light emitted from the optical tube 20 includes, for example, those that symbolically represent a part of the object represented by the display object with the optical tube 20. For example, as schematically shown in Fig. 4(a), there is one that outputs the character "X" to the display unit 5 and represents "∞" as a whole by connecting both ends of the optical tube 20 and the "X" of the character. By making the display object (for example, the character "X") output to the display unit 5 and the light emission of the optical tube connected in this way, the continuity and unity between the display object output to the display unit and the optical tube are further enhanced and it is easy to understand, which is good. In addition, the display object output to the display unit 5 is not limited to characters.

[0068] Figures 4(b) and (c) show an example of a pattern in which the character "X" is output to the display unit 5, and the two ends of the optical tube 20 are connected to the character "X" to represent "∞" as a whole. In the example shown in Fig. 4(b), the control unit 18 causes the full-color LEDs 22 connected to both ends of the optical tube 20 to emit light in a predetermined color (for example, blue) so that the entire optical tube 20 emits blue light. Further, the control unit 18 outputs an X presented in a predetermined color (for example, blue) to the display unit 5. Then, the two ends of the optical tube 20 are connected to the character X output to the display unit 5. Further, the control unit 18 draws a discharge so that light appears to run around the straight line forming the "X". The discharged part around the straight line forming the "X" may be a still image, but it is preferable to use a moving image so that a sense of presence is created as if the light is running while discharging. Also, it is advisable to output discharge sounds such as "baribari" and "biribiri" from the speaker 16 in accordance with the discharge operation. Also, the discharge may be imagined as lightning, and thunder sounds and lightning strike sounds may be output. The discharged part displayed around the part of the character "X" may be shown more strongly or may not be shown at all. Also, as shown in Fig. 4(c), the character "X" may be eliminated and the light emission of the optical tube 20 may be made continuous with the discharged part. That is, the control unit 18 draws a discharge connecting the upper end of the left optical tube 20 and the lower end of the right optical tube 20, and a discharge connecting the lower end of the left optical tube 20 and the upper end of the right optical tube 20. It is preferable that the discharge is a moving image because it gives a stronger sense of presence. In this pattern example, it can be said that the character "X" is represented by the discharged part. Also, for example, a flame is represented by changing the color of the character "X" to red, orange, or the like.

[0069] The control unit 18 performs light emission control for the above-described first full-color LED 22a and second full-color LED 22b, for example, when a predetermined warning condition is satisfied. For example, in the same manner as outputting warning information using the display unit 5 described above, the control unit 18 obtains the distance between the position (latitude and longitude) of the warning target stored as map information in the database 19 and the current position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 13. When the obtained distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the control unit 18 controls the light emission state of the full-color LED 22, and accordingly causes the optical tube 20 to emit light in a predetermined color. Further, for example, when a signal corresponding to microwaves in a frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device is detected by the microwave receiver 14, or when a predetermined radio wave is detected by the wireless receiver 15, the control unit 18 controls the light emission state of the full-color LED 22 to cause the optical tube 20 to emit light in a predetermined color.

[0070] By causing the optical tube 20 to emit light in this way, it becomes a light source having a certain length instead of a point light source such as a lamp or an LED light source. Further, since a driver or the like corresponding to the light emission position is not required like a display module, by arranging it along the outer peripheral edge of the radar detector 1 as in the present embodiment, light can be emitted in a manner that cannot be obtained by a display unit using a conventional display module, and it becomes a new output means using visual recognition. Then, by arranging the optical tube 20 outside the display unit 5, the outside of the display area of the display unit 5 also emits light. Therefore, by using the light emitted from the optical tube 20 as one of the warning information, even if the display unit 5 is small, it becomes more prominent, has an impact on the driver, and has a high surprise effect.

[0071] [Modification example of notification by optical tube] In the above-described example, the light emission colors of the first full-color LED 22a and the second full-color LED 22b are made different, and control is performed to move the position of the third section K3 that emits light in an intermediate color by adjusting the light intensity difference. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various controls are possible. For example, it is advisable to fix the light intensity difference and control to change the light emission colors of the first full-color LED 22a and the second full-color LED 22b.

[0072] Also, in FIG. 4 described above, the boundary between the optical tube 20 and the display unit 5 is shown connected for the sake of convenience in explaining the cooperation and fusion between the optical tube 20 and the display unit 5. That is, it is described that the upper and lower ends of the character "X", which is the display object displayed on the display screen of the display unit 5, reach the upper and lower sides of the display unit 5, and it is described in a manner continuous with the tip of the optical tube 20. Actually, as shown in FIG. 5, there may be areas where no display object is displayed in the area above the upper side of the display unit 5 or in the area below the lower side of the display unit 5. Also, even if a type of display unit 5 is used where there are no non-display areas above the upper side or below the lower side, for example, by adopting a form in which the tip of the optical tube 20 is bent and connected to a light-emitting unit such as a color LED arranged on the back side of the display unit 5, the light-emitting part of the optical tube 20 may be separated from the periphery of the display unit 5. However, ideally, it is desirable to eliminate the boundary as shown in FIG. 4.

[0073] "Basic functions of notification and alarm using the display unit 5, etc." The main information output from the output device of the radar detector 1 is warning information for prompting the driver's safety. The warning information is output, for example, in the following cases. The control unit 18 obtains the distance between the position (latitude and longitude) of the warning target stored as map information in the database 19 and the current position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 13, and when the obtained distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the control unit 18 outputs warning information from the output device (GPS warning function). Also, for example, when the control unit 18 detects a signal corresponding to the microwave in the frequency band emitted from the speed measuring device by the microwave receiver 14, the control unit 18 outputs warning information from the output device (radar wave warning function). Also, for example, when the control unit 18 receives a predetermined radio wave by the wireless receiver 15, the control unit 18 outputs warning information from the output device (wireless warning function). By outputting the warning information, the radar detector 1 enables the driver to recognize a dangerous location where a traffic accident is likely to occur. Thereby, the radar detector 1 can prompt the driver to drive safely. Note that the above-described warning information is an example, and actually, various other warning information is output to the driver. The warning information includes, for example, visual information composed of a predetermined image, video, characters, etc. output to the display unit 5, and those using sound or voice output to the speaker 16. Specific warning contents will be described later.

[0074] *Standby screen display The control unit 18 outputs warning information for prompting the driver to pay attention to safety when a predetermined event occurs. On the other hand, when such an event does not occur, the control unit 18 displays a predetermined standby screen (standby screen display function). This standby screen display function, for example, displays information based on GPS such as the speed, latitude, longitude, altitude, etc. of the own vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 13 in numerical values, graphs, animations or other forms, or displays the presence of GPS satellites detected by the GPS receiver 13 in numerical values, animations or other forms, or displays in numerical values, graphs, animations or other forms based on predetermined OBD information and vehicle information acquired by the OBD adapter 21. Further, the standby screen display function also has a MAP display function that accesses the database 19 based on the current position detected by the GPS receiver 13, reads out the map data stored therein, and displays it (see FIG. 6(a) etc.).

[0075] FIG. 6(a) shows an example of the display screen output to the display unit 5 by the MAP display function. The control unit 18 reads out and displays the surrounding map information based on the current position of the own vehicle from the database 19 in the main display area R1 that shows most of the display screen of the display unit 5. At the position of the own vehicle on the map, an arrow-shaped own vehicle icon 31 is displayed. The display position of this own vehicle icon 31 is set as a predetermined position in the main display area R1, and based on the display position of the own vehicle icon 31, for example, the map information is displayed with the heading up fixed (always displayed with the traveling direction upward). The display position of this own vehicle icon 31 is, for example, near the center on the lower side of the main display area R1. Further, the control unit 18 searches for warning targets around the current position based on the position information stored in the database 19, and when there is a warning target (POI: “Point Of Interest”) around, the information indicating the corresponding warning target is superimposed and displayed at the corresponding position on the map. The information indicating the warning target is, for example, a mark or icon representing the warning target.

[0076] The control unit 18 displays the current scale information (scale) in the scale display area R3 set on the left side of the main display area R1. The scale is set with the vehicle position as 0 m, and displays the distance from the vehicle position to the middle position in the vertical direction of the main display area R1 (「250」in the figure) and the distance to the upper position (「500」in the figure). The unit is 「m」. When the control unit 18 detects that the main display area R1 has been touched twice in a row, it displays a map scale change button at a predetermined position within the main display area R1 (a position corresponding to the scale display area R3) (not shown), and changes the map scale in response to a touch on the map scale change button. That is, the control unit 18 changes the scale of the map displayed in the main display area R1 according to the scale of the changed map scale, and also changes the scale information displayed in the scale display area R3.

[0077] An information display unit for displaying predetermined information is provided above the main display area R1. This information display unit is displayed superimposed on the map displayed in the main display area R1. The control unit 18 displays map information and various types of information to be displayed on the information display unit using different layers arranged in a plurality of stacked layers. The information display unit includes a clock display unit 32a, an icon display unit 32b, a vehicle speed display unit 32c, and an azimuth compass display unit 32d from the left.

[0078] The clock display unit 32a displays the current time. The control unit 18 acquires the current time from, for example, an internal clock or GPS information and outputs it to the clock display unit 32a. The icon display unit 32b displays, in the form of icons, traffic rules around the current location, other status information, and status information regarding the mode in which the device is operating. Examples of the status information around the current location include the reception level of GPS radio waves from GPS satellites, whether it is an area with frequent carjacking, and whether it is a no-parking area. The GPS icon indicating the reception level of GPS radio waves changes the number of antennas to be displayed to 1, 2, or 3 according to the reception level. In the case of non-positioning where GPS radio waves cannot be received, an icon representing a gyroscope indicating VPS (Virtual Positioning System) is displayed. For the areas with frequent carjacking and no-parking areas, when the current location enters the corresponding area, the corresponding icon is turned on, and when it exits the area, the icon is turned off. As for the mode, there is a preferred mode selection for setting the reception sensitivity of radar waves and what kind of warnings to issue. In the figure, the status icons for the reception level of GPS radio waves, the area with frequent carjacking, the no-parking area, the radar wave reception mode (in the figure, "SE": Super Extra), and the preferred mode selection (in the figure, "MA": Manual) are displayed in order from the left. The own-vehicle speed display unit 32c displays the current vehicle speed of the own vehicle. The control unit 18 calculates the speed from the displacement and history of the current location and the elapsed time based on, for example, GPS radio waves, or acquires the vehicle speed information from the vehicle via the OBD adapter 21, and then outputs it to the own-vehicle speed display unit 32c. The compass display unit 32d displays the azimuth of the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0079] At a predetermined position of the display unit 5, current position limit speed information regarding the limit speed at the current position is displayed. In the figure, the predetermined position is set to the lower left side of the main display area R1. Also, the current position limit speed information is an icon 33 with a design imitating the sign of the limit speed. For example, in the database 19, for roads where the limit speed is set, limit speed data associating position information and the limit speed for each predetermined distance is recorded. The control unit 18 accesses the database 19 based on the current position information acquired from the GPS receiver 13, obtains the limit speed at the current position from the limit speed data, and outputs an icon 33 corresponding to the obtained limit speed to the predetermined position of the display unit 5. Further, the MAP display function also has a function of searching for warning targets around the current position based on the position information stored in the database 19 and, when there is a warning target around, superimposing and displaying information indicating the corresponding position on the map. The information indicating the warning target to be superimposed and displayed on this map may be, for example, a GPS target icon 35 for specifying the type of the warning target. This GPS target icon 35 is, for example, in the form of arranging characters, symbols, or marks representing the type and content of the warning target inside a circle as shown in FIG. 7. And the colors of the icons are identified in four colors of "red" → "yellow" → "blue" → "green" in descending order of urgency. Furthermore, it is good to control the "red" and "yellow" icons with high urgency to blink.

[0080] *Alarm output based on event occurrence The control unit 18 executes processes to implement various functions such as a GPS warning function, a radar wave warning function, and a wireless warning function according to the generated events. The radar wave warning function is a warning function that, when a signal corresponding to microwaves in a frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device (such as a mobile radar, hereinafter simply referred to as "radar") by the microwave receiver 14 is detected, displays a warning screen on the display unit 5 and outputs a warning sound from the speaker 16. For example, when the microwave receiver 14 detects microwaves in the frequency band of the microwaves emitted by the radar, as shown in FIG. 4, a schematic diagram or a photograph of the radar stored in the database 19 is displayed on the display unit 5 as a warning screen, and the voice data stored in the database 19 is read out to output a voice "There is a radar. Pay attention to speed" from the speaker 16.

[0081] The wireless warning function is a function that issues a warning by the wireless receiver 15 when receiving radio waves emitted by an emergency vehicle or the like so as not to interfere with its running or the like. In the wireless warning function, frequencies such as traffic control radio, car audio radio, digital radio, very small radio, police activity radio, police telephone, police activity wireless, radar wireless, helicopter radio, fire helicopter radio, fire wireless, emergency wireless, highway wireless, and security wireless are scanned. When wireless is received at the scanned frequency, a schematic diagram indicating that wireless corresponding to that frequency stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is displayed on the display unit 5 as a warning screen, and the voice data stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is read out to output a warning voice indicating the type of that wireless from the speaker 16. For example, when traffic control radio is received, a voice such as "There is traffic control radio. Pay attention to speed" is output.

[0082] The GPS warning function is a process that is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of 200 ms) by an event from a timer in the control unit 18, for example, during the execution of the standby screen display function. It determines whether the warning condition (a predetermined proximity relationship) is satisfied by using the current position detected by the GPS receiver 13 and the warning target information stored in the database 19, and issues a warning when the condition is satisfied.

[0083] First, as an example of the type of warning target, there are various types such as a drowsy driving accident location, a vehicle speed measuring device (radar type / H system / loop coil / LH system), a mobile vehicle speed measuring area, a speed limit switching point, a law enforcement area, an interrogation area, a no-parking monitoring area, an N system, a traffic monitoring system, an intersection monitoring point, a signal violation suppression system, a police station, an accident-prone area, an area with many on-vehicle targets, a sharp / continuous curve (highway), a branch / merge point (highway), an ETC lane advance notice (highway), a service area (highway), a parking area (highway), a highway oasis (highway), a smart interchange (highway), a gas station inside a PA / SA (highway), a tunnel (highway), a highway radio reception area (highway), a prefectural border notice, a roadside station, a viewpoint parking, etc.

[0084] The warning target information stored in the database 19 is information regarding individual warning targets, including position information containing longitude and latitude for specifying the position of the warning target, and warning target specifying information useful for a driver to identify the warning target. In the present embodiment, the position information is absolute position information using longitude and latitude. This is preferable because the relative positional relationship with the current position detected by the GPS receiver 13 can be easily obtained.

[0085] The warning target specifying information includes type information indicating the type of the warning target, character information indicating the position of the warning target, voice information indicating the warning target, image information indicating the warning target, and the like. In the case where the voice information, image information, etc. indicating the warning target correspond to the type information of the warning target, they can be stored not as warning target information for individual warning targets but as common information separately in a predetermined storage area. Then, when issuing a warning, the control unit 18 can read out the type information stored as warning target information, acquire the corresponding image information, voice information, etc. from the type target, and output a warning.

[0086] As common image information, there is image data such as a schematic diagram that makes it easy to understand the type of warning target. The schematic diagram is also a mark for enabling the type of warning target to be intuitively understood from vision. For example, there are those created as images in 3D or the like of a vehicle speed device, a police car, a police officer, etc. These schematic diagrams are drawn and output to the display unit 5 when notifying, so that the driver can intuitively understand the type and content of the warning target currently being notified. And, as will be described later, it is more preferable to draw the own vehicle icon at the position of the own vehicle on the display area of the display unit 5 and draw the schematic diagram at the position of the warning target location, so that it can be intuitively understood what warning target is at which position.

[0087] Also, the voice information is data for outputting, as voice information, relative positional relationships such as "1 km ahead in the left direction, highway H system" and "immediately ahead, general road N system", and the type of warning target, etc. from the speaker 16. In the above example, the voice data indicating the relative positional relationship between the current position of the vehicle and the warning target, such as "left direction", "1 km ahead", "immediately ahead", etc., and the voice data for specifying the type and content of the warning target, such as "general road N system" or "highway H system", are managed and stored separately, and the control unit 18 combines and outputs the respective voice data when notifying.

[0088] By separately managing fixed voice information (voice data), etc. according to the types of these warning targets, it is not necessary to register information of the same content as warning target information for each warning target, and the consumption amount of the memory area can be reduced.

[0089] Then, for example, while the standby screen display function in FIG. 6(a) is being executed, the database 19 is periodically accessed based on the current position. When the distance between the loop coil that is the warning target and the own vehicle becomes any one of 2 km, 1 km, or 500 m, which is the approach warning distance stored in the database 19, data of a schematic diagram or a photograph of the loop coil that is the warning target is read from the database 19 and displayed on the display unit 5, and at the same time, voice data stored in the database 19 is read and an approach notification is performed by outputting a warning voice from the speaker 16. For example, when approaching 500 m, as shown in FIG. 3(c), a radar scope screen similar to FIG. 3(b) is displayed on the right side of the screen to display the positional relationship between the loop coil that is the warning target and the position of the own vehicle, and data of a schematic diagram or a photograph of the loop coil that is the warning target indicating the loop coil is read from the database 19 and displayed on the display unit 5, and voice data "There is a loop coil 500 m ahead, be careful of speed" is read from the database 19 and output from the speaker 16.

[0090] Furthermore, the database 19 stores map data including road network information. This road network information is data necessary for searching for a recommended route in car navigation or the like, and includes information such as a road network (road layout) and traffic regulations such as one-way traffic. Further, this road network information stores the position information (latitude and longitude) of nodes at intersections or inflection points of roads as nodes, and information indicating which other nodes each node is connected to. Based on the information indicating the connection relationship of each node in this way, adjacent nodes are connected to each other, and the connected nodes become road links. Note that since it does not guide to a destination like a car navigation device, there is no detailed data such as display data of facilities and houses, and it is simple data.

[0091] [Example 1 of Warning Using Display Unit 5] (Multiple Types of Simultaneous Warnings) As one of the alarm modes of the alarm associated with the occurrence of the above-described event, it is equipped with an alarm function that displays information on the alarm target that meets the event occurrence conditions as an alarm display. This alarm function is a function of displaying, for example, "alarm name (also referred to as "target name")" and "distance from the current position" as information on the alarm target at a predetermined position on the display unit 5. This alarm display is, for example, displayed superimposed on the standby screen when the standby screen is being displayed.

[0092] And in this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously display a plurality of such alarm displays. In this embodiment, the maximum number of alarm displays to be simultaneously displayed is set to 5. Further, the display positions of each alarm display are set at fixed locations on the display unit 5. FIG. 6(b) shows an example of a layout that enables simultaneous display of five alarm displays of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, three alarm displays (first alarm display 36a, second alarm display 36b, third alarm display 36c) are arranged on the right side of the display unit 5, and two alarm displays (fourth alarm display 36d, fifth alarm display 36e) are arranged on the left side of the display unit 5. The alarm displays arranged on each of the left and right sides have a layout arranged vertically. Also, the area of each alarm display is a pentagon extending in the horizontal direction. This pentagon has a shape in which a triangular portion is provided at one end of an elongated rectangular portion extending horizontally rearward. The triangular portion is located on the central side of the display unit 5.

[0093] And in this embodiment, the alarm targets are divided into five groups, and the alarm displays to be displayed for each group are fixed. The first alarm display 36a to the third alarm display 36c on the right side are GPS target display alarm displays that display information about the alarm targets specified based on the position information by GPS, that is, the alarm targets specified by the GPS alarm function, and the fourth alarm display 36d and the fifth alarm display 36e on the left side are radar / wireless display alarm displays that display information about the alarm targets detected based on the reception of specific radio waves not based on the position information by GPS, that is, the alarm targets specified by the radar wave alarm function, the wireless alarm function, etc. Thus, by dividing the alarm targets based on the position information by GPS and those not based on it on the left and right, it is preferable because it is possible to instantly understand whether the alarm target displayed in the alarm display is due to a GPS alarm.

[0094] Specific grouping was as follows. The warning targets based on location information were divided into three groups: the orbis group, the inspection and control group, and the other POI group. The warning targets belonging to the orbis group are vehicle speed measurement devices such as loop coils, LH systems, new H systems, and radar-type orbis, and they are the warning targets with the highest priority in terms of attention level, importance, etc. For example, the warning targets with the red color of the GPS target icon shown in FIG. 7 belong to this orbis group. This orbis group is displayed on the first warning display 36a. And the information displayed as the first warning display 36a is the warning name (for example, the terms described in "Content of Warning" in FIG. 7) in the upper section, the distance to the warning target in the lower section, the background color within the warning display area is red, and the information is displayed in white characters.

[0095] The warning targets belonging to the inspection and control group are, for example, areas where various inspections and controls are carried out, etc., and they are the warning targets with a medium priority in terms of attention level, importance, etc. For example, the warning targets with the yellow color of the GPS target icon shown in FIG. 7 belong to the inspection and control group. This inspection and control group is displayed on the second warning display 36b. And the information displayed as the second warning display 36b is the warning name (for example, the terms described in "Content of Warning" in FIG. 7) in the upper section, the distance to the warning target in the lower section, the background color within the warning display area is yellow, and the information is displayed in white characters.

[0096] The warning targets belonging to the other POI group are warning targets that do not belong to the above two warning targets, and they are the warning targets with the lowest priority in terms of attention level, importance, etc. For example, the warning targets with the yellow color of the GPS target icon shown in FIG. 7 belong to the inspection and control group. And the information displayed as the third warning display 36c is the warning name (for example, the terms described in "Content of Warning" in FIG. 7) in the upper section, the distance to the warning target in the lower section, the background color within the warning display area is blue, and the information is displayed in white characters.

[0097] The event generation conditions for displaying the GPS target display warning display (the first warning display 36a to the third warning display 36c) are, for example, when the warning target comes within the reference distance (e.g., 1000 m). For example, when the distance from the current position to the warning target is within a predetermined reference distance as the event generation condition, a plurality of such reference distances may be set, and a warning may be issued using a warning display when the target comes within the farther reference distance. When the target is relatively far away, since the urgency of the warning is low, it is advisable to display the information of a plurality of warning targets using different warning displays so that the information of a plurality of different warning targets can be recognized.

[0098] The group of warning targets not based on position information is divided into two groups: the radar group displayed in the fourth warning display 36d and the radio group displayed in the fifth warning display 36e. The warning targets belonging to the radar group are detected by the microwave receiver 14. The information displayed as the fourth warning display 36d has the warning name (in the figure, "Stealth") at the upper part, the received level at the lower part, and a speaker icon (also referred to as the "mute button") on the tip side. The background color within the warning display area is set to red, and the information is displayed in white characters. When it is detected that the speaker icon has been touched, the control unit 18 alternately switches the setting of "mute / unmute" of the warning output by the speaker. That is, when the control unit 18 detects that the speaker icon has been touched during the reception of radar waves (during the radar warning), it mutes (silences) the warning sound and temporarily stops the warning sound from sounding until the received radar waves disappear. When the control unit 18 detects that the speaker icon has been touched during the mute state, it unmutes and outputs the warning sound associated with the reception of radar waves.

[0099] The warning targets belonging to the radio group are detected by the radio receiver 15. The information displayed as the fifth warning display 36e is only the warning name (in the figure, "Car Karaoke Proximity"), the background color within the warning display area is set to yellow, and the information is displayed in white characters.

[0100] The event occurrence conditions for the radar group and the radio group, which are groups of alarm targets not based on the above-described position information, are the reception of the target radio wave, and when such radio wave is not received, the event ends.

[0101] Each of the alarm displays 36a to 36e displays information about the alarm target with a higher priority within each group. The alarm target with a higher priority is determined, for example, by the priority assigned to each type of alarm target or the distance from the current location to the alarm target. Therefore, when there is only one alarm target in the same group, the control unit 18 displays the information of the alarm target on the corresponding alarm display. Also, when there are multiple alarm targets in the same group, the control unit 18 selects the alarm target with the highest predetermined priority and displays the information of the selected alarm target as an alarm display.

[0102] In addition, for the first alarm display 36a, the second alarm display 36b, and the third alarm display 36c, when there is an alarm target corresponding to the vicinity of the vehicle position, the control unit 18 fades in the corresponding alarm display from outside the right screen of the display unit 5, and when the alarm target disappears, fades out the corresponding alarm display outside the right screen of the display unit 5. Similarly, for the fourth alarm display 36d and the fifth alarm display 36e, when there is an event occurrence of reception of a predetermined radio wave, the control unit 18 fades in the corresponding alarm display from outside the left screen of the display unit 5, and when the reception of the predetermined radio wave disappears, fades out the corresponding alarm display outside the left screen of the display unit 5. This fade-in and fade-out may be smoothly performed, for example, over a predetermined time (for example, about 1 second). By making it smooth, the movement of the alarm display enters the driver's field of vision, and it is easy to understand that there has been some event occurrence or end.

[0103] Also, in FIG. 6(b), an example where all five warning displays are shown is presented. However, if there is no warning target to be displayed belonging to the group, the warning display will not be shown. Therefore, map information, etc. in the planned display area of the warning display is shown without being hidden by the warning display. That is, as shown in FIG. 6(a), there may be a state where no warning display is shown at all, a state where only one of the warning displays is shown, or a state where multiple warning displays are shown. Also, for example, even when only one warning display is shown, the warning display appears at a location determined in advance according to the group of warning targets. Therefore, the user can recognize which group of warning targets it belongs to by checking where on the display screen the warning display is shown. Thus, for example, instead of looking at the information shown in the warning display each time the warning display is shown, it is preferable that when the warning display of the group that the driver is concerned about is shown, the user can check the information shown by gazing at the warning display, etc.

[0104] Also, the warning displays arranged vertically have a higher priority the higher they are located, and are regarded as an important group of warning targets. From this, for example, when a warning display is shown above the display unit 5, the user can check the specific content shown in the warning display because it is an important warning target, and when a warning display is shown below, the user can easily make a choice of what information to check or not check.

[0105] Furthermore, each warning display is arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line in the vertical direction of the display unit 5. That is, for the three warning displays arranged on the left side, the second warning display 36b in the center is arranged at the center position in the vertical direction, and the first warning display 36a and the third warning display 36c are arranged at equal distances above and below the second warning display 36b, respectively. Also, for the two warning displays arranged on the right side, the fourth warning display 36d and the fifth warning display 36e are arranged at equal distances above and below with respect to the center position in the vertical direction. By making it symmetric, it looks nice and has a neat arrangement.

[0106] Furthermore, the five warning displays are arranged in an alternating vertical layout. The vertices of the triangular portions on the tip side of the pentagonal warning displays face the gaps between the warning displays arranged vertically on the opposite side. By staggering them in this way, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(c), even if the vertices on the tip side of the warning displays are extended to the opposite side further back than the horizontal center, they will not overlap with the warning displays on the opposite side. Therefore, the area for displaying information about the warning target can be widened, and more content can be displayed and provided to the user.

[0107] Also, the background color of each warning display area is made semi-transparent so that the information (such as map information in FIG. 6) displayed in the main display area R1 can be visible when overlaid. Additionally, the warning sound notification is not affected by groups, and the one for the warning target with the highest priority is output.

[0108] Incidentally, even in conventional products, there was a function to notify information about the warning target using character information or the like. Such a conventional display location was at the bottom of the main display area R1, and the information to be notified was the warning name or the like. However, in conventional products, only one warning target was displayed, and the warning target with the highest priority was selected. In this conventional product, since it is one determined according to the provided priority, for example, if there is a speed measurement device in the vicinity with the highest priority and information about it is being displayed, even if an event based on other warning targets such as the reception of radar waves occurs, it cannot be known. Furthermore, since one warning target was determined uniformly based on the priority according to predetermined rules such as the type of warning target and the distance to the warning target, it was not always the warning target that the user such as the driver most wanted to see or was interested in at that time depending on the situation / state of the user, and there was a problem of insufficient information provision. In contrast, in this embodiment, for warning targets belonging to different groups, up to five can be displayed, so the driver can obtain the information of the necessary warning targets according to their convenience.

[0109] Furthermore, since all the warning targets are in the same position, such as at the lower part of the main display area R1 of the display unit 5, the user cannot know what the warning is about without closely observing the actually displayed content, so it is necessary to check every time it is displayed. Therefore, the number of times of looking at the display unit increases, and the time of looking ahead of the vehicle decreases. Furthermore, the driver has to view information that is unnecessary or not very important, which is a waste of effort and inconvenient. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the positions of the respective warning displays are fixed, it is possible to determine whether it is necessary to read the information displayed in the warning display based on the display position etc. of the warning display. Therefore, it is also possible to choose not to look at the warning display, reducing the possibility of viewing unnecessary information and increasing the proportion of looking ahead of the vehicle, which is preferable.

[0110] (Modification example of warning using warning display) In the above-described embodiment, the display of the warning display is smoothly faded in and out. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the displayed part may be moved stepwise and discretely in several steps, enlarged or reduced, or the entire warning display may be suddenly displayed / non-displayed. Also, the dimensions and shapes of the respective warning displays are arbitrary, and the background color may be arbitrarily set.

[0111] [Example 2 of warning using display unit 5] (Anime warning) The anime warning function is a function that displays an animation dedicated to each warning target when a predetermined event occurs while displaying map information as shown in, for example, FIG. 6(a) by the MAP display function of the standby screen display function. The animation is three-dimensional and 3D. This animation is stored, for example, in a predetermined storage means such as the database 19 (hereinafter referred to as the database 19) in association with the type of warning target. Further, a warning sound output in conjunction with the playback and display of this animation is stored in the database 19 in association with the type of display warning target. In this embodiment, in order to create a space for displaying the animation, the map is not slid, and the control unit 18 displays the animation over the displayed map. That is, when an event occurs, the control unit 18 accesses the database 19, reads out the data of the corresponding animation based on the type of warning target to be warned, and displays the read animation at a predetermined position on the display unit 5. The control unit 18 repeatedly plays and displays the animation until the warning condition for the warning target disappears, and when the warning ends, the control unit 18 makes the layer for displaying the map that returns to the original screen different from the layer for displaying the animation, and overlays and displays the animation on the map. Also, when an event occurs, the control unit 18 accesses the database 19, reads out the data of the corresponding warning sound based on the type of warning target to be warned, and outputs the read warning sound.

[0112] In this anime warning, since the main display area R1 does not reduce the display area or move in a predetermined direction, the display area of the output map can be secured while remaining large. Therefore, the map is easy to see. Also, when the map is slid, the own vehicle icon 31 also slides and is displaced. Also, the time for displaying the animation by this type of anime warning function is often relatively short. Then, if the display area of the main display area R1 is changed and the own vehicle icon is also displaced during such a short time, it becomes rather difficult to see. However, in this embodiment, such a situation does not occur and it can be made easy to see.

[0113] In addition, since the animation is overlaid on the map and output for display, the entire screen of the display unit 5 can be used as the area for displaying the animation. As a result, the size and shape of the animation can be enlarged, and the movement can be increased, making it easier to view, intuitively understand the types of warning targets, and generating a better impression.

[0114] Fig. 8(a) shows an example of the screen configuration of the animation warning. The first-character warning section 37 is arranged at the lower left of the main display area R1, the second-character warning section 38 is arranged at the lower right of the main display area R1, and a layout is adopted in which the dedicated animation 40 for warning is displayed at an appropriate position in the main display area R1. In Fig. 8(a), the display position of the animation 40 is slightly to the right of the center in the vertical direction, but it is displayed at different positions as appropriate according to the animation as described below.

[0115] The first-character warning section 37 is a part that displays related information as character information when notifying warning targets belonging to the radar group and the radio group grouped in the warning using the above-described warning display. In the case of the radio group, only the "warning name" is displayed, and in the case of the radar group, the "level meter", "warning name", and "speaker icon" are displayed. In Fig. 8(a), an example of receiving a radar is shown for convenience.

[0116] The second-character warning section 38 is a part that displays related information as character information when notifying warning targets based on the position information grouped in the warning using the above-described warning display. Specifically, the "warning name" and the "distance to the warning target" are displayed. However, in the case of the warning of the orbis group, no character warning is given. In Fig. 8(a), since an example of receiving a radar is shown, the second-character warning section 38 is blank.

[0117] * Animation warning of the orbis group Figure 8(b) shows an example of an animation warning for a warning target belonging to the Orbis group. The figure shows the case where the warning target is the "H system". As shown in the figure, since it is the Orbis group, character warnings using the first-character warning unit 37 or the second-character warning unit 38 are not displayed.

[0118] As shown in the enlarged view in Figure 8(c), the animation 40 consists of an animation main body part 40a in which a 3D object imitating the warning target rotates inside a sphere (see Figures 9(b-1) to (b-4), etc.), a distance gauge 40b arranged around the sphere of the animation main body part 40a, and a remaining distance display part 40c. The control unit 18 displays the animation main body part 40a so that it rotates continuously with one rotation in a predetermined time (for example, about 2 seconds) as one cycle. Also, as shown in Figure 8(b), the warning name (here, "H System") is also superimposed and displayed on the animation main body part 40a, and the distance to the warning target ("860m" in Figure 8(b)) is displayed on the remaining distance display part 40c. As the distance to the warning target changes with the running of the host vehicle, the numerical value also changes accordingly.

[0119] The distance gauge 40b is for counting down the remaining distance to the warning target from 1000 m. It is composed of 20 rectangular blocks arranged in an arc shape. One block represents 20 m, and the whole represents 1000 m (= 50 m × 20 m). The color of the gauge is such that the 8 blocks from the upper end corresponding to 1000 - 600 m are blue, the next 6 blocks corresponding to 600 - 300 m are yellow, and the 6 blocks from the lower end corresponding to 300 - 0 m are red. The color of the blocks through which the remaining distance has passed is changed to gray. Thus, for example, as shown in Fig. 9(a - 1), when the remaining distance is 800 m, the color of the 4 upper - most blocks is changed to gray. When the remaining distance becomes 450 m, all the blue blocks are changed to gray, and 3 of the yellow blocks are also changed to gray (Fig. 9(a - 2)). Further advancing, for example, when the remaining distance cuts 300 m, it becomes red and gray blocks (Fig. 9(a - 3)), and when the remaining distance becomes 0 m, all the blocks become gray (Fig. 9(a - 4)). Also, when the distance to the warning target becomes 300 m or less, it is advisable to control the red gauge to blink.

[0120] In the above - described embodiment, the warning target is described taking the H - system as an example. However, for the animation of warning targets belonging to other orbis groups, it is advisable to keep other configurations the same and only change the rotating 3D object displayed inside the sphere of the animation main body part 40a. An example of the animation main body part 40a for each warning target is as shown in Figs. 9(c - 1) to (c - 4). Fig. 9(c - 1) is a radar, Fig. 9(c - 2) is an LH - system, Fig. 9(c - 3) is a loop coil, and Fig. 9(c - 4) is a photoelectric tube type.

[0121] * Animation warning of the regulatory group Figures 10(a) and (b) show examples of animated warnings for an alarm target of "general non-identifiable". Since it is a regulatory group, the control unit 18 outputs information about the alarm target, which is the basis for displaying the animation 40, to the second character alarm unit 38. The animation 40 shows a stopped flag fluttering briskly (see Figure 10(b)). This stopped flag is modeled after the flag used by police officers or the like to stop a moving vehicle during an actual regulation. This creates a sense of presence, attracts attention to the fact that the driver is in the regulated area, and can promote safe driving. Also, by having the flag flutter briskly, it is possible to create the feeling that a police officer is waving a flag during an actual regulation, which is preferable as it can enhance the sense of presence.

[0122] Furthermore, the alarm sound is set to a whistle sound like "peep peep peep". Such a whistle sound is preferably made to resemble that blown by a police officer during an actual regulation. By outputting the whistle sound along with the playback of the animation where the flag flutters, it is possible to reproduce a more realistic situation of the regulation scene and reliably inform the driver or the like that they are passing through the regulated area, which is preferable.

[0123] Figure 10(c) shows an example of the display screen of an animated warning for an alarm target of "moving orbis". The animation 40 shows a one-box car appearing from the right side of the screen (Figure 11(a) → (c)), a part of the rear hatchback opening, and an infrared flash inside the rear window lighting up (Figure 11(d) → (f)), and then the rear hatchback closing and exiting off the screen from the left side of the screen. The control unit 18 repeats and plays back this one cycle, for example, in about 3 seconds. Also, the alarm sound is set to a shutter sound. For example, it is advisable for the control unit 18 to output sound so that a shutter sound is made at the timing when the infrared flash lights up in the animation.

[0124] In addition to the above, there are various types of animation alerts for the enforcement group. For example, FIG. 12(a) shows an example of the display screen of an animation alert where the alert target is "manned speed enforcement". In animation 40, first, the radar antenna part 41a appears, and then a wavy radio wave 41b moves from the antenna towards the own vehicle. The radio wave 41b represents the feeling that the radio wave is coming towards the own vehicle by gradually increasing the number of loops.

[0125] FIG. 12(b) shows an example of the display screen of an animation alert where the alert target is "rear-end type". In animation 40, for example, a masked police car appears and repeats the movement of moving away. For example, the upward view of the vehicle from the back side (for example, only near the license plate) is displayed, the displayed part is gradually enlarged, the entire back of the vehicle is displayed, and the entire back is reduced to reproduce the state of overtaking the own vehicle. Such an operation is repeatedly played. Preferably, for a predetermined number of times (for example, once), the masked police car is reproduced as it is overtaking, and after that, the red warning light is blinked. Also, a white car may appear in the left half of the screen, a masked police car may appear in the right half, or only the white car may appear. The warning sound is preferably made similar to a siren.

[0126] FIG. 12(c) shows an example of the display screen of an animation alert where the alert target is "intersection control". In animation 40, for example, a wireframe intersection appears in the center of the screen and rotates in 3D.

[0127] * Animation alerts for the interrogation area group Figures 12(d) to (g) show an example of the animated warning for the interrogation area group. First, Figure 12(d) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "not identifiable". The animation 40, for example, shows the movement of the pylons on both sides being continuously placed from the front to the back. Figure 12(e) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "seat belt interrogation". The animation 40 shows the seat belt portion 42a separating from the locking portion 42b and extending, and the tip of the seat belt portion 42a making a movement to expand and fit into the locking portion 42b. The warning sound may output a sound like "click" in accordance with the movement of fitting into the locking portion, for example. Figure 12(f) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "interrogation of mobile phone during driving". The animation 40 shows the movement of the mobile phone vibrating, for example. The warning sound may be the vibration sound of the mobile phone, for example. Figure 12(g) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "drinking interrogation". The animation 40 shows the movement of toasting with a glass, for example.

[0128] *Animated Warnings for Other POI Groups From Figure 12(h) onwards, it shows an example of the animated alert for other POI groups. First, Figure 12(h) shows an example of the display screen of the animated alert where the alert target is "My Area". The animation 40, for example, shows a medal with the character "My" floating on a gold medal rotating horizontally in a three-dimensional manner. It is displayed when the user is in the area registered as My Area. Figure 12(i) shows an example of the display screen of the animated alert where the alert target is "Service Area". The animation 40, for example, shows a medal with the character "SA" floating on it rotating horizontally in a three-dimensional manner. Figure 12(j) shows an example of the display screen of the animated alert where the alert target is "Parking Area". The animation 40, for example, shows a medal with the character "PA" floating on it rotating horizontally in a three-dimensional manner. Figure 12(k) shows an example of the display screen of the animated alert where the alert target is "Long Tunnel". The animation 40, for example, shows the tunnel gradually getting longer. Also, for example, from the view of a vehicle entering the tunnel from the entrance of the illustrated tunnel, passing through the tunnel, and then showing a view where the exit of the tunnel is far away, and then showing a movement of gradually approaching the exit. Figure 12(k) shows an example of the display screen of the animated alert where the alert target is "Short Tunnel". The animation 40, for example, shows a movement where a plurality of short tunnels appear. This appearance of a plurality means, for example, repeating the movement of passing through a short tunnel (for example, showing that the time spent passing through the tunnel is shorter than when passing through a long tunnel, and the exit visible when passing through the tunnel is also at a closer distance) a plurality of times, more preferably 3 times or more. Also, simply displaying a plurality of tunnels simultaneously is also acceptable.

[0129] Figure 13(a) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "Roadside Station". The animation 40, for example, shows the sign of the roadside station rotating. Figure 13(b) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "Torupa (Viewpoint Parking)". The animation 40, for example, shows the sign of Torupa rotating. Figure 13(c) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "Highway Oasis". The animation 40, for example, shows the Ferris wheel rotating. Figures 13(d) and (e) respectively show examples of the display screens of the animated warnings where the warning targets are "High-Speed Road Sharp Curve" and "High-Speed Road Continuous Curve". The animation 40, for example, shows the road gradually curving and extending from the lower side of the screen along with the text "CAUTION". Figure 13(f) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "Police Station". The animation 40, for example, shows the Rising Sun Flag rotating. Figure 13(g) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "Traffic Police Team". The animation 40, for example, shows a zoom-in movement while flashing the text "High-Speed Traffic Police Team". Figure 13(h) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "N System". The animation 40, for example, shows an image of cameras of the N System arranged and gradually approaching (zooming in). At this time, the lens of the camera also performs a sparkling light operation. Also, although specific illustrations are omitted, for example, when the warning target is "Traffic Monitoring System", the animation 40 is the same, and the "Warning Name" displayed on the secondary character warning unit 38 is made different. For example, in the case of the N System, it is "NSystem" as shown in the illustration, and in the case of the "Traffic Monitoring System", it is "NKSystem". Figure 13(i) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "Intersection Monitoring Point". The animation 40, for example, flashes the text "Intersection Monitoring Point". Also, at this time, a zoom-in movement may be performed.

[0130] Figure 13(j) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is the "accident-prone area". The animation 40 performs, for example, the movement of cars colliding with each other. Also, as the sound effect, it is advisable to output a sound such as "Key Gashan" when applying sudden brakes and then the sound of cars colliding with each other.

[0131] Figure 13(k) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is the "signal violation suppression system". The animation 40, for example, blinks the characters of the signal violation suppression system. Also, at this time, it is advisable to perform a zoom-in movement.

[0132] Figures 13(l) and (m) respectively show an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning targets are the "highway branch point" and the "highway merge point". The animation 40, for example, performs the movement of the road gradually extending from the lower side of the screen together with the characters of CAUTION.

[0133] Figure 13(n) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is the "highway radio". The animation 40, for example, displays the radio tuner 43a in the upper section and the digital display 43b of the frequency in the lower section. The tuner 43a performs the movement where the arcs increase one by one from the left side, and the digital display 43b of the frequency counts up from 1200 kHz and stops at 1680 kHz.

[0134] Figure 13(o) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is the "prefectural border". The animation 40, for example, performs the movement of the prefectural border sign rotating round and round. Figure 13(p) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is the "ETC lane". The animation 40, for example, displays the characters 44a of "ETC" in the upper section and performs the movement of inserting the ETC card 44c into the in-vehicle ETC device 44b in the lower section.

[0135] Figures 13(q) and (r) show an example of the display screen of the animated warning for "temporary stop control" and "parking prohibited key area" as the warning targets. The animation 40, for example, makes movements where the "temporary stop sign" and the "parking prohibited sign" blink respectively. Figures 13(s) and (t) show an example of the display screen of the animated warning for "parking lot" and "parking prohibited key area" as the warning targets. The animation 40, for example, makes a movement where the parking lot mark and the parking prohibited sign rotate in a circular motion.

[0136] Figure 14(a) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning for "area with frequent vehicle targeting" as the warning target. The animation 40, for example, makes a movement of swinging down a hammer. Also, as an effect sound, a sound like "crash" when the glass breaks may be output in accordance with the timing when the hammer is swung down.

[0137] * Animated warning of radar group Figures 14(b) to (s) show an example of the animated warning of the radar group. First, Figure 14(b) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning for "radar wave" as the warning target. The animation 40, for example, makes a movement where ripples are generated from the upper part of the screen and the waves rush towards the own vehicle (the number of arcs increases one by one). Figure 14(c) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning for "stealth wave" as the warning target. The animation 40, for example, makes a movement where an annular wave rushes in from the upper part of the screen. Figure 14(d) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning for "cancel" as the warning target. The animation 40, for example, makes a movement where the characters of CANCEL gradually become larger. Also, since the warning targets belonging to the radar group shown in Figures 14(b) to (d) have a high priority such as urgency and importance, the color of the animation is red.

[0138] * Animated warning of wireless group Figures 14(e) to (r) show an example of an animated warning for a wireless group. First, Figure 14(e) shows an example of a display screen of an animated warning where the warning target is "near karaoke car". Animation 40, for example, shows the movement of a large police car passing through from right to left. Figure 14(f) shows an example of a display screen of an animated warning where the warning target is "far from karaoke car". Animation 40, for example, shows the movement of a small police car passing through from right to left. Also, although specific illustrations are omitted, when the warning target is "inside the karaoke car circle", the animation may not be displayed in particular, and the backlight may blink, and "PCin" may be displayed as the warning name in the first-character warning section.

[0139] Figure 14(g) shows an example of a display screen of an animated warning where the warning target is "parallel running and rear-ending". Animation 40, for example, shows the movement of a police car appearing from the front of the screen towards the back. This movement, for example, displays the upward view of the vehicle (for example, only near the license plate) seen from the rear side, gradually enlarges the displayed part, displays the entire back of the vehicle, and shrinks the entire back to reproduce the state of overtaking the own vehicle.

[0140] Figure 14(h) shows an example of a display screen of an animated warning where the warning target is "passing by". Animation 40, for example, shows the movement of a police car passing through from the back of the screen towards the front. This movement, for example, gradually enlarges the picture of the entire vehicle seen from the front side, and finally displays the upward view of the vehicle (for example, only the central part of the front grille) seen from the front side.

[0141] Figure 14(i) shows an example of a display screen of an animated warning where the warning target is "attention to traffic control". Animation 40, for example, shows the movement of a stop flag fluttering briskly. The control unit 18 displays "Police Sign" as the warning name in the first-character warning section 37.

[0142] Figure 14(j) shows an example of a display screen of an animated warning where the warning target is "attention to checkpoint". Animation 40, for example, shows the movement of pylons on both sides being continuously placed from the front towards the back.

[0143] Figure 14(k) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "regulated radio". The animation 40 is the same as that in, for example, Figure 14(i). The control unit 18 displays "Police" as the warning name on the first-character warning unit 37.

[0144] Figure 14(l) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "digital radio". The animation 40 performs, for example, the movement of radio waves 45b emitting from the radio 45a. The radio wave 41b is an animation in which the number of rings gradually increases. The control unit 18 displays "CarDigital" as the warning name on the first-character warning unit 37. Also, although specific illustrations are omitted, for example, when the warning target is "police activity radio" or "departmental radio", the same animation is used, and the warning names displayed on the first-character warning unit 37 are set to "PoliceRadio" or "Policeman" to handle them.

[0145] Figure 14(m) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "low-power police radio". The animation 40 performs, for example, the movement of a helicopter (Apache) passing from right to left. Figure 14(n) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "digital radio". The animation 40 is the same as that in, for example, Figure 14(l). The control unit 18 displays "LoPwrPolice" as the warning name on the first-character warning unit 37. Figure 14(o) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "police phone". The animation 40 performs, for example, the movement of a mobile phone opening. Since the warning targets shown in Figures 14(e) to (o) have a lower priority in terms of urgency, importance, etc. than those of the radar group, the color of the animation is yellow.

[0146] Figure 14(p) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "fire radio". The animation 40 makes a movement where radio waves come out of the radio, similar to that in Figure 14(l) for example. However, since the urgency and importance of this warning target are even lower than those of the above digital radio, the color of the animation is blue. Figure 14(q) shows an example of the display screen of the animated warning where the warning target is "fire helico radio". The animation 40 makes a movement where a helicopter (Apache) passes from right to left, for example. Figures 14(r) and (s) show examples of the display screens of the animated warnings where the warning targets are "recca radio" and "emergency radio" respectively. The animation 40 makes movements where a "recca vehicle" and an "emergency vehicle" pass by respectively, for example. For the same reason as "fire radio" shown in Figure 14(p), the colors of the animations from Figure 14(q) onwards are also blue.

[0147] [Example 3 of Warning Execution Using Display Unit 5] (Live-Action Warning) The animated warning function is a function that displays a live-action image of the registered location of the corresponding warning target when a predetermined event occurs while, for example, displaying map information as shown in Figure 6(a) by the MAP display function of the standby screen display function. For example, for each registered location of the orbis (loop coil / LH system / H system / radar-type orbis), a photo of the actual site is taken and registered in the database 19 or the like. The control unit 18 accesses the database 19, for example, when the current position is about 500 m in front of the orbis, calls the corresponding photo (live-action) of the actual orbis, and displays it on the display unit 5.

[0148] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the map is not slid to create a space for displaying the real image, and the control unit 18 displays the real image overlaid on the displayed map. Therefore, similar to the animated warning, even when this real image is displayed, the display area of the map does not become narrow and difficult to view, and it is not the case that the position of the own vehicle icon or the like on the map is displaced within the display unit due to the sliding of the map, making it difficult to confirm the position of the own vehicle or the warning target on the map. Thus, the map is easy to view. Furthermore, by enlarging the display area of the real image, the warning target displayed in real can be intuitively understood, which is good. Also, the position of the orbis of the warning target may be indicated using an indication mark such as an arrow or the like, for example.

[0149] FIG. 15 shows an example of a display screen of a real warning using a real image. The real image 50 is displayed by changing the layer on top of the map displayed in the main display area R1. By making the real image 50 cover almost the entire display screen of the display unit 5, the real image showing the warning target can be displayed largely, making it easier to view. Furthermore, the warning target is imaged together with the background, and the warning target is centered on the screen. As a result, the warning target is output to the center of the screen of the display unit 5, making it prominent.

[0150] The first character warning section 37 is arranged at the lower left of the main display area R1, the second character warning section 38 is arranged at the lower right of the main display area R1, and a layout is adopted in which the warning-exclusive animation 40 is displayed at an appropriate position in the main display area R1. In FIG. 15, the display position of the animation 40 is slightly to the right of the center in the vertical direction, but as shown below, it is displayed at different positions as appropriate depending on the animation.

[0151] The first character warning section 37 is a part that displays related information as character information when notifying warning targets belonging to the radar group and the radio group grouped in the warning using the above-described warning display. In the case of the radio group, only the "warning name" is displayed, and in the case of the radar group, the "level meter", "warning name", and "speaker icon" are displayed. In FIG. 15, an example of receiving a radar is shown for convenience.

[0152] The second character warning unit 38 is a part that displays related information as character information when notifying a warning target based on the grouped position information in the warning using the above-described warning display. Specifically, it displays "warning name" and "distance to the warning target". However, in the case of an orbis group warning, no character warning is issued. In FIG. 8(a), since an example of receiving radar is shown, the second character warning unit 38 is blank.

[0153] Also, the dimensions of the real image 50 are such that the vertical direction is the length covering almost the entire display unit 5, and the horizontal direction is shorter than the full length of the display unit 5 by a predetermined length. As a result, a part of the side edge of the map is exposed outside the horizontal outside of the real image 50. Then, the control unit 18 blinks the real image 50 at a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). The blinking is displayed with one cycle of changing the transmittance of a photograph or a panel as 10→20···100→90···10%. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 15(a), from a state where the map looks nice, through a state where the real image 50 starts to appear on the map as shown in FIG. 15(b), it transitions to a state where the real image 50 clearly appears and the map is hidden and cannot be seen as shown in FIG. 15(c), and again, through a state where both the map and the real image in FIG. 15(b) can be seen, it transitions to a state where the map shown in FIG. 15(a) can be clearly seen, which is defined as one cycle.

[0154] By blinking in this way, since the display where the real image 50 floats up on the screen and then disappears again is repeated, it has an impact and can surely notify the user of its existence. Also, by blinking, a state where the real image can be seen on the entire display screen (FIG. 15c)) and a state where the map can be clearly seen (FIG. 15(a)) appear alternately, so it is good that the content of the map can also be confirmed.

[0155] Furthermore, as described above, since the dimensions of the real image 50 are made shorter than the map, even when the map is hidden by the real image 50 and cannot be seen as shown in FIG. 15(c), a part of the map can be seen outside the right end of the real image. Therefore, it can be understood that the map exists.

[0156] [Example 4 of Alarm Using Display Unit 5] (Special (SP) Alarm) In each of the above-described embodiments, the type of the alarm target, the alarms (alarm display, animation) notified for each alarm, and the content of the alarms (realistic images) prepared for each alarm target were made different. However, in the SP alarm of this embodiment, the content of the alarm is made different based on information other than the type of the alarm target. As information other than the type of the alarm target, information related to time such as seasons and time such as date and time was used. Specifically, different animations are displayed according to the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Furthermore, it is preferable to make it different during the day, such as between day and night. Furthermore, this special alarm is an alarm dedicated to a predetermined standby screen. The predetermined standby screen is, for example, a clock / calendar standby screen.

[0157] FIG. 16(a) shows an example of the screen configuration of the clock / calendar standby screen. As shown in the figure, similar to other embodiments, an icon display unit 32b, a vehicle speed display unit 32c, and a compass display unit 32d are arranged at a predetermined position above the display area of the display unit 5, and a first character alarm unit 37 is arranged at the lower left of the display area, and a second character alarm unit 38 is arranged at the lower right of the display area. Each of the display units 32b to 32d and each of the alarm units 37 and 38 are the same as those in the above-described embodiments.

[0158] And in this embodiment, a clock unit 51 is arranged on the left side of the display area, and a calendar unit 52 is arranged on the right side of the display area. The control unit 18 displays the current time acquired from the internal clock or the GPS receiver 13 on the clock unit 51 as a figure imitating an analog clock. This figure is an animation in which the second hand, the short hand, and the long hand change moment by moment as time passes. Further, the control unit 18 outputs the date and day of the week of today to the calendar unit 52 as character information.

[0159] Furthermore, the control unit 18 outputs a background screen that varies depending on the season and time to the display area of the display unit 5. FIG. 16(a) shows the background screen for summer. The background screen, the information display unit, each character warning unit 37, 38, the clock unit 51, and the calendar unit 52 are reproduced and output using separate layers. This enables individual display / non-display control for any of them.

[0160] This summer background screen depicts a scene under the sea. When an event occurs where a predetermined warning should be output while this summer background screen is being displayed, the control unit 18 reproduces and outputs a predetermined warning animation. The warning animation is strongly related to the background screen and the season. When the background screen shown in FIG. 16(a) is under the sea, as shown in FIG. 16(c), the bubbles that occur under the sea rise. This warning animation is commonly used for different types of warning targets. Thus, when the warning animation is reproduced, it can be recognized that there is some warning target, but the specific type of the warning target cannot be specified. The type of the warning target is specified by the character information output to the first character warning unit 37 and the second character warning unit 38, etc.

[0161] The background screen and the warning animation that vary depending on the season are specifically as shown in FIGS. 16(b) to (e). FIG. 16(b) is a version where the season is spring (from March to May) and the time is daytime, and it is a background screen with a blue background that imagines a blue sky and a cherry tree (especially the flower part) drawn on it. And the warning animation is a cherry blossom blizzard where the cherry blossoms scatter. The layer for displaying the warning animation is set above the layers for displaying the information display unit, each character warning unit 37, 38, the clock unit 51, and the calendar unit 52, respectively. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the flower petals are drawn on top of the clock picture of the clock unit 51 and the characters of the calendar unit 52, and the clock pictures etc. are hidden by the flower petals. By doing so, the warning animation will not be hidden by other display elements such as the clock, and it can bring pleasure and a soothing effect to users such as drivers, and can surely inform that an event is occurring.

[0162] Although specific illustrations are omitted, in the night-time version, the background screen is black to represent midnight (see Fig. 16(d)). When an event occurs, the control unit 18 plays and outputs a cherry blossom snow animation for warning on top of such a black-patterned background screen.

[0163] Fig. 16(c) is a version where the season is summer (from June to August) and the time is daytime, and it has a background screen that imagines the sea. This background screen may be a single still image or, for example, a moving image that reproduces the swaying of light inserted into the sea. And the warning animation is set to the movement of bubbles rising (moving from the bottom to the top of the screen). By representing the background screen as a blue sea, it can give the user a refreshing feeling, a crisp mood can be induced, and the user can enjoy it.

[0164] Although specific illustrations are omitted, in the night-time version, the background screen is black to represent midnight (see Fig. 16(d)). When an event occurs, the control unit 18 plays and outputs fireworks for warning on top of such a black-patterned background screen. If this fireworks is the launched fireworks which is also a seasonal feature of summer, it can create a summery atmosphere, and an effect of calming the user's mind can be expected, so that the user can enjoy it.

[0165] Fig. 16(d) is a version where the season is autumn (from September to November) and the time is night, and the background screen is black to represent midnight. And the warning animation is set to the movement of maple leaves scattering (moving from the upper side to the lower side of the screen). Also, in the daytime version, similar to the case when the season is spring, it is advisable to use a background screen with a blue background imagining the blue sky and a maple tree (especially the flower part) drawn on it.

[0166] FIG. 16(e) is a version where the season is winter (December to February) and the time is night, and the background screen is black representing midnight. The warning animation shows snowflakes dancing (for example, moving from the upper side to the lower side of the screen). Also, in the version where the time is day, similar to the case when the season is spring, the background screen may be drawn with a blue ground pattern that imagines a blue sky.

[0167] Furthermore, in this embodiment, three types of warning animations are prepared according to the small, medium, and large levels of urgency and priority depending on the type of warning target, etc. Furthermore, it is preferable to output a predetermined warning sound along with the playback of the warning animation. These warning animations and warning sounds are registered in the database 19 in association with each other, and the control unit 18 accesses the database 19 when an event occurs, reads out the corresponding warning animation and warning sound, and outputs them at a predetermined timing.

[0168] · When the season is spring, both during the day and at night, it changes as follows: "The number of cherry blossom petals in the cherry blossom blizzard is small and scattered thinly (low priority)" → "The number of cherry blossom petals in the cherry blossom blizzard is medium and scattered more abundantly by a strong wind (medium priority)" → "The number of cherry blossom petals in the cherry blossom blizzard is large and large and small petals are scattered all over the screen (high priority)". · When the season is summer (day), it changes as follows: "The bubbles are small and bubbling (low priority)" → "The bubbles are a mixture of small and medium and bubbling and frothing (medium priority)" → "The bubbles are a mixture of small, medium, and large and bubbling and frothing and foaming and frothing (high priority)". · When the season is summer (night), it changes as follows: "A single small firework animation with the warning sound of 'Hyuu Pan' (low priority)" → "A medium-sized firework continuous firing animation with the sound effect of 'Hyuu×5 Panpan×5' (medium priority)" → "A large firework (a large willow covering the entire screen) animation with the sound effect of 'Hyuu Doooooon' (high priority)". · When the season is autumn, both during the day and at night, it changes as follows: "The number of maple leaves is small and scattered thinly (low priority)" → "The number of maple leaves is medium and scattered rustlingly (medium priority)" → "The number of maple leaves is large and large and small leaves are scattered all over the screen (high priority)". · When the season is winter, change it to "few snowflakes, fluttering (low priority)" → "medium amount of snowflakes, falling steadily (same operation as low)" → "blizzard animation, gusty (high priority)" both during the day and at night. In the case of a predetermined season, it is advisable to fade out the background screen (the background disappears). The predetermined season may be, for example, summer (night), autumn, winter.

[0169] This warning by animation can be carried out alone or in combination with other warnings. For example, when an event occurs such as the distance to the warning target registered in the database 19 reaching the reference distance or when a predetermined radio is received, play and output the warning animation for one cycle (about 2 - 3 seconds), and then output the voice according to the type of the warning target. Warnings using the first - character warning unit 37 or the second - character warning unit 38 may be carried out, for example, after or simultaneously with the playback of the warning animation.

[0170] Also, in the case of the type of normal warning target, first, give a warning by the warning animation. However, in the case of, for example, a group of radars or a group of radios, due to the urgency, first give a voice notification such as "This is a radar" and then perform one cycle of notification by the warning animation. After that, until the event is canceled, give warnings such as voices corresponding to the type of the warning target.

[0171] [Example 5 of warning using the display unit 5](∞ warning) The ∞ warning is a special warning by the interlock of the light tube and the display unit 5. This special warning in conjunction with the light tube operates together with the map screen. Whether to give a special warning is determined by the mode setting. In the case of the setting to give a special warning, when the standby screen of the display unit 5 is other than the map screen (Map screen), it switches to the map screen, gives a predetermined special warning, and returns to the original screen after the warning ends. The priority order is: 1. Orbis group, 2. Radar group, 3. Inspection and control group, 4. Radio group, 5. Other POI groups.

[0172] And since the alarm resulting from the interlocking of this optical tube 20 and the display unit 5 is a special alarm, the control unit 18 may be configured to issue an alarm in which the display unit 5 and the optical tube 20 are fused when a plurality of predetermined alarm conditions are satisfied. The plurality of predetermined alarm conditions include, for example, alarm conditions based on position information such as when the relative positional relationship between the position of the alarm target stored as map information in the database 19 and the current position information of the vehicle reaches a predetermined setting condition, and alarm conditions based on predetermined radio wave reception such as receiving microwaves in a frequency band emitted from a speed measurement device by the microwave receiver 14. There are those that satisfy different types of alarm conditions. As a specific example of satisfying these different types of alarm conditions, for example, when the alarm target is a speed measurement device and the alarm conditions based on position information are satisfied, microwaves in the frequency band emitted from the speed measurement device may be received to simultaneously satisfy the alarm conditions based on radio wave reception.

[0173] Also, when a plurality of alarm conditions are satisfied, it may be the case that the same type of alarm conditions are satisfied a plurality of times at different times. For example, assuming that the alarm condition is an alarm condition based on position information as described above, and the relative positional relationship with the same alarm target is at a first distance (for example, 2000 m), a second distance shorter than the first distance (for example, 1000 m), and a third distance shorter than the second distance (for example, 500 m), and the alarm conditions based on position information are satisfied respectively, it may be the case that, in the order determined as the vehicle travels, for example, the first distance → the second distance → the third distance are satisfied in sequence.

[0174] Furthermore, it is even better to have both cases where a plurality of types of the above alarm conditions are satisfied and cases where the same type of alarm conditions are satisfied a plurality of times at different times. For example, assume that microwaves of a predetermined frequency are received, and furthermore, a plurality of specific alarm conditions are satisfied when the first distance → the second distance → the third distance are satisfied in sequence.

[0175] By issuing a fused alarm when a plurality of specific alarm conditions are satisfied, the chance of occurrence of such a fused alarm is reduced. Therefore, the surprise factor when such a fused alarm occurs is high, and the impact on the driver is large, so the alarm can be more reliably conveyed to the driver.

[0176] Also, regarding the conditions for receiving the microwave described above, for example, when the position conditions of the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are satisfied, it is preferable to receive the microwave at each position. By doing so, it becomes less likely to satisfy a specific plurality of warning conditions, and it is good because the occurrence opportunity is even less. When the above-described predetermined plurality of warning conditions are not satisfied, it is preferable not to issue a warning in which the display unit 5 and the optical tube 20 are integrated. For example, when a plurality of predetermined warning conditions are not satisfied but other warning conditions are satisfied, a warning is issued by either the display unit 5 or the optical tube 20, and when a plurality of predetermined warning conditions are satisfied, a warning in which the display unit 5 and the optical tube 20 are integrated is issued. Thereby, the warning in which the display unit 5 and the optical tube 20 are integrated is given a special warning status.

[0177] The case where a plurality of predetermined warning conditions are not satisfied means, for example, that as the vehicle's course changes, a warning target suddenly appears in front of the vehicle's traveling direction and starts approaching from a state where the relative distance is shorter than 2000 m, and the second distance → the third distance is satisfied in order without satisfying the condition of the first distance, or the third distance is satisfied, etc. Even if the microwave is received when the conditions of each distance are satisfied, a plurality of predetermined warning conditions are not satisfied. Also, even if the position conditions of the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are satisfied in order, if the microwave is not received, a plurality of predetermined warning conditions are not satisfied. In these cases, a warning in which the display unit 5 and the optical tube 20 are integrated is not issued. For example, when the conditions of each distance are satisfied, a notification is made by outputting a message for notifying the passage of the distance to the display unit 5.

[0178] *Specific examples of special warnings **Orbis group (using position information)** Figure 17 shows an example of the screen transition of a special warning that is output when the distance to the warning target (orbis) reaches the first reference distance (long distance: for example, about 2000 m ahead) while driving on a highway. When driving on a highway, when all of the following conditions are met: "1. Driving at a speed equal to or higher than the speed limit", "2. The distance between the own vehicle and the target is 2100 m or less", "3. The azimuth of the own vehicle as seen from the warning target (orbis) is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±40 degrees)", and "4. The azimuth of the target as seen from the direction of travel of the own vehicle is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±20 degrees)", the special warning shown in Figure 17 is notified. In the database 19, the monitoring direction is registered for each warning target (orbis). The control unit 18 sets a predetermined angle range based on the monitoring direction and determines whether or not condition 3 is satisfied.

[0179] When all four conditions are met, the control unit 18 first outputs, as shown in Figure 17(a), an animation of waves breaking the screen like the Ten Commandments of Moses from the center of the screen. The central space sandwiched between the left and right waves is made blacked out, and the left and right navis move outward respectively. At this time, the sound effect is the sound of a waterfall. This sound effect continues until the animation ends. Simultaneously with the start of the animation of the waves breaking the screen, the control unit 18 blinks the full-color LED three times in red. As a result, the light tubes 20 on both sides of the display unit 5 blink red three times.

[0180] Next, as shown in Figure 17(b), the warning name (also referred to as "target name") is displayed in the part broken by the waves. In the figure, "H system" is displayed, but depending on the type of warning target, either a radar type, an H system, an LH system, a loop coil, or a photoelectric tube type is displayed. Also, the period during which this warning name is displayed is, for example, while the central part is open to a certain extent by the left and right waves, for example, from when it is open about 80% to when it is fully open (100%) and then closed about 80%. Then, when the left and right waves gradually approach and narrow the space when they are fully open, and the waves close as shown in Figure 17(c), the animation of these waves ends. The animation of these waves is, for example, about 3 seconds.

[0181] After the animation of this wave ends, a live-action warning for each warning target is displayed (Fig. 17(d)). As described with reference to Fig. 15, the live-action warning performs notification by changing the transparency of the live-action image to make it flash. Therefore, when it flashes a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times), this live-action warning ends. In addition, the control unit 18 outputs the voice of the 2000m warning. This voice output notifies the direction and distance of the warning target, the road classification, and the type of the warning target. When the live-action image flashes 5 times, the map display shown in Fig. 15(e) is performed. That is, during the live-action warning, the second character warning unit 38 outputs the warning name and the remaining distance to the warning target. Therefore, even after the live-action warning ends, the lower character warning using the second character warning unit 38 continues until the 1100m warning is issued.

[0182] Note that the warnings of the orbis group are notified with the highest priority. At this time, if there are warning targets belonging to the radar group or the radio group, the radar and radio warnings may be simultaneously displayed as warning characters using the first character warning unit 37.

[0183] Fig. 18(a) shows an example of the screen of a special warning output when the distance to the warning target (orbis) is the second reference distance (a distance shorter than the first reference distance: for example, about 1000m ahead) while driving on the highway. While driving on the highway, when all of the conditions of "1. The distance between the own vehicle and the target is 1100m or less", "2. The azimuth of the own vehicle as seen from the warning target (orbis) is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±40 degrees)", and "3. The azimuth of the target as seen from the traveling direction of the own vehicle is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±90 degrees)" are satisfied, the control unit 18 notifies the special warning shown in Fig. 18(a). That is, the lower character warning using the second character warning unit 38 ends, and the process shifts to the orbis animation (the animation warning of the second embodiment) corresponding to the type of each warning target. At the same time, the control unit 18 controls the light emission of the full-color LED 22, and the light tubes 20 on both sides flash red 5 times. This display continues until 600m. In addition, the sound effects and voice output set for each warning target are also performed.

[0184] Figures 18(b) and (c) show an example of the screen transition of a normal version of a special warning that is output when the distance to the warning target (orbis) reaches the third reference distance (a distance shorter than the second reference distance: for example, about 600 m ahead) while driving on a highway. When driving on a highway, when all of the following conditions are met: "1. The distance between the own vehicle and the target is 600 m or less", "2. The azimuth of the own vehicle as seen from the warning target (orbis) is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±40 degrees)", and "3. The azimuth of the target as seen from the traveling direction of the own vehicle is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±90 degrees)", the display shifts to the display of the orbis 600 m dedicated animation. That is, the control unit 18 first displays the warning screen shown in Fig. 18(b).

[0185] This warning screen is conceptually based on the image of viewing the warning target (orbis) from the viewpoint of the cockpit. This warning screen displays an animated object 61 that mimics the warning target in the center. The animated object 61 performs an animation in which an orbis that appears far away approaches. A target distance gauge 62 is arranged in the upper left of the animated object 61. The target distance gauge 62 is in the form of an arc-shaped level meter, and as the distance to the warning target decreases, the meter portion of a predetermined color (for example, orange) becomes shorter. A target distance display section 63 is arranged in the upper left of the screen, and a current speed display section 64 is arranged in the upper right of the screen. Both are digital numerical values, and these numerical values change linearly as the vehicle travels. On the right side of the screen, below the current speed display section 64, a speed limit display section 65, a deviation speed display section 66, and a radar level meter 67 are arranged. The current speed is obtained from the transition of the position information acquired from the GPS receiver 13 and the elapsed time. The speed limit display section 65 may display, for example, the speed limit at the current location, but preferably, it is the speed limit at the installation position of the warning target (orbis). The deviation speed display section 66 obtains the difference between the current speed and the speed limit (for example, the speed limit at the installation position of the warning target), and displays that speed difference numerically. At this time, when the speed limit is exceeded, it is displayed in red characters, and when it is not exceeded, it is displayed in blue characters. Specifically, the control unit 18 outputs the value of Delta obtained below to the deviation speed display section 66 in colored characters specified by the following rules. (Current speed) - (Speed limit) = Delta Delta ≤ 0 km / h: Green text Delta > 0 km / h: Red text

[0186] The radar level meter 67 displays the received intensity of the radar wave in a five - level evaluation. Also, a sub - display 68 is arranged at the lower left of the screen. This sub - display shows the relative positions of the own vehicle position (red arrow) and the warning target (red circle). The animation object 61 and the sub - display 68 display in ten levels with respect to the distance. Along with this screen display, the control unit 18 controls the emission of the full - color LED 22 to start the flashing of the light tubes on both sides. This flashing is carried out until the warning target is passed and the warning ends. Also, the control unit gives an alarm by voice output at a predetermined distance (for example, at 600 m and 300 m).

[0187] Then, when the warning target is passed and the reception of the radar wave stops, the control unit 18 returns the display of the display unit 5 to the original screen as shown in Fig. 18(c), outputs a passing phrase such as "Passed" by voice, and ends the special warning.

[0188] Fig. 19 shows an example of the screen transition of a special version of the special warning output when the distance to the warning target (Orbis) is the third reference distance (a distance shorter than the second reference distance: for example, about 600 m ahead) while driving on the highway. When driving on the highway, in addition to "1. The distance between the own vehicle and the target is 600 m or less", "2. The azimuth of the own vehicle seen from the warning target (Orbis) is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±40 degrees)", "3. The azimuth of the target seen from the own vehicle traveling direction is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±90 degrees)", when all the conditions of "4. Passing the first reference distance and the second reference distance in order" and "Receiving the radar wave one or more times between 2000 m and 600 m" are satisfied, the display shifts to the Orbis 600 m special animation display.

[0189] That is, the control unit 18 first displays the warning screen shown in FIG. 19(a). This warning screen shows a state where noise has occurred throughout the map screen. Also, at this time, the control unit 18 outputs a sound like noise, for example, a warning sound of "Zazaza". Next, after outputting the sound effect of the CRT TV disappearing, as shown in FIG. 19(b), it turns all black and turns off the backlight. Next, the control unit 18 outputs a predetermined dedicated sound effect, controls the full-color LED 22 to emit light at 100% red, causes the light tube 20 to emit red light, and displays the screen shown in FIG. 19(c). For example, through the cooperation of the light tube 20 and the display unit 5 described in FIG. 4 and the like, the character ∞ is expressed. Since it represents an image of a flame burning in red, the control unit 18 simultaneously outputs a sound effect of the flame burning brightly.

[0190] After that, the dedicated animation for the orbis 600m shown in FIG. 19(d) is displayed. This dedicated animation for the orbis 600m is the same as the normal version described above. Also, along with the display of this dedicated animation for the orbis 600m, the light tube turns off. By performing the displays in FIGS. 19(a) to (c) prior to the display of the dedicated animation for the orbis 600m in this way, it is possible to make the user imagine and expect that something special will happen, to give a sense of excitement, and to entertain the user.

[0191] Until reaching the immediate vicinity of the warning target (orbis), similar to the normal version, an animation dedicated to 600 m of the orbis is displayed. Then, at the passing point of the warning target, the control unit 18 cuts in three images in the order of Fig. 19(e) → Fig. 19(f) → Fig. 19(g). Also, when cutting in these three pictures, the control unit 18 outputs the sound effect of the shutter being switched with a clicking sound. These cut-ins are displayed one by one at short intervals (for example, every 0.3 seconds). By cutting in three pictures in this way, it can have an impact and look cool. The determination of passing may be made, for example, when all of the following conditions are met: "1. The distance between the host vehicle and the target is 100 m or less", "2. The azimuth of the host vehicle as seen from the warning target is within a predetermined angle (±40 degrees)", and "3. The azimuth of the warning target as seen from the traveling direction of the host vehicle is within a predetermined angle (±90 degrees)". If the determination of passing before the cut-in is set as the installation position (0 m point) of the warning target, the cut-in is performed after actually passing the warning target, and there is a risk of a lapse, but by setting it to be before a predetermined distance (for example, within 100 m), there is a sense of presence and the cut-in can be made at an appropriate timing. Also, even if there is a deviation from the actual position due to the accuracy error of the GPS or the like, by cutting in within a predetermined distance, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the cut-in is made after actually passing the warning target.

[0192] Then, the control unit 18 determines the situation at the time of passing and displays one of the determination result screens in Figs. 19(h) to (l) according to the determination result. The situation is defined as the speed difference between the traveling speed and the speed limit. Furthermore, "at the time of passing" is set as immediately before passing (for example, 50 m before). By using the speed immediately before passing in this way, the determination result screen can be displayed in accordance with the actual passing timing.

[0193] Specifically, the control unit 18 calculates V50 (the running speed at 50 m before - the speed limit), determines and displays one of the judgment result screens based on the relationship between the speed difference and the respectively set reference speeds. FIG. 19(h) is the screen displayed when passing through in the best situation, with an image of running away with the setting sun as the background and the characters "Congratulations" drawn. Also, a voice of "Congratulations" is output. The specific condition is set as |V50|≦2 km / h. In this way, with a small speed difference, passing at a running speed near the speed limit is regarded as the best situation.

[0194] FIG. 19(i) is the screen displayed when passing through in the second - best situation, with the characters "Good" drawn with the setting sun as the background. Also, a voice of "Good" is output. The specific condition is set as 2 km / h < |V50|≦5 km / h. When it becomes slower than necessary compared to the speed limit, there is also a balance with the running speeds of other vehicles, and it may not be possible to smoothly join the traffic flow. Therefore, even when it is slower than the speed limit, if the deviation becomes large, the rank is lowered.

[0195] FIG. 19(j) is the screen displayed when passing through in the third - best situation, with the characters "OK" drawn with the setting sun as the background. Also, a voice of "OK" is output. The specific condition is set as V50 < - 5 km / h or + 5 km / h < V50≦+10 km / h. Since it is not preferable to make a bad judgment even if the speed limit is too slow, the range below the speed limit and the range of speed over - limit are separated.

[0196] FIG. 19(k) is the screen displayed when passing through in the fourth - best (actually bad) situation, with the characters "BAD" drawn with a cloudy sky as the background. Also, a voice of "BAD" is output. The specific condition is set as 10 km / h < V50≦20 km / h.

[0197] FIG. 19(l) is the screen displayed when passing through in the worst situation, with the characters "JESUS" drawn with lightning as the background. Also, a voice of "JESUS" is output. The specific condition is set as 20 km / h < V50.

[0198] In this way, when passing through the warning target (orbis), a judgment result screen is output, which has gameplay and increases the fun. Also, the driver can be prompted to drive safely following the flow, while suppressing speeding and without decelerating more than necessary, by being more careful to drive in a way that better screens are output.

[0199] Figure 20(a) shows an example of the screen transition of a special warning output when the distance to the warning target (orbis) is the second reference distance (for example, about 1000 m ahead) while driving on an ordinary road. When driving on an ordinary road, when all of the following conditions are satisfied: "1. The distance between the own vehicle and the target is 1100 m or less", "2. The azimuth of the own vehicle as seen from the warning target (orbis) is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±40 degrees)", and "3. The azimuth of the target as seen from the traveling direction of the own vehicle is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±90 degrees)", the control unit 18 notifies the special warning shown in FIG. 18(a). That is, the control unit 18 freezes the map waiting screen, displays the warning name (in the figure, "loop coil"), and then performs an animation of ice cracking. The ice cracking starts, for example, from the center of the screen. At this time, the sound effect is the sound of glass cracking. Simultaneously with the start of the animation, the control unit 18 blinks the full-color LED three times in red. As a result, the light tubes 20 on both sides of the display unit 5 blink red three times.

[0200] Next, the control unit 18 shifts to the orbis animation (animation warning of Embodiment 2) corresponding to the type of each warning target. This display continues until 600 m. Also, the sound effect and voice output set for each warning target are performed together.

[0201] Figures 20(c) and (d) show an example of the screen transition of a special warning output when the distance to the warning target (orbis) is the third reference distance (a distance shorter than the second reference distance: for example, about 600 m ahead) while driving on an ordinary road. When driving on an expressway, when all of the following conditions are met: "1. The distance between the host vehicle and the target is 600 m or less", "2. The azimuth of the host vehicle as seen from the warning target (orbis) is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±40 degrees)", and "3. The azimuth of the target as seen from the traveling direction of the host vehicle is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±90 degrees)", the control unit 18 ends the animation warning shown in Fig. 20(b) and shifts to a live-action warning. At the same time as the switchover, the control unit 18 controls the emission of the full-color LED 22, and the light tubes on both sides start to blink in red. This blinking is performed until the warning target is passed and the warning ends. Also, the control unit issues a warning by voice output at predetermined distances (for example, at 600 m and 300 m).

[0202] **Inspection and Enforcement Group (Using Location Information)** Figures 20(e) and (f) show an example of the screen transition of a special warning output when the distance to the warning target (inspection and enforcement) is the second reference distance (for example, about 1000 m ahead). When all of the following conditions are met: "1. The distance between the host vehicle and the target is 1100 m or less", "2. The azimuth of the host vehicle as seen from the warning target (orbis) is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±40 degrees)", and "3. The azimuth of the target as seen from the traveling direction of the host vehicle is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±90 degrees)", the control unit 18 outputs the warning screen shown in Fig. 20(e). That is, the control unit 18 displays an animation in which an image like a black hole appears in the center of the standby screen of the map, and the target name is displayed therein. The black hole performs an animation of gradually growing larger, for example, in about 2 seconds. At this time, the sound effect is a deep bass sound that sounds from the ground. At the same time as the start of the animation, the control unit 18 blinks the full-color LED three times in yellow. As a result, the light tubes 20 on both sides of the display unit 5 blink three times in yellow.

[0203] Next, after the end of the black hole animation, the control unit 18 displays a live-action warning for each warning target in the figure (Fig. 20(d)). The live-action warning performs notification by changing the transparency of the live-action image to cause it to flash. This display continues up to 600 m.

[0204] Fig. 20(g) shows an example of the screen transition of the normal version of the special warning output when the distance to the warning target (inspection and control) is the third reference distance (a distance shorter than the second reference distance: for example, about 600 m ahead). While driving on the highway, when all of the conditions of "1. The distance between the own vehicle and the target is 600 m or less", "2. The azimuth of the own vehicle as seen from the warning target (orbis) is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±40 degrees)", and "3. The azimuth of the target as seen from the traveling direction of the own vehicle is within a predetermined angle (for example, ±90 degrees)" are satisfied, an animation warning (Example 2) corresponding to the type of warning target is performed.

[0205] Figures 21(a) to (d) show an example of the screen transition of a special version of a special alarm output when the distance to the alarm target (inspection and control) is the third reference distance (a distance shorter than the second reference distance: for example, about 600 m ahead). The condition for transitioning to the special version is that a wireless alarm has been received between 1100 and 600 m. When proceeding to the special version, the control unit 18 first displays the alarm screen shown in Fig. 21(a). This alarm screen shows a state where noise has occurred throughout the map screen. It expresses a state of being broken by the noise to attract the user's attention. Also, at this time, the control unit 18 outputs an alarm sound like noise, for example, a "zaza" sound. Next, after outputting the sound effect of the cathode ray tube TV disappearing, as shown in Fig. 20(b), it turns all black and turns off the backlight. Next, the control unit 18 outputs a predetermined dedicated sound effect, controls the full-color LED 22 to emit light with green and blue at 100%, causes the light tube 20 to emit a bluish-white light, and displays the screen shown in Fig. 21(c). For example, through the cooperation of the light tube 20 and the display unit 5 described in Fig. 4 and the like, the character ∞ is expressed. Since it represents an image of lightning flashing in a bluish-white color, the control unit 18 simultaneously outputs a thunder sound effect. After that, an animated alarm corresponding to the type of alarm target shown in Fig. 21(d) is output.

[0206] **Other POI groups (using location information)** Fig. 21(e) shows an example of the alarm screen for the alarm target (other POI groups). The control unit 18 performs an animation of fogging on the map screen and then performs an animated alarm corresponding to the type of alarm target according to the reference distance of the alarm condition.

[0207] **Radar groups** Fig. 21(f) shows an example of the alarm screen for the alarm target (radar groups). The control unit 18 performs an animation where the screen flares up for an instant like a backdraft. The sound effect is a sound of flaring up with a whoosh. After that, an animated alarm corresponding to the type of alarm target is performed according to the reference distance of the alarm condition.

[0208] **Wireless groups** FIG. 21(g) shows an example of an alarm screen for the alarm target (radio group). The control unit 18 performs an animation in which a blue lightning bolt appears superimposed on the map screen. The sound effect is the sound of thunder. Then, an animated alarm corresponding to the type of the alarm target is given.

[0209] [Public Notice Information Display Function] Each prefectural police department announces traffic public notice information regarding the places and times of enforcement. Therefore, it is acquired in advance through data update processing. For example, the latest public notice information data is downloaded to the database 19 or the like using the memory card 11. Then, since the control unit 18 has a function of notifying that public notice information is being announced at the current location, the control unit 18 accesses the public notice information data downloaded based on the current location, and if public notice information is being announced at the current location, notifies to that effect. Such notification may use, for example, the display unit 5. As the use of the display unit 5, a mark or character meaning that public notice information is being announced may be output, or the display unit 5 may emit light or the like at a predetermined position. And as the light emission at the predetermined position, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 22(a), the icon display unit 32b is made to emit red light to give notice. More specifically, the control unit 18 arranges the warning lamp unit 71 in the background portion of the display area of the icon display unit 32b, and the warning lamp unit 71 emits red light radially and flashes.

[0210] When the control unit 18 detects that the display areas of the icon display unit 32b and the warning lamp unit 71 have been touched, it overlays and displays the public notice information display unit 72 of the balloon-style text screen shown in Fig. 22(b) on the map (Map screen). In the public notice information display unit 72, one piece of notice information is displayed per page. When there are multiple pieces of notice information, page turning is performed to display the next public notice information. That is, on the left and right sides of the public notice information display unit 72, a left page moving button 72c and a right page moving button 72b are arranged respectively, and further, a return button 72a is arranged at the center of the upper side of the public notice information display unit 72. The control unit 18 displays the page moving button in the direction where there is data and does not display the button in the direction where there is no page. Then, when the control unit 18 detects that each of the page moving buttons 72b, 72c has been touched, it instantaneously changes the color of the pressed moving button (for example, "purple") and displays the page on the pressed side.

[0211] By doing so, the user can view the public notice information one by one in a state where it is displayed across the entire screen. That is, for example, if it is configured to be in a horizontal scroll mode near the lower end of the display screen of the display unit 5 as a notification of the public notice information, when the user misses the first character and views it from the middle, it is necessary to keep looking at the display unit 5 until the first character appears again, which is not preferable. On the other hand, since one piece of public notice information is displayed in a stationary state in the public notice information display unit 72 as in this embodiment, the user will not miss it due to bad timing of viewing. Also, if the horizontal scroll type of display is configured to automatically output the public notice information, for example, triggered by the presence of public notice information at the current location, for users who do not want to see such information or are not interested in it, or users who already know such information, information that they do not want to read will be output to the display unit 5, and moreover, since it moves due to scrolling, it will be obstructive. In contrast, in this embodiment, a user who does not want to see such information only needs to touch the warning lamp unit 71, so it is possible to prevent obstructive information from being output.

[0212] Also, when it is detected that the return button 72a has been touched in the state of Fig. 22(b), the control unit 18 turns off the disclosure control information display unit 72 and displays the original Map screen. In this way, when returning with the return button 72a after once viewing the disclosure control information, until the disclosure control information is cancelled, as shown in Fig. 22(c), the icon displayed on the icon display unit 32b is changed to red and white characters 71'. Also, when the disclosure control information is cancelled, the icon returns to normal blue and white characters. Also, when newly receiving the disclosure control information, flashing is performed again.

[0213] Also, for example, as shown in Fig. 22(d), in the case of a screen without an icon display unit, the control unit 18 arranges the warning lamp unit 71 in the background portion of the display area of the text indicating the map scale, for example, and when there is disclosure control information at the current location, the warning lamp unit 71 flashes in a red radial pattern for flashing.

[0214] In this state, when it is detected that the display area of the warning lamp unit 71 has been touched, the control unit 18 overlays and displays the disclosure control information display unit 72 of the balloon-type text screen shown in Fig. 22(b) on the display screen of Fig. 22(d). Then, when it is detected that the return button 72a has been touched, the control unit 18 turns off the disclosure control information display unit 72 and displays the original display screen. At this time, as shown in Fig. 22(e), it is changed to red and white characters 71' of the map scale.

[0215] [Embodiment of standby screen display function] **Speed display standby screen** FIG. 23 shows an example of a standby screen displayed by the standby screen display function of the control unit 18. FIG. 23(a) shows an example of a "speed display standby screen". In this standby screen, an object 81 representing the driving status such as speed is displayed in the center of the screen. This object 81 has a configuration in which a compass 81b is arranged around a speedometer 81a. The speedometer 81a is an animation imitating a circular analog meter, and the needle 81c of the speedometer moves according to the current speed. Also, a warning lamp 81d for notifying of speed excess is arranged at a predetermined position within the speedometer 81a. The warning lamp 81d indicates the result of whether the current driving speed is equal to or higher than a reference speed (for example, 120 km / h). When the driving speed is less than the reference speed (for example, 120 km / h), the control unit 18 lights the warning lamp 81d in green, and when the driving speed is equal to or higher than the reference speed (for example, 120 km / h), the control unit 18 lights the warning lamp 81d in red. The compass 81b has the initials "N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW" indicating surrounding arranged on the ring at 45-degree intervals, and rotates and moves so that the azimuth of the vehicle's traveling direction is upward, similar to the azimuth compass display section 32d displayed on other display screens. Also, the compass 81b is based on silver or metallic, with the letter "N" in red and the others in black. With this object 81, the driving speed and the traveling direction (azimuth) can be known, so the own vehicle speed display section 32c and the azimuth compass display section 32d displayed on other screens are not displayed. According to this standby screen, since the speedometer 81a and the compass 81b are largely displayed across the screen, it is easy to see. Furthermore, a ring-shaped compass 81b is fitted around the speedometer 81a and integrated, and moreover, by drawing the compass 81b part to have a gloss like metal, it looks cool.

[0216] **Acceleration standby screen** Figures 23(b-1) and (b-2) show an example of an "acceleration standby screen". This standby screen displays the state of the acceleration applied to the vehicle in numbers and gradations. On this standby screen, an object 82 representing the situation such as the magnitude and direction of the acceleration is displayed in the center of the screen, and numerical display sections 83 for displaying the acceleration state numerically are displayed on both the left and right sides. This object 82 displays an acceleration gauge 82b at a predetermined position around the 3D-drawn vehicle 82a.

[0217] The acceleration gauge 82b is displayed so as to indicate the direction in which the acceleration of the vehicle is applied based on the output of the built-in acceleration sensor 25. In the figure, since it is arranged on the front side (front grille side) of the vehicle 82a, the acceleration is being applied in the forward direction of the vehicle, that is, the state when braking and decelerating. Although not shown in the figure, during acceleration, the acceleration gauge 82b is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle, and during turning, depending on the direction in which the vehicle is turning and the state of the speed at that time (acceleration, deceleration, constant speed), the acceleration gauge 82b is arranged at an appropriate position around the vehicle 82a.

[0218] As shown in Fig. 22(b-2), the acceleration gauge 82b is arranged with five small sectors adjacent to each other. The central small sector is the part that displays the acceleration value currently applied to the vehicle. Each small sector is divided into a plurality (for example, 11) of blocks from the center to the periphery. Each block constitutes the memory of the acceleration gauge and also sets the color to be displayed for each block. The control unit 18 applies the colors set for each of the blocks up to the block of the memory corresponding to the acquired acceleration value to the central small sector, and makes the memory exceeding the acceleration value transparent. The color of this gauge is, for example, from the center side in order, the 0th is "white", the 1st to 3rd are "blue", the 4th to 7th are "yellow", and the 8th to 10th are "red". In Fig. 22(b-2), the predetermined color is displayed up to the 10th (the center is the 0th) scale at most. Note that the first color on the center side is made transparent and is transparent regardless of the acceleration value. This is because the center side overlaps with the vehicle 82a, and the display of the vehicle 82a is prioritized.

[0219] Furthermore, the control unit 18 reduces the scale of the gauge by two scales for the small sectors adjacent to the left and right of the central small sector, and further reduces the scale of the gauge of the next adjacent gauge by four scales. In the example of FIG. 22(b-2), since the center is colored up to the 10th, the adjacent small sector is colored up to the 8th, and the further adjacent small sector is colored up to the 6th block.

[0220] By using the acceleration gauge 82b, it becomes easier to intuitively recognize the direction in which the vehicle is accelerating and the magnitude of the acceleration value. Since small sectors are arranged adjacent to the left and right of the central small sector indicating the magnitude of the acceleration, a certain width can be ensured, making it easier to view. Also, since the scale of the adjacent small sector is reduced, the tip becomes pointed, making the magnitude easy to understand and the appearance novel and good. In addition, since the drawing of the acceleration gauge is a gradation that gradually changes the color, it is beautiful and the interest increases. Furthermore, for example, as the acceleration value increases, it changes from the blue system to the red system, so that the user can also intuitively recognize that a large acceleration is applied and dangerous driving or non-eco driving is being performed.

[0221] Also, the specific acceleration value is displayed on the numerical display unit 83, so it can be accurately understood. Also, the maximum acceleration displays the maximum acceleration in a predetermined period. The predetermined period includes, for example, the period from engine start to the present, the period up to a predetermined time before the present based on the present, the period up to a predetermined driving distance from the present, etc. For example, it is advisable to have a logging function and record information (such as the output value of the acceleration sensor) regarding the current position and the acceleration at that time at predetermined time intervals, and obtain and display the maximum value from the recorded history. Also, for example, when a target starting point (such as engine start) is determined like from engine start to the present, the current acceleration value is compared with the recorded maximum acceleration value from such a starting point, and the maximum acceleration value may be updated when the current acceleration value is larger.

[0222] **Positioning Information Waiting Screen** FIG. 23(c) shows an example of a "positioning information waiting screen". This waiting screen displays the satellite position, satellite number, and reception level. On this waiting screen, an object for displaying the position of the satellite and the like is displayed on the left side of the screen, and a graph is displayed on the right side of the screen. The object displays the satellite position with a "+" mark on a picture imitating the Earth. The control unit 18 obtains from the information of each GPS satellite acquired by the GPS receiver 13 the position in the sky of each satellite on the Earth, indicates a "+" mark at the corresponding position, and further, for the two types of satellites, namely the "Michibiki" of the quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS) and the "Himawari" of the meteorological satellite, the corresponding character information and the corresponding "+" marks are displayed so as to be connected by a straight line. Thereby, the presence and the side where the "Michibiki" and the "Himawari" are located can be understood at a glance. Further, it is preferable to have a function of displaying the numerical value of the satellite number of the satellites with high CN values among the received satellites and connecting the numerical value and the corresponding "+" mark by a straight line.

[0223] The graph is displayed from the left in ascending order of the satellite numbers of the captured satellites, and the CN values of each satellite are displayed as bar graphs. When eight or more satellites are captured, the top eight are selected in descending order of the CN values, and for them, a graph in the order of satellite numbers is created and displayed.

[0224] Also, in this embodiment, when the CN value is 30 or more, the bar graph is green, when the CN value is 20 or more, the bar graph is yellow, and when the CN value is less than 20, the bar graph is red. It is preferable because the level of the CN value can be recognized by the color as well as the height of the graph. For example, if the entire graph is green, it can be confirmed that the CN values of all eight satellites are good.

[0225] **Driver's Point Waiting Screen** Figures 23(d-1) and (d-2) show an example of the "Driver's Point Waiting Screen". This waiting screen scores each item based on driving data and displays the result of obtaining the overall driving evaluation from the points of the items. These driver's points are obtained by calculating the points for predetermined judgment items from the accumulation of driving states over a certain period in the past and performing an overall evaluation. The certain period in the past for which judgment is to be made is, for example, one hour. Even in the case of less than one hour at the beginning of driving, the judgment is made within the driven range. And on this waiting screen, a driver's point graph 84a is arranged on the left side of the screen, and an overall point 84b, a class badge 84c, and a title 84d are displayed in order from the top on the right side of the screen in a layout.

[0226] The judgment and calculation of the driver's points are as follows. First, the specific judgment items are four: sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, sudden steering, and economic speed. At the start of each item, the points are 100 each, and the points are increased or decreased according to the rules shown in Figure 24 according to the driving situation. And the range of points is from 0 to 100.

[0227] The control unit 18 displays the respective points for the four items as a pie chart on the driver's point graph 84a, and each numerical value of the four items is displayed as "○○pt" next to or below the item of the graph. Further, the control unit 18 obtains the average of the numerical values of the four items as the overall point and displays it as a numerical value at a predetermined position.

[0228] In addition, the rank badge 84c and the title 84d are determined by the combination of the ranks of the respective points of the four items. The rank badge 84c is an icon modeled after the five-star (highest rank) shown in FIG. 23(d-1) and the two types of badges (first badge, second badge) shown in FIG. 23(d-2). For the two badges, the one on the left is the highest rank and the one on the right is the lowest rank. Furthermore, a plurality of colors are prepared for each of these three types of rank badge 84c icons. In the figure, the icon is shown in gold, but silver and copper are also prepared. In the case of the same icon form, gold has the highest level, followed by silver and finally copper. Therefore, there are a total of nine types of rank badges 84c. The ranking of these nine types of rank badges 84c is such that the five-star (gold) is the highest rank, and then in order: five-star (silver) → five-star (copper) → first badge (gold) → first badge (silver) → first badge (copper) → second badge (gold) → second badge (silver) → second badge (copper). The control unit 18 determines one of the nine types of rank badges based on each numerical value of the four items and displays it at a predetermined position. This determination of the rank badge may be made, for example, by previously setting the correspondence between the combination of each numerical value of the four items and the rank badge to be used, and making the determination based on such a correspondence. The title to be used may also be associated. For example, the numerical values of each item are divided into a plurality of levels.

[0229] As an example, A: 80 < A ≤ 100 (excluding ALL 100) B: 50 < B ≤ 80 C: 0 ≤ C ≤ 50 (excluding ALL 0) are divided into three levels. Then, for example, a correspondence table as shown in FIG. 25 is registered in the database 19. After the control unit 18 obtains each numerical value of the four items, it performs the level classification of A, B, and C, accesses the database 19, specifies the corresponding rank badge and title, and outputs them to a predetermined position of the display unit 5. Also, when outputting the title, the character color of the table shown in FIG. 25 is used. Also, for the rank badge and the title, they are not displayed if the running time is less than 10 minutes. Furthermore, data older than one hour is erased. The data may be retained even when power is turned ON / OFF.

[0230] Both the rank badges and titles should be such that the higher the total points, the more they praise the user and improve the user's mood. In accordance with this, in the above-described embodiment, even for the same form, three colors of gold, silver, and copper are prepared, and even for rank badges of the same form, they are further divided into three levels (gold is the first and copper is the third). Also, for example, in the police or other organizations, in accordance with the types of badges changing according to the positions, it is advisable to model them after the badges worn by people with higher positions as the total points increase. Also, the number of stars can be increased. Conversely, the lower the total points, the more it should be something that makes the user feel bad or depressed. In the embodiment where there is none of these, when all items are 0, there is no rank badge. Also, the title should be such that the lower the total points, the less it is desired to be worn and the more dishonorable it becomes if worn. By doing so, it is preferable because the user will drive safely and eco-drivingly so as not to feel bad or become dishonorable and to receive rank badges and titles that make them feel better.

[0231] **Incline Waiting Screen** Figure 23(e) shows an example of the "incline waiting screen of the vehicle". This waiting screen is displayed, for example, with an illustration of a horizontal line based on the inclination of the vehicle obtained as OBD information. Also, an inclination sensor can be installed in the radar detector, and the inclination of the vehicle can be obtained and displayed based on the output of the inclination sensor.

[0232] [Examples of Setting Screens] When operating modes and other various settings of the radar detector are to be performed, for example, when the display unit 5 displaying the main screen or other predetermined screens is touched, the control unit 18 displays a setting screen. Based on the touch of a button area prepared at a predetermined position on the displayed setting screen, switching and setting of the operating mode and the like are performed. And in this embodiment, input device elements imitating mechanical input devices are displayed on the setting screen. As mechanical input device elements, for example, those imitating a "toggle switch" as shown in Fig. 26(a) or those imitating a "volume knob" as shown in Fig. 26(b) are available. Especially when the movement of an actual input device is discrete like a "toggle switch" (for example, a feeling like "click-click"), the input device element is also displayed with a movement matching the actual movement. Also, when an operation sound (for example, "click") is generated, the operation sound is output in accordance with the movement of the input element. By doing so, a mechanical and device-like atmosphere is created, and a setting screen full of playfulness is obtained. Therefore, for example, it is preferable for users who like machines because it gives a greater sense of familiarity.

[0233] [Others] Also, in the above-described embodiment, as an explanation of the substantially gourd shape, it was described as "connecting two circles arranged on both the left and right sides to each other,...". Here, the "circle" includes both a "true circle" and an "ellipse". Therefore, when referring to an "arc", it also includes both an "arc of a true circle" and an "arc of an ellipse". Further, in the above example, the front side of the case was substantially gourd-shaped, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a circular shape (true circle / ellipse), a shape including a curve in a part of the outer peripheral edge, or a conventionally common rectangular shape may also be used.

[0234] In the above example, as a radar detector of a type that is fixedly installed by pasting or the like using a bracket 3 at a predetermined position inside the vehicle such as a dashboard as an electronic device of the present invention, an example was given and described. However, it can also be applied to a mirror-type radar detector attached to a rearview mirror. Further, the present invention is not limited to a radar detector and can be implemented as a function of various in-vehicle electronic devices. For example, it may be incorporated as a function of a navigation device or the like.

[0235] Furthermore, in the above-described example, the apparatus includes a database 19 that stores various types of information, and the control unit 18 accesses the database 19 to read necessary information and performs various processes. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, part or all of the information registered in the database 19 may be registered in the server. Then, the radar detector and other electronic devices are provided with a function of communicating with the server, and the control unit 18 may appropriately access the server, acquire necessary information, and execute processes. Part or all of the control unit may be implemented in the server, and part of the processes may be executed on the server side and the in-vehicle device side may acquire the results and perform predetermined displays. Furthermore, the display device may use one implemented in another in-vehicle device or a device mounted on the vehicle.

[0236] Also, in the type including a display unit, for example, the control microcomputer that controls the display of the display unit and the control microcomputer that controls the light emission of the light emitting unit such as a light tube, that is, an LED, may be configured separately or may be configured by the same single control microcomputer. The inside of the control unit 18 shown in FIG. 2 may be provided with a plurality of control microcomputers or may be provided with a single control microcomputer. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments, modification examples, etc. may be implemented alone or in combination of a plurality of them.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0237] 1 Radar detector 2 Case 5 Display unit 6 Touch panel 7 Volume adjustment button 8 Working button 10 Memory card reader 11 Memory card 13 GPS receiver 14 Microwave receiver 15 Wireless receiver 16 Speaker 18 Control unit 19 Database 20 Optical Tube 21 OBD Adapter 22 Full-color LED 22a First Full-color LED 22b Second Full-color LED 25 Speed Sensor 26 Gyro Sensor

Claims

1. An electronic device configured to be able to visually recognize a display object displayed on a display unit and light from an optical tube, wherein the optical tube is arranged to reach a predetermined side of the display unit, and has a function of causing the optical tube to emit light and causing the display object to be displayed on the display unit so that the emitted optical tube is connected into the display unit and visually recognized from a position where the optical tube reaches the predetermined side of the display unit, wherein the optical tube is arranged to reach different predetermined sides of the display unit at both ends thereof, and has a function of causing the optical tube to emit light and causing the display object to be displayed on the display unit so that both ends of the emitted optical tube are respectively connected into the display unit and visually recognized from positions where the both ends reach the different predetermined sides of the display unit, characterized in that it is an electronic device.

2. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the electronic device according to Claim 1.

Images