Suspected sound generating device

Abstract

To provide a pseudo sound generator capable of outputting a variety of vehicle traveling sounds.SOLUTION: A pseudo sound generator 2 includes: a sound reproducing unit 11 which acquires and outputs first pseudo sound information that is information indicating a first pseudo sound corresponding to vehicle state information that is information concerning a traveling state of a vehicle 1; a first control unit which generates first controlled pseudo sound information that is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by controlling the first pseudo sound indicated in the first pseudo sound information output by the sound reproducing unit 11 based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated first controlled pseudo sound information; a sound source generation unit which generates second pseudo sound information that is information indicating a second pseudo sound based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated second pseudo sound information; and a second control unit which generates second controlled pseudo sound information that is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by controlling the second pseudo sound indicated in the second pseudo sound information output by the sound source generation unit based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated second controlled pseudo sound information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an artificial sound generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an engine sound output device that outputs engine sound into a vehicle cabin. The engine sound output device includes a storage unit that stores multiple pieces of engine sound information, which is information related to engine sounds at each engine rotation speed, a generation unit that synthesizes multiple signals based on the multiple pieces of engine sound information to generate synthetic sound information corresponding to driving information, and a control unit that outputs a pseudo engine sound based on the generated synthetic sound information from an output unit located in the vehicle cabin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-202856 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, while conventional engine sound output devices play back stored engine sounds to give vehicle occupants a sense of realism and a comfortable drive, there is a problem in that there is little variation in the tone of the vehicle in response to the driving conditions, resulting in little variation in the driving sounds.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an artificial sound generating device that can output a variety of vehicle running sounds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A pseudo sound generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a pseudo sound generating device that outputs a pseudo sound according to the driving state of a vehicle, and includes: a sound playback unit that acquires and outputs first pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a first pseudo sound corresponding to vehicle state information, which is information regarding the driving state of the vehicle; a first control unit that generates first adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by adjusting the first pseudo sound indicated in the first pseudo sound information output by the sound playback unit based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated first adjusted pseudo sound information; a sound source generating unit that generates second adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a second pseudo sound based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated second adjusted pseudo sound information; and a second control unit that generates second adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by adjusting the second pseudo sound indicated in the second pseudo sound information output by the sound source generating unit, and outputs the generated second adjusted pseudo sound information.

[0007] Some of these specific aspects may be realized using a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized using any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The artificial sound generating device of the present disclosure can output a variety of vehicle running sounds. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a pseudo sound generating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing operation when the first artificial sound is output to the synthesis unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing operation when the controlled 2-1st pseudo sound is output to the synthesis unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing operation when the controlled 2-2 dummy sound is output to the synthesis unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The embodiments and the like described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not recited in independent claims are described as optional components. Furthermore, in all embodiments, the respective contents can be combined.

[0011] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. In addition, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing.

[0012] The pseudo sound generating device of the present disclosure will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Embodiment) <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a pseudo sound generating device 2 according to an embodiment.

[0014] 1, the artificial sound generating device 2 is mounted on the vehicle 1 and can output artificial sounds into the cabin of the vehicle 1 according to the driving state of the vehicle 1. In other words, the artificial sound generating device 2 can output artificial sounds into the cabin of the vehicle 1 to give the passengers of the vehicle 1 a sense of realism and a sense of driving the moving vehicle 1. The artificial sounds include, for example, artificial sounds that imitate sounds generated when an electric motor or an internal combustion engine is driven, artificial sounds that represent turning right or left, artificial sounds that imitate sounds generated when the accelerator is operated, the vehicle 1 accelerates, the vehicle 1 skids, accelerates suddenly, brakes suddenly, an afterfire occurs, and the like.

[0015] The artificial sound generation device 2 includes an acquisition unit 51, a storage unit 54, a first sound control device 10, a second sound control device 20, a determination unit 52, a third sound control device 30, and a synthesis unit 53.

[0016] [Acquisition part 51] The acquisition unit 51 acquires vehicle state information. The vehicle state information is information relating to the driving state of the vehicle 1. The vehicle state information includes, for example, the acceleration of the vehicle 1, the speed of the vehicle 1, accelerator operation which is the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, right / left turns of the vehicle 1, brake operation amount, driving sounds of the electric motor and internal combustion engine, afterfire, wheel slip, gear operation, driving torque, engine motor rotation speed, etc. The acquisition unit 51 may also acquire outside vehicle environment information which is information indicating the environment outside the vehicle.

[0017] For example, the acquisition unit 51 is a sensor capable of acquiring vehicle state information. The acquisition unit 51 may also include a sound collection unit that collects driving sounds of the electric motor and internal combustion engine, braking sounds, acceleration sounds, wheel slipping sounds, etc. The acquisition unit 51 outputs the acquired vehicle state information to the first sound control device 10, the second sound control device 20, and the determination unit 52. The acquisition unit 51 may also output the acquired exterior environment information to the first sound control device 10, the second sound control device 20, and the determination unit 52.

[0018] [Storage unit 54] The memory unit 54 stores information indicating artificial sounds corresponding to the magnitude of acceleration of the vehicle 1, the magnitude of the speed of the vehicle 1, the magnitude of accelerator operation, the magnitude of the steering angle when the vehicle 1 turns right or left, the magnitude of the brake operation amount, the drive amount of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine, the amount of wheel slip, the magnitude of afterfire, etc. Specifically, the memory unit 54 stores artificial sounds for each acceleration of the vehicle 1, each speed of the vehicle 1, each accelerator operation, each steering angle when the vehicle 1 turns right or left, each brake operation amount, each electric motor rotation speed, each internal combustion engine rotation speed, and an afterfire artificial sound.

[0019] The information indicating the dummy sound stored in the storage unit 54 is associated with the running state of the vehicle 1. Therefore, the dummy sound generation device 2 can cause the sound device to reproduce a dummy sound that corresponds to the running state of the vehicle 1.

[0020] [First sound control device 10] The first sound control device 10 acquires a first artificial sound, which is an artificial sound stored in the memory unit 54, based on the vehicle state information acquired from the acquisition unit 51, and adjusts the volume, pitch, etc. of the acquired first artificial sound before outputting it. Here, the first artificial sound is an artificial sound stored in the memory unit 54, and is a sound that imitates, for example, the magnitude of the acceleration of the vehicle 1, the magnitude of the speed of the vehicle 1, the magnitude of the accelerator operation, the magnitude of the steering angle when the vehicle 1 turns right or left, the magnitude of the brake operation, the drive amount of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine, the amount of wheel slip, the magnitude of afterfire, etc.

[0021] Specifically, the first sound control device 10 has a sound reproduction unit 11, a first pitch control unit 12, a first volume control unit 13, and a first filter unit 14.

[0022] Based on the vehicle state information, the sound reproducing unit 11 obtains a dummy sound corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information. That is, the sound reproducing unit 11 may obtain first dummy sound information, which is information indicating a first dummy sound corresponding to the vehicle state information, from the storage unit 54, and reproduce the first dummy sound indicated in the obtained first dummy sound information according to the vehicle state information. For example, if the vehicle state information indicates acceleration of the vehicle 1, the sound reproducing unit 11 obtains from the storage unit and reproduces the first dummy sound information corresponding to the acceleration of the vehicle 1. The sound reproducing unit 11 outputs the first dummy sound information of the first dummy sound to the first pitch control unit 12.

[0023] When the vehicle state information includes the driving sounds of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine, the sound reproducing unit 11 may acquire the actual driving sounds of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine as the artificial sounds.

[0024] The first pitch control unit 12 acquires first artificial sound information from the sound reproduction unit 11 and controls the pitch of the first artificial sound indicated in the acquired first artificial sound information. At this time, the first pitch control unit 12 controls the pitch of the first artificial sound based on the vehicle state information. Specifically, the first pitch control unit 12 controls the pitch by modulating the pitch of the first artificial sound in accordance with the speed and engine speed of the vehicle 1 included in the vehicle state information. For example, the first pitch control unit 12 controls the pitch by modulating the pitch of the first artificial sound so that the pitch of the first artificial sound becomes higher in accordance with an increase in the speed and engine speed of the vehicle 1. The first pitch control unit 12 outputs the first artificial sound information, which is the first artificial sound with the controlled pitch, to the first volume control unit 13. Here, the first pitch control unit 12 is included in the first control unit.

[0025] The first volume control unit 13 acquires first artificial sound information of the first artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled from the first pitch control unit 12 and controls the volume of the first artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled. At this time, the first volume control unit 13 controls the volume of the first artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled based on the vehicle state information. Specifically, the first volume control unit 13 controls the volume by modulating the volume of the first artificial sound in accordance with the accelerator operation, speed, and inertial force of the vehicle 1 (inertial force (G: Gravity) due to acceleration, braking, turning right or left, etc.) of the vehicle 1 included in the vehicle state information. For example, the first volume control unit 13 controls the volume by modulating the volume of the first artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled so that the volume of the first artificial sound increases as the speed of the vehicle 1 increases. The first volume control unit 13 further outputs the first artificial sound information, which is the first artificial sound whose volume has been controlled, to the first filter unit 14. Here, the first volume control unit 13 is included in the first control unit.

[0026] The first filter unit 14 acquires first artificial sound information, which is a first artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled, from the first volume control unit 13, and can extract signals of a set frequency band from the first artificial sound indicated in the first artificial sound information whose pitch and volume have been controlled. That is, the first filter unit 14 can appropriately change the frequency bandwidth and magnitude of the first artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled. The first filter unit 14 changes the frequency of the first artificial sound based on the vehicle status information, and extracts the first artificial sound with the changed frequency based on the vehicle status information to generate first adjusted artificial sound information. The first adjusted artificial sound information is information indicating an artificial sound obtained by adjusting the first artificial sound. Here, the artificial sound obtained by adjusting the first artificial sound is an artificial sound obtained by adjusting at least one of the pitch, volume, and frequency of the first artificial sound. The first filter unit 14 outputs the generated first adjusted artificial sound information to the synthesis unit 53.

[0027] The first filter unit 14 includes at least one of a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter, and a high-pass filter. The low-pass filter, the band-pass filter, and the high-pass filter may be configured with analog circuits or may be realized by digital signal processing. The first filter unit 14 is a variable filter, but may also be a fixed filter. Furthermore, although a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter, and a high-pass filter have been given as examples of the first filter unit 14, the first filter unit 14 is not limited to these filters, and other filters may also be used.

[0028] [Second sound control device 20] When the vehicle 1 starts (ignition switch ON), the second sound control device 20 generates a dummy sound based on the vehicle state information acquired from the acquisition unit 51, and adjusts the volume, pitch, etc. of the dummy sound that it has generated before outputting it. In other words, the second sound control device 20 adjusts the volume, pitch, etc. of the dummy sound when the vehicle 1 starts, regardless of whether the vehicle 1 is moving or not, and outputs the dummy sound.

[0029] Specifically, the second sound control device 20 has a first sound source generating unit 21, a second pitch control unit 22, a second volume control unit 23, and a second filter unit 24. Here, the first sound source generating unit 21 is included in the sound source generating unit.

[0030] The first sound source generating unit 21 is a synthesizer that uses a computational sound source system that can generate sounds that have a sense of realism and driving operation to be output into the vehicle cabin. Specifically, the first sound source generating unit 21 generates 2-1 artificial sound information based on vehicle state information and outputs the generated 2-1 artificial sound information to the second pitch control unit 22.

[0031] For example, the first sound source generating unit 21 can generate artificial sounds by itself using an additive synthesis method, an FM (Frequency Modulation) method, a subtractive synthesis method, a wave table method, or the like.

[0032] Here, the 2-1 artificial sound information is information indicating a 2-1 artificial sound, which is an artificial sound that imitates a sound that is generated in response to the continuous running state of the vehicle 1. For example, the 2-1 artificial sound information is a sound that is generated continuously when the vehicle 1 is driven, and specifically, is information indicating the acceleration of the vehicle 1, the speed of the vehicle 1, accelerator operation, right / left turns of the vehicle 1, brake operation amount, driving sounds of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine, etc. Furthermore, the 2-1 artificial sound is a sound that imitates a sound that is generated continuously when the vehicle 1 is driven, such as the acceleration of the vehicle 1, the speed of the vehicle 1, accelerator operation, right / left turns of the vehicle 1, brake operation amount, driving sounds of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine, etc. For example, when a driver, who is one of the passengers, depresses the accelerator pedal, the first sound source generation unit 21 generates the 2-1 artificial sound information using the driving sound generated by the internal combustion engine being driven as the 2-1 artificial sound.

[0033] Here, the first sound source generating unit 21 is included in the sound source generating unit. The 2-1 dummy sound is included in the second dummy sound. The 2-1 dummy sound information is included in the second dummy sound information.

[0034] The second pitch control unit 22 acquires 2-1 artificial sound information from the first sound source generation unit 21 and controls the pitch of the 2-1 artificial sound indicated in the acquired 2-1 artificial sound information. At this time, the second pitch control unit 22 controls the pitch of the 2-1 artificial sound based on the vehicle state information. Specifically, the second pitch control unit 22 controls the pitch of the 2-1 artificial sound in accordance with the speed and engine speed of the vehicle 1 included in the vehicle state information. For example, the second pitch control unit 22 controls the pitch of the 2-1 artificial sound so that the pitch of the 2-1 artificial sound becomes higher in accordance with an increase in the speed and engine speed of the vehicle 1. The second pitch control unit 22 outputs the 2-1 artificial sound information, which is the 2-1 artificial sound with the controlled pitch, to the second volume control unit 23. Here, the second pitch control unit 22 is included in the second control unit.

[0035] The second volume control unit 23 acquires 2-1 artificial sound information of the pitch-controlled 2-1 artificial sound from the second pitch control unit 22 and controls the volume of the 2-1 artificial sound indicated in the pitch-controlled 2-1 artificial sound information. At this time, the second volume control unit 23 controls the volume of the pitch-controlled 2-1 artificial sound based on the vehicle status information. Specifically, the second volume control unit 23 controls the volume of the 2-1 artificial sound in accordance with the accelerator operation, speed, and inertial force of the vehicle 1 included in the vehicle status information. For example, the second volume control unit 23 controls the volume of the pitch-controlled 2-1 artificial sound so that the volume of the 2-1 artificial sound increases as the speed of the vehicle 1 increases. The second volume control unit 23 further outputs the 2-1 artificial sound information, which is the volume-controlled 2-1 artificial sound, to the second filter unit 24. Here, the second volume control unit 23 is included in the second control unit.

[0036] The second filter unit 24 acquires 2-1 artificial sound information, which is a 2-1 artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled, from the second volume control unit 23, and can extract signals of a set frequency band from the 2-1 artificial sound indicated in the 2-1 artificial sound information whose pitch and volume have been controlled. That is, the second filter unit 24 can appropriately change the frequency bandwidth and frequency magnitude of the 2-1 artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled. The second filter unit 24 changes the frequency of the 2-1 artificial sound based on the vehicle status information, and extracts the 2-1 artificial sound of the changed frequency based on the vehicle status information to generate 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information. The 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information is information indicating an artificial sound obtained by adjusting the 2-1 artificial sound. Here, the 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information is included in the second adjusted artificial sound information. The artificial sound obtained by adjusting the 2-1 artificial sound is an artificial sound obtained by adjusting at least one of the pitch of the 2-1 artificial sound, the volume of the 2-1 artificial sound, the frequency of the 2-1 artificial sound, etc. The second filter unit 24 outputs the generated 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information to the synthesis unit 53.

[0037] The second filter unit 24 includes at least one of a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter, and a high-pass filter. The low-pass filter, the band-pass filter, and the high-pass filter may be configured with analog circuits or may be realized by digital signal processing. The second filter unit 24 is a variable filter, but may also be a fixed filter. Furthermore, although a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter, and a high-pass filter have been given as examples of the second filter unit 24, the second filter unit 24 is not limited to these filters and may also use other filters.

[0038] [Judgment unit 52] The determination unit 52 determines the driving state of the vehicle 1 based on the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit 51. For example, if the driving state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information indicates a sudden increase in acceleration, the determination unit 52 determines that the wheels have slipped as the driving state of the vehicle 1. In another example, if the driving state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information indicates a sudden increase in accelerator operation, the determination unit 52 determines that sudden acceleration has occurred. In another example, if the driving state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information indicates that the steering angle has rotated clockwise by more than a predetermined angle, the determination unit 52 determines that the vehicle 1 has turned right, and if the steering angle has rotated counterclockwise by more than a predetermined angle, the determination unit 52 determines that the vehicle 1 has turned left. In still another example, if abnormal combustion is detected in the driving state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information, the determination unit 52 determines that an afterfire has occurred. The determination unit 52 outputs the determination result based on the vehicle state information to the third sound control device 30.

[0039] [Third sound control device 30] The third sound control device 30 generates a dummy sound based on the vehicle state information, and adjusts the volume, pitch, etc. of the self-generated dummy sound before outputting it. Specifically, the third sound control device 30 generates a dummy sound based on the determination result of the determination unit 52 using the vehicle state information, and adjusts the volume, pitch, etc. of the self-generated dummy sound before outputting it.

[0040] Specifically, the third sound control device 30 has a second sound source generating unit 31, a third pitch control unit 32, a third volume control unit 33, and a third filter unit 34. Here, the second sound source generating unit 31 is included in the sound source generating unit.

[0041] The second sound source generating unit 31 is a synthesizer that uses a computational sound source system that can generate sounds that give a sense of realism and driving operation to be output into the vehicle interior.

[0042] The second sound source generation unit 31 generates 2-2 artificial sound information based on the determination result of the determination unit 52. For example, if the determination result of the determination unit 52 indicates that the vehicle 1 is in a predetermined driving state, the second sound source generation unit 31 generates the 2-2 artificial sound. The predetermined driving state is a driving state that is set in advance, and is, for example, a traveling state of the vehicle 1 that occurs singly, such as sudden braking, sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, afterfire, wheel slippage, etc. If the determination unit 52 determines that the determination result does not correspond to the predetermined driving state, the determination unit 52 does not output the determination result to the second sound source generation unit 31, and therefore the second sound source generation unit 31 does not output information to the third pitch control unit 32. On the other hand, if the determination unit 52 determines that the determination result corresponds to the predetermined driving state, the second sound source generation unit 31 outputs the generated 2-2 artificial sound information to the third pitch control unit 32.

[0043] For example, the second sound source generating unit 31 can generate artificial sounds by itself using an additive synthesis method, an FM method, a subtractive synthesis method, a wave table method, or the like.

[0044] Here, the 2-2 artificial sound information is information indicating a 2-2 artificial sound, which is an artificial sound that imitates a sound that occurs singly depending on the running state of the vehicle 1. For example, the 2-2 artificial sound information is information indicating a sound that occurs singly when the vehicle 1 is driven, specifically, information indicating sudden braking, sudden acceleration, sudden steering, afterfire, and wheel slippage. Furthermore, the 2-2 artificial sound is a sound that imitates a sound that occurs singly when the vehicle 1 is driven, such as sudden braking, sudden acceleration, sudden steering, afterfire, and wheel slippage. For example, when a driver, who is one of the passengers, depresses the brake pedal, the second sound source generation unit 31 generates the 2-2 artificial sound information using the sound generated by the brake pedal as the 2-2 artificial sound.

[0045] Here, the second sound source generating section 31 is included in the sound source generating section. The 2-2 dummy sound is included in the second dummy sound. The 2-2 dummy sound information is included in the second dummy sound information.

[0046] The second sound source generating unit 31 is separate from the first sound source generating unit 21. Furthermore, the 2-1 artificial sound is a different artificial sound from the 2-2 artificial sound. In other words, the driving conditions of the vehicle 1 when the 2-1 artificial sound is played inside the vehicle cabin are different from the driving conditions of the vehicle 1 when the 2-2 artificial sound is played inside the vehicle cabin.

[0047] The third pitch control unit 32 acquires 2-2 artificial sound information from the second sound source generation unit 31 and controls the pitch of the 2-2 artificial sound indicated in the acquired 2-2 artificial sound information. At this time, the third pitch control unit 32 controls the pitch of the 2-2 artificial sound based on the vehicle state information. Specifically, the third pitch control unit 32 controls the pitch of the 2-2 artificial sound in accordance with the speed and engine speed of the vehicle 1 included in the vehicle state information. For example, the third pitch control unit 32 controls the pitch of the 2-2 artificial sound so that the pitch of the 2-2 artificial sound becomes higher in accordance with a sudden increase in the speed and engine speed of the vehicle 1. The third pitch control unit 32 outputs the 2-2 artificial sound information, which is the pitch-controlled 2-2 artificial sound, to the third volume control unit 33. Here, the third pitch control unit 32 is included in the second control unit.

[0048] The third volume control unit 33 acquires 2-2 artificial sound information of the pitch-controlled 2-2 artificial sound from the third pitch control unit 32 and controls the volume of the 2-2 artificial sound indicated in the pitch-controlled 2-2 artificial sound information. At this time, the third volume control unit 33 controls the volume of the 2-2 artificial sound based on the vehicle state information. Specifically, the third volume control unit 33 controls the volume of the 2-2 artificial sound in accordance with the accelerator operation, speed, and inertial force of the vehicle 1 of the vehicle 1, which are included in the vehicle state information. For example, the third volume control unit 33 controls the volume of the pitch-controlled 2-2 artificial sound so that the volume of the 2-2 artificial sound increases in accordance with a sudden increase in the speed of the vehicle 1. The third volume control unit 33 further outputs the 2-2 artificial sound information, which is the volume-controlled 2-2 artificial sound, to the third filter unit 34. Here, the third volume control unit 33 is included in the second control unit.

[0049] The third filter unit 34 receives the 2-2 artificial sound with its pitch and volume controlled from the third volume control unit 33 and extracts a signal in a set frequency band from the 2-2 artificial sound indicated in the 2-2 artificial sound information with its pitch and volume controlled. In other words, the third filter unit 34 can appropriately change the frequency bandwidth and magnitude of the 2-2 artificial sound with its pitch and volume controlled. The third filter unit 34 changes the frequency of the 2-2 artificial sound based on the vehicle status information and extracts the 2-2 artificial sound with the changed frequency based on the vehicle status information to generate adjusted 2-2 artificial sound information. The adjusted 2-2 artificial sound information indicates an artificial sound obtained by adjusting the 2-2 artificial sound. The adjusted 2-2 artificial sound information is included in the adjusted 2-2 artificial sound information. The artificial sound obtained by adjusting the 2-2 artificial sound is an artificial sound obtained by adjusting at least one of the pitch of the 2-2 artificial sound, the volume of the 2-2 artificial sound, the frequency of the 2-2 artificial sound, etc. The third filter unit 34 outputs the generated 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information to the synthesis unit 53.

[0050] The third filter unit 34 includes at least one of a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter, and a high-pass filter. The low-pass filter, the band-pass filter, and the high-pass filter may be configured with analog circuits or may be realized by digital signal processing. The third filter unit 34 is a variable filter, but may also be a fixed filter. Furthermore, although a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter, and a high-pass filter have been given as examples of the third filter unit 34, the third filter unit 34 is not limited to these filters and may also use other filters.

[0051] [Synthesis section 53] The synthesis unit 53 may synthesize the pseudo sound indicated in the first adjusted pseudo sound information output by the first sound control device 10 and the controlled 2-1 pseudo sound indicated in the 2-1 adjusted pseudo sound information output by the second sound control device 20, and output first synthesized sound information, which is information indicating the synthesized sound, to the audio device.

[0052] In addition, the synthesis unit 53 may synthesize the pseudo sound indicated in the first adjusted pseudo sound information output by the first sound control device 10 and the controlled 2-2 pseudo sound indicated in the 2-2 adjusted pseudo sound information output by the third sound control device 30, and output second synthesized sound information, which is information indicating the synthesized sound, to the audio device.

[0053] In addition, the synthesis unit 53 may synthesize the pseudo sound indicated in the first adjusted pseudo sound information output by the first sound control device 10, the controlled 2-1 pseudo sound indicated in the 2-1 adjusted pseudo sound information output by the second sound control device 20, and the controlled 2-2 pseudo sound indicated in the 2-2 adjusted pseudo sound information output by the third sound control device 30, and output third synthesized sound information, which is information indicating the synthesized sound, to the audio device.

[0054] The synthesis unit 53 may also output fourth synthesized sound information, which is information indicating the artificial sound indicated in the first adjusted artificial sound information output by the first sound control device 10, to the sound device.

[0055] Furthermore, when the determining unit 52 determines that the vehicle 1 is in a traveling state that occurs sporadically based on the vehicle state information, the synthesizing unit 53 may output only the 2-2 artificial sound information to the sound device.

[0056] That is, the synthesis unit 53 outputs the first synthetic sound information, the second synthetic sound information, the third synthetic sound information, the fourth synthetic sound information, or the 2-2 pseudo sound information to the sound device.

[0057] Although the artificial sound generation device 2 of this embodiment includes a synthesis unit 53, it may not necessarily include the synthesis unit 53. In other words, the synthesis unit 53 is not an essential component of the artificial sound generation device 2. In this case, the first sound control device 10 may output a first artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled and whose frequency has been changed to the first acoustic device. The second sound control device 20 may output a 2-1 artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled and whose frequency has been changed to the second acoustic device. The second sound control device 20 may output a 2-1 artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled and whose frequency has been changed to the third acoustic device. In this case, the first artificial sound and the 2-1 artificial sound may be synthesized by outputting the first artificial sound from the first acoustic device and outputting the 2-1 artificial sound from the second acoustic device. Alternatively, the first and second dummy sounds may be combined by outputting a first dummy sound from a first acoustic device and a second dummy sound from a third acoustic device. The first, second, and third acoustic devices may be, for example, speakers mounted on a vehicle.

[0058] <Processing operation> The processing operation of the pseudo sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0059] (Example 1) 2 is a flowchart showing the processing operations when the first artificial sound is output to the synthesis unit 53. In FIG. 2, the processing operations of the acquisition unit 51, the first sound control device 10, and the synthesis unit 53 will be described.

[0060] First, the acquisition unit 51 acquires vehicle state information and outputs the acquired vehicle state information to the first sound control device 10 (S11).

[0061] Next, the sound playback unit 11 of the first sound control device 10 acquires a dummy sound corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information acquired from the acquisition unit 51, based on the vehicle state information acquired from the acquisition unit 51 (S12). Specifically, the sound playback unit 11 may acquire first dummy sound information, which is information indicating a first dummy sound corresponding to the vehicle state information, from the storage unit 54, and play the first dummy sound indicated in the acquired first dummy sound information in accordance with the vehicle state information. In this case, the sound playback unit 11 outputs the first dummy sound information of the played first dummy sound to the first pitch control unit 12.

[0062] Next, when the first pitch control unit 12 acquires the first quasi-sound information from the sound reproduction unit 11, it controls the pitch of the reproduced first quasi-sound indicated in the acquired first quasi-sound information (S13). The first pitch control unit 12 outputs the first quasi-sound information, which is the first quasi-sound with the controlled pitch, to the first volume control unit 13.

[0063] Next, when the first volume control unit 13 acquires the first artificial sound information of the first artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled from the first pitch control unit 12, it controls the volume of the first artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled (S14).The first volume control unit 13 further outputs the first artificial sound whose volume has been controlled, that is, the first artificial sound information which is the first artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled, to the first filter unit 14.

[0064] Next, when the first filter unit 14 acquires the first dummy sound information, which is a first dummy sound whose pitch and volume are controlled, from the first volume control unit 13, it extracts the first dummy sound, which is a signal in the set frequency band (a signal with variable frequency characteristics), from the first dummy sound indicated in the acquired first dummy sound information (S15).

[0065] Next, the first filter unit 14 outputs the frequency-adjusted first artificial sound to the synthesis unit 53. In other words, the first sound control device 10 generates first adjusted artificial sound information, which is information indicating an artificial sound obtained by changing the frequency of the first artificial sound and controlling the pitch, volume, etc. of the first artificial sound, and outputs the generated first adjusted artificial sound information to the synthesis unit 53 (S16). As a result, the synthesis unit 53 synthesizes the first artificial sound indicated in the first adjusted artificial sound information output by the first sound control device 10 with the artificial sound output by the second sound control device 20 or the artificial sound output by the third pitch control unit 32, and outputs the synthesized sound to the audio device.

[0066] Then, the artificial sound generating device 2 ends the processing operation of the flowchart in FIG.

[0067] (Example 2) 3 is a flowchart showing the processing operations when the controlled 2-1 artificial sound is output to the synthesis unit 53. In FIG. 3, the processing operations of the acquisition unit 51, the second sound control device 20, and the synthesis unit 53 will be described.

[0068] First, the acquisition unit 51 acquires vehicle state information and outputs the acquired vehicle state information to the second sound control device 20 (S21).

[0069] Next, the first sound source generation unit 21 of the second sound control device 20 generates 2-1 artificial sound information, which is information indicating a 2-1 artificial sound corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information, based on the vehicle state information acquired from the acquisition unit 51 (S22). The first sound source generation unit 21 may generate the 2-1 artificial sound information by acquiring, from the storage unit 54, information indicating a artificial sound corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information. Alternatively, the first sound source generation unit 21 may generate the 2-1 artificial sound information by acquiring, from the acquisition unit 51, information indicating the driving sounds of the electric motor, internal combustion engine, etc., collected by the acquisition unit 51. Alternatively, the first sound source generation unit 21 may generate the 2-1 artificial sound information of the 2-1 artificial sound, the tone of which is freely modulated according to the vehicle state information, by using a first table indicating the relationship between sounds corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information.

[0070] Next, when the second pitch control unit 22 acquires the 2-1 artificial sound information from the sound reproduction unit 11, it controls the pitch of the 2-1 artificial sound indicated in the acquired 2-1 artificial sound information (S23). The second pitch control unit 22 outputs the 2-1 artificial sound information, which is the 2-1 artificial sound with the controlled pitch, to the second volume control unit 23.

[0071] Next, when the second volume control unit 23 acquires the 2-1 artificial sound information of the 2-1 artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled from the second pitch control unit 22, it controls the volume of the 2-1 artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled (S24).The second volume control unit 23 further outputs the 2-1 artificial sound whose volume has been controlled, that is, the 2-1 artificial sound information which is the 2-1 artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled, to the second filter unit 24.

[0072] Next, when the second filter unit 24 acquires the 2-1 dummy sound information, which is the 2-1 dummy sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled, from the second volume control unit 23, it extracts the 2-1 dummy sound, which is a signal in the set frequency band (a signal with variable frequency characteristics), from the 2-1 dummy sound indicated in the acquired 2-1 dummy sound information (S25).

[0073] Next, the second filter unit 24 outputs the frequency-adjusted 2-1 artificial sound to the synthesis unit 53. In other words, the second sound control device 20 generates the 2-1 artificial sound based on the vehicle state information, and also generates 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information that is information indicating an artificial sound obtained by controlling the pitch, volume, etc. of the 2-1 artificial sound based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information to the synthesis unit 53 (S26).

[0074] As a result, the synthesis unit 53 can synthesize the first artificial sound indicated in the first adjusted artificial sound information output by the first sound control device 10 and the controlled 2-1 artificial sound indicated in the 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information output by the second sound control device 20, and output first synthesized sound information, which is information indicating the synthesized sound, to the audio device. The audio device outputs the synthesized sound indicated in the first synthesized sound information, i.e., the first artificial sound and the controlled 2-1 artificial sound together.

[0075] Then, the artificial sound generating device 2 ends the processing operation of the flowchart in FIG.

[0076] (Example 3) 4 is a flowchart showing the processing operations when the controlled 2-2 dummy sound is output to the synthesis unit 53. In FIG. 4, the processing operations of the acquisition unit 51, the third sound control device 30, and the synthesis unit 53 will be described.

[0077] First, the acquisition unit 51 acquires vehicle state information and outputs the acquired vehicle state information to the determination unit 52 (S31).

[0078] Next, the determination unit 52 determines the driving state of the vehicle 1 based on the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit 51 (S31a).

[0079] Next, the determination unit 52 determines whether the vehicle 1 is in a predetermined driving state based on the vehicle state information (S31b).

[0080] If the determination unit 52 determines that the determination result does not correspond to the predetermined operating state (NO in S31b), the determination unit 52 does not output the determination result to the second sound source generation unit 31. Then, the artificial sound generation device 2 ends the processing operation of the flowchart in FIG.

[0081] On the other hand, if the judgment unit 52 determines that the judgment result corresponds to a predetermined driving state (YES in S31b), the judgment unit 52 outputs the predetermined driving state indicated in the vehicle state information to the third sound control device 30 as the judgment result.

[0082] Next, the second sound source generating unit 31 of the third sound control device 30 generates 2-2 artificial sound information, which is information indicating a 2-2 artificial sound corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information, based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 52 using the vehicle state information (S32).

[0083] Next, upon acquiring the 2-2 artificial sound information from the second sound source generating unit 31, the third pitch control unit 32 controls the pitch of the 2-2 artificial sound indicated in the acquired 2-2 artificial sound information (S33). The third pitch control unit 32 outputs the 2-2 artificial sound information, which is the 2-2 artificial sound with the controlled pitch, to the third volume control unit 33.

[0084] Next, upon receiving the 2-2 artificial sound information of the 2-2 artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled from the third pitch control unit 32, the third volume control unit 33 controls the volume of the 2-2 artificial sound whose pitch has been controlled (S34).The third volume control unit 33 further outputs the 2-2 artificial sound whose volume has been controlled, that is, the 2-2 artificial sound information which is the 2-2 artificial sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled, to the third filter unit 34.

[0085] Next, when the third filter unit 34 acquires 2-2 dummy sound information, which is a 2-2 dummy sound whose pitch and volume have been controlled, from the third volume control unit 33, it extracts the 2-2 dummy sound, which is a signal in the set frequency band (a signal with variable frequency characteristics), from the 2-2 dummy sound indicated in the acquired 2-2 dummy sound information (S35).

[0086] Next, the third filter unit 34 outputs the frequency-adjusted 2-2 artificial sound to the synthesis unit 53. In other words, the third sound control device 30 generates the 2-2 artificial sound based on the vehicle state information, and also generates 2-2 adjusted artificial sound information that indicates an artificial sound in which the pitch, volume, etc. of the 2-2 artificial sound have been controlled based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated 2-2 adjusted artificial sound information to the synthesis unit 53 (S36).

[0087] As a result, the synthesis unit 53 can synthesize the first artificial sound indicated in the first adjusted artificial sound information output by the first sound control device 10 and the controlled 2-2 artificial sound indicated in the 2-2 adjusted artificial sound information output by the third sound control device 30, and output second synthesized sound information, which is information indicating the synthesized sound, to the audio device. The audio device outputs the synthesized sound indicated in the second synthesized sound information, i.e., the first artificial sound and the controlled 2-2 artificial sound together.

[0088] The synthesis unit 53 can synthesize the first artificial sound indicated in the first adjusted artificial sound information output by the first sound control device 10, the controlled 2-1 artificial sound indicated in the 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information output by the second sound control device 20, and the controlled 2-2 artificial sound indicated in the 2-2 adjusted artificial sound information output by the third sound control device 30, and output third synthesized sound information, which is information indicating the synthesized sound, to the audio device. The audio device outputs the synthesized sound indicated in the third synthesized sound information, i.e., the first artificial sound, the controlled 2-1 artificial sound, and the controlled 2-2 artificial sound together.

[0089] Alternatively, the synthesis unit 53 may output only the 2-2 artificial sound information to the sound device. In other words, even if the synthesis unit 53 acquires the first adjusted artificial sound information output by the first sound control device 10, it may discard this information and output only the 2-2 artificial sound information to the sound device. In this case, the sound device outputs only the controlled 2-2 artificial sound.

[0090] The synthesis unit 53 can also output only the first pseudo sound information to the audio device.

[0091] Then, the artificial sound generating device 2 ends the processing operation of the flowchart in FIG.

[0092] <Action and effect> Next, the effects of the artificial sound generating device 2 in this embodiment will be described.

[0093] As described above, the pseudo sound generating device 2 of this embodiment is a pseudo sound generating device 2 that outputs a pseudo sound according to the running state of the vehicle 1, and includes a sound playback unit 11 that acquires and outputs first pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a first pseudo sound corresponding to vehicle state information, which is information regarding the running state of the vehicle 1; a first control unit that generates first adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by adjusting the first pseudo sound indicated in the first pseudo sound information output by the sound playback unit 11 based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated first adjusted pseudo sound information; a sound source generating unit that generates second adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a second pseudo sound based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated second adjusted pseudo sound information; and a second control unit that generates second adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by adjusting the second pseudo sound indicated in the second pseudo sound information output by the sound source generating unit, and outputs the generated second adjusted pseudo sound information.

[0094] According to this, the first control unit outputs first adjusted pseudo sound information, and the second control unit can generate and output second pseudo sound information based on vehicle state information, so that driving sounds corresponding to the driving state of vehicle 1 can be played inside the passenger compartment of vehicle 1.

[0095] Therefore, the artificial sound generating device 2 can output a variety of running sounds of the vehicle 1. As a result, it is possible to give the passengers a sense of realism and driving operation of the running vehicle 1.

[0096] Furthermore, in the artificial sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment, the sound source generating unit has a first sound source generating unit 21 that generates 2-1 artificial sound information, which is information indicating the 2-1 artificial sound, based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated 2-1 artificial sound information. The second control unit generates 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information, which is information indicating an artificial sound obtained by adjusting the 2-1 artificial sound indicated in the 2-1 artificial sound information output by the first sound source generating unit 21, and outputs the generated 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information.

[0097] According to this, the first sound source generating unit 21 generates the 2-1 artificial sound information based on the vehicle state information, and the second control unit can adjust the 2-1 artificial sound in the 2-1 artificial sound information based on the vehicle state information, so that a variety of running sounds can be played in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 according to the running state of the vehicle 1.

[0098] Furthermore, in the artificial sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment, the first sound source generating unit 21 generates 2-1 artificial sound information, which is information indicating the 2-1 artificial sound, which is an artificial sound that imitates a sound that is generated in accordance with the continuous running state of the vehicle 1, based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated 2-1 artificial sound information to the second control unit.

[0099] This allows the second-first artificial sound information to be output in accordance with the continuous driving state of the vehicle 1, so that driving sounds that are generated continuously in accordance with the normal driving state of the vehicle 1 can be played inside the vehicle cabin.

[0100] In addition, the pseudo sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment includes a synthesis unit 53 that synthesizes the pseudo sound indicated in the first adjusted pseudo sound information output by the first control unit and the controlled 2-1 pseudo sound indicated in the 2-1 adjusted pseudo sound information output by the second control unit, and outputs first synthesized sound information that is information indicating the synthesized sound.

[0101] This allows the artificial sound indicated in the first adjusted artificial sound information and the controlled 2-1 artificial sound indicated in the 2-1 adjusted artificial sound information to be mixed together, and the mixed sound can be played inside the vehicle cabin, thereby providing passengers with a greater sense of realism and driving control of the vehicle 1.

[0102] The artificial sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment also includes an acquisition unit 51 that acquires vehicle state information.

[0103] This allows vehicle state information to be acquired, which can be used to generate a pseudo sound based on the vehicle state information.

[0104] The artificial sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment also includes a determining unit 52 that determines the driving state of the vehicle 1 based on the vehicle state information acquired by the acquiring unit 51.

[0105] This makes it possible to determine the driving state of the vehicle 1 based on the vehicle state information, which can be used to determine whether or not to emit driving sounds into the cabin of the vehicle 1 depending on the driving state of the vehicle 1, and to generate driving sounds according to the driving state of the vehicle 1.

[0106] Furthermore, in the artificial sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment, the sound source generating unit has a second sound source generating unit 31 that generates 2-2 artificial sound information, which is information indicating a 2-2 artificial sound, based on vehicle state information, and outputs the generated 2-2 artificial sound information. The second control unit generates 2-2 adjusted artificial sound information, which is information indicating an artificial sound obtained by adjusting the 2-2 artificial sound indicated in the 2-2 artificial sound information output by the second sound source generating unit 31, and outputs the generated 2-2 adjusted artificial sound information.

[0107] This allows the second sound source generating unit 31 to generate the 2-2 artificial sound information based on the vehicle state information, and the second control unit to adjust the 2-2 artificial sound in the 2-2 artificial sound information based on the vehicle state information, thereby making it possible to emit a variety of running sounds in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 according to the running state of the vehicle 1.

[0108] Furthermore, in the artificial sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment, the second sound source generating unit 31 generates 2-2 artificial sound information, which is information indicating a 2-2 artificial sound, which is an artificial sound that imitates a sound that occurs singly depending on the running state of the vehicle 1, based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 52 using vehicle state information, and outputs the generated 2-2 artificial sound information to the second control unit.

[0109] This allows the output of second-second artificial sound information corresponding to the sporadic driving state of the vehicle 1, thereby making it possible to play sporadic driving sounds that occur in accordance with the normal driving state of the vehicle 1 inside the vehicle cabin.

[0110] In addition, the artificial sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment includes a synthesis unit 53 that synthesizes the artificial sound indicated in the first adjusted artificial sound information output by the first control unit and the controlled 2-2 artificial sound indicated in the 2-2 adjusted artificial sound information output by the second control unit, and outputs second synthesized sound information that is information indicating the synthesized sound.

[0111] This allows the artificial sound indicated by the first adjusted artificial sound information and the controlled 2-2nd artificial sound indicated by the 2-2nd adjusted artificial sound information to be mixed together, and the mixed sound can be played inside the vehicle cabin, thereby providing passengers with a greater sense of realism and driving control of the vehicle 1.

[0112] In addition, the pseudo sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment includes a synthesis unit 53 that synthesizes the pseudo sound indicated in the first adjusted pseudo sound information output by the first control unit, the controlled 2-1 pseudo sound indicated in the 2-1 adjusted pseudo sound information output by the second control unit, and the controlled 2-2 pseudo sound indicated in the 2-2 adjusted pseudo sound information output by the second control unit, and outputs third synthesized sound information that is information indicating the synthesized sound.

[0113] This allows the artificial sound indicated in the first adjusted artificial sound information, the second-first artificial sound indicated in the second-first adjusted artificial sound information, and the controlled second-second artificial sound indicated in the second-second adjusted artificial sound information to be mixed together, so that the mixed sound can be played inside the vehicle cabin, thereby providing passengers with a greater sense of realism and driving experience when driving the vehicle 1.

[0114] Furthermore, in the artificial sound generation device 2 according to this embodiment, the determination unit 52 determines the driving state of the vehicle 1 based on the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit 51. When the determination unit 52 determines that the driving state of the vehicle 1 is a sporadic occurrence based on the vehicle state information, the synthesis unit 53 outputs only the 2-2 artificial sound information.

[0115] This makes it possible to determine the driving state of the vehicle 1 based on the vehicle state information, which can be used to determine whether or not to emit driving sounds into the cabin of the vehicle 1 depending on the driving state of the vehicle 1, and to generate driving sounds according to the driving state of the vehicle 1.

[0116] In addition, in the artificial sound generating device 2 according to this embodiment, the sound source generating section is a synthesizer that uses a calculation-type sound source system.

[0117] This allows the addition of the 2-1 or 2-2 artificial sound to the 1st artificial sound, thereby outputting a variety of driving sounds into the vehicle cabin, thereby giving the passengers a greater sense of realism and driving control of the vehicle 1.

[0118] (Other variations, etc.) Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0119] For example, if each of the first filter unit 14, second filter unit 24 and third filter unit 34 of the artificial sound generating device in this embodiment is a variable filter, it may increase the frequency to be extracted when the speed of vehicle 1 indicated in the vehicle state information is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, or may decrease the frequency to be extracted when the speed of vehicle 1 is less than the predetermined threshold.

[0120] Furthermore, in the artificial sound generation device of this embodiment, the first sound control device 10, the second sound control device 20, and the third sound control device 30 may each reduce the volume when the environmental sound around the vehicle 1 is low, such as at night, so that the passengers do not perceive the artificial sound as being loud. Also, when the environmental sound around the vehicle 1 is loud, such as when there is mixed noise from other vehicles, the volume may be increased so that the passengers perceive the artificial sound as being loud. The acquisition unit may collect sounds around the vehicle 1 to acquire the environmental sound.

[0121] In the artificial sound generation device of this embodiment, in the first sound control device 10, the first pitch control unit 12 adjusts the pitch of the first artificial sound, and then the first volume control unit 13 adjusts the volume of the first artificial sound whose pitch has been adjusted; however, this process may be reversed. In the second sound control device 20, the second pitch control unit 22 adjusts the pitch of the 2-1 artificial sound, and then the second volume control unit 23 adjusts the volume of the 2-1 artificial sound whose pitch has been adjusted; however, this process may be reversed. In the third sound control device 30, the third pitch control unit 32 adjusts the pitch of the 2-2 artificial sound, and then the third volume control unit 33 adjusts the volume of the 2-2 artificial sound whose pitch has been adjusted; however, this process may be reversed.

[0122] Furthermore, the pseudo sound generating device in this embodiment may include one or more sound devices as components.

[0123] Furthermore, in the pseudo sound generating device of this embodiment, when the first sound control device 10 outputs the first adjusted pseudo sound information to the synthesis unit 53 and the third sound control device 30 outputs the 2-2 adjusted pseudo sound information to the synthesis unit 53, the second sound control device 20 may stop outputting the 2-1 adjusted pseudo sound information for a certain period of time.

[0124] Furthermore, the first sound control device, second sound control device, determination unit, third sound control device, and synthesis unit included in the artificial sound generation device in this embodiment are typically realized as LSIs, which are integrated circuits. These may be individually implemented as single chips, or some or all of them may be integrated into a single chip.

[0125] Furthermore, the integration is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), which can be programmed after LSI fabrication, or reconfigurable processors, which allow the connections and settings of circuit cells within LSIs to be reconfigured, may also be used.

[0126] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0127] Furthermore, all of the numbers used above are examples for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the numbers shown as examples.

[0128] The division of functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to another functional block.Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0129] The order in which the steps in the flowchart are executed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and other orders may be used. Some of the steps may be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0130] In addition, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art would think of, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments within the scope that does not deviate from the intent of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1 vehicle 2 Pseudo sound generator 11 Sound playback section 12 First pitch control section (first control section) 13 First volume control section (first control section) 21 First sound source generating unit (sound source generating unit) 22 Second pitch control section (second control section) 23 Second volume control section (second control section) 31 Second sound source generating unit (sound source generating unit) 32 Third pitch control section (second control section) 33 Third volume control section (second control section) 51 Acquisition Department 52 Judgment section 53 Synthesis section

Claims

1. A pseudo sound generating device that outputs a pseudo sound according to the running state of a vehicle, a sound reproducing unit that acquires and outputs first artificial sound information, which is information indicating a first artificial sound corresponding to vehicle state information, which is information regarding a running state of the vehicle; a first control unit that generates first adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by adjusting the first pseudo sound indicated in the first pseudo sound information output by the sound reproduction unit, based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated first adjusted pseudo sound information; a sound source generating unit that generates second artificial sound information, which is information indicating a second artificial sound, based on the vehicle state information and outputs the generated second artificial sound information; a second control unit that generates second adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by adjusting the second pseudo sound indicated in the second pseudo sound information output by the sound source generation unit, and outputs the generated second adjusted pseudo sound information. Pseudo sound generator.

2. the sound source generating unit includes a first sound source generating unit that generates second-first artificial sound information, which is information indicating a second-first artificial sound, based on the vehicle state information and outputs the generated second-first artificial sound information; The second control unit generates 2-1 adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by adjusting the 2-1 pseudo sound indicated in the 2-1 pseudo sound information output by the first sound source generation unit, and outputs the generated 2-1 adjusted pseudo sound information. The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 1 .

3. The first sound source generating unit generates the second-first artificial sound information, which is information indicating the second-first artificial sound, which is an artificial sound that imitates a sound that is generated in accordance with a continuous running state of the vehicle, based on the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated second-first artificial sound information to the second control unit. The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 2 .

4. a synthesis unit that synthesizes the dummy sound indicated in the first adjusted dummy sound information output by the first control unit and the controlled second-first dummy sound indicated in the second-first adjusted dummy sound information output by the second control unit, and outputs first synthesized sound information that is information indicating the synthesized sound; The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 3 .

5. an acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle state information; The pseudo sound generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a determination unit that determines a driving state of the vehicle based on the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit; The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 5 .

7. the sound source generating unit includes a second sound source generating unit that generates second-second artificial sound information that is information indicating a second-second artificial sound based on the vehicle state information and outputs the generated second-second artificial sound information; The second control unit generates second-second adjusted pseudo sound information, which is information indicating a pseudo sound obtained by adjusting the second-second pseudo sound indicated in the second-second pseudo sound information output by the second sound source generation unit, and outputs the generated second-second adjusted pseudo sound information. The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 6.

8. The second sound source generating unit generates the second-second dummy sound information, which is information indicating the second-second dummy sound, which is a dummy sound that imitates a sound that occurs singly depending on the running state of the vehicle, based on the determination result of the determining unit using the vehicle state information, and outputs the generated second-second dummy sound information to the second control unit. The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 7.

9. a synthesis unit that synthesizes the dummy sound indicated in the first adjusted dummy sound information output by the first control unit and the controlled second-second dummy sound indicated in the second-second adjusted dummy sound information output by the second control unit, and outputs second synthesized sound information that is information indicating the synthesized sound; The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 8.

10. a synthesis unit that synthesizes the dummy sound indicated in the first adjusted dummy sound information output by the first control unit, the controlled second-first dummy sound indicated in the second-first adjusted dummy sound information output by the second control unit, and the controlled second-second dummy sound indicated in the second-second adjusted dummy sound information output by the second control unit, and outputs third synthesized sound information that is information indicating the synthesized sound. The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 8.

11. The determination unit determines a driving state of the vehicle based on the vehicle state information acquired by the acquisition unit, When the determining unit determines that the vehicle is in a running state that occurs singly based on the vehicle state information, the synthesizing unit outputs only the second-second artificial sound information. The pseudo sound generating device according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The sound source generating unit is a synthesizer that uses a computational sound source system. The pseudo sound generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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