Notification device

Abstract

To reduce discomfort that a driver feels with respect to words of a notification corresponding to a detected risk.SOLUTION: A notification device 1 which is mounted on a vehicle comprises an acquisition unit 11, a detection unit 12 and a notification unit 13. The acquisition unit 11 acquires periphery information representing a situation of a periphery of the vehicle. The detection unit 12 detects a risk in the periphery of the vehicle on the basis of the periphery information. In a case where the detection unit 12 detects a risk, the notification unit 13 notifies a driver of the vehicle of a message corresponding to the detected risk in voice. The message is divided into word chunks formed by connecting words. In a case where another risk is detected during the notification of the message, the notification unit 13 performs a notification with a message switched so as to correspond to the other risk after a notification completion of the word chunk under notification at present.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a driving support device mounted on a vehicle that outputs a voice message for calling attention to obstacles around the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a safe driving support device that detects an obstacle and outputs a voice message indicating the position, type, and state of the detected obstacle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the output of the voice message was omitted, consideration was not given to notifying the driver so that the driver could understand the words corresponding to the detected danger without discomfort.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to reduce the discomfort felt by the driver with respect to the words of the notification corresponding to the detected danger

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [[ID=]] One aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle-mounted notification device (1), comprising: an acquisition unit (11, S105, S305); a detection unit (12, S110, S120, S310, S320); and a notification unit (13, S115, S125~S140, S205~S245, S315, S325~S355). The acquisition unit is configured to acquire ambient information representing the conditions around the vehicle. The detection unit is configured to detect hazards around the vehicle based on the ambient information. When the detection unit detects a hazard, the notification unit is configured to audibly notify the driver of the vehicle of a notification message corresponding to the detected hazard. A first notification message and a second notification message are provided as notification messages corresponding to the hazard. The first notification message is at least one sentence formed by concatenating N (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) word chunks, each consisting of two or more words or a single word. When the detection unit detects a danger, the notification unit is configured to notify the first notification message. If the detection unit detects another danger while the notification unit is notifying the first notification message, the notification unit is configured to perform a switching notification, switching to a second notification message corresponding to the other danger after the notification of the word chunks in the currently notified notification message is complete.

[0007] With this configuration, if dangers are detected repeatedly in a short period of time, a substitute message is broadcast instead of the original warning message, thereby reducing the driver's sense of unease regarding the warning message corresponding to the detected danger. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the notification device. [Figure 2] This figure shows the content of a "low" risk in the first embodiment, and an example of the original message corresponding to the risk being divided into word chunks. [Figure 3] This figure shows the content of a "high" risk in the first embodiment and an example of a message corresponding to that risk. [Figure 4]This is a flowchart of the notification process in the first embodiment when a high-risk risk is detected after a low-risk risk has been detected. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart for the switching notification process. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example in the second embodiment where the original message corresponding to the danger is divided into only two word chunks. [Figure 7] This figure shows the content of the hazard in the third embodiment and an example of the original message corresponding to the hazard, broken down into word chunks. [Figure 8] This figure shows the nature of the hazard in the third embodiment and an example of a message corresponding to the hazard. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the notification process in the third embodiment, when a new hazard is detected while notification is being given for a previously detected hazard. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Overall Structure] The notification device 1 shown in Figure 1 is mounted on a vehicle. Hereafter, the vehicle on which the notification device 1 is mounted will be referred to as "the vehicle." The notification device 1 includes a microcontroller (not shown) having a CPU and memory such as RAM or ROM. Each function of the notification device 1 is realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a non-transitional tangible recording medium. In this example, the memory corresponds to the non-transitional tangible recording medium that stores the program. Furthermore, when this program is executed, the method corresponding to the program is executed. The number of microcontrollers constituting the notification device 1 may be one or more. In addition, the method for realizing the various functions of the notification device 1 is not limited to software, and some or all of its elements may be realized using one or more hardware components. For example, if the above functions are realized by an electronic circuit which is hardware, that electronic circuit may be a digital circuit containing many logic circuits, or an analog circuit, or a combination thereof.

[0010] The vehicle is equipped with an external sensor 21, a road traffic information acquisition device 22, a GPS receiver 23, a map information storage device 24, a vehicle information sensor 31, and a speaker 4. The external sensor 21 is a sensor that detects targets in front of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the external sensor 21 includes an on-board camera and a LiDAR. The on-board camera is a device that detects targets in front of the vehicle. The LiDAR is mounted on the front of the vehicle and is a device that measures the distance to targets in a predetermined area in front of the vehicle. LiDAR is an abbreviation for Light Detection and Ranging.

[0011] Objects detected by the external sensor 21 include other vehicles, pedestrians, roads, road width, intersections, traffic lights, stop lines, crosswalks, signs, etc. Other vehicles include passenger cars, large vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.

[0012] The road traffic information acquisition device 22 is a device that acquires road traffic information from an external information communication system. Examples of the external information communication system include VICS (registered trademark), etc. Further, examples of road traffic information include information about traffic congestion, etc.

[0013] The GPS receiver 23 is a device that receives GPS signals transmitted from GPS satellites and detects the current position of the host vehicle. Note that GPS is an abbreviation of Global Positioning System.

[0014] The map information storage device 24 is a device that stores map information. Here, the map information stored in the map information storage device 24 may be pre-stored in the host vehicle, or may be acquired from an external server or the like.

[0015] The vehicle information sensor 31 is at least one sensor that acquires travel information representing the travel state of the host vehicle. In the present embodiment, as the vehicle information sensor 31, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the host vehicle, a direction indicator sensor that detects the operating state of the direction indicator of the host vehicle, and a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel of the host vehicle are provided.

[0016] The speaker 4 is a speaker mounted in the passenger compartment of the host vehicle. [1-1-2. Functional configuration] Next, the functional configuration of the notification device 1 will be described.

[0017] The notification device 1 includes a function block realized by the CPU executing a program, that is, as virtual components, an acquisition unit 11, a detection unit 12, and a notification unit 13. The acquisition unit 11 acquires surrounding information representing the conditions around the vehicle based on inputs from the external sensor 21, the road traffic information acquisition device 22, the GPS receiver 23, and the map information storage device 24. Surrounding information includes the presence or absence of objects around the vehicle, the distance from the vehicle to the object, the direction of the object relative to the vehicle, the speed of the object, the direction of movement of the object, the behavior of the object, the type of object, the size of the object, and the shape of the object. The acquisition unit 11 also acquires driving information representing the driving state of the vehicle based on inputs from the vehicle information sensor 31. Driving information includes the speed of the vehicle, the operating status of the vehicle's turn signals, and the steering angle of the vehicle's steering wheel. The acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired information to the detection unit 12.

[0018] The detection unit 12 detects hazards around the vehicle based on input surrounding information and driving information. For hazard detection, detection conditions identified by surrounding information and driving information, and hazards corresponding to those detection conditions are pre-stored in memory. If the input surrounding information and driving information matches any of the detection conditions, the detection unit 12 considers that a hazard corresponding to that detection condition has been detected. Examples of hazards around the vehicle include, as shown in "Hazard Description" in Figure 2, "being late in noticing a pedestrian suddenly crossing a crosswalk" and "being late in noticing a pedestrian crossing from the vehicle's blind spot." The detection unit 12 outputs the detected hazard to the notification unit 13.

[0019] The notification unit 13 verbally notifies the driver of the vehicle via speaker 4 of a message corresponding to the input hazard. The message that the notification unit 13 broadcasts is predetermined for each hazard.

[0020] [1-1-3. Regarding the message to be sent] This explains the messages broadcast by the Information Department 13. A message in this disclosure consists of at least one sentence, each sentence being composed of two or more words linked together or word chunks of one word linked together. Here, "word" refers to the smallest unit that cannot be further divided grammatically, in a general sense. Hereafter, for natural numbers m and n, the nth word chunk in the m-th sentence of a message is referred to as the m-th sentence-n-th chunk. The first word chunk in each sentence is called the sentence-beginning chunk, and the sentence-beginning chunk in the m-th sentence of a message is referred to as the m-th sentence-beginning chunk. The last word chunk in each sentence is called the sentence-end chunk, and the sentence-end chunk in the m-th sentence of a message is referred to as the m-th sentence-end chunk. For example, the message "Beware of cars jumping out from congested traffic" is one sentence and can be divided into three word chunks: "congested traffic," "jumping out from," and "beware." Here, the word chunk "congested traffic" is the first sentence-beginning chunk. The word chunk "suddenly jumping out" is the second chunk of the first sentence. The word chunk "be careful" is the last chunk of the first sentence. For example, the message "We've entered a narrow road. Be careful of things suddenly jumping out from blind spots" is two sentences and can be divided into four word chunks: "narrow road," "entered," "be careful of things jumping out from blind spots," and "let's." Here, the word chunk "narrow road" is the first chunk of the first sentence. The word chunk "entered" is the last chunk of the first sentence. The word chunk "be careful of things jumping out from blind spots" is the first chunk of the second sentence. The word chunk "let's" is the last chunk of the second sentence.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example of a message corresponding to each hazard, broken down into word chunks. Word chunks other than the sentence-end chunk include the object to be aware of in response to the hazard, such as "cutting in," "crossing the road," and "suddenly running out." Sentence-end chunks include predicates that prompt the driver to take action, or predicates that indicate the status of the vehicle, such as "be careful," "put it down," and "entered the road."

[0022] If the detection unit 12 detects a new hazard while the notification unit 13 is broadcasting a message, the notification unit 13 will switch to broadcasting a message corresponding to the newly detected hazard after it has finished broadcasting the word chunk in the currently broadcasting message. Hereafter, this broadcast will be referred to as a switching broadcast. Also below, the hazard corresponding to the currently broadcasting message will be referred to as the previous hazard, and the newly detected hazard will be referred to as the subsequent hazard.

[0023] The messages broadcast by the notification unit 13 include original messages, interruption messages, and similar interruption messages. Each message is designed to prompt the driver of the vehicle to take action against a hazard detected by the detection unit 12 and is pre-stored in memory. The original message is the message broadcast by the notification unit 13 when the detection unit 12 detects a hazard. The content of the original message is designed to prompt the driver of the vehicle to pay attention to the detected hazard. The interruption message is a message broadcast in place of the original message when the notification unit 13 performs a switching notification, as a message corresponding to the later hazard. The content of the interruption message is designed to minimize any sense of incongruity for the driver when switching from the currently broadcast message to the interruption message, and to ensure a smooth flow of text. Furthermore, for example, if the original message corresponding to the later hazard is "There is a stop ahead. Stop your tires," the interruption message is designed to be consistent with the expression of other hazard interruption messages, such as "Pay attention to the stop." A synonymous interrupt message is a message that is broadcast in place of an interrupt message during switching broadcasts performed by the broadcasting unit 13. Details of synonymous interrupt messages will be described later.

[0024] The original message is divided into at least two word chunks. However, this does not apply to interrupt messages and synonymous interrupt messages; they may be divided into two or more word chunks, or they may not be divided into word chunks at all. If there is no division by word chunks, interrupt messages and synonymous interrupt messages are treated as a sentence consisting of one word chunk.

[0025] [1-1-4. Classification of Hazards] The danger detected by the detection unit 12 is assigned a danger level that indicates the degree of the danger. In this embodiment, there are two levels of danger: "low" and "high". A danger level of "low" is less dangerous than a danger level of "high".

[0026] Figure 2 shows an example of word chunks that separate the number, danger scene, danger description, synonym category, and original message corresponding to each danger with a "low" risk level. Figure 3 shows an example of the number, danger scene, danger description, similar category, synonym category, original message, interruption message, and similar interruption message corresponding to each danger with a high level of danger.

[0027] The number, dangerous scene, and content of the danger represent information used to identify the danger itself that the detection unit 12 detects. The numbers are assigned for convenience to identify the hazards detected by the detection unit 12.

[0028] A dangerous scene is a concise representation of the detection conditions under which the detection unit 12 detects danger. For example, Figure 2, number 1-7, represents a dangerous scene called "Speeding on a narrow road with poor visibility." This dangerous scene represents the detection conditions where the road on which the vehicle is traveling has poor visibility due to obstacles, the road width is less than a predetermined distance (e.g., 5.5 meters), the vehicle's speed is above a predetermined speed (e.g., 40 kilometers per hour), and there are no traffic lights or stop lines. For example, Figure 3, number 1-14, represents a dangerous scene called "Left turn & approaching vehicle." This dangerous scene represents the detection conditions where another vehicle is present at a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle in the lane it is traveling in (e.g., 0 to 20 meters ahead), the traffic light is green, and the vehicle's turn signal is indicating left.

[0029] The description of the hazard specifically represents the hazard corresponding to each detection condition. In this disclosure, the hazards include not only the apparent hazards that targets detected by the external sensor 21 may pose to the vehicle, but also the potential hazards that targets that cannot be directly detected by the external sensor 21 may pose to the vehicle. For example, in Figure 2, number 1-5 describes the hazard as "Failure to notice a signal, etc., hidden by a preceding large vehicle. Delay in responding to the preceding vehicle's deceleration, resulting in a rear-end collision." Here, since signals, etc., hidden by a preceding large vehicle are not directly detected by the external sensor 21, the hazard of failing to notice a signal, etc., hidden by a preceding large vehicle is a potential hazard. On the other hand, since the preceding large vehicle itself is detected by the external sensor 21, the hazard of the vehicle rear-ending the preceding large vehicle is an apparent hazard.

[0030] On the other hand, synonym categories, equivalent categories, word chunks that separate messages, original messages, interrupt messages, and synonym interrupt messages are defined for each danger detected by the detection unit 12. These, along with the degree of danger, are stored in memory in advance.

[0031] The synonymous category and similar category are categories that classify the hazards detected by the detection unit 12. A synonym category is a category that classifies hazards that have similar points of attention for the driver of one's own vehicle. In this embodiment, as an example, there are synonym categories such as "blind spots" and "traffic congestion."

[0032] The related category "blind spot" is a category of danger that is similar in that, in situations where other vehicles or intersections with poor visibility are present, the point to be careful of is "being slow to notice pedestrians or other vehicles hiding in blind spots."

[0033] The related category "traffic jam" is a category that includes situations where there is a line of congested vehicles in the opposite lane, and the point to be careful of is that "you may be slow to notice pedestrians or other vehicles hidden in the shadow of the congested line of vehicles."

[0034] In Figures 2 and 3, the hazards corresponding to numbers 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-10, 1-11, 1-12, and 1-15 belong to the synonym category "blind spot". In addition, the hazards corresponding to numbers 1-3 and 1-11 belong to the synonym category "traffic congestion" in addition to "blind spot".

[0035] Furthermore, priority levels are assigned to synonym categories. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figure 3, the synonym category "blind spot" is assigned a "low" priority, and the synonym category "traffic jam" is assigned a "high" priority. In other words, the synonym category "traffic jam" has a higher priority than the synonym category "blind spot".

[0036] A synonymous category is a category that classifies similar hazards that share common hazard detection conditions. In this embodiment, one example is the synonymous category "visibility." The synonymous category "visibility" is a category to which hazards that share the common hazard detection condition "poor visibility on the road the vehicle is traveling on" belong.

[0037] In Figures 2 and 3, the risks corresponding to numbers 1-6, 1-7, and 1-15 belong to the synonymous category "Outlook". A similarity interrupt message is a message corresponding to a risk detected by the detection unit 12, and is provided for each similarity category to which the risk belongs. Furthermore, when the notification unit 13 performs a switching notification, if the earlier risk and the later risk belong to the same similarity category, a similarity interrupt message is notified in place of the interrupt message as a message corresponding to the later risk. Details of the processing using similarity interrupt messages will be described later.

[0038] [1-2. Processing] [1-2-1. Notification Processing] When the vehicle's ignition switch is ON, the notification device 1 periodically (for example, every 0.1 seconds) performs the acquisition of surrounding information and driving information by the acquisition unit 11 and the detection of hazards around the vehicle by the detection unit 12. If a hazard is detected, the notification device 1 performs the notification process by the notification unit 13.

[0039] If another danger is detected while notification device 1 is broadcasting a message, the subsequent processing performed by notification device 1 will depend on the relative levels of the danger levels of the previous danger and the subsequent danger.

[0040] If the risk level of the earlier hazard is greater than or equal to the risk level of the later hazard, the notification device 1 will only notify the message corresponding to the earlier hazard. That is, when the combination of the risk levels of the earlier hazard and the later hazard is "high" and "low", "low" and "low", or "high" and "high".

[0041] On the other hand, if the risk level of the earlier hazard is lower than that of the later hazard, that is, if the combination of the risk levels of the earlier and later hazards is "low" and "high", the notification device 1 switches the notification based on the currently notified word chunk and the two hazards. The notification process that takes place when a high-risk hazard is detected while the notification device 1 has detected a low-risk hazard and is notifying a message is explained using the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0042] First, in S105, the notification device 1 acquires information about the surroundings of its vehicle from the external sensor 21, the road traffic information acquisition device 22, the GPS receiver 23, and the map information storage device 24. The notification device 1 also acquires driving information of its vehicle from the vehicle information sensor 31.

[0043] Next, in S110, the notification device 1 detects a danger with a risk level of "low". Next, in S115, the notification device 1 begins broadcasting the original message corresponding to the detected danger.

[0044] Next, in S120, the notification device 1 detects a danger level of "high". Next, in S125, the notification device 1 determines whether or not the notification of a "low" risk message has been completed.

[0045] If the notification device 1 determines in S125 that the notification of a low-risk danger message has been completed (S125: YES), it proceeds to S140 and starts notifying the original message corresponding to the detected danger (i.e., a high-risk danger). After that, the notification process shown in Figure 4 is terminated.

[0046] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S125 that the notification of a low-risk danger message has not been completed (S125: NO), it proceeds to S130 and determines whether the two dangers detected in S110 and S120 belong to the same synonym category.

[0047] If the notification device 1 determines in S130 that the two hazards belong to different synonymous categories (S130: NO), it proceeds to S135, executes the switching notification process, and then terminates the notification process shown in Figure 4. The specific details of the switching notification process will be described later.

[0048] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S130 that the two hazards belong to the same synonymous category (S130: YES), it terminates the notification process shown in Figure 4. [1-2-1-2. Switching notification processing] The switching notification process performed by notification device 1 in S135 of Figure 4 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0049] First, in S205, the notification device 1 determines whether or not it is currently broadcasting a message consisting of the first sentence and the first chunk. If the notification device 1 determines in S205 that it is currently broadcasting the message of the first sentence-first chunk (S205:YES), it proceeds to S235 to determine whether or not the broadcasting of the message of the first sentence-first chunk has been completed.

[0050] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S205 that it is not currently broadcasting a message of the first sentence-first chunk (S205: NO), it proceeds to S210 to determine whether or not it is currently broadcasting a message other than the last chunk of a sentence.

[0051] While notification device 1 determines in S235 that the notification of the first sentence-first chunk message is not yet complete, it repeats the process in S235. On the other hand, if notification device 1 determines in S235 that the notification of the first sentence-first chunk message is complete (S235:YES), it proceeds to S240 and determines whether there is a synonym category to which both hazards belong. The two hazards referred to here are the hazards detected in S110 and S120.

[0052] If the notification device 1 determines in S240 that a common synonym category exists to which both hazards belong (hereinafter referred to as a common synonym category) (S240: YES), it proceeds to S245. In S245, it begins broadcasting a synonym interrupt message corresponding to the newly detected hazard (i.e., a hazard with a "high" hazard level), which corresponds to the common synonym category of the two hazards among the synonym categories to which the newly detected hazard belongs. After that, it terminates the switching notification process shown in Figure 5. Here, if a common synonym category exists for two hazards, it can be said that the points to pay attention to are similar for the two hazards. For this reason, the content of the synonym interrupt message corresponding to the common synonym category is defined to convey the points to pay attention to for both hazards in a single message. If there are multiple common synonym categories for two hazards, the notification device 1 broadcasts the synonym interrupt message corresponding to the common synonym category with the highest priority. For this reason, the synonym interrupt message corresponding to the high-priority synonym category is defined to have content that should be broadcast with higher priority. Here, determining whether a common synonym category exists for two hazards is sufficient if at least one of the synonym categories to which each hazard belongs is common; it is not necessary for all of the synonym categories to which each hazard belongs to be identical. For example, the synonym category to which hazards numbered 1-4 in Figure 2 belong is "blind spot," and the synonym categories to which hazards numbered 1-11 in Figure 3 belong are "blind spot" and "traffic jam." In this case, since both hazards belong to the synonym category "blind spot," the notification device 1 determines that a common synonym category exists for the two hazards.

[0053] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S240 that there is no common synonym category for the two hazards (S240: NO), it proceeds to S230 and begins broadcasting an interrupt message for the newly detected hazard (i.e., a hazard with a "high" hazard level). After that, it terminates the switching notification process shown in Figure 5.

[0054] If notification device 1 determines in S210 that it is currently notifying a message other than the end-of-sentence chunk (S210: YES), it proceeds to S225 to determine whether or not the notification of the current chunk's message has been completed.

[0055] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S210 that it is not currently notifying a message other than the end-of-sentence chunk (S210: NO), it proceeds to S215 to determine whether or not the notification of the current chunk's message has been completed.

[0056] If the notification device 1 determines in S225 that the notification of the current chunk's message is not yet complete, it repeats the process in S225 (S225: NO). On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S225 that the notification of the current chunk's message is complete (S225: YES), it proceeds to S230 and starts notifying the interrupt message of another newly detected danger (i.e., a danger of "high" severity). After that, the switching notification process shown in Figure 5 is terminated.

[0057] If notification device 1 determines in S215 that notification of the current chunk's message is not yet complete, it repeats the process in S215 (S215: NO). On the other hand, if notification device 1 determines in S215 that notification of the current chunk's message is complete (S215: YES), it proceeds to S220 and starts notifying the original message of another newly detected danger (i.e., a danger of "high" severity). After that, it terminates the switching notification process shown in Figure 5.

[0058] [1-3. Effects] According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The notification device 1 detects hazards in the vicinity of the vehicle based on information about the vehicle's surroundings and notifies the driver of the vehicle of a message prompting them to pay attention to the detected hazards. If another hazard is detected while a message is being notified, the notification device switches to an interrupt message or a similar interrupt message corresponding to the other hazard after the notification of the word chunk in the currently notified message is completed.

[0059] With this configuration, if multiple hazards are detected in quick succession, an interrupt message or a similar interrupt message is displayed instead of the original message to address a different hazard. This reduces the sense of unease the driver may feel when receiving the displayed messages.

[0060] Furthermore, instead of broadcasting the entire message while it is in progress, the system can switch to a message addressing a different threat after the word chunk notification is complete. This allows messages to be broadcast without significantly compromising real-time capabilities.

[0061] (1b) If a more dangerous situation is detected while the notification device 1 is notifying a message corresponding to a dangerous situation, it will switch to a notification. With this configuration, if a more dangerous hazard is detected while a message addressing a less dangerous hazard is being displayed, the notification switches from the message addressing the less dangerous hazard to the message addressing the more dangerous hazard. Therefore, it is possible to provide notifications to address more dangerous hazards without significantly compromising real-time performance. In addition, it can reduce the sense of unease that drivers may feel when receiving the notification.

[0062] (1c) If the notification device 1 is notifying a message corresponding to a danger and a new danger belonging to the same synonym category as the danger corresponding to the message being notified is detected, it will perform a switching notification and notify a synonym interrupt message.

[0063] With this configuration, the switching notification displays a synonymous interruption message that summarizes the points to pay attention to regarding the preceding and succeeding dangers. This reduces the sense of unease the driver may feel when receiving the notification.

[0064] (1d) If, while the notification device 1 is notifying a message corresponding to a hazard, a new hazard belonging to the same synonym category as the hazard corresponding to the currently notified message is detected, and if there are multiple hazards belonging to the same synonym category, the notification device 1 will perform a switching notification. In this switching notification, a synonym interrupt message corresponding to the synonym category with higher priority will be notified.

[0065] With this configuration, in the switching notification, similar interruption messages that have been designated as having higher priority for notification are announced. Therefore, messages regarding more important hazards can be announced first. In addition, the sense of unease that drivers may feel when receiving the announced messages can be reduced.

[0066] (1e) If the notification device 1 is notifying a message corresponding to a hazard and a new hazard belonging to the same synonymous category as the hazard corresponding to the message being notified is detected, it will not perform a switching notification.

[0067] With this configuration, if similar hazards with nearly identical content are detected consecutively in a short period of time, the system will not issue a switching notification. This prevents the repeated notification of nearly identical messages in a short period of time.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the message corresponds to the notification text, the original message corresponds to the first notification text, the interrupt message corresponds to the second notification text, and the similar interrupt message corresponds to the third notification text. Furthermore, S105 corresponds to processing as an acquisition unit, S110 and S120 correspond to processing as a detection unit, and S115, S125~S140, and S205~S245 correspond to processing as a notification unit.

[0069] [2. Second Embodiment] [2-1. Differences from the First Embodiment] The second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, so the differences will be explained below. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same components, and refer to the preceding description.

[0070] In the first embodiment described above, the detection unit 12 provided a risk level, a similar category, a synonym category, an interrupt message, and a synonym interrupt message corresponding to the risk it detected. In contrast, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it does not provide these items corresponding to the risk the detection unit 12 detects.

[0071] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the message broadcast by the notification unit 13 was at least one sentence, divided into at least two word chunks. In contrast, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the message broadcast by the notification unit 13 is one sentence, divided into two word chunks. That is, in the second embodiment, the message broadcast by the notification unit 13 consists of two word chunks: the first sentence-beginning chunk and the first sentence-end chunk.

[0072] The content of each chunk at the beginning of a sentence includes an object that should be noted as a potential hazard. The content of each chunk at the end of a sentence includes a predicate that prompts the driver to pay attention. By structuring the message in this way, when switching notifications, the message can be switched after the notification of any word chunk is completed, making it less likely for the driver to feel any discomfort before and after the switch, and ensuring that the sentence flows smoothly.

[0073] Figure 6 shows an example in the second embodiment in which the number corresponding to the danger detected by the detection unit 12, the danger scene, the content of the danger, and the original message are divided into beginning and end chunks.

[0074] [2-2. Processing] Next, the processes performed by the notification device 1 of the second embodiment and the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0075] Similar to the first embodiment described above, the notification device 1 periodically (for example, every 0.1 seconds) performs the acquisition of surrounding information and driving information by the acquisition unit 11 and the detection of dangers around the vehicle by the detection unit 12 when the vehicle's ignition switch is ON. If danger is detected, the notification device 1 performs the notification process by the notification unit 13.

[0076] On the other hand, if another danger is detected while the notification device 1 is broadcasting a message, the notification device 1 will perform a switching notification using the notification unit 13. The message broadcast in the switching notification is the original message corresponding to the later danger.

[0077] In the first embodiment described above, depending on the relative magnitudes of the risk levels of the earlier and later risks, or the synonymous categories to which the earlier and later risks belong, there were cases where the message corresponding to the later risk was not notified. In contrast, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the original message corresponding to the later risk is notified regardless of the relative magnitudes of the risk levels of the two risks or their synonymous categories.

[0078] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, when a switchover notification is made, an interrupt message or a similar interrupt message is notified in place of the original message as a message corresponding to the later danger. In contrast, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the original message corresponding to the later danger is notified in the switchover notification.

[0079] [2-3. Effects] According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (2a) The message announced by the notification device 1 consists of two word chunks: a beginning chunk and a end chunk. The content of the beginning chunk includes an object that should be noted as a hazard. The content of the end chunk also includes a predicate that prompts the driver to pay attention. If the notification device 1 detects a new hazard while it is announcing a message, the notification device 1 will switch to an announcement by the notification unit 13.

[0080] With this configuration, when switching notifications are made, the driver's sense of unease regarding the notification message can be reduced, regardless of which word chunk's notification is completed before the message is switched.

[0081] Furthermore, if dangers are detected consecutively in a short period of time, a switching notification system can be implemented to deliver messages without significantly compromising real-time capabilities. In the second embodiment, the message corresponds to the notification text, and the original message corresponds to the first notification text and the second notification text.

[0082] [3. Third Embodiment] [3-1. Differences from the First Embodiment] The third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, so the differences will be explained below. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same components, and refer to the preceding description.

[0083] Figure 7 shows an example of word chunks separated from the original message, corresponding to the danger detected by the detection unit 12 in the third embodiment, including the number, danger scene, content of the danger, danger level, presence or absence of interruption when the danger level is the same, synonym category, equivalent category, and word chunks separated from the original message.

[0084] Figure 8 shows an example of the number, danger scene, danger content, danger level, presence or absence of interruption when danger level is the same, similar category, synonym category, original message, interruption message, and similar interruption message corresponding to the danger detected by the detection unit 12 in the third embodiment.

[0085] In the first embodiment described above, the detection unit 12 provided a risk level, a similar category, an equivalent category, an interrupt message, and an equivalent interrupt message corresponding to the risk it detected. In contrast, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in addition to these items corresponding to the risk detected by the detection unit 12, it also provides whether or not an interrupt occurs when the risk level is the same. The interrupt when the risk level is the same has two options: "Yes" and "No". The interrupt when the risk level is the same has been provided to determine whether or not the notification device 1 will perform a switching notification when it detects another risk while the notification device 1 is broadcasting a message, and the risk levels of the previous risk and the subsequent risk are the same. If the interrupt when the risk level is the same has been "Yes", the notification device 1 will perform a switching notification. If the interrupt when the risk level is the same has been "No", the notification device 1 will not perform a switching notification.

[0086] Furthermore, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a synonymous category called "being caught in the wind." The synonymous category "being caught in the wind" is a category to which dangers related to "being caught in the wind or rear-end collision when turning left" belong when the vehicle is turning left.

[0087] Furthermore, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a risk level of "extremely low." A risk level of "extremely low" is lower than a risk level of "low." Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the notification process shown in Figure 4 is executed when the notification device 1 detects another new hazard while it is notifying a message, and the hazard level of the first hazard is "low" and the hazard level of the second hazard is "high". In contrast, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the notification process shown in Figure 9 is executed regardless of the relative hazard levels of the first and second hazards.

[0088] [3-2. Processing] [3-2-1. Notification Processing] Next, the notification process that the notification device 1 of the third embodiment performs in place of the notification process of the first embodiment (i.e., Figure 4) will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 9. Note that the processes S305, S315, S345, S350, and S355 in Figure 9 are the same as the processes S105, S115, S130, S135, and S140 in Figure 5, respectively.

[0089] First, in S305, the notification device 1 acquires surrounding information. Next, in S310, the notification device 1 detects a hazard. Next, in S315, the notification device 1 begins broadcasting the original message corresponding to the detected danger.

[0090] Next, in S320, the notification device 1 detects a new hazard. Next, in S325, the notification device 1 determines whether or not the notification of the initially detected danger message has been completed.

[0091] If the notification device 1 determines in S325 that the notification of the message for the danger it initially detected has been completed (S325:YES), it proceeds to S355, starts notifying the original message corresponding to another newly detected danger, and then terminates the notification process shown in Figure 9.

[0092] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S325 that the notification of the danger message initially detected has not been completed (S325: NO), it proceeds to S330 and determines whether the danger level of the newly detected danger is higher than the danger level of the initially detected danger.

[0093] If the notification device 1 determines in S330 that the risk level of the newly detected hazard is not higher than the risk level of the initially detected hazard (S330: NO), it proceeds to S335 to determine whether the risk levels of the two hazards are the same.

[0094] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S330 that the risk level of the newly detected hazard is higher than that of the initially detected hazard (S330: YES), it proceeds to S345 to determine whether the two hazards belong to the same synonymous category.

[0095] If the notification device 1 determines in S335 that the risk levels of the two hazards are the same (S335: YES), it proceeds to S340 and determines whether or not there is an "interrupt" for identical risk levels for the newly detected hazard.

[0096] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S335 that the risk levels of the two hazards are not the same (S335: NO), it terminates the notification process shown in Figure 9. If the notification device 1 determines in S340 that there is an interrupt for identical risk levels (S340:YES), it proceeds to S345 and determines whether the two risks belong to the same synonym category.

[0097] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S340 that the new hazard detected does not trigger an interrupt when the hazard level is the same (S340: NO), it terminates the notification process shown in Figure 9. If the notification device 1 determines in S345 that the two hazards belong to different synonymous categories (S345: NO), it proceeds to S350, executes the switching notification process, and then terminates the notification process shown in Figure 9. The switching notification process executed by the notification device 1 in S350 is performed according to the flowchart in Figure 5, similar to the switching notification process executed in S135 in Figure 4 in the first embodiment, so its explanation is omitted.

[0098] On the other hand, if the notification device 1 determines in S345 that the two hazards belong to the same synonymous category (S345: YES), it terminates the notification process shown in Figure 9. [3-3. Effects] According to the third embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0099] (3a) If the notification device 1 is notifying a message corresponding to a danger, and a new danger with the same danger level as the danger corresponding to the currently notified message is detected, and the danger level equality interrupt for the newly detected danger is "present", the notification device 1 will perform a switching notification.

[0100] With this configuration, even if the risk levels of the two hazards are the same, switching notifications can be made. Therefore, notifications to address the two hazards can be made without significantly compromising real-time performance. In addition, it can reduce the sense of unease that drivers may feel regarding the notifications.

[0101] In the third embodiment, a risk where an interruption occurs when the risk level is the same corresponds to a risk requiring notification, while "very low," "low," and "high" risk levels correspond to the first risk level. Furthermore, S305 corresponds to processing as an acquisition unit, S310 and S320 correspond to processing as a detection unit, and S315, S325 to S355 correspond to processing as a notification unit.

[0102] [4. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0103] (4a) In the above embodiment, the risk level was either not set (i.e., one level), set in two levels, "small" and "large", or set in three levels, "very small", "small", and "large", but the risk level is not limited to one to three levels. For example, the risk level may be set in four or five or more levels.

[0104] (4b) In the above embodiment, the synonym categories are "blind spot" and "traffic jam," and "visibility" and "being caught in the road," respectively, but are not limited to these. For example, a synonym category of "stop sign" may be provided for dangers related to stop signs. Also, a synonym category of "misjudging the distance of oncoming vehicles at a distance" may be provided for dangers related to misjudging the distance of oncoming vehicles at a distance.

[0105] (4c) In the above embodiment, the processing of S330 to S345 shown in Figure 9 was performed in the following order: determination of the relative magnitude of the risk levels of the two hazards, determination of whether or not there is an interrupt when the risk levels of another newly detected hazard are the same, and determination of whether the two hazards belong to the same synonymous category. However, the processing of S330 to S345 is not limited to this order. For example, the processing of S345 may be performed before S330.

[0106] (4d) In the above embodiment, when switching notification is performed, the message to be notified is switched from the original message that was initially detected to an interrupt message or similar interrupt message for another newly detected danger, but is not limited to this. That is, the message before switching is not limited to the original message, but may be an interrupt message or a similar interrupt message. Interrupt messages and similar interrupt messages may be divided into word chunks. For example, the interrupt message ", be careful of vehicles jumping out from congested lines" corresponding to number 3-3 in Figure 8 may be divided into the word chunks "congested lines", "jumping out from", and "be careful". Also, the similar interrupt message "and be careful of blind spots in congested lines" corresponding to the same number may be divided into the word chunks "and congested lines", "blind spots", and "be careful".

[0107] (4e) In the above embodiment, the dangers detected by the detection unit 12 are exemplified in Figures 2, 3, and 6-8 depending on the danger scene and the nature of the danger, but are not limited to these. For example, the detection unit 12 may be configured to detect dangers not exemplified in Figures 2, 3, and 6-8, such as the danger of "being late in noticing someone suddenly running out into the road on a narrow residential street" when the vehicle is driving within a Zone 30 area.

[0108] (4f) In the above embodiment, the word chunks, original message, interrupt message, and synonymous interrupt message corresponding to the danger detected by the detection unit 12 are exemplified in Figures 2, 3, 6 to 8, but are not limited thereto. For example, the synonymous interrupt message "Beware of the blind spot of the large vehicle" corresponding to numbers 3-5 in Figure 8 may be "Beware of the shadow of the large vehicle".

[0109] (4g) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. In addition, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to, replaced with, or otherwise adapted to the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0110] (4h) The present disclosure can be implemented in various forms other than the notification device described above. For example, it can be implemented in the form of a notification system having the notification device as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as the notification device, a non-transitional physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, a notification method, and so on. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] 1... Notification device, 11... Acquisition unit, 12... Detection unit, 13... Notification unit.

Claims

1. An alarm device (1) mounted on a vehicle, An acquisition unit (11, S105, S305) configured to acquire surrounding information representing the conditions around the vehicle, A detection unit (12, S110, S120, S310, S320) configured to detect dangers around the vehicle based on the surrounding information, When the detection unit detects the danger, the notification unit (13, S115, S125-S140, S205-S245, S315, S325-S355) is configured to verbally notify the driver of the vehicle of a notification message corresponding to the detected danger, Equipped with, As notification statements corresponding to the aforementioned danger, a first notification statement and a second notification statement are provided. The first notification text is at least one sentence formed by concatenating N (where N is a natural number of 2 or more) word chunks, each chunk consisting of two or more words or a single word. When the detection unit detects the danger, the notification unit is configured to notify the first notification message. A notification device configured such that, if the detection unit detects another hazard while the notification unit is notifying the first notification phrase, the notification unit performs a switching notification, switching to a second notification phrase corresponding to the other hazard after the notification of the word chunk in the currently notified first notification phrase is completed.

2. A notification device according to claim 1, The degree of the aforementioned danger is defined as the degree of danger. A notification device configured such that when the detection unit detects another hazard while the notification unit is broadcasting the first notification phrase, and the degree of danger of the other hazard is greater than the degree of danger of the hazard corresponding to the first notification phrase currently being broadcast, the notification unit performs the switching notification.

3. The notification device according to claim 2, At least a portion of the aforementioned risks of the first risk level, which is a predetermined risk level, is classified as a risk requiring notification, which is a risk requiring switching notification. A notification device configured such that when the detection unit detects another hazard while the notification unit is broadcasting the first notification phrase, and both the hazard level of the hazard corresponding to the currently broadcasting first notification phrase and the hazard level of the other hazard are the first hazard level, and the other hazard is a hazard requiring notification.

4. A notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, At least one similar category is provided, which is a category that classifies the aforementioned hazards that are similar in that the driver of the vehicle pays attention to, A third notification statement is provided, which is the notification statement corresponding to the aforementioned danger and which corresponds to the aforementioned synonymous category to which the danger belongs. A notification device configured such that, when the detection unit detects another hazard while the notification unit is notifying the first notification phrase, and the hazard corresponding to the currently notified first notification phrase and the other hazard belong to the same synonym category, the third notification phrase is notified in place of the second notification phrase during the switching notification.

5. The notification device according to claim 4, Multiple synonym categories are established, and each synonym category is assigned a priority level. An alarm device configured such that, when the detection unit detects another hazard while the alarm unit is broadcasting the first alarm message, and there are multiple similar categories to which the hazard corresponding to the currently broadcasting first alarm message and the other hazard belong, the switching alarm is broadcast, instead of the second alarm message, by broadcasting the third alarm message corresponding to the hazard in the similar category with the highest priority among the similar categories to which the other hazard belongs.

6. A notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, At least one synonymous category is provided, which is a category that classifies the aforementioned risks of the same type. The aforementioned synonymous category includes multiple of the aforementioned risks, A notification device configured such that when the detection unit detects another hazard while the notification unit is notifying the first notification phrase, and the hazard corresponding to the currently notified first notification phrase and the other hazard belong to the same synonymous category, the notification unit does not perform the switching notification.

Images