JP2022170255A - Signal generator, information generator, signal generation method and information generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a new technology that allows a vehicle occupant to feel immersed in the driving. [Solution] A signal generating device includes an acquisition unit that acquires information related to the driving of the vehicle or an operation on the vehicle, a first generation unit that generates a sound signal indicative of a sound corresponding to the driving of the vehicle based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a second generation unit that generates a vibration signal indicative of a vibration corresponding to the driving of the vehicle based on the sound signal generated by the first generation unit. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a signal generation device, an information generation device, a signal generation method, and an information generation method.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a method of arousing a feeling of driving to a passenger riding in a vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a power source. In this approach, vibration and sound are generated separately based on the operation of the electric motor.

WO2012/001813

There is a demand for a technique that can provide a vehicle passenger with a sense of immersion in driving by a technique different from the technique described in Patent Literature 1. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a new technology capable of providing a vehicle passenger with a sense of immersion in driving.

A signal generation device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about running of a vehicle or an operation on the vehicle, and based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, generates a sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle. and a second generator that generates a vibration signal that indicates vibration according to running of the vehicle based on the sound signal generated by the first generator. .

An information generation device according to another aspect of the present disclosure acquires a plurality of pieces of information including first information regarding travel of a vehicle or an operation performed on the vehicle and second information regarding travel of the vehicle or an operation performed on the vehicle. an acquisition unit; and a generation unit configured to generate effect designation information that designates a light effect according to running of the vehicle based on the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit.

A signal generation method according to still another aspect of the present disclosure is a signal generation method implemented by a computer, which acquires information about travel of a vehicle or an operation of the vehicle, and based on the acquired information, generates a A sound signal indicating a sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle is generated, and a vibration signal indicating vibration corresponding to the running of the vehicle is generated based on the generated sound signal.

An information generating method according to still another aspect of the present disclosure is an information generating method implemented by a computer, comprising: first information relating to travel of a vehicle or an operation to the vehicle; and second information, and based on the acquired plurality of information, effect designation information for designating a light effect according to the running of the vehicle is generated.

It is a figure which shows an example of the signal generation apparatus 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle 100; FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the correspondence which the reference information e shows. It is a figure showing an example of the correspondence which the 1st reference information e1 shows. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence indicated by second reference information e2. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence which the driving|running information g1 shows. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence which the sound information h1 shows. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the signal generation device 1; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of 1 A of signal generation apparatuses based on a 1st modification. It is a figure which shows an example of 1 C of signal generation apparatuses based on a 3rd modification. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a signal generation device 1D according to another example of the third modified example; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle 100 according to a fourth modified example; FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle 100 according to a fourth modified example; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of each of image T1 and image T2. It is a figure which shows each other example of image T1 and image T2. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sound control unit 83; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a vibration control unit 84; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the information generation device 8; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence which the sound information h2 shows. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform representing noise sound; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of waveforms representing attack elements in virtual engine sound; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform representing a sound following an attack element in virtual engine sound; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle 100 according to a sixth modified example; FIG.

A: First Embodiment A1: Signal Generator 1
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a signal generator 1 according to the first embodiment. A signal generation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle 100 . Vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle that does not have an engine. Vehicle 100 is operated by a driver of vehicle 100 . The vehicle 100 may perform automatic driving. The vehicle 100 includes a signal generation device 1, wheels 2a to 2d, a wheel control unit 3, a vehicle speed measuring device 3A, an operation unit 4, a speaker 5, a seat (seat) 6, and a vibration unit 7. .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the vehicle 100. As shown in FIG. Vehicle 100 includes a cabin 100 a , a right door 66 and a left door 67 . The vehicle interior 100a includes a speaker 5, a seat 6, a vibrating portion 7, an accelerator pedal 32, a steering wheel 61, a shift knob 62, a floor mat 63, a headrest 64, an armrest 65, and a portion of a right door 66. and part of the left door 67 . Each of right door 66 and left door 67 includes speaker 5 and armrest 65 .

In FIG. 1, the signal generator 1 generates a sound signal c1 and a vibration signal d1. The sound signal c1 is a signal representing a virtual engine sound. The sound signal c1 is not limited to a signal representing a virtual engine sound. For example, the sound signal c1 may be a signal indicating a sound effect that makes the vehicle 100 feel accelerated. The vibration signal d1 is a signal indicating vibration based on a virtual engine sound.

The engine sound is a sound including the sound emitted by the engine itself, the intake sound caused by the intake by the engine, and the exhaust sound caused by the exhaust by the engine. The engine sound may be only the sound produced by the engine itself, the combination of the sound produced by the engine itself and the intake sound, or the combination of the sound produced by the engine itself and the exhaust sound. The engine sound may also include sounds indicative of noise.

Each of wheels 2 a and 2 b is a front wheel of vehicle 100 . Each of wheels 2 c and 2 d is a rear wheel of vehicle 100 . Vehicle 100 may have additional wheels in addition to wheels 2a-2d.

Wheel control unit 3 controls the rotation of each of wheels 2a and 2b. Wheel control unit 3 may control the rotation of each of wheels 2c and 2d instead of the rotation of each of wheels 2a and 2b. The wheel control unit 3 may control the rotation of each of the wheels 2a-2d. Wheel control unit 3 includes motor 31 , accelerator pedal 32 , shift lever 33 , motor control unit 34 , and power transmission unit 35 .

The motor 31 generates power based on electric power. Accelerator pedal 32 and shift lever 33 are each operated by the driver of vehicle 100 . The accelerator pedal 32 and the shift lever 33 may each be automatically operated.

The position of accelerator pedal 32 is adjusted by the driver of vehicle 100 . The position of the accelerator pedal 32 corresponds to the "opening degree of the accelerator". The opening degree of the accelerator increases as the difference between the position of the accelerator pedal 32 and the reference position of the accelerator pedal 32 increases. The opening degree of the accelerator decreases as the difference between the position of the accelerator pedal 32 and the reference position of the accelerator pedal 32 decreases. The reference position of the accelerator pedal 32 is the position of the accelerator pedal 32 when the accelerator pedal 32 is not operated. When the position of the accelerator pedal 32 matches the reference position of the accelerator pedal 32, the accelerator opening is "0".

The difference between the position of the accelerator pedal 32 and the reference position of the accelerator pedal 32 can be referred to as "the amount of displacement of the accelerator pedal 32". The amount of displacement of the accelerator pedal 32 may be used as the degree of opening of the accelerator. The accelerator pedal 32 is an example of an accelerator. If the vehicle 100 has an accelerator lever instead of the accelerator pedal 32, the accelerator lever is an example of the accelerator.

Shift lever 33 is selectively set to any position among drive range, parking range, reverse range, and neutral range by the driver of vehicle 100 .

A motor control unit 34 detects the position of the accelerator pedal 32 and the position of the shift lever 33 . Since the method of detecting the position of the accelerator pedal 32 and the position of the shift lever 33 is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A motor control unit 34 controls the motor 31 based on the position of the accelerator pedal 32 and the position of the shift lever 33 . For example, the motor control unit 34 generates rotation direction information and rotation speed information based on the position of the accelerator pedal 32 and the position of the shift lever 33 . The rotation direction information is information that determines the rotation direction of the motor 31 . The rotation speed information is information that determines the rotation speed of the motor 31 . The motor control unit 34 sets the rotation direction of the motor 31 to the rotation direction determined by the rotation direction information. The motor control unit 34 sets the rotation speed of the motor 31 to the rotation speed determined by the rotation speed information. Since the method of controlling the rotation (rotation direction and rotation speed) of the motor 31 based on the position of the accelerator pedal 32 and the position of the shift lever 33 is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The power transmission section 35 is a set of reduction gears. Power transmission unit 35 transmits the power generated by motor 31 to wheels 2a and 2b. Power transmission unit 35 may transmit the power generated by motor 31 to wheels 2c and 2d instead of wheels 2a and 2b. The power transmission section 35 may transmit the power generated by the motor 31 to the wheels 2a-2d.

Vehicle speed measuring device 3A measures the speed of vehicle 100 . The vehicle speed measuring device 3</b>A generates speed information a<b>1 based on the speed measurement result of the vehicle 100 . The speed information a1 is information indicating the speed of the vehicle 100 . The speed information a1 is an example of information regarding travel of the vehicle 100 .

The motor control unit 34 generates accelerator information b1 based on the position of the accelerator pedal 32 . The accelerator information b1 is information indicating the degree of opening of the accelerator. Accelerator information b<b>1 is an example of information regarding an operation on vehicle 100 .

Each of the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1 is an example of information regarding travel of the vehicle 100 or operation of the vehicle 100 . The information regarding the running of the vehicle 100 or the operation on the vehicle 100 may include the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1.

The operation unit 4 is, for example, a touch panel. The operation unit 4 is not limited to a touch panel, and may be an operation panel having various operation buttons. The operation unit 4 receives operations performed by passengers of the vehicle 100 . Hereinafter, the "passengers of the vehicle 100" are simply referred to as "passengers".

Speaker 5 is a speaker set having a plurality of speakers. Speaker 5 may be a single speaker. The speaker 5 emits various sounds. For example, the speaker 5 emits a virtual engine sound based on the sound signal c1.

The seat 6 is a seat such as a driver's seat. Seat 6 is an example of an object positioned in vehicle 100 . An object positioned in the vehicle 100 is not limited to the seat 6, and may be an object positioned in the passenger compartment 100a shown in FIG. 2, for example. For example, the objects positioned in vehicle 100 may be steering wheel 61 , shift knob 62 positioned at the tip of shift lever 33 , floor mat 63 , accelerator pedal 32 , headrest 64 , and armrest 65 .

The vibrating portion 7 is arranged on the seat 6 . For example, the vibration part 7 is arranged inside the seat 6 . The vibration part 7 may be arranged on the surface of the seat 6 . The vibrating section 7 vibrates based on the vibration signal d1. Therefore, the vibration of the vibrating section 7 is based on the virtual engine sound. The vibrating section 7 gives the seat 6 vibration based on the virtual engine sound.

An object that receives vibration from the vibrating portion 7 is not limited to the seat 6 and may be any object that is positioned in the vehicle 100 . Any one of the steering wheel 61, the shift knob 62, the floor mat 63, the accelerator pedal 32, the headrest 64, and the armrest 65 may be the object that receives the vibration from the vibrating portion 7, for example. The vibrating section 7 may vibrate a plurality of objects located on the vehicle 100 based on the vibration signal d1. For example, the vibrating section 7 may vibrate both the seat 6 and the steering wheel 61 based on the vibration signal d1. The vibrating portion 7 is arranged on an object that receives vibration from the vibrating portion 7 .

The signal generator 1 shown in FIG. 1 receives speed information a1 from the vehicle speed measuring device 3A. The signal generation device 1 receives accelerator information b1 from the motor control unit 34 . The speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1 are communicated via CAN (Controller Area Network). The speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1 may be communicated using a communication protocol different from CAN.

The signal generator 1 generates a sound signal c1 and a vibration signal d1 based on the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1. The signal generation device 1 includes a storage device 11 and a processing device 12 . The storage device 11 may be an external element of the signal generator 1 .

The storage device 11 is a computer-readable recording medium (for example, a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium). Storage device 11 includes non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Nonvolatile memories are, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). Volatile memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

The storage device 11 stores a program p1 and various information. A program p1 defines the operation of the signal generation device 1 . The storage device 11 may store a program p1 read from a storage device in a server (not shown). In this case, the storage device in the server is an example of a computer-readable recording medium.

The processing device 12 includes one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units). One or more CPUs is an example of one or more processors. Each of the processing unit, processor and CPU is an example of a computer.

The processing device 12 reads the program p1 from the storage device 11 . The processing device 12 functions as an acquisition unit 13, a generation unit 14, and an LPF (Low Pass Filter) 15 by executing the program p1. At least one of the acquisition unit 13, the generation unit 14, and the LPF 15 is implemented by a circuit such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). may

Acquisition unit 13 acquires speed information a1 from vehicle speed measuring device 3A. For example, the acquiring unit 13 first transmits a request for the speed information a1 to the vehicle speed measuring instrument 3A. Acquisition unit 13 acquires speed information a1 transmitted from vehicle speed measuring instrument 3A in response to a request for speed information a1. When the vehicle speed measuring device 3A actively transmits the speed information a1 to the acquiring unit 13, the acquiring unit 13 may acquire the speed information a1 actively transmitted from the vehicle speed measuring device 3A. The acquisition unit 13 acquires accelerator information b1 from the motor control unit 34 . For example, the acquisition unit 13 first transmits a request for accelerator information b1 to the motor control unit 34 . The acquisition unit 13 acquires the accelerator information b1 transmitted from the motor control unit 34 in response to the request for the accelerator information b1. When the motor control unit 34 actively transmits the accelerator information b<b>1 to the acquisition unit 13 , the acquisition unit 13 may acquire the accelerator information b<b>1 actively transmitted from the motor control unit 34 .

The generation unit 14 generates the sound signal c1 based on the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1 acquired by the acquisition unit 13 . The generator 14 is an example of a first generator. Generation unit 14 includes determination unit 141 and signal generation unit 142 .

The determination unit 141 determines the rotation speed of the virtual engine based on the speed information a1. The virtual engine is a virtual engine that is virtually mounted on vehicle 100 . The determination unit 141 determines the rotation speed of the virtual engine by using the reference information e.

The reference information e is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine. The reference information e is stored in the storage device 11 .

Using reference information e, determination unit 141 determines the rotational speed of the virtual engine corresponding to the speed of vehicle 100 indicated by speed information a1. After determining the rotation speed of the virtual engine, the determination unit 141 generates rotation speed information f1 indicating the rotation speed of the virtual engine.

The reference information e may include first reference information e1 and second reference information e2. The first reference information e1 is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine when the vehicle 100 is accelerating. The second reference information e2 is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine when the vehicle 100 is decelerating and when the vehicle 100 is at a constant speed.

Also when the reference information e includes the first reference information e1 and the second reference information e2, the determining unit 141 determines the rotation speed of the virtual engine based on the speed information a1.

For example, the determination unit 141 first determines whether the vehicle 100 is accelerating based on the change in the speed information a1.

When determining that the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the determination unit 141 determines the rotation speed of the virtual engine corresponding to the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 by using the first reference information e1.

If determining unit 141 determines that vehicle 100 is not accelerating, it determines that vehicle 100 is decelerating or at constant speed.

When determining that the vehicle 100 is decelerating or at a constant speed, the determination unit 141 uses the second reference information e2 to determine the virtual engine speed corresponding to the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1. decide.

Even when the reference information e includes the first reference information e1 and the second reference information e2, the determination unit 141 generates the rotation speed information f1 indicating the rotation speed of the virtual engine after determining the rotation speed of the virtual engine.

The signal generator 142 generates the sound signal c1 based on the rotation speed information f1 and the accelerator information b1.

The signal generator 142 first determines the running state of the vehicle 100 based on the rotation speed information f1 and the accelerator information b1. For example, the signal generator 142 determines the running state of the vehicle 100 by using the running information g1.

The travel information g1 is information indicating the correspondence between the rotation speed of the virtual engine, the opening degree of the accelerator, and the travel state of the vehicle 100 . The travel information g1 is stored in the storage device 11 .

The signal generator 142 uses the running information g1 to determine the running state of the vehicle 100 corresponding to both the rotational speed of the virtual engine indicated by the rotational speed information f1 and the accelerator opening indicated by the accelerator information b1. .

Subsequently, the signal generator 142 generates the sound signal c1 based on the running state of the vehicle 100. FIG. For example, the signal generator 142 generates the sound signal c1 by using the sound information h1.

The sound information h1 is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the running state of the vehicle 100 and sound data indicating a virtual engine sound. The sound data indicates a virtual engine sound corresponding to the running state of vehicle 100 . The sound information h1 is stored in the storage device 11. FIG.

The signal generator 142 generates a sound signal c1 corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 100 using the sound information h1.

The sound signal c1 has a plurality of frequency components having mutually different frequencies. A plurality of frequency components having mutually different frequencies is an example of a plurality of mutually different sound components. The sound signal c1 may have a plurality of waveform components having mutually different waveforms. A plurality of waveform components having mutually different waveforms is another example of a plurality of mutually different sound components.

The LPF 15 generates a vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1. Since the vibration signal d1 is generated based on the sound signal c1, the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 is associated with the sound indicated by the sound signal c1.

The LPF 15 passes frequency components having frequencies equal to or lower than the threshold n in the sound signal c1. The threshold n is 100 Hz. The threshold n is not limited to 100 Hz, and may be a frequency higher than 100 Hz or a frequency lower than 100 Hz. Threshold n is set by adjusting the cutoff frequency of LPF 15 .

The LPF 15 generates the vibration signal d1 based only on frequency components having frequencies equal to or lower than the threshold value n among the multiple frequency components included in the sound signal c1. Vehicles tend to vibrate when the engine sound includes low frequencies (eg, sounds with frequencies below 100 Hz). Therefore, the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 includes a vibration simulating the vibration generated by the vehicle in which the engine is mounted.

The LPF 15 generates the vibration signal d1 based only on some of the multiple sound components of the sound signal c1. Some of the plurality of sound components are, for example, frequency components having frequencies equal to or lower than the threshold value n among the plurality of frequency components included in the sound signal c1.

The LPF 15 is an example of a second generator. The second generator is not limited to the LPF 15, and may be a BPF (Band Pass Filter) or an HPF (High Pass Filter).

The BPF used instead of the LPF 15 passes frequency components having frequencies included in a frequency band of 1 Hz to 100 Hz, for example. In this case, the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 generated by the BPF includes at least part of the vibration generated by the vehicle on which the engine is mounted. The frequency component passed by the BPF is not limited to the frequency component having a frequency included in the frequency band of 1 Hz or more and 100 Hz or less, and can be changed as appropriate.

The HPF used instead of the LPF 15 passes frequency components having frequencies contained in a frequency band of 1 Hz or higher, for example. In this case, the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 generated by the HPF includes at least part of the vibration generated by the vehicle on which the engine is mounted. The frequency components passed by the HPF are not limited to frequency components having frequencies included in a frequency band of 1 Hz or higher, and can be changed as appropriate.

Regardless of whether the second generator is the LPF 15, BPF, or HPF, the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 generated by the second generator interlocks with the sound indicated by the sound signal c1.

A2: Reference information e
The reference information e indicates the correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine. The speed of the virtual engine depends on the speed of the vehicle 100 and the virtual transmission.

A virtual transmission is a transmission virtually mounted on vehicle 100 . The virtual transmission has three gears, gears J1-J3. Gear J1 corresponds to 1st speed in the virtual transmission. Gear J2 corresponds to 2nd speed in the virtual transmission. Gear J3 corresponds to the 3rd speed in the virtual transmission. Each of gears J1, J2 and J3 may also be referred to as transmission gears. A virtual transmission may have one or more gears.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence indicated by the reference information e, that is, a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates the speed of the vehicle 100, and the vertical axis indicates the rotational speed of the virtual engine.

Reference information e indicates the correspondence relationship between the speed of vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine for each of gears J1 to J3. The virtual engine speed MAX1 indicates the maximum speed of the virtual engine. The maximum rotation speed of the virtual engine is, for example, 9000 rpm (revolutions per minute). The maximum rotation speed of the virtual engine is not limited to 9000 rpm.

The reference information e includes first reference information e1 and second reference information e2. The first reference information e1 is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine when the vehicle 100 is accelerating. The second reference information e2 is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine when the vehicle 100 is decelerating and at a constant speed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence indicated by the first reference information e1, that is, a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine when the vehicle 100 is accelerating. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the speed of the vehicle 100, and the vertical axis indicates the rotational speed of the virtual engine.

The first reference information e1 is a correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotation speed of the virtual engine when the speed of the vehicle 100 is less than the speed V1. shows the correspondence between

Velocity V1 is the velocity of vehicle 100 when the rotational speed of the virtual engine using gear J1 reaches rotational speed MAX1. The speed V1 may be less than the speed of the vehicle 100 when the rotational speed of the virtual engine using gear J1 reaches the rotational speed MAX1.

The first reference information e1 is a correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotation speed of the virtual engine when the speed of the vehicle 100 is equal to or higher than the speed V1 and lower than the speed V2. It shows the correspondence with the number of revolutions.

Speed V2 is the speed of vehicle 100 when the speed of the virtual engine using gear J2 reaches speed MAX1. The speed V2 may be a speed that is less than the speed of the vehicle 100 and greater than the speed V1 when the rotational speed of the virtual engine using gear J2 reaches the rotational speed MAX1.

The first reference information e1 is a correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the virtual engine speed when the speed of the vehicle 100 is equal to or higher than the speed V2. shows the correspondence with

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence indicated by the second reference information e2, that is, a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine when the vehicle 100 is decelerating and at a constant speed. is. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the speed of the vehicle 100, and the vertical axis indicates the rotation speed of the virtual engine.

The second reference information e2 is a correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotation speed of the virtual engine when the speed of the vehicle 100 is higher than the speed V4. shows the correspondence between Velocity V4 is greater than velocity V1 and less than velocity V2.

The second reference information e2 is the speed of the vehicle 100 and the virtual The corresponding relationship with the engine speed is shown. Velocity V3 is equal to or greater than 0 and less than velocity V1.

The second reference information e2 is a correspondence relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the speed of the virtual engine when the speed of the vehicle 100 is equal to or lower than the speed V3. shows the correspondence between

A3: Travel information g1
The travel information g1 indicates a correspondence relationship between the rotational speed of the virtual engine, the opening degree of the accelerator, and the travel state of the vehicle 100 .

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence indicated by the travel information g1. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the rotational speed of the virtual engine, and the vertical axis indicates the degree of opening of the accelerator. The running state of the vehicle 100 is divided into regions K1 to K25 according to the rotational speed of the virtual engine and the degree of opening of the accelerator. Hereinafter, each of the regions K1 to K25 will be referred to as "region K" when it is not necessary to distinguish between the regions K1 to K25. The number of regions K is not limited to 25, and may be a number smaller than 25 or a number larger than 25.

A4: Sound information h1
The sound information h<b>1 is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the running state of the vehicle 100 and sound data representing a virtual engine sound corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 100 .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence indicated by the sound information h1. Sound information h1 indicates the correspondence relationship between regions K1 to K25 indicating the running state of vehicle 100 and sound data M1 to M25 defining sound signals.

The sound data M1 to M25 correspond one-to-one with the areas K1 to K25. For example, sound data M1 corresponds to area K1, and sound data M25 corresponds to area K25. The sound data M1 to M25 are different from each other. Hereinafter, each of the sound data M1 to M25 will be referred to as "sound data M" when it is not necessary to distinguish between the sound data M1 to M25.

Sound data M indicates a virtual engine sound corresponding to corresponding region K (corresponding running state of vehicle 100). The sound data M represents a sound simulating the engine sound of an engine that actually exists. The sound data M may represent the engine sound of a fictitious engine.

The sound data M is data representing a waveform of a virtual engine sound. The waveform of the virtual engine sound is one waveform representing the virtual engine sound.

The waveform of the virtual engine sound may have waveforms for each of a plurality of sound components included in the virtual engine sound. For example, when a virtual engine sound has three sound components: a sound emitted by the virtual engine itself, an intake sound caused by the intake by the virtual engine, and an exhaust sound caused by the exhaust by the virtual engine, the virtual engine sound The waveform includes waveforms for each of the three tonal components.

A5: Explanation of Operation FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the signal generating device 1. FIG. In the following, it is assumed that the vehicle speed measuring instrument 3A generates speed information a1 indicating the speed of the vehicle 100. FIG. It is assumed that the motor control unit 34 generates accelerator information b1 indicating the degree of opening of the accelerator. The reference information e indicating the correspondence between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine is assumed to include the first reference information e1 shown in FIG. 4 and the second reference information e2 shown in FIG.

When the operation unit 4 receives a generation operation, which is an operation for instructing generation of the sound signal c1 and the vibration signal d1, from the passenger, the operation shown in FIG. 8 starts. The operation shown in FIG. 8 is repeated until the operation unit 4 receives from the passenger an end operation, which is an operation for instructing the end of generation of the sound signal c1 and the vibration signal d1.

In step S<b>101 , the acquisition unit 13 acquires speed information a<b>1 from the vehicle speed measuring instrument 3</b>A and accelerator information b<b>1 from the motor control unit 34 .

Subsequently, the acquisition unit 13 stores the speed information a1 in the storage device 11 in step S102. Therefore, the storage device 11 stores the history of the speed information a1.

The history of the speed information a1 remains in the storage device 11 until the operation unit 4 receives an end operation from the passenger. The acquisition unit 13 deletes the history of the speed information a1 from the storage device 11 when the operation unit 4 receives the end operation from the passenger. Therefore, the history of the speed information a1 is not stored in the storage device 11 at the time when the operation unit 4 receives the creation operation from the passenger.

After storing the speed information a<b>1 in the storage device 11 , the acquisition unit 13 provides the speed information a<b>1 to the determination unit 141 . The acquisition unit 13 also provides the signal generation unit 142 with the accelerator information b1.

Subsequently, in step S103, the determining unit 141 determines whether or not the vehicle 100 is accelerating based on the change in the speed information a1.

In step S103, the determining unit 141 determines whether or not the speed of the vehicle 100 is increasing (whether the vehicle is accelerating or not) by referring to the history of the speed information a1.

For example, the determining unit 141 first identifies the speed information a1 stored in the current step S102 and the speed information a1 stored in the previous step S102 from the history of the speed information a1. When the speed information a1 stored in the previous step S102 does not exist in the storage device 11, the determination unit 141 sets "0" as the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 stored in the previous step S102. use.

Next, determination unit 141 determines whether the speed of vehicle 100 indicated by speed information a1 stored in current step S102 is higher than the speed of vehicle 100 indicated by speed information a1 stored in previous step S102. determine whether or not An increase in the speed of vehicle 100 means that vehicle 100 is accelerating. Therefore, determining whether the speed of vehicle 100 is increasing means determining whether vehicle 100 is accelerating.

If the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 stored in the current step S102 is higher than the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 stored in the previous step S102, the determination unit 141 determines that the vehicle It is determined that 100 is during acceleration.

When determining in step S103 that the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the determining unit 141 determines the rotation speed of the virtual engine using the first reference information e1 in step S104.

In step S104, the determining unit 141 first selects the virtual engine rotation speed corresponding to the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 from among the rotation speeds of the virtual engine indicated by the first reference information e1. Determine as a number. Subsequently, the determination unit 141 determines the rotation speed during acceleration as the rotation speed of the virtual engine.

For example, when the vehicle 100 is accelerating and the speed of the vehicle 100 is less than the speed V1, the determination unit 141 first determines the speed of the vehicle 100 and the rotational speed of the virtual engine for the gear J1 indicated in the first reference information e1. Choose a correspondence with Next, the determining unit 141 determines the virtual engine speed corresponding to the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 as the speed during acceleration from among the virtual engine speeds indicated for the gear J1. Subsequently, the determination unit 141 determines the rotation speed during acceleration as the rotation speed of the virtual engine.

If determination unit 141 determines in step S103 that vehicle 100 is not accelerating, determination unit 141 determines that vehicle 100 is decelerating or at constant speed. Subsequently, the determining unit 141 determines the rotation speed of the virtual engine using the second reference information e2 in step S105.

In step S105, the determining unit 141 first selects the virtual engine speed corresponding to the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 from among the virtual engine speeds indicated by the second reference information e2 as the corresponding speed. Identify. Subsequently, the determination unit 141 determines the corresponding rotation speed as the rotation speed of the virtual engine.

When the rotation speed of the virtual engine is determined in step S104 or step S105, the determination unit 141 generates rotation speed information f1 indicating the rotation speed of the virtual engine in step S106. The determination unit 141 provides the rotation speed information f1 to the signal generation unit 142 .

Subsequently, in step S107, the signal generator 142 determines the running state of the vehicle 100 based on the rotation speed information f1 and the accelerator information b1.

In step S107, the signal generator 142 determines the running state of the vehicle 100 using the rotation speed information f1, the accelerator information b1, and the running information g1. Regions K1 to K25 shown in running information g1 indicate the running state of vehicle 100. FIG. The signal generation unit 142 selects a region corresponding to both the rotational speed of the virtual engine indicated by the rotational speed information f1 and the accelerator opening indicated by the accelerator information b1 from the regions K1 to K25 indicated by the traveling information g1. K is determined as the running state of the vehicle 100 .

Subsequently, in step S<b>108 , the signal generator 142 generates the sound signal c<b>1 based on the running state of the vehicle 100 .

In step S108, the signal generator 142 generates the sound signal c1 using the running state of the vehicle 100 and the sound information h1.

The signal generator 142 first reads the sound data M corresponding to the region K determined as the running state of the vehicle 100 as the corresponding sound data from the sound data M1 to M25 indicated in the sound information h1. The signal generation unit 142 then generates the sound signal indicated by the corresponding sound data as the sound signal c1. Subsequently, the signal generator 142 provides the sound signal c1 to the speaker 5 and the LPF 15. FIG. The speaker 5 outputs a virtual engine sound indicated by the sound signal c1. Therefore, the passenger can hear the virtual engine sound according to the running of the vehicle 100 .

Subsequently, in step S109, the LPF 15 generates the vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1.

In step S109, the LPF 15 generates, as the vibration signal d1, a signal including only frequency components having frequencies equal to or lower than the threshold value n among the plurality of frequency components included in the sound signal c1. The threshold n is, for example, 100 Hz. Subsequently, the LPF 15 provides the vibration signal d1 to the vibrating portion 7. FIG. The vibrating section 7 gives the seat 6 vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1, that is, vibration according to the travel of the vehicle 100 . Therefore, a passenger using the seat 6 can feel the vibrations caused by the running of the vehicle 100 .

Thereafter, the operation shown in FIG. 8 is repeated until the operation unit 4 receives an end operation from the passenger.

If the operation shown in FIG. 8 is repeated while the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the virtual engine sound emitted from the speaker 5 changes, for example, in accordance with the increase in the rotational speed of the virtual engine. Further, when the operation shown in FIG. 8 is repeated while the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the vibration given to the seat 6 by the vibrating portion 7 changes according to the change in the virtual engine sound. Therefore, while the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the passenger using the seat 6 can listen to the virtual engine sound, which changes according to the increase in the rotation speed of the virtual engine, and listen to the change in the virtual engine sound. You can feel the corresponding vibration.

A virtual engine sound emitted from the speaker 5 while the vehicle 100 is accelerating is an example of a sound corresponding to the acceleration. The vibration given to the seat 6 by the vibrating portion 7 when the vehicle 100 is accelerating is an example of the vibration corresponding to the acceleration.

When the operation shown in FIG. 8 is repeated while the vehicle 100 is decelerating, the virtual engine sound emitted from the speaker 5 changes, for example, according to the decrease in the rotational speed of the virtual engine. Further, when the operation shown in FIG. 8 is repeated while the vehicle 100 is decelerating, the vibration given to the seat 6 by the vibrating portion 7 changes according to the change in the virtual engine sound. Therefore, while the vehicle 100 is decelerating, the passenger using the seat 6 can listen to the virtual engine sound that changes according to the decrease in the rotation speed of the virtual engine, for example. You can feel the corresponding vibration.

The virtual engine sound emitted from the speaker 5 while the vehicle 100 is decelerating is an example of the sound corresponding to the deceleration. The vibration given to the seat 6 by the vibrating portion 7 when the vehicle 100 is decelerating is an example of the vibration corresponding to the deceleration.

A6: Summary of First Embodiment The LPF 15 generates the vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1 indicating the virtual engine sound according to the running of the vehicle 100. FIG. Therefore, the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 is interlocked with the virtual engine sound. Therefore, a passenger who feels the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 while listening to the virtual engine sound can get a sense of immersion in driving by feeling the vibration linked to the virtual engine sound.

B: Modifications Modifications of the first embodiment are shown below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following aspects may be combined as appropriate within a mutually consistent range.

B1: First Modification In the first embodiment, the threshold n of the LPF 15 may be changed based on the sound signal c1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a signal generating device 1A according to the first modified example. The signal generation device 1A includes an adjustment section 16 in addition to the constituent elements of the signal generation device 1 shown in FIG.

The adjustment section 16 and the LPF 15 are included in the vibration control section 17A. Each of the adjustment unit 16 and the vibration control unit 17A is implemented by the processing device 12 that executes the program p1. Each of the adjustment unit 16 and the vibration control unit 17A may be implemented by a circuit such as a DSP.

The vibration control section 17A generates the vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1. The vibration control section 17A is another example of the second generation section.

The adjuster 16 adjusts the threshold n of the LPF 15 based on the sound signal c1. For example, the adjuster 16 adjusts the threshold n based on the amplitude of the sound signal c1. For example, the adjustment unit 16 increases the threshold value n as the amplitude of the sound signal c1 increases. Also, the adjustment unit 16 lowers the threshold value n according to the decrease in the amplitude of the sound signal c1.

An increase in the amplitude of the sound signal c1 means an increase in volume of the virtual engine sound. Raising the threshold n allows an increase in the component of vibration exhibited by the vibration signal d1. Therefore, when the adjustment unit 16 increases the threshold value n in accordance with an increase in the amplitude of the sound signal c1, the passenger who feels the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 will experience the vibration in response to an increase in volume of the virtual engine sound. can feel an increase in

The adjustment unit 16 may lower the threshold value n as the amplitude of the sound signal c1 increases. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 increases the threshold value n according to the decrease in the amplitude of the sound signal c1. Passengers who feel the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 tend to feel vibrations corresponding to low-pitched virtual engine sounds (sounds having a frequency equal to or lower than the threshold value n) as the volume of the virtual engine sounds increases.

When the sound signal c1 is repeatedly output, the adjustment unit 16 may adjust the threshold value n based on the period of the sound signal c1. For example, the adjustment unit 16 increases the threshold n as the period of the sound signal c1 increases. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 lowers the threshold value n according to the decrease in the period of the sound signal c1. The adjustment unit 16 may lower the threshold value n as the period of the sound signal c1 increases. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 increases the threshold value n according to the decrease in the period of the sound signal c1.

The adjustment unit 16 may receive the speed information a1. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 may adjust the threshold value n based on the speed information a1. For example, the adjustment unit 16 increases the threshold value n according to an increase in the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 lowers the threshold value n according to the decrease in the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1. A passenger who feels the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 can feel the vibration increase as the speed of the vehicle 100 increases.

The adjustment unit 16 may lower the threshold value n according to the increase in the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 increases the threshold value n according to the decrease in the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1. Passengers who feel the vibration indicated by vibration signal d1 tend to feel vibration corresponding to low-pitched virtual engine sound (sound having a frequency equal to or lower than threshold value n) as vehicle 100 increases in speed.

The determining unit 141 may provide the adjusting unit 16 with acceleration information indicating whether the vehicle 100 is accelerating. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 may adjust the threshold n based on the acceleration information.

For example, when the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 sets the threshold n to 100 Hz. When the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is not accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 sets the threshold n to 0 Hz. In this case, only when the vehicle 100 is accelerating, a virtual engine sound during acceleration and vibration during acceleration are generated.

The adjustment unit 16 may set the threshold n to 0 Hz when the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is accelerating. In this case, when the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is not accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 sets the threshold value n to 100 Hz, for example. The value of the threshold n is not limited to 0 Hz and 100 Hz and can be changed as appropriate.

In the first modified example, when a BPF is used instead of the LPF 15, the adjuster 16 may change the passband (band for passing frequency components) of the BPF based on the sound signal c1. For example, the adjustment unit 16 increases the passband of the BPF as the amplitude of the sound signal c1 increases. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 reduces the passband of the BPF according to the reduction in the amplitude of the sound signal c1. The adjustment unit 16 may decrease the passband of the BPF as the amplitude of the sound signal c1 increases. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 increases the passband of the BPF according to the decrease in the amplitude of the sound signal c1.

The adjustment unit 16 may shift the passband of the BPF to the high frequency side or the low frequency side according to the change in the amplitude of the sound signal c1. The adjustment unit 16 may increase the passband of the BPF according to an increase in the period of the sound signal c1. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 reduces the passband of the BPF according to the reduction in the period of the sound signal c1. The adjustment unit 16 may decrease the passband of the BPF as the period of the sound signal c1 increases. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 increases the passband of the BPF according to the decrease in the period of the sound signal c1. The adjustment unit 16 may shift the passband of the BPF to the high frequency side or the low frequency side according to the change in the period of the sound signal c1.

The adjustment unit 16 may change the passband of the BPF based on the speed information a1. For example, when the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 falls within a range of less than 40 km/h, the adjustment unit 16 sets the passband of the BPF to a band of 0 to 100 Hz. When the speed of vehicle 100 indicated by speed information a1 is in the range of 40 km/h or more and less than 80 km/h, adjustment unit 16 sets the passband of the BPF to a band of 100 to 300 Hz. When the speed of vehicle 100 indicated by speed information a1 is in the range of 80 km/h or more and less than 120 km/h, adjustment unit 16 sets the pass band of BPF to a band of 300 to 500 Hz. The relationship between the speed of the vehicle 100 and the passband of the BPF is not limited to the relationship described above and can be changed as appropriate.

The adjustment unit 16 may change the passband of the BPF based on the acceleration information. For example, when the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 sets the passband of the BPF to a band of 0 to 100 Hz. When the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is not accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 sets the passband of the BPF to a band of 0 to 1 Hz. In this case, when the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the passenger who is given the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 will hear the virtual engine sound during acceleration and the vibration during acceleration more than when the vehicle 100 is not accelerating. , easy to recognize. When the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 may set the passband of the BPF to a band of 0 to 1 Hz. In this case, when the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is not accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 sets the pass band of the BPF to a band of 0 to 100 Hz. The value of the pass band of the BPF is not limited to the band of 0 to 100 Hz and the band of 0 to 1 Hz, and can be changed as appropriate.

In the first modified example, when the HPF is used instead of the LPF 15, the adjusting section 16 may change the passband of the HPF based on the sound signal c1. The adjustment unit 16 may change the passband of the HPF based on the speed information a1. The adjustment unit 16 may change the passband of the HPF based on the acceleration information.

Changing the threshold value n, changing the passband of the BPF, and changing the passband of the HPF mean changing the range of frequency components (frequency range) used to generate the vibration signal d1. Changing the range of frequency components used to generate the vibration signal d1 is an example of changing some of the plurality of sound components used to generate the vibration signal d1.

According to the first modification, the vibration control section 17A changes some of the sound components used to generate the vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1, the speed information a1, or the acceleration information. Therefore, a passenger who feels the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 while listening to the sound indicated by the sound signal c1 will feel the vibration that changes according to the sound signal c1, the speed of the vehicle 100, or whether the vehicle 100 is accelerating or not. , you can get an immersive feeling for driving.

In the first modification, similarly to the first embodiment, the vibration signal d1 is composed of frequency components transmitted through the LPF 15, BPF, or HPF among the plurality of frequency components included in the sound signal c1. Therefore, it is easier to generate the vibration signal d1 linked to the sound signal c1 than in the case of generating the vibration signal d1 using components not included in the sound signal c1.

B2: Second Modification In the first embodiment and the first modification, the vibration signal d1 may be a vibration signal that is associated in advance with the frequency component transmitted through the LPF 15 among the plurality of frequency components included in the sound signal c1. .

The second modification includes a signal processing section located after the LPF 15 in addition to the constituent elements of the signal generation device 1 shown in FIG.

The signal processing section and LPF 15 are included in the vibration control section. The vibration control section of the second modification may include the adjustment section 16 shown in FIG. 9 in addition to the signal processing section and the LPF 15 . Each of the signal processing section and the vibration control section of the second modification is implemented by the processing device 12 that executes the program p1. Each of the signal processing section and the vibration control section of the second modification may be implemented by a circuit such as a DSP.

The vibration control section (LPF 15 and signal processing section) of the second modification generates the vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1. The vibration control section of the second modified example is another example of the second generation section.

The signal processing unit generates, as the vibration signal d1, a vibration signal that is associated in advance with frequency components that pass through the LPF 15 among the plurality of frequency components included in the sound signal c1. For example, the signal processor generates the vibration signal d1 by using the vibration information. The vibration information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between frequency components equal to or lower than the threshold value n and vibration data. The vibration data is data defining a predetermined vibration signal. Vibration information is stored in the storage device 11 . Upon receiving the frequency component transmitted through the LPF 15, the signal processing unit reads vibration data associated with the frequency component equal to or lower than the threshold value n in the vibration information. Subsequently, the signal processing unit generates a vibration signal determined by the vibration data as the vibration signal d1. Subsequently, the signal processing section provides the vibration signal d1 to the vibrating section 7 .

The vibration control unit of the second modification generates, as the vibration signal d1, a vibration signal that is associated in advance with the frequency component that has passed through the LPF 15 among the plurality of frequency components included in the sound signal c1. For this reason, the vibration control unit of the second modification generates a vibration signal d1 that is different from a signal composed of frequency components that have passed through the LPF 15. It can be generated according to timing. Also, the vibration signal d1 can be changed by changing the vibration data.

B3: Third Modification In the first embodiment and the first and second modifications, the signal generator 142 generates a stereo signal having the right channel signal Rc1 and the left channel signal Lc1 as the sound signal c1. may The right channel signal Rc1 and the left channel signal Lc1 are examples of a plurality of waveform components having mutually different waveforms, and are other examples of a plurality of mutually different sound components.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a signal generation device 1C according to the third modification. The signal generation device 1C includes a synthesizing section 19 in addition to the constituent elements of the signal generation device 1 shown in FIG.

Synthesizer 19 and LPF 15 are included in vibration controller 17C. The vibration control section 17C may include the adjusting section 16 shown in FIG. 9 in addition to the synthesizing section 19 and the LPF 15 . Synthesis unit 19 and vibration control unit 17C are each implemented by processing device 12 that executes program p1. Each of the synthesizing unit 19 and the vibration control unit 17C may be implemented by a circuit such as a DSP.

The vibration control section 17C generates the vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1. The vibration control section 17C is another example of the second generation section.

The signal generation unit 142 of the signal generation device 1C generates a stereo signal having the right channel signal Rc1 and the left channel signal Lc1 as the sound signal c1. Synthesis unit 19 generates synthesized signal Q1 by synthesizing right channel signal Rc1 and left channel signal Lc1. The synthesizing unit 19 provides the synthesized signal Q1 to the LPF 15 .

According to this configuration, even when the sound signal c1 is a stereo signal, the passenger who feels the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 while listening to the sound indicated by the sound signal c1 can feel the vibration linked to the sound indicated by the sound signal c1. By feeling it, a sense of immersion in driving can be obtained.

The vibration control section 17C may be changed to a vibration control section 17D as shown in FIG. Vibration control section 17D may include selection section 20 . Each of the vibration control section 17D and the selection section 20 is implemented by the processing device 12 that executes the program p1. Each of the vibration control section 17D and the selection section 20 may be implemented by a circuit such as a DSP.

The vibration control section 17D generates the vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1. The vibration control section 17D is another example of the second generation section.

The selector 20 selects either the right channel signal Rc1 or the left channel signal Lc1 as the vibration signal d1. The signal selected by the selection unit 20 from the right channel signal Rc1 and the left channel signal Lc1 is an example of a part of a plurality of sound components. The selection unit 20 provides the vibration signal d1 to the vibration unit 7 .

The vibration control unit 17D generates the vibration signal d1 based only on some of the multiple sound components included in the sound signal c1. The vibration control unit 17D can generate the vibration signal d1 without using a filter such as the LPF 15.

The vibration control section 17D may include the adjustment section 16 shown in FIG. In this case, the adjustment unit 16 switches the signal selected by the selection unit 20 as the vibration signal d1 between the right channel signal Rc1 and the left channel signal Lc1 based on the sound signal c1, the speed information a1, or the acceleration information. For example, when the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 causes the selection unit 20 to select the right channel signal Rc1 as the vibration signal d1. When the acceleration information indicates that the vehicle 100 is not accelerating, the adjustment unit 16 causes the selection unit 20 to select the left channel signal Lc1 as the vibration signal d1.

In this case, the vibration control unit 17D changes some of the sound components used to generate the vibration signal d1 based on the sound signal c1, the speed information a1, or the acceleration information. Therefore, a passenger who feels the vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1 while listening to the sound indicated by the sound signal c1 will feel the vibration that changes according to the sound signal c1, the speed of the vehicle 100, or the acceleration/non-acceleration information of the vehicle 100. By this, a sense of immersion in driving can be obtained.

In the third modified example, the signal generator 142 may generate an operation sound signal Dc1 representing the sound emitted by the virtual engine itself instead of one of the right channel signal Rc1 and the left channel signal Lc1. In this case, the signal generator 142 generates a noise sound signal Nc1 indicating noise sound instead of the other of the right channel signal Rc1 and the left channel signal Lc1. In this configuration, a signal combiner is added. A signal synthesizing unit is realized by the processing device 12 that executes the program p1. The signal synthesizing section may be implemented by a circuit such as a DSP. The signal synthesizer generates a synthesized sound signal by synthesizing the operation sound signal Dc1 and the noise sound signal Nc1. The signal synthesizer provides the synthesized sound signal to the speaker 5 . In this configuration, the selection unit 20 selects the operation sound signal Dc1 as the vibration signal d1 from the operation sound signal Dc1 and the noise sound signal Nc1.

B4: Fourth Modification In the first embodiment, an audio source 15a and an amplifier 15b may be added. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle 100 according to a fourth modification.

The audio source 15a outputs an audio signal representing music or the like. The audio source 15a is, for example, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player or a CD (Compact Disc) player.

The amplifier 15b is a two-channel output amplifier, and receives the sound signal c1, the vibration signal d1, and the audio signal. The amplifier 15b distributes the sound signal c1, the vibration signal d1, and the audio signal to the speaker 5 and the vibrating section 7, respectively. For example, the amplifier 15b amplifies a mixed signal obtained by mixing the audio signal and the sound signal c1, and outputs the amplified mixed signal to the speaker 5. FIG. The amplifier 15 b amplifies the vibration signal d 1 and outputs the amplified vibration signal d 1 to the vibrating section 7 . The amplifier 15b may distribute the sound signal c1, the vibration signal d1, and the audio signal differently from the above-described distribution.
The processing device 12 may be implemented using a general-purpose DSP-equipped amplifier (general-purpose component) for sound signal processing. The number of output channels of such general-purpose parts is specified in the specification, but by diverting some of the output channels to drive the vibrating part 7, which is different from the original purpose (driving the speaker), vibration can be achieved. There is an effect that a special amplifier for driving the unit 7 becomes unnecessary.

B5: Fifth Modification In the first embodiment, the vehicle 100 may include the information generation device 8 instead of the signal generation device 1 . Vehicle 100 may further include display unit 9 . FIG. 13 shows an example of a vehicle 100 according to a fifth modified example.

The display unit 9 is a liquid crystal display. The display unit 9 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, for example. The display unit 9 may be a touch panel. The display unit 9 displays various information.

The information generation device 8 generates effect designation information Rc that designates a light effect according to the running of the vehicle 100 . The information generation device 8 includes a storage device 8a and a processing device 8b. The storage device 8a may be an external element of the information generating device 8. FIG.

The storage device 8a is a computer-readable recording medium. The storage device 8a includes non-volatile memory and volatile memory.

The storage device 8a stores a program p2 and various information. The program p2 defines the operation of the information generation device 8. FIG. The storage device 8a may store a program p2 read from a storage device in a server (not shown). In this case, the storage device in the server is an example of a computer-readable recording medium.

The processing device 8b is composed of one or more CPUs. The processing device 8b reads the program p2 from the storage device 8a. The processing device 8b functions as an acquisition unit 81, a generation unit 82, a sound control unit 83, a vibration control unit 84, and a light control unit 85 by executing the program p2. At least one of the acquisition unit 81, the generation unit 82, the sound control unit 83, the vibration control unit 84, and the light control unit 85 may be realized by circuits such as DSP, ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. At least one of the sound control section 83 , the vibration control section 84 and the light control section 85 may be an external element of the information generating device 8 . At least one of the sound control section 83 and the vibration control section 84 may be omitted.

Acquisition unit 81 acquires speed information a1 from vehicle speed measuring instrument 3A. The acquisition unit 81 acquires accelerator information b1 from the motor control unit 34 .
For example, the acquiring unit 81 acquires the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1 by the same method as the method for acquiring the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1 by the acquiring unit 13 in the first embodiment. Speed information a<b>1 is an example of first information relating to travel of vehicle 100 or operation of vehicle 100 . Accelerator information b<b>1 is an example of second information related to running of vehicle 100 or an operation to vehicle 100 . The speed information a1 is also another example of the second information. If the speed information a1 is another example of the second information, the accelerator information b1 is another example of the first information.

The generation unit 82 generates sound designation information Ra based on the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1 acquired by the acquisition unit 81 . The sound designation information Ra is information that designates a sound according to running of the vehicle 100 . Generation unit 82 includes a determination unit 821 and an information generation unit 822 .

The determination unit 821 generates rotation speed information f1 based on the speed information a1. The method by which the determination unit 821 generates the rotation speed information f1 is the same as the method by which the determination unit 141 in the first embodiment generates the rotation speed information f1.

Information generator 822 generates sound designation information Ra based on accelerator information b1 and rotation speed information f1. The information generation section 822 provides the sound designation information Ra to the sound control section 83 .

The sound designation information Ra designates an operating sound and a noise sound. The operating sound is the sound emitted by the virtual engine itself. The noise sound is the sound of noise that accompanies the running of the vehicle 100 . A sound including an operation sound and a noise sound is an example of a sound according to the running of the vehicle 100 . The operation sound and the noise sound are examples of a plurality of components included in the sound corresponding to running of the vehicle 100 . The plurality of sound components are not limited to operating sound and noise sound, and may include, for example, operating sound, noise sound, and intake sound caused by intake by a virtual engine. The plurality of sound components may be four or more different sound components. The sound specified by the sound specifying information Ra is not limited to the operation sound and the noise sound. For example, the sound designation information Ra may designate a sound unrelated to the engine sound, or may designate a sound effect that makes the vehicle 100 feel accelerated.

The sound designation information Ra includes operation information DRa designating an operation sound and noise information NRa designating a noise sound.

The operation information DRa indicates the channel CH1 corresponding to the operation sound, the pitch of the operation sound PT1, and the gain GA1 of the operation sound. The pitch PT1 of the operating sound corresponds to the frequency of the operating sound. The operating sound gain GA1 corresponds to the amplitude of the operating sound.

The noise information NRa indicates the channel CH2 corresponding to the noise sound, the pitch PT2 of the noise sound, and the gain GA2 of the noise sound. The pitch PT2 of the noise sound corresponds to the frequency of the noise sound. The gain GA2 of the noise sound corresponds to the amplitude of the noise sound.

Information generator 822 generates vibration designation information Rb. Vibration designation information Rb is information that designates vibration according to running of vehicle 100 . The information generator 822 generates vibration designation information Rb based on the sound designation information Ra, for example. For example, the information generator 822 generates vibration designation information Rb including sound designation information Ra. The information generator 822 may also use the sound designation information Ra as the vibration designation information Rb. When the sound designation information Ra is also used as the vibration designation information Rb, the sound designation information Ra is an example of the vibration designation information Rb. Even when the sound designation information Ra is also used as the vibration designation information Rb, the vibration designation information Rb includes the sound designation information Ra. The information generating section 822 provides the vibration specifying information Rb to the vibration control section 84 .

The information generation unit 822 generates effect designation information Rc. The effect designation information Rc is information that designates a light effect according to the running of the vehicle 100 . For example, the display unit 9 executes the light effect according to the running of the vehicle 100 . The information generation unit 822 generates effect designation information Rc based on the sound designation information Ra, for example. For example, the information generating section 822 generates effect designation information Rc including sound designation information Ra. The information generation unit 822 may also use the sound designation information Ra as the effect designation information Rc. When the sound designation information Ra is also used as the effect designation information Rc, the sound designation information Ra is an example of the effect designation information Rc. Even when the sound designation information Ra is also used as the effect designation information Rc, the effect designation information Rc includes the sound designation information Ra. The information generator 822 provides the effect designation information Rc to the light controller 85 .

The sound control unit 83 generates a sound signal c1 based on the sound designation information Ra. For example, the sound control unit 83 generates a sound signal indicating the sound designated by the sound designation information Ra as the sound signal c1. For example, the sound control unit 83 outputs a sound signal indicating a synthesized sound obtained by synthesizing the operation sound specified by the operation information DRa and the noise sound specified by the noise information NRb as the sound signal c1. Generate.

The vibration control section 84 generates the vibration signal d1 based on the vibration specifying information Rb. For example, the vibration control unit 84 generates a vibration signal indicating vibration based on the operation information DRa and the noise information NRb as the vibration signal d1.

The light control unit 85 generates an effect signal z1 based on the effect specifying information Rc. The effect signal z1 is a signal indicating a light effect according to the running of the vehicle. The light control section 85 controls the display section 9 by providing the display section 9 with the effect signal z1. For example, the light control section 85 causes the display section 9 to display an image T1 based on the operation information DRa and an image T2 based on the noise information NRb.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of each of the image T1 and the image T2. 14 shows, in addition to the image T1 and the image T2, the display section 9, the right end 9R of the display section 9, the X-axis 9a along the horizontal direction of the display section 9, and the Y-axis 9b along the vertical direction of the display section 9. and indicate.

An image T1 shows an object Ta1 having a mountain shape. The light control unit 85 determines the position of the object Ta1 in the direction along the X-axis 9a based on the pitch PT1 of the operating sound. For example, the higher the operating sound pitch PT1, the more the light control unit 85 brings the position of the object Ta1 closer to the right end 9R of the display unit 9 in the direction along the X-axis 9a. The light control unit 85 determines the height of the object Ta1 in the direction along the Y-axis 9b based on the operating sound gain GA1. For example, the greater the operating sound gain GA1, the greater the light control unit 85 increases the height of the object Ta1 in the direction along the Y-axis 9b.

The image T2 shows an object Tb1 having a wave shape. The light control unit 85 displays the object Tb1 along the X-axis 9a. The light control unit 85 determines the amplitude (the height in the direction along the Y-axis 9b) of the object Tb1 based on the gain GA2 of the noise sound. For example, the greater the noise sound gain GA2, the greater the light control unit 85 increases the amplitude of the object Tb1.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of each of the image T1 and the image T2. FIG. 15 shows the display section 9 in addition to the image T1 and the image T2. Image T1 shows an object Ta2 having a circular shape. The shape of the object Ta2 is not limited to a circular shape, and may be, for example, a polygonal shape or an elliptical shape. The object Ta2 moves while bouncing off the frame of the screen indicated by the display unit 9. FIG. The light control unit 85 determines the color of the object Ta2 based on the pitch PT1 of the operating sound. For example, the higher the operating sound pitch PT1, the more the light control unit 85 makes the color of the object Ta2 closer to white from a color other than white such as green. Colors other than white are not limited to green and can be changed as appropriate. Colors such as black or yellow may be used instead of white. The light control unit 85 determines the number of objects Ta2 based on the operating sound gain GA1. For example, the light control unit 85 increases the number of objects Ta2 as the operating sound gain GA1 increases.

The image T2 shows an object Tb2 having a line shape. The object Tb2 moves while bouncing off the frame of the screen indicated by the display unit 9 . The light control unit 85 determines the color of the object Tb2 based on the noise pitch PT2. For example, the higher the operating sound pitch PT2, the more the light control unit 85 makes the color of the object Tb2 closer to white from a color other than white, such as blue. Colors other than white are not limited to blue and can be changed as appropriate. Colors such as black or yellow may be used instead of white. The light control unit 85 determines the width of the object Tb2 based on the gain GA2 of the noise sound. For example, the light control unit 85 increases the width of the object Tb2 as the gain GA2 of the noise sound increases.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the sound control section 83. As shown in FIG. Sound control section 83 includes sound sources 831 and 834 , pitch adjustment sections 832 and 835 , gain adjustment sections 833 and 836 , and synthesis section 837 .

The sound source 831 generates a sound signal u1 representing the basic operating sound according to the channel CH1 corresponding to the operating sound. The pitch adjustment unit 832 generates the sound signal u2 by adjusting the pitch of the sound signal u1 based on the pitch PT1 of the operating sound. The gain adjustment unit 833 generates the sound signal u3 by amplifying the sound signal u2 based on the gain GA1 of the operating sound.

The sound source 834 generates a sound signal u4 representing the basic noise sound according to the channel CH2 corresponding to the noise sound. The pitch adjustment section 835 generates the sound signal u5 by adjusting the pitch of the sound signal u4 based on the pitch PT2 of the noise sound. The gain adjustment unit 836 generates the sound signal u6 by amplifying the sound signal u5 based on the noise sound gain GA2.

The synthesizing unit 837 generates the sound signal c1 by synthesizing the sound signal u3 and the sound signal u6.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the vibration control section 84. As shown in FIG. Vibration control section 84 includes signal sources 841 and 844 , frequency adjustment sections 842 and 845 , gain adjustment sections 843 and 846 , and synthesis section 847 .

The signal source 841 generates the vibration signal w1 according to the channel CH1 corresponding to the operating sound. The vibration signal w1 indicates vibration based on the basic operating sound. For example, the vibration signal w1 is a signal composed of frequency components having a frequency equal to or lower than the threshold value n (for example, 100 Hz) among the multiple frequency components of the sound signal u1 representing the basic operating sound. The vibration signal w1 may be a signal composed of frequency components having a frequency equal to or lower than a threshold value n1, which is larger than the threshold value n, among the plurality of frequency components of the sound signal u1. The vibration signal w1 may be a signal composed of frequency components having a frequency equal to or lower than a threshold value n2, which is smaller than the threshold value n, among the plurality of frequency components of the sound signal u1. The vibration signal w1 may be a sound signal u1 representing a basic operating sound. The frequency adjuster 842 generates the vibration signal w2 by adjusting the frequency of the vibration signal w1 based on the pitch PT1 of the operating sound. The gain adjustment unit 843 generates the vibration signal w3 by amplifying the vibration signal w2 based on the gain GA1 of the operating sound.

Signal source 844 generates vibration signal w4 in response to channel CH2 corresponding to noise sound. A vibration signal w4 indicates vibration based on a basic noise sound. For example, the vibration signal w4 is a signal composed of frequency components having a frequency equal to or lower than the threshold value n among the plurality of frequency components of the sound signal u4 representing the basic noise sound. The vibration signal w4 may be a signal composed of frequency components having a frequency equal to or lower than the threshold value n1 among the multiple frequency components of the sound signal u4. The vibration signal w4 may be a signal composed of frequency components having a frequency equal to or lower than the threshold value n2 among the multiple frequency components of the sound signal u4. The vibration signal w4 may be a sound signal u4 representing a basic noise sound. The frequency adjuster 845 generates the vibration signal w5 by adjusting the frequency of the vibration signal w4 based on the noise pitch PT2. The gain adjustment unit 846 generates the vibration signal w6 by amplifying the vibration signal w5 based on the gain GA2 of the noise sound.

The synthesizing unit 847 generates the vibration signal d1 by synthesizing the vibration signal w3 and the vibration signal w6.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the information generation device 8. As shown in FIG. Steps S201 to S207 shown in FIG. 18 correspond to steps S101 to S107 shown in FIG. In the description of steps S201 to S207, the storage device 11, acquisition unit 13, determination unit 141 and signal generation unit 142 in the description of steps S101 to S107 are replaced with storage device 8a, acquisition unit 81, determination unit 821 and information generation unit 822. It is realized by reading each.

When the information generation unit 822 determines the running state of the vehicle 100 in step S207, the information generation unit 822 generates sound designation information Ra in step S208.

In step S208, the information generation unit 822 generates sound designation information Ra using, for example, the running state of the vehicle 100 and the sound information h2.

The sound information h2 is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the running state of the vehicle 100 and the sound specifying information Ra corresponding to the running state of the vehicle 100 .

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence indicated by the sound information h2. The sound information h2 indicates the correspondence relationship between the regions K1 to K25 indicating the running state of the vehicle 100 and the sound designation information Ra1 to Ra25. The sound designation information Ra1-Ra25 corresponds to the areas K1-K25 one-to-one. For example, sound designation information Ra1 corresponds to area K1, and sound designation information Ra25 corresponds to area K25. The sound designation information Ra1 to Ra25 are different from each other. Each of sound designation information Ra1 to Ra25 designates a virtual engine sound corresponding to the corresponding area K25 (corresponding running state of vehicle 100). Each of the sound designation information Ra1 to Ra25 designates a sound simulating the engine sound of an engine that actually exists. Each of the sound specifying information Ra1 to Ra25 may specify the engine sound of a fictitious engine.

Information generation unit 822 generates, as sound designation information Ra, information corresponding to region K determined as the running state of vehicle 100, among sound designation information Ra1 to Ra25 indicated in sound information h2.

Subsequently, in step S209 shown in FIG. 18, the information generator 822 generates vibration designation information Rb including sound designation information Ra. If the sound designation information Ra also serves as the vibration designation information Rb, step S209 is omitted.

Subsequently, in step S210, the information generation unit 822 generates effect designation information Rc including sound designation information Ra. Step S210 may be performed between steps S208 and S209. If the sound designation information Ra also serves as the effect designation information Rc, step S210 is omitted.

Subsequently, in step S211, the sound control unit 83 generates the sound signal c1 based on the sound designation information Ra. Subsequently, the sound controller 83 provides the speaker 5 with the sound signal c1. The speaker 5 outputs a virtual engine sound indicated by the sound signal c1. Therefore, the passenger can hear the virtual engine sound according to the running of the vehicle 100 . The timing at which step S211 is executed is not limited to between step S210 and step S212, which will be described later, and may be after step S208.

Subsequently, in step S212, the vibration control unit 84 generates the vibration signal d1 based on the vibration designation information Rb. Subsequently, the vibration control section 84 provides the vibration signal d1 to the vibrating section 7 . The vibrating section 7 gives the seat 6 vibration indicated by the vibration signal d1, that is, vibration according to the travel of the vehicle 100 . Therefore, a passenger using the seat 6 can feel the vibrations caused by the running of the vehicle 100 . The timing at which step S212 is executed is not limited to between step S211 and step S213, which will be described later, and may be after step S209.

Subsequently, in step S213, the light control section 85 generates the effect signal z1 based on the effect specifying information Rc. Subsequently, the light control section 85 provides the display section 9 with the effect signal z1. The display unit 9 displays an image T1 based on the operation information DRa and an image T2 based on the noise information NRb based on the effect signal z1. The timing at which step S213 is executed is not limited to after step S212, and may be after step S210.

According to the fifth modification, the generator 82 generates the effect specifying information Rc based on the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1. Therefore, the light effect specified by the effect specifying information Rc changes based on the speed of the vehicle 100 indicated by the speed information a1 and the accelerator opening indicated by the accelerator information b1. Therefore, the passenger can get a feeling of being immersed in the driving by feeling the lighting effects that change based on the speed of the vehicle 100 and the degree of opening of the accelerator.

The effect specifying information Rc includes sound specifying information Ra specifying a plurality of sound components. Therefore, it is possible to realize a lighting effect according to a plurality of sound components as shown in FIG. 14 or 15 .

The plurality of sound components may be, for example, the three waveform components shown in FIGS. 20-22. The waveform component shown in FIG. 20 is an example of a waveform representing noise sound. The waveform components shown in FIG. 20 may be used as the waveform representing the basic noise sound. The waveform component shown in FIG. 21 is an example of a waveform representing an attack element in virtual engine sound. The waveform component shown in FIG. 22 is an example of a waveform representing the sound following the attack element in the virtual engine sound. The two waveform components shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 may be used as waveforms representing the elements that make up the basic operating sound.

The sound designation information Ra is not limited to information designating a plurality of sound components, and may be data representing the waveform of the sound signal c1, for example. Even if the sound designation information Ra is data indicating the waveform of the sound signal c1, it is possible to realize a light effect according to the sound indicated by the sound signal c1.

The effect of light according to the running of the vehicle 100 is not limited to the effect of display on the display unit 9 . For example, when the vehicle 100 has a light emitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), the light control unit 85 causes the light emitting unit located in the vehicle 100 to perform light production according to the running of the vehicle 100. good too. A light-emitting unit located in vehicle 100 is provided, for example, on any one of a steering wheel, a shift knob, and an armrest. The light control unit 85 may cause both the light-emitting unit located in the vehicle 100 and the display unit 9 to perform light production according to the running of the vehicle 100 .

In the sound designation information Ra, either one of the operating sound pitch PT1 and the operating sound gain GA1 may be omitted. In this case, the sound designation information Ra can be simplified.
In the sound designation information Ra, one of the noise pitch PT2 and the noise gain GA2 may be omitted. In this case, the sound designation information Ra can be simplified.

B6: Sixth Modification In a fifth modification, the audio source 15a and amplifier 15b shown in FIG. 12 may be added. Also, in the fifth modification, a light control module 85a may be used instead of the light control section 85. FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of vehicle 100 according to a sixth modification.

The light control module 85 a is a device different from the information generation device 8 . The light control module 85a, like the light control unit 85, generates the effect signal z1 based on the effect specifying information Rc. The data format of the effect specifying information Rc may be a general-purpose format or a unique format. When the effect of light is linked to sound (for example, when the effect designation information Rc includes sound designation information Ra), a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) format may be used as the data format of the effect designation information Rc.
By making the light control module 85a separate from the information generating device 8 in this way, it is possible to support various types of display units 9 and to achieve various light presentations.

B7: Seventh Modification In the first embodiment and the first to sixth modifications, the vehicle 100 may have an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle 100. FIG. Each of acquisition unit 13 and acquisition unit 81 may acquire the output of the acceleration sensor, that is, the information indicating the acceleration of vehicle 100 instead of accelerator information b1. The output of the acceleration sensor is another example of information regarding vehicle travel. Each of the generator 14 and the generator 82 may use the output of the acceleration sensor instead of the speed information a1 and the accelerator information b1. For example, generation unit 14 and generation unit 82 each determine whether vehicle 100 is accelerating based on the output of the acceleration sensor. In addition, instead of indicating the correspondence between the virtual engine rotation speed, the accelerator opening, and the running state of the vehicle 100, the travel information g1 indicates the rotation speed of the virtual engine, the output of the acceleration sensor, and the vehicle 100. and the corresponding relationship between the running state of Each of generation units 14 and 82 determines the running state of vehicle 100 using running information g1, rotational speed information f1, and the output of the acceleration sensor.

According to the seventh modification, the sound signal c1 can be generated based on the speed information a1 and the output of the acceleration sensor.

B8: Eighth Modification In the first embodiment and the first to fourth modifications, the obtaining unit 13 may obtain the speed information a1 without obtaining the accelerator information b1. In this case, the generator 14 generates the sound signal c1 based on the speed information a1. For example, the generation unit 14 generates the sound signal c1 corresponding to the speed information a1 by using information indicating the correspondence relationship between the speed information a1 and the sound signal c1.

In the first embodiment and the first to fourth modifications, the acquisition unit 13 may acquire accelerator information b1 without acquiring speed information a1. In this case, the generator 14 generates the sound signal c1 based on the accelerator information b1. For example, the generator 14 generates the sound signal c1 corresponding to the accelerator information b1 by using information indicating the correspondence between the accelerator information b1 and the sound signal c1.

According to the eighth modification, the generator 14 can generate the sound signal c1 based on one type of information. Therefore, the method of generating the sound signal c1 can be simplified compared to the configuration in which the sound signal c1 is generated based on a plurality of types of information.

In the eighth modified example, the one type of information used to generate the sound signal is not limited to the speed information a1 or the accelerator information b1, but may be the output of an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle 100, for example. In this case, the generation unit 14 generates the sound signal c1 corresponding to the output of the acceleration sensor by using information indicating the correspondence between the output of the acceleration sensor and the sound signal c1.

B9: Ninth Modification In the first embodiment and the first to eighth modifications, the sound indicated by the sound signal c1 is not limited to the virtual engine sound. good. The reference tempo is, for example, a tempo equal to or higher than the average human heart rate. A piece of music having a tempo equal to or higher than the reference tempo is another example of the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle. In the first embodiment and the first to eighth modifications, the vehicle 100 is not limited to an electric vehicle, and may be an automobile that runs using an engine as a power source.

C: Aspects Understandable from the Above Modes and Modifications The following aspects are understood from at least one of the above-described modes and modifications.

C1: First Aspect A signal generation device according to an aspect (first aspect) of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about travel of a vehicle or an operation on the vehicle, and based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, a first generation unit for generating a sound signal indicating sound according to running of the vehicle; and generating a vibration signal indicating vibration according to running of the vehicle based on the sound signal generated by the first generation unit. and a second generator that

According to this aspect, the second generator generates the vibration signal based on the sound signal indicating the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which a sound signal and a vibration signal are separately generated, the vibration indicated by the vibration signal is associated with the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle. Therefore, a passenger who feels the vibration indicated by the vibration signal while listening to the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle can feel the vibration linked to the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle, thereby obtaining a sense of immersion in the running.

C2: Second Aspect In the example of the first aspect (second aspect), the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle is the sound corresponding to the acceleration of the vehicle. According to this aspect, the passenger can obtain a sense of immersion in driving during acceleration by feeling the vibration linked to the sound according to the acceleration of the vehicle.

C3: Third Aspect In the example of the first aspect or the second aspect (the third aspect), the sound signal has a plurality of mutually different sound components, and the second generator generates the sound components of the plurality of sound components. Based only in part, the vibration signal is generated. According to this aspect, it is easier to generate the vibration signal compared to the configuration in which the vibration signal is generated using the component not included in the sound signal.

C4: Fourth Aspect In the example of the third aspect (fourth aspect), the second generation unit uses the plurality of vibration signals to generate the vibration signal based on the information or the sound signal acquired by the acquisition unit. Change part of the sound component. According to this aspect, the passenger can get a sense of immersion in driving by feeling the vibration that changes according to the information or the sound signal acquired by the acquiring unit.

C5: Fifth Aspect In any one of the first to fourth aspects (fifth aspect), the information includes speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle and accelerator information indicating the degree of opening of the accelerator of the vehicle. includes at least one of According to this aspect, it is possible to generate the vibration signal from the sound signal generated based on at least one of the speed information and the accelerator information.

C6: Sixth Aspect In any one of the first to fifth aspects (sixth aspect), the second generator generates the vibration signal as a signal indicating vibration applied to an object located on the vehicle. and said object is either a seat, a steering wheel, a shift knob, a floor mat, an accelerator pedal, a headrest, or an armrest. According to this aspect, any one of the seat, the steering wheel, the shift knob, the floor mat, the accelerator pedal, the headrest, and the armrest can be given a vibration linked to the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle.

C7: Seventh Aspect An information generating device according to an aspect (seventh aspect) of the present disclosure includes first information relating to travel of a vehicle or an operation performed on the vehicle, second information relating to travel of the vehicle or an operation performed on the vehicle, and a generation unit that generates, based on the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit, effect designation information that designates a light effect according to the running of the vehicle. include.

According to this aspect, the generator generates the effect specifying information based on a plurality of pieces of information including the first information and the second information. For this reason, compared with the structure which produces|generates the production|presentation designation|designated information based on one information, the production|presentation of the light which the production|presentation designation|designated information designates can be made fine. Therefore, the passenger can get a feeling of being immersed in the driving by watching the light effect specified by the effect specifying information.

C8: Eighth Aspect In the example of the seventh aspect (eighth aspect), the generation unit includes sound designation information that designates a sound according to the running of the vehicle, based on the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit. to generate According to this aspect, it is possible to designate a sound according to the running of the vehicle in addition to the light effect.

C9: Ninth Aspect In the example of the eighth aspect (the ninth aspect), the generating section generates effect designation information based on the sound designation information. According to this aspect, it is possible to give the passenger of the vehicle a lighting effect linked to the sound specified by the sound specifying information.

C10: Tenth Aspect In the example of the seventh aspect or the ninth aspect (tenth aspect), the generation unit designates the vibration according to the running of the vehicle based on the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit. Generates vibration specification information to be used. According to this aspect, in addition to the lighting effect, it is possible to specify the vibration according to the running of the vehicle.

C11: Eleventh Aspect In the example of the seventh aspect or the ninth aspect (the eleventh aspect), the generation unit generates vibration designation information that designates vibration according to running of the vehicle, based on the sound designation information. do. According to this aspect, it is possible to give the passenger of the vehicle the vibration linked to the sound specified by the sound specifying information.

C12: Twelfth Aspect In any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects (the twelfth aspect), the first information includes speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle, and the second information includes speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle. It includes accelerator information indicating the degree of opening of the accelerator. According to this aspect, the effect specifying information can be generated based on the speed information and the accelerator information.

C13: Thirteenth Aspect A signal generation method according to an aspect (thirteenth aspect) of the present disclosure is a signal generation method implemented by a computer, in which information relating to travel of a vehicle or operation of the vehicle is obtained, Based on the information, a sound signal indicating sound corresponding to running of the vehicle is generated, and based on the generated sound signal, a vibration signal indicating vibration corresponding to running of the vehicle is generated.

According to this aspect, the passenger who feels the vibration indicated by the vibration signal while listening to the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle can feel the vibration linked to the sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle, thereby obtaining a sense of immersion in the running. can be done.

C14: Fourteenth Aspect An information generating method according to an aspect (fourteenth aspect) of the present disclosure is an information generating method implemented by a computer, comprising first information relating to travel of a vehicle or an operation of the vehicle; and second information relating to running or operation of the vehicle, and based on the acquired multiple pieces of information, production designating information designating a light effect according to the running of the vehicle is generated. .

According to this aspect, compared with the structure which produces|generates the production|presentation designation|designated information based on one information, the production|presentation of the light which the production|presentation designation|designated information designates can be made fine. Therefore, the passenger can get a feeling of being immersed in the driving by watching the light effect specified by the effect specifying information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Signal generation apparatus 3... Wheel control part 4... Operation part 5... Speaker 6... Seat 7... Vibration part 8... Information generation apparatus 11... Storage device 12... Processing device 13... Acquisition part , 14...Generating unit, 15...LPF, 16...Adjusting unit, 31...Motor, 32...Accelerator pedal, 33...Shift lever, 34...Motor control unit, 35...Power transmission unit.

Claims (14)

an acquisition unit that acquires information about running of the vehicle or operation of the vehicle;
a first generation unit that generates a sound signal indicating a sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit;
a second generation unit that generates a vibration signal indicating vibration according to running of the vehicle based on the sound signal generated by the first generation unit;
signal generator including The sound according to the running of the vehicle is a sound according to the acceleration of the vehicle,
A signal generation device according to claim 1 . The sound signal has a plurality of mutually different sound components,
The second generation unit generates the vibration signal based only on part of the plurality of sound components.
3. A signal generator according to claim 1 or 2. The second generation unit changes a part of the plurality of sound components used to generate the vibration signal based on the sound signal or the information acquired by the acquisition unit.
4. A signal generating device according to claim 3. The information includes at least one of speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle and accelerator information indicating the opening of the accelerator of the vehicle,
A signal generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The second generation unit generates the vibration signal as a signal indicating vibration applied to an object located on the vehicle,
The object is any of a seat, a steering wheel, a shift knob, a floor mat, an accelerator pedal, a headrest, and an armrest.
A signal generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of information including first information about running of the vehicle or an operation on the vehicle and second information about running of the vehicle or an operation on the vehicle;
a generation unit that generates, based on the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit, effect designation information that designates a light effect according to the running of the vehicle;
An information generating device comprising: The generation unit generates sound designation information that designates a sound according to the running of the vehicle, based on the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit.
8. The information generation device according to claim 7. The generation unit generates the effect designation information based on the sound designation information.
9. The information generation device according to claim 8. The generation unit generates vibration designation information that designates vibration according to running of the vehicle, based on the plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit.
The information generation device according to any one of claims 7 to 9. The generation unit generates vibration designation information that designates vibration according to running of the vehicle, based on the sound designation information.
11. The information generation device according to any one of claims 8 to 10. The first information includes speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle,
The second information includes accelerator information indicating the opening degree of the accelerator of the vehicle,
12. An information generation device according to any one of claims 7 to 11. A computer-implemented signal generation method comprising:
Acquiring information about the operation of a vehicle or the operation of the vehicle;
generating a sound signal indicating a sound corresponding to the running of the vehicle based on the acquired information;
generating a vibration signal that indicates vibration according to running of the vehicle based on the generated sound signal;
Signal generation method. A computer-implemented information generation method comprising:
Acquiring a plurality of pieces of information including first information about running of the vehicle or an operation on the vehicle and second information about running of the vehicle or an operation on the vehicle;
Generating effect designation information that designates a light effect according to the running of the vehicle based on the acquired plurality of information;
Information generation method.

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