JP2763685B2 - Emergency vehicle position display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a safety device for driving a vehicle, and more particularly to an emergency vehicle detection warning device and a position display device for warning a driver that an emergency vehicle is approaching while driving a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a driver of an automobile has judged by ear that an emergency vehicle is approaching. For this reason, when listening at a high volume of a car stereo or the like, the driver may not notice the approach of the emergency vehicle and may cause an accident or other obstacles.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to detect the approach of an emergency vehicle using a microphone or a recognition device, and to use a car stereo or the like. Pause the performance and play an emergency vehicle siren sound or warning announcement from the speaker,
Another object is to provide a position display device that displays the type, direction, or distance of an emergency vehicle on a display or display.

[0004]

An emergency vehicle position display device according to the present invention includes a plurality of microphones for detecting a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, and an azimuth calculating unit for inputting a signal from the microphone to calculate an azimuth of the emergency vehicle. And an emergency vehicle recognition device that receives a signal from the microphone and recognizes that the input signal is a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, and a display that displays an emergency vehicle direction by a light emitting unit disposed around the own vehicle mark. Device, a display controller for controlling the display, and a voice announcement unit for generating a voice signal indicating the direction of the emergency vehicle. When the emergency vehicle approaches, the direction is displayed on the display. In such a manner as to notify the azimuth.

Further, the emergency vehicle position display device of the present invention receives a plurality of microphones for detecting a siren sound of the emergency vehicle and a signal from the microphone to recognize that the input signal is the siren sound of the emergency vehicle. Emergency vehicle recognition device, a direction calculation unit that inputs a signal from the microphone to calculate the direction of the emergency vehicle, a distance calculation unit that calculates the distance between the emergency vehicle and the vehicle from the input signal level from the microphone, A display or a voice synthesizer for notifying the driver of a predetermined distance to the emergency vehicle and an instruction to the driver by voice indicating the direction and distance of the emergency vehicle centered on the own vehicle mark at the position of the emergency vehicle position display mark on the screen. When an emergency vehicle approaches, the direction and distance of the emergency vehicle are displayed on the display, or the status is notified by a speaker. Are those that you configured.

In the emergency vehicle position display device, the indicator is formed in a circular shape, and the circular indicator indicates whether the distance between the emergency vehicle position and the own vehicle position is short or long. And a mark for displaying an emergency vehicle.

Further, in the emergency vehicle position display device, the emergency vehicle position display mark blinks so as to become faster as the emergency vehicle approaches.

Further, in the emergency vehicle position display device, the method of alerting is changed when the distance between the emergency vehicle and the host vehicle is short or long.

[0009]

The microphone for detecting the siren sound of an emergency vehicle is generally arranged outside the vehicle, so that the siren sound is input without being disturbed by the sound of a car stereo in the cabin.
In addition, since the frequency and intermittent cycle of the siren sound of an emergency vehicle are determined depending on the type of vehicle, those patterns are stored in a memory and compared with an input signal to be distinguished from other noises. The type of the vehicle is also specified.

The orientation of the emergency vehicle is calculated by arranging a plurality of microphones for detecting siren sounds and calculating from input signals. Further, the distance to the emergency vehicle is calculated based on the level of the input signal of the microphone.

The information thus obtained is notified to the driver by voice using a speaker such as a car stereo. The information is displayed to the driver using a position indicator provided on the dashboard or a display such as a television.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a microphone, which is arranged outside a car. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the emergency vehicle recognition device 2. The emergency vehicle recognition device 2 has a memory storing the pattern of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle and an arithmetic circuit for comparing the input signal with the memory pattern. Output to the controller 5. The display controller 3 is usually T
Video signals from the V receiver 7 or the car navigation system 8 are input, and those signals are output to the display 4 to display images. When a signal is input from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the display controller 3 generates a video signal of an alarm screen from a built-in video signal generator and outputs the signal to the display 4 to display the alarm screen.

The audio controller 5 normally receives audio signals from the TV receiver 7, the navigation system 8 or the audio equipment 9, and drives the speaker 6 with those signals. When a signal is input from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the voice controller 5 generates a warning announcement from a built-in voice synthesizer and drives the speaker 6 based on the signal.

With the above structure, when the emergency vehicle approaches, the siren sound is generated by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2.
A warning screen is displayed on the display 4 by a signal of the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 and a warning is announced from the speaker 6, so that the driver can approach the emergency vehicle even if the volume of the sound device is increased. Be sure to recognize. When the emergency vehicle leaves and the siren sound is no longer detected, the output of the emergency vehicle recognition device is stopped, and the TV receiver 7 and the like return to the normal operation state.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a microphone for detecting all directions, which is arranged outside the vehicle. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the emergency vehicle recognition device 2. The emergency vehicle recognition device 2 has a memory storing a pattern of siren sounds of the emergency vehicle and an arithmetic circuit for comparing the input signal with the memory pattern. Output to The detection signal of the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 and the voice signal of the microphone 1 are input to the voice controller 5, and a signal for starting up the amplifier in the audio device 9 and activating the amplifier input switch and the voice signal of the microphone 1 are input to the audio device 9. Output to the audio equipment 9.

In the above configuration, the speaker 6 is normally driven by an audio signal from an audio device (car radio / car audio) 9. When an emergency vehicle approaches, the siren sound is generated by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2. And the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 outputs a detection signal to the voice controller 5. The audio controller 5 includes an audio device 9
Is switched to the audio signal of the microphone 1, and the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is played from the speaker 6. When the audio device 9 is turned off, the audio controller 5
The sound device 9 is switched on by the signal of (1), and the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is played. When the emergency vehicle leaves and the siren sound is no longer detected, a stop signal is output from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 and the audio device 9 returns to the original state.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a microphone for detecting an omnidirectional direction, which is arranged outside the vehicle. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the preamplifier 10. The preamplifier 10 includes a filter bank 10b, an A / D converter 10c, and an interface 10d in which narrow-band filters adapted to the frequencies of various sirens are arranged in parallel. Output to Recognition device 2
Is the interface 2b, CPU 2a, RAM 2d, R
The OM 2e, the interface 2c, and a memory 2f in which a siren sound pattern for each type of emergency vehicle is stored in a ROM. The input signal is compared with the pattern in the memory 2f, and when they match, the signal is output to the false recognition prevention device 11. . The misrecognition preventing device 11 includes an arithmetic unit 11a, a RAM
11b and a mute signal generating circuit 11c, which stores the input signal pattern in the RAM, compares the next input signal pattern with the pattern stored in the RAM, and when the same pattern is input a predetermined number of times, the audio equipment 9 To output a mute signal. When the mute signal is input, the audio device 9 lowers the volume of the speaker 6 or turns off the sound of the speaker 6.

In the above configuration, the speaker 6 is normally driven by an audio signal from an audio device (car radio / car audio) 9. When an emergency vehicle approaches, the siren sound is generated by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2. , The input siren sound pattern is output to the false recognition prevention device 11. The misrecognition prevention device 11 outputs a mute signal to the audio equipment 9 when the same siren sound pattern is input a predetermined number of times, so that the approach of an emergency vehicle can be reliably known even when listening to car audio or the like with a high sound in the passenger compartment. be able to. Since the siren sound is confirmed by comparing a plurality of times, no malfunction occurs. When the emergency vehicle leaves and the siren sound is no longer detected, the mute signal stops and the audio device 9 returns to the original state.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection / warning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a microphone for detecting an omnidirectional direction, which is arranged outside the vehicle. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the preamplifier 10. The preamplifier 10 includes an amplifier 10a, a filter bank 10b in which narrow-band filters corresponding to the frequencies of various sirens are arranged in parallel, an A / D converter 10c, and an interface 10d, and converts an input audio signal into a digital signal. Output to the recognition device 2. The recognition device 2 includes an interface 2b, a CPU 2a,
It comprises a RAM 2d, a ROM 2e, an interface 2c, and a memory 2f in which a siren sound pattern for each type of emergency vehicle is stored in a ROM.
If the patterns match, the signal indicating the type of the emergency vehicle is sent to the voice synthesizer 12 and the display controller 13.
Output to The voice synthesizer 12 generates a voice signal indicating the type of the emergency vehicle according to the input signal, and sounds the speaker 6. The display controller 13 lights the lamp of the type indicator 14 according to the input signal. The type indicator 14 is arranged on the dashboard, and FIG.
As shown in (b), a panel marked with the type of the emergency vehicle is provided, and a lamp is mounted below the panel.

In the above configuration, when the type of the emergency vehicle siren sound is identified by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 when the emergency vehicle approaches, the type of the emergency vehicle is displayed on the type display 14, and It is notified by the speaker 6.

FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection / warning apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes four microphones which are arranged outside the vehicle and output signals of four channels. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the preamplifier 10. The preamplifier 10 includes a four-channel filter bank, an A / D converter, and an interface. The preamplifier 10 converts an input voice signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 and the azimuth calculation unit 15. Recognition device 2 is an interface, CP
U, RAM, ROM, interface, and a memory in which the siren sound pattern of the emergency vehicle is stored in a ROM. The input signal is compared with the pattern of the memory, and when they match, a signal indicating the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is generated. Output to the arithmetic unit 15. The azimuth calculation unit 15 calculates the azimuth of the emergency vehicle from the own vehicle from the outputs of the four-channel preamplifier 10. That is, the input signals of the two microphones are calculated, the sound intensity in the direction of the central axis of the two microphones (the sound energy flowing in a unit area per unit time) is obtained, and the direction of the vector is obtained from the sound intensity of the two orthogonal axes. (Sound traveling direction) is obtained. When a signal indicating the siren sound of an emergency vehicle is input from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the direction calculation unit 15 outputs a signal indicating the direction to the display controller 13 and the voice synthesis device 12.
Output to The display controller 13 turns on the LED of the position indicator 16 according to the input signal. The position indicator 16 is arranged on the dashboard as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, an LED indicating the direction of the emergency vehicle is arranged around the mark indicating the own vehicle, and the LED corresponding to the direction of the emergency vehicle blinks. The voice synthesizer 12 generates a voice signal indicating the direction of the emergency vehicle according to the input signal, and sounds the speaker 6.

In the above configuration, when the emergency vehicle siren sound is identified by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 when the emergency vehicle approaches, the direction of the emergency vehicle is displayed on the position display 16 and the speaker 6 Is notified by a voice announcement such as "Sempou Migi" or "Kou Hidari". Further, the above operation is repeatedly performed at a constant cycle, and a situation where the position of the emergency vehicle changes as the position changes every moment is notified.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection / warning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes four microphones which are arranged outside the vehicle and output signals of four channels. The output signal of the microphone 1 is input to the preamplifier 10. The preamplifier 10 includes a four-channel filter bank, an A / D converter, and an interface. The preamplifier 10 converts an input voice signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the azimuth calculation unit 15, and the input level processing unit 17. . The recognition device 2 is configured by an interface, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an interface, and a memory in which a siren sound pattern of an emergency vehicle is stored in a ROM. Is output to the display controller 13 and the speech synthesizer 12. The azimuth calculation unit 15 calculates the azimuth of the emergency vehicle from the own vehicle from the output of the 4-channel preamplifier 10, and outputs a signal indicating the azimuth to the display controller 13 and the voice synthesizer 12. The input level processing unit 17 calculates the distance between the own vehicle and the emergency vehicle based on the strength of the input levels input from the four microphones, and outputs a signal indicating the distance to the display controller 13 and the speech synthesizer 12. When a signal indicating a siren sound of an emergency vehicle is input from the emergency vehicle recognition device 2, the display controller 13 displays an emergency vehicle position on the position indicator 18 according to signals from the azimuth calculation unit 15 and the input level processing unit 17. The signal which displays is output. As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the position indicator 18 has a circular LCD surface, and the vehicle is drawn at the center. The position indicator 18 flashes and displays the position of the emergency vehicle at a position corresponding to the input signal. Further, the blinking of the position indicator 18 is made faster as the emergency vehicle approaches. The voice synthesizer 12 generates a voice signal indicating the direction and the distance of the emergency vehicle according to the input signal, and sounds the speaker 6. Further, the announcement of the voice synthesizing device 12 is such that the emergency vehicle gives an instruction to approach and drive a predetermined distance.

In the above arrangement, when the emergency vehicle siren sound is identified by the microphone 1 and the emergency vehicle recognition device 2 when the emergency vehicle approaches, the position of the emergency vehicle is displayed on the position display 18 and the speaker 6 Informed by Further, the above operation is repeatedly performed at a constant cycle, and a situation where the position of the emergency vehicle changes as the position changes every moment is notified. In addition, the situation is transmitted to the driver before a dangerous state occurs, so that the driver does not have a risk of making a mistake.

[0025]

According to the emergency vehicle detection alarm device and the position display device of the present invention, even when the window is closed and the volume of a car stereo or the like is being listened to, when an emergency vehicle approaches, the position and the like are driven. Accidents and troubles can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection alarm device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 (a) is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle detection / warning device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 (b) is a diagram showing a type indicator of the emergency vehicle detection / warning device. is there.

FIG. 5 (a) is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle position display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 (b) is an arrangement of a position indicator and a speaker of the emergency vehicle position display device. FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of a position indicator of the emergency vehicle position display device.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram showing an emergency vehicle position display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a position indicator of the emergency vehicle position display device. is there.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Microphone 2 Emergency Vehicle Recognition Device 3 Display Controller 4 Display 5 Voice Controller 6 Speaker 7 TV Receiver 8 Navigation System 9 Audio Equipment 10 Preamplifier 11 False Recognition Prevention Device 12 Voice Synthesis Device 13 Display Controller 14 Type Display 15 Direction Calculation Unit 16 Position indicator 17 Input level processing unit 18 Position indicator

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor, Democracy Takeda 2-17-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Kenwood Corporation (72) Inventor Shuhei Ota 2-17-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (56) References JP-A-57-194128 (JP, A) JP-A-58-221500 (JP, A) JP-A-2-22799 (JP, A) JP-A-60-95598 (JP, A A) JP-A-2-200046 (JP, A) JP-A-56-38700 (JP, A) JP-A-2-105012 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name ) G08G 1/00-1/16

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of microphones for detecting a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, an azimuth calculation unit for inputting a signal from the microphone to calculate an azimuth of the emergency vehicle, and receiving a signal from the microphone for receiving an emergency signal. An emergency vehicle recognition device that recognizes that the vehicle is a siren sound, a display that displays an emergency vehicle direction by a light emitting unit arranged around the own vehicle mark, a display controller that controls the display, and an emergency vehicle An emergency announcement unit for generating an audio signal indicating an orientation, an emergency vehicle position display device configured to display the orientation on an indicator when an emergency vehicle approaches, and to notify the orientation of the emergency vehicle by a speaker. 2. A plurality of microphones for detecting a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, an emergency vehicle recognition device for receiving a signal from the microphone and recognizing that an input signal is a siren sound of an emergency vehicle, and A direction calculation unit that inputs a signal to calculate the direction of the emergency vehicle, a distance calculation unit that calculates the distance between the emergency vehicle and the vehicle from the input signal level from the microphone, A display or a voice synthesizer for notifying a predetermined distance to the emergency vehicle and an instruction for driving by voice or a display that displays the direction and distance at the position of the emergency vehicle position display mark on the screen, and a display when an emergency vehicle approaches An emergency vehicle position display device configured to display the direction and distance of the vehicle or to notify the user of the situation by a speaker. 3. The display device is formed in a circular shape, and displays an own vehicle mark and an emergency vehicle indicated on the circular display whether the distance between the emergency vehicle position and the own vehicle position is short or long. 3. The emergency vehicle position display device according to claim 2, wherein the emergency vehicle position display device can be identified by a distance from the mark. 4. The emergency vehicle position display device according to claim 2, wherein the emergency vehicle position display mark blinks so as to become faster as the emergency vehicle approaches. 5. The method of alerting when the distance between the emergency vehicle and the host vehicle is short and long is different.
Emergency vehicle position display device.