JP3241428B2 - Alarm device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alarm device for a vehicle and a method for generating an alarm sound in an alarm device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a technology for generating two or more alarm sounds by a single alarm sound generator. About the means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various alarms such as an alarm for forgetting to remove a key, an alarm for turning off a light, and a reverse position alarm issued when an attempt is made to start an engine while a transmission is in a reverse position. Automobiles with functions are being produced. As described above, in the case where there are various types of alarm functions, if different alarm sounds are issued depending on the types of alarms, the user can quickly know the contents of the alarm.

Conventionally, as a method of generating a different alarm sound depending on the type of alarm, a method of selectively using a buzzer and a chime has been used. As described above, in the method of distinguishing the alarm sound by using the buzzer and the chime, it is necessary to equip a single vehicle with both the buzzer and the chime.

[0004]

However, in the method of distinguishing between warning sounds by buzzer and chime, only two kinds of warning sounds can be distinguished, and it is not possible to adapt to the recent multifunctionality of automobiles. .

If both a buzzer and a chime are provided in one vehicle, the space for installing the buzzer and the chime, which is the alarm sound generating section, or the space for the harness for the buzzer and the chime is increased. However, there is a problem that an inconvenience occurs in a space in an automobile having many functions. Such a problem is exactly the same when a plurality of buzzers or chimes having different timbres are provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a plurality of alarm sounds can be generated from one alarm sound generating unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alarm device and an alarm sound generation method that can minimize the space of a harness with respect to a generation unit.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm device comprising:
In order to solve the above problem, a fundamental frequency signal generating unit that generates a fundamental frequency signal whose frequency is a fundamental frequency of an alarm sound, and a modulation characteristic when modulating the fundamental frequency signal to generate an alarm sound is determined. A modulating signal generating means capable of individually generating at least two different types of modulating signals, and causing the fundamental frequency signal generating section and the modulating signal generating means to generate the fundamental frequency signal and the modulating signal. Along with, an alarm generation command unit that determines the type of the modulation signal to be generated by the modulation signal generation unit, the generation timing of the basic frequency signal by the basic frequency signal generation unit, and the A timing signal generator for generating a timing signal for matching the generation timing of the modulation signal; A driving signal forming unit that modulates the fundamental frequency signal generated by the fundamental frequency signal generating unit based on the modulation signal generated by the generating unit and outputs the modulated signal as a driving signal; and an output from the driving signal forming unit. are equipped with a warning sound generator for generating a warning sound by the driving signal, the modulation signal generating means, the signal level
A first modulated fundamental signal having a substantially constant level,
The second in which the level rises in a rectangular pulse shape at predetermined intervals
Modulation basic signal generator that generates the modulation basic signal separately
And the first modulated basic signal from the modulated basic signal generator.
Signal, the first modulated fundamental signal
A substantially constant level based on the
While forming the first modulation signal of
The second modulated basic signal is supplied from the generator.
In response, based on the second modulated fundamental signal,
The signal level rises with the rise of the second modulated basic signal.
And rises in a substantially rectangular shape.
Attenuation with a predetermined attenuation characteristic with falling
And a modulation signal forming section for forming the modulation signal of the second.
In addition, the alarm generation command section is provided to the modulation basic signal generation section.
Between the first modulated basic signal and the second modulated basic signal
It further has a function to determine which one to generate,
The drive signal forming unit is configured to control the modulation of the modulation signal generation unit.
The first modulation signal provided from the modulation signal forming unit.
Or the substantial signal level of the second modulation signal.
Generated by the fundamental frequency signal generator in accordance with the change.
The fundamental frequency signal obtained is amplitude-modulated as a drive signal.
Output.

[0008]

[0009] In the alarm device according to claim 2, in claim 1, wherein the fundamental frequency signal generating unit is individually generates a fundamental frequency signal of two or more depending on the type of alarm sound, the alarm generation command unit And a function of determining which type of fundamental frequency signal is to be generated by the fundamental frequency signal generator.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect , the fundamental frequency signal generating section includes a first fundamental frequency signal whose frequency and amplitude are constant over the entire area of the signal, and an amplitude which is constant over the entire area of the signal. A first frequency section and a second frequency section having constant and different frequencies throughout the second frequency section each independently generating a second basic frequency signal alternately connected in the predetermined cycle; Unit and the modulation basic signal generation unit determine which type of basic frequency signal and modulation basic signal to generate, and when the basic frequency signal generation unit generates the first basic frequency signal, When generating the first modulation basic signal in the modulation basic signal generation section and generating the second basic frequency signal in the basic frequency signal generation section, the modulation basic signal generation section is preceded by the modulation basic signal generation section. Further comprising a function for generating a second modulated elementary signal.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to the alarm device of the first aspect, a signal for modulation is generated.
Means for transmitting at least two types of modulation signals different from each other.
Driven individually based on each type of modulated signal
The signal generator is generated by the fundamental frequency signal generator.
Modulates the fundamental frequency signal and outputs it as a drive signal,
The sound generator generates an alarm sound by its drive signal.
The modulation generated by the modulation signal generation means.
By changing the type of signal for
More than two types of alarm sounds can be generated.

Further, by modulating the basic signal generation unit and a modulation signal forming part of the modulation signal generating means, the substantial signal level is substantially the first modulation signal of a constant level, substantial signal level It rises in a substantially rectangular shape at a predetermined cycle,
A second modulation signal that attenuates with a predetermined attenuation characteristic after a predetermined flat period is individually generated, and the drive signal generation unit outputs the first modulation signal or the first modulation signal supplied from the modulation signal generation unit. In accordance with a substantial change in the signal level of the second modulation signal, the fundamental frequency signal generated by the fundamental frequency signal generator is amplitude-modulated and output as a drive signal. When the first modulation signal is generated, an alarm sound (buzzer sound) with a constant sound intensity can be generated, while the second modulation signal is generated from the modulation signal generation means. In this case, it is possible to generate an alarm sound (chime sound) in which the sound intensity repeats a flat period and a decay period at a predetermined period.

According to the alarm device of the second aspect , it is possible to generate different types of alarm sounds by changing the type of the basic frequency signal generated by the basic frequency signal generation unit.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the first fundamental frequency signal and the first modulation signal are generated by the fundamental frequency signal generator and the modulation signal generator, respectively, the frequency and the intensity are changed. An alarm sound (buzzer sound) that changes at a constant level can be generated, and when the second fundamental frequency signal and the second modulation signal are generated by the fundamental frequency signal generation unit and the modulation signal generation unit, respectively. Can generate an alarm sound (chime sound) in which the sound intensity repeats a flat period and a decay period at a predetermined period and the frequency changes at a predetermined period synchronized with the period.

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An alarm device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes an alarm generation command unit 1, a basic frequency signal generation unit 2, a modulation basic signal generation unit 3, a timing signal generation unit 4, a modulation signal generation unit 5,
A drive signal forming section 6 and an alarm sound generating section 7 are provided.
The modulation signal generating means of the present invention includes a modulation basic signal.
The generator 3 and the modulation signal generator 5 correspond to each other.

The alarm generation command section 1 can input a plurality of alarm signals generated by forgetting to remove a key or turning off a light. The alarm generation instructing unit 1 outputs information on the input of the alarm signal and the type of the input alarm signal.
The signals are output to the fundamental frequency signal generator 2, the modulated basic signal generator 3, and the timing signal generator 4.

The basic frequency signal generator 2 receives the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS1 as shown in FIG. 2A or the buzzer sound basic frequency signal as shown in FIG. A chime sound basic frequency signal BS2 as shown in FIG. The buzzer sound fundamental frequency signal BS1 has a constant frequency and amplitude over the entire signal range. On the other hand, the basic frequency signal for chime sound BS2 is composed of a first frequency section BS21 and this first frequency section B.
S21 and a second frequency section BS22 having a different frequency. The first frequency unit BS21 and the second frequency unit BS22 are
It is output alternately at a predetermined cycle T1. The amplitude of the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS2 is also constant over the entire area of the signal. The basic frequency signal generator 2 outputs one of the basic frequency signals BS1 and BS2 according to the type of alarm. For example, when it is notified from the alarm generation instructing unit 1 that an alarm signal regarding forgetting to remove a key is issued, the basic frequency signal generating unit 2 outputs the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS1, When it is notified from the alarm generation command section 1 that an alarm signal regarding forgetting to turn off the light has been output, the chime sound basic frequency signal BS2 is output.
Is output. Such basic frequency signals BS1 and BS2 can be easily generated by a known oscillation circuit.

The modulation basic signal generator 3 responds to the information on the type of alarm signal obtained from the alarm generator 1 by
Modulated basic signal TS for buzzer sound as shown in FIG.
1 or a modulated basic signal TS2 for a chime sound as shown in FIG. 4 (b). The modulation basic signal TS1 for the buzzer sound is a signal of a predetermined level having a substantially flat characteristic over the entire region. The modulation basic signal TS2 for chime sound is a pulse-shaped rectangular signal having a predetermined width. This modulated basic signal TS2 is composed of a first frequency part BS21 and a second frequency part BS2 of the chime sound basic frequency signal BS2.
2 is output every predetermined period T1 at the same timing as the generation period of the second period. In this embodiment, the modulated basic signal generator 3
Means that the fundamental frequency signal generation unit 2 outputs the fundamental frequency signal BS
1, the modulation fundamental signal TS1 is output, and when the fundamental frequency signal generator 2 generates the fundamental frequency signal BS2, the modulation fundamental signal TS2 is output.

The basic frequency signal generator 2 and the modulation basic signal generator 3 can be integrally formed by a microcomputer or a one-chip IC.

The timing signal generator 4 is operable, when notified of any of the alarm signals from the alarm generation command unit 1, to generate the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS1 and the modulation basic signal TS1 or generate a chime. A timing signal for controlling the generation timing of the sound basic frequency signal BS2 and the modulation basic signal TS2 is output to the basic frequency signal generation unit 2 and the modulation basic signal generation unit 3. The first frequency part BS21 and the second frequency part BS22 of the chime sound basic frequency signal BS2 are output from the timing signal output from the timing signal generator 4.
Occur at the same timing as the modulated basic signal TS2.

The modulation signal forming section 5 includes an NPN transistor Q51 whose emitter is grounded. This NPN
The resistors R51 and R52 are connected in parallel to the base of the transistor Q51. The other end of the resistor R51 is connected to the output terminal of the modulation basic signal generator 3,
The other end of 52 is grounded. The resistors R51 and R52
Is connected to the other end of the resistor R51 by the modulation basic signal TS.
1, TS2, the transistor Q51
Is selected to provide a forward bias between the base and the emitter. The resistor R53 is connected to the collector of the NPN transistor Q51. This resistor R5
The other end of 3 is connected to the resistor R54 and one electrode of the electrolytic capacitor C5. The other electrode of the electrolytic capacitor C5 is grounded. The other end of the resistor R54 is a resistor R55.
And the base of a PNP transistor Q52. The other end of the resistor R55 is connected to the power supply Vcc.
Further, the emitter of the PNP transistor Q52 is connected to the resistor R5.
6 is connected to the power supply Vcc. The resistor R57 is connected to the collector of the PNP transistor Q52. The other end of the resistor R57 is connected to a collector of an NPN transistor Q6 constituting a drive signal forming unit 6 described later. The modulation signal forming section 5 configured as described above outputs the collector current of the PNP transistor Q52 as a modulation signal.

The drive signal forming section 6 is composed of an NPN having the other end of the resistor R57 of the modulation signal forming section 5 connected to the collector.
The transistor Q6 is provided. That is, the collector of the NPN transistor Q6 constitutes the input terminal of the modulation signal in the drive signal forming section 6. The resistors R61 and R62 are connected in parallel to the base of the NPN transistor Q6. The other end of the resistor R61 is connected to the output terminal of the fundamental frequency signal generator 2. That is, the other end of the resistor R61 constitutes an input end of a fundamental frequency signal. The other end of the resistor R62 is connected to the emitter of the NPN transistor Q6 and the anode of the diode D6. The cathode side of the diode D6 is grounded via a resistor R63. With the above configuration, the drive signal forming section 6 outputs the emitter voltage of the NPN transistor Q6 as a drive signal that is a composite signal of the fundamental frequency signal and the modulation signal.

The alarm sound generating section 7 includes a buzzer 71 which is a sound generating means. The alarm sound generator 7 includes a transistor Q7 whose base is connected to the emitter of the transistor Q6 of the drive signal generator 6, the other end of the resistor R62, and the anode of the diode D6. The emitter of this transistor Q7 is grounded via a resistor R7. The collector of the transistor Q7 is connected to one voltage input terminal of the buzzer 71 and the anode of the Zener diode ZD7. The other voltage input terminal of buzzer 71 and the cathode of Zener diode ZD7 are connected to power supply B. The buzzer 71
This is a known buzzer that generates a sound having a height corresponding to a frequency of a voltage applied to a voltage input terminal and a strength corresponding to an amplitude. The other electrode of the capacitor C7 having one electrode grounded is connected to the power supply voltage B.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 denotes the buzzer 71.
Is a sound pressure gauge for measuring the waveform of the sound generated.

The alarm device according to the embodiment of the present invention generates a buzzer sound or a chime sound as described below when any of the alarm signals is input to the alarm generation command unit 1. In the following description, reference numerals (a) to (f) appended to the figure numbers in FIGS. 2 to 5 indicate waveforms at positions to which these reference numerals (a) to (f) are attached in FIG. ing.

First, the basic frequency signal generator 2 shown in FIG.
2A, the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS1 as shown in FIG.
A case where a modulated basic signal TS1 for buzzer sound as shown in FIG.

In this case, in the modulation signal forming section 5,
As described above, the modulation basic signal T is connected to the other end of the resistor R51.
When S1 is given, the transistor Q51 is always on. When the transistor Q51 is always on, the transistor Q52 is also always on. Therefore, when the modulation basic signal TS1 is output from the modulation basic signal generation unit 3, the modulation signal forming unit 5 outputs the substantially flat collector current of the transistor Q52 as a modulation signal as shown in FIG. Is output.
As described above, the modulation signal forming section 5 outputs a substantially flat modulation signal, so that the driving signal formed by the driving signal forming section 6 becomes a fundamental frequency signal generating section as shown in FIG. 2 is a signal that is not amplitude-modulated from the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS1. The alarm sound generation unit 7 receives a drive signal not subjected to amplitude modulation as shown in FIG.
The buzzer 71 is driven by an amplified drive signal as shown in FIG.

As is apparent from the above description, the basic frequency signal generator 2 outputs the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS1 and the modulation basic signal generator 3 outputs the buzzer sound modulation basic signal TS1. In this case, the drive signal formed by the drive signal forming unit 6 is a signal in which the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS1 is not amplitude-modulated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 (f), the buzzer 71 generates a buzzer sound that follows the drive signal at a constant height determined by the frequency of the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS1 and has no strength. .

Next, from the fundamental frequency signal generator 2 to FIG.
4A, the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS2 as shown in FIG.
The case where the modulated basic signal TS2 for the buzzer sound as shown in (b) is output will be described.

In this case, the modulation signal forming section 5
As described above, the NPN transistor Q51 is turned on only when the modulation basic signal TS2 rises, and the NPN transistor Q51 is turned off while the modulation basic signal TS2 does not rise. When the NPN transistor Q51 is turned off, the electrolytic capacitor C5 is charged via the resistors R55 and R54 and the resistor R56 and the PNP transistor Q52. When the NPN transistor Q51 turns on, the electrolytic capacitor C
5 discharges. Therefore, when the modulation basic signal TS2 is output from the modulation basic signal generation unit 3, the electrolytic capacitor C
At the time of charging of 5, the collector current of the transistor Q52 attenuates as the base potential of the transistor Q52 increases. That is, at this time, the modulation signal forming section 5 outputs a collector current of the transistor Q52 having an attenuation characteristic as shown in FIG. 5C as a modulation signal. As described above, the modulation signal forming section 5 outputs the modulation signal having the attenuation characteristic, so that the drive signal forming section 6
5 (d), the amplitude of the buzzer sound fundamental frequency signal BS2 input from the fundamental frequency signal generator 2 is modulated so as to be gradually attenuated during the period T1. Signal. The alarm sound generation unit 7 is provided in FIG.
An amplitude-modulated drive signal as shown in (d) is input,
FIG. 5 obtained by amplifying this drive signal with transistor Q7.
The buzzer 71 is driven by the amplified drive signal as shown in FIG.

As is clear from the above description, the basic frequency signal generator 2 outputs the chime sound basic frequency signal BS2.
Is output and the modulation basic signal TS2 for the chime sound is output from the modulation basic signal generation unit 3, the drive signal formed by the drive signal formation unit 6 is a signal obtained by amplitude-modulating the buzzer sound basic frequency signal BS2. Becomes Therefore,
From the buzzer 71, as shown in FIG. 5 (f), like the chime sound basic frequency signal BS2, two kinds of frequencies are switched at a cycle T1 and the sound volume gradually attenuates during this cycle T1. A chime sound is generated.
In this case, the attenuation of the chime sound can be changed by changing the time constant by changing the values of the electrolytic capacitor C5 and the resistor R53. That is,
By increasing the values of the electrolytic capacitor C5 and the resistor R53, the time constant becomes longer, and the chime sound becomes an alarm sound having a more gentle attenuation characteristic.

For example, the modulation basic signal TS2
By changing the duty cycle, the waveform of the modulation signal can be changed. That is, the number of types of modulated signals can be three or more, and in this case, three or more alarm sounds can be generated in combination with the fundamental frequency signal.

[0037]

According to the first aspect, a signal generating means for modulation is provided.
Separate at least two different modulation signals from each other
And the driving signal is generated based on the modulation signal of each type.
The shaping unit generates the basic signal generated by the fundamental frequency signal generating unit.
Modulates the frequency signal and outputs it as a drive signal to generate an alarm sound
The live part emits an alarm sound by the drive signal.
The modulation signal generated by the modulation signal generation means.
By changing the type of signal, two types with different sound quality
The above alarm sound can be generated, and as a result , the installation space of the alarm sound generation unit can be reduced. Further, the space of the harness with respect to the alarm sound generation unit can be reduced.

Further, by modulating the basic signal generation unit and a modulation signal forming part of the modulation signal generating means, the substantial signal level is substantially the first modulation signal of a constant level, substantial signal level It rises in a substantially rectangular shape at a predetermined cycle,
A second modulation signal that attenuates with a predetermined attenuation characteristic after a predetermined flat period is individually generated, and the drive signal generation unit outputs the first modulation signal or the first modulation signal supplied from the modulation signal generation unit. In accordance with a substantial change in the signal level of the second modulation signal, the fundamental frequency signal generated by the fundamental frequency signal generator is amplitude-modulated and output as a drive signal. When the first modulation signal is generated, an alarm sound (buzzer sound) with a constant sound intensity can be generated, while the second modulation signal is generated from the modulation signal generation means. In this case, it is possible to generate an alarm sound (chime sound) in which the sound intensity repeats a flat period and a decay period at a predetermined period.

According to the second aspect, it is possible to generate different types of alarm sounds by changing the type of the basic frequency signal generated by the basic frequency signal generating section.

According to the third aspect, when the first fundamental frequency signal and the first modulation signal are respectively generated by the fundamental frequency signal generation section and the modulation signal generation means, the frequency and the intensity are fixed levels. When the second fundamental frequency signal and the second modulation signal are generated by the fundamental frequency signal generation unit and the modulation signal generation unit, respectively, It is possible to generate an alarm sound (chime sound) in which the sound intensity repeats the flat period and the decay period at a predetermined period and the frequency changes at a predetermined period synchronized with the period.

[0041]

[0042]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an alarm device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram of a main part of FIG. 1 when a buzzer sound is generated.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram of a main part of FIG. 1 when a buzzer sound is generated.

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram of a main part of FIG. 1 when a chime sound is generated.

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of a main part of FIG. 1 when a chime sound is generated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 fundamental frequency signal generator 3 modulation basic signal generator 5 modulation signal generator 6 drive signal generator 7 alarm sound generation means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-59-50860 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G10K 9/12 103 G08B 3/10

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fundamental frequency signal generating unit for generating a fundamental frequency signal whose frequency is a fundamental frequency of an alarm sound, and at least different from each other for determining a modulation characteristic when modulating the fundamental frequency signal to generate an alarm sound. Modulation signal generation means capable of separately generating two types of modulation signals, and the basic frequency signal generation section and the modulation signal generation means generating the basic frequency signal and the modulation signal, An alarm generation command unit for determining a type of the modulation signal to be generated by the modulation signal generation unit; a generation timing of the basic frequency signal by the basic frequency signal generation unit; and the modulation signal by the modulation signal generation unit. A timing signal generator for generating a timing signal for matching the generation timing of the signal, and the modulation signal generator A driving signal forming unit that modulates the fundamental frequency signal generated by the fundamental frequency signal generating unit based on the generated modulation signal and outputs the driving signal as a driving signal; An alarm sound generation unit that generates an alarm sound by the drive signal , wherein the modulation signal generation means has a first modulation basic signal having a substantially constant signal level.
And the signal level rises in a rectangular pulse shape at predetermined intervals.
A modulated basic signal which is generated separately from the second modulated basic signal.
And No. generator, said first modulated base signal from the modulated base signal generating section
In response to the first modulated base signal,
Therefore, when the actual signal level is substantially constant,
1 while forming the modulation basic signal.
Responsive to receiving said second modulated basic signal from the unit.
And a substantial signal based on the second modulated fundamental signal
As the level rises with the rise of the second modulated basic signal,
Rises in a substantially rectangular shape, and rises in the second modulated basic signal.
The second type, which attenuates with a predetermined attenuation characteristic along with the fall
A modulation signal forming unit that forms a modulation signal , wherein the alarm generation command unit transmits the first modulation basic signal to the modulation basic signal generation unit.
Determine which of the second modulated basic signal is to be generated
The drive signal forming section is provided from the modulation signal forming section of the modulation signal generating means.
The first modulation signal or the second modulation signal obtained
According to the substantial signal level change of the signal,
The fundamental frequency signal generated by the frequency signal generator;
Alarm device characterized that you output as a drive signal to the amplitude modulation of No.. 2. The fundamental frequency signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said fundamental frequency signal generator comprises two or more fundamental frequency signals according to the type of alarm sound.
Generated separately, the alarm generation instructing unit outputs any type of basic frequency to the basic frequency signal generating unit.
Further having a function to determine whether to generate a signal
The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fundamental frequency signal generating section includes a first base signal having a frequency and an amplitude which are constant over the entire area of the signal.
This frequency signal has a constant amplitude over the entire
The first frequency section and the second frequency section having different numbers have the predetermined frequency.
Generates a second fundamental frequency signal that is alternately connected in a period
The alarm generation command section includes the basic frequency signal generation section and the modulation basic signal generation section.
Any type of fundamental frequency signal and modulated fundamental signal
Is determined, and the fundamental frequency signal is determined.
Generating the first fundamental frequency signal in the signal generator
The first modulated basic signal is supplied to the modulated basic signal generator.
Is generated, and the second base signal is generated in the fundamental frequency signal generation unit.
When generating this frequency signal, the modulation basic signal is generated.
The function of generating the second modulated basic signal in the live part is further added.
3. The alarm device according to claim 2, wherein the alarm device is provided.