JP7570142B2 - System and Program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system and program that displays individual information on the day of boarding a vehicle on a display means.

There are various types of electronic devices installed in automobiles, such as radar detectors and car navigation devices. These electronic devices have, for example, a control means for controlling the device, a storage means for storing various information required for control, and a display means for displaying the results of processing by the control means. The display means is composed of a small display or the like, and this display is placed near the driver's seat, and the user operates the electronic device by input from a touch panel, remote control, etc.

Many of these in-vehicle electronic devices do not perform processing constantly, even when the vehicle is moving. For example, a radar detector is in a standby state until it detects a radar. Also, for example, a car navigation device is in a standby state when it is not providing route guidance.

When the car is waiting for processing, the display of the in-car electronic device is often turned off or a standby screen is displayed indicating that the device is waiting for processing. In many cases, the standby screen simply displays an image such as the manufacturer's logo.

However, in recent years, attempts have been made to display various information on this standby screen to improve the convenience and added value of in-vehicle electronic devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Information to be displayed on the standby screen includes, for example, general information such as the date and clock, and information on the vehicle status such as the vehicle's inclination, tire air pressure, or acceleration applied to the vehicle.

JP 2012-194016 A

However, because general information such as the date and time, and information about the vehicle's status do not change significantly from boarding day to boarding day, it is possible that users may no longer find this information fresh and may stop paying much attention to the standby screen. Therefore, it was necessary to display information that would impress upon users that the boarding day is a special day different from other days, drawing their attention to the standby screen and further increasing the added value of in-car electronic devices.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and its purpose is to provide a system etc. that allows the user to recognize that the day they board the vehicle has a different personality from other days, and allows them to feel a sense of novelty and surprise every time they board the vehicle.

(1) The system according to the present invention is a system that controls the display of information on a display means, and has a display control means that controls the display of the personality information for the boarding date on the display means together with the date of boarding the vehicle.

Although the date of boarding is merely impersonal information, by displaying the unique information specific to that day along with the date, the user can recognize that the day they board has a different personality from other days. Therefore, instead of boarding the vehicle aimlessly as if every day is similar, the user can feel a sense of novelty and surprise each time they board the vehicle, and can be more alert when boarding, which can ultimately lead to safer vehicle driving.

The display means may be, for example, something that can be visually recognized by the vehicle occupants. For example, from the viewpoint of application to various in-vehicle electronic devices, the display unit may be a display screen. The date of boarding the vehicle may be, for example, the current date, and may be configured to be obtained from a current date generating means such as a battery-backed real-time clock. It is even better to configure it to be obtained via GPS, a mobile phone network, the Internet, or the like, and use the accurate current date and time.

The individual information for the boarding date may be incorporated into the program, or may be obtained from a storage means provided in a server or the like via a network, but it may also be stored in a storage means built into or connected to a device in the vehicle and then obtained.

The personality information for the boarding date may be, for example, information stored in association with information relating to the date on which the personality information should be displayed. The control for displaying the personality information for the boarding date on the display means may, for example, be control for extracting personality information whose current date obtained from the current date generation means matches the date on which the personality information should be displayed, and displaying the personality information stored in association with the matching date. The information relating to the date on which the personality information should be displayed may be, for example, date information for a specific day, date information for multiple different days, or date information indicating a range of days.

(2) The individuality information for the boarding date may include, for example, information that indicates characteristics that make the boarding date different from other days. This can give the impression to a user who sees the individuality information that the boarding date is a special day that is different from other days.

As information that indicates characteristics that can impress on the user that the boarding day is a special day different from other days, it is good to use information that gives the user some impression or emotion about the boarding day when they see it, as opposed to inorganic information such as a calendar or clock, which makes it difficult to sense daily changes.

The feature that is different from other days after the boarding date does not have to be a feature that is different from all other days after the boarding date, but it would be good to have a feature that is different from at least the days before and after the boarding date, for example.

The information showing the characteristics of the boarding day that are different from other days may be composed of, for example, a single piece of information whose content changes on a daily basis, or may be composed of a combination of multiple pieces of such information whose content changes on a daily basis. Also, for example, the information showing the characteristics of the boarding day that are different from other days may be composed of a combination of multiple pieces of information whose content changes over a period longer than a day on their own.

(3) The personality information for the boarding day may, for example, include a number of pieces of information each with different content. All of these pieces of information do not need to change on a daily basis; for example, it may be a number of pieces of information whose content changes in mutually different units or cycles. In this way, the combination of the multiple pieces of information as a whole will create a personality that is different from other boarding days, while at the same time allowing the user to experience major seasonal changes, such as seasonal changes, through each piece of information.

(4) The individuality information for the boarding date may include, for example, information on the six days of the week, the twenty-four solar terms, the seventy-two seasons, the phases of the moon, the age of the moon, the tides, or anniversaries related to the boarding date, or a combination of these pieces of information. Unlike inorganic information such as a simple date, this information contains meaning in itself, and therefore allows the user to sense the individuality of the boarding date, which is different from other days.

For example, the names of the Rokuyo days contain meanings in themselves. Also, the 24 solar terms and 72 seasons are a type of calendar, just like the Gregorian calendar that is currently used to indicate dates, but the names of each day give a sense of seasonal change. The waxing and waning of the moon, the age of the moon, and the tides change daily in a cycle of about 29 days, giving a sense of the passage of time.

For example, if the boarding date falls on the "Taian" day of the Rokuyo calendar, the user can feel that the boarding date is auspicious. Also, if the boarding date falls on the "Sakura Hajime-kai" day of the 72 seasons, the user can feel the freshness of the changing seasons.

Anniversary information can also give the user a sense of the special individuality of the boarding date. The anniversary can be, for example, a personal anniversary of the user, such as a birthday or wedding anniversary. It can also be, for example, a national holiday established by a public institution. It can also be, for example, an anniversary created by a company or industry group based on a play on words for the date. For example, if the boarding date is assigned to the anniversary "Bath Day" based on a play on words, the user can be surprised by the information about the unexpected anniversary.

These pieces of information are also examples of information whose content changes in different units or cycles. For example, the content of the Rokuyo changes on a daily basis, with the changes repeating every six days. The content of the Shichijuunikō changes on a five-day basis, with the changes repeating in a one-year cycle. Like the age of the moon, the content changes on a daily basis, with the changes repeating in a cycle of about 29 days. As for anniversaries, while there are some days that do not have anniversaries at all, the content basically changes on a daily basis, with the changes repeating in a one-year cycle.

Information such as anniversaries, whose content changes on a daily basis and whose cycle is long, may be used alone, for example, as information that distinguishes the boarding day from other days, thereby creating an impression of the simple individuality of the boarding day. Information such as the Rokuyo, 24 solar terms, 72 seasonal divisions, and lunar age is information whose content does not change on a daily basis or has a short cycle, but by combining these, they may be configured as information that, as a whole, indicates characteristics that differ from other boarding days. The combination of these pieces of information creates a synergistic effect, not only creating a profound individuality for the boarding day, but also giving a sense of the great seasonal changes through the individual information such as the 24 solar terms and 72 seasonal divisions.

In addition to this information, comments explaining the content of the information may also be displayed. For example, when displaying information on the 72 seasons, some of which have difficult names, displaying an explanatory comment such as "Water begins to freeze" for "Water begins to dry up" makes it easier for users to understand the content and satisfies their intellectual curiosity. It is also a good idea to allow users to customize such comments.

(5) For example, when multiple pieces of information are used in combination as the individual information for the boarding date, it is advisable to switch and display these multiple pieces of information at predetermined intervals. This allows a large amount of information to be displayed, and also makes it easier for the user to recognize each piece of information. In addition, the display of new information every time the user looks at the screen allows the user to feel something new. In addition, vehicles are used as a means of transportation, and when the travel takes time, the driver tends to become bored and to relax his or her awareness of safe driving. However, for example, when the driver of a vehicle looks at the display means while the vehicle is stopped, such as waiting at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, the driver can get a refreshing effect by seeing new information about the boarding date, and can drive safely with a renewed sense of awareness. In addition, passengers can also get an opportunity to talk to the driver every time the information displayed on the display means is switched, which helps the driver to refresh himself or herself.

(6) Although textual information can be used as the personality information of the boarding date, for example, an image showing the characteristics of the boarding date can also be used. By using an image, for example, the user can intuitively get a sense of the personality of the boarding date.

(7) By displaying text information and an image corresponding to that text information together on the display means, the user can easily and clearly understand, for example, the personality information of the boarding date. The text information may be, for example, information on the day of the week, the 24 solar terms, the 72 seasonal divisions, the phases of the moon, the age of the moon, the tides, or anniversaries of the day of the boarding, as described above.

As an image corresponding to the text information, for example, it is good to use an image that is closely linked to the content of the text information. Specifically, for example, if the text information is the age of the moon, it is good to display an image of the moon that corresponds to the phases and age of the moon on the boarding date. Also, for example, if the text information is the 72 seasons, and the 72 seasons on the boarding date is "cherry blossoms first blooming," it is good to display an image of cherry blossoms that are about half in bloom accordingly. Also, if the personality information is an anniversary, and the anniversary of the boarding date is "bath day," it is good to display an image of an open-air bath accordingly.

It is also preferable that the text information and the image corresponding to that text information can be customized by the user. For example, when displaying information about the user's wedding anniversary as personality information for the boarding date, the text information can be "Today is our xxth wedding anniversary" and the image can be a photo of the user's wedding.

(8) When there are multiple images showing the characteristics of the boarding date, it is advisable to, for example, switch between these multiple images at predetermined time intervals. For example, when there are multiple pieces of text information as the personality information of the boarding date, multiple images corresponding to each piece of text information may be prepared. In that case, for example, the display control means may switch between these multiple images at predetermined time intervals. This allows many images to be displayed and also makes it easier for the user to recognize each image.

In addition, vehicles are used as a means of transportation, and especially when the journey takes time, it is easy for the driver to become bored and to become lax about safe driving. However, for example, when the driver of the vehicle looks at the display means while the vehicle is stopped, such as at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, the driver can see new information about the boarding date, which has a refreshing effect and allows the driver to drive safely with a sharper awareness. Furthermore, if the information is in the form of an image, it is easy to recognize the information even during a short stop. Also, passengers can have an opportunity to talk with the driver every time the information displayed on the display means changes, which helps the driver to refresh himself. For example, if the information about the boarding date is switched and displayed at a predetermined time interval, the relevant images may be displayed in accordance with the timing of the switch.

(9) The system may further include, for example, an input receiving means for receiving input of the date on which an event occurs from a user, and the display control means may cause the display means to display a message regarding the event as personality information for the boarding date on the boarding date corresponding to the event occurrence date.

This allows the user to register a personal anniversary as individual information for the boarding date, making the boarding date a special day for the user. In addition, for example, by inputting an important deadline as the date of the event, the system can be used as a convenient reminder. Or, for example, by inputting the anniversary of a user's family member or significant other as the date of the event, it can be used as a way to surprise them.

The event may be, for example, a personal commemorative event for the user or an important event with a deadline. For example, the event may be the birthday of the user or someone close to the user, a wedding anniversary, the renewal date for a driver's license, the deadline for renewal of various qualifications or memberships, the expiration date of a vehicle's registration certificate, or the expiration date of optional insurance.

The input receiving means may, for example, display an event input screen on the display means, separate from the screen on which the boarding date and personality information are displayed, and receive input of the event occurrence date and event type from the user. The input may be made, for example, by a button provided on the in-vehicle electronic device, a touch panel provided on the display means, or a remote control. In addition to the event occurrence date and event type, the event input screen may also have, for example, an input section for the name of a person related to the event, a selection section for a message related to the event, or an input section for an original message.
The message regarding the event may be a message that has been registered in advance in the system, or may be an original message input by the user.

If the event is a birthday, the message may be, for example, a celebratory message such as "Happy Birthday." If the event is to prompt the user to enter a license renewal date, the message may be, for example, a reminder message such as "Have you renewed your driver's license yet?".

(10) The input receiving means may, for example, receive an input of the type of event from a user, and the display control means may cause the display means to display a message corresponding to the type of event input by the input receiving means as personality information for the boarding date corresponding to the date on which the event occurs. This may provide high convenience, since the content of the message to be displayed may vary greatly depending on the type of event, such as a birthday or license renewal date, and therefore an appropriate message that is in line with the nature of each type of event may be displayed.

It is a good idea to provide multiple types of events, such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, driver's license renewal dates, renewal deadlines for various qualifications or memberships, expiration dates for vehicle inspection certificates, or expiration dates for optional insurance, and to register these types of events in the system in advance.

The type of event can be input, for example, by displaying multiple types of events preregistered in the system on an event input screen and allowing the user to select a desired event from among them. If the desired event is not among the preregistered events, for example, it is possible to allow the user to register a new type of event.

As messages corresponding to the type of event, for example, messages corresponding to each type of event may be pre-registered in the system. In response to the user's input of the type of event, for example, a message corresponding to the input type of event may be called up from the pre-registered messages and displayed on the event input screen. If there are multiple messages corresponding to the input event, for example, these messages may be displayed on the event input screen so that the user can select the desired message from among them.

If the pre-registered messages do not contain the desired message, for example, the user may be allowed to input an original message. Alternatively, if the user wishes to rearrange the pre-registered messages, for example, the user may be allowed to edit the pre-registered messages.

Also, depending on the type of event, it may be a good idea to allow the user to enter the name of the person to whom the message is to be sent and to insert that name into the selected message. For example, if the event is the birthday of a close friend of the user and the user enters the name of the person to whom the message is to be sent, the message may read "Happy birthday, Mr./Ms. XX."

(11) The display control means may, for example, cause the display means to display a message notifying the user of the date of occurrence of an event as a message related to the event, a predetermined period of time prior to the date of occurrence of the event. By notifying the user of the date of occurrence of the event not only on the day of occurrence of the event but also a predetermined period of time prior to the date of occurrence of the event, for example one month prior, the user can make careful preparations for an event such as a wedding anniversary, for example, by preparing a gift or planning a date, providing high convenience to the user and helping to smooth human relationships.

(12) The predetermined period before the event occurrence date does not have to be once, but may be one month before, 10 days before, 5 days before, the day before, or at shorter intervals as the event occurrence date approaches. The shorter intervals allow the user to intuitively understand that the event occurrence date is approaching, and also create a sense of excitement about the event. Note that the necessity for such advance notification and the interval for advance notification may be set on the event input screen.

(13) The display control means may, for example, be configured to display a message reflecting the passage of the event date on the next boarding date if the user does not board the vehicle on the event occurrence date. There is a possibility that the user will not board the vehicle on the event occurrence date. In that case, by displaying a message reflecting the passage of the event date on the next boarding date, for example, the user can become aware of the passage of the event occurrence date, which is highly convenient.

The message reflecting the passage of the event occurrence date may be, for example, a message notifying the user that the event occurrence date has passed. If the type of event is, for example, the expiration date of a vehicle's vehicle inspection certificate, the message may read, "Your vehicle inspection certificate has expired. Have you had your vehicle inspected?".

In addition, the message that reflects the passage of time since the event occurred may be, for example, a message that was supposed to be sent on the day the event occurred, with changes made to reflect the passage of time. For example, if the type of event is a birthday, the message may be something like "A little late, but happy birthday." This type of message has a warmth that differs from a simple standard message, and can arouse the user's attachment to the system.

(14) The display control means may, for example, set the date of event occurrence as a reference date and display a message regarding the event on at least one of the following days: before the start of, during, or after a specified period that is set before and after the reference date. In this way, for example, in the case of an event such as a driver's license renewal in which a renewal period is set one month before and after a birthday, a message can be displayed not only on the reference date but also at appropriate times during and outside the renewal period, making the user aware of the driver's license renewal period and reducing the possibility of missing out on renewing the driver's license.

The specified period may be set automatically by registering the period in advance in the system according to the type of event, or the user may be able to set any period by input.

As the day on which the message is displayed, the day before the start of the specified period may be, for example, 10 days before the start date of the license renewal period, so that the user can prepare in advance for license renewal. The day within the specified period may be, for example, the start date of license renewal, a day after the start date and before the base date, a day after the base date and before the end date, or the end date, so that the user can be aware of the passage of the renewal period. The day after the end of the specified period may be, for example, the day after the end of the renewal period, so that the user is prompted to check whether license renewal is complete.

The event-related message may be, for example, a standard message that simply informs the user of the event or a set specified period of time, but the content may also change depending on the timing of the display. This can, for example, encourage the user to prepare for the event or warn that the end of the specified period is approaching.

Specifically, for example, a message to be displayed 10 days before the start date of the license renewal period could be "Your license renewal period begins on XX/XX.". Also, for example, a message to be displayed on the start date could be "Your license renewal period runs from today until XX/XX. Go and renew early." Also, for example, a message to be displayed on the base date or on a day after the base date within the renewal period could be "There are XX days left in the renewal period. Please go and renew as soon as possible." Also, for example, a message to be displayed on the end date could be "Today is the end of the renewal period. Have you renewed?" Also, for example, a message to be displayed on a day after the end date could be "Your renewal period ended on XX/XX. Have you renewed?"

Also, for example, if the license renewal is completed within the license renewal period, the input receiving means may receive the user's input of the end of renewal, and the display control means may not display any further messages.Also, for example, when the input receiving means receives the user's input of the end of renewal, it may automatically set the next license renewal deadline, and the display control means may display a similar message during the next license renewal period.

(15) Messages related to events may be displayed directly on the display means, but, for example, a button may be provided to notify the user of the presence of a message, and the message may be displayed on the display means when the user presses the button. This allows the message to be displayed at a time desired by the user, for example, as a means of giving a surprise present, making it easy for the user to use. Specifically, for example, if a user who is a driver inputs a lover's birthday as the date of the event, the user can surprise and delight the lover by pressing a button when picking up the lover and having them sit in the passenger seat to display a message celebrating the lover's birthday.

(16) The button that notifies the user of the presence of a message related to the event may be, for example, an image button operated by a touch panel, and may be constantly displayed on the display means until the user presses the button on the day the event occurs. In this way, although a plurality of pieces of information may be displayed on the display means at predetermined intervals as individual information for the boarding day, by constantly displaying the button that notifies the user of the presence of a message related to the event, for example, the user will not miss the timing to give a surprise, making it easy to use.
The image button may be displayed, for example, in a corner of the display screen so as not to interfere with the execution of the surprise or the display of other information.

(17) The button for notifying the user of the presence of a message related to an event may be provided as a physical button, for example, near the display means or on a remote control device used by the user. Also, for example, this physical button may be illuminated on the day the event occurs. This allows the user to be sure that a message exists even if the button is not displayed on the display screen.

The buttons may be provided near the display means, for example, around the periphery of the display screen on the in-vehicle electronic device. The buttons may also be used as a remote control device used by the user, for example, a remote control for operating the in-vehicle electronic device.

(18) The boarding date and personality information may be displayed, for example, on the initial screen or standby screen of the system. When the system is applied to, for example, an in-vehicle electronic device, since a user often starts up the in-vehicle electronic device when getting into the vehicle, displaying the boarding date personality information and traffic accident level information on the initial screen makes this information more noticeable to the user.

The initial screen of the system is, for example, a screen that is displayed when the system is started up. When the system is applied to, for example, an in-vehicle electronic device, the initial screen may be a screen that is displayed after the in-vehicle electronic device is started up and the manufacturer's logo, safety precautions, and the like of the in-vehicle electronic device are displayed.
By displaying the individual information for the boarding date on the standby screen of the system, the display means can be effectively utilized while the system is waiting for processing.

The system's standby screen is, for example, a screen that is displayed when the system is waiting for processing. If the system is applied to, for example, a target detection device, it is a screen that is displayed on the display means in a standby state when no targets are present in the vicinity.

The boarding date and personality information may be displayed, for example, on both the initial screen and the standby screen of the system. By displaying them for a long period of time, the personality of the boarding date and the traffic accident level information can be more strongly impressed on the user.

(19) The display control means may, for example, switch between a number of images corresponding to changes in the state of a specified item at predetermined time intervals and cause the display means to display the images together with the personality information for the boarding date.

By displaying multiple images corresponding to the state changes of a specific item together with the personality information for the boarding day, the user can be drawn to the display means and can also become interested in the personality information for the boarding day. It is also preferable for the image of the item's state change to anticipate the next change. In this way, it is possible to arouse excitement not only for the current boarding day, but also for the next boarding day.

The items may be, for example, things that are created or developed over a certain period of time in the real world through activities such as building, gardening, growing, crafting, sewing, etc. Examples of such items may include construction items such as skyscrapers, towers, or bridges, gardening items such as vegetables or fruits, growing items such as pets, crafting items such as furniture or robots, or sewing items such as dolls or clothes.

The change in the state of the item may be, for example, from the start of creation of the item to its completion, and the images corresponding to the change in the state of the item may be, for example, a plurality of images showing the stages of creation of the item from the start of creation to its completion.
For example, if the item is a building construction item, it would be good to have multiple images showing each stage of construction, such as the ground-breaking ceremony before construction, the foundation work, construction in progress, and completion.

The item may be of one type, or the user may select from a plurality of items. The selection of the item may be, for example, performed by displaying an item selection screen on the display means, separate from the screen on which the date and the individuality information are displayed, and accepting the selection of the item from the user.
The predetermined time for switching the images may be a fixed time, such as every day, or may be a variable time that varies depending on the travel time or distance of the vehicle.

(20) The display control means may, for example, switch between a plurality of images according to the change in the state of the item in accordance with the vehicle's travel time or travel distance. By switching between images in accordance with the vehicle's travel time or travel distance and progressing the change in the state of the item, for example, the user can feel the joy of riding in the vehicle.

(21) The display control means may, for example, cause the display means to display the traffic accident level information for the boarding day together with the personality information for the boarding day. By recognizing the traffic accident level information for the boarding day together with the personality information for the boarding day, the user can be made more aware of the traffic accident level information, which may be easily overlooked if it is simply displayed, and the user's awareness of safe driving can be increased.

(22) As traffic accident level information for the boarding day, for example, it is preferable to display the traffic accident caution level for each item and the overall traffic accident caution level. This allows, for example, the user to grasp the caution level for the boarding day at a glance and also to check the detailed level for each item. As traffic accident caution levels for each item, for example, it is preferable to provide a month rating, day of the week rating, time rating, area rating, prefecture rating, and speed rating.

The item-specific and overall traffic accident caution levels may be determined, for example, from a traffic accident occurrence level evaluation score obtained by classifying the number of past traffic accidents according to specified conditions and converting them into relative values. The specified conditions may be, for example, by month, day of the week, time period, area, or speed. This allows for a highly reliable display of caution levels.

The traffic accident caution level for each item may be determined, for example, by extracting the corresponding score based on the month, day of the week, time, and current location of the boarding date from the evaluation of the past traffic accident occurrence level for the conditions corresponding to each item. The overall traffic accident occurrence level may be determined, for example, by adding up the evaluation scores extracted for each item. Alternatively, such traffic accident caution levels may be calculated in advance for each boarding date and stored in the memory unit.

(23) The traffic accident caution levels for each item on the boarding day and the overall traffic accident occurrence level may be displayed, for example, in different colors depending on the level. This allows the user to easily determine whether the level is high or low. For example, a high level may be displayed in red, a medium level in yellow, and a low level in green.

(24) Traffic accident level information can also be displayed on the initial screen or standby screen together with the personality information. This can impress upon the user the traffic accident level information before and while they are in the vehicle, making them aware of safe driving.

When the system is applied to, for example, an in-vehicle electronic device, since a user often starts up the in-vehicle electronic device when getting into the vehicle, by viewing the traffic accident level information on the initial screen, the user can start driving with an awareness of safe driving. Also, by viewing the traffic accident level information on the initial screen, the user can start driving with a sense of urgency. Also, by viewing the traffic accident level information on the standby screen while the vehicle is stopped due to traffic congestion, for example, if the user has become complacent after a long drive, the user can resume driving with a renewed awareness of safe driving.

(25) The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to realize the function of a display control means in the system described in any one of (1) to (24) above.

According to the present invention, the user can recognize that the day they board the vehicle has a different personality from other days. Therefore, the user does not board the vehicle aimlessly as if every day is similar, but can feel a sense of novelty and surprise each time they board the vehicle. This makes it possible to increase the added value of the in-vehicle electronic device when the system is applied to, for example, an in-vehicle electronic device. Furthermore, the user can feel a sense of novelty and surprise at the uniqueness of the day they board the vehicle, and can be alert when they board the vehicle, which ultimately leads to safer vehicle driving.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a radar detector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radar detector. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a standby screen of the display device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a calendar stored in an EEPROM. (a) is a table showing the evaluation of past accident occurrence levels stored in EEPROM, (b) is a table showing the evaluation of traffic accident caution levels by item, and (c) is a table showing the evaluation of overall traffic accident caution levels. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a standby screen of the display device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a standby screen of the display device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a standby screen of the display device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a standby screen of the display device. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a standby screen of the display device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event input screen of the display device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event input screen of the display device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event input screen of the display device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event input screen of the display device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event input screen of the display device. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on a display device. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed on a display device. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a radar detector. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a standby screen. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a warning screen.

[Configuration of Electronic Device]
Figures 1 and 2 show a radar detector 1 which is a preferred embodiment of an electronic device constituting the system of the present invention. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of the front side (the surface facing the rear of the vehicle (the driver's side)) of the radar detector 1, and Figure 1(b) is a perspective view of the rear side. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the radar detector 1.

The radar detector 1 has a thin rectangular case body 2, and is fixed to the dashboard of a vehicle using a bracket 3 attached to the lower rear side of the case body 2.

The front surface of the case body 2 (the surface facing the rear of the vehicle (the driver's side)) is equipped with a display 5. The display 5 is composed of a 3.2-inch color TFT LCD display. The display 5 is equipped with a touch panel 6 that detects which part of the display 5 has been touched. In addition, a volume adjustment button 7 is located on the right side of the front surface of the case body 2, and various operation buttons 8 are located on the left side.

The right side of the case body 2 is provided with a card insertion port 9 for inserting a memory card 11 as a removable recording medium, and a memory card reader 10 is built into the card insertion port 9 inside the case body 2. By inserting the memory card 11 into this card insertion port 9, the memory card 11 is attached to the memory card reader 10. The memory card reader 10 takes in the data stored in the attached memory card 11. More specifically, the data stored in the memory card 11 includes information on new alarm targets (location information such as longitude and latitude, type information, etc.) and update information such as new personality information, and the update information is stored (downloaded) into a database 19 built into the device under the control of the control unit 18, and the data is updated.

The database 19 can be realized by a non-volatile memory (such as an EEPROM) inside the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or attached externally to the microcomputer. Note that map data, information about certain alarm targets, and individual information to be displayed on the standby screen are registered in the database 19 at the time of shipment, and data added thereafter is updated as described above.

A GPS receiver 13 is placed inside the upper center of the back side of the case body 2, and a microwave receiver 14 and a radio receiver 15 are placed next to it. The GPS receiver 13 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and outputs current position (longitude and latitude) information. The microwave receiver 14 receives microwaves of a specific frequency emitted from the speed measurement device. The radio receiver 15 receives incoming radio waves of a specific frequency. A speaker 16 is also built into the bottom of the case body 2. The speaker port is located on the bottom of the case body 2.

A DC jack 12 is located on the lower side of the side of the case body 2. This DC jack 12 is for connecting a cigarette plug cord (not shown), and is connected to the cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle via the cigarette plug cord to receive power.

In addition to the display 5, a lamp 31, a remote control receiver 32, and an infrared communication device 34 are arranged on the front of the case body 2 (omitted from Figure 1). The lamp 31 issues a warning by shining in various colors depending on the type and urgency of the alarm. The remote control receiver 32 communicates data with a remote control (portable device: child device) 33 via infrared rays, and performs various settings for this device. The infrared communication device 34 sends and receives data to and from a communication device with a built-in infrared communication device, such as a mobile phone 35.

The case body 2 also includes a geomagnetic sensor 36, an acceleration sensor 37, an air pressure sensor 38, and a real-time clock 39. The geomagnetic sensor 36 is a sensor that detects geomagnetism to determine which direction north is in relative to the direction of travel. The acceleration sensor 37 is a sensor that detects the vehicle's acceleration in the forward/backward, left/right, and up/down directions. The real-time clock 39 is a means for measuring the current time, which is expressed in years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds.

The radar detector 1 of this embodiment also includes a connection cable 22 that connects to an OBD-II (II is the Roman numeral "2", and hereinafter "OBD-II" will be referred to as "OBD2") connector installed in the vehicle. A connector terminal 23 that can be detachably attached to the vehicle's OBD2 connector is attached to the end of this connection cable 22. The OBD2 connector is also called a fault diagnosis connector, and is connected to the vehicle's ECU to output various vehicle information.

The other end of the connection cable 22 is provided with a connector terminal 25 for connecting to a socket port 24 provided on the side of the case body 2 of the radar detector 1, so that the connection cable 22 can be attached and detached to the radar detector 1. Of course, the connection cable 22 may also be directly connected to the radar detector 1.

By connecting the connector terminal 23 attached to the connection cable 22 with the OBD2 connector on the vehicle body, the control unit 18 acquires various vehicle information every 0.5 seconds. Examples of this vehicle information include vehicle speed, engine RPM, engine load factor, throttle degree, ignition timing, percentage of remaining fuel, intake manifold pressure, intake air volume (MAF), injection open time, engine coolant temperature (coolant temperature), temperature of air taken into the engine (intake temperature), air temperature outside the vehicle (outside air temperature), amount of remaining fuel in the fuel tank (remaining fuel amount), fuel flow rate, instantaneous fuel consumption, accelerator opening, turn signal information (operation of left and right turn signals (ON/OFF)), brake opening, steering wheel rotation angle information, etc.

The control unit 18 is a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, I/O, etc., and is connected to each of the above-mentioned units, executes predetermined processing based on information input from various input devices (touch panel 6, GPS receiver 13, microwave receiver 14, wireless receiver 15, etc.), and outputs predetermined warnings and messages using output devices (display 5, speaker 16, etc.). These basic configurations can basically be the same as those of the past. For example, for audio output, audio PCM data is stored in an EEPROM, which is a non-volatile memory, and the control unit 18 plays back this PCM data and outputs the audio from the speaker 16.

The functions of the radar detector 1 of this embodiment are stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 as programs executed by the computer that is the control unit 18, and are realized by the computer's execution of these programs. Functions realized by the computer through the programs held by the control unit 18 include a GPS log function, a standby screen display function, a map display function, a GPS warning function, a radar wave warning function, and a wireless warning function.

The GPS log function is a function in which the control unit 18 associates the current position detected by the GPS receiver 13 every second with the detection time and speed (vehicle speed) and stores the result in non-volatile memory as a position history. This position history is recorded in, for example, NMEA format.

The standby screen display function is a function for displaying a specified standby screen on the display unit 5. FIG. 19(a) shows an example of a standby screen, which shows the speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 13.

As shown in FIG. 19(b), the map display function is a function that accesses the database 19 based on the current position detected by the GPS receiver 13, and reads and displays the map data stored therein. The map display function also has a function that searches for warning objects around the current position based on the position information stored in the database 19, and if a warning object is present in the vicinity, displays information indicating the warning object (such as a target icon 112) superimposed on the corresponding position on the map. Specific display modes are as follows:

The control unit 18 displays the map in the main display area R1, which covers almost the entire surface of the display 5, so that the vehicle's traveling direction is always facing upwards. The control unit 18 displays the map so that the center of the lower side of the main display area R1 is the current vehicle position, and displays the vehicle icon 111 at that position.

The control unit 18 displays status information in a status area R2 set above the main display area R1. The status information displayed in the status area R2 includes, from the left, the current time 121 (in the figure, "15:10"), a GPS radio wave reception level display icon 122 (in the figure, three straight lines of different lengths standing parallel to each other, indicating the maximum reception level), a no-parking area icon 123 (displayed when the vehicle is in a most important parking area or a most important parking area), a reception sensitivity mode display icon 124 indicating the radar reception sensitivity (in the figure, "SE" for the highest sensitivity), a vehicle speed 125 (in the figure, "30 km/h"), and a compass 126. The status area R2 is a transparent area, and is arranged using a layer above the layer of the main display area R1. This allows the map located below to be seen in the status area R2 in places where no status information is displayed.

The control unit 18 displays the current scale information (reduction scale) in the scale display area R3 set on the left side of the main display area R1. The scale sets the vehicle position at 0 m and displays the distance from the vehicle position to the vertical center position of the main area R1 ("500" in the figure) and the distance to the upper position ("1000" in the figure). The unit is "m". When the control unit 18 detects that the main display area R1 has been touched twice consecutively, it displays a map scale change button (not shown) at a predetermined position in the main display area R1 (a position along the scale display area R3) and changes the map scale in response to the touch on the map scale change button. In other words, the control unit 18 changes the scale of the map displayed in the main display area R1 to match the scale of the changed map scale, and also changes the scale information displayed in the scale display area R3.

When the control unit 18 detects a single touch on the display unit 5 while the standby screen display function is being executed as shown in FIG. 19(a), the control unit 18 displays a menu screen. When the control unit 18 detects that a screen switching button provided in the menu screen has been touched, the control unit 18 switches to the map display function as shown in FIG. 19(b). Similarly, when the control unit 18 detects a single touch on the display unit 5 while the map display function is being executed, the control unit 18 displays a menu screen. When the control unit 18 detects that a screen switching button provided in the menu screen has been touched, the control unit 18 performs processing to switch to the standby screen display function.

The control unit 18 executes processing to realize each function, such as a GPS warning function, a radar wave warning function, a radio warning function, etc., depending on the event that occurs while the standby screen display function or the map display function (hereinafter these functions are collectively referred to as the standby function) is being executed, and when the processing of the corresponding function is completed, the processing returns to the original standby function. The priority of each function is set in the order of highest to lowest: radar wave warning function, radio warning function, and GPS warning function.

The GPS warning function is a process executed at a predetermined time interval (1 second intervals) in response to an event from a timer in the control unit 18. This process calculates the distance between the object of warning stored in the database 19 and the object of warning from the latitude and longitude of the current position detected by the GPS receiver 13, and when the calculated distance reaches a predetermined approach distance, displays a GPS warning display 130 (schematic diagram of the object of warning, remaining distance, etc.) as shown in FIG. 20(a) on the display 5, and outputs an approach warning sound from the speaker 16 indicating that the object of warning is approaching.

Such warning targets include locations of drowsy driving accidents, speed measuring devices (radar type, loop coil type, H system, LH system, photocell type, mobile type, etc.), speed limit change points, enforcement areas, checkpoints, parking ban monitoring areas, N system, traffic monitoring systems, intersection monitoring points, signal ignoring prevention systems, police stations, accident-prone areas, areas with high rates of vehicle theft, sharp/continuous curves (expressways), branching/merging points (expressways), ETC lane advance guidance (expressways), service areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), highway oases (expressways), smart interchanges (expressways), PA/SA gas stations (expressways), tunnels (expressways), highway radio receiving areas (expressways), prefectural border announcements, roadside stations, and viewpoint parking. Information on the types of these targets, latitude and longitude information indicating their positions, schematic diagram or photographic data to be displayed on the display 5, and audio data are associated with each other and stored in the database 19.

Figure 20 (a) shows an example of the display of the radar wave warning function. This radar wave warning function is an alarm function that displays a GPS warning display 131 as an alarm screen on the display 5 and outputs an alarm sound from the speaker 16 when the microwave receiver 14 detects a signal corresponding to microwaves in a frequency band emitted by a speed measurement device (such as a mobile radar (hereinafter simply referred to as "radar")). For example, when microwaves in the frequency band of microwaves emitted by a radar are detected by the microwave receiver 14, as shown in Figure 20 (b), a schematic diagram or photo of the radar stored in the database 19 is displayed as an alarm screen on the display 5, and the voice data stored in the database 19 is read out and a voice saying "This is radar. Watch your speed" is output from the speaker 16. The distance to be displayed may be, for example, a distance estimated from the electric field strength.

The radio warning function is a function that issues a warning when radio waves emitted by an emergency vehicle or the like are received by the radio receiver 15 so as not to interfere with the driving of the vehicle. The radio warning function scans the frequencies of police radio, car location radio, digital radio, special small radio, police station radio, police telephone, police activity radio, tow truck radio, helicopter radio, fire helicopter radio, fire radio, emergency radio, highway radio, security radio, etc., and when a radio signal is received at a scanned frequency, a schematic diagram that indicates that a radio signal corresponding to the frequency stored in the database 19 for each radio type is received is displayed on the display 5 as a warning screen, and audio data stored in the database 19 for each radio type is read out and an alarm sound indicating the type of radio signal is output from the speaker 16. For example, when a police radio signal is received, a sound such as "This is a police radio. Watch your speed." is output.

[Standby screen display function]
The control unit 18 also controls the display 5 to display a standby screen when no information is being input from the various input devices or when no input is being made by the user, i.e., when the device is in standby mode. The control unit 18 extracts the individual information for each boarding date stored in the EEPROM, incorporates it into a predetermined standby screen format, and outputs it as a standby screen specific to the boarding date.

Figure 3 shows an example of a standby screen that displays such personality information for the boarding date. The standby screen 50 shown in Figure 3 is roughly divided into an upper area R1 and a lower area R2, each of which displays personality information.

First, the upper section displays "2011 3/26 SAT 17:58" as date information 51 for the boarding date. The date information for the boarding date includes the year, month, date, day of the week, and time. The control unit 18 obtains the current time, expressed as the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, as measured by the real-time clock 39, and obtains the day of the week by referring to the calendar 40 (FIG. 4), which is stored in the EEPROM and will be described later, and displays this as date information 51 on the standby screen 50.

Next, next to the date information 51 of the boarding date, the Rokuyo 52 of the boarding date is displayed as one of the personality information of the boarding date. The Rokuyo consists of six types: Sensho, Tomobiki, Senbu, Butsumetsu, Taian, and Shakko, and each day has its own specific auspicious or unlucky meaning. Therefore, compared to impersonal information such as the date information 51, it allows a certain impression or emotion to be conveyed about the boarding date. In FIG. 3, the Rokuyo "Taian" is displayed as an example, and Taian is considered to be the most auspicious day of the Rokuyo. Therefore, when a user sees the personality information of the boarding date, Taian, they can sense that the boarding date has characteristics that are different from at least the days before and after it.

Under the date information 51 and the six days of the week 52 on the standby screen 50, the 72 seasons 53 of the boarding day are displayed as one of the characteristics information of the boarding day. The 72 seasons are a type of calendar invented in China, and each of the 24 solar terms, which divide a year into 24, is further divided into three periods of 5 days each, called the first season, the second season, and the last season. Each season is given a name that indicates changes in weather, temperature, and flora and fauna. For example, the first season of the 24 solar terms "Beginning of Spring" is named "East Wind Thawing (East wind begins to melt thick ice)". Also, for example, the second season of the 24 solar terms "Summer Solstice" is named "Iris Flowers Bloom". From these names of the 72 seasons, the user can sense the change of seasons on the boarding day.

In Figure 3, as an example, "Sakura Hajimekai" is displayed as number 53 of the 72 seasons. Many of the names of the 72 seasons are difficult to understand on their own, so it is a good idea to display a simple explanation along with the name to make it easier for users to understand. In Figure 3, next to "Sakura Hajimekai" is displayed the explanation "It is said to be the time when cherry blossoms begin to bloom." To make it easier for users to understand the name of the 72 seasons and the explanation together, this information is displayed in a square frame.

In FIG. 3, an image 54 corresponding to the 72 seasons is displayed to the right of the 72 seasons 53 displayed as text information. Specifically, an image of cherry blossoms corresponding to the 72 seasons "Sakura Hajimekai" is displayed. The image of cherry blossoms is deeply connected to "Sakura Hajimekai," which means "when cherry blossoms begin to bloom," so the user can easily and clearly understand the meaning of "Sakura Hajimekai."

The information on the six days of the week 52 and the seventy-two seasons 53, which are the individuality information for the boarding date, is stored in the form of a calendar 40 on an EEPROM, as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the information on the six days of the week 52 and the seventy-two seasons 53, and the images 54 related to the seventy-two seasons are stored in association with information on the year, month, and day of the day on which the individuality information should be displayed.

The control unit 18 obtains the current date from the real-time clock 39, and refers to the calendar 40 stored in the EEPROM to extract the date and day of the week corresponding to the current date, i.e., the information on the day on which the individuality information should be displayed, as well as the six days of the week 52 and the seventy-two seasons 53, and incorporates this information into the format of the standby screen to display it on the display unit 5 as the standby screen 50.

Returning to FIG. 3, the lower area R2 of the standby screen 50 displays traffic accident level information 57 for the boarding day as an example of personality information, to draw attention to the personality of the boarding day and to encourage the user to drive safely.

In the example of FIG. 3, the traffic accident level information 57 is composed of an overall traffic accident warning level 58a for the boarding date, a traffic accident occurrence level by item 59, and an explanatory text 58b. The traffic accident warning level 58a for the boarding date is arranged at the top of the lower region R2 so that it is the first thing the user sees. The explanatory text 58b is arranged next to it. Furthermore, the traffic accident occurrence level by item 59 is arranged at the bottom of the lower region R2. In other words, a user who first looks at the overall traffic accident warning level 58 for the boarding date can easily and accurately grasp the data by moving their eyes to the explanatory text 58b and the detailed traffic accident occurrence level by item 59.

The overall traffic accident caution level is displayed in three stages depending on the level, allowing the user to grasp the traffic accident caution level at a glance. More specifically, the rectangle located to the right of the "accident caution level" text displays the traffic accident caution level in green if it is lower than the first judgment level, in yellow if it is medium (between the first judgment level and the second judgment level, which is set higher than the first judgment level), and in red if it is higher than the second judgment level. In Figure 3, a medium green rectangle is displayed.

The traffic accident occurrence level by item 59, which is located below the lower area R2 of the standby screen 50, has six items in the example of FIG. 3: month rating 59a, day of the week rating 59b, time period rating 59c, area rating 59d, prefecture rating 59e, and speed rating 59f.

For each item, an indicator is placed to display the respective traffic accident occurrence level. Specifically, the indicator is a vertically long rectangle, and the area of the colored bar increases from the bottom to the top of the rectangle, indicating an increasing traffic accident caution level. At the same time, the color of the bar changes according to the traffic accident caution level.

Specifically, if the traffic accident warning level is low, the bar is displayed in green, if it is medium, in yellow, and if it is high, in red. In the example of Figure 3, the day of the week evaluation 59b and prefecture evaluation 59a, which have low levels, are colored in green, the month evaluation 59a and speed evaluation 59f, which have medium levels, are colored in yellow, and the time of day evaluation 59c, which has a high level, is colored in red. The user can tell at a glance whether the level is high or low by the color, and can further understand the detailed level by the area of the colored part of the indicator.

Explanatory text 58b displays text explaining the accident caution level on the boarding date. In FIG. 3, the text displayed is "The accident caution level is medium, but this month is prone to accidents. Please be careful." In other words, the text explains the overall traffic accident caution level 58a, and then explains noteworthy points in the individual traffic accident caution levels 59.

The traffic accident caution levels 59a to 59f for each item described above are displayed by the control unit 18 by extracting points corresponding to the conditions of the boarding date from an assessment table of traffic accident occurrence levels as shown in FIG. 5(a). This assessment table of traffic accident occurrence levels is stored in EEPROM. The assessment table of traffic accident occurrence levels is created by classifying the number of past traffic accidents according to the conditions shown in 1. to 6. of the table, converting them into relative values, and calculating the points. The conditions shown in 1. to 6. of the table correspond to items 59a to 59f, respectively. The conditions in 1. to 6. of the table are explained below.

1. Accident level evaluation by month The number of accidents occurring in each month from January to December was converted into a relative value to give an evaluation score for each month.

2. Accident level evaluation by day of the week The number of accidents occurring on each day of the week from Sunday to Saturday was converted into a relative value to give an evaluation score for each day of the week.

3. Evaluation of accident levels by time period The number of traffic accidents occurring in each two-hour period from 0:00 to 24:00 was converted into a relative value to give an evaluation score for each time period.

4. Accident level evaluation in accident-prone areas In areas with high accident rates published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the National Police Agency, an additional 5 points will be added.

5. Accident level evaluation per 100,000 population The number of accidents per 100,000 population in each prefecture was calculated, and a score from 1 to 5 was assigned to each of the top 10 prefectures in terms of the number of accidents. The higher the number of accidents, the higher the score.

6. Accident Level Evaluation by Speed Speed is divided into two levels for both ordinary roads and expressways, and an evaluation score is assigned to each level. Specifically, on ordinary roads, a speed of 60km-69km/h is rated at 2.5 points, and a speed of 70km/h or more is rated at 5 points. On expressways, a speed of 105km-120km/h is rated at 2.5 points, and a speed of 121km/h or more is rated at 5 points.

The control unit 18 extracts the evaluation scores that correspond to the conditions of the boarding date from the evaluation table of 1. to 6. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the evaluation scores are extracted under the following conditions:
Table 1. (Monday): March Table 2. (Day of the week): Saturday Table 3. (Time period): 16:00-18:00 Table 4. (Area): Outside the accident-prone area Table 5. (Prefectures): The 32nd worst prefectures Table 6. (Speed): 110km/h on expressways

Specifically, for Table 1, the evaluation score corresponding to the current month obtained from the real-time clock 39 is extracted. For Table 2, the evaluation score corresponding to the current day of the week obtained from the calendar 40 is extracted. For Table 3, the evaluation score for the time period corresponding to the current time obtained from the real-time clock 39 is extracted. For Table 4, if the current position obtained from the GPS receiver 13 is in an accident-prone area, a score of 5 is extracted. For Table 5, the evaluation score for the prefecture in which the current position obtained from the GPS receiver 13 is located is extracted. For Table 6, the type of road (expressway or general road) is determined from the current position obtained from the GPS receiver 13, and the evaluation score corresponding to the vehicle speed obtained from the acceleration sensor 37 is extracted.

Next, the control unit 18 judges the level of the evaluation score for each extracted item. Specifically, the level is judged as high, medium, or low according to the individual level evaluation table shown in FIG. 5(b). This individual level evaluation table is stored in the EEPROM. An evaluation score of 4 to 5 is judged as a high level, an evaluation score of 2.1 to 3.9 is judged as a medium level, and an evaluation score of 1 to 2 is judged as a low level.

The control unit 18 increases or decreases the area of the colored portion of the indicator for each item 59a to 59f according to the extracted evaluation score, and further colors it in a color according to the determined level (large, medium, or small), and displays it on the standby screen 50.

The control unit 18 further adds up the evaluation scores of the extracted items 59a to 59f and judges the level of the total score. Specifically, the level is judged as high, medium or low according to the overall level evaluation table shown in FIG. 5(c). This overall level evaluation table is also stored in the EEPROM. If the evaluation score is 21 to 30, it is judged as a high level, if the evaluation score is 11 to 20, it is judged as a medium level, and if the evaluation score is 1 to 10, it is judged as a low level.

The control unit 18 displays the overall accident warning level 58a on the standby screen 50 in a color corresponding to the determined level (high, medium, low). Furthermore, it generates an explanatory text 58b corresponding to the determined level and displays it on the standby screen 50.

As described above, one example of the standby screen 50 that the control unit 18 causes to be displayed on the display unit 5 has been explained. However, the control unit 18 switches the personality information to be displayed on the display unit 5 at predetermined time intervals, for example, approximately every 20 seconds, so that a large amount of personality information is brought to the user's attention.

Figure 6 shows another example of personality information to be displayed on the standby screen 50, including the phases of the moon on the boarding date 55a, the age of the moon 55b, the tides 55c, and an image of the moon 55d. The phases of the moon, the age of the moon, and the tides change daily in a cycle of approximately 29 days, giving a sense of the passage of time.

There are four phases of the moon 55a: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter, which change in a cycle of about 29 days. In the example in Figure 6, the last quarter is displayed.

The lunar age 55b indicates the time that has elapsed since the time when the apparent ecliptic longitudes of the moon and the sun are equal, and varies approximately from 0 to 29 days in relation to the waxing and waning of the moon. In the example in Figure 6, the lunar age displayed is 21.3.

Tides 55c represent changes in sea level, and there are five types: spring tide, neap tide, neap tide, apex tide, and young tide. They are roughly linked to the phases of the moon 55a, and change in a cycle of about 29 days. In the example in Figure 6, neap tides are shown.

Moon image 55d is an image of the moon that corresponds to the displayed lunar age 55b. In the example of Figure 6, a waning crescent moon corresponding to a lunar age of 21.3 is displayed.

Fig. 7 shows anniversary information 56a and anniversary image 56b as another example of personality information to be displayed on the standby screen 50. Anniversary information 56a displays information about anniversaries such as national holidays established by public institutions, and about anniversaries created by companies and industry groups based on a pun on the date. In the example of Fig. 7, text information is displayed saying "Today is Bath Day, according to a pun on the word "bath" that is set on the 26th of every month, based on the pun on the word "26 (furo)."

Anniversary image 56b is an image related to the anniversary displayed in anniversary information 56a. In the example of Figure 7, a photo of an open-air bath related to the anniversary "Bath Day" is displayed.

The data on the phases of the moon 55a, age of the moon 55b, tides 55c, image of the moon 55d, anniversary information 56a, and anniversary image 56b are stored in the EEPROM in the form of a calendar 40, similar to the data on the six days of the week 52 and the seventy-two seasons 53.

Figure 8 shows an example of displaying an item image 60 on the standby screen 50 along with personality information for the boarding date. The item image 60 is an image that depicts the change in state of a specific item using an illustration or photograph. In the example of Figure 8, the growth of a daisy, a gardening item, is displayed using an illustration.

The data for the item image 60 is stored in an EEPROM, but multiple images are prepared for each item, showing the state of the item changing in stages, and these are displayed in a switched manner at predetermined intervals to represent the change in the state of the item.

In the case of the daisy shown as an example in Figure 8, images are provided showing each stage from sowing, germination, growth, bud formation, and flowering. Figure 8(a) is an illustration of a plant with two leaves. Figure 8(b) is an illustration of a plant with buds. Figure 8(c) is an illustration of a plant in flower. In addition to these, there are several other illustrations available that depict the detailed changes in state, such as when the plant has four leaves, when leaves have grown, and when the stem has grown.

Figure 9 shows an image of a high-rise building, which is a construction item, as another example of an item image 60 to be displayed on the standby screen 50. Figure 9(a) shows an image of a ground-breaking ceremony, which is the early stage of high-rise building construction. Figure 9(b) shows an image of a completed high-rise building, which is the final stage of high-rise building construction. In addition to this, several images are provided that show detailed changes in status, such as images of foundation work being carried out and images of wall painting being carried out.

The images of the gardening and construction items mentioned above are switched on a daily or hourly basis. Alternatively, the illustrations are switched each time the driving time exceeds a predetermined time. Also, they are switched according to the time it takes to actually cultivate or construct. For items that require a long time, such as the construction of a skyscraper, it is set so that 10 days pass in one actual hour, and the overall display is shortened to about half a year. For the cultivation of daisies, it is set so that half a day passes in one actual hour, and the display is shortened. Alternatively, the illustrations are switched when the driving distance exceeds a predetermined distance. For the construction of a skyscraper, one day passes for every 50 km driven, and for the cultivation of daisies, one day passes for every 10 km driven.

In addition to the above-mentioned daisies and skyscrapers, various item images 60 are stored in the EEPROM. The user can select an item to display on the standby screen from the stored items.

As shown in FIG. 10(a), when an item to be displayed has not been selected, the standby screen 50 does not display an item image 60, and instead displays a message 64 urging the user to set an item, saying, "Press the item button to select an item and begin."

An item selection button 61 is displayed below the message 64. When the user selects the item selection button 61 via the touch panel 6, the control unit 18 displays an item list 65 shown in FIG. 10(b) on the standby screen 50 instead of the message 64.

The item list 65 lists the items stored in the EEPROM. In the example of FIG. 10(b), "skyscraper", "tower", and "bridge" are displayed as construction items, and "daisy", "rose", "tomato", "cucumber", and "eggplant" are displayed as "gardening items".

When the user selects one of the items and then selects the item display start button 62 displayed to the right of the item selection button 61, the display of the selected item image 60 begins on the standby screen 50.

Specifically, the control unit 18 acquires the image of the selected item stored in the EEPROM and displays it on the standby screen 50. A number of images are prepared for each item according to the stage of the state change, and information on the display order and display time for each image is also stored in the EEPROM. Based on the information on the display order, the control means first acquires the first image and displays it on the standby screen 50. The control means further acquires the time from the real-time clock 39, and when the display time for the first image has elapsed, acquires the second image from the EEPROM and displays it on the standby screen 50 in place of the first image. The third and subsequent images are also displayed sequentially based on the information on the display order and display time.

If the user wishes to stop displaying the item image 60, the user selects the item display reset button 63 displayed to the right of the item display start button 62. The control unit 18 stops displaying the item image 60, and instead displays a message 64 on the standby screen prompting the user to set the item.

[Event message display function]
The above describes the function of displaying individual information stored in advance in the EEPROM on the standby screen 50, but the individual information also includes information about the user's personal events that will occur on the boarding date, input by the user. The control unit 18 accepts input of such individual events of the user and stores the information in the EEPROM. Furthermore, on the boarding date when the event occurs, a message about the event is displayed on the display 5 as individual information for the boarding date.

(Entering an event)
First, the event input operation will be described. An event input button is provided on the menu screen (not shown) of the radar detector 1, and the user selects the event input button to switch to the event input mode. In the event input mode, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display various event input screens. In the various event input screens, the control unit 18 accepts input of various information such as the type of event and the date of occurrence from the user. In other words, the control unit 18 acts as an event input accepting unit.

Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 11, a title selection screen 70 is displayed that accepts input of the event type. In the center of the title selection screen 70, buttons 70a to 70f, each of which lists the name of an event, are displayed.

Of the buttons 70a to 70f indicating the event type, Driver's License 70a means the expiration date of the driver's license renewal. Vehicle inspection certificate 70b means the expiration date of the vehicle's vehicle inspection certificate. Qualifications 70c means the renewal expiration date of various qualifications and memberships. Voluntary insurance certificate 70d means the expiration date of various voluntary insurance certificates such as compulsory automobile liability insurance and non-life insurance. Birthday 70e means the birthday of the user or someone close to the user. Other 70f means the event occurrence date that is input by the user at their discretion, in addition to the event types mentioned above.

When the user selects one of the buttons 70a-70f and then selects the confirm button 76 displayed on the lower right side of the title selection screen 70, the event type is confirmed and the screen transitions to a detailed input screen corresponding to the respective event. Note that if the user wishes to cancel the selected button 70a-70f, the user selects the back button 75 displayed on the lower left side of the screen.

The buttons 70a to 70f that indicate the event types can be renamed to names that are easier for the user to understand. Alternatively, the user can add new buttons with names of their choice.

When the driver's license 70a is selected on the title selection screen 70, the control unit 18 then displays the driver's license expiration date input screen 71 (hereinafter simply referred to as the expiration date input screen 71) shown in FIG. 12.

A driver's license must be renewed within a two-month renewal period, which begins one month before the driver's birthday in the year in which the validity period expires and ends one month after the birthday. For this reason, the center of the expiration date input screen 71 has input fields 71a to 71c for appropriately displaying the validity period of the driver's license.

The upper part of the expiration date input screen 71 has an update date input field 71a, which is the start date of the update period. Below the update date input field 71a, there is an expiration date input field 71b, which is the end date of the update period.

Furthermore, below the expiration date input field 71b, there is a next validity period input field 71c for inputting the validity period until the next renewal. Driver's licenses are available in three types: green, blue, and gold, and each has a different validity period of three or five years. By inputting the validity period according to the type of license in the next validity period input field 71c, the control unit 18 calculates the appropriate renewal period from the next validity period and displays a message for the next renewal period, even if the user does not input the renewal date and expiration date.

The number of pages 71e is displayed at the top right of the expiration date input screen 71, and a page forward button 71d is displayed to the left of it. In the example of Figure 12, it is displayed that the total number of pages is 2. In this case, the page can be moved by operating the page forward button 71d.

Specific input operations on the expiration date input screen 71 will be explained using the update date input field 71a as an example. First, when the user selects the "Update Date" button displayed on the left side of the field, the control unit 18 displays the character input screen 72 shown in FIG. 13.

Character keys 72a including the 50 Hiragana characters, voiced consonants, semi-voiced consonants, and Arabic numerals 0 to 9 are arranged in the center of the character input screen 72. Characters are input when the user selects an input key 72a. Note that the characters include numbers.

At the top of the screen, a character display bar 72b is provided that displays the characters entered by the user, allowing the user to check the characters they have entered.

When entering the update date, the text input screen 72 first displays a message (not shown) stating "Please enter the year in four digits." The user enters the year of the update date using the Arabic numerals 0 to 9 among the text keys 72a. The user checks the text display bar 72b, and if the input is correct, selects the OK button 76. If the user wishes to correct the input, he or she selects the CORRECTION button 78 displayed to the left of the CORRECTION button 76. In this case, the CORRECTION button 78 functions as a so-called "Back Space key." In other words, each time the CORRECTION button 78 is pressed, the last character of the characters entered is deleted.

After the user has finished entering the year, the message "Please enter the month in two digits" is displayed. As with entering the year, the user then uses the character keys 72a to enter the month of the update date. After the user has finished entering the month, the message "Please enter the day in two digits" is displayed. As with entering the year and month, the user then uses the character keys 72a to enter the day of the update date. Note that when entering the date, the character keys 72a are set so that characters other than numbers are not accepted.

When all the dates have been entered, the control unit 18 displays the expiration date input screen 71 in FIG. 12 again. The date entered by the user is reflected and displayed in the field to the right of the "Update Date" button in the update date input field 71a.

Similarly, input into the expiration date input field 71b and the next validity period input field 71c is done by selecting the "Expiration Date" button displayed on the left side of the field and entering numbers on the displayed character input screen 72. Similarly, input into the next validity period input field 71c is done by selecting the "Next validity period" button displayed on the left side of the field and entering numbers on the displayed character input screen 72.

If you wish to delete the information you have entered, select the button located to the left of any of the input fields 71a to 71c, then select the delete button 77 displayed on the lower left side of the screen, and the control unit 18 will erase the input information. If you wish to correct the information you have entered, select the button located to the left of any of the input fields 71a to 71c, then select the correction button 78 displayed on the lower right side of the screen. When the correction button 78 is selected, the control means will again display the character input screen 72 shown in Figure 13, and accept the input of the correct date.

When you have finished entering the expiration date, select the decision button 76 displayed on the right side of the bottom of the screen. When the decision button 76 is selected, the control unit 18 stores the entered data in the EEPROM.

When birthday 70e is selected on the title selection screen 70 in FIG. 11, the control unit 18 then displays the birthday input screen 73 shown in FIG. 14.

The birthday input screen 73 accepts input of a name and birthday, and selection of a message to be displayed on the birthday. The birthday input screen 73 has 10 input fields so that the birthdays of multiple people can be input. Each field has a name display field 73a where the input name is displayed, a birthday display field 73b where the input birthday is displayed, and a selected message display field 73c where the number of the selected message is displayed.

When no name has been entered, the name display field 73a displays buttons with the input field numbers 1 to 10.

First, the specific operation for inputting a name and birthday will be described. From among the ten input fields, select via the touch panel 6 the button displaying the number of the field in which you wish to make an entry from input fields 1 to 10. When the button is selected, the control unit 18 displays the character input screen 72 shown in FIG. 13 and accepts the entry of the name of the person for whom the birthday is to be entered and the date of the birthday.

First, the mode for inputting a name is entered, and although not shown, the message "Please enter your name" is displayed on the character input screen 72. The input operation on the character input screen 72 is the same as the input of the license expiration date described above, but in the mode for inputting a name, all of the character keys 72a are set to be usable.

After inputting hiragana, users can convert it to kanji by selecting the conversion button 79 located on the bottom left of the screen. The converted characters are displayed in the character display bar 72b at the top of the screen, so the user can check the characters being converted as they are input.

When the user has finished entering the name, the user selects the Confirm button 76 displayed on the bottom right of the screen. If the user does not want to enter a name, the user selects the Confirm button 76 without entering a name.

When the selection of the OK button is detected, the device transitions to a mode for inputting a birthday. Although not shown, the character input screen 72 displays a message saying "Please enter the month of your birthday in two digits." The user inputs the month of their birthday using the character keys 72a. After the input of the month is detected, the device displays a message saying "Please enter the day of your birthday in two digits." Note that when inputting the month and day of your birthday, the character keys 72a are set so that input of characters other than numbers is not accepted.

As described above, when input of a name and a birthday is detected on the character input screen 72, the control unit 18 causes the birthday input screen 73 of FIG. 14 to be displayed again. The name display field 73a displays the name entered on the character input screen 72 instead of the field number, and the birthday entered on the character input screen 72 is also displayed in the birthday input field 73b.

Next, the operation for selecting a message to be displayed on a birthday will be explained. First, on the birthday input screen 73, the user selects the name display field 73a for which they wish to select a message from among input fields 1 to 10 in which the name and birthday have already been input. Then, the user selects the message button 80 displayed on the lower right side of the screen. When the control unit 18 detects that the message button 80 has been selected, it causes the message selection screen 74 shown in FIG. 15 to be displayed.

The message selection screen 74 has a message selection field 74a that displays various birthday-related messages M1 to M4. Messages M1 to M4 are stored in EEPROM. To the left of the message selection field 74a is a message number field 74b, which displays buttons with the respective message numbers M1 to M4. Messages M1 to M3 are general-purpose messages to celebrate birthdays. Message M4 is set so that the name entered on the birthday input screen is inserted into the leading "XX" portion when the message is actually displayed.

The user selects the button for the message number they wish to display from messages M1 to M4, and then selects the decision button 76 displayed on the lower right side of the screen. For example, when message M2 is selected, the control unit 18 stores message M2 together with the name and birthday information in the EEPROM. Furthermore, the birthday input screen 73 in FIG. 14 is displayed again.

Next to the birthday input field 73b of each field, a selected message display field 73c is provided, which displays the message number selected on the message selection screen 74. The selected message display field in field 3 displays message number M2. Note that in the default state, message number M1 is set and displayed in the selected message display field 73c.

Returning now to the message selection screen 74 in FIG. 15, below the existing messages M1 to M4 stored in the EEPROM, there is an original message display field 74c that displays original messages created by the user. In the message number field 74b to the right of the original message display field 74c, instead of a message number, a button labeled "Original" is displayed to indicate that the message is an original message.

When the user wants to create an original message instead of selecting one of the existing messages M1 to M4, the user selects the "Original" button in the message number field 74b. By selecting the "Original" button, the control unit 18 displays the character input screen 72 shown in FIG. 13.

In the character input screen 72 in FIG. 13, the user can input an original message within a specified number of characters. As with inputting a name, the user writes the message using the character keys 72a, and selects the conversion button 79 to convert hiragana to kanji as necessary. Input and conversion are performed while checking the content displayed in the character display bar 72b.

When input of the original message is completed, the decision button 76 is selected. The control unit 18 stores the original message in the EEPROM and displays the message selection screen 74 of FIG. 15 again. The original message display field 74c of the message selection screen 74 displays the contents of the original message input on the character input screen 72.

When returning from the character input screen 72 to the message selection screen 74, the "Original" button is selected, so by selecting the confirm button 76 in this state, the original message entered is decided as the message to be displayed on the birthday.

The control unit 18 stores the original message together with the name and birthday information in the EEPROM. Furthermore, it displays the birthday input screen 73 of FIG. 14 again. If an original message is selected, as shown in input field 1, the selected message display field 73c displays "Ori," indicating that an original message has been selected.

(Displaying messages)
As described above, an event is input by the user. The control unit 18 stores the input information in the EEPROM and displays a message according to the content of the event on the display unit 5. The manner in which the message is displayed will be described below.

Figure 16 shows how a message is displayed when a birthday is entered as an event. When the event is a birthday, in order to surprise the user, the message content itself is not displayed, but instead a message notification button 90 is displayed on the screen first to notify the user of the presence of a message, as shown in Figure 16(a).

The message notification button 90 is displayed in a conspicuous manner, such as by having the word "Message" surrounded by a frame and flashing light. The message notification button 90 is displayed at all times on the screen, including the standby screen, after the radar detector 1 is started, so that the user is aware of the presence of a message. However, it is displayed in the bottom corner of the screen so as not to interfere with other functions of the radar detector 1.

When the user presses the message notification button 90, the control unit causes a message 91 saying "Happy Birthday" to be displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 16(b). Like the message notification button 90, the message 91 is also displayed at the bottom of the screen so as not to interfere with other functions of the radar detector 1, but to create a celebratory birthday mood, the message is displayed in colored letters and has decorative letters and illustrations around the letters. At the same time as the message 91 is displayed, the message is read out aloud.

Even if the user does not board the vehicle on the day of the birthday, if the user boards the vehicle within about one week thereafter, the message notification button 90 and message 91 are displayed. In this case, taking into consideration that the birthday has passed, a sentence such as "A little late, but..." is added before the message 91 and displayed.

When the driver's license expiration date is entered as an event, the message notification button 90 is not displayed, and the message 91 is displayed directly. Furthermore, the message is not displayed once, but multiple times before and after the two-month renewal period.

As an example, if the license renewal period is from July 19th to September 19th, first, as shown in FIG. 17, on July 10th, which is 10 days before the start date of the license renewal period, a message 91 stating "The license renewal period starts on July 19th. Are you ready?" is displayed.

Message 91 is displayed at the bottom of the screen so as not to interfere with other functions of the radar detector 1. The message is displayed multiple times at a predetermined interval, such as 30 minutes, so as to catch the user's eye. If the message cannot be displayed on the screen all at once, the text is displayed scrolling from right to left.

Next, on July 19th, the start date of the renewal, a message is displayed stating, "The license renewal period runs from today until September 19th. Please go and renew early." On August 19th, the base date for the renewal period, a message is displayed stating, "There is one month left in the renewal period. If you haven't renewed yet, please go and renew early." On September 19th, the end date of the renewal period, a message is displayed stating, "Today is the end of the renewal period. Have you renewed?" If the user does not board a vehicle on September 19th, a message is displayed the next time the user boards a vehicle stating, "The renewal period ends on September 19th. Have you renewed?".

[effect]
The above-described embodiment provides the following advantages.
(A) By having the control unit 18 display the individuality information of the boarding day on the display 5 together with the date of boarding the vehicle, the user can see not only impersonal information such as the date of boarding, but also individuality information specific to that day, and can recognize that the boarding day has an individuality different from other days. Therefore, instead of boarding the vehicle aimlessly as if every day is similar, the user can feel a sense of novelty and surprise each time they board the vehicle, and can be alert and alert when boarding the vehicle, which ultimately leads to safety when driving the vehicle.

(B) In the above embodiment, the six days of the week 52, the seventy-two seasons 53, the phases of the moon 55a, the age of the moon 55b, the high and low tides 55c, and anniversary information 56a relating to the boarding day are displayed on the standby screen 50 as individual information for the boarding day. These are pieces of information that indicate characteristics that distinguish the boarding day from other days, and compared to inorganic information such as calendars and clocks, which make it difficult to sense daily changes, the information gives the user who sees them some kind of impression or emotion about the boarding day, and can impress upon them that the boarding day is a special day that is different from other days.

Each of these pieces of information does not have characteristics that are different from all other days on the boarding date, but at least they have characteristics that are different from the days before, after, and around it. Each piece is a combination of information whose content changes in different units and at different cycles, and when combined, they create a synergistic effect, fostering a profound individuality that is different from the other days on the boarding date, and overall allowing the user to experience major seasonal changes such as seasonal changes.

(C) As many of the 53 terms in the 72 seasons have difficult names, we also display comments explaining their meanings. This makes it easier for users to understand the content and satisfies their intellectual curiosity.

(D) The control unit 18 switches between the above multiple pieces of personality information at predetermined time intervals and displays them on the standby screen 50, allowing more information to be displayed and making it easier for the user to recognize each piece of information. Also, the display of new information every time the user looks at the screen allows the user to feel something new. Also, vehicles are used as a means of transportation, and when the travel takes time, the driver tends to get bored and become lax about driving safely. However, when the driver of the vehicle looks at the display while the vehicle is stopped, such as at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, the driver can see new information about the boarding date, which has a refreshing effect and allows the driver to drive safely with renewed awareness. Also, passengers can have an opportunity to talk with the driver every time the information displayed on the standby screen 50 changes, helping the driver to feel refreshed.

(E) In this embodiment, an image 54 of the 72 seasons is displayed on the standby screen 50 together with information on the 72 seasons 53. Also, an image 55d of the corresponding moon is displayed together with information on the phases of the moon 55a and the age of the moon 55b. Furthermore, an image 56b of the anniversary is displayed together with the anniversary information 56a. In this way, by using an image showing the characteristics of the boarding day as the personality information of the boarding day, the user can intuitively get a sense of the personality of the boarding day in a short time. Also, by using an image that corresponds to the text information or that is deeply connected to the content of the text information, the user can easily and clearly understand the personality information of the boarding day. By switching between these images and the corresponding text information at predetermined intervals, many images can be displayed, and the user can easily recognize each image.

(F) The control unit 18 displays the traffic accident level information 57 for the boarding date on the standby screen 50 together with the personality information for the boarding date described above, making the user more aware of the traffic accident level information that is likely to be overlooked if it is displayed alone, and raising the user's awareness of safe driving. In addition, by viewing the traffic accident level information on the standby screen while the vehicle is stopped due to traffic congestion, etc., if the user becomes careless after a long drive, the user can resume driving with a renewed awareness of safe driving.

(G) By displaying the traffic accident caution level 58 on the day of boarding and the past traffic accident occurrence level 59 used to determine this traffic accident caution level as traffic accident level information 57, the user can easily understand the caution level on the day of boarding and at the same time understand the past performance that is the basis for that caution level, thereby ensuring the reliability of the caution level on the day of boarding.

(H) The traffic accident caution level 58 on the day of boarding and the past traffic accident occurrence level 59 are displayed in red if the level is high, in yellow if the level is medium, and in green if the level is low. By displaying different colors according to the level, the user can easily determine whether the level is high or low.

(I) The control unit 18 switches between multiple images corresponding to the state changes of a specified item at specified time intervals and displays them on the standby screen 50 along with the personality information for the boarding day, thereby drawing the user's attention to the standby screen 50 and increasing interest in the personality information for the boarding day. By using items whose next changes can be predicted, such as gardening items such as flowers and vegetables, or construction items such as skyscrapers and bridges, it is possible to arouse excitement not only for the current boarding day, but also for the next boarding day.

(J) The control unit 18 displays various event input screens on the display unit 5 and, as an input receiving means, receives input of the date an event occurs from the user. Then, on the boarding date corresponding to the date on which the event occurs, a message about the event is displayed on the display unit 5 as individual information for the boarding date. This allows the user's personal anniversaries, such as birthdays, to be registered as individual information for the boarding date, giving the user a stronger impression that the boarding date is a special day. In addition, by inputting an important deadline, such as a driver's license renewal deadline, as the date on which an event occurs, the system can be used as a convenient reminder. In addition, by inputting the birthdays of the user's family or significant other as an event, it can also be used as a means of surprise for them.

(K) The control unit 18 displays a title selection screen 70, accepts input of the type of event from the user, and causes the display to display a message corresponding to the input type of event as personality information for the boarding date corresponding to the date on which the event occurs. This allows for a high level of convenience, since the content of the message to be displayed can vary greatly depending on the type of event, such as a birthday or license renewal date, but it is possible to display an appropriate message that is in line with the nature of each type of event.

(L) If the user does not board the vehicle on the day an event occurs, the control unit 18 displays a message on the next boarding day that reflects the passage of the event date, allowing the user to be aware of the passage of the event date, which is highly convenient. Also, if the event is a birthday, a message that is supposed to be sent on the day the event occurs, such as "A little late, but happy birthday," is displayed, which reflects changes that have occurred over time, creating a sense of warmth that is different from a simple standard message and encouraging the user to feel attached to the system.

(M) When the event is a driver's license renewal deadline, the control unit can make the user aware of the driver's license renewal period and reduce the possibility of forgetting to renew the driver's license by displaying a message informing the user of the renewal deadline before the start of the renewal period, during the period, and after the period ends. In addition, by changing the content of the message depending on the timing of the display, it is possible to encourage the user to prepare for driver's license renewal or to warn that the end of the renewal period is approaching.

(N) When the event is a birthday, instead of suddenly displaying a message on the display 5, the message notification button 90 is displayed first, and when the user selects this button, a message 91 is displayed, so that the message can be displayed at the user's desired timing and used as a means of a surprise gift, which is convenient for the user. Specifically, if the user, who is the driver, inputs the birthday of a lover as the event occurrence date, the user can surprise and delight the lover by selecting the button when picking up the lover and having them sit in the passenger seat to display a message celebrating the lover's birthday. Also, by keeping the message notification button 90 displayed at all times until it is selected by the user, the user will not miss the opportunity to give a surprise, which is convenient.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following aspects can also be configured.
(a) In the above embodiment, the year, month, date and time were obtained using a battery-backed real-time clock 39 built into the radar detector 1. However, it is also possible to use a radio-controlled clock to automatically adjust the time to Japan Standard Time on a regular basis, or to obtain the time via GPS, a mobile phone network or the Internet, etc., so that the accurate current date and time can be used.

(b) The individual information for the boarding date is stored in an EEPROM built into the radar detector 1, and the control unit 18 acquires and displays this information according to a program, but it may also be stored in a storage means such as an external server and acquired via a network.

(c) The personality information of the boarding day is not limited to the above. It can include information that indicates characteristics that make the boarding day different from other days and can impress upon the user that the boarding day is a special day different from other days. Information that indicates characteristics that can impress upon the user that the boarding day is a special day different from other days can be, for example, information that gives the user some impression or emotion about the boarding day when seeing it, as opposed to inorganic information such as a calendar or clock, where it is difficult to sense daily changes. The characteristics that make the boarding day different from other days do not need to be characteristics that are different from all other days of the boarding day, but can be characteristics that are different from at least the days before and after it, for example.

The information showing the characteristics of the boarding day that are different from other days may be composed of, for example, a single piece of information whose content changes on a daily basis, or may be composed of a combination of multiple pieces of such information whose content changes on a daily basis. Also, for example, the information showing the characteristics of the boarding day that are different from other days may be composed of a combination of multiple pieces of information whose content changes over a period longer than a day on their own.

The personality information for the boarding date may, for example, include a number of pieces of information each with different content. All of these pieces of information do not need to change on a daily basis; for example, it may be a number of pieces of information whose content changes in mutually different units or cycles. This allows the combination of the multiple pieces of information as a whole to create a personality that differs from other boarding dates, while also allowing the user to experience major seasonal changes, such as seasonal changes, through each piece of information. As another example of such personality information, for example, the 24 solar terms may be displayed.

(d) It is also preferable that the personality information displayed on the standby screen 50 be not only existing information, but that the user be able to customize it and display original personality information. To enable customization, a customization mode can be provided on the menu screen of the radar detector 1. Personal anniversary information for a user can be, for example, information about a wedding anniversary. In this case, in the customization mode, text information such as "Today is our xxth wedding anniversary" and a photo of the user's wedding can be registered as related images. It is also preferable to be able to specify the timing and frequency of display.

(e) In the above embodiment, the boarding date and individual information are displayed on the standby screen 50, but this information can be displayed not only on the standby screen, but also on the initial screen that is displayed immediately after starting up the radar detector 1. In this case, the initial screen is the screen that is displayed after the manufacturer's logo and safety precautions, etc., that are displayed immediately after starting up the radar detector 1 are displayed. Since users often start up the radar detector 1 when they board a vehicle, displaying the individual information of the boarding date and traffic accident level information on the initial screen makes this information more noticeable to the user.

(f) Traffic accident level information on the boarding day may be displayed not only on the standby screen 50 but also on the initial screen when the radar detector 1 is started. This makes it possible to impress the user with the traffic accident level information before boarding the vehicle, and to make them aware of safe driving. Furthermore, by displaying the personality information and traffic accident level information on the boarding day on both the initial screen and the standby screen 50, the information is displayed for a longer period of time, making it possible to make a stronger impression on the user of the personality information and traffic accident level information on the boarding day.

(g) In the above embodiment, gardening items and construction items have been described as examples of items to be displayed on the standby screen 50, but this is not limited to these. Other items that change state over a predetermined period of time through actions such as raising, crafting, or sewing can also be used. Raising items include pets such as dogs and cats. Pet crafting items include furniture and robots. Sewing items include dolls, clothes, etc.

(h) In the above embodiment, items are displayed on the standby screen 50 together with other personality information, but they may also be displayed alone on the display device 5.

(i) The event types that the user can select are not limited to those displayed on the title selection screen 70 in FIG. 11. If the desired event is not among the events prepared in advance, it is preferable that the user be able to register a new type of event in the customization mode. Furthermore, it is preferable that the user be able to register a message corresponding to the event and set the timing of message notification.

(j) In the message selection screen 74 of FIG. 15, if the desired message is not available among the existing messages M1 to M4, the user can input an original message, but it may also be possible to edit the existing messages M1 to M4. In that case, an edit button may be provided so that the user can select the edit button and then select one of the message numbers to switch to edit mode. Editing may be performed on the character input screen 72 of FIG. 13.

(k) In the above embodiment, when the event is the driver's license renewal deadline, messages are displayed both before and after the renewal period, but for other events, messages about the event may be displayed before the event occurs. For example, by notifying the user of the event occurrence date one month before their birthday, the user can make careful preparations, such as preparing a gift, providing high convenience to the user and helping to smooth human relationships.

In addition, the message displayed before an event does not have to be once, but may be displayed at shorter intervals as the event date approaches, such as one month before, ten days before, five days before, and the day before. The shorter intervals allow the user to intuitively understand that the event date is approaching, and also create a sense of excitement about the event. The necessity for such advance notification and the interval for advance notification may be set on the event input screen.

(l) In the above embodiment, a mode in which a message is displayed multiple times before and after the license renewal period has been described, but when the license renewal is complete, no further messages are necessary. Therefore, the expiration date input screen 71 in FIG. 12 may be provided with a field for inputting the procedure completion date, and when the user inputs the completion date, the control unit 18 may not display any further messages. In addition, the next license renewal deadline may be automatically set upon input of the next validity period 71c, and a similar message may be displayed during the next license renewal period.

(m) In the above embodiment, the message notification button 90 is displayed on the display 5 as an image button as shown in FIG. 16, but it may be provided as a physical button. For example, the message notification button 90 may be provided on a remote control device used to operate the radar detector 1.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, if the display 5 and the work buttons 8 are arranged on the front of the radar detector 1, a message notification button 90 may be arranged as one of the work buttons 8.

If the message notification button 90 is a physical button, it is a good idea to illuminate the physical button on the day the event occurs so that the user can be sure to know that a message exists.

(n) In the above embodiment, a radar detector 1 was used as an example of application of the system of the present invention, but the system can also be applied to other in-vehicle electronic devices such as car navigation devices. Furthermore, the system is not limited to in-vehicle electronic devices, and can also be applied to clocks used indoors, such as digital clocks, and home appliances with displays. In addition, by installing a program to realize the functions of the control unit of the present invention in electronic devices such as PCs and smartphones, the system can also be applied to these electronic devices.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Radar detector 2 Case body 3 Bracket 5 Display 6 Touch panel 7 Volume adjustment button 8 Operation button 9 Card insertion slot 10 Memory card reader 11 Memory card 12 DC jack 13 GPS receiver 14 Microwave receiver 15 Wireless receiver 16 Speaker 18 Control unit 19 Database 22 Connection cable 23 Connector terminal 24 Socket 25 Connector terminal 31 Lamp 32 Remote control receiver 33 Remote control 34 Infrared communication device 35 Mobile phone 36 Geomagnetic sensor 37 Acceleration sensor 38 Barometric pressure sensor 39 Real-time clock 40 Calendar 50 Standby screen 51 Date information 52 Rokuyo 53 72 seasons 54 Images of 72 seasons 55a Phases of the moon 55b Age of the moon 55c Tides 55d Image of the month 56a Anniversary information 56b Image of the anniversary 57 Traffic accident level information 58a Overall traffic accident warning level 58b Explanation 59 Traffic accident warning level by item 59a Month rating 59b Day of the week rating 59c Time period rating 59d Area rating 59e Prefecture rating 59f Speed rating 60 Item image 61 Item selection button 62 Item display start button 63 Reset button 64 Message prompting item setting 65 Item list 70 Title selection screen 70a Driver's license 70b Vehicle inspection certificate 70c Qualifications 70d Voluntary insurance card 70e Birthday 70f Others 71 Driver's license expiration date input screen 71a Renewal date input field 71b Expiration date input field 71c Next validity period input field 72 Character input screen 72a Character keys 72b Character display bar 73 Birthday input screen 73a Name display field 73b Birthday input field 73c Selected message display field 74 Message selection screen 74a Message selection field 74b Message number field 74c Original message display field 75 Back button 76 Confirm button 77 Delete button 78 Correction button 79 Conversion button 80 Message button 90 Message notification button 91 Message M1, M2, M3, M4 Message

Claims (4)

A system for controlling a display means to display information in a vehicle, comprising:
a function of displaying information corresponding to the date of boarding the vehicle and information regarding cautions against accidents on the boarding date on the same screen of the display means within a standby screen displayed while the vehicle is being driven ;
The display function switches information corresponding to the date of boarding the vehicle to another information corresponding to the date of boarding the vehicle, the information having different contents from the information, at predetermined time intervals, and displays the information on the standby screen;
The system displays on the standby screen information corresponding to the date of boarding into the switched-to other vehicle and information regarding caution against accidents on the boarding date, thereby enabling the system to show the information regarding caution against accidents to a user who has been shown the information corresponding to the date of boarding into the other vehicle . The function of displaying the
The system according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding caution against accidents on the boarding date includes a level of caution against accidents and a message indicating that caution against accidents should be observed on the same screen of the display means. The function of displaying the
The system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein information according to the date of boarding the vehicle and information regarding caution against accidents on the boarding date are displayed on an initial screen when the system is started. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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