Information presentation device

• US 20110035100A1
• Filed: 08/05/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
• Inventors: Sanma, Norio, Iguchi, Sei, Shigeoka, Keiji
• Granted Patent: US 8,412,390 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/029 Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system

Abstract

An information presentation device includes: a directional information obtaining element for obtaining directional information based on a signal from an enhancement device for safety or comfort of a passenger of a vehicle; an information presentation controller for generating a driving signal based on the directional information; and a stimulation element including multiple vibrators for generating a traveling wave of vibration in an in-vehicle element. A directionality of the traveling wave corresponds to the directional information. The stimulation element transmits the traveling wave to the passenger so that the passenger perceives the directionality of the traveling wave.

Claims

1. An information presentation device comprising:

a directional information obtaining element for obtaining directional information based on a signal from an enhancement device, wherein the enhancement device enhances safety or comfort of a passenger of a vehicle, and at least a part of the enhancement device is disposed in the vehicle;

an information presentation controller for generating a driving signal based on the directional information; and

a stimulation element including a plurality of vibrators, each of which is operated based on the driving signal so that the vibrator generates a traveling wave of vibration in an in-vehicle element, wherein the passenger touches the in-vehicle element,

wherein a directionality of the traveling wave corresponds to the directional information, and

wherein the stimulation element transmits the traveling wave to the passenger so that the passenger perceives the directionality of the traveling wave.

2. The information presentation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a touch detector disposed in the in-vehicle element,

wherein the information presentation controller outputs the driving signal when the touch detector detects that the passenger is capable of perceiving the traveling wave.

3. The information presentation device according to claim 2,

wherein the information presentation controller outputs the driving signal when the touch detector detects that the passenger touches the in-vehicle element.

4. The information presentation device according to claim 1,

wherein the stimulation element is disposed in the in-vehicle element,

wherein the in-vehicle element is a direction change operator for operating a driving direction of the vehicle.

5. The information presentation device according to claim 4,

wherein the in-vehicle element is a steering wheel.

6. The information presentation device according to claim 1,

wherein the stimulation element is disposed in the in-vehicle element,

wherein the in-vehicle element is a part of a seat, on which the passenger sits down.

7. The information presentation device according to claim 1,

wherein the plurality of vibrators is separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and

wherein the plurality of vibrators is coupled with each other via a vibration transmit member so that the passenger perceives the traveling wave through the vibration transmit member.

8. The information presentation device according to claim 1,

wherein the plurality of vibrators includes an upstream vibrator and a downstream vibrator,

wherein the upstream vibrator is disposed on an upstream side of a vibration transmit direction of the traveling wave, and the downstream vibrator is disposed on a downstream side of the vibration transmit direction,

wherein the upstream vibrator has a vibration strength, which is repeatedly changed with time in a first change pattern,

wherein the downstream vibrator has a vibration strength, which is repeatedly changed with time in a second change pattern, and

wherein the first change pattern is different from the second change pattern so that the traveling wave moves from the upstream vibrator to the downstream vibrator.

9. The information presentation device according to claim 8,

wherein the vibration transmit direction of the traveling wave is a direction from the upstream vibrator to the downstream vibrator.

10. The information presentation device according to claim 8,

wherein the first change pattern provides that the vibration strength is repeatedly reduced with time, and the second change pattern provides that the vibration strength is repeatedly increased with time.

11. The information presentation device according to claim 8,

wherein repetition of the vibration strength of the upstream vibrator includes a no vibration period, in which the upstream vibrator does not vibrate, and

wherein repetition of the vibration strength of the downstream vibrator includes a no vibration period, in which the downstream vibrator does not vibrate.

12. The information presentation device according to claim 1,

wherein the enhancement device is an air conditioning system, a driving guidance device, a steering assist device, an operation assist device for acceleration, an operation assist device for brake, or an obstacle monitor around the vehicle.

13. The information presentation device according to claim 1,

wherein the enhancement device is a steering assist device,

wherein the stimulation element is disposed in the in-vehicle element,

wherein the in-vehicle element is a steering wheel of the vehicle,

wherein the directional information provides an instruction of a turning direction of the steering wheel, and

wherein the stimulation element prompt the passenger to operate the steering wheel along with the turning direction.

14. The information presentation device according to claim 13,

wherein the plurality of vibrators includes an upstream vibrator and a downstream vibrator,

wherein the upstream vibrator is disposed on an upstream side of a vibration transmit direction of the traveling wave, and the downstream vibrator is disposed on a downstream side of the vibration transmit direction,

wherein the upstream vibrator has a vibration strength, which is repeatedly changed with time in a first change pattern,

wherein the downstream vibrator has a vibration strength, which is repeatedly changed with time in a second change pattern,

wherein the first change pattern is different from the second change pattern so that the traveling wave moves from the upstream vibrator to the downstream vibrator, and

wherein the vibration transmit direction of the traveling wave is a direction from the upstream vibrator to the downstream vibrator, which corresponds to the turning direction of the steering wheel.

15. The information presentation device according to claim 14,

wherein vibration of the plurality of vibrators provides phantom sensation or apparent movement.