IP Library Granted Patent US 9,126,526
Granted Patent B2
US 9,126,526 · App. 14/168,950 · Granted Sep 8, 2015

Vehicle approach information device with volume control

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,126,526
App. No.
14/168,950
Granted
Sep 8, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle approach informing device includes: an informing sound output unit mounted on a vehicle and configured to inform of approach of the vehicle by transmitting sound to the outside; a distance measurement unit to detect a current position of the vehicle and to measure a distance between the detected current position and a predetermined position; and a sound volume control unit configured to set a sound volume outputted by the informing sound output unit to a predetermined normal sound volume when the distance measured by the distance measurement unit is equal to or longer than a first distance, and to set the sound volume to a lower level than the normal sound volume when the distance measured by the distance measurement unit is shorter than the first distance.

Claims (12)

1. A vehicle approach informing device comprising:

an informing sound output unit mounted on a vehicle and configured to inform the approach of the vehicle by transmitting sound to the outside;

a distance measurement unit to detect a current position of the vehicle and to measure a distance between the detected current position and a predetermined position; and

a sound volume control unit to set a sound volume outputted by the informing sound output unit to a predetermined normal sound volume when the distance measured by the distance measurement unit is equal to or longer than a first distance, and to set the sound volume to a lower level than the normal sound volume when the distance measured by the distance measurement unit is shorter than the first distance, wherein

when the distance measured by the distance measurement unit is shorter than the first distance, the sound volume control unit reduces the sound volume outputted by the informing sound output unit stepwise as the measured distance decreases, and

when the distance measured by the distance measurement unit is shorter than a second distance that is shorter than the first distance, the sound volume control unit stops outputting sound.

2. The vehicle approach informing device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the distance measurement unit measures a distance between the vehicle and the predetermined position by receiving radio waves which are sent from the predetermined position.

3. The vehicle approach informing device according to claim 1 , further comprising

a position input unit to receive an input operation to set a predetermined position for measuring a distance from the current position of the vehicle by the distance measurement unit.

4. The vehicle approach informing device according to claim 2 , further comprising

a position input unit to receive an input operation to set a predetermined position for measuring a distance from the current position of the vehicle by the distance measurement unit.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 12, 2017
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: SUBARU CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042624/0886 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Oct 31, 2014
From: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 034114/0841 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2014
From: YOKOYAMA, YUTAKA; KANAYA, HIROAKI
To: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 032099/0137 →