United States Patent [191
`Shimizu et al.
`
`[11]
`[45]
`
`4,373,116
`Feb. 8, 1983
`
`[54] VOICE TRIP INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
`1195482 6/1970 United Kingdom .
`[75] Inventors: Michiro Shimizu, Yokohama;
`Masakazu Tsunoda, Fujisawa, both
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`of Japan
`Smith, “Single Chip Speech Synthesizers”, Computer
`Nissan Motor Company, Limited,
`Design, Nov. 1978, pp. 188-192.
`Kanagawa, Japan
`Primary Examiner—Emanuel S. Kemeny
`[21] Appl. NO.: 193,815
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lowe, King, Price & Becker
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`[22] Filed:
`Oct. 3, 1980
`A voice trip information system for an automotive vehi
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`cle, by which the driver is informed of tnp information
`54 12 353
`Such as trip time interval, trip distance, amount of fuel
`- 7
`Oct. 4, 1979 [JP]
`Japan .............................. ..
`consumed, fuel consumption rate and so on, whenever
`[51] Int. Cl.3 .............................................. .. G10L 1/00
`[52] US. Cl. ......................... .. 179/1 SM; 179/1 VE the ignition switch is turned off. The voice trip informa
`[58] Field of Search ............ .. 179/1 SM, 1 VB, 1 56;
`tion system‘comprises a vehicle speed Sensor, a fuel
`340/147, 148, 62, 53, 263; 364/424
`amount sensor, a clock device, and a voice synthesizer.
`R f
`C, d
`Further, a timer function is provided so that the initial
`e erences "9
`trip data are not reset if the ignition switch is turned off
`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`and on again within a predetermined period of time.
`3 431 498 3/l969 vanerian _
`The driver can hear the voice information at an appro
`3I64IZ496 2/1972 Slavin
`priate sound level as adjusted by dl'iVCI' perference.
`3,823,383 7/1974 Mallinger
`3,870,818 3/ 1975 Barton .......................
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`6
`[5 1
`
`179/1 VE
`l79/1 SM
`........ .. 340/62
`179/1 SM
`
`7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
`I
`/
`
`i
`
`IO
`/
`
`MEMORY ‘UNIT
`
`(ROM)
`
`;&
`
`I
`N
`/ =
`
`VOICE
`SYlNTHES‘ZER UN” Rs
`
`
`(OSC|LLATO_
`‘ EB'NTTE'ESTIERQJ
`
`,
`iv
`I
`s
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`'
`
`INTERFACE C
`CONTROL UNIT ~9
`:mcmmm I
`
`IGNITION Siq
`29-‘ SWITCH I
`SPEED EL
`- 4o SENSOR
`FUEL
`
`3'
`
`4'
`42
`
`REPEAT R_
`43 SWITCH
`
`Svr
`
`L
`
`1
`
`t.
`
`F
`
`.o
`
`f
`
`4
`
`TUNER
`
`ELECTRONIC VOLUME
`CONTROL
`
`ANPLIFIER
`I
`3
`
`CV
`
`T
`
`i
`i
`
`6
`
`3
`PREAMPLIFIER
`
`5 _.
`AMPLiFlER
`
`/"
`l
`
`..
`VARIABLE RESIsTOR
`
`/
`SPEAKER
`
`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 1
`
`

`
`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 2
`
`

`
`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 3
`
`

`
`US. Patent Feb. 8, 1983
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`4,373,116
`
`IGNITION SWITCH IS
`TURNED ON
`
`READ CLOCK SIGNAL
`I
`(BLOCK l I
`
`STORE IT AT
`ADDRESS _A_
`I
`(BLOCK '2)
`
`READ FUEL SIGNAL
`I
`(emcx a)
`STORE IT AT
`ADDRESS 5_
`I
`(BLOCK 4)
`
`-
`
`RESET TRIP
`DISTANCE REGISTER
`(BLOCK v5)
`
`EXECUTE OTHER PROGRAMS
`
`(BLOCK 6 I
`
`IGNITION SWITCH
`
`(BLOCK 7)
`YES
`
`READ CLOCK SIGNAL
`I
`(BLOCK 8)
`
`CALCULATE TRAVEL TIME AND
`DETERMINE VOICE INFORMATION
`I
`(BLOCK 9)
`TEMPORARILY STORE
`VOICE INFORMATION
`I
`(BLOCK IO)
`
`READ TRIP DISTANCE
`I
`(BLOCK 1|)
`DETERMINE VOICE
`INFORMATION
`
`d) (BLOCK I2)
`
`' (BLOCK 25)
`YES
`.
`
`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. PBICIII Feb. 8, 1983
`
`Sheet 4 0f 5
`
`4,373,116
`
`.F|G.3(b)
`
`TEMPORARILY STORE
`VOICE INFORMATION
`I
`(BLOCK I3
`
`READ FUEL SIGNAL
`(BLOCK I4
`CALCULATE FUEL CONSUMED
`AND DETERMINE VOICE
`INFORMATION
`(BLOCK :5)
`I
`TEMPORARILY STORE
`VOICE INFORMATION
`I
`(BLOCK I6)
`CALCULATE FUEL
`' CONSUMPTION RATE
`I
`(BLOCK 1?)
`DETERMINE VOICE
`INFORMATION
`(BLOCK I8)
`I
`TEMPORARILY STORE
`VOICE INFORMATION
`I
`(BLOCK l9)
`READ SOUND VOLUME
`VALUE FOR RADIO
`I
`(BLOCK 2o)
`
`SET VOICE VOLUME
`(BLOCK 2|)
`
`OUTPUT SYNTHESIZED
`' VOICE INFORMATION
`(BLOCK 22
`
`I S
`REPEAT SWITCH
`ON?
`
`YES
`
`(BLOCK 23)
`
`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patsnt Feb. 8, 1983
`
`Sheet 5 of5
`
`4,373,116
`
`
`
`JOKkZOO MEDJO>
`
`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 6
`
`

`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ,
`1. Field of the Invention
`‘
`The present invention relates generally to a voice
`information system for an automotive vehicle, and more
`particularly to a trip information system such that the
`driver is informed of various trip information such as
`distance traveled, duration of trip, amount of fuel con
`sumed, and fuel consumption rate, in voice form, when
`ever the driver turns off the ignition switch to ‘stop the
`engine.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`In a vehicle various meters are typically provided,
`such as a trip distance meter, a clock and a fuel meter.
`Conventionally, therefore, a driver must visually check
`various meters for various data. For instance, the driver
`must ?nd the distance traveled by looking at'the trip
`distance meter, remember the remaining fuel amount
`and the time when the trip starts, recheck the remaining
`fuel amount and the time when the trip ends, and calcu
`late the consumed fuel amount, the duration of the trip,
`and the fuel consumption rate from these data in order
`to know the trip information.
`.
`However, since this procedure is troublesome. Since
`the various data items are indicated to the driver only
`visually, the driver would usually overlook these data
`and neglect ‘the calculation, except in a situation when
`the driver positively wants to know these data and the
`calculation results. Particularly, when the driver stops
`the vehicle to get out of the vehicle, since the driver’s
`attention is directed toward, the outside, the data on the
`meters‘ ?xed on the instrument panel are prone to be
`neglected.
`,
`Recently, there has appeared a vehicle where a driv
`ing computer is mounted to display digitally ‘various
`trip information such as, for example, distance traveled
`and fuel amount consumed whenever one of the push
`buttons is depressed by the driver. Even in this case,
`however, the trip information is not indicated to the
`driver unless the driver depresses the operating push
`button for the purpose of obtaining the particular item
`of information.
`-
`.
`
`25
`
`45
`
`1
`
`4,373,116
`
`VOICE TRIP INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR AN
`‘AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
`
`LII
`
`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The features and advantages of the voice-form infor
`mation system of the present invention will be more
`clearly’ appreciated‘ from the following description
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
`inwhich like reference numerals designate correspond
`ing elements, and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a ?rst embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`I
`‘FIG. 2 is 'a schematic block diagram helpful in ex
`plaining the theory of operation'of a voice synthesizer
`using a linear prediction coding system (LPC);
`FIGS. 3a and 3b are an example of a ?owchart for a
`program used with the embodiment of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 4 is‘a schematic block diagram of a second
`embodiment of the present invention.
`I
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`Reference is now made to the ?gures, and more spe
`ci?cally to FIG. 1, wherein a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention is illustrated.
`,
`'
`In FIG. l,'the numeral 1 denotes an input/output
`interfaceincluding waveform shapers, dividers, A/D
`converters, a multiplexer, and latch circuits, to which
`are input various signals'such as an on/off signal Sig of
`an ignition switch signal 20, a vehicle speed signal S,
`from a speed sensor40, a fuel amount signal Sffrom a
`fuel sensor 41, a clock signal S,~from an electronic clock
`oscillator 42, an on/off signal of a repeat switch 43, a
`sound volume signal SVR indicating a sound volume
`value as set by and a volume control 4 (variable resistor)
`provided in a car radio 7. In this ‘case, the car radio 7
`comprises a tuner 2, a preampli?er 3, a volume control
`4, an ampli?er 5, and a speaker. 6.
`.
`v
`The vehicle speed signal S, is shaped to a rectangular
`pulse signal through the waveform shaper in the inter
`face 1 and is divided into, for instance, one pulse per ‘
`kilometer through a divider to form a distance signal.
`The fuel amount voltage signal Sffrom the fuel sensor
`is- converted into a frequency signal according to the
`voltage level through a V-F converter in the interface
`1, and then shaped to a rectangular pulse signal.
`_
`Subsequent to the waveshaping, these signals are read
`into a microcomputer, provided in a control unit 9 in a
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`voice synthesizing-system 8, at their respective prede
`termined timings in order to be processed in accordance
`With these problems in mind, therfore, it is the pri
`mary object of the present invention to provide a voice
`with a program.
`=
`The numeral 8 denotes a voice synthesizing system of
`form information system for an automotive vehicle such
`‘a linear prediction coding (LPC) system formed of
`that the initial basic trip data of start distance reading,
`three LSI units, which comprises a memory unit
`remaining fuel and starting time are stored in a memory
`(ROM) 10, a synthesizer unit. 11 (oscillators, ?lters, and
`when the ignition switch is turned on, and the current
`trip information calculated from the initial basic trip
`D-A converters), and a control unit or microcomputer
`9. This control unit 9 is a microcomputer comprising a
`data and current reading is indicated to the driver, in
`voice form, when the ignition switch is turned off.
`CPU for controlling all the operations,’ a memory _
`(ROM) for storing programs and ?xeddata, a memory
`In this case, the systemis so designed that the initial
`input/output data, a clock oscillator ‘
`basic trip data are not reinitialized even if the ignition
`\ (RAM) for storing
`switch is turned off and on again within a predeter
`60
`and so on.
`mined period of time. This is because such a chain of
`trips (e.g. over one day) may be regarded as one trip,
`even if the engineis turned off for a brief resting period,
`for example, to take a rest or to refuel.
`,
`To achieve the above-mentioned object, the voice
`information system of the present invention comprises a
`plurality of sensors for obtaining necessary trip data and
`
`50
`
`~
`
`.1 _
`
`.
`
`- The control'unit 9 processes various signals input
`through the interface 1, stores various initial basic data
`such as distance traveled, fuel consumed, and the time
`interval, calculates these data for obtaining the neces
`sary trip information, and controls the voice synthesizer
`unit 11 in order to'synthesize a spoken message includ- -
`ing trip information, depending on a program and using
`the method of time sharing. That is to say, the unit 9
`
`65
`
`a voice synthesizer. '
`
`'
`
`:
`
`y '
`
`>
`
`.
`
`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 7
`
`

`
`3
`serves as a controller for the microcomputer and the
`voice synthesizer unit.
`In the preferred embodiment, the whole system is so
`designed that power is supplied thereto when the igni
`tion switch is turned on. The system also includes a
`timer function to maintain the power for a predeter
`mined period of time after the ignition switch is turned
`off.
`As is well known in the art, a voice synthesizer based
`on the LPC system has recently been put on the market
`at a reasonable price by Texas Instrument Incorporated
`of the U.S.A. FIG. 2 shows schematically the principle
`of operation of this voice synthesizer.
`In this synthesizer, pseudo-random noise signals N
`generated by the ?rst sound source oscillator (white
`noise generator) 14 are selected by a switch 16 to pro
`duce voiceless sounds, and periodic impulse signals P
`generated by the second source oscillator (impulse gen
`erator) 15 are selected by the switch 16 to produce
`voiced sounds. After being ampli?ed by an ampli?er 17,
`these signals N and P are formed into a voice by a grid
`type ?lter 18 where the resonance characteristics of the
`human vocal tract (vocal organs such as tongue and lips
`located above the vocal chords) in speaking are mod
`eled, and are output as a synthesized voice signal after
`conversion into an analog signal through a 'D-A con
`verter 19.
`The different values of constants such as the pitch of
`the periodic impulse signal, the distinction between
`voiced and voiceless sounds, the ratio of the ampli?ca
`tion of the ampli?er 17, and the ?lter constants of the
`grid-type ?lter 18, are stored in the memory unit
`(ROM) 10 of FIG. 1.
`The voice synthesizer unit 11 comprises various cir
`cuits which correspond to a ?rst sound source oscillator
`14, a second sound source oscillator 15, a switch 16, an
`ampli?er 17, a grid-type ?lter 18, a D-A converter 19 so
`that the synthesized voice sound signal V, necessary for
`trip information can be output after being controlled
`according to the output signal selected by the control
`unit 9.
`The voice signal Vs outputted from the voice synthe
`sizer 8 is adjusted by means of an electronic volume
`control 12, ampli?ed by an ampli?er 13, and output
`through a speaker 6 provided in the car radio 7.
`In this case, the microcomputer in the control unit 9
`determines the voice output volume according to a
`sound volume value as set by the volume control 4
`provided in the car radio 7 (determined by the use of a
`signal SVR) and outputs a voice volume control signal
`C, through the interface 1 to the electronic volume
`control 12, so that the voice volume can be adjusted to
`an appropriate level based on driver preference.
`FIG. 3 shows an illustrative ?owchart used with the
`microcomputer in the control unit 9.
`In this flowchart, when the ignition switch is turned
`on, the microcomputer starts to execute the trip infor
`mation program. First, the program reads the clock
`signal from the electronic clock device through the
`interface (Block 1), stores it at address A in the register
`(Block 2), reads the fuel signal from the fuel sensor
`through the interface 1 (Block 3), and then stores it at
`address B in the register (Block 4). Next, the vehicle
`speed signal Sy is shaped and divided into a distance
`pulse signal having one pulse per kilometer through the
`interface 1, and resets a trip distance register which
`counts the travel distance pulse signal (Block 5). Next,
`provided that the ignition switch is kept on, other pro
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,373,116
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`4
`grams not relating to the present invention are, if neces
`sary, executed repeatedly (Block 6).
`If the ignition switch is turned off (Block 7), the clock
`signal from the electronic clock is read through the
`interface 1 (Block 8), the travel time interval is calcu
`lated from the clock signal previously stored at address
`A in the register, and voice information such as, “Trip
`time was one hour thirty minutes” is determined in
`accordance with the calculated trip data (Block 9). This
`voice information is temporarily stored in the RAM of
`the microcomputer (Block 10).
`Next, a trip distance data is read from the trip dis
`tance register (Block 11), and voice information such as,
`for instance, “Trip distance is 80 Km” is determined in
`accordance with the trip distance data (Block 12), and
`this voice information is temporarily stored in the RAM
`(Block 13).
`Next, the fuel signal Sfis read through the interface 1
`(Block 14), the amount of fuel consumed is calculated
`based on the fuel data previously stored at address B in
`the register, and voice information such as “Five liters
`of fuel consumed” is determined in accordance with
`fuel consumed data (Block 15). This voice information
`is temporarily stored in the RAM of the microcomputer
`(Block 16).
`Further, based on the trip distance data and fuel con
`sumed data, the fuel consumption rate is calculated
`(Block 17), and voice information such as “Fuel con
`sumption is 16 kilometers per liter” is determined in
`accordance with the fuel consumption data (Block 18).
`This voice information is temporarily stored in the
`RAM of the microcomputer (Block 19).
`Next, the program reads a signal SVR to determine the
`voice information volume according to the sound vol
`ume value as set by the volume control 4 in the car radio
`7 according to driver preference (Block 20), determines
`the voice volume value, and sets the electronic volume
`control 12 to set the voice volume (Block 21).
`At this step, in accordance with the trip data mes
`sages such as trip time, trip distance, amount of fuel
`consumed, and fuel consumption rate, which have pre
`viously been stored in the RAM in the microcomputer
`9, the memory unit 10 and the voice synthesizer unit 11
`are operated. Synthesized voice signals V; are produced
`and output through the electronic volume control 12,
`the ampli?er 13 and the speaker 6 to inform the driver
`of the trip information in voice form (Block 22).
`After that, the program checks whether the repeat
`switch is on (Block 23), and, if on, the same trip infor
`mation is output again. This repeat switch is useful
`when the driver fails to heat the voice information
`properly.
`Next, the program checks whether the ignition
`switch has been turned back on again (Block 24). If the
`ignition switch is turned on again within a given period
`of time (e. g. two hours), the program executes the steps
`again beginning from Block 6. If the ignition switch is
`. off, the program checks whether the given period has
`elapsed (Block 25). If elapsed with the ignition switch
`kept off, the program ends; if not elapsed with the
`switch off, the program goes to Block 23 to check
`whether the repeat switch is on.
`In addition, although the above examples show the
`case where the initial basic data are kept as they are if
`the ignition switch is turned off and on again within a
`given period of time, it is, of course, possible to design
`the system‘ so that the trip information is always reset
`when the ignition switch is turned off. In this case,
`
`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 8
`
`

`
`20
`
`35
`
`4,373,116
`5
`6
`unless the repeat switch is turned on within agiven
`the trip distance information, as explained above, and is
`period of time, the program ends.
`output as a series of voice signals Vs after selection in
`accordance with the voice output designation signal D,
`FIG. 4 shows an example schematic block diagram of
`generated from the voice output selector 33.
`another embodiment of the present invention, in which
`only the trip distance information is indicated to the
`Although it is possible to use the same voice synthe
`driver.
`sizer as in the ?rst embodiment, a magnetic tape or sheet
`In this ?gure, the numeral 20 denotes an ignition
`can be used in this embodiment because the amount of
`switch to supply the battery voltage to an ignition cir
`trip distance information is relatively small. In this case,
`cuit (not shown) when turned on. The numeral 21 de
`two sets of voice information such as, for instance, the
`notes a relay for closing contacts 210 to supply voltage
`numerical values from 1 to 200 and “Trip distance is . .
`to the voice-form information device (V ID).
`. kilometers” are magnetically stored separately, se
`lected in accordance with the voice output designation
`The numeral 22 denotes a timer unit including a timer
`signal D5, and assembled together for reproducing a
`circuit 23 and a relay 24 with a relay coil 24a and relay
`series of voice signal Vs.
`contacts 24b, by which the power continues to be sup
`plied to the voice-form information device VID for a
`In the voice output unit, the numeral 36 denotes an
`given period of time (e.g. two hours) after the ignition
`electronic volume controller of voltage control type
`including transistors and FETs, whereby the level of
`switch 20 is turned off. In this case, the timer circuit 23
`the voice signal Vs output from the voice memory 35 is
`starts when the potential at point a goes low when the
`controlled according to a voice control signal Cv (ex
`- ignition switch 20 is turned off and is reset when the
`potential goes high. When the timer circuit 23 starts, the
`plained later) from a voice volume memory 38. The
`timer unit 22 immediately activates the relay 24 to close
`numeral 37 denotes an audio ampli?er, and the voice
`ampli?ed by the audio ampli?er 37 is reproduced
`the normally-opened contacts 24b for a given period of
`time.
`through one of a plurality of loudspeakers 6a to 6d
`Accordingly, even if the ignition switch is turned off
`provided for other audio equipment such as a car radio
`and if the relay contacts 21a open, since the relay
`7.
`1
`contacts 24b are closed, the power is supplied to the
`As is well known, a conventional car radio 7 com
`voice information device until the given period of time
`prises a tuner 2, a preampli?er 3, a volume control 4
`elapses.
`(variable resistor), an ampli?er 5, and a balancer 39 to
`balance the respective sound volume of the speakers
`It is also possible to use another switch, operated
`6a-6d (unnecessary when only one speaker is used).
`together when the ignition switch is turned on, instead
`of the contacts 210.
`The numeral 38 denotes a voice volume memory for
`The numeral 25 denotes a trip distance determining
`storing a sound volume value as set by the volume con
`unit, where a vehicle speed signal S, with a frequency
`trol 4 in the car radio 7. When a usual rotary type or
`proportional to the number of revolutions of the trans
`linear motion type variable resistor is used for the con
`mission shaft is detected with a vehicle speed sensor 26,
`trol 4, a variable resistor of the same type can be used by
`shaped to a rectangular pulse signal Sk through a wave
`connection thereto. On the other hand, when an elec
`form shaper 27, and divided into a pulse signal Sp of, for
`tronic volume control is used (controllable from the
`instance, one pulse per kilometer through a divider'28.
`outside), the voice volume memory 38 must store the
`This pulse signal Sp is counted by a trip distance counter
`control voltage signal electrically even when the power
`29, and the counted value is outputted to the next stage
`supply of the car radio 7 is turned off, in order to con
`trol the electronic volume control 36 by the voice vol
`as trip distance data Sd through a gate circuit 30.
`ume control signal Cy
`The trip distance counter 29 is reset by an output
`pulse P, when the ignition switch 20 is ?rst turned on to
`As described above, the voice information device
`comprises the trip distance determining unit 25, a voice
`close the contacts 21a of the relay 21 and a one-shot
`multivibrator 31 is triggered by a voltage rise at point b.
`output selector 33, a voice output unit 34, and a voice
`When the ignition switch 20 is turned off, since the
`volume memory 38. According to this embodiment,
`point a goes from high to low, another one-shot multivi
`when the ignition switch 20 is turned on, the voice
`brator 32 is triggered and the output pulse Pg opens the
`information device starts to operate; the trip distance
`determining unit 25 counts the trip distance. Whenever
`gate circuit 30 to output the counted value of the trip
`the vehicle is stopped and the ignition switch is turned
`distance counter 29 as a trip distance data Sd.
`off, the voice output unit 34 informs the driver of trip
`If the ignition switch 20 is turned on again while the
`timer circuit 23 is still operating (e.g. within two hours),
`distance information, in voice ‘form. If the ignition
`since the point b is kept high, the one-shot multivibrator
`switch is turned off, on the way to the destination for a
`31 is not triggered and the trip distance counter 29 is not
`rest, for example, and then the switch is turned on again .
`within the time limit (e.g. within two hours) preset by
`reset.
`the timer circuit 23, the trip distance from the initial
`The numeral 33 denotes a voice output selector,
`which inputs trip distance data 8,; output by the trip
`start point is indicated to the driver.
`distance determining unit 25 when the ignition switch
`In this second embodiment, it is, of course, possible
`also to input a fuel signal and a clock signal for inform
`20 is turned off, as explained above, selects voice infor
`ing the driver of various trip information such as
`mation in accordance with the trip distance data, such
`as “Trip distance is ten kilometers” which has previ
`amount of fuel consumed, trip time interval and so on.
`In this case, however, a multiplexer for selectively out
`ously stored in a voice memory 35 of a voice output unit
`34, and outputs a voice output designation signal D, as,
`putting one of various signals will be necessary.
`for instance, a many-bit binary signal with a plurality of
`As described above, according to the present inven
`tion, when the ignition switch is turned on, various
`bits.
`65
`In the voice memory 35 of the voice output unit 34,
`initial basic data are stored; when turned off, various
`voice information in units of sentences, phrases, words,
`trip information based on the initial data is indicated to
`or phones is previously stored to inform the driver of
`the driver in voice form.
`
`40
`
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`
`55
`
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`Petitioner Nissan North America, Inc. - Exhibit 1008 - Page 9
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`In addition, since it is possible to design the system so
`that the initial basic data are not initialized even if the
`ignition switch is turned off and on again within a pre
`determined period of time, the drive can obtain trip
`information based on the initial data in such a system 5
`even if the vehicle is stopped for a rest on the way to the
`destination.
`It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
`the foregoing description is in terms of preferred em
`bodiments of the present invention wherein various
`changes and modi?cations may be made without de
`parting from the spirit and scope of the invention,
`which is to be designed by the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A voice trip information system for an automotive
`vehicle provided with an engine, which comprises:
`(a) an ignition switch for outputting an ignition-on
`signal Sig when turned on and an ignition off-signal
`when turned off;
`(b) a speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed and for
`outputting a vehicle speed signal SV,
`(0) a fuel sensor for detecting an amount of fuel and
`for outputting a fuel amount signal Sf,
`(d) a clock oscillator for outputting a clock signal 5;,
`(e) an interface including interconnected waveform
`25
`shapers, dividers, A-D converters, a multiplexer
`and latch circuits, said interface being connected to
`said ignition switch, said speed sensor, said fuel
`sensor, and said clock oscillator for waveform
`shaping the vehicle speed signal SVto a rectangular
`pulse signal, dividing the shaped vehicle speed
`signal SVinto one pulse per predetermined distance
`to obtain a distance signal, converting the fuel
`amount signal Sf into a frequency signal corre
`sponding thereto, and sequentially transferring the 35
`signals input thereto in a time-shared sequence;
`(f) a voice synthesizing system including:
`(1) a voice synthesizer;
`(2) a memory unit connected to said voice synthe
`sizer for temporarily storing voices synthesized
`thereby; and
`(3) a control unit connected to said interface, said
`voice synthesizer and said memory unit, said
`control unit formed by a microcomputer having
`a central processing unit, a read only memory for 45
`storing programs and fixed data, and a random
`access memory;
`(g) said control unit including means for outputting
`?rst command signals, in response to the ignition-on
`signal Sig, to said interface to read the vehicle speed
`signal SV, the fuel amount signal Sfand the clock
`signal 8;, for storing of these signals as initial basic
`data,
`second command signals, in response to the ignition
`off signal, to said interface to read the current vehi
`cle speed signal SV, the current fuel amount signal
`Sfand the current clock signal S,-, for calculating
`travel time based on the initial and current clock
`signals 8,; travel distance based on the distance
`signal obtained from the vehicle speed signals SV,
`fuel consumed based on the initial and current fuel
`amount signals Sf, and fuel consumption rate based
`on the calculated travel distance and fuel con
`sumed; and
`third command signals to said voice synthesizer to 65
`determine a plurality of voice messages in accor
`dance with the obtained travel time, travel dis—
`tance, fuel consumed and fuel consumption rate
`
`8
`and to output each of determined voice form mes
`sages after having temporarily stored each in said
`memory unit,
`whereby travel time, travel distance, fuel consumed
`and fuel consumption rate are indicated, in voice
`form, when said ignition switch is turned off.
`2. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle
`as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises:
`(a) a relay including a relay coil and a pair of
`contacts, and two contacts being connected in
`parallel with said ignition switch; and
`(b) a timer connected to said relay coil for energizing
`said relay coil for a predetermined period of time to
`close said contact pair for said predetermined per
`iod of time when said ignition switch is turned off,
`whereby the ignition switch is kept turned on for a
`period of time determined by said timer without
`resetting the initial stored trip data, even if said
`ignition switch is temporarily turned off for a time
`shorter than said predetermined period of time.
`3. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle
`as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises:
`(a) a volume control means provided in a car radio
`and connected to said interface for providing a
`sound volume signal SVR thereto indicative of a
`car-radio sound volume value; and
`(b) an electronic volume controller connected to said
`voice synthesizer and said interface for adjusting
`voice volume of the determined voice form mes—
`sage in accordance with a voice volume control
`signal CV from said interface,
`whereby the volume of the determined voice mes
`sages is determined according to car-radio sound
`volume as adjusted by driver preference.
`4. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle
`as set forth in either claim 2 or 3, which further com
`prises a repeat switch connected to said interface for
`outputting a repeat switch signal R to repeat the deter
`mined voice messages when said repeat switch is turned
`
`on.
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`‘
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`5. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle
`as set forth in claim 3 wherein said volume control
`means comprises a variable resistance.
`6. A method of indicating to a vehicle driver trip
`information for an automotive vehicle in voice form,
`which comprises the steps of:
`(a) detecting whether or not an ignition-on signal Sig
`is being output by an ignition switch;
`(b) upon detecting the ignition-on signal, reading a
`clock signal Sioutput by a clock oscillator to obtain
`initial travel time data;
`(0) storing the read clock signal S,- in a memory unit;
`(d) reading a fuel amount signal Sfoutput by a fuel
`sensor to obtain initial fuel amount data;
`(e) storing the read fuel amount data in the memory
`unit;
`(f) resetting a trip distance register by a vehicle speed
`signal SVoutput by a speed sensor;
`(g) detecting whether or not an ignition-off signal is
`being output by the ignition switch;
`(h) upon detecting that an ignition-off signal is not
`being output by the ignition switch, repeating step
`(a) above;
`(1) upon detecting the ignition-off signal, reading the
`current clock signal S,- output by the clock oscilla
`tor to obtain current travel time data;
`(j) calculating travel time on the basis of the initial
`and current travel time data;
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`(k) determining a voice form message corresponding
`(x) setting a voice volume control signal to an elec
`tronic volume contnol in accordance with the
`to the calculated travel time data;
`sound volume signal; and
`(1) temporarily storing the determined voice form
`(y) outputting the current stored voice form messages
`message in a voice memory unit;
`in sequence.
`(m) reading the current trip distance data registered
`7. A method of indicating a driver of vehicle trip
`in the trip distance register;
`information on an automotive vehicle in voice form as
`(n) determining a voice form message corresponding
`set forth in claim 6 which further comprises the follow
`to the registered trip distance;
`ing steps of:
`(0) temporarily storing the determined voice form
`(a) determining whether or not a repeat switch-on
`message in the voice