Vehicle display device

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle display device (100) for displaying information to an occupant of a driver's seat of a vehicle (1), comprising: a display unit (4) arranged to face the driver's seat and extend in the vehicle width direction; and a display control unit (13) configured to display information of a location recommended to the occupant of the driver's seat on the display unit (4) in an overlapping manner with an image of a scene in front of the moving vehicle (1). The location information is displayed as a first image showing the location, a second image showing information about the location, and a third image connecting the first image and the second image. The display control unit (13) controls the display unit (4) so that the second image is displayed at a fixed position on the display unit for a predetermined time, and then moves in a direction away from the driver's seat and is displayed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display device that displays information to an occupant of a driver's seat of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] As such a device, a device that displays the entire route from the vehicle's departure point to the destination, as well as recommended stop information, on a display unit of a vehicle navigation device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The device described in Patent Document 1 recommends stops based on pre-set recommended facilities and pre-identified user preferences during route guidance to a destination set by the user via an input unit.

[0003] In recent years, vehicles equipped with advanced driving assistance systems such as automatic driving have become increasingly popular. In such vehicles, it is preferred to convey various information to the occupant of the driver's seat, who is the main user of the vehicle, via a video screen on a display in order to improve convenience.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-159996 (JP 2014-159996 A). Summary of the Invention

[0007] One technical solution of the present invention is a vehicle display device for displaying information to a passenger in the driver's seat of a vehicle. The device comprises: a display unit disposed opposite the driver's seat and extending in the vehicle width direction; and a display control unit configured to display, on the display unit, information about a location recommended to the passenger in the driver's seat, superimposed on an image of the scenery ahead of the moving vehicle. The location information is displayed as a first image showing the location, a second image showing information about the location, and a third image linking the first and second images. The display control unit controls the display unit so that the second image is displayed at a fixed position on the display unit for a predetermined period of time, and then moved and displayed away from the driver's seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified through the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of a configuration around an instrument panel of a vehicle to which the vehicle display device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 When showing suggested destinations Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display.

[0012] Figure 4 It shows the following Figure 3 The screen displayed after Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display.

[0013] Figure 5 It shows the following Figure 4 The screen displayed after Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the vehicle display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following reference Figures 1 to 6 The embodiments of the present invention will now be described. The vehicle display device according to the embodiments of the present invention can be used in vehicles having a driver's seat, particularly vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance functions such as autonomous driving. Such vehicles include not only vehicles that operate solely in an autonomous driving mode that does not require driver input, but also vehicles that operate in both an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode in which the driver performs driving operations.

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure around an instrument panel 1a of a vehicle 1 to which a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Figure 1 As shown, an instrument panel 1 a is arranged at the front of the vehicle interior, and is provided with an instrument display 2 , rearview mirror displays 3R, 3L, and an information display (hereinafter referred to as “display”) 4 .

[0017] The meter display 2 is arranged on the instrument panel 1a at the driver's seat ( Figure 1 In the example, the right side in the vehicle width direction is opposite the instrument panel 1a and displays information related to the vehicle status, such as vehicle speed. Mirror displays 3L and 3R are located on the instrument panel 1a at the left and right ends in the vehicle width direction, respectively, and display images corresponding to the left and right rearview mirrors reflecting the left and right rearward directions of the vehicle 1. Display 4 is located on the instrument panel 1a near the center in the vehicle width direction between the meter display 2 and mirror display 3L, extending in the vehicle width direction, and displays various information to the occupants.

[0018] The vehicle 1 is also equipped with an external camera 5 and a positioning unit 6. The external camera 5 has an imaging element for capturing the scene in front of the moving vehicle 1. The positioning unit 6 receives positioning signals sent from GPS satellites, quasi-zenith satellites, etc., and determines the current position of the vehicle 1 based on the received positioning signals ( Figure 2 ). In addition, an input unit 7 (such as a microphone for receiving voice input from the occupant of the driver's seat and a touch panel for receiving operation input) is provided near the driver's seat of the dashboard 1a of the vehicle 1. Figure 2 ).

[0019] Various information is displayed on the display 4 in response to commands input from the occupant via the input unit 7. Examples include a suggestion screen suggesting a destination for the vehicle 1, a route guidance screen guiding a route to the destination, and a video call screen for performing a video chat using an Internet connection or a video call using a telephone line. The following describes in particular the display screen regarding suggested destinations.

[0020] Figure 2 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall structure of the vehicle display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle display device 100 includes a display 4, an exterior camera 5, a positioning unit 6, an input unit 7, a communication unit 8, and a controller 10. The communication unit 8 is configured to communicate with the outside of the vehicle via a wireless communication network, typically the Internet or a mobile phone network. This network includes not only public wireless communication networks but also closed communication networks established for each designated management area, such as wireless LANs, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0021] The controller 10 is configured as a computer having a computing unit 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit 12 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and other peripheral circuits (not shown) such as an I / O (Input / Output) interface. The storage unit 12 stores various control programs and information such as threshold values used in the programs. The computing unit 11 includes a display control unit 13 as a functional component for controlling the display 4.

[0022] In response to a passenger's command input via the input unit 7 , the display control unit 13 controls the display 4 to display an image of a scene ahead of the traveling vehicle 1 based on a signal from the exterior camera 5 and a program stored in the storage unit 12 .

[0023] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen D1 of the display 4 when suggesting a destination to the occupant of the driver's seat. Figure 3As shown, the display control unit 13 controls the display 4 so that an agent image 40 representing an AI (artificial intelligence) agent that provides various services to the occupant of the driver's seat, who is the main user of the vehicle 1, is displayed at the right end in the vehicle width direction of the display 4 closest to the driver's seat. The AI agent provides services that correspond to the user's preferences based on pre-registered user information and user information obtained according to instructions from the user. For example, a destination of the vehicle 1 that corresponds to the user's preferences is recommended to the user (the occupant of the driver's seat) riding in the vehicle 1. For example, based on the current position of the vehicle 1, the driving route, and the user information, a network search is performed through the communication unit 8 to determine the information to be recommended to the user.

[0024] The display control unit 13 controls the display 4 so that, for example, recommendation information such as restaurants, various facilities, etc. suitable for suggesting as destination candidates to the driver's seat based on the suggestions from the AI agent is displayed superimposed on the image of the scene in front of the vehicle. Specifically, the display 4 is controlled so that an indication image 41 showing the location of the place recommended to the occupant (recommended place), an information image 42 showing information about the recommended place, and a connection image 43 connecting these images are displayed superimposed on the image of the scene in front of the vehicle.

[0025] The instruction image 41 is displayed as a circle or other graphic, and its center is aligned with the recommended location in the image of the scene in front of the vehicle. The instruction image 41 is displayed so as to move along with the recommended location as the vehicle 1 travels. On the other hand, the information image 42 is displayed in the form of a window or other form including image information and text information about the recommended location. Figure 3 In the example of , the information image 42 is displayed as a window including image information of a menu of a restaurant serving as a recommended spot and text information such as the name and description of the restaurant.

[0026] The information image 42 is displayed at a fixed position on the display 4 in front of the recommended location for a predetermined time (e.g., approximately two seconds or longer). It then moves and displays in a direction away from the driver's seat (to the left in the vehicle width direction in the figure). This fixed display of the information image 42 for the predetermined time makes the text information easier to read for the driver's seat. Furthermore, the information image 42 is displayed so that it moves along with the flow of the scenery ahead of the vehicle, allowing the recommended information to be displayed in a natural manner, similar to roadside billboards.

[0027] The instruction image 41 and the information image 42 are displayed at different positions on the display 4 and are displayed while moving in different ways. However, the instruction image 41 and the information image 42 are connected by the connection image 43, so that the passenger can easily recognize a series of recommended information.

[0028] It should be noted that the timing for displaying the recommended information is determined based on the vehicle's 1 speed, current location, and the location of the recommended location, so that the information image 42 is displayed at a fixed position on the display 4 in front of the recommended location for a predetermined time. Specifically, the faster the vehicle's 1 speed, the earlier the information image 42 is displayed. It should be noted that when the vehicle 1 stops, the moving display of the information image 42 also stops.

[0029] Figure 4 and Figure 5 4 is a diagram showing an example of display screens D2 and D3 of the display 4 when the information image 42 is displayed while moving in a direction away from the driver's seat. After the recommended information including the information image 42 is displayed in a non-transmissive state at a fixed position on the display 4 ( Figure 3 ), with the transmittance increasing as the distance from the driver's seat increases ( Figure 4 ), and when it reaches the end of the display 4, it is displayed in a fully transmissive state ( Figure 5 More specifically, the information image 42 is displayed in such a manner that the transmittance continuously increases according to the amount of movement thereof so that the transmittance becomes 100% when the left end of the information image 42 reaches the left end of the display 4 .

[0030] In this way, the recommended information is displayed so as to fade out naturally until the information image 42 goes beyond the display range of the display 4 , so that the recommended information can be displayed naturally without causing the occupant to feel anxious or uncomfortable.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the vehicle display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The processing shown in the flowchart starts when a passenger sits in the driver's seat of the vehicle 1 and the AI agent starts providing a service, and is repeated at a predetermined cycle. Figure 6 As shown, first in S1 (S: processing step), it is determined whether there is recommended information to be displayed. When S1 is positive (S1: Yes), it enters S2 and controls the display 4 to display the recommended information ( Figure 3 On the other hand, when S1 is negative (S1: No), the process ends. Next, in S3, the process waits until the predetermined time for the fixed display information image 42 has elapsed, and then proceeds to S4. In S4, the display 4 is controlled so that the information image 42 moves away from the driver's seat and the transmittance of the entire recommendation information is gradually increased ( Figure 4 、 Figure 5 ) to end the processing.

[0032] The present embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0033] (1) The vehicle display device 100 displays information to the occupant of the driver's seat of the vehicle 1. The vehicle display device 100 includes: a display 4 that faces the driver's seat and is arranged to extend in the vehicle width direction; and a display control unit 13 that is configured to display recommended information (such as a video or video) to the occupant of the driver's seat on the display 4 in an overlapping manner with an image of the scene in front of the traveling vehicle 1. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 ).

[0034] The recommended information is displayed as an indication image 41 showing the location of the recommended spot, an information image 42 showing information about the recommended spot, and a connection image 43 connecting the indication image 41 and the information image 42 ( Figures 3 to 5 The display control unit 13 controls the display 4 so that the information image 42 is displayed at a fixed position on the display 4 for a predetermined time, and then is moved and displayed in a direction away from the driver's seat.

[0035] This allows the recommended information to be appropriately displayed to the occupant of the driver's seat of vehicle 1. Specifically, the recommended information can be displayed in a manner that makes the text information contained in information image 42 easily readable for the occupant of the driver's seat. Furthermore, the recommended information can be displayed in a natural manner, with information image 42 flowing along with the scenery ahead of the vehicle. Furthermore, because the indicator image 41 and information image 42 are displayed linked by the link image 43, the occupant can easily recognize a series of recommended information.

[0036] (2) The display control unit 13 controls the display 4 so that the information image 42 is displayed at a fixed position in a non-transmissive state. Figure 3 ), and then, the transmittance increases as the distance from the driver's seat increases ( Figure 4 ), and is displayed in a fully transmissive state when it reaches the end of the display 4 ( Figure 5 ). The recommended information is displayed in a naturally fading manner, thereby preventing the occupants from feeling uncomfortable.

[0037] (3) The vehicle display device 100 further includes an exterior camera 5 for capturing a scene in front of the traveling vehicle 1 ( Figure 2 ). The display 4 displays an image of the scene in front of the vehicle captured by the exterior camera 5, and superimposes the recommended information on the recommended location for the occupant, thereby enabling a display that is easy for the occupant to see to be implemented with a simple structure.

[0038] In the above embodiment, Figure 1 Specific examples of the display 4 are shown and described in the examples, but the display may be in any form as long as it is arranged facing the driver's seat and extending in the vehicle width direction. Figures 3 and 4In the above description, specific examples of the display screens D1 to D3 when suggesting a destination are shown, but the first image showing the location of the point, the second image showing information about the point, and the third image connecting them are not limited to these.

[0039] In the above embodiment, Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5 , etc., describe an example in which an image of the scene ahead of the vehicle is displayed on the display 4 provided on the instrument panel 1a, and the recommended information is superimposed on the image. However, the location information displayed superimposed on the image of the scene ahead of the moving vehicle is not limited to this. For example, the location information may be superimposed on the scene ahead of the vehicle visible through the windshield and displayed to the driver's seat.

[0040] One or more of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined, and modifications may be combined with each other.

[0041] According to the present invention, information can be appropriately displayed to an occupant of a driver's seat of a vehicle.

[0042] As mentioned above, the present invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure of the claims described below.

Claims

1. A vehicle display device (100) for displaying information to a passenger in a driver's seat of a vehicle (1), characterized in that: have: a display unit (4) facing the driver's seat and extending in the vehicle width direction; and a display control unit (13) configured to display information on a location recommended to the occupant of the driver's seat on the display unit (4) in a manner superimposed on an image of a scene ahead of the traveling vehicle (1); The information of the place is displayed as a first image showing the position of the place, a second image showing information about the place, and a third image connecting the first image and the second image. The display control unit (13) controls the display unit (4) so that the second image is displayed at a fixed position on the display unit for a predetermined time, and then is displayed by being shifted in a vehicle width direction away from the driver's seat.

2. The vehicle display device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The display control unit (13) controls the display unit (4) so that the second image is displayed in a non-transmissive state at the fixed position, and then the transmittance increases as the distance from the driver's seat increases, and the second image is displayed in a fully transmissive state when the image reaches the end of the display unit.

3. The vehicle display device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A camera (5) is also provided, and the camera (5) captures the scene in front of the traveling vehicle (1).

4. The vehicle display device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The display control unit (13) controls the display unit (4) so as to display an image of a scene ahead of the traveling vehicle (1) captured by the camera (5) based on a signal from the camera (5).

5. The vehicle display device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an input unit (7), which is arranged near the driver's seat and receives instructions input from the passenger. The display control unit (13) controls the display unit (4) based on an instruction from a passenger input via the input unit (7).

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