Imaging apparatus and imaging system

Abstract

To display a plurality of types of information in an easy-to-view, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-perceive manner in an electronic apparatus and to enable viewing in a short time.SOLUTION: A first notification area 321 and a second notification area 322 capable of respectively displaying one of first notification information and second notification information relating to the present position of a vehicle on a display screen. When only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists, the second notification area is not displayed and in the first notification area, the existing first or second notification information is displayed. When transiting from a state where only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists to a state where both of them exist, the second notification area 322 is made to appear on the display screen and the first notification information and the second notification information are displayed in the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322 respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 28

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices and the like, and more particularly to an electronic device and the like that displays information related to a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known electronic devices that are installed in vehicles and the like and display information about the vehicle. For example, a radar detector displays target information on a display means such as a liquid crystal display to notify the vehicle of its approach to a target such as a preregistered notification target based on an external signal or the like. In addition, in order to further improve user convenience, the display means of the radar detector also displays other information that is considered useful when driving, such as a map image including the current position, and a meter image showing positioning information, fuel efficiency information, engine information, and the like.

[0003] Furthermore, in recent years, various information (e.g., "public enforcement information") that is considered useful when driving in specific regions, places, roads, facilities, etc., such as speed limits, traffic congestion, public enforcement, etc., mainly from public organizations such as local governments and police, has been provided via the Internet and other media. For this reason, electronic devices have been developed that display public enforcement information, etc. on a display means in addition to the target information, map images, meter images, etc. that were previously displayed (Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-130295 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2007-309906 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, as the amount of information displayed on the display means increases, problems arise such as a decrease in the visibility of each piece of information, a decrease in the user's ability to notice the appearance and / or disappearance of each piece of information on the display screen, and a decrease in the ability to clearly display the type of each piece of information (e.g., target information, public enforcement information, etc.) In particular, with electronic devices installed in vehicles, it is required to address the above problems within the constraint that the user must be able to easily recognize information in a short period of time.

[0006] This application discloses inventions that address some or all of the above problems or other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This application discloses, for example, the inventions described in the following configuration examples. <Configuration example 1> An electronic device having a notification area display function that is a function of displaying a first notification area and a second notification area on a display screen, each of which can display one of first notification information and second notification information related to a current position of a vehicle, The notification area display function is When only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists, the second notification area is not displayed on the display screen, and the first or second notification information is displayed in the first notification area displayed on the display screen, When a transition is made from a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists to a state in which both of them exist, the second notification area is made to appear on the display screen, and the first notification information and the second notification information are displayed in the first notification area and the second notification area, respectively. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration example 2> The notification area display function is When transitioning between a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state in which both of the first notification information and the second notification information exist, The second notification area is displayed moving over a certain period of time and then stopped. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration example 3> The notification area display function is When transitioning between a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state in which both of the first notification information and the second notification information exist, The second notification area is moved and displayed over a certain period of time between a position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area and a position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area less than the position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area; In an overlapping portion between the first notification area and the second notification area, only one of the first notification information and the second notification information is displayed, and the other is not displayed. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 4> The notification area display function is When transitioning between a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state in which both of the first notification information and the second notification information exist, The second notification area is moved and displayed over a certain period of time between a position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area and a position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area less than the position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area; During the moving display, the first notification information or the second notification information is partially displayed in a portion of the second notification area that does not overlap with the first notification area, The proportion of a display area of ​​the first notification information or the second notification information is increased or decreased according to an increase or decrease in an area of ​​the second notification area that does not overlap with the first notification area. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 5> The notification area display function is When both the first notification area and the second notification area are displayed on the display screen, the first notification area and the second notification area are displayed as a single area having no continuous boundary. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 6> The notification area display function is When a state in which only the first notification information of the first notification information and the second notification information exists is transitioned to a state in which both of the first notification information and the second notification information exist, While the first notification area displaying the first notification information is being displayed on the display screen, the second notification area displaying the second notification information is made to appear on the display screen. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 7> The notification area display function is When transitioning from a state in which only the second broadcast information of the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information exists to a state in which both of the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information exist, After changing the display of the first notification area from the second notification information to the first notification information, the second notification area displaying the second notification information is made to appear on the display screen. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 8> The notification area display function is In a state in which both the first notification information and the second notification information exist, the first notification information is displayed in the first notification area, and the second notification information is displayed in the second notification area; When a state where both the first notification information and the second notification information exist is transitioned to a state where only the first notification information exists, The second notification information in the second notification area is erased, and the second notification area is moved over a period of time from a position where it overlaps less with the first notification area to a position where it overlaps more with the first notification area, and the first notification information is continuously displayed in the first notification area during the moving display process. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 9> The notification area display function is In a state where both the first notification information and the second notification information exist, the first notification information is displayed in the first notification area, and the second notification information is displayed in the second notification area; and when a transition is made from a state where both the first notification information and the second notification information exist to a state where only the second notification information exists, The first notification information in the first notification area is erased, and the second notification area is moved over a period of time from a position where it overlaps less with the first notification area to a position where it overlaps more with the first notification area, and the second notification information is continuously displayed in the second notification area during the moving display process. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 10> the first notification area has a constant notification area that displays constant notification information different from the first notification information and the second notification information, The notification area display function is In a process of moving and displaying the second notification area when a transition is made from a state in which both the first notification information and the second notification information are present to a state in which only the second notification information is present, The constant notification information is continuously displayed in the constant notification area; The second notification information is not displayed in an overlapping portion between the second notification information and the constant notification area, The second notification information is displayed in the second notification area not overlapping with the constant notification area. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 11> The notification area display function is The first notification information and / or the second notification information are scrolled in the left and right direction in the first notification area and / or the second notification area. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 12> The electronic device further has a vehicle information display function for displaying vehicle information related to the vehicle in the first notification area and / or the second notification area, The notification area display function displays a semi-transparent background in the first notification area and / or the second notification area, and the first notification information and / or the second notification information on the background are superimposed on the vehicle information. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 13> the electronic device further has a map display function for displaying a map image based on the current position on the display screen; The base point is located in an area outside the first notification area and / or the second notification area on the display screen, A positional relationship between a boundary between the first notification area and / or the second notification area and the external area and the base point is constant in a state where only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state where both of them exist. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 14> The map display function is A portion of the map image in front of the vehicle and the current position is displayed above the base point on the display screen. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 15> The notification area display function is The electronic device further has a meter image display function of displaying a meter image indicating operation information of the vehicle in an area outside the first notification area and / or the second notification area on the display screen, The display position of the meter image is constant in a state where only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and in a state where both of them exist. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Configuration Example 16> A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the electronic device according to any one of configuration examples 1 to 15.

[0008] According to the invention of configuration example 1, it is possible to display both the first alarm information and the second alarm information, and when only one of the first alarm information and the second alarm information exists, the second alarm area is not displayed and the one is displayed in the first alarm area, thereby saving the area on the display screen required to display the first alarm information and the second alarm information. In particular, in the case of an electronic device that displays other information (e.g., a map, vehicle operation information, etc.) together with the first alarm information and / or the second alarm information on the display screen, it is possible to minimize the decrease in visibility of the other information.

[0009] According to the invention of the configuration example 1, for example, the user can check both the first alarm information and the second alarm information, and when only one of the first alarm information and the second alarm information exists, the one is displayed in the first alarm area without the user being aware of the second alarm area, so that the range of line of sight movement required to check the first alarm information and the second alarm information can be reduced. In particular, in the case of an electronic device that displays other information (e.g., a map, vehicle operation information, etc.) together with the first alarm information and / or the second alarm information on the display screen, the user can check the first alarm information and / or the second alarm information, and the other information can also be checked more easily than before.

[0010] According to the invention of configuration example 1, when there is a transition from a state in which only the first notification information or the second notification information exists to a state in which both exist (hereinafter, such a transition may be referred to as a "first transition"), the second notification area appears on the display screen, so that the user can easily notice that the first transition has occurred. The appearance of the second notification area may be performed, for example, by changing the state in which the second notification area is not displayed on the display screen to a state in which the second notification area is displayed.

[0011] The electronic device may be installed in the vehicle. In this way, the user can check the first notification information and the second notification information related to the current location of the vehicle in the vehicle. The installation time may be, for example, when the vehicle is manufactured, but it may be configured to be installed after the purchase of the vehicle. The installation may be, for example, built into the vehicle, but it may be configured to be retrofitted to the vehicle. The installation location is preferably inside the vehicle, and in particular, it may be installed in the passenger compartment. "Installable" may be, for example, a portable electronic device that can be attached and detached to the vehicle, and in particular, it may be something that the driver can carry, but it may be configured to be fixed to the vehicle. In particular, it may be installed around the driver's seat. For example, it may be installed on the dashboard of the vehicle. The vehicle may be any type, such as a two-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle.

[0012] The first notification area and the second notification area may each be, for example, a specific area within a display screen. In this way, when a user wants to see the first notification information and the second notification information, the user only needs to look at the specific area, making it easier to check the first notification information and the second notification information. Hereinafter, the area consisting of the first notification area and the second notification area may be referred to as the "notification area."

[0013] The specific area may be an area in which at least one of the position, shape, and size of the area is fixed, and in particular, the position of the area is fixed.

[0014] In particular, the first notification area should be an area with fixed position, shape, and size, and the second notification area should be an area in which at least one of the position, shape, and size changes. If a specific area changes, the position, shape, and size of the area at the end of the change should be fixed.

[0015] The first notification information and the second notification information may be two different types of information. In this way, different types of information can be provided to the user. In the specification, etc., the "first notification information and / or the second notification information" may be written as "notification information." The notification information may be information about places, areas, facilities, roads, etc. that are considered useful to be notified to the user when driving a vehicle (hereinafter, such places, areas, facilities, roads, etc. may be referred to as "notification targets").

[0016] The two different types of information may be information of different types (e.g. types with different tendencies) that require different times to be displayed for notification of information, and in particular, the type of information that requires a relatively long time to be displayed for notification may be the first notification information, and the type of information that requires a relatively short time to be displayed may be the second notification information. The two different types of information may be information of different types that require different areas to be displayed for notification of information, and in particular, the type of information that requires a relatively long area to be displayed for notification may be the first notification information, and the type of information that requires a relatively short area to be displayed may be the second notification information. For example, information that requires notification on a city, town, or village basis or on a route basis, such as public enforcement information, requires a relatively large area to be displayed for notification of information, whereas information such as a radar wave reception warning requires a relatively small area to be displayed in order to notify information indicating its type, etc.

[0017] The notification information may include, for example, the name of the notification target, a description of the notification target, an image such as an icon indicating the notification target, a position and / or a position range associated with the notification target, etc. Hereinafter, the "position associated with the notification target" may be referred to as the "associated position", and the "position range associated with the notification target" may be referred to as the "associated position range". The associated position may be the latitude / longitude indicating the position where the notification target exists, and the associated position range may be the latitude / longitude range indicating the position range where the notification target exists (for example, a range within a circle of a certain radius from a specific latitude / longitude).

[0018] The state in which notification information exists may be, for example, a state in which the current position of the vehicle and the related position or the related position range have a specific positional relationship (for example, a state in which the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the related position is within a certain value, or a state in which the current position of the vehicle exists within the related position range). In this way, the first notification information and the second notification information about the notification target that has a certain positional relationship with the current position can be displayed on the display screen to notify the user.

[0019] The state in which notification information exists may be, for example, the state at the time when the information was generated, or may be a state in which notification of the generated information is particularly required. Note that even if a notification is required, for example, in a state in which notification cannot be made due to a specific reason such as processing convenience, the state may be configured as a state in which no notification information exists.

[0020] As a configuration for making the notification area appear on the display screen when the transition occurs, for example, the notification area may appear simultaneously with the transition, but it is particularly preferable to make the notification area appear within a predetermined time after the transition. This predetermined time is preferably as short as possible, and may be a fixed time, but may differ depending on the type of notification information, for example.

[0021] The electronic device may be provided to the user with the notification information stored in a storage means included in the electronic device, but it is more preferable that the notification information in the storage means of the electronic device can be updated using a recording medium detachable from the electronic device, a network, the Internet, etc. When the notification information is updatable, the electronic device may be provided to the user without the notification information stored in the storage means.

[0022] In the invention of the configuration example 2, the second notification area is moved and displayed, so that the user can easily recognize that there has been a transition between a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state in which both exist (hereinafter, such a transition may be referred to as a "zeroth transition"). In the invention of the configuration example 2, the second notification area may be moved and displayed at the time of the first transition, and the notification area may be enlarged at the time of the moving and display. For example, at the time of the first transition, the second notification area may be moved and displayed from a position where it overlaps with the first notification area to a position where it does not overlap with the first notification area (or a position where there is less overlap), and the shapes and sizes of the first notification area and the second notification area may be kept constant during the moving and display. In this way, it becomes easier to recognize that the second notification area has appeared and / or that the first transition has occurred. "Less overlap" may include a case where there is no overlap or there is zero overlap. "There is a large overlap between the first notification area and the second notification area" may include cases where the two areas completely overlap.

[0023] In the invention of the configuration example 3, in the moving display when the 0th transition occurs, it is possible to display either the first notification information or the second notification information in a state where the user can easily see it, and / or it is possible to avoid a decrease in visibility of information that may occur when both the first notification information and the second notification information are displayed in the overlapping portion. For example, it is preferable to use information with a higher priority than the second notification information (e.g., information that is more useful to the user or is considered to be more necessary to notify the user) as the first notification information, and to display only the first notification information in the overlapping portion, without displaying the second notification information. In this way, in the process of moving display, the user can check the information with a higher priority in a state where it is easy to see.

[0024] In the invention of configuration example 4, the first notification information or the second notification information can be partially displayed in the second notification area during the moving display process when the 0th transition occurs. Furthermore, since the proportion of the display area of ​​the first notification information or the second notification information is increased or decreased according to an increase or decrease in the portion of the second notification area that does not overlap with the first notification area, it becomes easier for the user to recognize that the 0th transition has occurred.

[0025] In the invention of the configuration example 5, it is possible to prevent the display screen from becoming cluttered when the first and second notification areas are displayed at separate locations or when the boundary between the two is displayed. As a method for displaying them as a continuous single area, for example, the shape, size and positional relationship of the first and second notification areas may be designed so that the first and second notification areas are not separated from each other or so that they are in contact with each other or partially overlap each other. For example, the first and second notification areas may be displayed as congruent quadrilaterals in a positional relationship in which one of the opposing sides of the first and second notification areas coincides (or the positions of the first and second notification areas are aligned in the left-right direction so that the first and second notification areas partially overlap each other). As a method for displaying them as an area without a boundary, the first and second notification areas may be displayed on a background of the same color.

[0026] In the invention of configuration example 6, during the transition from a state in which only the first notification information of the first and second notification information exists to a state in which both the first notification information and the second notification information exist, it is possible to transition to a state in which both the first notification information and the second notification information are displayed while keeping the first notification information in a state in which the user can check it at any time. When information with a higher priority than the second notification information is used as the first notification information, the user can always secure the information with the higher priority during the transition.

[0027] In the invention of configuration example 7, when a transition is made from a state in which only the second alarm information of the first and second alarm information exists to a state in which both the first and second alarm information exist, the user can immediately confirm the first alarm information, and a transition can be made to a state in which both the first and second alarm information are displayed while the user remains in a state in which the first alarm information can be confirmed. When information with a higher priority than the second alarm information is used as the first alarm information, the information with the higher priority can be immediately displayed from the point of the transition.

[0028] In the invention of configuration example 8, when a transition occurs from a state in which both the first and second alarm information are present to a state in which only the first alarm information is present (such a transition may be hereinafter referred to as a "second transition"), the second alarm information can be immediately erased, and the user does not need to see unnecessary information. Moreover, since the second alarm area is displayed in a moving manner, the user can easily recognize that the second transition has occurred. Since the first alarm information is continuously displayed in the first alarm area, the first alarm information is maintained in a state that is easy for the user to see throughout the moving display process. In the invention of configuration example 8, it is preferable to use information with a higher priority than the second alarm information as the first alarm information. In this way, the high priority information can be maintained in a state that is easy for the user to see during the moving display process.

[0029] In the invention of configuration example 9, when there is a transition from a state in which both the first and second alarm information are present to a state in which only the second alarm information is present (hereinafter, such a transition may be referred to as a "third transition"), the first alarm information can be immediately erased, and the user does not need to see unnecessary information. Moreover, since the second alarm area is displayed in a moving manner, it becomes easier for the user to recognize that the third transition has occurred. During the process of the moving display, the second alarm information is continuously displayed in the second alarm area, so that the user can easily follow the second alarm information with his or her eyes.

[0030] In the invention of configuration example 10, during the third transition, the constant notification information is displayed in the first notification area, and in the process of the moving display of the second notification area, the second notification information and the constant notification information are displayed overlapping each other, which can prevent a decrease in visibility of information. Since the second notification information is displayed in the second notification area that does not overlap with the constant notification area, the user can check the second notification information in the process of the moving display.

[0031] In the invention of configuration example 11, even if the notification information has a length in the left-right direction or an amount of information that does not fit into the first notification area and / or the second notification area, it is possible to display the entire information by scrolling. In the invention of configuration example 11, it is preferable to scroll and display only one of the first notification information and the second notification information, and in this way, the user can distinguish whether it is the first notification information or the second notification information based on the presence or absence of scrolling.

[0032] In the invention of configuration example 12, it becomes possible to display the notification information and the vehicle information in an overlapping manner in the first notification area and / or the second notification area. In addition, since the notification information is displayed on a semi-transparent background, the readability of the notification information can be improved.

[0033] As the vehicle information, for example, a map image of the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle, a meter image showing the vehicle speed, acceleration, engine information, etc. may be displayed. The vehicle information may be displayed across the notification area and an external area other than the notification area. In this way, the display of the vehicle information can be expanded to the notification area while ensuring the display of the vehicle information in the external area, and the user can view the vehicle information displayed in a wider area of ​​the display screen.

[0034] In the invention of configuration example 13, the user can see an easy-to-understand map image in which the vicinity of the current location is displayed in an area outside the notification area. (The boundary between the notification area and the area outside the notification area may be referred to as the "first boundary" below.) In addition, the positional relationship between the first boundary and the base point is constant in a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and in a state in which both exist, so that the visibility of the map image is maintained before and after the 0th transition, and / or the user can easily grasp the current location on the map image.

[0035] The invention of configuration example 13 is particularly useful when equipped with the configurations described in configuration examples 2, 8 and / or 9, and can maintain the visibility of the map image throughout the moving display process and / or make it easier for the user to grasp their current location on the map image.

[0036] In the invention of configuration example 13, it is preferable to display a mark such as an icon indicating the vehicle at the base point on the map image, which makes it easier for the user to recognize the position of the vehicle on the map image.

[0037] In the invention of configuration example 14, a map image showing the front side of the vehicle in the upper part of the display screen can be displayed, and a map display that is easy for the user to understand can be performed. By arranging the notification area near the bottom edge of the display screen, arranging the external area above it, and arranging the base point near the boundary between them, the map image of the front side of the vehicle can be displayed in a wider area of ​​the display screen.

[0038] In the invention of configuration example 15, even if the state transitions between a state in which only one of the user first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state in which both exist, the display position of the meter image remains constant, thereby improving the visibility of the meter image.

[0039] The notification area may be an area in which a string of characters is displayed in a strip shape. It is also preferable to configure it as follows.

[0040] (A) An electronic device having a function of displaying a string of characters in a strip-like shape indicating notification content that changes as the vehicle travels, characterized in that the electronic device is controlled to take a first state in which a first strip-like string is displayed, and a second state in which a second strip-like string separate from the first strip-like string is displayed together with the first strip-like string.

[0041] According to this configuration, the user can easily know whether the vehicle is in the first state or the second state by the number of displayed strips of character strings. In particular, if one strip of character string contains notification contents for both the first state and the second state, the problem of it being difficult to know which state the vehicle is in can be solved. In particular, if the user is a driver, this problem is prominent because the user needs to concentrate on driving the vehicle, but according to this configuration, the user can know at a glance whether the vehicle is in the first state or the second state.

[0042] The configuration for displaying the character string in a strip may be such that the characters constituting the character string are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction. In this case, the predetermined arrangement direction may be the length direction of the strip. The predetermined arrangement direction may be a curved direction in which the arrangement direction is displaced as long as it is a direction in which the language to be displayed can be read, but it is particularly preferable to use a straight direction so that the arrangement direction is not displaced. The straight direction may be any direction, such as a diagonal direction, but if the character string is, for example, Japanese, it is particularly preferable to use a direction from left to right or from top to bottom, and it is particularly preferable to use a direction from left to right.

[0043] The first band-like character string may be displayed so as to form a band near the edge of the display screen, and in particular, the first band-like character string may be displayed so as to form a band near the edge of the display screen. For example, the first band-like character string may be displayed so as to form a band along at least a part of the outer periphery of the display screen, and if the display screen is circular, the first band-like character string may be displayed so as to form a band along at least a part of the circumference. For example, if the display screen is rectangular, the first band-like character string may be displayed so as to form a band along a part of the four sides, and in particular, the first band-like character string may be displayed so as to form a band along at least a part of any one of the four sides.

[0044] The second strip-shaped character string may be displayed so as to form a strip adjacent to the first strip-shaped character string, and in particular, the second strip-shaped character string may be displayed adjacent to the first strip-shaped character string on the inner side of the display screen. In particular, the second strip-shaped character string may be displayed along the first strip-shaped character string.

[0045] The background portion of the string displayed in a band should be displayed so that it can be recognized as a band on the display screen. For example, the background portion may be displayed in a band shape in the horizontal direction, with the vertical width being the height of the tallest character in the displayed band-like string. Also, for example, the background of the string may be displayed as a band having a different color from other areas. For example, the background of the string may be opaque, but it is better to make it semi-transparent. For example, the string may be white and the background may be semi-transparent black.

[0046] Furthermore, the band having a different color from the other areas may be displayed when no text is displayed, but it is preferable to display it when at least a portion of the text is displayed.

[0047] The first band-like character string may be configured to take a state in which the first band-like character string is displayed and a state in which the first band-like character string is not displayed.

[0048] When displaying the first band-like character string, it is advisable to display the background of both characters so that they are visually recognized as a continuous band with another band of character string showing another notification content that is always displayed on the display screen, such as a clock (especially a band of character string showing notification content that changes regardless of the vehicle's operation and / or notification content that should be displayed at all times).

[0049] When the second strip-shaped character string is displayed to form a strip adjacent to the strip of the first strip-shaped character string, the background of the second strip-shaped character string and the background of the first strip-shaped character string may be displayed so as to be visually recognized as a continuous area, for example, by displaying the backgrounds of both characters as a semi-transparent black, with no boundary between them, as one continuous area. In particular, when the display is transitioned from the first state to the second state, it is preferable to render the one area by changing the size continuously or stepwise so that the area is visually perceived as expanding.

[0050] (B) The display screen has a function for displaying notification content (hereinafter referred to as other notification content) that changes as the vehicle moves, different from the notification content that changes as the vehicle moves and is displayed as the strip-shaped character string, and the display range of one of the strip-shaped character strings is preferably narrower than the display range of the other notification content, and in particular, the area of ​​the display range in which strip-shaped character strings are displayed in the first state is narrower than the display range of the other notification content, and the total area of ​​the display range in which strip-shaped character strings are displayed in the second display state is narrower than the display range of the other notification content. In this way, the user can easily understand other notification contents in both the first state and the second state.

[0051] The other notification contents may include, for example, a map of the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle. In particular, the display device may include a function of displaying the map in a heading-up state, displaying the first strip-shaped character string near the bottom edge of the screen in the first state, and displaying a vehicle location icon in an adjacent position above and outside the display range of the first strip-shaped character string, and a function of moving the position of the vehicle location icon to an adjacent position above and outside the display range of the second strip-shaped character string when the second strip-shaped character string is displayed adjacent to and above the display range of the first strip-shaped character string in the second state. Similarly, the display device may include a function of moving the position of the alarm window instead of or together with the vehicle location icon. Similarly, the display device may include a function of moving the position of the other information. In this way, the state ahead in the traveling direction can be well understood, and the relationship between the vehicle location and the layout of the road ahead in the traveling direction can be easily grasped.

[0052] (C) It is preferable that the type of character string to be displayed as one strip of character string be preset based on the type of notification content. It is preferable that there be a type of notification content set as a first type of notification content to be displayed as one strip of character string, and a type of notification content set as a second type of notification content to be displayed as a different strip of character string. In this way, it is possible to easily grasp at a glance how many types of preset notification contents are available from the number of displayed strips of character strings.

[0053] For example, it is preferable to set public crackdown information as a first type of notification content displayed as a single strip of character string, and set approach warning information for a speed measuring device as a second type of notification content displayed as a single strip of character string. In this way, the user can at a glance know whether there is public crackdown information or approach warning information, or both, from the number of displayed strips of character string. This setting may be fixed in advance, for example, by hard-coding it into the program.

[0054] As the types of notification contents, for example, one type of notification contents may be provided with one notification content that changes as the vehicle travels, or one type of notification contents may be provided with multiple notification contents that change as the vehicle travels. For example, as a configuration with multiple notification contents, it is preferable to provide one type of notification contents that includes, as notification contents, the type of object, etc. that the vehicle is approaching, and the distance between the object and the vehicle.

[0055] Regarding the preset "what kind of character strings should be displayed as one strip of character strings", character strings that require scrolling display and character strings that do not require scrolling display may be set as separate strips of character strings. Character strings that require scrolling display may be scrolled within a display range of a first strip in which they are displayed, and character strings that do not require scrolling display may be fixedly displayed within a display range of a second strip in which they are displayed. In this way, in the second state, the character strings of the first strip and the character strings of the second strip can be easily distinguished and visually recognized, and the necessary notification content can be easily obtained.

[0056] Regarding the preset "what kind of character strings should be displayed as one of the bands", character strings whose display mode (e.g., color, etc.) changes every predetermined time and character strings whose display mode does not change every predetermined time may be set as another band of character strings. Then, character strings whose display mode changes every predetermined time may be displayed in a different manner within a display range of a first band in which the character strings are displayed, and character strings whose display mode does not change every predetermined time may be displayed fixedly within a display range of a second band in which the character strings are displayed. In this way, in the second state, the character strings in the display range of the first band and the character strings in the display range of the second band can be easily distinguished and visually recognized, and the necessary notification content can be easily obtained. Note that the character strings in the display range of the first band may be displayed as the first band of character strings and the character strings in the display range of the second band may be displayed as the second band of character strings, or the character strings in the display range of the first band may be displayed as the second band of character strings and the character strings in the display range of the second band may be displayed as the first band of character strings.

[0057] (E) When transitioning from the first state to the second state while a first type of notification content displayed as the single strip of character string is being displayed in the first state, it is preferable to first change the display of the first strip of character string to a second type of notification content displayed as the other strip of character string, and then transition to the second state. In this way, the user can easily notice that the first type of notification content has been changed to the second type of notification content, and can check both the first type of notification content and the second type of notification content when the transition to the second state is completed. Also, it is preferable to have a function of transitioning from the second state to the first state.

[0058] It is preferable that after the display of the first bar-shaped string is changed to the second type of notification content to be displayed as the other bar-shaped string, a display area of ​​the second bar-shaped string of the first type of notification content is made to appear as the other second bar-shaped string from the display area of ​​the first bar-shaped string.

[0059] The invention may be constructed by arbitrarily combining the ideas of the components described in (A) to (E) above and the elements described in the configuration examples within a range that does not cause any contradiction. In addition to text, icons or other figures may be added to the band. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0060] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a network system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a radar detector 10 which is a preferred embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a radar detector 10 which is a preferred embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a case body 12 according to another embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the smartphone 50. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the memory card 60. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an example of a hardware configuration that a computer typically has. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a functional configuration of a service server 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an example of the target information stored in the target information storage unit 83. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an example of public enforcement information stored in the public enforcement information storage unit 86. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows the functional configuration of a schedule server 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an exemplary plurality of pieces of schedule information stored in storage area 95. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an example of a login screen 500 that the authentication server 92 causes to be displayed in a browser of the user terminal 100 or the like via the Internet 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 14] Fig. 14(a) shows a calendar screen 501 displayed on a browser of a user terminal 100 or the like based on information transmitted from the schedule server 90 after login. Fig. 14(b) shows an example of a destination address (URL) specified when transmitting schedule information and a predetermined input format for the schedule information to be transmitted. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows the setting screen 503. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows the updated calendar section 501e. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows the menu window 210. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 shows a setting screen 211 which is a menu window. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 shows the map alert screen 111. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 shows the menu window 212. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 shows the map alert screens 111-113. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 shows the map alert screens 111-113. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 shows an exemplary standby screen. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 shows an exemplary standby screen. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 shows an exemplary display element 132. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 shows a menu window 210 that is displayed on various vehicle information screens. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 shows a menu window 210 that is displayed on various vehicle information screens. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 shows an example of the display of the notification area R2. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 shows the menu window. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 shows the display mode of the notification area R2. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 shows the display mode of the notification area R2. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 shows the display mode of the notification area R2. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 shows the display mode of the notification area R2. [Diagram 34] Figure 34 shows an example of the radar wave warning function display. [Diagram 35] Figure 35(a) shows an example of trip information, and Figure 35(b) shows the part of the file structure of database 29 that relates to the log file. [Diagram 36] 36(a) and (b) show an example of the setting screen 507 and the WLAN screen 508. [Figure 37] Fig. 37(a) shows an example of the calendar screen 509. Fig. 38(b) shows an example of the confirmation screens 510a and 510b. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 shows an example of the input screens 512a to 512c. [Figure 39] Fig. 39(a) shows an example of a monthly record data screen 513. Fig. 39(b) shows an example of a monthly management data detail screen 514. [Diagram 40] FIG. 40 shows examples of notification screens 515a to 515d. [Diagram 41] FIG. 41 shows an example of an HTTP request method and an HTTP response transmitted and received between the schedule server 90. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 42] FIG. 42 shows exemplary contents of the transmission data created from the driving information. [Diagram 43] FIG. 43 shows an example of the calendar screen 501. [Diagram 44] FIG. 44 shows an example of the calendar screen 501. [Diagram 45] FIG. 45 shows an example of the calendar screen 501. [Figure 46]FIG. 46 shows a pull-down menu that is displayed by operating the “Other” button on the calendar screen 501. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 shows an example of the calendar screen 501 and a details window 501g of a record 501d. [Figure 48] Fig. 48(a) shows an example of the calendar screen 501. Fig. 48(b) shows an example of the map page. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 shows a graph screen displayed by the service server. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 shows the setting QR code screen 150. [Figure 51] FIG. 51 shows the setting screen 601. [Figure 52] FIG. 52 shows the confirmation selection screen. [Figure 53] FIG. 53 shows the confirmation selection screen. [Figure 54] FIG. 54 shows a conceptual diagram of a system when the AP screen function is used. [Figure 55] FIG. 55 shows a conceptual diagram of a system when the AP audio function is used. [Figure 56] FIG. 56 shows another way in which the second notification area appears in transition 4 or 5. [Figure 57] FIG. 57 shows (a) a top view, (b) a rear perspective view, and (c) a rear view of the radar detector 10 of a preferred embodiment. [Figure 58] FIG. 58 shows (a) the inside of the rear case and (b) the inside of the rear case of a radar detector 10 of a preferred embodiment. [Figure 59] FIG. 57 shows (a) the inside of a radar detector 10 of a preferred embodiment with the rear case removed, and (b) the radio board and the GPS and speaker boards (top view). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0061] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a radar detector 10 as an example of an electronic device. [System-wide configuration] 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a network system 1. The network system 1 has a radar detector 10 and a smartphone 50 that are connected via the Internet 2, a network (wireless LAN) 3, etc. The radar detector 10 can be installed in a vehicle 4, preferably in a vehicle interior 4A. In this embodiment, the radar detector 10 installed in the vehicle 4 of a specific user will be mainly described, but the radar detector 10 can be similarly installed in different vehicles of a plurality of different users and similarly connected to a server on the Internet.

[0062] A memory card 60 with a wireless communication function (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "memory card") can be attached to the radar detector 10. By attaching the memory card 60 to the radar detector 10, the radar detector 10 can transmit and receive data to and from various servers (e.g., map servers, social network servers, etc.) including a service server 80 and a schedule server 90 via the network 3, the smartphone 50, and the Internet 2. Other user terminals 100 can also be connected to the Internet 2. The user terminal 100 is, for example, a personal computer installed in the home 6 of the user 5. The Internet 2, the service server 80, the schedule server 90, the user terminal 100, etc. are arranged outside the vehicle 9.

[0063] The radar detector 10 can receive data from one or more ECUs 8 installed inside the vehicle 4B via the CAN network 7. The ECU 8 is a control computer (for example, an engine control unit) for various devices mounted on the vehicle 4.

[0064] [Radar detector 10 components] Figures 2 and 3 show a radar detector 10 which is a preferred embodiment of an electronic device of the present invention. Figure 2(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 10, and Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of the rear side. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the radar detector 10.

[0065] The radar detector 10 comprises a thin rectangular case body 12, and the bottom surface of a bracket 13 attached to the lower rear side of the case body 12 is attached and fixed to the dashboard of the vehicle 4 or the like. The case body 12 and bracket 13 are preferably made of a material that reduces reflection on the windshield when attached and has a luxurious feel when displayed and sold in a store (for example, a luxurious material of the same color as the dashboard). The dimensions of the case body 12 are 62 mm long x 124 mm wide x 17 mm thick. A thin portion with a thinner thickness is formed near the outer periphery of the case body 12.

[0066] A display 15 is provided on the front surface of the case body 12 (the surface facing the rear of the vehicle (the driver's side)). The display 15 is configured with a 3.2-inch color TFT liquid crystal display. A touch panel 16 is provided on the display 15 to detect which part of the display 15 has been touched.

[0067] A volume adjustment button 17 is disposed on the right side of the front of the case body 12, and various operation buttons 18 are disposed on the left side. LED-illuminated components are used for certain buttons such as the operation buttons 18 or marks on the case body 12, and an alarm is sounded by illuminating the LED when an alarm function described below is activated.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, the right side of the case body 12 is provided with a card insertion port 19 for inserting a memory card 60 as a removable recording medium, and a memory card reader / writer 20 is built into the card insertion port 19 inside the case body 12. By inserting the memory card 60 through the card insertion port 19, the memory card 60 is attached to the memory card reader / writer 20. By attaching the memory card 60 to the memory card reader / writer 20, the radar detector 10 can read and write data from and to the memory card 60. For example, the radar detector 10 can take in data stored in the attached memory card 60. More specifically, the data stored in the memory card 60 includes update information such as information on a new target (notification target) (target information such as location information such as longitude and latitude of the target, and type information), and the update information is stored (downloaded) in a database 29 built into the device under the control of the control unit 28, and the data is updated.

[0069] In addition, in an environment in which the radar detector 10 can connect to the service server 80 via the Internet connection functions of the smartphone 50 and memory card 60 described later, the latest target information and public enforcement information is downloaded from the service server 80 at predetermined times using a method described in detail later, and this is stored in the database 29, updating the data.

[0070] The database 29 can be realized by a non-volatile memory (such as an EEPROM) inside the microcomputer of the control unit 28 or attached externally to the microcomputer. Note that map data and target information on certain targets are registered in the database 29 at the time of shipment, and subsequently added target information, public enforcement information, etc. are updated as described above.

[0071] The GNSS receiver 23 is disposed inside the upper center of the rear side of the case body 12, and the microwave receiver 24 and the wireless receiver 25 are disposed beside it. The GNSS receiver 23 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and outputs current position (longitude and latitude) information. The GNSS receiver 23 has two channels of receiving circuits for the satellite positioning system. This allows GPS signals from up to two satellite positioning systems to be used. The microwave receiver 24 receives microwaves of a predetermined frequency emitted from the speed measurement device. The wireless receiver 25 receives incoming wireless signals of a predetermined frequency. A speaker 26 is also built in at the bottom inside the case body 12. The speaker port is provided on the bottom surface of the case body 12. The radar detector 10 has a camera 30 that captures the rear side of the case body 12 (the front side of the vehicle 4).

[0072] In addition to the above-mentioned display 15, a lamp 41, a remote control receiver 42, and an infrared communication device 44 are arranged on the front of the case body 12 (omitted from FIG. 1). The lamp 41 warns by shining in various colors according to the type and urgency of the alarm. The remote control receiver 42 communicates data with a remote control (portable device: child device) 43 via infrared rays, and performs various settings for this device. The infrared communication device 44 transmits and receives data to and from a communication device with a built-in infrared communication device, such as a smartphone 50.

[0073] Also provided within the case body 12 are a geomagnetic sensor 46, an acceleration sensor 47, and an air pressure sensor 48. The geomagnetic sensor 46 is a sensor that detects geomagnetism to detect which direction north is relative to the traveling direction. The acceleration sensor 47 is a sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle 4 in the forward / backward, left / right, and up / down directions. The air pressure sensor 48 is a sensor that measures the atmospheric pressure at the current position of the vehicle 4 in which the case body 12 is installed.

[0074] The radar detector 10 of this embodiment also includes a connection cable 32 that connects to an OBD-II (II is the Roman numeral "2", and hereinafter "OBD-II" will be abbreviated as "OBD2") connector installed in the vehicle. A connector terminal 33 that can be detachably attached to the OBD2 connector of the vehicle 4 is attached to the end of this connection cable 32. The OBD2 connector is a fault diagnosis connector. The OBD2 connector is connected to the ECU 8 of the vehicle 4, and various vehicle information is output from the OBD2 connector.

[0075] By connecting the radar detector 10 to the OBD2 connector, the radar detector 10 can receive power from the OBD2 connector. Power from the OBD2 connector is constantly supplied from the vehicle side, but power is supplied to the radar detector 10 via a power supply control unit that continuously supplies power to the radar detector 10 while an ACC switch (not shown) of the vehicle 4 is on, and cuts off the power a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes) after the ACC switch is turned off. This power supply control unit is provided in a housing having the connector terminal 33, and controls the on / off control of the power supply between the power terminal in the connector terminal 33 and the power cable in the connection cable 32.

[0076] By connecting the connector terminal 33 attached to the connection cable 32 with the OBD2 connector on the vehicle body side, the control unit 28 obtains various vehicle information every 0.5 seconds. Examples of the vehicle information include vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load factor, throttle degree, ignition timing, remaining fuel ratio, intake manifold pressure, intake air flow rate (MAF), injection open time, engine coolant temperature (coolant temperature), air temperature taken into the engine (intake air temperature), outside air temperature (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.

[0077] The control unit 28 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 a predetermined process based on information input from various input devices (touch panel 16, GNSS receiver 23, microwave receiver 24, wireless receiver 25, etc.), and outputs a predetermined warning message using output devices (display 15, speaker 26, 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 28 reproduces this PCM data and outputs the audio from the speaker 26.

[0078] [Configuration of Smartphone 50] 5 shows an example of a hardware configuration of a smartphone 50. The smartphone 50 includes a CPU 51, a storage device 52, an operation device 53, a display device 54, a local area communication unit 55, and an LTE communication unit 56.

[0079] The CPU 51 is mainly configured as a processor and controls the entire smartphone 50. The storage device 52 is configured of a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, etc., and stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the smartphone 50, as well as other user data used by the user. The operation device 53 accepts various operations by the user. The display device 54 is for displaying information. The operation device 53 and the display device 54 may be configured as a touch panel display. The local area communication unit 55 has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device such as a memory card 60 via a network 3 such as a wireless LAN. The LTE communication unit 56 has a function of communicating with an LTE base station and communicating with the Internet 2. It has a tethering function of connecting an external device such as a memory card 60 to the Internet 2 by relaying communication between the local area communication unit 55 and the LTE communication unit 56 under the control of the CPU 51.

[0080] [Memory Card 60 Configuration] 6 shows an example of a hardware configuration of a memory card 60. The memory card 60 is an SD card with a built-in wireless LAN communication function, and includes a CPU 61, a card interface unit (card I / F) 62, a wireless communication unit 63, a RAM 64, a first flash memory 65, and a second flash memory 66.

[0081] The CPU 61 controls the entire memory card 60. The card interface unit 62 provides a connection to an external device such as the radar detector 10. The wireless communication unit 63 is a wireless communication interface that transmits and receives various data to and from an external device such as the smartphone 50 in accordance with a communication method such as WLAN under the control of the CPU 61.

[0082] The RAM 64 temporarily stores data necessary for the operation of the memory card 60. The first flash memory 65 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory in which data is not lost even when the power is turned off, and stores control programs, wireless communication parameters, etc. The second flash memory 66 is for storing user data. The data in the second flash memory 66 (first storage unit) can be read from an external device such as the user terminal 100 via a card reader connectable to the card interface unit 62. The data in the RAM 64 (second storage unit) cannot be read from an external device such as the user terminal 100 via a card reader.

[0083] The memory card 60 and the radar detector 10 transmit and receive data via the card interface unit 62, and the memory card 60 and the smartphone 50 transmit and receive data via the wireless communication unit 63, thereby providing the following functions. (1) A function (SD card function) for the radar detector 10 to read and write data to the memory card 60 (RAM 64, second flash memory 66) (2) A function for transmitting and receiving data between the smartphone 50 and the radar detector 10 (wireless LAN function) (3) A function for connecting the radar detector 10 to the Internet 2 using the tethering function of the smartphone 50 (Internet connection function)

[0084] The service server 80, the schedule server 90, other servers, the user terminal 100, etc. are configured by computers connectable to the Internet 2. Fig. 7 shows an example of a hardware configuration that such a computer generally has. As shown in the figure, a computer that can be used in the service server 80, the schedule server 90, the user terminal 100, etc. may have a CPU 71, a storage device 72, an operation device 73, a display device 74, and a communication unit 75.

[0085] The CPU 71 is mainly composed of a processor and controls the entire computer. The storage device 72 is composed of ROM, RAM, hard disk, etc., and stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the computer, as well as other user data used by the user. The operation device 73 is composed of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and accepts various operations. The display device 74 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information. The communication unit 75 has a function of connecting to the Internet 2.

[0086] The service server 80 and the schedule server 90 are connected to the Internet 2 via their respective communication units 75, and can transmit and receive information to and from the smartphone 50, the user terminal 100, etc. (hereinafter, in the explanation of connection to the Internet 2, information browsing, etc. using the smartphone 50, the user terminal 100, etc., the "external devices such as the smartphone 50, the user terminal 100, etc." may be simply referred to as the "user terminal 100, etc."). The user terminal 100 can transmit and receive information to and from various servers on the Internet 2, such as the service server 80 and the schedule server 90, via its communication unit 75.

[0087] 8 shows the functional configuration of a service server 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the service server 80 includes a Web interface 81, an account information storage unit 82, a target information storage unit 83, a target information update unit 84, a target information providing server 85, a public enforcement information storage unit 86, a public enforcement information update unit 87, and a public enforcement information providing server 88. These functions are realized by the configuration and overall control of the computer described above.

[0088] The Web interface 81 performs communication via the Internet 2 .

[0089] The account information storage unit 82 stores multiple pieces of account data. Each piece of account data is composed of a device ID unique to each radar detector 10 and a password corresponding to the device ID. The device ID and password are composed of any number of alphanumeric characters, etc. The password is notified to the user for a fee.

[0090] A plurality of pieces of target information are stored in the target information storage unit 83. Fig. 9 shows an example of target information stored in the target information storage unit 83. As shown in the figure, the target information includes information elements such as a target type identifier indicating the type of target, location / area information, and update date and time.

[0091] As types of targets, locations and facilities that users are expected to want to be notified of while driving, such as accident-prone areas, scenic spots, service areas, speed cameras (automatic speed violation enforcement devices), and Zone 30, are selected. Zone 30 is a designated area where residential areas in urban areas and other residential roads are densely packed together in order to prevent automobile accidents, and where the maximum speed of vehicles in the area is limited to 30 kilometers per hour. The target type identifier is an identifier that indicates the type of target.

[0092] Position / area information is information that defines the position or area of ​​the target. Position information is latitude / longitude information of the target's position. Area information is stored as shape data that defines the extent of the target's area. For polygonal areas, the shape data can be stored by the positions (latitude / longitude) of each vertex of the polygon, and for circular areas, the shape data can be stored by the center position (latitude / longitude) and radius. Areas may be stored as a collection of multiple polygonal or circular areas.

[0093] The update date and time is information indicating the date and time when the target information was stored in the target information storage unit 83.

[0094] The target information update unit 84 updates the target information in the target information storage unit 83. The target information update unit 84 adds target information about a newly installed target to the target information storage unit 83, and deletes target information about a target that has been removed or the like from the target information storage unit 83.

[0095] The target information is updated by an operator through manual input using the operation device 73 of the service server 80. The CPU 71 of the service server 80 may acquire the target information by searching from an information source such as the Internet 2 and automatically update the information.

[0096] When the radar detector 10 accesses (connects to) the service server 80 via the Internet connection function, the target information providing server 85 checks the access authority of the radar detector 10 by comparing the account data provided by the radar detector 10 with the information in the account information storage unit 82, and if the access authority is confirmed, provides the target information stored in the target information storage unit 83 to the radar detector 10 that has connected.

[0097] More specifically, when the target information providing server 85 confirms access to the service server 80 from a radar detector 10, it extracts target information having an update date and time since the radar detector 10's last access date and time and transmits the target information to the radar detector 10.

[0098] Furthermore, even if the access authority of the radar detector 10 cannot be confirmed, the target information providing server 85 executes the provision of target information to the radar detector 10 in certain cases. For example, the date and time of the provision is stored in the account information storage unit 82, and, for example, it is determined whether a predetermined period has passed since the stored date and time of the current access, and the provision process is performed when the predetermined period has passed. Also, a process of providing the target information with a predetermined probability for each access may be performed. For example, it is possible to perform the process with a certain frequency, such as once every two years, or with a certain probability by lottery or the like. Also, it is preferable to perform a process of limiting the range of target information compared to the case where the access authority is confirmed, such as providing only a part of the target information stored in the target information storage unit 83. In this way, it is possible to motivate the user to use the memory card 60 with wireless communication function, and to maintain the motivation to obtain a paid password.

[0099] A plurality of pieces of public enforcement information are stored in the public enforcement information storage unit 86. Public enforcement information is information relating to traffic and safety provided primarily by public institutions such as the police and local governments. Figure 10 shows an example of public enforcement information stored in the public enforcement information storage unit 86. As shown in the figure, the public enforcement information includes information elements such as information content, area / road information, corresponding target type identifier, and update date and time.

[0100] The information content is text information indicating the content of the public enforcement information. The information content may be text in which the operator of the service server 80 easily summarizes / explains information provided by the police, local governments, etc. The area / road information includes area and road information. The area information is area information defined by administrative divisions (prefectures, cities, towns, villages, etc.), or area information defined in the same manner as the area of ​​the target information. The corresponding target type identifier is information that is specified when there is a target that is considered useful to associate with the public enforcement information, and when such a target exists, an identifier indicating the type of the target is stored as the target type identifier. The update date and time is information indicating the date and time (date and time) when the public enforcement information is stored in the public enforcement information storage unit 86.

[0101] The public enforcement information update unit 87 updates the public enforcement information in the public enforcement information storage unit 86. The public enforcement information update unit 87 adds newly published public enforcement information to the public enforcement information storage unit 86, and deletes target public enforcement information that has expired or the like from the public enforcement information storage unit 86.

[0102] The public enforcement information is updated by an operator through manual input using the operation device 73 of the service server 80. The CPU 71 of the service server 80 may obtain the public enforcement information by searching information sources such as the homepages of the police or local public organizations, and automatically update the information.

[0103] When a radar detector 10 accesses the service server 80 via the Internet connection function, the public law enforcement information providing server 88 provides the connecting radar detector 10 with the public law enforcement information stored in the public law enforcement information storage unit 86. No access authority is required to provide the public law enforcement information.

[0104] Fig. 11 shows the functional configuration of a schedule server 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 11, the schedule server 90 has functional components such as a Web interface 91, an authentication server 92, an account database 93, and a schedule database 94. These functions are realized by the configuration and overall control of the computer described above.

[0105] The Web interface 91 performs communication via the Internet 2. The authentication server 92 checks the information input from the user terminal 100 or the like against the information in the account database 93 to confirm the user's access authority, and permits login (access to data accessible with the user's account in the schedule database 94) if the user has the access authority.

[0106] The account database 93 stores a plurality of registration data. Each registration data is composed of a user account and a password corresponding to the user account. A user account can be uniquely identified, and an email address is used, for example.

[0107] The schedule database 94 stores schedule information, which is information about schedules, in association with each user account. In this embodiment, one or more storage areas 95A, 95B, ... 95N that can be specified by a URL or the like are assigned to each user account (such as "account #1"). (Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the individual storage areas 95A, 95B, ... 95N, the "storage areas 95A, 95B, ... 95N" will be simply referred to as "storage area 95.") Each storage area 95 is identified by a calendar ID or the like, which will be described later. Each storage area 95 stores one or more pieces of schedule information.

[0108] 12 shows an example of a plurality of pieces of schedule information stored in the storage area 95. The schedule information includes a plurality of information elements such as a UID, a start date and time, an end date and time, a title, and a location.

[0109] The information in the "UID" column is identification information for identifying each piece of schedule information. The identification information is composed of a user ID ("AAACAL") that is unique for each user account and data indicating the creation date and time of each piece of schedule information ("20140601T182650").

[0110] The information in the "Start Date and Time" and "End Date and Time" columns is date and time information, and indicates the start date and time and end date and time of each schedule information. The "Start Date and Time" and "End Date and Time" are stored in the format "Asia / Tokyo:AAAAAAAATBBBBBB". "Asia / Tokyo:" indicates the time zone. "A" and "B" are single digit numbers, "AAAAAAAA" indicates the year, month, and day, and "BBBBBB" indicates the time. For example, "Asia / Tokyo:20140623T150000" indicates 15:00 on June 23, 2014, Tokyo time. The user can set the "Start Date and Time" and "End Date and Time" as desired.

[0111] The information in the "Title" column is title information, and text information of a certain number of characters input by the user is stored.

[0112] The information in the "Location" field is information related to a location (hereinafter referred to as "Location Information"). The user can input any location information. The location information can be stored as text information of a certain number of characters (e.g., "First Meeting Room"), or as data indicating latitude / longitude. In the illustrated example, the latitude and longitude are displayed as numbers with six decimal places. For example, "34.728905,137.453193" indicates that the latitude is 34.728905 degrees and the longitude is 137.453193 degrees.

[0113] The schedule information may include information elements other than those described above. Each piece of schedule information is stored in the storage area 95 as a schedule information file 96, with the "UID" of the file being used as the file name.

[0114] The information in the "URL" column indicates the URL and file name of the storage area 95 assigned to the corresponding user account in the schedule database 94.

[0115] The account database 93 and the schedule database 94 are relational databases that store the above-mentioned registration data, schedule information, etc. based on a relational model.

[0116] Fig. 13 shows an example of a login screen 500 that the authentication server 92 displays in a browser of the user terminal 100 or the like via the Internet 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the login screen 500 displays input fields 500a and 500b for inputting a user account and a password.

[0117] When a user enters a user account and password in input fields 500a, 500b and operates login button 500c, the browser of the user terminal 100, etc., sends this information to authentication server 92, and the authentication server 92 determines whether or not the received information can be authenticated by referring to account database 93, and if authentication is successful, allows the user to log in.

[0118] FIG. 14(a) shows a calendar screen 501 displayed on the browser of the user terminal 100 or the like based on information transmitted from the schedule server 90 after login.

[0119] In the following explanation, we will explain operations on a screen displayed in a browser of the user terminal 100 or the like, and the contents of the screen displayed in the browser of the user terminal 100 or the like. Information indicating the operation contents used in the explanation is transmitted from the browser to the schedule server 90, and based on the transmitted information, the schedule server 90 generates data to be drawn on the screen on the browser and transmits it to the user terminal 100 or the like, and display is performed on the browser of the user terminal 100 or the like based on the transmitted data.

[0120] Calendar screen 501 displays schedule information stored in one of storage areas 95 assigned to the corresponding user account (for example, storage area 95A). By operating menu button 501f (described later), it is also possible to display schedule information for other storage areas 95B to 95N.

[0121] On calendar screen 501, display columns 501a are arranged for a plurality of unit periods (one day in the illustrated example) included in a predetermined display period (one month in the illustrated example, specifically, the one month of June 2014). The display period can be changed by operating change button 501b, and the length of the display period (day, week, month) can be changed by operating change button 501c.

[0122] Each display column 501a displays records 501d consisting of the start time and title information of schedule information having date and time information (e.g., start date and time) corresponding to the date and time of each display column 501a. For example, in FIG. 14(a), for schedule information with a start date and time of 15:00 on June 23, 2014, the start time ("15:00") and title information ("Sales Meeting") are displayed in the display column 501a for the 23rd. Each display column 501a can display multiple records 501d arranged in order of start time from top to bottom. (See the two records 501d displayed in the display column 501a for the 25th.)

[0123] An input window 502 for inputting schedule information is popped up by clicking any of the display columns 501a on the calendar screen 501. The input window 502 has a number of input fields 502a, 502b, and 502c for inputting information elements such as schedule title information, date and time information, and location information.

[0124] When the user inputs all or part of the above information elements in the input window 502 and operates the save button 502d, the input schedule information is processed into a prescribed input format and transmitted to the schedule server 90. Fig. 14(b) shows an example of a destination address (URL) specified when transmitting the schedule information and a prescribed input format of the schedule information to be transmitted.

[0125] As shown in the figure, the destination URL is created by combining the URL of the memory area 95 assigned to the user (https: / / www.calender.com / calendar / dav / ZZname@Amail.com / events) and the identification information of the schedule information. The identification information is composed of the user ID (AAACAL) and information (20140610T143836) indicating the date and time when the save button 502d was operated (input date and time).

[0126] When transmitting, the schedule information is processed into a predetermined input format as shown in the figure by tagging and / or arranging each information element according to each input field 502a, 502b, 502c. For example, information input into input field 502a is tagged with "SUMMARY", information input into input field 502b is tagged with "DTSTART;TZID=Asia / Tokyo" and "DTEND;TZID=Asia / Tokyo", and information input into input field 502c is tagged with "LOCATION". "AAACAL20140926T143836" tagged with "UID" is identification information for identifying each schedule information to be transmitted. The identification information is composed of a user ID and date and time information indicating the date and time when the schedule information was transmitted.

[0127] The data format of the schedule information to be sent is iCalendar format. The schedule information can be sent in accordance with the CalDAV standard using WebDAV. "BEGIN:VCALENDAR", "BEGIN:VEVENT", "DESCRIPTION:", "END:VEVENT", "END:VCALENDAR", etc. are headers and footers for identifying the start and end of the schedule information.

[0128] The schedule server 90 extracts information elements contained in the schedule information by parsing the schedule information transmitted from the user terminal 100 or the like, and stores them in the storage format explained with reference to FIG.

[0129] The calendar screen 501 has a calendar field 501e that displays the type of calendar. When a menu button 501f in the calendar field 501e is operated, the screen transitions to a setting screen 503 shown in Fig. 15, where settings for a new calendar are accepted.

[0130] The setting screen 503 includes one or more input fields 503a to 503c for inputting various information related to the new calendar. Among these, the input field 503a is for receiving the calendar name of the new calendar. In the figure, the state in which the name "Monthly Record" has been input is shown.

[0131] When all or part of the input fields 503a to 503c are filled in and the "Create Calendar" button 503d is operated, the information in the input fields 503a to 503c is sent to the schedule server 90, which then allocates an unused memory area (e.g., memory area 95B) associated with the currently logged-in user account to the new calendar and stores the sent information as an attribute value of that memory area.

[0132] By the above process, the display of the calendar field 501e on the calendar screen 501 is updated as shown in FIG. 16, and an icon 541 indicating the calendar name input in the input field 503a and operation buttons 542 are displayed.

[0133] 16, the user operates operation button 542 to display pull-down menu 505, and by selecting "Calendar settings" 543 from the selection items, calendar ID 544 can be displayed on the screen. Calendar ID 544 is identification information for individually identifying storage areas 95A, 95B, ... 95N. Here, calendar ID 544 is "xxxx@group.calendar.yyyy.com".

[0134] [Functions of electronic devices] The functions of the radar detector 10 of this embodiment are stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 28 as programs executed by the computer that is the control unit 28, and are realized by the computer executing these programs. Functions realized by the computer through the programs stored in the control unit 28 include a GPS log function, a touch operation acceptance function, a vehicle information screen display function, a download update function, an alarm function, a driving information log function, a wireless communication function, etc.

[0135] The GPS log function is a function in which the control unit 28 associates the current position detected by the GNSS receiver 23 every second with the detection time and speed (vehicle speed) and stores the result in a non-volatile memory as a position history. This position history is recorded in, for example, the NMEA format.

[0136] The touch operation reception function is a function that receives various operations including setting the operating conditions of the radar detector 10 based on touch operations on multiple types of menu windows. Operations that can be performed by touch operations can also be performed using the remote control 43.

[0137] Each menu window is displayed on the front layer of the vehicle information screen, superimposed on the vehicle information screen described later. The menu window is composed of a semi-transparent background and opaque buttons so that the vehicle information screen can be seen. This allows the user to recognize the type of vehicle information screen or check the contents of the vehicle information screen even while the menu window is displayed.

[0138] The multiple types of menu windows include a menu window 210 shown in Fig. 17. When a single touch operation on the display 15 is detected while the radar detector 10 is in operation (while a vehicle information screen described below is being displayed), the control unit 28 displays the menu window 210 on the display 15. The menu window 210 may be displayed when a hand approaches using a touch panel controller with a proximity sensor. The menu window 210 is erased if no operation is detected for a certain period of time.

[0139] FIG. 17(a) shows a menu window 210 displayed in the radar detector 10 in the case body 12 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in the figure, three basic buttons 210a to 210c are displayed in this menu window 210. FIG. 17(b) shows a menu window 210 displayed in the radar detector 10 in the case body 12 from which the direct switch shown in FIG. 4(a) or (b) is omitted. In the menu window 210 in FIG. 17(b), in addition to the basic buttons 210a to 210c, an additional button 210d is displayed on the outer periphery of the menu window 210. By operating these additional buttons 210d, it is possible to perform operations corresponding to the direct switches in the radar detector 10 in the case body 12 shown in FIG. 2.

[0140] A plurality of menu windows including the menu window 210 have a hierarchical structure, and in response to a touched button in a menu window in a higher hierarchy, the control unit 28 displays a menu window in a lower hierarchy or executes the button function of the button. For example, by touching the "Settings TOP" button 210a in the top menu window 210, the setting screen 211 (FIG. 18) is displayed, which is a menu window in a lower hierarchy assigned to the button 210a. Note that the phrase "displayed" in the specification indicates that the control unit controls the display (e.g., the drawing process, etc.). The phrase "the control unit...displays" also indicates that the control unit controls the display (e.g., the drawing process, etc.). Furthermore, by touching a button displayed in a menu window in a lower hierarchy such as the setting screen 211, a menu window in a lower hierarchy assigned to the button is displayed, or a function assigned to the button is executed, etc. In the following, the function for displaying the menu window assigned to a button on the menu window and the function assigned to the button on the menu window may be collectively referred to as a "button function".

[0141] The types of buttons (for example, buttons 210a to 210c) displayed in the menu window 210 differ depending on the type of vehicle information screen being displayed, as will be described later.

[0142] The touch operation reception function includes a function explanation function that outputs an explanation of the function, etc., assigned to a button from the speaker 26 in response to a touch operation on all or some of the buttons displayed in each menu window. Specifically, when a certain type of operation on a button (e.g., a long-term touch operation of 0.5 seconds or more) is detected, the touch operation reception function executes the button function of the button, and when a different type of operation (e.g., a short-term touch operation on a button of 0.2 to 0.5 seconds) is detected, the function explanation function is activated, and text data explaining the button function of the button is read from the database 29, and a voice is synthesized by a voice synthesis technology and output from the speaker 26. This allows the user to know the button function without having to take out an instruction manual to search for the necessary information.

[0143] The vehicle information screen display function is a function for displaying a vehicle information screen on the display 15. The vehicle information screen display function includes an alarm screen display function for displaying an alarm screen as a vehicle information screen in response to a user's selection, and a standby screen display function for displaying a standby screen that displays vehicle operation information and the like as a vehicle information screen.

[0144] The alarm screen display function is a function for displaying an alarm screen on the display 15, which indicates the positional relationship between the vehicle's position and a target for which an alarm is issued by a GPS alarm function described below, based on the vehicle's position detected by the GNSS receiver 23. The alarm screen display function includes a map alarm screen display function for displaying a map alarm screen, a classic alarm screen display function for displaying a classic alarm screen, and a classic alarm screen display function for displaying a simple alarm screen. The alarm screen display function is capable of displaying any one of these three types of alarm screens as an alarm screen on the display 15 according to a user's selection.

[0145] The map warning screen is a warning screen that uses a national map. The classic warning screen is a warning screen that simply displays the positional relationship between the vehicle's position and the target's position. The classic warning screen also displays a meter that indicates the operating status of the vehicle selected by the user. The simple warning screen is a warning screen that displays only the vehicle's speed when there is no target, and displays a warning panel, a mini radar, and a countdown display of the distance to the target when the vehicle's position is within a certain approach distance from the target.

[0146] 19(a) shows a map warning screen 111 which is one aspect of the map warning screen displayed by the map warning screen display function. As shown in the figure, the map warning screen display function also has a function of extracting targets to be notified to the user based on the current position and the positions or areas of the targets stored in the database 29, and displaying target icons 312 etc. of the extracted targets superimposed on the corresponding positions on the map. A specific display aspect of the map warning screen 111 is as follows.

[0147] The control unit 28 displays a map warning screen 111 showing a map image in the main display area R1 which occupies almost the entire surface of the display 15. The control unit 28 displays the map image so that the current vehicle position is located directly above the center of a notification area R2, which will be described later, and also displays a vehicle icon 311 at that position. However, when a target image 312a, which will be described later, is displayed, the vehicle icon 311 may be erased or may be displayed at a position moved left or right away from the target image 312a. The map image is drawn so that the vehicle's traveling direction is aligned with the upward direction of the display 15.

[0148] When displaying the vehicle icon 311, position correction is performed by map matching so that the vehicle icon 311 is displayed on the road of the map image as much as possible. Data on the traffic direction of each road is stored in the database 29, and map matching is performed when correcting the position so that the traveling direction of the vehicle coincides with the traffic direction of the road on which the vehicle is traveling. In this way, it is possible to prevent an unnatural map image in which the vehicle icon 311 is displayed on the lane going in the opposite direction on roads such as expressways where there is a distance between the oncoming lanes.

[0149] The control unit 28 displays the topography (roads, mountains, rivers, lakes, buildings, facilities, etc.), place names, building names, facility names, place names, etc. in the main display area R1, as well as a target icon 312 indicating the position of a target within a predetermined distance range from the vehicle. Visibility is improved by applying shadows to the place names, building names, facility names, place names, etc.

[0150] Depending on the type of target, the control unit 28 can display a target image 312a (a real-life image of the target or an animation image specific to the target) on the map when the target is at a certain approach distance (for example, within 1000 m) as shown in Fig. 19(b), and display an enlarged target image 312a when the target is at a second approach distance (for example, within 500 m) which is closer. The user can set what size of target image 312a to display at what approach distance.

[0151] The control unit 28 further displays a compass 313 and vehicle speed 314 in the upper left of the main display area R1, a current position display unit 315 in the upper right of the main display area R1, a mini radar scope 316 below it, and a notification area R2 below the main display area R1, superimposed on the main display area R1. In the current position display unit 315, if the name of the road on which the vehicle is traveling is registered in the database 29, the road name is displayed, and if not, the address of the current position is displayed. In the mini radar scope 316, the positional relationship between the vehicle 316a and a target 316b is displayed in a simplified manner.

[0152] Notification area R2 displays notification information 317 and a steady display 318. Notification information 317 is information relating to a target and public enforcement information. Hereinafter, notification information 317 displayed regarding a target may be referred to as "target notification information," and notification information 317 displayed regarding public enforcement information may be referred to as "public notification information." In the illustrated example, a case is shown in which target notification information 319 is displayed as notification information 317.

[0153] The target notification information 319 displays a target icon 319a indicating the target, target explanation information 319b which is an explanation regarding the target, a direction icon 319c which indicates the direction of the target, and a target distance 319d which is the distance to the target. The target icon 319a is made to have the same shape as the target icon 312, so that the user can easily understand the relationship between the target icon 312 on the map image and the target notification information 319.

[0154] The steady display 318 is made up of one or more information icons 318a indicating information on traffic laws and the like in the vicinity of the current location, and the current time 318b. The steady display 318 is always displayed regardless of whether the target notification information 319 or the public notification information 320 is displayed.

[0155] The notification area R2 is composed of a semi-transparent plate-like background image drawn overlapping the main display area R1 on a layer on the front side of the map image, etc. of the main display area R1, and opaque notification information 317 and constant display 318 on the background image. By displaying the opaque notification information 317 and constant display 318 on the background image, the user can easily see the notification information 317 and constant display 318. Because the background image is semi-transparent, as shown in the figure, the map image, etc. located on the rear side can be viewed in places within the notification area R2 where the notification information 317 and constant display 318 are not displayed. Therefore, the user can see the map image displayed over a wider range.

[0156] The map warning screen display function includes a map selection function. The map selection function is a function that accepts the user's selection of the type of map warning screen. The map warning screen display function displays the type of map selected by the map selection function.

[0157] 20 shows the menu window 212 that the map selection function displays on the display 15. The menu window 212 is a menu window at a lower level than the menu window 210, and can be displayed by touching a button one or more times from the menu window 210. As shown in the figure, the menu window 212 displays three types of buttons, "TYPE1" to "TYPE3," and the map selection function selects the type of map alarm screen that corresponds to the touched button, "TYPE1" to "TYPE3."

[0158] 21 and 22 show map warning screens 111-113 corresponding to "TYPE1"-"TYPE3". FIG. 21 shows map warning screens 111-113 with a daytime color scheme that is displayed when the vehicle interior 4A is bright, and FIG. 22 shows map warning screens 111-113 with a nighttime color scheme that is displayed when the vehicle interior 4A is dark. The map warning screen 111 is the same as that shown in FIG. 19, and is a standard map warning screen. The map warning screen 112 is an address-oriented specification, and the address of the current position is always displayed in the current position display section 315. The map warning screen 113 is a road-oriented specification, and the display of major trunk roads is emphasized. The display of the current position display section 315 is the same as that of the map warning screen 111.

[0159] As described above, by making it possible to select from a plurality of map warning screens 111-113 which differ in the thickness of roads and the colors of administrative districts, facilities, etc., the user can display an easy-to-read map warning screen 111-113 according to his / her preference and situation.

[0160] The warning screen display function may include a scale display function that displays current scale information (reduction scale) at a certain fixed position (scale display area) on the screen. The scale may display the distance from the vehicle position to the vertical center position of the main area R1 (e.g., "500 m") and the distance to the upper position (e.g., "1000 m"), with the vehicle position set at 0 m. When the control unit 28 detects that the main display area R1 has been touched twice in succession, it displays a map scale change button (not shown) at a predetermined position (a position along the scale display area) in the main display area R1, and changes the map scale in response to the touch on the map scale change button. In other words, the control unit 28 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.

[0161] The standby screen display function is a function in which the control unit 28 displays a standby screen on the display 15 in a plurality of different designs in accordance with the user's selection, the standby screen showing operation information of the vehicle 4 (e.g., vehicle speed, mileage, fuel efficiency, number and ratio of idling stops) acquired from the OBD2 or the like, a clock, a photo frame, etc.

[0162] 23 and 24 show exemplary standby screens 121 to 131. Standby screens 121 to 128 in Fig. 23 respectively display the current time, vehicle speed, etc., information related to eco-driving, acceleration, etc., inclination, etc., morning and evening information, graphs, and photo frames. Standby screens 129 to 131 in Fig. 24 are preset standby screens, and can display an arrangement of multiple display elements such as meter images, characters, and numerical values ​​of various sizes that can be selected by the user.

[0163] Note that several types of display elements related to idling stop (e.g., display element 132 in FIG. 25) are provided as display elements that can be displayed on the preset standby screens 129 to 131. However, since idling stop is less important in a hybrid car, when information from OBD2 detects that the vehicle 4 is a hybrid car, the standby screen display function displays a display element showing information related to engine stop (e.g., display element 133 in FIG. 25) instead of the display element related to idling stop (e.g., display element 132 in FIG. 25).

[0164] Each of the standby screens 129 to 131 can display a notification area R2 similar to the map alert screen 111 and the like, but the notification area R2 is omitted in Figs.

[0165] Here, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the basic buttons displayed in the menu window 210. The types of basic buttons in the menu window 210 change depending on the type of vehicle information screen (vehicle information screen displayed as the background of the menu window 210) when the menu window 210 is displayed.

[0166] 26 and 27 show the menu window 210 displayed on the various vehicle information screens 135-147. As shown in the figures, in the menu window 210 of each vehicle information screen 135-147, in addition to a "Settings Top" button, buttons necessary or convenient for display settings of each vehicle information screen 135-147 are displayed, and when there is no particular need for such settings, only the "Settings Top" button is displayed. This simplifies the menu window 210 and makes it easier to operate.

[0167] The download update function is a function for updating the target information and public enforcement information in the database 29 by downloading the new target information and public enforcement information from the service server 80 when the new target information and public enforcement information are available in the service server 80. Whether the information is new or not can be determined from the date and time of the previous download by the download update function and the update date and time of the target information and public enforcement information, etc.

[0168] The download update function executes the above download and update if the radar detector 10 is powered on and is able to connect to the service server 80 via the tethering function of the smartphone 50.

[0169] The download update function makes it possible to update the target information and public enforcement information in the database even if the smartphone 50 does not have a tethering function by downloading the target information and public enforcement information from the service server 80 to the smartphone 50 in advance. That is, when the radar detector 10 is turned on, it attempts to connect to the smartphone 50 via the wireless LAN function, and if successful, updates the target information and public enforcement information in the database 29 by reading the target information and public enforcement information from the smartphone 50.

[0170] The download update function has a selection function that allows the user to select which of the above two methods to use for downloading.

[0171] The warning function includes a GPS warning function, a radar wave warning function, a public enforcement information display function, a notification area control function, a wireless warning function, a warning restriction function, and a restriction release function. The control unit 28 executes processing to realize each function, such as the GPS warning function, the public enforcement information display function, the notification area control function, the radar wave warning function, and the wireless warning function, in response to an event that occurs during execution of the vehicle information screen display function, and returns to processing of the original standby function when the processing of the corresponding function ends. The priority of each function is set in the order of highest to lowest: radar wave warning function, wireless warning function, and GPS warning function.

[0172] The GPS alarm function is a function that determines at a predetermined time interval (1 second interval) whether a target that should be notified to the user exists based on an event from a timer in the control unit 28, and displays target information about the existing targets in the notification area R2 based on the determination.

[0173] Whether or not there is a target to be notified to the user is determined based on the position / area information of the target information stored in the database 29 and the current position detected by the GNSS receiver 23. Specifically, it is determined that a target to be notified exists when the distance from the current position to the target position is less than a certain value or when the current position is within the area of ​​the target. In this determination, a target that the GPS warning function determines should be notified (or exists) is called a "target to be notified."

[0174] When it is determined that there is a target to be notified, the GPS warning function executes a process of displaying a target mark 312 or a target image 312a specified by the target type identifier of the target information to be notified on the map warning screens 111-113, the standby screens 121-131, etc. on the display device 15, and also displaying target notification information 319 in the notification area R2 of these screens, and outputting an approach warning sound indicating that from the speaker 26. The data of the images, icons, sounds, etc. are stored in the database 29 in association with the target type identifier.

[0175] Hereinafter, the map / alert screens 111 to 113, the standby screens 121 to 131, etc. may be collectively referred to as the "vehicle information screens 111, etc."

[0176] Such 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 monitoring areas, N systems, traffic monitoring systems, intersection monitoring points, signal ignoring prevention systems, police stations, areas with high accident rates, areas with high rates of vehicle theft, sharp / continuous curves (expressways), branching / merging points (expressways), advance ETC lane guidance (expressways), service areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), highway oases (expressways), smart interchanges (expressways), gas stations inside PAs / SAs (expressways), tunnels (expressways), highway radio receiving areas (expressways), prefectural border announcements, roadside stations, view point parking, expressway bus stops, roundabouts, points flooded during heavy rain, frozen spots in winter, autumn foliage spots, Zone 30, etc.

[0177] The public enforcement information display function is a function that determines whether there is a target that should be notified to the user at a predetermined time interval (1 second interval) based on an event from a timer in the control unit 28, and displays the existing public enforcement information in the notification area R2 based on that determination.

[0178] Whether or not there is public enforcement information that should be notified to the user is determined based on the area / road information of the public enforcement information stored in database 29 and the current position detected by GNSS receiver 23. Specifically, if it can be determined from the current position that the vehicle is traveling on a road covered by the public enforcement information, or if the current position is within the area covered by the public enforcement information, it is determined that there is public enforcement information that should be notified. In this determination, public enforcement information that the public enforcement information display function determines should be notified (or exists) is referred to as "public enforcement information to be notified." If there is public enforcement information to be notified, the public enforcement information display function displays public notification information 320 consisting of information content about the public enforcement information to be notified on the vehicle information screen 111 on the display 15, etc.

[0179] The public enforcement information display function further has a function to display the road in a manner different from normal, such as by flashing the corresponding road in the map image on the map warning screen 111, when a road is specified as the area / road information of the public enforcement information to be reported.

[0180] The public enforcement information display function has a function to display the target icon 312 in a manner different from normal, such as by blinking the target icon 312, when the condition that the target corresponding to the corresponding target type identifier of the public enforcement information to be notified is a target to be notified (for example, the target icon 312 is displayed on the map image of the map warning screen 111) is met. The GPS warning function further has a function to output the above-mentioned approach warning sound in a manner different from normal (such as a different speaking speed or content) when this condition is met.

[0181] The notification area control function is a function that controls the display of the notification area R2 on the vehicle information screen 111 etc. The notification area control function displays the notification area R2 superimposed on the main display area R1 on the vehicle information screen 111 etc. Fig. 28 shows an example of the display of the notification area R2. The notification area R2 is located at the bottom end of the display screen of the display 15 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "display screen").

[0182] The notification area control function is capable of displaying a first notification area 321 and a second notification area 322 in the notification area R2. Fig. 28(a) shows a state in which the first notification area 321 is displayed in the notification area R2 but the second notification area 322 is not displayed, and Fig. 28(c) shows a state in which both the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322 are displayed. In Fig. 28(c), the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322 are rectangular areas of the same shape and size.

[0183] The notification area control function displays a semi-transparent background image in the entire area of ​​the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322, and displays opaque characters, icons, etc. in each of the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322. These background images, characters, icons, etc. are drawn on a layer on the front side of the map image and meter image of the vehicle information screen 111, etc. displayed in the main display area R1. By displaying a semi-transparent background image on the layer on the front side, the visibility of the characters, icons, etc. in the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322 is improved. Furthermore, in the part where the characters, icons, etc. are not displayed, the map image, meter image, etc. on the rear side can be viewed (see FIG. 19, etc.). This makes it possible to minimize the decrease in the visibility of the map, meter image, etc. caused by displaying the notification area R2.

[0184] The first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322 each have a certain vertical dimension. The first notification area 321 is displayed at the bottom edge of the display screen. The second notification area 322 is displayed at the same position as or above the first notification area 321. The second notification area 322 is displayed moving or stationary. FIG. 28(b) shows a state in the middle of moving display, and FIG. 28(c) shows a state in which the second notification area 322 is stationary. The second notification area 322 appears by moving from the state of FIG. 28(a) in which the second notification area 322 is not displayed, through the moving display state of FIG. 28(b), and then stationary display of the notification area 322 as shown in FIG. 28(c). The second notification area 322 is erased by changing from the state of FIG. 28(c), through the state of FIG. 28(b), to the state of FIG. 28(a).

[0185] As described above, the vertical dimension of the notification area R2 changes depending on whether only one of the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322 is displayed (Fig. 28(a)), or whether the second notification area 322 is displayed in a moving manner (Fig. 28(b)) or stationary manner (Fig. 28(c)). The position within the display screen where the first notification area 321 is displayed (the display position of the first notification area 321 in Figs. 28(a) to 28(c)) may be referred to as the "first fixed position". The position within the display screen where the second notification area 322 is displayed stationary (the display position of the second notification area 322 in Fig. 28(c)) may be referred to as the "second fixed position".

[0186] The first notification area 321 has a notification section 321a which is an area for displaying notification information 317, and a constant section 321b which is an area for displaying constant display 318. In principle, constant display 318 is always displayed in constant section 321b (see FIG. 19).

[0187] In Fig. 28(b) and Fig. 28(c), the boundaries between the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322, and between the notification portion 321a and the constant portion 321b are shown with solid lines to explain the distinction between them, but the background image of the notification area R2 is a single solid image without a border, and the boundary between the two is not actually displayed on the display screen. This makes the display screen neat and prevents the user from feeling cluttered. Since the notification area R2 has a background image, the boundary 323 between the notification area R2 and the area outside it is visible.

[0188] The notification area control function includes a notification setting function that accepts a user's selection as to whether or not to display the public notification information 320 on the vehicle information screen 111, etc. Fig. 29 shows menu windows 213, 214 that the notification setting function causes the display device 15 to display.

[0189] The menu window 213 is a menu window at a lower level than the menu window 210. When the "ON" button is touched in the menu window 213, a two-line display mode capable of displaying the target notification information 319 and the public notification information 320 in two lines is set, and the menu window 214 is displayed on the display 15. When the "OFF" button is touched in the menu window 213, a one-line display mode in which the target notification information 319 and the public notification information 320 are displayed in a single line is set. The number of lines to be displayed is controlled based on this setting.

[0190] The "One-time display" button displayed in the menu window 214 is used to scroll the public notification information 320 once in the notification area R2, and the "Loop display" button is used to scroll the public notification information 320 repeatedly in the notification area R2.

[0191] The public notification information 320 is a text of the information content of the public enforcement information. In Fig. 31 to Fig. 33 described below, when the public notification information 320 is displayed in the notification area R2, the text is scroll-displayed in the first notification area 321 or the second notification area 322 in the manner selected in the menu window 214.

[0192] The display control of the notification area R2 by the notification area control function in the two-stage display mode will be described below by taking as an example a case where the map alarm screen 111 is displayed on the display 15.

[0193] When neither the target information to be notified nor the public enforcement information to be notified exists, as shown in Fig. 30(a), the first notification area 321 is displayed in the first fixed position, but the second notification area 322 is not displayed. The target notification information 319 and the public notification information 320 are not displayed in the first notification area 321, and the constant display 318 is displayed in the constant portion 321b.

[0194] When new notification target information occurs from the state of Fig. 30(a) (when there is a transition (transition 1) to a state where notification target target information exists and notification target public enforcement information does not exist), the GPS warning function displays target notification information 319 in the first notification area 321 as shown in Fig. 30(b). The target notification information 319 is designed in advance so that the entire information can be displayed statically in the space of the notification unit 321a, and is displayed statically within the notification unit 321a. Therefore, the user can stably view the target notification information 319.

[0195] If new public enforcement information to be reported arises from the state of Figure 30(a) (if there is a transition (transition 2) to a state where public enforcement information to be reported exists and target information to be reported does not exist), the public enforcement information display function displays public notification information 320 about the public enforcement information in the first notification area 321, as shown in Figure 30(c).

[0196] If there is a transition (transition 3) from the state of Figure 30(b) to a state where there is no target information to be notified, or a transition (transition 4) from the state of Figure 30(c) to a state where there is no public enforcement information to be notified, the target notification information 319 in Figure 30(b) is erased, or the public notification information 320 in Figure 30(c) is erased, and the state returns to that of Figure 30(a).

[0197] 30(a) to 30(c), the size (vertical length) of the notification area R2 is constant, and the map warning screen display function displays a map image so that the host vehicle icon 311 (current vehicle position) is displayed directly above the notification area R2. This map image is drawn so that the vehicle's traveling direction coincides with the upward direction of the display 15.

[0198] When there is a transition (transition 5) from the state of Fig. 30(b) to a state in which both the target information to be notified and the public enforcement information to be notified are present, the notification area control function makes the second notification area 322 appear in a second fixed position above the first notification area 321. The second notification area 322 appears by moving the second notification area 322 from the first fixed position toward the second fixed position as shown in Fig. 31(a), and then stopping and displaying it at the second fixed position as shown in Fig. 31(b).

[0199] During the above-mentioned moving display and stopped display, the GPS alert display function displays target notification information 319 about the target information to be notified in the first notification area 321, and the public enforcement information display function displays public notification information 320 about the public enforcement information to be notified in the second notification area 322.

[0200] As shown in FIG. 31(a), in the process of the second notification area 322 appearing, in the overlapping portion of the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322, the target notification information 319 is displayed but the public notification information 320 is not displayed. This ensures the visibility of the target notification information 319. Furthermore, throughout the process of the second notification area 322 appearing, the target notification information 319 is displayed stationary at a fixed location. This further improves the visibility of the target notification information 319. In addition, the moving display of the second notification area 322 and the public notification information 320 makes it easier for the user to notice that transition 5 has occurred.

[0201] When there is a transition (transition 6) from the state of Fig. 30(c) to a state in which both target information to be notified and public enforcement information to be notified exist, the notification area control function makes the second notification area 322 appear above the first notification area 321. In the process of the second notification area 322 appearing, at the same time as transition 6 occurs, the public notification information 320 in the first notification area 321 is erased and the target notification information 319 is displayed. As a result, the display of the vehicle information screen 111 etc. becomes as shown in Fig. 30(b).

[0202] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 31(a), the second notification area 322 displaying the public notification information 320 is moved from the first fixed position to the second fixed position, and then, as shown in Fig. 31(b), the second notification area 322 is stopped and displayed at the second fixed position, thereby causing the second notification area 322 to appear, and the process during this period is the same as that of transition 5. Thus, as in the case of transition 5, the visibility of the target notification information 319 is ensured and improved, and the recognizability that the public notification information 320 has been newly displayed is improved. In addition, since the target notification information 319 is displayed simultaneously with transition 6 (Fig. 30(b)), the user can check the target notification information 319 from the point of transition 6.

[0203] When there is a transition (transition 7) from a state in which both target information to be notified and public enforcement information to be notified exist (Figure 31(b)) to a state in which only target information to be notified exists, the second notification area 322 is erased. This erasure is performed by first erasing the public notification information 320 in the second notification area 322 as shown in Figure 32(a), and then moving and displaying the second notification area 322 from the second fixed position to the first fixed position. Figure 32(b) shows the state in the middle of the moving display. The state when the erasure of the second notification area 322 has been completed is the same as Figure 30(b).

[0204] 32(a) and 32(b), the semi-transparent blank notification area R2 becomes narrower during the moving display process, which allows the user to easily notice that there has been a transition 7. During this time, the target notification information 319 remains displayed in the first fixed position, so the visibility of the target notification information 319 during this time is maintained.

[0205] When there is a transition (transition 8) from a state where both target information to be notified and public enforcement information to be notified exist (Fig. 31(b)) to a state where only public enforcement information exists, the second notification area 322 is erased. This erasure is performed by first erasing the target information 319 in the first notification area 321 (Fig. 33(a)), then, as shown in Fig. 33(b), moving the second notification area 322 from the second fixed position towards the first fixed position, and stopping the second notification area 322 at the second fixed position as shown in Fig. 33(c).

[0206] During this moving display process, the public notification information 320 is displayed in the second notification area 322, but as shown in Figures 33(b) and 33(c), only the steady display 318 is displayed in the area where the steady display 318 and the public notification information 320 overlap. This ensures the visibility of the steady display 318.

[0207] As the second notification area 322 moves in transitions 5 and 6, the notification area R2 becomes wider, and therefore the boundary 323 between the notification area R2 and the area outside it moves upward on the display screen. On the other hand, as the second notification area 322 moves in transitions 7 and 8, the notification area R2 becomes narrower, and therefore the boundary 323 moves downward.

[0208] When the boundary 323 moves, the map warning screen display function draws the map image so that the position of the vehicle icon 311 in the map image (the vehicle's current position) is maintained directly above the notification area R2. That is, the vehicle icon 311 is moved upward (downward) in conjunction with the upward (downward) movement of the boundary 323. The movement speed of the boundary 323 and the movement speed of the vehicle icon 311 are the same. This causes a map image in the traveling direction of the current position to be displayed in the entire area outside the notification area R2 (or a wider part of the outside area), making it possible to display a map image that is more useful to the user while driving.

[0209] On the other hand, the standby screen display function does not move the standby screen even if the boundary 323 moves, thereby maintaining the ease of viewing the standby screen.

[0210] In the one-tier display mode, the notification area R2 is configured only with the first notification area 321, and in the notification portion 321a, the target information 319 or the public notification information 320 is displayed in accordance with a predetermined priority order.

[0211] Fig. 34 shows a display example of the radar wave warning function. This radar wave warning function is a warning function that displays a radar wave warning display 330 on the vehicle information screen 111 or the like on the display 15 and outputs a warning sound from the speaker 26 when the microwave receiver 24 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 24, as shown in Fig. 34(b), a schematic diagram or photo 331 of a radar stored in the database 29 is displayed as a warning screen on the display 15, and voice data stored in the database 29 is read out and a voice saying "This is a radar. Watch your speed" is output from the speaker 26. The distance to be displayed may be, for example, a distance estimated from the electric field strength.

[0212] The radar wave warning function has a cancel function.

[0213] The cancel function is a function that judges radar waves received near a certain point to be false information depending on the reception conditions of radar waves, microwaves, etc. near the same point, and prevents the radar wave warning function from issuing a warning. Specifically, when radar waves are received, the cancel function stores the reception history of radar waves after traveling within a 200m range of the point, and if they are received more than a certain frequency, stores the point as cancellation data.

[0214] The cancellation data can be exported to the memory card 60, and the user can use the memory card 60 to carry over the cancellation data when, for example, replacing the radar detector 10. It is also possible to upload the cancellation data to the service server 80, etc., and provide the user with cancellation data uploaded by a large number of users as big data.

[0215] The radio warning function is a function that issues a warning when a radio wave emitted by an emergency vehicle or the like is received by the radio receiver 25 so as not to interfere with the driving of the vehicle or the like. In the radio warning function, 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. are scanned, and when a radio signal is received at the scanned frequency, a schematic diagram indicating that a radio signal corresponding to the frequency stored in the database 29 for each radio type is received is displayed on the display 15 as a warning screen, and audio data stored in the database 29 for each radio type is read out, and an alarm sound indicating the type of radio signal is output from the speaker 26. For example, when a police radio signal is received, a sound such as "This is a police radio signal. Watch your speed" is output.

[0216] The warning restriction function is a function that restricts the operation of the radar wave warning function, wireless warning function, GPS warning function, etc., under certain conditions. The certain conditions can be set by operating the menu window 210 or a menu window at a lower level. For example, when the vehicle speed is 30 km / h or less, when the radar waves, etc. are weak, etc., it is possible to set so that warnings are not output by all or some of the radar wave warning function, wireless warning function, and GPS warning function.

[0217] The restriction release function is a function that cancels the restriction imposed by the warning restriction function under certain conditions. For example, if zone 30 is present as target information to be notified, the radar detector 10 issues warnings using the radar wave warning function, wireless warning function, and GPS warning function, regardless of the setting of the warning restriction function. This makes it possible to issue a warning to the user even when the vehicle speed is 30 km / h or less, the radar waves, etc. are weak, etc.

[0218] The driving information log function is a function that stores driving information generated based on information such as the current position, current time, and speed (vehicle speed) output from the GNSS receiver 23 and control information of the vehicle 4 output from the OBD2 connector as a log file in the database 29. The driving information log function stores driving information for each driving period, with the period from when the ACC of the vehicle 4 is turned on to when the ACC is next turned off being regarded as one driving period. The on / off state of the ACC is detected by a signal from the OBD2 connector. Power is supplied from the OBD2 connector to the radar detector 10 continuously for a predetermined time after the ACC switch is turned off, so that it is possible to store driving information when the ACC is turned off.

[0219] The driving information log function generates one piece of driving information for one driving period and stores it in the database 29. Fig. 35(a) shows an example of driving information. As shown in the figure, each piece of driving information has information elements such as driving start date and time, driving end date and time, driving time, driving start latitude, driving start longitude, driving end latitude, driving end longitude, driving distance, remaining fuel at the start of driving, remaining fuel at the end of driving, fuel consumption, etc. Each piece of driving information may also include other information elements.

[0220] The driving start date and time and the driving end date and time indicate the date and time when the ACC is turned on and off, respectively. The date and time are measured by a timer or the like included in the GNSS receiver 23. The driving time is calculated as the time from the driving start date and time to the driving end date and time.

[0221] The travel start latitude, travel start longitude, travel end latitude and travel end longitude are recorded as the latitude / longitude of the current position output from the GNSS receiver 23 when the ACC is turned on and off, respectively.

[0222] The mileage is the distance traveled by the vehicle 4 during the driving period from when the ACC is turned on to when it is turned off. The mileage can be calculated based on the number of rotations of the axles of the vehicle 4 output from the OBD2 connector. It can also be calculated based on the output from the GNSS receiver 23.

[0223] The remaining fuel at the start of travel and the remaining fuel at the end of travel are the remaining fuel amounts in the fuel tank of the vehicle 4 at the times when the ACC is turned on and off, respectively. The remaining fuel amount can be calculated from the output from the OBD2 connector (measurement signals from a fuel meter, etc.).

[0224] Fuel efficiency can be calculated from the distance traveled, the remaining fuel at the start of the journey, and the remaining fuel at the end of the journey.

[0225] The driving information log function stores one month's worth of driving information as one log file in database 29. The file format used is the CSV file format. Figure 35(b) shows the part of the file structure of database 29 related to log files. As shown in the figure, subfolders for each year ("2013", "2014", etc.) are created under a folder named "crmgr", and log files such as "01.csv", "02.csv", etc. are stored in each subfolder. The numbers in the name of the log file ("01", "02", etc.) indicate the month when the driving information of that log file was obtained.

[0226] The wireless communication functions are various functions realized by the radar detector 10 transmitting and receiving data between the memory card 60, the smartphone 50, the schedule server 90, etc., using the SD card function, wireless LAN function, Internet connection function, etc. of the memory card 60 attached to the memory card reader / writer 20. The wireless communication functions include a calendar setting function, a tally display function, a first input function, a second input function, a wireless setting function, a social network server posting function, an AP mode function, etc.

[0227] The calendar setting function is a function for setting a user account, a password, and a calendar ID in the radar detector 10 for accessing the schedule server 90.

[0228] 36(a), (b), and 37(a) show a setting screen 507, a WLAN screen 508, and a calendar screen 509 that the control unit 28 causes to be displayed on the display 15. The setting screen 507 is the setting screen 211 described with reference to FIG. 17 etc. The WLAN screen 508 is displayed by operating a WLAN button 507a on the setting screen 507, and the calendar screen 509 is displayed by operating a calendar button 508a on the WLAN screen 508.

[0229] In the following, where words are used from a human perspective, such as "operate" or "display", this indicates the result of control unit 28 accepting such an operation and performing processing to produce such a display.

[0230] The calendar screen 509 displays the following buttons: account setting 509a, password setting 509b, calendar ID setting 509c, setting from file 509d, and deletion of settings 509e.

[0231] When "Set from file" 509d is selected on the calendar screen 509, a file with a specific name (e.g., "a.txt") is read from the root folder of the second flash memory 66 of the memory card 60. The file must contain a user account, password, and calendar ID in a predetermined format and order as shown below. xxxx@yyyy.com<line break> ZZZZZZZ<line break> xxxx@group.calendar.yyyy.com In the above example, the first line is the user account, the second line is the password, and the third line is the calendar ID.

[0232] 37(b) is displayed on the display 15, and by selecting "Yes," a message screen 510b indicating completion of processing is displayed, and the read user account, password, and calendar ID are stored in the database 29. The control unit 28 causes the message screen 510b to be displayed for a certain period of time, and then causes the display 15 to display the calendar screen 509.

[0233] When account setting 509a, password setting 509b or calendar ID setting 509c is selected on the calendar screen 509, input screens 512a to 512c (FIG. 38) for entering the user account, password or calendar ID, respectively, are displayed on the display 15, and the user can manually enter this information.

[0234] On the calendar screen 509, it is possible to delete the user account, password and calendar ID stored in the database 29 by selecting delete settings 509e.

[0235] The tallying function is a function for displaying on the display device 15 the tallying data of the driving information stored in the database 29.

[0236] When the monthly record button 507b is touched on the setting screen 507 shown in FIG. 36, the control unit 28 causes the display unit 15 to display a monthly record data screen 513 shown in FIG.

[0237] The monthly record data screen 511 displays a monthly summary data field 513a calculated from the driving information in the database 29. In the example shown, the driving information acquired during the month of May 2014, that is, the summary data for all the driving information in the log file recorded for that month, is displayed.

[0238] More specifically, the aggregated data column 513a displays the year and month, number of trips, mileage, and average fuel efficiency. The year and month are the year and month when the driving information in the log file was acquired. The number of trips is the number of driving information in the target log file. The mileage is the sum of the mileage of all driving information in the target log file. The average fuel efficiency is the average fuel efficiency for all driving information in the target log file. Note that, hereinafter, the year and month displayed in the aggregated data column 513a is referred to as the "target year and month," and the log file for the target year and month is referred to as the "target log file."

[0239] On the monthly record data screen 513, by operating the previous month button 513b / next month button 513b, it is possible to display the summary data field 513a for the log file of the previous month / next month. Furthermore, when the details button 513d is operated on the monthly record data screen 513, it is possible to display the monthly management data details screen 514 (FIG. 39(b)) which displays details of the driving information in the target log file. As shown in the figure, on the monthly management data details screen 514, the acquisition date and time of the driving information, the driving distance, and the fuel consumption are displayed in a list format for each piece of driving information recorded in the target log file. The acquisition date and time displayed here may be the driving start date and time.

[0240] The first input function is a function that uses the Internet connection function to input (transmit / upload) multiple pieces of driving information stored in the database 29 to the schedule server 90 in a lump sum. By having this function, the user does not need to perform operations such as connecting to the schedule server 90 for each driving period. Therefore, the user can move the vehicle to a location with a good connection to the Internet 2 and have the driving information input to the schedule server 90 in a lump sum.

[0241] The first input function of this embodiment is, when the My Calendar button 513e is operated on the monthly record data screen 513 shown in FIG. 39(a), to transmit multiple pieces of driving information contained in the log file for the target year and month at that time (target log file) all at once.

[0242] In this process, in response to an operation on the My Calendar button 513e, the control unit 28 first accesses the schedule server 90 using the Internet connection function and the user account, password, and calendar ID stored in the database 29, and obtains identification information for identifying the driving information previously input to the schedule server 90 by the first input function.

[0243] As this identification information, the UID of each schedule information stored in the storage area 95 specified by the calendar ID is used. Note that acquisition of identification information may be performed only for the target year and month. The acquired identification information is stored in the second flash memory 66 of the memory card 60. Note that while the identification information is being acquired, the control unit 28 notifies the user of the processing status by displaying a notification screen 515a shown in Fig. 40 on the display 15.

[0244] An example of the HTTP request method sent to the schedule server 90 when obtaining the above-mentioned identification information and the HTTP response sent from the schedule server 90 in response thereto is shown in Fig. 41. Note that since there is no Content-Length in the response, a network error (0x82) occurs on the memory card 60, but it can be judged as OK by checking the status code (207) in the file.

[0245] When acquisition of the identification information is completed, the control unit 28 compares the data portion indicating the date and time included in the acquired identification information (UID) with the driving start date and time of each piece of driving information in the target log file stored in the database 29, and extracts only the driving information that does not match any of the character strings indicating the date and time included in the acquired identification information. (Driving information that matches both is ignored.)

[0246] When the extraction of the driving information is completed, the control unit 28 processes each piece of extracted driving information into a predetermined input format to create transmission data. The processing of the driving information is performed by performing calculations, tagging, arrangement, etc. on the information elements contained in the driving information.

[0247] As described above, based on the date and time of the identification information (UID) acquired from the schedule server 90 and the date and time of each piece of travel information in the target log file, travel information previously transmitted to the schedule server 90 is excluded and input to the schedule server 90 in a lump, thereby achieving a reduction in the time, processing load, communication volume, etc. involved in the lump input. In addition, travel information previously transmitted is identified using only the identification information (UID) portion of the schedule information, thereby achieving a reduction in the processing load, communication volume, etc. involved in the identification. In addition, when the travel information is input to the schedule server 90, the schedule information stored in the schedule server 90 is not changed or deleted. This makes it possible to prevent schedule information input by a user to the schedule server 90 from the user terminal 100, etc. from being changed or deleted.

[0248] FIG. 42 shows an example of the contents of the transmission data created from the driving information. In the figure, "AAACAL20140525T182650" tagged with "UID" is the identification information of the driving information to be transmitted. The identification information is composed of a user ID ("AAACAL") and a character string ("20140525T182650") indicating the driving start date and time of the driving information. "DTSTART;TZID=Asia / Tokyo" and "DTEND;TZID=Asia / Tokyo" are tagged to the driving start date and time and the driving end date and time, respectively. "Distance 0.3km (12.8km / l)" tagged with "SUMMARY" is the title information. The title information is created using the driving distance and fuel efficiency of the driving information. "35.674608,139.590805" tagged with "LOCATION" is the location information. The location information indicates the latitude and longitude of the driving end.

[0249] The data format of the schedule information to be transmitted is iCalendar. "BEGIN:VCALENDAR", "BEGIN:VEVENT", "DESCRIPTION:", "END:VEVENT", "END:VCALENDAR", etc. are headers and footers for identifying the start and end of the schedule information.

[0250] The above-mentioned predetermined input format is the same as the predetermined input format used when schedule information is transmitted from the user terminal 100 or the like to the schedule server 90 as described with reference to FIG. 14(b).

[0251] The transmission data created as described above is sent to the URL of the storage area 95 on the schedule server 90 specified by the calendar ID. The destination URL is created by combining the URL of the storage area 95 (https: / / www.calender.com / calendar / dav / ZZname@Amail.com / events) and the identification information of the schedule information. The schedule information can be sent according to the CalDAV standard using WebDAV, etc.

[0252] During the above transmission, the transmitted data is temporarily stored in RAM 64 of memory card 60. However, RAM 64 cannot be read by an external device such as user terminal 100 via a card reader. This prevents a situation in which the driving information transmitted to schedule server 90 is displayed on user terminal 100, etc., against the user's intention, when memory card 60 is connected to user terminal 100, etc.

[0253] While the driving information is being transmitted to the schedule server 90 as described above, the control unit 28 causes the display unit 15 to display notification screens 515b to 515d shown in FIG. 40, thereby notifying the user of the processing status.

[0254] The schedule server 90 performs syntax analysis on the travel information transmitted by the first input function, extracts information elements contained in the travel information, and stores the information as schedule information in the storage format described with reference to Fig. 12. This enables the schedule server 90 to display the travel information input from the radar detector 10 by the first input function as schedule information on the calendar screen 510. The user can view the calendar screen 510 displayed in this manner on the user terminal 100, etc., and the user can recognize information about the vehicle for a predetermined travel period simply by looking at the record 501d that the network system 1 displays on the user terminal 100, etc., and can use the travel information automatically acquired by the radar detector 10 as past travel history.

[0255] If a radar detector 10 is installed in a vehicle 4 owned by a user 5, the user 5 can check information about the vehicle owned for a specified driving period in the network system 1. The user 5 can also check information about the vehicle 4 driven by the user 5 for a specified driving period. If the radar detector 10 is detachable from the vehicle 4, the sales methods of the radar detector 10 can be diversified.

[0256] Since the period from when the ACC of vehicle 4 is turned on to the next time the ACC is turned off is considered to be one driving period and driving information for each driving period is recorded, the user can easily check the driving information for the period from the start to the end of the driving, and the user can check the driving information for each period during which the vehicle is thought to have been driven on the user terminal 100, etc., without having to manually input the information each time.

[0257] 43 to 45 show how the calendar screen 501 changes as the driving information is transmitted by the first input function. As shown in the figures, every time the driving information is transmitted, a record 501d displaying the driving start time and title information of the transmitted driving information is additionally displayed in the display field 501a for the date corresponding to the driving start date and time of the driving information. For example, the record 501d for the driving information whose driving start date and time is 8:21 on May 28, 2014 is displayed in the display field 501a for May 28. In this way, the user can confirm the date and time of driving from the date and time and driving start time in the display field 501a, and can confirm the movement information such as the driving distance and fuel efficiency from the title information.

[0258] Note that the calendar screen 501 can be updated from FIG. 43 to FIG. 45 by pulling down "Other" displayed in the upper right corner of the screen as shown in FIG. 46 and selecting "Update."

[0259] As shown in FIG. 47, by clicking on any record 501d of the travel information (schedule information) on the calendar screen 501, a details window 501g for the record 501d can be popped up and displayed.

[0260] In addition, on the calendar screen 501, by adjusting the display period by operating the change button 501c, it is also possible to display the records 501d as a band from the start time of the trip to the end time of the trip, as shown in Fig. 48(a). This makes it easier to visually grasp the trip time.

[0261] In the details window 501g, the start date and time of the trip and the end date and time of the trip in the trip information corresponding to the record 501d (the start date and the end date and time of the schedule information) and the location information are displayed. The location information is a numerical value indicating the latitude and longitude at which the trip ends, and by clicking on the "Map" link 501h in the details window 501g, these numerical values ​​are passed to a web service of a map server (not shown) on the Internet 2, and it is possible to view a map page 516 showing a map of the area around the location information on the user terminal 100 or the like, as shown in FIG. 48(b). In this way, the user can confirm the location at the end date and time of the trip by the latitude and longitude and the position on the map.

[0262] As described above, by using the driving information in the radar detector 10 as schedule information on the schedule server 90, it is possible to give the driving information a high level of utility as a driving history and driving record.

[0263] The second input function is a function for uploading the driving information recorded in the database 29 by the driving information log function to, for example, a web server (not shown) operated by the manufacturer of the radar detector 10. Uploading of the driving information by the second input function can be performed in the same manner as described above for uploading to the schedule server 90. Note that input of the driving information to the web server may be performed by inputting the driving data in the database 29 to the user terminal 100 or the like via the memory card 60 and transmitting it from the user terminal 100 or the like to the web server.

[0264] The web server can compile the transmitted driving information on a monthly basis and provide information such as the number of times the vehicle was driven, the date and time, the distance, the fuel consumption, the date of refueling, etc., to the logged-in user terminal 100, etc. The information can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner using graphs as shown in Figure 49, which can further increase the usability of the driving information.

[0265] The wireless setting function is a function that accepts settings of the operating conditions of the radar detector 10 by the smartphone 50, using the wireless LAN function of the memory card 60. The operating conditions of the radar detector 10 can be set by operating the menu window 210 or a menu window at a lower level, and the set operating conditions are stored in the database 29. Hereinafter, the operating conditions stored in the database 29 will be referred to as "main unit operating conditions."

[0266] When the condition that the radar detector 10 is connected to the smartphone by the tethering function, or the radar detector 10 and the smartphone 50 are connected to network 3 of the same SSID of the wireless LAN master device is satisfied, if a touch on the setting QR code button 508b on the WLAN screen 508 (FIG. 36) is detected, the wireless setting function causes the display 15 to display the setting QR code screen 150 of FIG. 50. If this condition is not satisfied, the wireless setting function notifies the user of the lack of connection through the notification screen 151, and ends the process.

[0267] The QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the setting QR code screen 150 stores the IP address of the setting page file (HTML file) stored in the second flash memory 66 of the memory card 60. The setting page file stores the main body operating conditions transferred from the database 29. The setting page file is created at an appropriate timing, such as when the memory card 60 is inserted into the radar detector 10.

[0268] By reading this QR code (registered trademark) with QR code reading software on the smartphone 50, it is possible to open the setting page file on the browser of the smartphone 50, which causes the setting screen 601 of Figure 51 to be displayed on the display device 54 of the smartphone 50.

[0269] By selecting each item displayed on the setting screen 601, confirmation selection screens 602 to 607 shown in Fig. 52 and Fig. 53 are displayed, and by operating these screens, it is possible to check the display screen of the radar detector 10 and set the operating conditions of the radar detector 10. The confirmation selection screens 603 to 607 correspond to the buttons 507d to 507g, respectively, and in the confirmation selection screens 603 to 607, it is possible to set each operating condition that can be set in a lower hierarchical menu window that is displayed when each of the buttons 507d to 507g on the setting screen 507 in Fig. 36 is operated. If the number of setting items of the radar detector 10 increases, it is only necessary to increase the number of items that can be set on the confirmation selection screens 603 to 607 accordingly.

[0270] In the confirmation selection screens 603-607, the selection items displayed in a plurality of menu windows in a higher-level-lower-level relationship among the menu windows in a lower level corresponding to each of the buttons 507d-507g (for example, for the confirmation selection screen 603, the menu window displayed by selecting the button 507d and the menu window in the lower level) are arranged (expanded) on the single confirmation selection screens 602-607. Selection items that cannot be displayed on the display device 54 in the confirmation selection screens 603-607 can be displayed by a vertical swipe operation on the confirmation selection screens 602-607. Since the selection items of the plurality of menu windows can be displayed on a single screen (or swipe display), it becomes easier for the user to understand what selection items are available.

[0271] When “Load settings” is selected on the setting screen 601, a message window appears stating “Do you want to load the device settings?”. When “Yes” is selected, the operating conditions selected on the confirmation selection screens 603 to 607 are discarded, and the data in the setting page file is reloaded into the smartphone 50.

[0272] When "Transfer settings" is selected on the setting screen 601, a message window is displayed asking "Transfer settings to main unit?", and when "Yes" is selected, the operating conditions selected on the confirmation selection screens 603 to 607 are overwritten into the setting page file. When the radar detector 10 detects this overwriting, it refers to the setting page file and changes the main unit operating conditions in the database 29. This allows the radar detector 10 to operate under the operating conditions selected on the confirmation selection screens 603 to 607.

[0273] The wireless setting function makes it possible to set operating conditions using the browser function of the smartphone 50, and does not require an app. Therefore, there is no need for review by the app provider, and it is easy to add or change functions.

[0274] In this embodiment, since the main body operation settings of the radar detector 10 can be changed by referring to the setting page file in the memory card 60, when replacing the radar detector 10, the main body operation settings can be taken over using the setting page file created in the previous radar detector 10. The setting page file may be created in a cloud database using the Internet connection function, and the main body operation settings may be changed using this. The setting page file may be uploaded to the service server 80 or the like, and the operation settings may be shared among users, or an operator of the service server 80 or the like may select popular operation settings and provide them to users as standard settings.

[0275] The social network server posting function is a function for posting information (tweet) to a social network server (not shown) on the Internet 2 such as Twitter, using an Internet connection function or the like.

[0276] When the posting button 507c is operated from the setting screen 507 of FIG. 36 with the radar detector 10 connected to the Internet 2 through the Internet connection function, the control unit 28 generates tweet data such as "#YYtorishimari take - over now 34.728905,137.453193" and transmits it to the social network server. In the above tweet data, "#YYtorishimari" is a hashtag, "take - over now" is a message, and "34.728905,137.453193" is the location information of the current position output from the GNSS receiver 23. It is also possible to make the map image such as the map warning screen 111 swipe - operable and transmit the point selected by the swipe operation as location information.

[0277] The messages accumulated in the social network server as described above can be accessed from the user terminal 100 etc. to the social network server and displayed using the hashtag #YYtorishimari. Thus, information such as enforcement information can be distributed in real - time and information can be shared with other users of the radar detector 10.

[0278] The AP mode function includes an AP screen function that uses the wireless LAN function to display an additional screen (second screen) for the screen of the display 15 on the display device 54 of the smartphone 50, and an AP audio function that performs audio output using the smartphone 50.

[0279] FIG. 54 shows a system concept diagram when the AP screen function is used. In this case, image data to be displayed on the smartphone 50 is stored in the storage device 52 in advance, and the image can be displayed on the smartphone 50 by transmitting data specifying the image data to be displayed from the radar detector 10 to the smartphone 50. This enables image display on two screens, the display 15 and the display device 54. In this case, it is preferable to display different screens (for example, a map warning screen 111 and a standby screen 121) on the display 15 and the display device 54. A video output terminal may be provided on the radar detector 10 so that the second screen can be displayed on a large screen such as a television receiver. A video input terminal may be provided on the radar detector 10 so that an image of the device can be displayed on the display 15.

[0280] FIG. 55 shows a system concept diagram when the AP audio function is used. In this case, audio data to be output by the smartphone 50 is stored in advance in the storage device 52, and data specifying the audio data to be output is sent from the radar detector 10 to the smartphone 50, so that the smartphone 50 can output the audio. This makes it possible to output clearer audio or audio at a higher volume. The smartphone 50 may be connected to an external audio device via a wired / wireless connection, and audio may be output from the external audio device.

[0281] The above describes preferred embodiments. However, the shapes, dimensions, materials, functions, operation modes, control modes, control parameters, operation modes, etc. of the devices, systems, and programs or their elements and components in the above embodiments are described as examples and may be changed.

[0282] For example, in addition to the above functions, the radar detector 10 may have a traffic enforcement information sharing function, an speed camera map display function, a wireframe and other display function, a high-speed positioning function, an autonomous driving function, a voltage display function, an additional information display function, a voice reading function, a voice memo function, a live-action video function, a customization function, an image recognition function, a function to display traffic congestion information and other information, a zone 30 warning function, a character display function, an advertisement display function, a prefectural road and national road display function, a positioning satellite selection function, an estimated arrival time display, a posted information nearby notification function, a priority standby function, a traffic congestion posting and notification function, a parking location information transfer function, a home notification function, and a frequency-based warning level setting function.

[0283] The law enforcement information sharing function utilizes the law enforcement information sharing function on the Internet 2, a posting site for law enforcement information, etc., and receives text information delivered by email via the radar detector 10 and displays it on the display 15.

[0284] The speed camera map display function is a function that displays a map of speed cameras only, a scope of speed cameras only, or a speed camera guide board on the display 15, and displays the location of speed cameras and other targets only, from extremely long distances (tens or hundreds of kilometers). When displayed on a map, large-scale map data is prepared to display the locations of speed cameras and other targets. The locations may be displayed as bright spots like Dragon Radar, or the speed camera guide boards may be arranged in order of distance, like intersection guide boards on a navigation system.

[0285] The wireframe display function is a function that issues warnings using wireframes and a console window. This function displays a warning screen that adds a wireframe animation window and a console window to a pseudo 3D wireframe radar scope. The basic colors are fluorescent sky blue, amber, etc., and the animation changes the color of only the speed camera in a pinpoint manner, for example, and the numbers and letters are also in a unified style, and no map images like those on the map warning screen 111 are displayed.

[0286] The high-speed positioning function downloads satellite orbit calculation data, such as highly accurate pseudo-ephemeris data calculated by a high-performance computer, from a satellite information server (not shown) on the Internet 2, and supplies this to the GNSS receiver 23 to perform high-speed positioning. This enables the GNSS receiver 23 to perform positioning at high speed. This function is useful for users who do not drive often. It is recommended that the calculation data be downloaded every time the radar detector 10 is turned on. Downloads can be performed at 10 kB per day, 50 kB per 7 days, 100 kB per 14 days, etc. It is also possible to perform this using SPI.

[0287] The autonomous driving function is a function in which the GNSS receiver 23 calculates the current position by inputting the speed from the OBD2 connector and the position coordinates corrected by map matching to the GNSS receiver 23 even in a tunnel without guidance data or GPS signals. This reduces the load on the control unit 28. It is also possible to use the output data of the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor together to calculate the current position.

[0288] The voltage display function is a function for displaying the power supply voltage (power supply voltage divided voltage A / D conversion) of the radar detector 10 supplied from an OBD2 connector or the like on the display 15 or the like. If the power supply voltage when the engine is off is displayed, it can be used as an indicator of the degree of battery consumption.

[0289] The additional information display function is a function for displaying additional information such as weather forecasts and road traffic information on the display 15. This information may be obtained from an organization that provides information such as weather forecasts.

[0290] The voice memo function is a function that records voice in response to a user's operation. For example, when a specific operation (e.g., two consecutive touches) is performed on the display 15, the voice data (such as the user's speech) picked up by a microphone built into the radar detector 10 is recorded. It is recommended that the vehicle's position and time at the time of recording be recorded as well. Recording should be ended after a certain time has elapsed since the start of recording, or when a specific operation (e.g., two consecutive touches) is performed on the display 15. The voice memo function automatically plays back the recorded voice and outputs it from the speaker 26 or the like at a specific timing, such as when the engine is turned off. You can easily record errands that you remember while driving, ideas that you come up with, and the like. Since it is automatically played back when you get out of the car, you can prevent forgetting to play it, or you can reliably remember it.

[0291] The voice reading function is a function that outputs information (public law enforcement information, additional information, etc.) displayed on the display 15 from the speaker 26 by synthetic voice in response to a user operation. The user operation may be a specific operation on the display 15 (for example, touching twice consecutively).

[0292] The live-action image function is a function for displaying a live-action image of the area in front of the vehicle 4 captured by the camera 30 on the display 15. The live-action image function has a function for displaying characters, icons, etc., indicating targets, etc., at the positions of targets, etc., in the live-action image by superimposing them on the live-action image using technology such as augmented reality. This makes it possible to grasp the positions of targets, etc., in front of the vehicle 4. It is possible to set, as a main body operating condition, whether the live-action image or the vehicle information screen 111, etc., is displayed on the display 15 during standard time (when no event is detected). The live-action image function has an automatic switching function for switching the display to the live-action image when an event occurs (for example, when the output of the acceleration sensor 47, etc. detects acceleration, impact, etc., of a certain level or more that is expected to cause an accident, etc.) while the vehicle information screen 111, etc. is displayed. The live-action image function has an event recording function for storing live-action images for a certain period of time before and after the detection of acceleration, etc., in the database 29, etc. when a certain level or more of acceleration, etc. is detected. It may have an image storage function for storing a snapshot of the time when passing through an speed camera, etc., in the database 29, etc. as image data. The event recording function and image storage function have a function of simultaneously storing vehicle information such as vehicle speed along with video and images. Video and images are recorded in, for example, the second flash memory 66. The live-action video function may have a function of superimposing a semi-transparent map warning screen 111 on the live-action video. A pseudo HUD display may be performed within the live-action video.

[0293] The customization function is a function that allows the user to customize the screen configuration of various screens displayed on the display unit 15 and the various sounds output from the speaker 26. For example, the user can download various maps (from cool maps to cute maps), various icons that match the taste of the maps, various alarm and warning screens that match the taste of the maps, various sounds and sound effects, etc., free of charge from the service server 80, etc., to customize the screens, etc., to their own original state.

[0294] The image recognition function is a function that installs a camera on the left rear to recognize motorcycles and makes announcements to prevent collisions. It can also detect the pursuit of police motorcycles. It can also detect the approach of undercover police cars by reading the license plate number and identifying the license plate number of the undercover police car.

[0295] The traffic congestion information display function receives information to support safe driving, such as traffic congestion information provided by DSRC, VICS (registered trademark), beacon information, etc., using FM or wireless LAN functions, and issues warnings according to traffic conditions, such as "Traffic congestion ahead, watch out for rear-end collisions" or "There is a merging vehicle ahead."

[0296] The zone 30 warning function is a function that, when zone 30 is present as target information to be notified, causes a warning by flashing an LED light-emitting component to be constantly flashing while driving within zone 30.

[0297] The character display function is a function for displaying on the display device 15 different characters according to the type of voice (male voice, female voice, etc.) output from the speaker 26.

[0298] The advertisement display function is a function that displays advertisement information received using the Internet connection function on the display 15. By displaying advertisements from time to time, the user feels "connected to the Internet." You can feel it.

[0299] The prefectural and national road display function displays the prefectural and national roads you are driving on, and before you reach an intersection, displays the names of the roads on the left and right. This is because, depending on the user or region, prefectural and national roads may be easier to understand than place names.

[0300] The positioning satellite selection function is a function that allows the user to arbitrarily select the satellite system that the GNSS receiver 23 uses for positioning from the following three groups. This is because the system that is easy to receive may differ depending on the region, etc. 1.GPS, QZSS, SBAS (MSAS, GAGAN, WAAS, EGNOS, etc.) 2. GLONASS (Russia) 3.Beidou (China)

[0301] The estimated arrival time display is a function that displays the arrival time based on past travel time when driving on a commuter route where the route and itinerary are fixed. For example, CPs (checkpoints) can be set on the route, and the travel time for each CP can be used to make corrections. By setting CPs, it is possible to accommodate different routes. The CPs are set in advance, and the distance to the CP is displayed.

[0302] The posted information proximity notification function is a function that determines whether the acquired information is nearby information when real-time information distribution (posting, etc.) is received every 15 minutes or so, and issues a special warning if it is nearby information. For example, it will not issue a warning for information 200km away from the time of departure, but will issue a warning for information within a 20km range. It is also possible to determine whether real-time information is applied to the user's usual commuting route, rather than within a 20km range, and issue a special warning. It is also possible to create points such as My Area, and use past latitude and longitude logs. It is possible to display information that is one digit further away (within 20km, etc.) than the normal warning range (within 2km, etc.). Information that is two digits away (within 200km, etc.) is not displayed.

[0303] The priority standby function is a function that displays a standby screen that is arbitrarily set by operating a switch for a certain period of time.

[0304] The traffic jam posting and notification function is a function that adds traffic jam items to real-time posting and distribution.

[0305] The parking position information transfer is a function that notifies the smartphone 50 of the current position of the vehicle when the ACC or engine is turned off. The notification can be performed, for example, by data transmission using a wireless LAN function, or the current position can be displayed on the display 15 as a QR code (registered trademark), which can be read by the smartphone 50. The current position of the vehicle can be confirmed using the map display function or a dedicated app of the smartphone 50, and then the vehicle can be returned. This is convenient when the vehicle is parked in a large parking lot, etc.

[0306] The home notification function allows the user to register his / her home, and when the user approaches his / her home, a phrase such as "Welcome home" is spoken and output from the speaker 26.

[0307] The frequency-based alarm level setting function is a function that raises the alarm level or increases the alarm volume the closer the frequency is to the center frequency based on the 2nd VCO voltage when receiving radar waves.

[0308] In addition, the following variations are also possible.

[0309] FIG. 56 shows another appearance method of the second notification area in transition 4 or 5. In this example, first, in the first notification area 321, the target notification information 319 and the public notification information 320 of the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322 are displayed in an overlapping manner (FIG. 31(a)). In order not to impair the visibility of the target notification information 319, the public notification information 320 is displayed semi-transparently with high transparency. Thereafter, the second notification area 322 displaying the public notification information 320 is moved upward (FIG. 31(b)), and finally, the second notification area 322 is stopped and displayed at the second fixed position (FIG. 31(c)). In the process of moving and displaying, as the overlap between the first notification area 321 and the second notification area 322 becomes smaller, the transparency of the background image of the second notification area 322 and the public notification information 320 is reduced and displayed clearly.

[0310] The display 15 may be substituted with a VDF (registered trademark), a fluorescent display tube, a segment display, or the like, or may be used in combination with a VDF (registered trademark), so that the display can be seen even in high light (for example, under sunlight). The touch panel 16 may be of a light-touch operation type, so as to reduce the inclination of the case body 12 when touched, or instead of the touch panel 16, a wired operation using a touch pad placed on the dashboard or the like may be used to detect user operations. Instead of the touch panel 16, a proximity sensor may be used to detect user operations, so as to prevent problems such as sebum stains caused by touch.

[0311] 4(a) to 4(d) show the case body 12 in another embodiment.

[0312] The case body 12 in FIG. 4(a) has a display 15 consisting of a 3.6-inch color TFT liquid crystal display, but does not have (abolish) direct switches such as a volume control button 17 and an operation button 18, thereby achieving low cost, compactness, and a large screen. The functions of these direct switches can be performed by operating buttons on a menu window 210 displayed on the display 15. This will be described later. The dimensions of the case body 12 are 62 mm long x 105-110 mm wide x 17 mm thick. By making specific elements such as an antenna and a receiving circuit that are usually housed in the case body 12 into a two-piece configuration, the case body 12 can be made even smaller (for example, 62 mm long x 105-110 mm wide x 12 mm thick, 50 mm long x 87-95 mm wide x 14 mm thick, etc.).

[0313] FIG. 4(b) has the same external shape as the case body 12 in FIG. 1, but the direct switches such as the volume adjustment button 17 and the operation button 18 have been eliminated, and furthermore, the LED illumination of the components has been eliminated, thereby reducing the price.

[0314] When the case body 12 of Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b) is adopted, operations assigned to direct switches such as the volume adjustment button 17 and the operation button 18 are performed by touching the menu window displayed on the display 15. This will be described in detail later.

[0315] The case body 12 in FIG. 4(c) is embedded in a mirror 12A. The mirror 12A has an attachment structure for attachment to a rearview mirror provided in the vehicle interior 4. The attachment structure has an attachment arm on the back surface (the front side of the vehicle 4) for clamping the rearview mirror by the biasing force of a spring. With the case body 12 in FIG. 4(c), since it is not preferable to rotate / move the mirror 12A by touch operation, the radar detector 10 is operated by a remote control 43.

[0316] The screen displayed on the display 15 may be projected onto the meter panel cover of the vehicle 4. This makes the screen appear to be floating on the meter panel. Meter panel covers usually have measures in place to prevent reflections from outside light, improving the visibility of the screen. Unlike displays on the windshield, displays projected onto the meter panel are not subject to the regulations of automobile safety standards, allowing for a high degree of design freedom in terms of the projection position, area, etc.

[0317] The radar detector 10 may optionally have a DC jack (not shown) so that it can also receive power from the cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle 4.

[0318] It is also possible to have a fashion brand that is popular among young people with a proven track record create the case and screen design. There is a possibility that young people who are not interested in radar detectors will purchase it as a fashion item. The screen design and remote control can be made to look like old home game consoles to create a retro feel.

[0319] As shown in Figure 57, the sound output hole of the speaker 26 should be provided on the top side of the radar detector body, especially between the top and back. By directing the sound output direction to the top side, this device is designed to be installed on the dashboard, and by utilizing the sound reflection on the windshield, it is possible to make the alarm sound easier for the user to hear.

[0320] For example, as shown in Fig. 58(a), a cylindrical wall for housing a speaker may be provided at the top of the inside of the rear case, and the speaker may be inserted into the wall with the sound emitted toward the rear side, and the sound emitted from the speaker toward the rear side may be guided to the sound emission hole on the top of the case and emitted to the outside. In particular, as shown in Fig. 58(b), the cylindrical wall for housing the speaker may be provided with a cutout at the bottom, and a part of the radar receiving module sealed with Phillips screws at the four corners shown in the lower center of Fig. 59(a) may be inserted into the cutout. In this way, the sub-board (board in Fig. 59(b)) with a circular speaker, a square GPS antenna, and a square wireless receiving module mounted on the lower right side in order from the left, and the radar receiving module may be arranged very close to each other, and the size of the entire device may be made very small.

[0321] In addition, the GPS module and the wireless receiving module, which were previously placed on separate boards, have been combined onto a single L-shaped board as shown in Figure 59(b), and the radar receiving module is placed inside the L-shaped board so that it is surrounded by it as shown in Figure 59(a).This has made it possible to reduce the size of the entire device and significantly reduce the effort required for assembly.

[0322] The inverted L-shaped board in FIG. 59(b) may be configured by disposing a first circuit pattern in a - shape having a connection part for a circular speaker and a connection part for a square GPS antenna, and a second circuit pattern in an I shape for connecting components constituting a wireless receiver such as a wireless receiver module, in a - shape portion and an I shape portion of one L-shaped board. In particular, the - shape portion and the I shape portion of one L-shaped board may be configured to have connectors for connecting each circuit to a circuit of another board. In particular, a first connector for connecting a power line and a signal line from the first circuit pattern to the main board may be provided on the rear side (front side of the device) of the left end of the board in FIG. 59(b), while a second connector for connecting a power line and a signal line from the second circuit pattern to the main board may be provided on the rear side (front side of the device) of the lower end of the board, to connect the main board and the inverted L-shaped board. In this way, the two patterns can be designed separately, which shortens the design period; the main board and the inverted L-shaped board can be fixed stably and firmly by both connectors arranged at an angle; and the main board can be assembled in one go, reducing manufacturing costs.

[0323] The components described in each embodiment and the components and ideas described in the means for solving the problems may be combined in any manner to form an embodiment within the scope that does not cause contradictions.

[0324] Note that the various parts of the drawings are particularly described insofar as they are necessary for the explanation of the present application, but for example, a server has the configuration that a server normally has, and a smartphone has the configuration that a smartphone normally has.

[0325] Below is a copy of the claims as filed. <Claims> <Claim 1> An electronic device having a notification area display function that is a function of displaying a first notification area and a second notification area on a display screen, each of which can display one of first notification information and second notification information related to a current position of a vehicle, The notification area display function is When only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists, the second notification area is not displayed on the display screen, and the first or second notification information is displayed in the first notification area displayed on the display screen, When a transition is made from a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists to a state in which both of them exist, the second notification area is made to appear on the display screen, and the first notification information and the second notification information are displayed in the first notification area and the second notification area, respectively. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Claim 2> The notification area display function is When transitioning between a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state in which both of the first notification information and the second notification information exist, The second notification area is displayed moving over a certain period of time and then stopped. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1 . <Claim 3> The notification area display function is When transitioning between a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state in which both of the first notification information and the second notification information exist, The second notification area is moved and displayed over a certain period of time between a position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area and a position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area less than the position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area; In an overlapping portion between the first notification area and the second notification area, only one of the first notification information and the second notification information is displayed, and the other is not displayed. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2 . <Claim 4> The notification area display function is When transitioning between a state in which only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state in which both of the first notification information and the second notification information exist, The second notification area is moved and displayed over a certain period of time between a position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area and a position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area less than the position where the second notification area overlaps with the first notification area; During the moving display, the first notification information or the second notification information is partially displayed in a portion of the second notification area that does not overlap with the first notification area, The proportion of a display area of ​​the first notification information or the second notification information is increased or decreased according to an increase or decrease in an area of ​​the second notification area that does not overlap with the first notification area. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2 . <Claim 5> The notification area display function is When both the first notification area and the second notification area are displayed on the display screen, the first notification area and the second notification area are displayed as a single area having no continuous boundary. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction. <Claim 6> The notification area display function is When a state in which only the first notification information of the first notification information and the second notification information exists is transitioned to a state in which both of the first notification information and the second notification information exist, While the first notification area displaying the first notification information is being displayed on the display screen, the second notification area displaying the second notification information is made to appear on the display screen. 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction. <Claim 7> The notification area display function is When transitioning from a state in which only the second broadcast information of the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information exists to a state in which both of the first broadcast information and the second broadcast information exist, After changing the display of the first notification area from the second notification information to the first notification information, the second notification area displaying the second notification information is made to appear on the display screen. 7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction. <Claim 8> The notification area display function is In a state in which both the first notification information and the second notification information exist, the first notification information is displayed in the first notification area, and the second notification information is displayed in the second notification area; When a state where both the first notification information and the second notification information exist is transitioned to a state where only the first notification information exists, The second notification information in the second notification area is erased, and the second notification area is moved over a period of time from a position where it overlaps less with the first notification area to a position where it overlaps more with the first notification area, and the first notification information is continuously displayed in the first notification area during the moving display process. 8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction. <Claim 9> The notification area display function is In a state in which both the first notification information and the second notification information exist, the first notification information is displayed in the first notification area, and the second notification information is displayed in the second notification area; When a state where both the first notification information and the second notification information exist is transitioned to a state where only the second notification information exists, The first notification information in the first notification area is erased, and the second notification area is moved over a period of time from a position where it overlaps less with the first notification area to a position where it overlaps more with the first notification area, and the second notification information is continuously displayed in the second notification area during the moving display process. 9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction. <Claim 10> the first notification area has a constant notification area that displays constant notification information different from the first notification information and the second notification information, The notification area display function is In a process of moving and displaying the second notification area when a transition is made from a state in which both the first notification information and the second notification information are present to a state in which only the second notification information is present, The constant notification information is continuously displayed in the constant notification area; The second notification information is not displayed in an overlapping portion between the second notification information and the constant notification area, The second notification information is displayed in the second notification area not overlapping with the constant notification area. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9 . <Claim 11> The notification area display function is The first notification information and / or the second notification information are scrolled in the left and right direction in the first notification area and / or the second notification area. 11. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction. <Claim 12> The electronic device further has a vehicle information display function for displaying vehicle information related to the vehicle in the first notification area and / or the second notification area, The notification area display function displays a semi-transparent background in the first notification area and / or the second notification area, and the first notification information and / or the second notification information on the background are superimposed on the vehicle information. 12. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device. <Claim 13> the electronic device further has a map display function for displaying a map image based on the current position on the display screen; The base point is located in an area outside the first notification area and / or the second notification area on the display screen, A positional relationship between a boundary between the first notification area and / or the second notification area and the external area and the base point is constant in a state where only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and a state where both of them exist. 13. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device. <Claim 14> The map display function is A portion of the map image in front of the vehicle and the current position is displayed above the base point on the display screen. 14. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device. <Claim 15> The notification area display function is The electronic device further has a meter image display function of displaying a meter image indicating operation information of the vehicle in an area outside the first notification area and / or the second notification area on the display screen, The display position of the meter image is constant in a state where only one of the first notification information and the second notification information exists and in a state where both of them exist. 15. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device. <Claim 16> A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0326] 1. Network system 2. Internet 3. Network 4. Vehicle 5. Users 6. Home 7 CAN Network 10. Radar detector 12. Case body 13 Bracket 15...Display unit 16. Touch panel 18. Operation buttons 19 Card slot 20. Memory card reader / writer 23 GPS receiver 24 Microwave receiver 25... Radio receiver 26···Speaker 27 Volume adjustment button 28 Control section 29. Database 30. Camera 32 Connection cable 33 Connector terminal 41. Lamp 42 Remote control receiver 43 Remote control 44 Infrared communication device 46 Geomagnetic sensor 47 Acceleration Sensor 48...Barometric pressure sensor 50. Smartphone 51 CPU 52...Storage device 53...Operating device 54...Display device 55 Local area communication section 56...LTE communication department 60...Memory card 61 CPU 62 Card interface section 63 Wireless communication unit 65...First flash memory 66...Second flash memory 71 CPU 72...Storage device 73...Operating device 74...Display device 75 Communications Department 80...Service Server 81...Interface 82 Account information storage unit 83 Target information storage unit 84 Target information update section 85 Target information server 86 Public Enforcement Information Storage Unit 87 Public Enforcement Information Update Division 88 Public Enforcement Information Server 90...Schedule Server 91...Interface 92 Authentication Server 93 Account Database 94 Schedule Database 95...Storage area 96 Schedule information file 100 User terminals

Claims

1. A system for displaying information on a display unit in a vehicle, The device has a screen function that wirelessly displays an additional screen (second screen) on the smartphone display device in addition to the screen of the display device installed in the vehicle, The screen function stores image data to be displayed on the smartphone in advance in a storage unit, and transmits data specifying the image data to be displayed from the system to the smartphone, thereby displaying the image on the smartphone. A system characterized by:

2. The screen function displays images on two screens, a display and a display device. The display device and the display apparatus display an alarm screen and a standby screen as different screens. The system of claim 1 .

3. The system further includes an audio function for outputting audio using a smartphone, The audio function stores audio data to be output on the smartphone in a storage unit in advance, and outputs audio on the smartphone by transmitting data specifying the audio data to be output from the system to the smartphone.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

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