Display device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a display device for a vehicle capable of increasing a data capacity for image display.SOLUTION: A display device 10 for a vehicle includes: a display unit 8 that displays an information image; a main image memory 9 in which main image data 9d is stored; a plurality of sub-image memories 11, 12 in which different pieces of sub-image data 11d, 12d are stored; and a display control unit 20 that displays a main image included in the information image on the display unit 8 on the basis of the main image data 9d received from the main image memory 9, is also capable of switching between the memories to receive the sub-image data 11d, 12d in the plurality of sub-image memories 11, 12 and displays a sub-image included in the information image on the basis of the received sub-image data 11d or 12d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] The vehicle display device described in Patent Document 1 includes a display means, a non-volatile memory, and a control means, and the control means reads an image to be displayed corresponding to the input vehicle information from the non-volatile memory and then displays it on the display means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-30394 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, depending on the control means, there is a limit to the capacity of the non-volatile memory that can be connected at the same time, so there is a risk that the image display content will be simple.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle display device that can increase the data capacity for image display. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle display device according to the present disclosure includes: A display for displaying an image; a main image memory for storing main image data; A plurality of sub-image memories each storing different sub-image data; The display device is equipped with a display control unit that displays a main image included in the image on the display device based on the main image data received from the main image memory, and is capable of switching one of the multiple sub-image memories to receive the sub-image data, and displays a sub-image included in the image based on the received sub-image data. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the data capacity for image display can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a screen of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 4 is a timing chart showing states of each contact of a switch circuit and a signal selection circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle display device is a digital meter that is mounted on a motorcycle and displays an image including vehicle information.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle display device 10 includes a display control unit 20, a normal operation memory 3 having a main image memory 9 and a first sub-image memory 11, a second sub-image memory 12 that functions as an alternative memory for the first sub-image memory 11, a memory 4 dedicated to performance, a power source 5, and a display 8. The display control unit 20 includes a microcomputer (microcontroller) 1, a GDC (graphic display controller) 2, a switch circuit 6, and a signal selection circuit .

[0011] The display 8 is a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal panel or an organic EL display (OLED). The display 8 has a screen 8a that displays a performance image or a vehicle information image.

[0012] 2, a main image 8m and a sub-image 8b are displayed as an information image 8i on a screen 8a. The main image 8m and the sub-image 8b are simultaneously displayed in different areas of the screen 8a. The display area of ​​the main image 8m is larger than the display area of ​​the sub-image 8b. The main image 8m is an image showing vehicle status information. Specifically, the vehicle status information includes one or more of the following: vehicle speed display, warning icon display, battery level display, turn signal display, remaining fuel display, water temperature display, and date / time display. The main image 8m is always displayed while the information image 8i is displayed (including while the vehicle is running). The sub-image 8b is an image showing auxiliary information having a lower priority than the main image 8m. Specifically, this auxiliary information includes at least one of a menu column display, a car navigation display, an audio display, a phone book display, a maintenance information display, and a past history display. The sub-image 8b includes an image whose display content is changed based on a switch operation by the user or external information such as information from a car navigation system.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the signal selection circuit 7 is a multiple-input, single-output multiplexer. The signal selection circuit 7 is connected between each of the memories 4, 9, 11, and 12 and the GDC 2 so as to be able to input and output data. The signal selection circuit 7 selects one or two of the memories 4, 9, 11, and 12 under the control of the microcomputer 1, and enables data from the selected memories to be output to the GDC 2. The selection of memories will be described later.

[0014] The switch circuit 6 switches the power supply state of each of the memories 3, 4, 12 and the signal selection circuit 7 between on and off. The switch circuit 6 is electrically connected between the power supply 5 and each of the memories 3, 4, 12, the signal selection circuit 7, and the GDC 2. The switch circuit 6 has switch contacts A, B, and C that switch between on and off under the control of the microcomputer 1. When the contact A is on, the switch circuit 6 supplies power (operating power) from the power supply 5 to the normal operation memory 3 and the second sub-image memory 12, and when the contact A is off, the switch circuit 6 does not supply power from the power supply 5 to the normal operation memory 3 and the second sub-image memory 12. When the contact B is on, the switch circuit 6 supplies power (operating power) from the power supply 5 to the performance-only memory 4, and when the contact B is off, the switch circuit 6 does not supply power from the power supply 5 to the performance-only memory 4. The switch circuit 6 supplies power (operating power) from the power supply 5 to the GDC 2 and the signal selection circuit 7 when the contact C is on, and does not supply power from the power supply 5 to the GDC 2 and the signal selection circuit 7 when the contact C is off.

[0015] The normal operation memory 3 (main image memory 9 and first sub-image memory 11), the performance-only memory 4, and the second sub-image memory 12 are each a non-volatile memory (flash memory). The main image memory 9 and the first sub-image memory 11 are two flash ICs (Integrated Circuits) that constitute one normal operation memory 3. Each of the memories 4, 9, 11, and 12 is connected in parallel to the GDC 2 via the signal selection circuit 7. The normal operation memory 3 and the performance-only memory 4 each have a data capacity of, for example, 512 MB. The first sub-image memory 11 and the second sub-image memory 12 of the normal operation memory 3 each have the same data capacity, for example, 256 MB. In other words, the data capacity of the first sub-image memory 11 occupies half the data capacity of the normal operation memory 3. In addition, the proportion of the data capacity of the first sub-image memory 11 in the data capacity of the normal operation memory 3 is not limited to 50% (half), and may be, for example, less than 50% (for example, 10% to 40%) or may exceed 50%.

[0016] The effect image data 4d and an operation program for the GDC 2 during the effect are stored in the effect dedicated memory 4. The effect image data 4d includes image data relating to the opening effect and image data relating to the ending effect.

[0017] The main image memory 9 stores main image data 9d and an operation program for the GDC 2 when displaying the main image 8m. The main image data 9d is data that is the basis of the main image 8m.

[0018] The first sub-image memory 11 stores the first sub-image data 11d and an operation program of the GDC2 when the sub-image 8b is displayed. The second sub-image memory 12 stores the second sub-image data 12d and an operation program of the GDC2 when the sub-image 8b is displayed. The first sub-image data 11d and the second sub-image data 12d are data that are the basis of the sub-image 8b. The first sub image data 11d is data of the first group when all the data of images that can be displayed on the sub image 8b (for example, a menu column display, a car navigation display, an audio display, a phone book display, a maintenance information display, and a past history display) are divided into two groups. The second sub image data 12d is data of the second group when the data are divided into these two groups. As an example, the first sub image data 11d may include image data related to the car navigation display as data of the first group, and the second sub image data 12d may include image data related to the audio display as data of the second group. This grouping may be performed in any manner, but image data that can be displayed simultaneously on one sub image 8b must belong to the same group. In addition, as a grouping, each display may be arranged according to the display frequency, and a display with a high display frequency may belong to the first group, and a display with a low display frequency may belong to the second group. This can reduce the frequency of display switching across the first group and the second group. In addition, it is preferable that the first display of the sub image 8b after the ignition is turned on belongs to the first group. In this way, by distributing the sub-image data 11d and 12d for displaying the sub-image 8b to the two sub-image memories 11 and 12, the data capacity available for the sub-image 8b can be increased.

[0019] The microcomputer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the switch circuit 6, the signal selection circuit 7, and the GDC 2. The microcomputer 1 acquires information from the outside via CAN (Control Area Network) communication.

[0020] The microcomputer 1 includes, as a functional block, a sub-memory selection unit 1a that selectively switches the memory to be used when displaying the sub-image 8b between a first sub-image memory 11 and a second sub-image memory 12. When performing a display belonging to the first group, the sub-memory selection unit 1a enters a first sub-memory selection mode that enables the first sub-image data 11d to be output from the first sub-image memory 11 to the GDC 2 via the signal selection circuit 7. When performing a display belonging to the second group, the sub-memory selection unit 1a enters a second sub-memory selection mode that enables the second sub-image data 12d to be output from the second sub-image memory 12 to the GDC 2 via the signal selection circuit 7.

[0021] 1, the GDC 2 (image drawing unit) has an input terminal 2i that inputs image data 4d, 9d, 11d, and 12d output from the signal selection circuit 7. When the GDC 2 receives a command signal Sa from the microcomputer 1, it generates an information image 8i (main image 8m and sub-image 8b) using selected data of one of the first sub-image data 11d and the second sub-image data 12d in addition to the main image data 9d in response to the command signal Sa, and draws the generated information image 8i on the screen 8a. Furthermore, the GDC 2 generates a performance image (an opening performance image or an ending performance image) using performance image data 4d stored in the performance-only memory 4 in response to the command signal Sa, and draws the generated performance image on the screen 8a. In this example, the GDC 2 is a model that has a limit to the amount of data that can be simultaneously connected for communication. The data capacity of the normal operation memory 3 or the performance-only memory 4 is set below this limit. This limit is set to, for example, 512 MB. In this example, as described above, a part of the memory that is connected for communication to the GDC 2 is configured to be switchable between the first sub-image memory 11 and the second sub-image memory 12, so that the data capacity of the memory that the GDC 2 can simultaneously connect for communication does not exceed the limit, and sub-images can be displayed with a data capacity that substantially exceeds this limit.

[0022] Next, the operation of the vehicle display device 10 will be described with reference to the timing chart of Fig. 3. In the following, the operation sequence of the vehicle display device 10 is as follows: vehicle ignition ON → opening performance → information image display → vehicle ignition OFF → ending performance → shutdown.

[0023] First, when the ignition of the vehicle is turned on (time t1), the microcomputer 1 controls the signal selection circuit 7 so that the input terminal 2i of the GDC 2 is in a high impedance state. At this time, each of the contacts A to C of the switch circuit 6 is in an OFF state.

[0024] Next, the microcomputer 1 turns on contacts B and C of the switch circuit 6 while keeping the contact A off, and starts supplying power from the power source 5 to the GDC 2 and the performance-only memory 4 (time t2). Then, the microcomputer 1 sets the signal selection circuit 7 to a state in which it can output the performance image data 4d from the performance-only memory 4 to the GDC 2 (time t3). In this state, the GDC 2 receives a command signal Sa from the microcomputer 1 and displays an opening performance image on the screen 8a using the performance image data 4d stored in the performance-only memory 4. The opening performance image is a moving image composed of characters, figures, or symbols that change in a predetermined order.

[0025] Then, when the display of the opening effect image is completed (time t4), the microcomputer 1 controls the signal selection circuit 7 so that the input terminal 2i of the GDC 2 becomes in a high impedance state. Next, the microcomputer 1 temporarily turns off all of the contacts A, B, and C of the switch circuit 6 to hide the image (time t5). Then, the microcontroller 1 turns on contacts A and C of the switch circuit 6 while keeping contact B off, and starts supplying power from the power source 5 to the GDC 2, the normal operation memory 3 (the main image memory 9 and the first sub-image memory 11), and the second sub-image memory 12 (time t6).

[0026] After time t6, the microcomputer 1 sets the signal selection circuit 7 to a state in which it can output the main image data 9d from the main image memory 9 to the GDC 2, and also sets the signal selection circuit 7 to a state in which it can output the first sub-image data 11d from the first sub-image memory 11 to the GDC 2 via the sub-memory selection unit 1a (time t7). That is, the sub-memory selection unit 1a enters the first sub-memory selection mode. In this state, the GDC 2 receives the command signal Sa from the microcomputer 1, and displays the main image 8m on the screen 8a using the main image data 9d stored in the main image memory 9, and displays the sub-image 8b on the screen 8a using the first sub-image data 11d stored in the first sub-image memory 11. At this time, the GDC 2 receives the main image data 9d and the first sub-image data 11d in a time-division manner from the signal selection circuit 7. Note that, without being limited to this example, the GDC 2 may be configured to be able to simultaneously receive the main image data 9d and the first sub-image data 11d from separate input terminals.

[0027] The microcomputer 1 maintains the state of the signal selection circuit 7 after time t7 during the period in which the image data on which the sub-image 8b to be displayed is based is the first sub-image data 11d. In this example, it is assumed that at time t8, the image data on which the sub-image 8b to be displayed is based is switched from the first sub-image data 11d to the second sub-image data 12d based on external information. At this time, the sub-memory selection unit 1a transitions from the first sub-memory selection mode to the second sub-memory selection mode in order to switch the sub-image memory to be used from the first sub-image memory 11 to the second sub-image memory 12. In this transition, the microcomputer 1 first stops the output of the first sub-image data 11d from the first sub-image memory 11 to the GDC 2 via the signal selection circuit 7. During this time, the output of the main image data 9d from the main image memory 9 to the GDC 2 is continued, and the display of the main image 8m on the screen 8a is continued. Therefore, the display switching of the sub-image 8b from time t8 to t9 does not affect the display of the main image 8m. Then, the sub-memory selection unit 1a transitions to a state (second sub-memory selection mode) in which the second sub-image data 12d can be output from the second sub-image memory 12 to the GDC 2 (time t9). As a result, the sub-image 8b based on the second sub-image data 12d is displayed. In the above explanation, the case where the mode is changed from the first sub-memory selection mode to the second sub-memory selection mode is explained, but the case where the mode is changed from the second sub-memory selection mode to the first sub-memory selection mode is similar, and while continuing to output the main image data 9d, the output of the second sub-image data 12d is stopped, and then the first sub-image data 11d is output. The above mode change may be repeated.

[0028] Next, when the vehicle ignition is turned off (time t10), the microcomputer 1 controls the signal selection circuit 7 so that the input terminal 2i of the GDC 2 is in a high impedance state, as in the above times t1 to t3, and then turns on contacts B and C to start supplying power from the power source 5 to the GDC 2 and the performance-dedicated memory 4. Then, the microcomputer 1 puts the signal selection circuit 7 into a state in which performance image data 4d can be output from the performance-dedicated memory 4 to the GDC 2. In this state, the GDC 2 receives a command signal Sa from the microcomputer 1 and displays an ending performance image on the screen 8a using the performance image data 4d stored in the performance-dedicated memory 4. The ending performance image is a moving image composed of characters, figures, or symbols that are changed in a predetermined order. Then, when the display of the ending effect image is completed (time t11), the microcomputer 1 and the GDC 2 perform a shutdown operation. This is the end of the description of the operation of the vehicle display device 10.

[0029] (effect) According to the embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved. (1) A vehicle display device 10 includes a display 8 that displays an information image 8i, which is an example of an image, a main image memory 9 in which main image data 9d is stored, a plurality of sub-image memories 11, 12 in which different sub-image data 11d, 12d are stored, and a display control unit 20 that displays a main image 8m included in the information image 8i on the display 8 based on the main image data 9d received from the main image memory 9, and is capable of switching between the plurality of sub-image memories 11, 12 which receive the sub-image data 11d, 12d, and displays a sub-image 8b included in the information image 8i based on the received sub-image data 11d or 12d. According to this configuration, the sub-image data 11d, 12d that are the source of the sub-image 8b are distributed to the multiple sub-image memories 11, 12, and the memory connected to the display control unit 20 (GDC2) is switched between the multiple sub-image memories 11, 12, thereby increasing the data capacity for the sub-image 8b. This makes it possible to enrich the display content of the sub-image 8b. Furthermore, even if the display contents of the sub-image 8b are enriched, there is no need to use an expensive display control unit 20 (GDC2) that has a large limit on the data capacity that can be communicated.

[0030] (2) The main image 8m includes an image (such as a vehicle speed display) that is always displayed while the vehicle is traveling, and the sub-image 8b includes an image (such as a car navigation system's right / left turn guidance display) whose display content can be switched depending on the situation while the vehicle is traveling. According to this configuration, the main image 8m can be stably displayed while the vehicle is traveling. Furthermore, when the display screen of the sub-image 8b is switched, the memory connected to the display control unit 20 (GDC2) is switched between the multiple sub-image memories 11 and 12. This can reduce the sense of incongruity that accompanies switching of the display of the sub-image 8b.

[0031] (3) The main image 8m and the sub-image 8b are images displayed simultaneously on one screen 8a. The main image 8m is an image showing vehicle state information (vehicle speed information, etc.), and the sub-image 8b is an image showing auxiliary information (car navigation information, etc.) that has a lower priority than the main image 8m. According to this configuration, the main image 8m having a high priority can be displayed stably. Note that the vehicle status information may be defined as information that is required by law to be displayed, and the auxiliary information may be defined as information that is not required by law to be displayed.

[0032] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and drawings. Modifications (including deletion of components) can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. An example of a modification will be described below.

[0033] (Modification) In the above embodiment, the vehicle display device 10 is mounted on a motorcycle, but may be mounted on vehicles other than motorcycles (including construction machines). The vehicle display device 10 may also be combined with an analog gauge having a pointer. The vehicle display device 10 may be mounted on a head-up display device as a device that emits display light.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the image data for the opening performance and the image data for the ending performance are stored as the performance image data 4d in one performance dedicated memory 4, but they may be stored in separate memories. For example, the vehicle display device 10 may include a first performance dedicated memory in which image data for the opening performance is stored, and a second performance dedicated memory in which image data for the ending performance is stored. The effect image data 4d is image data related to the opening effect and image data related to the ending effect, but it may be only one of the image data related to the opening effect and the image data related to the ending effect. Also, the effect image data 4d may be image data related to effects other than the opening effect and the ending effect.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the microcomputer 1 may set the input terminal 2i of the GDC 2 to a high impedance state via the signal selection circuit 7 after performing an initialization operation or a shutdown operation when switching the memory to be used. In the above embodiment, the signal selection circuit 7 may be a switch circuit and may not be a multiplexer. For example, if the signal selection circuit 7 is a simple switch circuit that cannot be switched to a high impedance state, it is preferable to provide an auto-discharge circuit to discharge residual charges.

[0036] In the above embodiment, it is possible to omit either the switch circuit 6 or the signal selection circuit 7. When the signal selection circuit 7 is omitted, the switch circuit 6 is configured as a memory selection unit. In the above embodiment, the microcomputer 1 and the GDC 2 may be integrated together. In the above embodiment, the performance-dedicated memory 4 may be omitted. In this case, the performance image data 4d may be stored in the other memories 9, 11, and 12.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the vehicle display device 10 includes one second sub-image memory 12, but may include multiple second sub-image memories 12. By including multiple sub-image memories, the data capacity for the sub-image 8b can be increased. This allows the display content of the sub-image 8b to be enriched. The allocation of data stored in each sub-image memory can be changed as appropriate. For example, display data when using a car navigation system, display data when using a different language, and display data when starting up a menu may be stored in different sub-image memories. Furthermore, data such as video or music may be stored in a divided manner in each sub-image memory. In this case, the microcomputer 1 or the playback means may be capable of combining and playing back the divided data.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the switch circuit 6 switches the power state of each of the memories 3, 4, 12 and the signal selection circuit 7 between on and off, and supplies power to the memory whose corresponding contact is on. However, the switch circuit 6 may also supply power to the memory whose corresponding contact is off. A configuration in which power is supplied only to the memory whose contact is on can reduce power consumption, and a configuration in which power is supplied to the memory whose contact is off can improve the responsiveness of the memory.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the microcomputer 1 temporarily turns off all of the contacts A, B, and C of the switch circuit 6 at time t5 to hide the image. However, the microcomputer 1 does not need to turn off some or all of the contacts A, B, and C. For example, in the operation of the microcomputer 1 at time t8, each contact is switched on and off without turning off all of the contacts. In this way, a configuration in which some or all of the contacts are not turned off when switching the contacts allows for control with a simpler configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Microcomputer 1a Sub-memory selection section 2. GDC 2i Input terminal 3. Normal operation memory 4. Memory for directing 4d performance image data 5 Power supply 6 Switch Circuit 7 Signal selection circuit 8 Display 8a Screen 8b Sub-image 8i Infographic 8m Main Image 9 Main image memory 9d Main image data 10 Vehicle display device 11 First sub image memory 11d First sub-image data 12 Second sub image memory 12d Second sub-image data 20 Display control unit A~C contact t1~t11 time Sa command signal

Claims

1. A display for displaying an image; a main image memory for storing main image data; A plurality of sub-image memories each storing different sub-image data; a display control unit that displays a main image included in the image on the display device based on the main image data received from the main image memory, and is capable of switching a memory that receives the sub-image data among the plurality of sub-image memories, and displays a sub-image included in the image based on the received sub-image data. Vehicle display device.

2. the main image includes an image that is always displayed while the vehicle is running; The sub-image includes an image whose display content is switched depending on the situation even while the vehicle is running. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. the main image and the sub-image are images displayed simultaneously on one screen, the main image is an image showing vehicle state information, The sub-image is an image showing auxiliary information having a lower priority than the main image. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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