Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device which makes it easy to recognize information to be notified to the surroundings.SOLUTION: The display device 1 is disposed on a back surface of a seat that is visible from the outside of the vehicle 3, and includes a display unit 10 that displays information to be notified to the surroundings. In the display device 1, since the display unit 10 is disposed on the back surface of the seat, information to be notified to the surroundings can be easily recognized as compared with a case where this configuration is not adopted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART As a conventional technique, a small electric vehicle equipped with a driving assistance device that can prevent collision with an obstacle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] When the measured obstacle distance becomes less than the target stopping distance, this small electric vehicle can prevent a collision with an obstacle by forcibly stopping the drive of the electric motor and forcibly bringing the vehicle to a stop. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-110209 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional small electric vehicles, devices that provide information to those around the vehicle, such as turn signals, are located at the rear and are placed low, making it difficult for those around the vehicle to recognize the information.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a display device that makes it easy for people around to recognize information that they wish to share. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a display device that is disposed on the back of a seat visible from outside a vehicle and includes a display unit that displays information to be notified to those around. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, information that you want to make known to those around you can be easily recognized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle in which a display device according to an embodiment is arranged, and FIG. 1(b) is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle control system including the display device. [Figure 2] 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing an example of display of information to be notified to those around the display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing an example of an information display area and an advertisement display area when the display device according to the embodiment displays an advertisement. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of an advertising image displayed by a display device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of displaying information that the user wants to inform others of while the advertising image is being displayed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an electric scooter on which a display device according to a modified example is arranged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The display device according to the embodiment is disposed on the back of a seat visible from outside the vehicle, and is generally configured to include a display unit that displays information to be notified to those around.

[0011] This display device has a display unit disposed on the back of the seat, so information that should be communicated to those around can be more easily recognized than when this configuration is not adopted.

[0012] [Embodiment Mode] (Overview of Display Device 1) FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle in which a display device according to an embodiment is installed, and FIG. 1(b) is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle control system including the display device. Note that in each of the drawings according to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes between figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. Also, in FIG. 1(b), arrows indicate the flow of main signals and information. Below, an overview of the display device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1(a), the display device 1 of this embodiment is arranged on the back surface 332 of the seat visible from outside the vehicle 3, and is generally configured to include a display unit 10 that displays information to be notified to those around. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 1(b), the display device 1 further includes a control unit 15.

[0014] This seat is, for example, a driver's seat 33. The display unit 10 is disposed on a back surface 332 of the driver's seat 33.

[0015] More specifically, the display unit 10 is arranged on the back surface 332 of the driver's seat 33, which is the seat of the handle-type electric wheelchair serving as the vehicle 3, as shown in FIG. 1(a).

[0016] The driver's seat 33 has a seat portion 330 on which the driver sits and a seat back 331 that serves as a backrest. The driver's seat 33 is disposed on the main body 30 of the vehicle 3 and is exposed to the outside, so that the back surface 332 of the seat back 331 can be easily seen from the surroundings.

[0017] The vehicle 3 in this embodiment is, as an example, a handle-type electric wheelchair, but is not limited to this, and may be an electric cart, an electric kick scooter, construction machinery, or other vehicle whose seat can be easily seen from behind. An electric cart may, for example, be equipped with a rear seat in addition to a driver's seat and a passenger seat. In the case of such an electric cart, the display device 1 is disposed on the back of the rear seat. An electric kick scooter will be described later. An example of construction machinery is a wheel loader that can be driven on public roads.

[0018] As an example, the vehicle control system 4 includes a display device 1, an operation unit 32, a storage unit 34, an input unit 35, and a vehicle-side control unit 36, as shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the operation unit 32 is disposed on a surface 310 of the steering unit 31 of the vehicle 3. The operation unit 32 has, for example, a setting knob 32a and a direction indication switch 32b. The setting knob 32a is a knob for setting a plurality of speed modes that differ in maximum speed of the vehicle 3. The setting knob 32a outputs mode information S2 indicating the speed mode that has been set based on the operation performed to the vehicle-side control unit 36. The direction indication switch 32b is a switch for turning on the blinker 302 when turning right or left. The direction indication switch 32b outputs a direction indication signal S3 indicating whether to turn right or left to the vehicle-side control unit 36 ​​based on the push operation performed.

[0020] The turn signals 302 are arranged on the left and right sides of the rear surface 301 of the main body 30. The rear surface 301 is also provided with brake lights 303 that light up in response to braking or the like.

[0021] The storage unit 34 is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 34 stores, for example, display information 340 to be displayed on the display device 1 and advertising information 341 to be displayed on the display device 1. The vehicle-side control unit 36 ​​reads the display information 340 and the advertising information 341 from the storage unit 34, generates display control information S1, and outputs it to the display device 1. The display device 1 displays an image 12 on the display screen 11 based on this display control information S1.

[0022] The input unit 35 communicates with, for example, an external device. The vehicle-side control unit 36 ​​acquires image-related information S4 related to the image 12 to be displayed on the display device 1 via the input unit 35, and stores the information in the storage unit 34 as display information 340 and advertising information 341. The vehicle-side control unit 36 ​​also updates the software via the input unit 35, for example.

[0023] The vehicle-side control unit 36 ​​is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to stored programs, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, software for operating the vehicle-side control unit 36. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results. The vehicle-side control unit 36 ​​is configured to comprehensively control the vehicle 3.

[0024] (Configuration of display device 1) Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing an example of displaying information to be notified to those around on a display device according to an embodiment. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing examples of an information display area and an advertisement display area when a display device according to an embodiment displays an advertisement. Figure 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement image displayed by a display device according to an embodiment, and Figure 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of displaying information to be notified to those around while displaying an advertisement image.

[0025] The display unit 10 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0026] The control unit 15 is, for example, a microcomputer configured with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The control unit 15 displays the image 12 on the display screen 11 based on the display control information S1 output from the vehicle-side control unit .

[0027] As described above, the vehicle 3 has a plurality of speed modes with different maximum speeds. The display unit 10 displays information according to the speed mode as information to be notified to those around.

[0028] Examples of information that may be communicated to those around include, but are not limited to, information on speed mode, information on the direction of travel when turning right or left, information on brake operation, and information on when the direction of travel is reverse.

[0029] As an example, the vehicle 3 switches the maximum speed between 0.5 and 10 km / h in speed mode based on the rotation of the setting knob 32a. When the maximum speed is 6 km / h or less, the vehicle 3 switches to sidewalk driving mode, and when the maximum speed is greater than 6 km / h, the vehicle 3 switches to roadway driving mode. In sidewalk driving mode, the green maximum speed indicator light flashes. In roadway driving mode, the green maximum speed indicator light is lit.

[0030] When the vehicle-side control unit 36 ​​acquires the mode information S2 from the setting knob 32a, it outputs to the display device 1 display control information S1 that causes the image 12 to be displayed according to the driving mode.

[0031] FIG. 2(a) is an example of the image 12 when the driving mode is roadway driving mode. As an example, the display device 1 uses the entire display screen 11 to display the image 12, which is made up of an information image 12a, which is a text image of "roadway driving mode," and a background image 12b, which functions as a maximum speed indicator. The background image 12b lights up in green as a maximum speed indicator. When the sidewalk driving mode is selected, the background image 12b flashes in green as a maximum speed indicator.

[0032] Furthermore, when the vehicle-side control unit 36 ​​receives the direction indication signal S3 from the direction indication switch 32b, it outputs to the display device 1 the display control information S1 for displaying the image 12 according to the traveling direction.

[0033] 2(b) is an example of the image 12 when turning right. For example, the display device 1 uses the entire display screen 11 to display the image 12, which is made up of an information image 12a including a text image "Turn right" and a graphic image showing the direction of the right turn with a plurality of triangular shapes, and a background image 12b. The background image 12b, for example, emits and flashes orange, a color that complies with safety standards for turn signals.

[0034] As an example, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), when displaying an advertisement, the display unit 10 divides the display screen 11 into an information display area 13 that displays information that the user wants to notify others around, and an advertisement display area 14 that displays the advertisement, and when displaying information that the user wants to notify others around in the information display area 13, the information display area 13 and the advertisement display area 14 have different brightness levels.

[0035] 3(a) shows an example of the information display area 13 and the advertisement display area 14 when the display screen 11 covers almost the entire area of ​​the back surface 332. In this display screen 11, the advertisement display area 14 is set in the center and is larger than the other areas, and the information display area 13 is set around it.

[0036] The information display area 13 is an area for displaying information to be notified to those around the vehicle, and is provided mainly based on safety standards. The information display area 13 is divided into, but not limited to, a first left display area 13a, a first right display area 13b, a second left display area 13c, a second right display area 13d, and a lower-center display area 13e, for example.

[0037] The first left display area 13a and the first right display area 13b are, for example, symmetrical areas that emit light when turning left or right. When turning left, the entire first left display area 13a flashes orange. When turning right, the entire first right display area 13b flashes orange.

[0038] The second left display area 13c and the second right display area 13d are, for example, areas that are symmetrical to each other and that emit white light as a whole as a backlight that indicates reverse driving.

[0039] The lower central display area 13e is an area that serves as, for example, a brake light, and the entire lower central display area 13e emits light in red.

[0040] In Fig. 3(b), a handle 333 and a brake light 334 are arranged on the rear surface 332, and therefore the display screen 11 is provided on a part of the rear surface 332. The display screen 11 has an advertisement display area 14 set in the center, and an information display area 13 set around it.

[0041] As an example, the information display area 13 does not have a lower central display area 13e because a brake light 334 is provided, and is divided into a first left display area 13a, a first right display area 13b, a second left display area 13c, and a second right display area 13d, but is not limited to this.

[0042] 4(a) and 4(b) show, as an example, an advertisement image 12c displayed as an advertisement in the advertisement display area 14. Note that the brightness of the diagonal lines in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) increases as the intervals between the diagonal lines become narrower.

[0043] As an example, as shown in FIG. 4(a), when only the advertising image 12c is displayed, the control unit 15 displays the advertising image 12c on the display unit 10 with a brightness that is relatively higher than the brightness of the background image 12b so that the advertising image 12c is easier to recognize.

[0044] Furthermore, when the control unit 15 displays the information image 12a while the advertising image 12c is being displayed, the control unit 15 displays the information image 12a on the display unit 10 with a brightness that is relatively higher than the brightness of the advertising image 12c so that the information image 12a is easier to recognize.

[0045] 4(a), when only the advertisement image 12c is displayed in the advertisement display area 14, the control unit 15 increases the brightness of the advertisement image 12c more than that of the background image 12b so that the advertisement image 12c stands out. Note that the control unit 15 may decrease the brightness of the background image 12b, or increase the brightness of the advertisement image 12c and decrease the brightness of the background image 12b at the same time.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(b), when the control unit 15 displays the information image 12a in the first right display area 13b in addition to the advertising image 12c, the control unit 15 reduces the brightness of the advertising image 12c so that the brightness of the information image 12a is higher than the brightness of the advertising image 12c and the information image 12a is more easily recognized by those around it.

[0047] The control unit 15 may use the brightness of the information image 12a when the advertising image 12c is not displayed as a reference and increase the brightness of the information image 12a above the reference value, or decrease the brightness of the advertising image 12c and increase the brightness of the information image 12a above the reference value.

[0048] 1(a), the display screen 11 is disposed above a loading platform 300 on which luggage is placed of the vehicle 3. By disposing the display screen 11 above the loading platform 300, the display screen 11 becomes easier to recognize from the surroundings.

[0049] The relative brightness of the information image 12a and the advertising image 12c may be controlled by the control unit 15 of the display device 1 or by the vehicle-side control unit .

[0050] (Regarding variants) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an electric scooter equipped with a display device according to a modified example. The vehicle 3 is not limited to a handle-type electric wheelchair, and may be an electric scooter 5 as shown in Fig. 5.

[0051] This electric scooter 5 has a seat 50 on which a rider sits. The seat 50 has a seat portion 51 on which the rider sits and a support pillar 52 that supports the seat portion 51. The display device 1 is attached to the support pillar 52 on the back surface 510 side of the seat portion 51.

[0052] The electric scooter 5 is generally configured with a steering wheel 53, a central portion 54 of the steering wheel 53, a rod-shaped grip portion 55 extending left and right from the central portion 54, a steering shaft 56 attached to the central portion 54, left and right turn signals 57 and 58 located at both ends of the grip portion 55, and a step 59 for the driver to stand on. The turn signal switch is located in the central portion 54. The left and right turn signals 57 and 58 also function as maximum speed indicators.

[0053] 5, when a turn signal switch is operated to instruct a left turn, the display device 1 blinks the left turn signal 57 and displays an image 12 made up of an information image 12a including a text image "Turn left" and a graphic image showing the left turn direction with a plurality of triangular shapes, and a background image 12b. The background image 12b, for example, emits and blinks orange, a color that complies with safety standards for turn signals.

[0054] The display device 1 is larger and easier to see than auxiliary devices such as the left blinker 57 and right blinker 58 of the electric scooter 5, so that information that you want to notify others around you can be easily recognized.

[0055] (Effects of the embodiment) The display device 1 according to this embodiment can make it easier for the surroundings to recognize information that the surroundings should be notified of. Specifically, the display device 1 can display the information image 12a that the surroundings should be notified of on the display screen 11, so the display is larger and easier for the surroundings to recognize than when only auxiliary devices such as turn signals are used to notify the surroundings.

[0056] The display device 1 has the function of a maximum speed indicator light, with the background image 12b lighting up and flashing green in accordance with the driving mode according to the maximum speed of the vehicle 3, so it is easier for those around to recognize whether the vehicle is in sidewalk driving mode or roadway driving mode than when only the lamp lights up and flashes. Furthermore, the display device 1 notifies those around it whether the vehicle is in sidewalk driving mode or roadway driving mode using the information image 12a in accordance with the function of the maximum speed indicator light, so it is easier for those around it to recognize the mode than when this configuration is not adopted.

[0057] The display device 1 has a display screen 11 positioned above the turn signals 302 and brake lights 303 arranged on the main body 30 of the vehicle 3, improving visibility from the surroundings.

[0058] The display device 1 can display the direction of travel, braking operations, and text images on the display screen 11, making it easier for those around to recognize the situation of the vehicle 3 compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0059] The display device 1 can display the information image 12a as well as the advertising image 12c, so that the vehicle 3 attracts more attention than when this configuration is not adopted, making it easier to inform people around the vehicle of information.

[0060] Since the display device 1 is disposed above the loading platform 300, the display screen 11 is easier to see than when this configuration is not adopted.

[0061] The display device 1 is disposed on the rear surface 332 of the seat back 331 of the driver's seat 33, so that visibility is not easily obstructed by obstacles, and the information image 12a is large and easily found by surrounding vehicles.

[0062] The display device 1 allows the information display area 13 and the advertisement display area 14 to be freely changed, so that it can easily respond to any legal changes regarding required displays, compared to when components are arranged.

[0063] Although several embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. These novel embodiments and modifications may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...display device, 3...vehicle, 4...vehicle control system, 5...electric kick scooter, 10...display unit, 11...display screen, 12...image, 12a...information image, 12b...background image, 12c...advertising image, 13...information display area, 13a...first left display area, 13b...first right display area, 13c...second left display area, 13d...second right display area, 13e...lower center display area, 14...advertising display area, 15...control unit, 30...main body, 31...steering unit, 32...operation unit, 32a...setting knob, 32b...direction indicator switch, 3 3...driver's seat, 34...memory unit, 35...input unit, 36...vehicle-side control unit, 50...seat, 51...seat portion, 52...support pillar, 53...steering, 54...center portion, 55...grip portion, 56...steering shaft, 57...left turn signal, 58...right turn signal, 59...step, 300...luggage rack, 301...rear, 302...turn signal, 303...brake light, 310...surface, 330...seat portion, 331...seat back, 332...rear, 333...handle, 334...brake light, 340...display information, 341...advertising information, 510...rear

Claims

1. A display device is provided on the back of the seat that is visible from outside the vehicle and has a display unit that displays information that should be communicated to those around.

2. the seat is a driver's seat, The display unit is disposed on the back of the driver's seat. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. the vehicle has a plurality of speed modes with different maximum speeds; The display unit displays information to be notified to the surroundings according to the speed mode. The display device according to claim 1 .

4. When displaying an advertisement, the display unit divides the display screen into an information display area for displaying information to be notified to the surroundings and an advertisement display area for displaying the advertisement, and when displaying the information to be notified to the surroundings in the information display area, the information display area and the advertisement display area are differentiated in luminance. The display device according to claim 1 .

5. The display unit has a display screen disposed above a loading platform of the vehicle. The display device according to claim 1 .

6. The display unit is disposed on the back of the driver's seat, which is the seat of the handle-type electric wheelchair as the vehicle. The display device according to claim 1 .

Images