Display control system

Abstract

To improve the degree of freedom of an installation position of a display in a vehicle, and to easily change the installation position.SOLUTION: A display control system includes an in-vehicle device that transmits content to be displayed on a display unit to the display unit slidably installed on a dashboard of a vehicle, and a plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices that are installed on a path of the dashboard on which the display unit slides and perform wireless communication with a terminal-side wireless communication device installed on the display unit. The in-vehicle device transmits content to the display unit through wireless communication between any one of the plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices and the terminal-side wireless communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control system installed in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an in-vehicle entertainment system has been proposed that is composed of a display unit, a video playback device, and a wire harness that connects them (for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, adapters are installed in front of the passenger seat and on the back of the vehicle seat, and the display unit is attached to at least one location on the adapter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-15959 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an adapter is installed in advance, the display unit can only be installed in the location where the adapter is installed, meaning that it is not possible to install the display in an arbitrary position on the dashboard, for example.

[0005] The present technology aims to provide a technology that improves the degree of freedom in the installation position of a display inside a vehicle and makes it easy to change the installation position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A display control system according to the present technology includes an in-vehicle device that transmits content to a display unit slidably installed on a dashboard of a vehicle to be displayed on the display unit, and a plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices that are installed on the dashboard along a path along which the display unit slides and that wirelessly communicate with a terminal-side wireless communication device installed on the display unit. The in-vehicle device transmits the content to the display unit via wireless communication between any of the plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices and the terminal-side wireless communication device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present technology, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the installation position of a display and to easily change the installation position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit mounted on a vehicle and a display control system that controls the display of the display unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a holding structure for a display unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle and a display unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the display unit 2 and the display contents. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display control system according to the first modification. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display control system according to the second modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display control system according to the third modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display control system according to the fourth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0010] <Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit mounted on a vehicle and a display control system that controls the display on the display unit. The vehicle 1 in Fig. 1 includes a display unit 2 and an in-vehicle device 3. The in-vehicle device 3 controls the display on the display unit 2. A vehicle-side wireless communication device (described later) mounted on a dashboard (instrument panel) 11 and the in-vehicle device 3 are collectively referred to as the display control system according to this embodiment.

[0011] The display unit 2 is, for example, a mobile display, and the user can bring the display unit 2 into or out of the vehicle 1. The installation location of the display unit 2 within the vehicle can be changed. In this embodiment, the display unit 2 can be detachably mounted on a guide 12 installed on the dashboard 11. The guide 12 holds the display unit 2 so that it can slide, for example, in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1 (directions perpendicular to the traveling direction and vertical direction of the vehicle 1). Therefore, depending on its position, the display unit 2 can function as, for example, a CID (Center Information Display) that displays information for the driver, or as a PID (Passenger Information Display) that displays information on the passenger seat side. It may also be something that

[0012] The in-vehicle device 3 transmits content to the display unit 2 via wireless communication and displays the content on the display unit 2. The content displayed on the display unit 2 may include map information, information related to the navigation system, television broadcast images, images recorded on media, music album artwork, an energy flow monitor, information related to a driving assistance system, and the like.

[0013] <Holding structure> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a holding structure for a display unit. A guide 12, such as a linear guide (linear rail), is provided on a dashboard 11. The guide 12 forms a path along which the display unit 2 slides. The guide 12 in FIG. 2 includes a rail 121 fixed on the dashboard 11 and a carriage 122 connected to the rail 121 and sliding on the rail 121. The rail 121 and the carriage 122 may be connected via a rolling bearing, a sliding bearing, or the like to reduce friction. The carriage 122 is connected to a holder 13 for holding the display unit 2.

[0014] In the example of FIG. 2, two parallel or nearly parallel rails 121 are provided on the dashboard 11. Three carriages 122 are attached to each of the rails 121. The holder 13 is connected to both the carriages 122 attached to one of the rails 121 and the carriages 122 attached to the other rail 121. In the example of FIG. 2, the three holders 13 are each connected to one set of carriages 122, as indicated by the dashed-dotted arrows. However, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and the holder 13 may be supported on a single guide 12, for example, as long as the guide 12 has sufficient strength. In addition, the guide 12 is not limited to a linear guide, as long as it can slidably install the display unit 2.

[0015] The holder 13 detachably holds the display unit 2. The holder 13 may also be configured to be easily detachably connected to the guide 12. For example, the holder 13 may include a display holder 131 and a base 132. The display holder 131 is, for example, a display mount or a tablet holder, and detachably holds the display unit 2. The base 132 is a member connected to the carriage 122. The display holder 131 and the base 132 may be connected via a connection 133 that connects them so that the angle can be changed. The connection 133 enables at least one of pivot rotation, tilt adjustment, and swivel adjustment of the display holder 131 relative to the base 132. Such a connection 133 may be formed, for example, by a ball joint member or one or more hinge members.

[0016] Furthermore, a vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 for communicating with the display unit 2 is mounted inside or on the surface of the dashboard 11. In the example of FIG. 2, a plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14 are provided along the guide 12. That is, the plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14 are arranged along the path along which the display unit 2 slides. In this embodiment, the display control system and the display unit 2 communicate with each other via so-called short-range wireless communication, and transmit content to be displayed on the display unit 2.

[0017] Wireless communication between the display control system and the display unit 2 can be performed using radio waves (millimeter waves) in a predetermined frequency band, such as the 60 GHz band. The communication protocol can be Scalable Low Voltage Signaling (SLVS), GPIO (General Purpose Input Output), UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter), I 2Existing standards such as C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) and eUSB2 (Embedded USB2) can be used.

[0018] The display unit 2 is a mobile display equipped with a terminal-side wireless communication device 23. Although one display unit 2 is shown in the example of FIG. 2, a plurality of display units 2 may be connected to the display control system. The terminal-side wireless communication device 23 is a communication module for communicating with the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 by so-called short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, the terminal-side wireless communication device 23 communicates with a nearby vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 among the plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14 mounted on the dashboard 11.

[0019] Note that, for example, the rail 121 and the carriage 122 may each have an engagement portion so that the display unit 2 sliding on the guide 12 is positioned at a position where the terminal-side wireless communication device 23 and the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 face each other (are close to each other). The engagement portion can be formed, for example, by a spring clip (spring button clip) and an opening that engages with the spring clip. The engagement portion is also arranged on the guide 12 in correspondence with the arrangement of the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14. In this way, the user can easily align and install the display unit 2 at a position where the terminal-side wireless communication device 23 and the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 face each other.

[0020] <System configuration> 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a vehicle and a display unit. The display control system of the vehicle 1 includes a plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14 provided on the dashboard 11, and an in-vehicle device 3.

[0021] The in-vehicle device 3 is a computer, and includes a processor 31, a storage device 32, and a user interface. The in-vehicle device 3 includes a UI (User Interface) 33. For example, the in-vehicle device 3 may be a device constituting an in-vehicle infotainment system, such as a so-called head unit. The processor 31 of the in-vehicle device 3 is connected to a plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14 via signal lines, and can perform wireless communication with the display unit 2 via any of the vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14.

[0022] The processor 31 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). ), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific IC), ASSP (Application Specific Standard Product), etc. The processor 31 performs each process described in this embodiment by, for example, executing a program. The processor 31 transmits data for displaying content on the display unit 2 to the display unit 2 via the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14.

[0023] The storage device 32 is at least one of a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an auxiliary storage device (secondary storage device) such as an HDD (Hard-Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. The main storage device temporarily stores programs read by the processor 31 and secures a working area for the processor 31. The auxiliary storage device stores programs executed by the processor 31 and other data. The main storage device or the auxiliary storage device also stores data on content to be displayed on the display unit 2, settings related to the display of the display unit 2, etc.

[0024] The UI 33 is a user interface such as a display panel, a touch panel laminated thereon, physical buttons (hardware keys), etc. The UI 33 accepts user operations or outputs information to the user. For example, the in-vehicle device 3 may accept an operation related to changing settings related to the display of the display unit 2 via the UI 33.

[0025] The display unit 2 is, for example, a mobile display. Alternatively, the display unit 2 may be a computer equipped with a display such as a tablet terminal. The display unit 2 includes a display panel 21, a control device 22, and a terminal-side wireless communication device 23. The display panel 21 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The control device 22 is, for example, a display controller, and controls the display content of the display panel 21. The terminal-side wireless communication device 23 is similar to the communication module shown in FIG. 2. In the display unit 2, the control device 22 displays content on the display panel 21 based on data received via the terminal-side wireless communication device 23.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the display units 2 and the display contents. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 4, three display units 2 are set on a guide 12. In this case, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, for example, information indicating the content to be displayed on each of the display units 2 is stored in the storage device 32 of the in-vehicle device 3. The table shown in the lower part of FIG. 4 includes the attributes of "Device ID", "Display ID", "Size / Resolution", and "Content". The "Device ID" field stores identification information for specifying the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14. The "Display ID" field stores identification information for specifying the display unit 2 with which the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 related to the record can communicate. The processor 31 of the in-vehicle device 3 may continuously scan for display units 2 with which it can communicate, and store the display units 2 with which it can communicate and the vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14 in association with each other. The "Size / Resolution" field stores at least one of the size and resolution of the display panel 21 provided in the display unit 2. The size and resolution may also be acquired by the in-vehicle device 3 communicating with the display unit 2. The "Content" field stores information indicating the content to be displayed on the display unit 2. The content is set by accepting a user operation via the UI 33, for example.

[0027] The processor 31 of the in-vehicle device 3 transmits content to each of the display units 2 based on the setting information as shown in Fig. 4. When the position of a display unit 2 is changed by sliding or when the order of the display units 2 is changed, the association with the identification information of the communicable vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 is updated as appropriate. Furthermore, when the information stored in the "content" field is changed based on a user operation, the processor 31 changes the content to be transmitted to the display unit 2 based on the setting information.

[0028] <Effects> According to the display control system of this embodiment, the position of the display unit 2 can be slidably moved on the dashboard 11, and wireless communication with the display unit 2 can be performed via a vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 located close to the display unit 2. In other words, no wiring or connectors are required, which improves the degree of freedom in the installation position of the display unit 2 and makes it easy to change the installation position. Furthermore, while an increase in the number of devices performing wireless communication within the vehicle cabin can lead to radio wave interference, the use of short-range wireless communication can suppress interference with other wireless communications within the vehicle cabin.

[0029] <Variation 1> FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a display control system according to Modification 1. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the corresponding reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted. In the example of FIG. 5, a ceiling-suspended (flip-down) display holder 15 is further added to the roof of the vehicle 1. The display holder 15 detachably holds the display unit 2. The display holder 15 also includes a vehicle-side wireless communication device 14, through which it transmits content to be displayed on the display unit 2. The display unit 2 installed on the display holder 15 is a rear seat entertainment (RSE) system. The display holder 15 is not limited to a ceiling-mounted type, and may be provided on the back of the front row seats or on a wall inside the vehicle.

[0030] In this way, the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 may be provided at a predetermined position outside the path along which the display unit 2 slides, and the display unit 2 may be held so that the terminal-side wireless communication device 23 is positioned at a corresponding position. This modification also improves the flexibility of the installation position of the display unit 2 and makes it easier to change the installation position. Since an external display unit 2 can be installed as needed, the display unit 2 in the front seat may be used in the rear seat depending on the number of passengers, for example. This allows the user to install, for example, an RSE system or other rear seat monitor at a lower cost than if multiple displays were installed in the vehicle 1 in advance.

[0031] <Variation 2> FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display control system according to Modification 2. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment and modifications are given the corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The display unit 2 shown in FIG. 6 further includes a communication interface (IF) 24. The in-vehicle device 3 further includes a communication interface (IF) 34. The communication IF 24 of the display unit 2 and the communication IF 34 of the in-vehicle device 3 perform wireless communication within the vehicle, and the in-vehicle device 3 displays content on the display unit 2. The communication range with the communication IF 34 is configured to be longer than the communication range between the terminal-side wireless communication device 23 and the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14. For example, the communication IF 24 and the communication IF 34 may perform ad-hoc communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Furthermore, the communication IF 24 and the communication IF 34 may communicate with each other via another device such as an access point provided in the vehicle 1.

[0032] According to the second modification, the in-vehicle apparatus 3 can display content on the display unit 2 even in a position where the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14 is not mounted. For example, the display unit 2 can be used while being held on a monitor stand installed at any position in the vehicle 1 or while being held by the user. This modification also improves the degree of freedom in the installation position of the display unit 2 and makes it easier to change the installation position.

[0033] <Variation 3> FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display control system according to Modification 3. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment and modifications are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The in-vehicle device 3 may change the content displayed on the display unit 2 based on the installation position or installation angle of the display unit 2. In the example of FIG. 7, one piece of content is displayed across two adjacent display units 2. For example, the display units 2 may be arranged with their long sides oriented vertically (perpendicular to the guide 12), and the proximity of the adjacent display units 2 may be detected by communication via a communication IF 25 (25A, 25B in FIG. 7) for short-range wireless communication between the display units 2. The communication IF 25 is mounted, for example, near the periphery of the display unit 2, and communicates with the communication IF 25 of the adjacent display unit 2. The short-range wireless communication between the display units 2 can also be achieved, for example, by the method described above. Note that the number and arrangement of communication IFs 25 mounted on one display unit 2 are not limited to those in the example of FIG. 7. For example, the communication IF 25 may be mounted near the short side of the display unit 2 so that short-range wireless communication can be performed when the long side of the display unit 2 is positioned horizontally (parallel to the guide 12). Also, the position and orientation of the display unit 2 may be detected by sensors mounted on the vehicle 1 or the display unit 2, instead of the communication IF 25. This modification further improves the flexibility of how the display unit 2 can be used.

[0034] <Variation 4> FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display control system according to Modification 4. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment and modifications are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The display unit 2A shown in FIG. 8 includes two terminal-side wireless communication devices 23 (231, 232 in FIG. 8). The spacing between the two terminal-side wireless communication devices 23 preferably corresponds to the spacing between the vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14. In this modification, content is transmitted in parallel via two sets of terminal-side wireless communication devices 23 and vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14, improving the communication speed. For example, when the size or resolution of the display unit 2 is large and the data size to be transmitted is large, parallel transmission using multiple devices can ensure the communication speed. Note that the number and arrangement of the terminal-side wireless communication devices 23 mounted on the display unit 2 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 8. For example, even when the long side of the display unit 2 is positioned vertically, the number and arrangement of the terminal-side wireless communication devices 23 mounted on the display unit 2 and the number and arrangement of the vehicle-side wireless communication devices 14 mounted on the dashboard 11 can be changed as appropriate so that communication can be performed in parallel with the vehicle-side wireless communication device 14.

[0035] <Other> Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these, and various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art are possible without departing from the spirit of the claims. The configurations described in the embodiments and modifications can be implemented in appropriate combinations. The tables shown in Figures 4, 7, and 8 are examples of databases, and may be properly normalized to store information in multiple tables, or may be denormalized to store additional information together in a single table. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1: vehicle, 11: dashboard, 12: guide, 13: holder, 14: vehicle-side wireless communication device 2: Display unit, 21: Display panel, 22: Control device, 23: Terminal side wireless communication device 3: In-vehicle device, 31: Processor, 32: Storage device, 33: User interface (UI)

Claims

1. an in-vehicle device that transmits content to be displayed on a display unit that is slidably installed on a dashboard of a vehicle; a plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices that are installed on the dashboard along a path along which the display unit slides and that wirelessly communicate with a terminal-side wireless communication device installed on the display unit; Equipped with The in-vehicle device transmits the content to the display unit through the wireless communication between any one of the plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices and the terminal-side wireless communication device. Display control system.

2. A plurality of the display units can be installed on the path, The in-vehicle device transmits the content to the plurality of display units via the vehicle-side wireless communication device located close to each of the plurality of display units. The display control system of claim 1 .

3. a holding portion that holds the display unit on the path so that the display unit can slide; The holding portion holds the display unit so that the angle of the display unit can be changed around a rotation axis perpendicular to a display surface of the display unit.

3. A display control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The vehicle-side wireless communication device is further provided at a predetermined position outside the route, The display unit can be installed at the predetermined position.

3. A display control system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the display unit and the in-vehicle device are further capable of communicating with each other via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark); The in-vehicle device transmits the content to the display unit located outside the route using the Bluetooth or the Wi-Fi.

3. A display control system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The in-vehicle device changes the content to be transmitted to the display unit based on the installation position or the installation angle of the display unit.

3. A display control system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. When two adjacent display units on the path are arranged close to each other, one piece of content is displayed across the two adjacent display units. A display control system according to claim 6 which relies on claim 2.

8. The display unit further includes an inter-display unit communication device for communicating with other display units, and the in-vehicle device detects that the two adjacent display units are disposed close to each other based on the results of communication by the inter-display unit communication device.

8. The display control system of claim 7.

9. The in-vehicle device includes one display having a plurality of the terminal-side wireless communication devices. The content is transmitted in parallel to the unit via the plurality of vehicle-side wireless communication devices.

3. A display control system according to claim 1 or 2.

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