Display control method and display control apparatus

Abstract

To provide a display control method and a display control device capable of avoiding an increase in development resources even when a display mode of content is changed according to a position of a steering wheel in a vehicle in which a plurality of display devices are installed from a driver's seat to a passenger seat.SOLUTION: In the display control method, the display area 63 on the screen 61 of the first display apparatus 60 is set to the first position or the second position based on the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle, and the arrangement positions of the object images 2a and 2b are inverted in the widthwise direction of the screen 61 about the vanishing point P of the perspective image 1 without changing the arrangement position of the perspective image 1 in the display area 63 based on the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, the position of the driver's seat differs between right-hand drive vehicles and left-hand drive vehicles, and therefore it has been necessary to adjust the display of content presented to the driver depending on the position of the steering wheel.

[0003] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle and sets the direction in which content displayed on the display device is scrolled in response to the rotation of the operating dial in right-hand drive and left-hand drive vehicles.

[0004] Furthermore, in recent years, with the spread of high-speed Internet and advances in driving assistance technology, a large amount of content such as meter information, map information, traffic information, and entertainment information is displayed inside vehicles.

[0005] Therefore, in order to prevent the display size of each piece of content from becoming smaller, it has been considered to use a plurality of display devices to display a large number of pieces of content. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-096739 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When multiple display devices are installed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in order to display a large number of contents, the installation locations of the multiple display devices must be changed depending on the position of the steering wheel.

[0008] Accordingly, it is necessary to change the display mode of content presented to the driver at least on a display device installed in front of the driver's seat.

[0009] However, creating a content display for left-hand drive vehicles and a content display for right-hand drive vehicles separately could result in an increase in development resources.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a display control method and a display control device that can avoid an increase in development resources even when changing the display mode of content depending on the position of the steering wheel in a vehicle in which multiple display devices are installed from the driver's seat to the passenger seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A display control method and display control device according to one embodiment of the present invention sets the display area on the screen of a first display device to a first position or a second position based on the position of the vehicle's steering wheel, and in the display area, flips the position of an object image in the width direction of the screen, centered on the vanishing point of the perspective image, without changing the position of the perspective image, based on the position of the vehicle's steering wheel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, in a vehicle in which multiple display devices are installed from the driver's seat to the passenger seat, even when the display mode of content is changed depending on the position of the steering wheel, an increase in development resources can be avoided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of content for a left-hand drive vehicle according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of content for a right-hand drive vehicle according to this embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the display control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the configuration of the first layer and the second layer used in the display control of the first display device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the configuration of the third layer and fourth layer used in display control of the second display device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the layout position of the display area according to the position of the handle on the screen of the first display device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the arrangement positions of the object image and the shadow image according to the position of the handle in the display area of ​​the first display device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the layout positions of the first display area and the second display area according to the position of the handle on the screen of the second display device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the layout position of the image of the application according to the position of the handle in the first display area of ​​the second display device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating the arrangement position of the application shadow image according to the position of the handle in the second display area of ​​the second display device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a display control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the display control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of content according to the first modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of content according to the second modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a display control device according to a second modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the display control device according to the second modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of content according to the third modified example of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0015] [Content display mode] First, the display mode of content for left-hand drive vehicles will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the content includes a perspective image with a vanishing point, an object image representing information to be notified to the driver, and an image of an application provided from an external server. In this embodiment, the content further includes a shadow image representing the shadow of the object image, and an application shadow image representing the shadow of the image of the application.

[0016] The above-mentioned content is displayed on the first display device 60 and the second display device 70. The first display device 60 and the second display device 70 are, for example, touch panel type liquid crystal displays, and are arranged side by side in the instrument panel IP of the vehicle. The display of the first display device 60 and the second display device 70 is controlled by the display control device 10, which will be described later.

[0017] The first display device 60 is installed in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle. In a left-hand drive vehicle, the driver's seat is located on the left side of the vehicle width direction as you face the front of the vehicle. Therefore, the first display device 60 is located adjacent to the left side of the second display device 70. The first display device 60 is also called a meter display.

[0018] The first display device 60 has a rectangular screen 61. The screen 61 includes a rectangular display area 63 and a blank area 65 formed in an inverted L shape.

[0019] In the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, the display area 63 is disposed in the lower left corner of the screen 61. In this case, the lower left corner 63a of the display area 63 is located in the lower left corner 61a of the screen 61. The position of the display area 63 set in this way is also referred to as the first position.

[0020] A background image BG1 is displayed in the display area 63. In the display area 63, a perspective image 1, object images 2a and 2b, and shaded images 3 and 3 are displayed on the background image BG1.

[0021] The perspective image 1 is an image with depth, and is composed of a road image 1a, a vehicle image 1b, and a shaded image 1c. The road image 1a has a vanishing point P. In this embodiment, the vanishing point P is located at the center of the display area 63 in the width direction of the screen 61. The vehicle image 1b and the shaded image 1c are displayed within the road image 1a. The shaded image 1c represents the shade of the vehicle image 1b.

[0022] The object images 2a and 2b are object images that represent, for example, the vehicle's traveling speed and engine RPM. In this case, although omitted in Fig. 1, the object images 2a and 2b include numerical images of the vehicle's traveling speed and engine RPM.

[0023] The object images 2a and 2b are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the perspective image 1. Specifically, the arrangement positions of the object images 2a and 2b are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 61 with the vanishing point P as the center.

[0024] The shade images 3, 3 represent the shades of the object images 2a, 2b, respectively. In this embodiment, the position of the light source is set directly above the vehicle image 1b and the object images 2a, 2b outside the screen 61 of the first display device 60. Therefore, in the display area 63, the shade images 1c and 3, 3 are displayed directly below the vehicle image 1b and the object images 2a, 2b.

[0025] 1, a pair of object images 2a, 2b are displayed in the display area 63, but this is not limiting, and multiple pairs of object images may be displayed in the display area 63. In this case, the arrangement positions of each pair of object images are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 61 around the vanishing point P. Also, in FIG. 1, the shape of the pair of object images 2a, 2b is circular, but this is not limiting, and other shapes may be used.

[0026] The area of ​​the screen 61 excluding the display area 63 is set as a blank area 65. In the blank area 65, a background image BG1 is displayed.

[0027] The second display device 70 is installed closer to the passenger seat in the width direction of the vehicle than the first display device 60. The second display device 70 is also called an in-vehicle infotainment display.

[0028] The second display device 70 has a rectangular screen 71. The screen 71 includes a rectangular first display area 73 and an L-shaped second display area 75. A portion of the second display area 75 is located on the driver's seat side of the second display device 70. The first display area 73 is also referred to as an application area. The second display area 75 is also referred to as a permanent area.

[0029] In the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, the first display area 73 is disposed in the upper right corner of the screen 71. In this case, the upper right corner 73a of the first display area 73 is located at the upper right corner 71a of the screen 71. The position of the first display area 73 set in this manner is also referred to as the third position.

[0030] A background image BG2 is displayed in the first display area 73. Application images 5a to 5d are displayed on the background image BG2 in the first display area 73. In this embodiment, the application images 5a to 5d are arranged in order from the left along the width direction of the screen 71. Each of the application images 5a to 5d is also called a widget.

[0031] Each of the application images 5a to 5d represents the content of the application. The four applications displayed in the first display area 73 are selected by the user from a plurality of applications and provided by an external server.

[0032] 1, the number of application images displayed in first display area 73 is four, but is not limited to this and may be three or less, or five or more. Also, in FIG. 1, the application images 5a to 5d have a substantially rectangular shape, but is not limited to this and may have other shapes.

[0033] The area of ​​screen 71 excluding first display area 73 is set as second display area 75. In this case, upper left corner 75a of second display area 75 is located at upper left corner 71b of screen 71. The position of second display area 75 set in this way is also referred to as the fourth position.

[0034] A background image BG2 is displayed in the second display area 75. In the second display area 75, application shadow images 6a to 6d are displayed on the background image BG2. The application shadow images 6a to 6d represent the shadows of the application images 5a to 5d, respectively. In this embodiment, the background image BG2 is the same image as the background image BG1, and is, for example, a monochrome image. Note that the background images BG1 and BG2 are not limited to monochrome images and may be images linked to a theme. Here, the theme is a setting that can change the atmosphere (bright, dark, fun, etc.) of the first display device 60 and the second display device 70 that can be selected by the user.

[0035] As described above, in this embodiment, the position of the light source is set directly above the vehicle image 1b and the object images 2a and 2b outside the screen 61 of the first display device 60. Therefore, in the second display area 75, the application shadow images 6a to 6d are displayed at the lower right of the application images 5a to 5d, respectively.

[0036] Next, the display mode of content for a right-hand drive vehicle will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The following describes the differences from the display mode of content for a left-hand drive vehicle. In a right-hand drive vehicle, the driver's seat is located on the right side of the vehicle width direction as facing the front of the vehicle. Therefore, the first display device 60 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the second display device 70.

[0037] In the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the display area 63 of the first display device 60 is disposed in the lower right corner of the screen 61. In this case, the lower right corner 63b of the display area 63 is located in the lower right corner 61b of the screen 61. The position of the display area 63 set in this way is also referred to as the second position.

[0038] In the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, in the display area 63, the object images 2a and 2b are respectively arranged on the right and left sides of the perspective image 1. Specifically, the arrangement positions of the object images 2a and 2b are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 61 around the vanishing point P.

[0039] In the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the first display area 73 of the second display device 70 is disposed in the upper left of the screen 71. In this case, the upper left corner 73b of the first display area 73 is located at the upper left corner 71b of the screen 71. Furthermore, the upper right corner 75b of the second display area 75 is located at the upper right corner 71a of the screen 71. The positions of the first display area 73 and the second display area 75 set in this manner are also referred to as the fifth position and the sixth position, respectively.

[0040] In the first display area 73, the application images 5a to 5d are arranged in order from the right side along the width direction of the screen 71. In the second display area 75, the application shadow images 6a to 6d are displayed below and to the left of the application images 5a to 5d, respectively.

[0041] [Functional configuration of display control device 10] 3 to 6C, the functional configuration of the display control device 10 will be described. The display control device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 13, a communication unit 15, a determination unit 17, a first setting unit 19, a second setting unit 21, a third setting unit 23, a fourth setting unit 25, a first display control unit 27, and a second display control unit 29.

[0042] The control unit 11 controls the overall processing in the display control device 10. Specifically, the control unit 11 controls the operation of each of the storage unit 13, the communication unit 15, the determination unit 17, the first setting unit 19, the second setting unit 21, the third setting unit 23, the fourth setting unit 25, the first display control unit 27, and the second display control unit 29.

[0043] The storage unit 13 stores various types of information required for the operation of the display control device 10. Specifically, the storage unit 13 stores background images BG1 and BG2. The storage unit 13 stores a perspective image 1, object images 2a and 2b, and shadow images 3 and 3. The storage unit 13 stores application images 5a to 5d and application shadow images 6a to 6d. The storage unit 13 stores information about applications provided from an external server.

[0044] The communication unit 15 performs wireless communication with an external server. The determination unit 17 determines the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle, i.e., whether the vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle. In this embodiment, a steering wheel signal indicating the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle is input to the determination unit 17 from an input device 50 (see FIG. 7) when the vehicle is produced in a factory. The determination unit 17 determines the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle based on the steering wheel signal.

[0045] The first setting unit 19, the second setting unit 21, the third setting unit 23, and the fourth setting unit 25 set the first layer L1, the second layer L2, the third layer L3, and the fourth layer L4, respectively (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). Images to be displayed on the screen 61 of the first display device 60 are set in the first layer L1 and the second layer L2. In particular, an image to be displayed in the display area 63 is set in the second layer L2.

[0046] The third layer L3 and the fourth layer L4 contain images to be displayed on the screen 71 of the second display device 70. In particular, the fourth layer L4 is composed of a first sublayer L4a and a second sublayer L4b. The first sublayer L4a contains an image to be displayed in the first display area 73. The second sublayer L4b contains an image to be displayed in the second display area 75.

[0047] The first setting unit 19 sets the display area 63 in the first layer L1 to the bottom left or bottom right based on the steering wheel position of the vehicle. Specifically, when the determination unit 17 determines that the vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle, the first setting unit 19 sets the display area 63 to the bottom left of the first layer L1 (see FIG. 5A). As a result, the display area 63 is set to the first position. On the other hand, when the determination unit 17 determines that the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle, the first setting unit 19 sets the display area 63 to the bottom right of the first layer L1 (see FIG. 5A). As a result, the display area 63 is set to the second position.

[0048] By the setting of the first setting unit 19, the display area 63 set at the first position and the display area 63 set at the second position are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 61, centered on the center of the width direction. The first setting unit 19 sets the area excluding the display area 63 in the first layer L1 as a margin area 65.

[0049] The first setting unit 19 reads out the background image BG1 from the storage unit 13, and sets the background image BG1 in the entire area of ​​the first layer L1 (the display area 63 and the margin area 65) (see FIG. 4A).

[0050] The second setting unit 21 reads out the perspective image 1 from the storage unit 13 and sets the perspective image 1 in an area of ​​the second layer L2 that corresponds to the display area 63 (see FIG. 4A). As a result of the setting by the second setting unit 21, the perspective image 1 in the display area 63 that is set at the first position and the perspective image 1 in the display area 63 that is set at the second position are arranged at the same position in the display area 63 (see FIG. 5B).

[0051] The second setting unit 21 calculates the traveling speed of the vehicle based on a signal output from a vehicle speed sensor or a wheel rotation sensor (not shown) of the vehicle, and generates a numerical image corresponding to the calculated traveling speed. The second setting unit 21 generates an object image 2a based on the generated numerical image.

[0052] The second setting unit 21 calculates the engine rotation speed based on a signal output from a rotation sensor (not shown) of the vehicle engine, and generates a numerical image corresponding to the calculated rotation speed. The second setting unit 21 generates an object image 2b based on the generated numerical image.

[0053] The second setting unit 21 sets the object images 2a and 2b in an area of ​​the second layer L2 that corresponds to the display area 63 (see FIG. 4A). As a result of the setting by the second setting unit 21, the positions at which the object images 2a and 2b are arranged in the display area 63 set at the first position and the positions at which the object images 2a and 2b are arranged in the display area 63 set at the second position are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 61 around the vanishing point P of the perspective image 1 (see FIG. 5B).

[0054] The second setting unit 21 reads out the shadow image 3,3 from the storage unit 13 and sets the shadow image 3,3 in an area of ​​the second layer L2 that corresponds to the display area 63 (see FIG. 4A). As a result of the setting by the second setting unit 21, the shadow image 3,3 in the display area 63 that is set at the first position and the shadow image 3,3 in the display area 63 that is set at the second position are arranged at the same position in the display area 63 (see FIG. 5B).

[0055] The third setting unit 23 sets the first display area 73 in the third layer L3 to the upper right or upper left of the third layer L3 based on the steering wheel position of the vehicle. Specifically, when the determination unit 17 determines that the vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle, the third setting unit 23 sets the first display area 73 to the upper right of the third layer L3 (see FIG. 6A). As a result, the first display area 73 is set to the third position. On the other hand, when the determination unit 17 determines that the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle, the third setting unit 23 sets the first display area 73 to the upper left of the first layer L1 (see FIG. 6A). As a result, the first display area 73 is set to the fifth position.

[0056] By setting the third setting unit 23, the first display area 73 set to the third position and the first display area 73 set to the fifth position are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 71, with the center of the width direction as the center (see Figure 6A).

[0057] The third setting unit 23 sets the area of ​​the third layer L3 excluding the first display area 73 as the second display area 75. As a result of the setting by the third setting unit 23, the second display area 75 set at the fourth position and the second display area 75 set at the sixth position are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 71, with the center of the width direction as the center (see FIG. 6A).

[0058] The third setting unit 23 reads out the background image BG2 from the storage unit 13, and sets the background image BG2 in the entire area of ​​the third layer L3 (the first display area 73 and the second display area 75) (see FIG. 4B).

[0059] The fourth setting unit 25 acquires the contents of four applications selected from the plurality of applications from an external server via the communication unit 15. The second setting unit 21 generates application images 5a to 5d based on the acquired contents of the four applications.

[0060] The fourth setting unit 25 sets the images 5a to 5d of the application in an area of ​​the first sublayer L4a that corresponds to the first display area 73 (see FIG. 4B). As a result of the setting by the fourth setting unit 25, the positions where the images 5a to 5d of the application are arranged in the first display area 73 that is set to the third position and the positions where the images 5a to 5d of the application are arranged in the first display area 73 that is set to the fifth position are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 71, with the center of the width direction as the center (see FIG. 6B).

[0061] The fourth setting unit 25 reads out the application shadow images 6a to 6d from the storage unit 13, and sets the application shadow images 6a to 6d in an area of ​​the second sublayer L4b that corresponds to the second display area 75 (see FIG. 4B). As a result of the setting by the fourth setting unit 25, the positions at which the application shadow images 6a to 6d are arranged in the second display area 75 that is set to the fourth position and the application shadow images 6a to 6d in the second display area 75 that is set to the sixth position are flipped left and right in the width direction of the screen 71 around the center of the width direction (see FIG. 6C).

[0062] The first display control unit 27 overlays the second layer L2 on the first layer L1 and displays the perspective image 1, object images 2a, 2b, and shadow images 3, 3 on the background image BG1 in the display area 63 of the screen 61 of the first display device 60.

[0063] The second display control unit 29 overlays the fourth layer L4 on the third layer L3, and displays application images 5a to 5d on the background image BG2 in the first display area 73 of the screen 71 of the second display device 70, and displays application shadow images 6a to 6d on the background image BG2 in the second display area 75 of the screen 71 of the second display device 70.

[0064] [Hardware configuration of display control device 10] 7, the hardware configuration of the display control device 10 will be described. The display control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 105, a storage 107, a wireless communication device 109, an input device interface 111, a first display device interface 113, and a second display device interface 115.

[0065] The CPU 101 executes algorithms and programs stored in the ROM 103. The CPU 101 performs arithmetic processing on data loaded into the RAM 105 in accordance with the algorithms and programs, and comprehensively controls each unit of the display control device 10. The CPU is also called a processor.

[0066] ROM 103 stores algorithms, programs, etc. executed by CPU 101. In this embodiment, ROM 103 stores algorithms and programs for controlling a display control method, which will be described later. RAM 105 temporarily stores calculation data when CPU 101 executes the algorithms and programs stored in ROM 103. ROM and RAM are also referred to as non-volatile memory and volatile memory, respectively.

[0067] The storage 107 stores various types of information. The CPU 101 controls reading and writing of data from and to the storage 107 in accordance with algorithms and programs stored in the ROM 103.

[0068] The wireless communication device 109 includes an antenna, a transmitting / receiving circuit, etc. The CPU 101 transmits and receives data to and from an external server via the wireless communication device 109. The input device interface 111 is connected to the input device 50. The CPU 101 receives a steering wheel signal indicating the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle from the input device 50 via the input device interface 111.

[0069] The first display device interface 113 is connected to the first display device 60. The CPU 101 controls the display of the first display device 60 via the first display device interface 113. The second display device interface 115 is connected to the second display device 70. The CPU 101 controls the display of the second display device 70 via the second display device interface 115.

[0070] Although not shown in FIG. 7, the display control device 10 includes a sensor interface that is connected to various sensors provided in the vehicle.

[0071] [Display control method] 8, an example of the operation of the display control method executed by the display control device 10 will be described. The display control device 10 determines the position of the steering wheel (step S11). Specifically, the display control device 10 determines the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle based on a steering wheel signal input from the input device 50.

[0072] When the display control device 10 determines the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle, it sets the first layer L1 and the second layer L2 (step S13). Specifically, the display control device 10 sets the first layer L1 based on the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle, and sets the position where the display area 63 is to be arranged on the screen 61 of the first display device 60. When the display control device 10 sets the display area 63 that was set for a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle to a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle, it flips the arrangement position of the display area 63 in the width direction of the screen 61 around the center of the width direction.

[0073] The display control device 10 sets the second layer L2 based on the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle, and sets the positions at which the perspective image 1, object images 2a, 2b, and shadow images 3, 3 are arranged within the display area 63. When the display control device 10 sets the display area 63, which has been set for a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle, for a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle, the display control device 10 does not change the arrangement positions of the perspective image 1 and the shadow images 3, 3, but flips the arrangement positions of the object images 2a, 2b in the width direction of the screen 61 around the vanishing point P of the perspective image 1.

[0074] After setting the first layer L1 and the second layer L2, the display control device 10 controls the display of the first display device 60 (step S15). Specifically, the display control device 10 overlays the second layer L2 on the first layer L1, and displays the perspective image 1, object images 2a and 2b, and shaded images 3 and 3 on the background image BG1 in the display area 63.

[0075] After performing display control of the first display device 60, the display control device 10 sets the third layer L3 and the fourth layer L4 (step S17). Specifically, the display control device 10 sets the third layer L3 based on the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle, and sets the positions where the first display area 73 and the second display area 75 are to be arranged on the screen 71 of the second display device 70. When the display control device 10 sets the first display area 73 and the second display area 75 that have been set for a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle for a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle, the display control device 10 flips the arrangement positions of the first display area 73 and the second display area 75 in the width direction of the screen 71 around the center of the width direction.

[0076] The display control device 10 sets the fourth layer L4 based on the position of the vehicle steering wheel, and sets the positions of the application images 5a to 5d in the first display area 73 and the positions of the application shadow images 6a to 6d in the second display area 75. When the display control device 10 sets the first display area 73, which has been set for a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle, for a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle, the display control device 10 flips the positions of the application images 5a to 5d in the width direction around the center of the width direction of the screen 71. When the display control device 10 sets the second display area 75, which has been set for a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle, for a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle, the display control device 10 flips the positions of the application shadow images 6a to 6d in the width direction around the center of the width direction of the screen 71.

[0077] After setting the third layer L3 and the fourth layer L4, the display control device 10 performs display control of the second display device 70 (step S19). Specifically, the display control device 10 superimposes the fourth layer L4 on the third layer L3, and displays the application images 5a to 5d on the background image BG2 in the first display area 73, and also displays the application shadow images 6a to 6d on the background image BG2 in the second display area 75.

[0078] The display control device 10 may execute step S17 before executing step S15. The display control device 10 may also execute step S17 before executing step S13, and execute step S19 before executing step S15. Furthermore, the display control device 10 may execute steps S13 and S17 in parallel, and execute steps S15 and S19 in parallel.

[0079] [Actions and Effects] According to this embodiment, the display control device 10 sets the display area 63 on the screen 61 of the first display device 60 to a first position or a second position based on the position of the vehicle's steering wheel, and displays the perspective image 1 and object images 2a and 2b within the display area 63.

[0080] The display area 63 set at the first position and the display area 63 set at the second position are flipped in the width direction of the screen 61 around the center of the width direction. The perspective image 1 in the display area 63 set at the first position and the perspective image 1 in the display area 63 set at the second position are arranged at the same position within the display area 63. The position at which the object images 2a and 2b in the display area 63 set at the first position are arranged and the position at which the object images 2a and 2b in the display area 63 set at the second position are flipped in the width direction of the screen 61 around the vanishing point P of the perspective image 1.

[0081] With the above-described configuration, when the production target is changed in a factory from a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle to a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle, the position of the display area 63 in the first display device 60 is flipped in the width direction around the center of the width direction of the screen 61. Furthermore, in the display area 63, the position of the perspective image 1 does not change, and the positions of the object images 2a and 2b are flipped in the width direction of the screen 61 around the vanishing point P of the perspective image 1.

[0082] This eliminates the need to create separate content displays for left-hand drive vehicles and right-hand drive vehicles, thereby reducing the need for development resources. Therefore, even in a vehicle with multiple display devices installed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, where the content display mode changes depending on the position of the steering wheel, it is possible to avoid an increase in development resources.

[0083] Furthermore, the display of content for left-hand drive vehicles and right-hand drive vehicles can be switched based solely on information about the steering wheel position, allowing for smooth production of left-hand drive vehicles and right-hand drive vehicles.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the shadow images 3,3 are displayed directly below the object images 2a, 2b. The shadow images 3,3 in the display area 63 set at the first position and the shadow images 3,3 in the display area 63 set at the second position are arranged at the same position within the display area 63.

[0085] With the above-described configuration, when a production target is changed from a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle to a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle in a factory, the position of the shadow images 3,3 is not changed in the display area 63. Therefore, the shadow images 3,3 can be shared between the content display for left-hand drive vehicles and the content display for right-hand drive vehicles. This simplifies the memory and logic configuration and reduces the calculation load for content display.

[0086] According to this embodiment, the first display area 73 and the second display area 75 on the screen 71 of the second display device 70 are set to the third and fourth positions or the fifth and sixth positions, respectively, based on the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle. Images 5a to 5d of the application are displayed in the first display area 73.

[0087] The first display area 73 set at the third position and the first display area 73 set at the fifth position are inverted in the width direction around the center of the width direction of the screen 71. The second display area 75 set at the fourth position and the second display area 75 set at the sixth position are inverted in the width direction around the center of the width direction of the screen 71.

[0088] With the above-described configuration, when the production target is changed from a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle to a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle within a factory, the positions of the first display area 73 and the second display area 75 on the second display device 70 are reversed in the width direction, with the center of the width direction of the screen 61 as the center.

[0089] Therefore, there is no need to create separate content displays for left-hand drive vehicles and right-hand drive vehicles, which can prevent an increase in development resources.

[0090] According to this embodiment, application shadow images 6a to 6d representing the shadows of application images 5a to 5d are displayed in the second display area 75. The positions at which the application shadow images 6a to 6d are arranged in the second display area 75 set to the fourth position and the positions at which the application shadow images 6a to 6d are arranged in the second display area 75 set to the sixth position are inverted in the width direction of the screen 71, with the center of the width direction as the center.

[0091] With the above-described configuration, it is not necessary to create separate content displays for left-hand drive vehicles and right-hand drive vehicles for the shading of application images, thereby reducing the need for increased development resources.

[0092] [First Modification] In the above-described embodiment, the screen 61 of the first display device 60 includes the display area 63 and the margin area 65, but is not limited to this. The screen 61 may include only the display area 63 depending on the screen size (see FIG. 9).

[0093] In this case, the lower left corner 63a and the lower right corner 63b of the display area 63 are located at the lower left corner 61a and the lower right corner 61b of the screen 61, respectively. Therefore, the position of the display area 63 set for a left-hand drive vehicle is the same as the position of the display area 63 set for a right-hand drive vehicle. Therefore, even if the production target is changed from a left-hand drive vehicle or a right-hand drive vehicle to a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle in a factory, the position of the display area 63 is not changed in the first display device 60.

[0094] In this case, the screen 71 of the second display device 70 includes a rectangular second display area 75A instead of the L-shaped second display area 75. The second display area 75A is disposed between the first display area 73 and the display area 63 of the first display device 60, and the entire second display area 75 is located on the driver's seat side of the second display device 70. Therefore, the application shadow images 6a to 6d are displayed in the first display area 73.

[0095] [Second Modification] In the above-described embodiment, the background image displayed in the display area 63 of the screen 61 of the first display device 60 is the same as the background image displayed in the margin area 65 of the screen 61 of the first display device 60 and the first display area 73 and the second display area 75 of the screen 71 of the second display device 70, but this is not limiting. The background image in the display area 63 may be different from the background images displayed in the margin area 65, the first display area 73, and the second display area 75 (see FIG. 10 ).

[0096] In this case, a display control device 10A is used instead of the display control device 10. The display control device 10A includes a detection unit 31 and a margin determination unit 33 in addition to the functional configuration of the display control device 10 (see FIG. 11).

[0097] The detection unit 31 detects the size of a display area 63 on a screen 61 of the first display device 60. The margin determination unit 33 determines whether or not a margin area 65 exists outside the display area 63 on the screen 61, based on the size of the display area 63 detected by the detection unit 31.

[0098] An example of the operation of a display control method executed by the display control device 10A will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Before setting the first layer L1, the display control device 10A detects the size of the display area 63 (step S101). Based on the detected size of the display area 63, the display control device 10A determines whether or not a margin area 65 exists outside the display area 63 on the screen 61 (step S103).

[0099] When the display control device 10A determines that a margin area 65 exists outside the display area 63, it sets a transparent area 67 (step S105). Specifically, the first setting unit 19 sets an area in the margin area 65 that extends over a certain range from the boundary where at least a part of the margin area 65 and the display area 63 meet as the transparent area 67 (see FIG. 10). When the display control device 10A determines that no margin area 65 exists outside the display area 63, it does not set the transparent area 67.

[0100] The display control device 10A performs display control of the first display device 60 (step S107). Specifically, the first display control unit 27 displays the perspective image 1, the object images 2a and 2b, and the shadow images 3 and 3 superimposed on a background image BG1 set in the entire area of ​​the screen 61. When a transparent area 67 is set, the first display control unit 27 displays the background image BG3 set in the entire area of ​​the margin area 65 excluding the transparent area 67 superimposed on the background image BG1 without making it transparent. In the transparent area 67, the display control device 10A gradually makes the background image BG3 transparent toward the boundary. The background image BG3 displayed in the margin area 65 is also referred to as a margin background image.

[0101] With the above-described configuration, even if the background image in display area 63 is different from the background images displayed in margin area 65, first display area 73, and second display area 75, the background image in display area 63 smoothly changes to the background image in margin area 65. This allows the driver to feel a sense of unity in the content display.

[0102] [Third Modification] In the above-described embodiment, only the perspective image 1, the object images 2a and 2b, and the shadow images 3 and 3 are displayed in the display area 63 of the screen 61 of the first display device 60, but this is not limiting. Annular notification images 4a and 4b may also be displayed in the display area 63 depending on the vehicle state or the vehicle driving mode (see FIG. 13).

[0103] The notification images 4a and 4b have colors associated with the vehicle state or the vehicle driving mode. When the display control device 10 detects the vehicle state or the vehicle driving mode, the display control device 10 displays the notification images 4a and 4b around the object images 2a and 2b in the colors associated with the detected vehicle state or the vehicle driving mode.

[0104] Specifically, the second setting unit 21 arranges the notification images 4a and 4b around the object images 2a and 2b on the second layer L2. The first display control unit 27 overlays the second layer L2 on the first layer L1, and displays the notification images 4a and 4b on the background image BG1 in the display area 63 of the screen 61 of the first display device 60.

[0105] With the above-described configuration, the driver can easily check the current vehicle state or vehicle driving mode simply by visually checking the color of the notification image displayed in the display area 63.

[0106] As described above, the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described, but the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 10 Display control device 17 Judgment section 19 First Setting Section 27 First display control unit

Claims

1. A display control method executed by a display control device that controls display on a first display device that is installed in front of a driver's seat in a vehicle and that displays a perspective image with a vanishing point and an object image that represents information to be notified to the driver, and a second display device that is installed adjacent to the first display device on the passenger seat side, a determining step of determining a position of a steering wheel of the vehicle; a setting step of setting a display area on a screen of the first display device, in which the perspective image and the object image are displayed, to a first position or a second position based on a position of the handle; a display step of displaying the perspective image and the object image in the display area set at the first position or the second position; Equipped with the display area set at the first position and the display area set at the second position are inverted in the width direction around the center of the width direction of the screen, the perspective image in the display area set at the first position and the perspective image in the display area set at the second position are arranged at the same position in the display area, A display control method, wherein the position where the object image is placed in the display area set to the first position and the position where the object image is placed in the display area set to the second position are flipped in the width direction around the vanishing point.

2. In the display step, a shade image representing a shade of the object image is displayed immediately below the object image, 2. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein the shadow image in the display area set at the first position and the shadow image in the display area set at the second position are arranged at the same position within the display area.

3. a detection step of detecting the size of the display area; a margin determination step of determining whether or not a margin area exists around the display area on the screen of the first display device based on the size of the display area; Further provided with In the display step, the perspective image and the object image are displayed superimposed on a background image set in the entire area of ​​the screen of the first display device, When it is determined in the margin determination step that the margin area exists, in the display step, a margin background image set in the entire margin area excluding the transparent area is displayed superimposed on the background image without being transparent; the transparent region is a region in the margin region that extends over a certain range from a boundary where at least a portion of the margin region and the display region meet, 2. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined in the margin determination step that the margin area exists, in the display step, the margin background image is gradually made transparent in the transparent area toward the boundary.

4. The display control method according to claim 1 , wherein in the display step, a notification image having a color associated with the state of the vehicle or a driving mode of the vehicle is displayed around the object image within the display area.

5. the screen of the second display device includes a first display area for displaying an image of an application selected from a plurality of applications, and a second display area adjacent to the first display area; On the screen of the second display device, at least a part of the second display area is present on the driver's seat side of the second display device, In the setting step, the first display area and the second display area are set to a third position and a fourth position, or a fifth position and a sixth position, respectively, based on a position of the handle; In the display step, an image of the application is displayed in the first display area set to the third position or the fifth position; the first display area set at the third position and the first display area set at the fifth position are inverted in the width direction around a center in the width direction of the display area of ​​the second display device, 2. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein the second display area set at the fourth position and the second display area set at the sixth position are inverted in the width direction around the center of the width direction of the display area of ​​the second display device.

6. In the display step, an application shadow image representing a shadow of the image of the application is displayed in the second display area located below the image of the application; 6. The display control method according to claim 5, wherein a position where the application shadow image is arranged in the second display area set to the fourth position and a position where the application shadow image is arranged in the second display area set to the sixth position are inverted in the width direction around a center of the width direction of the second display area.

7. A display control device that controls display on a first display device that is installed in front of a driver's seat in a vehicle and that displays a perspective image with a vanishing point and an object image that represents information to be notified to the driver, and a second display device that is installed adjacent to the first display device on the passenger seat side, a determination unit for determining a position of a steering wheel of the vehicle; a setting unit that sets a display area on a screen of the first display device, in which the perspective image and the object image are displayed, to a first position or a second position based on a position of the handle; a display control unit that displays the perspective image and the object image within the display area set at the first position or the second position; Equipped with the display area set at the first position and the display area set at the second position are inverted in the width direction around the center of the width direction of the screen, the perspective image in the display area set at the first position and the perspective image in the display area set at the second position are arranged at the same position in the display area, A display control device wherein the position where the object image is placed in the display area set at the first position and the position where the object image is placed in the display area set at the second position are flipped in the width direction around the vanishing point.

Images