Display control device

Abstract

This disclosure aims to enable the driver to understand which gear each value represents based on the display format of the current gear and the upper limit of the gear on the display unit. [Solution] The display control device includes a control unit that displays, on a display unit located in front of the vehicle in the driver's seat, a meter image showing the engine speed of the vehicle, vehicle speed information showing the vehicle speed, and gear position information in fractional format, where the numerator is the current gear position of the vehicle and the denominator is the upper limit of the gear position set by the driver of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a display control device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a display unit is provided in a rotational speed meter, and the current shift mode simulating the gear stage of an MT vehicle is displayed on the display unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, some drivers have a desire to check the current gear stage that may correspond to the current shift mode described in Patent Document 1 above and the upper limit value of the gear stage while the vehicle is running. When displaying these two types of gear stages on a display unit provided in front of the vehicle at the driver's seat, it is desirable to show only the numerical values due to the limitation of the display area. Therefore, when displaying the two types of gear stages on the display unit, it is necessary to devise the display method of each numerical value in order to prevent driver confusion.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a display control device capable of allowing a driver to grasp which gear stage each numerical value indicates from the display formats of the current gear stage and the upper limit value of the gear stage on the display unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The display control device according to claim 1 includes a control unit that displays, on a display unit provided in front of the vehicle in the driver's seat, a meter image showing the engine speed of the vehicle, vehicle speed information showing the vehicle speed, and gear position information in fractional format, where the numerator is the current gear position of the vehicle and the denominator is the upper limit of the gear position set by the driver of the vehicle.

[0007] In the display control device according to claim 1, the control unit causes the display unit to display a meter image, vehicle speed information indicating the vehicle speed, and gear position information in fractional format, where the current gear position value is the numerator and the gear position value indicating the upper limit set by the driver is the denominator. In this display control device, by displaying the gear position information with the upper limit value of the gear position, which can be set to a value greater than the current gear position, as the denominator and the current gear position as the numerator, the driver can grasp the degree of the current gear position relative to the upper limit value of the gear position. Therefore, with this display control device, the driver can grasp which gear position each value represents from the display format of the current gear position and the upper limit value of the gear position on the display unit.

[0008] The display control device according to claim 2, in claim 1, the control unit displays a gauge image adjacent to the meter image, in which a plurality of gauges corresponding to the value of the denominator of the gear position information are arranged in a predetermined direction, and lights up a number of the plurality of gauges corresponding to the value of the numerator of the gear position information.

[0009] In the display control device according to claim 2, the control unit displays a gauge image adjacent to the meter image, in which a plurality of gauges corresponding to the denominator value of the gear position information are arranged in a predetermined direction. The control unit then lights up a number of the plurality of gauges corresponding to the numerator value of the gear position information. As a result, the display control device shows the correspondence between the number of gauges and the number of lights that are lit and the gear position information, making it easy for the driver to understand the meaning of the numerical value shown in the gear position information.

[0010] The display control device according to claim 3, in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit displays the gear position information in the central part of the arc of the meter image which is arc-shaped, and when a warning condition based on the state of the vehicle is met, it displays warning information indicating the content of the warning in the central part of the arc of the meter image, and shifts the gear position information to a position within the arc of the meter image that does not overlap with the warning information.

[0011] In the display control device according to claim 3, when a warning condition is met, the control unit displays warning information indicating the content of the warning at the center of the arc of the meter image, and shifts the gear position information to a position that does not overlap with the warning information within the arc of the meter image. As a result, with this display control device, even when the amount of information to be displayed within the arc of the meter image, which has a limited display area, increases due to the fulfillment of a warning condition, it is possible to continue to display the current gear position and the upper limit of the gear position along with the content of the warning.

[0012] The display control device according to claim 4, in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit displays only the current gear value as gear information when the shift position of the vehicle is in the M range, which allows the driver to change the gear position.

[0013] In the display control device according to claim 4, when the shift position is in the M range, the control unit displays only the current gear value as gear position information. As a result, this display control device reduces the inconvenience the driver feels regarding the displayed gear position information compared to a configuration that displays both the current gear and the upper limit of the gear when the shift position is in the M range.

[0014] The display control device according to claim 5, in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit displays the gear position information when the current location of the vehicle belongs to a predetermined driving area.

[0015] In the display control device according to claim 5, when the current location of the vehicle belongs to a predetermined driving area, the control unit causes the gear stage information to be displayed. Thereby, according to the display control device, only when the vehicle is driving in a predetermined driving area, the driver can be made to grasp the current gear stage and the upper limit value of the gear stage.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] As described above, in the display control device according to the present disclosure, from the display format of the current gear stage and the upper limit value of the gear stage in the display unit, the driver can be made to grasp which gear stage each numerical value indicates.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing the flow of a specific process. [Figure 3] It is a first display example displayed on a monitor. [Figure 4] It is a second display example displayed on a monitor. [Figure 5] It is a third display example displayed on a monitor. [Figure 6] It is a fourth display example displayed on a monitor.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. (First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a meter ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20. The vehicle 10 is an example of the "vehicle" of the present disclosure, and the meter ECU 20 is an example of the "display control device" of the present disclosure.

[0020] The meter ECU 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a storage 24, an in-vehicle communication I / F (InterFace) 25, an input / output I / F 26, and a wireless communication I / F 27. The CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, the storage 24, the in-vehicle communication I / F 25, the input / output I / F 26, and the wireless communication I / F 27 are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 28.

[0021] The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 21 reads a program from the ROM 22 or the storage 24 and executes the program using the RAM 23 as a work area. The CPU 21 performs control of each of the above configurations and various arithmetic processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 22 or the storage 24.

[0022] The ROM 22 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 23 temporarily stores a program or data as a work area.

[0023] The storage 24 is composed of a storage device such as an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) or a UFS (Universal Flash Storage) and stores various programs and various data. A display control program 24A is stored in the storage 24. The display control program 24A is a program for causing the CPU 21 to execute a specific process (see FIG. 2) described later.

[0024] The in-vehicle communication I / F 25 is an interface for connecting to another ECU 30. The communication standard based on the CAN protocol is used for the interface. The in-vehicle communication I / F 25 is connected to an external bus 29. Although not shown, a plurality of ECUs are provided for each function of the vehicle 10 in addition to the ECU 30.

[0025] Input / Output I / F26 is an interface for communicating with in-vehicle equipment 40 mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0026] The in-vehicle equipment 40 consists of various devices mounted on the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes, as an example of the in-vehicle equipment 40, a sensor group 42, an operating unit 44, and a monitor 46.

[0027] The sensor group 42 includes, for example, sensors for detecting the state of the vehicle 10 and the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 10, such as a 3D-LiDAR sensor, millimeter-wave sensor, infrared sensor, turn signal sensor, accelerator position sensor, shift sensor, vehicle speed sensor, steering angle sensor, angular velocity sensor, GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, illuminance sensor, gyro sensor, steering angle sensor, and acceleration sensor, as well as multiple cameras for imaging the area around the vehicle 10. The sensor group 42 outputs the detection results from each sensor and the images captured by each camera to the meter ECU 20 and ECU 30, etc.

[0028] The control unit 44 consists of various switches and levers that receive input from the driver of the vehicle 10. The control unit 44 includes, for example, an ignition switch, a shift lever, and paddle shifters. The control unit 44 outputs the operation details of the various switches and levers to the meter ECU 20 and ECU 30, etc.

[0029] The monitor 46 is a meter display provided on the meter panel located in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle 10, and is used to display images and other information related to the operation of the functions of the vehicle 10 and explanations of those functions. The monitor 46 is an example of a "display unit" in this disclosure.

[0030] The wireless communication interface (I / F27) is a wireless communication module for communicating with external devices. This wireless communication module utilizes communication standards such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0031] Furthermore, the CPU 21 of the meter ECU 20 has an acquisition unit 21A and a control unit 21B as its functional configuration. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 21 reading and executing a display control program 24A stored in the storage 24. The control unit 21B is an example of the "control unit" of this disclosure.

[0032] The acquisition unit 21A acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 21A acquires detection information that the vehicle 10 can detect as various types of information. The detection information includes detection results from each sensor constituting the sensor group 42, and images captured by each camera. The acquisition unit 21A also acquires the upper limit value of the gear position, which is the gear position value that indicates the upper limit set by the driver, as various types of information. The driver switches the shift position to the D range (drive position) or S range (second position) by operating the shift lever included in the operation unit 44. After that, the driver can set the upper limit value of the gear position by operating the paddle shift included in the operation unit 44. For example, the driver sets the upper limit value of the gear position to prevent the gear from shifting too high on a downhill slope. In this case, the gear will not shift higher than the value set as the upper limit (e.g., 3) on a downhill slope.

[0033] In addition to the D and S ranges, the shift position can be switched to P (parking position), R (reverse position), N (neutral position), and M (manual position).

[0034] The control unit 21B performs display control related to the display on the monitor 46. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the control unit 21B displays an arc-shaped meter image 50 on the monitor 46 that shows the engine speed of the vehicle 10. The control unit 21B also displays vehicle speed information 52 that shows the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10, and gear position information 54 in fractional format, where the value of the current gear position of the vehicle 10 is the numerator and the upper limit of the gear position is the denominator, within the arc of the meter image 50.

[0035] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of a specific process performed by the meter ECU 20. The CPU 21 reads the display control program 24A from the storage 24, loads it into the RAM 23, and executes it, thereby performing the specific process. As an example, the specific process is performed repeatedly and automatically at regular intervals.

[0036] In step S10 shown in Figure 2, the CPU 21 acquires detection information that the vehicle 10 can detect. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S11.

[0037] In step S11, the CPU 21 determines whether the shift position of the vehicle 10 is in the D range or S range based on the detection information acquired in step S10. If the CPU 21 determines that the shift position is in the D range or S range (step S11: YES), it proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the shift position is not in the D range or S range (step S11: NO), it proceeds to step S13.

[0038] In step S12, the CPU 21 obtains the upper limit of the gear position and displays the display content of the first embodiment on the monitor 46, in which the gear position information 54 in fractional format is shown within the arc of the meter image 50. A specific example of the display content of the first embodiment will be described later. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S15.

[0039] In step S13, the CPU 21 determines whether the shift position of the vehicle 10 is in the M range based on the detection information acquired in step S10. If the CPU 21 determines that the shift position is in the M range (step S13: YES), it proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the shift position is not in the M range (step S13: NO), it terminates the specific processing.

[0040] In step S14, the CPU 21 displays a second type of display content on the monitor 46 as gear stage information 54, which does not indicate the upper limit of the gear stage, but only the value of the current gear stage. A specific example of the display content of this second type will be described later. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S15.

[0041] In step S15, the CPU 21 determines, based on the detection information acquired in step S10, whether or not a warning condition based on the state of the vehicle 10 has been met. If the CPU 21 determines that the warning condition has been met (step S15: YES), it proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the warning condition has not been met (step S15: NO), it proceeds to step S17. Warning conditions can be set as appropriate, such as conditions based on the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 and conditions based on the route the vehicle 10 is traveling. For example, the CPU 21 determines that a warning condition has been met if the vehicle 10 is traveling at a speed exceeding the upper limit set as a warning condition.

[0042] In step S16, the CPU 21 displays warning information 60 (see Figure 5) indicating the content of the warning corresponding to the warning condition established in step S15 at the center of the arc of the meter image 50, and shifts the gear position information 54 to a position within the arc of the meter image 50 so as not to overlap with the warning information 60. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S17.

[0043] In step S17, the CPU 21 determines whether a predetermined termination condition has been met. If the CPU 21 determines that the termination condition has been met (step S17: YES), it terminates the specific process. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the termination condition has not been met (step S17: NO), it returns to step S10. As an example, the CPU 21 determines that the termination condition has been met when the ignition switch is turned off.

[0044] Next, we will explain examples of the display on monitor 46 using Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of a display shown in a predetermined display area of ​​the monitor 46. This predetermined display area is a part of the monitor 46 that can be seen by a driver seated in the driver's seat through the opening of the steering wheel.

[0045] The monitor 46 shown in Figure 3 displays a meter image 50, vehicle speed information 52, gear position information 54, shift information 56, and a gauge image 58.

[0046] The meter image 50 is an image of a tachometer showing the engine speed of the vehicle 10. The meter image 50 has nine arc-shaped gauges 50A. The meter image 50 is arranged so that the nine gauges 50A form a single arc, giving it an overall arc shape. Although not shown in the illustration, the number of gauges 50A that light up corresponds to the engine speed.

[0047] The vehicle speed information 52, gear position information 54, and shift information 56 are arranged within the arc of the meter image 50.

[0048] The gear position information 54 shown in Figure 3 represents the first embodiment of gear position information 54A when the shift position of the vehicle 10 is in D range or S range. The gear position information 54A is displayed in the center of the arc of the meter image 50. The fractional form of the gear position information 54A displays "3", which is the current gear position value, in the numerator and "5", which is the upper limit of the gear position, in the denominator. Thus, the gear position information 54A indicates that the current gear position is "3" and the upper limit of the gear position is "5".

[0049] The vehicle speed information 52 indicates the vehicle speed of vehicle 10. The vehicle speed information 52 is displayed within the arc of the meter image 50, adjacent to the gear position information 54A above it. In Figure 3, the vehicle speed information 52 is displayed as "44km / h", indicating that the vehicle speed is 44km / h.

[0050] Shift information 56 indicates the shift position of the vehicle 10. Shift information 56 is displayed within the arc of the meter image 50, adjacent to the left of the gear position information 54A. In Figure 3, "D" is displayed as shift information 56, indicating that the shift position is in the D range.

[0051] The gauge image 58 is an image in which multiple gauges 58A corresponding to the denominator value of the gear stage information 54A are arranged along the left-right direction on the monitor 46. The gauge image 58 is displayed adjacent to the meter image 50 above it on the monitor 46. Furthermore, the gauge image 58 illuminates a number of gauges 58A corresponding to the numerator value of the gear stage information 54A. For example, the gauge image 58 shown in Figure 3 displays five gauges 58A corresponding to the denominator value of the gear stage information 54A, and illuminates three gauges 58A corresponding to the numerator value of the gear stage information 54A. The left-right direction described above is just one example of a "predetermined direction" in this disclosure.

[0052] Figure 4 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of a display shown in a predetermined display area of ​​the monitor 46. As an example, Figure 4 shows a state in which the display content has changed from the display example in Figure 3.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the monitor 46 displays the meter image 50, vehicle speed information 52, gear position information 54, shift information 56, and gauge image 58, similar to Figure 3.

[0054] Here, the state shown in Figure 4 is the state after the CPU 21 has received an operation from the driver on the paddle shift included in the control unit 44. Therefore, the gear position information 54A shown in Figure 4 has a denominator value that has increased to "6", indicating that the upper limit of the gear position is "6". Also, the state shown in Figure 4 is the state after the vehicle 10 has changed gears from the state shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the gear position information 54A has a numerator value that has increased to "4", indicating that the current gear position is "4".

[0055] Furthermore, the gauge image 58 shown in Figure 4 changes its display content from Figure 3 according to the content of the gear stage information 54A described above. Specifically, the gauge image 58 displays six gauges 58A corresponding to the denominator value of the gear stage information 54A, and illuminates four gauges 58A corresponding to the numerator value of the gear stage information 54A.

[0056] Figure 5 is a third explanatory diagram showing an example of a display shown in a predetermined display area of ​​the monitor 46. As an example, Figure 5 shows the state after a warning condition has been met.

[0057] The monitor 46 shown in Figure 5 displays the meter image 50, vehicle speed information 52, gear position information 54, shift information 56, gauge image 58, and warning information 60.

[0058] The vehicle speed information 52, gear position information 54, shift information 56, and warning information 60 are arranged within the arc of the meter image 50.

[0059] Warning information 60 indicates the content of the warning corresponding to the fulfilled warning condition. Warning information 60 is displayed in the center of the arc of the meter image 50. In Figure 5, warning information 60 is displayed as "Warning...", indicating, for example, that vehicle 10 is traveling at a speed exceeding the set upper limit.

[0060] In Figure 5, the display positions of the vehicle speed information 52, gear position information 54, and shift information 56 have been changed due to the display of warning information 60 within the arc of the meter image 50. Specifically, the vehicle speed information 52, gear position information 54, and shift information 56 shown in Figure 5 are displayed shifted upward within the arc of the meter image 50 from the positions shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4.

[0061] Figure 6 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing an example of a display shown in a predetermined display area of ​​the monitor 46. As an example, Figure 6 shows the vehicle 10 in the M range shift position.

[0062] The monitor 46 shown in Figure 6 displays the meter image 50, vehicle speed information 52, gear position information 54, and shift information 56.

[0063] The gear position information 54 shown in Figure 6 represents the second form of gear position information 54B when the shift position of the vehicle 10 is in the M range. The gear position information 54B is displayed in the center of the arc of the meter image 50. The gear position information 54B, which only shows the value of the current gear position, displays "3", indicating that the current gear position is "3".

[0064] In Figure 6, the shift information 56 is displayed as "M," indicating that the shift position is in the M range.

[0065] As explained above, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 displays an arc-shaped meter image 50 on the monitor 46. The CPU 21 then displays vehicle speed information 52 and gear position information 54 in fractional format, with the current gear position value as the numerator and the upper limit of the gear position as the denominator, within the arc of the meter image 50. In this meter ECU 20, by displaying the current gear position as the numerator and the upper limit of the gear position (which can be set to a value greater than the current gear position) as the denominator, the driver can understand the degree of the current gear position relative to the upper limit of the gear position from the gear position information 54. Therefore, with this meter ECU 20, the driver can understand which gear position each value represents from the display format of the current gear position and the upper limit of the gear position on the monitor 46.

[0066] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 displays a gauge image 58 adjacent to the meter image 50, which consists of multiple gauges 58A arranged horizontally according to the value of the denominator of the gear position information 54. The CPU 21 then lights up a number of the multiple gauges 58A corresponding to the value of the numerator of the gear position information 54. As a result, the meter ECU 20 shows the correspondence between the number of gauges 58A and the number of lights that are illuminated and the gear position information 54, allowing the driver to easily understand the meaning of the numerical value shown in the gear position information 54.

[0067] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, when a warning condition is met, the CPU 21 displays warning information 60 indicating the content of the warning at the center of the arc of the meter image 50, and shifts the gear position information 54 to a position within the arc of the meter image 50 that does not overlap with the warning information 60. As a result, according to the meter ECU 20, even if the amount of information to be displayed within the arc of the meter image 50, which has a limited display area, increases when a warning condition is met, it is possible to continue to display the current gear position and the upper limit of the gear position along with the content of the warning.

[0068] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, when the shift position is in the M range, the CPU 21 displays only the current gear value as gear position information 54, without displaying the upper limit of the gear position. In the M range, the current gear position is the upper limit of the gear position, i.e., the upper limit gear (requested gear), so displaying both gear positions would result in redundant display content. Therefore, by displaying only the current gear value when the shift position is in the M range, the meter ECU 20 can reduce the inconvenience the driver feels regarding the display content of gear position information 54 compared to a configuration that displays both the current gear position and the upper limit of the gear position.

[0069] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment will be described, omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with the above embodiment.

[0070] In the meter ECU 20 according to the second embodiment, the CPU 21 displays gear position information 54 within the arc of the meter image 50 when the current location of the vehicle 10 belongs to a predetermined driving area. For example, the CPU 21 determines that the permission condition has been met when the current location of the vehicle 10, measured by the GPS sensor included in the sensor group 42, belongs to a predetermined driving area. The predetermined driving area is, for example, a downhill road and a highway.

[0071] With the above configuration, the meter ECU 20 according to the second embodiment allows the driver to know the current gear position and the upper limit of the gear position, but only when the vehicle 10 is traveling within a predetermined driving area.

[0072] (others) While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person with ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure may conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical idea set forth in the claims, and these modifications or alterations are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0073] Furthermore, the effects described in the above embodiments are descriptive or illustrative, and are not limited to those described in the above embodiments. In other words, the technology relating to this disclosure may produce other effects that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure from the descriptions in the above embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the effects described in the above embodiments.

[0074] The processing described in the above embodiment can also be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits. In this case, it may be executed on one piece of hardware or on multiple pieces of hardware.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the display control program 24A was stored in the storage 24. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the display control program 24A may also be stored in the ROM 22.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the monitor 46, which is a meter display, is used as an example of the "display unit" of this disclosure. However, the example of the "display unit" is not limited to a meter display. For example, the example of the "display unit" may be other displays such as a center display and a head-up display (HUD). Alternatively, the example of the "display unit" may be a combination of multiple displays such as a meter display and a center display.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the gear stage information 54 was displayed with the numerator and denominator adjacent to each other in the left-right direction on the monitor 46, such as "3 / 5," but it is not limited to this. The gear stage information 54 may also be displayed with the numerator and denominator adjacent to each other in the up-down direction on the monitor 46.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the gauge image 58 shows multiple gauges 58A arranged along the left-right direction on the monitor 46, but it is not limited to this, and multiple gauges 58A may be arranged along the up-down direction on the monitor 46.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the meter ECU 20 is configured to perform the specific processing shown in Figure 2. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the specific processing may be performed in cooperation with the meter ECU 20 and other ECUs.

[0080] In addition, the specific processing that the CPU 21 reads and executes in the above embodiment may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processing, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Furthermore, the specific processing may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0081] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which the display control program 24A is pre-stored (installed) in the storage 24, the invention is not limited to this configuration. The display control program 24A may be provided in the form of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the display control program 24A may be provided in the form of a download from an external device via a network. The technology disclosed herein can also be applied to programs and program products. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 vehicles 20. Meter ECU (Display Control Unit) 21B Control Unit 46 Monitor (Display Unit) 50 meter image 52 Vehicle speed information 54 Gear information 58 gauge image 60 Warning Information

Claims

1. The vehicle includes a control unit that displays, on a display unit located in front of the vehicle in the driver's seat, a meter image showing the engine speed of the vehicle, vehicle speed information showing the vehicle's speed, and gear position information in fractional format, where the numerator is the current gear position of the vehicle and the denominator is the upper limit of the gear position set by the driver of the vehicle. Display control device.

2. The control unit displays a gauge image adjacent to the meter image, in which a plurality of gauges corresponding to the denominator value of the gear position information are arranged in a predetermined direction, and lights up a number of the plurality of gauges corresponding to the numerator value of the gear position information. The display control device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit displays the gear position information in the center of the arc of the meter image, which has an arc shape, and when a warning condition based on the vehicle's state is met, it displays warning information indicating the content of the warning in the center of the arc of the meter image, and shifts the gear position information to a position within the arc of the meter image that does not overlap with the warning information. The display control device according to claim 1.

4. When the vehicle's shift position is in the M range, which allows the driver to change the gear position, the control unit displays only the current gear value as the gear position information. The display control device according to claim 1.

5. The control unit displays the gear position information when the vehicle's current location is within a predetermined driving area. The display control device according to claim 1.

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