Display control method and display control system

Abstract

A display control method and display control system for displacing at least one of a vehicle seat and a display, wherein an image is provided in a more appropriate position that is easily visible to the occupant. [Solution] In a display control system 100 comprising a vehicle seat, a displacement mechanism, a display, a support mechanism, and a calculation unit, the calculation unit 61 performs a display control method, wherein the calculation unit recognizes the type of image displayed on the display, sets a target position for the position of an object that matches a pre-prepared relative position, which is the relative position between the position of the vehicle seat and the position of the display, and sends a command to operate the controlled object so that the position of the object approaches the target position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control method and a display control system for displacing at least one of a vehicle seat and a display.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for displacing the position where an image is provided according to the angle of a vehicle seat as the display control system as described above.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1 above, there is a problem that depending on the type of image, the image cannot be provided at an optimal position where the occupant can easily view it.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an image at a more appropriate position where the occupant can easily view it in a display control method and a display control system for displacing at least one of a vehicle seat and a display.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure preferably includes at least one of the following constituent elements, for example. Also, as much as possible, a plurality of the following constituent elements may be arbitrarily combined and applied.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a display control method performed by the calculation unit (61) in a display control system (100) comprising a vehicle seat (3), a displacement mechanism (33), a display (62), a support mechanism (4), and a calculation unit (61). The displacement mechanism (33) is configured to displace the vehicle seat (3) in response to a command. The display (62) is configured to display an image visible to an occupant seated in the vehicle seat (3). The support mechanism (4) is configured to displace the position of the display (62) in response to a command.

[0008] Furthermore, at least one of the positions of the vehicle seat (3) and the display (62) is the position of the object, and at least one of the displacement mechanism (33) and the support mechanism (4) is the object being controlled.

[0009] In this display control method, the calculation unit (61) performs the following: recognize the type of image displayed on the display (62) (65:S200~S250), set a target position for the object's position that matches a pre-prepared relative position, which is the relative position between the position of the vehicle seat (3) and the position of the display (62) (67:S140~S160), and send a command to operate the controlled object so that the position of the object approaches the target position (68:S170).

[0010] According to this method, the position of the object can be displaced so that the position of the vehicle seat (3) and the position of the display (62) are in an appropriate relative position, depending on the type of image displayed on the display (62). Therefore, the position of the display (62) can be optimized.

[0011] In one aspect of this disclosure, the calculation unit (61) may further perform the task of obtaining the position of the occupant's face (66: S100~S130). In addition, when setting the target position (67: S140~S160), the position of the face may be taken into consideration when setting the target position.

[0012] This method allows the target position to be set while taking into account the position of the occupant's face, thus enabling the display (62) to be positioned appropriately relative to the occupant. In one embodiment of this disclosure, when setting the target position, the distance between the occupant and the display (62) may be set to be relatively close when the image type is a work application, and relatively far when the image type is a viewing application. In other words, this method changes the distance between the occupant and the display (62) depending on whether the image type is a work application where it is necessary to view a local part of the image, or a viewing application where the entire image is viewed. Therefore, by this method, the visibility of the image can be improved depending on the type of image.

[0013] One aspect of the present disclosure may be a display control system (100). The calculation unit (61) may include a recognition unit configured to recognize the type of image displayed on the display (62), a target setting unit (67:S140~S160) configured to set a target position for the position of an object, which is a pre-prepared relative position that matches the relative position between the position of the vehicle seat (3) and the position of the display (62), and a target instruction unit (68:S170) configured to send a command to operate the controlled object so that the position of the object approaches the target position based on the target position.

[0014] According to this display control system (100), the position of the object can be displaced so that the position of the vehicle seat (3) and the position of the display (62) are in an appropriate relative position, depending on the type of image displayed on the display (62). Therefore, the position of the display (62) can be optimized.

[0015] The symbols in parentheses above are merely examples indicating the correspondence with the specific configurations described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations indicated by the symbols in parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the interior of a vehicle before operating the front seat displacement mechanism and the support mechanism. FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the interior of a vehicle after operating the front seat displacement mechanism and the support mechanism. [Figure 2] FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the interior of a vehicle before operating the support mechanism when a person is seated on the front seat. FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the interior of a vehicle after operating the support mechanism when a person is seated on the front seat. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a display support device and a tablet terminal. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing a target setting process. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing a correction process in the target setting process. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing a display displacement process.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following "Embodiments of the Invention" show an example of embodiments belonging to the technical scope of the present disclosure. That is, the invention specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the following embodiments.

[0018] [1. Configuration] The display control system 100 shown in FIG. 1 below is a system having a function of controlling the position of the display 62 with respect to the occupant to a position where the occupant can easily view it. The display control system 100 is mounted on a passenger car (see FIGS. 1 and 2). However, not limited thereto, the display control system 100 may be mounted on, for example, an automobile other than a passenger car, or may be mounted on a vehicle other than an automobile such as a railway vehicle, a ship, and an aircraft.

[0019] The display control system 100 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a display support device 1 and a tablet terminal 6. The display support device 1 is a device for supporting the tablet terminal 6. The display support device 1 includes a front seat 2, a support mechanism 4, and a control unit 5. The display control system 100 also includes a rear seat 3, a seating detection unit 7, and a rear seat camera 8.

[0020] <front seat 2> The front seat 2 is a seat on which an occupant of a vehicle (i.e., a passenger car) can sit (see FIGS. 1 to 3). Hereinafter, the occupant P1 sitting on the front seat 2 will also be referred to as the front seat occupant P1. As an example, in the front seat 2 of the present embodiment, the seat width direction coincides with the left - right direction of the vehicle, the seat up - down direction coincides with the up - down direction of the vehicle, and the seat front - rear direction coincides with the front - rear direction of the vehicle. Hereinafter, the left - right direction, the up - down direction, and the front - rear direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the left - right direction, the up - down direction, and the front - rear direction, respectively.

[0021] The front seat 2 includes a seat cushion 21, a seat back 22, a front - seat displacement mechanism 23, and a displacement portion 24. The seat cushion 21 is a part that supports the buttocks of the front - seat occupant P1. The seat back 22 is a part that supports the back of the front - seat occupant P1. The seat back 22 is rotatably connected to the rear - end side of the seat cushion 21 about an axis extending in the left - right direction. Hereinafter, the surface of the seat back 22 that abuts against the back of the front - seat occupant P1 will be regarded as the front surface, and the surface on the opposite side of the front surface will be regarded as the back surface.

[0022] The front seat displacement mechanism 23 is a mechanism configured to operate in such a way as to displace at least one of the seat cushion 21 and the seat back 22. In this embodiment, the front seat displacement mechanism 23 consists of a slider mechanism, a lifter mechanism, and a reclining mechanism. The slider mechanism is a mechanism for displacing the seat cushion 21 in the front-rear direction. The lifter mechanism is a mechanism for displacing the seat cushion 21 in the up-down direction. The reclining mechanism is a mechanism for displacing the angle of the seat back 22 relative to the seat cushion 21. Since the seat back 22 is connected to the seat cushion 21, the seat back 22 is displaced together with the displacement of the seat cushion 21 by the slider mechanism and the lifter mechanism.

[0023] The slider mechanism, lifter mechanism, and reclining mechanism each include an actuator (an electric motor in this embodiment). Each actuator operates the corresponding mechanism by outputting a driving force in response to a control signal transmitted from the control unit 5, which will be described later.

[0024] The displacement portion 24 is the part of the seat cushion 21 or seat back 22 of the front seat 2 that is displaced by the front seat displacement mechanism 23, and to which the support mechanism 4, described later, is attached. In this embodiment, the displacement portion 24 is the seat back 22 of the front seat 2, and the support mechanism 4 is attached near the upper end on the back side of the displacement portion 24 (i.e., the seat back 22). However, the displacement portion 24 is not limited to this, and may be a part of the front seat 2 other than the above. For example, the displacement portion 24 may be the seat cushion 21, and the support mechanism 4 may be attached to the rear end face of the seat cushion 21.

[0025] <Rear seat 3> Rear seat 3 is a seat in which the occupants of the vehicle can sit (see Figures 1 to 3). Hereafter, the occupant P2 of rear seat 3 will also be referred to as rear seat occupant P2. Like the front seat 2, rear seat 3 is assembled so that the seat width direction matches the left-right direction of the vehicle, the seat height direction matches the up-down direction of the vehicle, and the seat front-to-back direction matches the front-to-back direction of the vehicle. Rear seat 3 is positioned behind front seat 2. That is, front seat 2 is positioned in front of rear seat 3.

[0026] The rear seat 3 comprises a seat cushion 31, a seat back 32, and a rear seat displacement mechanism 33. The seat cushion 31 and seat back 32 have the same configuration as the seat cushion 21 and seat back 22 of the front seat 2, respectively. The rear seat displacement mechanism 33 is a mechanism configured to be operable to displace at least one of the seat cushion 31 and seat back 32, similar to the front seat displacement mechanism 23 of the front seat 2. The rear seat displacement mechanism 33 comprises a slider mechanism, a lifter mechanism, and a reclining mechanism, similar to the front seat displacement mechanism 23. The slider mechanism, lifter mechanism, and reclining mechanism of the rear seat displacement mechanism 33 each comprise actuators similar to those of the front seat displacement mechanism 23, and each actuator operates the corresponding mechanism by outputting a driving force in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the control unit 5.

[0027] <Support mechanism 4> The support mechanism 4 supports the tablet terminal 6, which will be described later, and is configured to be operable to displace the tablet terminal 6 (see Figures 1 to 3). As described above, the support mechanism 4 is attached to the displacement part 24.

[0028] The support mechanism 4 in this embodiment comprises first and second arms 41, 42 and three joints 43A, 43B, 43C. The first end of the first arm 41 is rotatably connected to the displacement section 24 (i.e., the seat back 22) via a joint 43A. The second end of the first arm 41 is rotatably connected to the first end of the second arm 42 via a joint 43B. The second end of the second arm 42 is rotatably connected to the tablet terminal 6 via a joint 43C. The tablet terminal 6 is displaced by a change in the angle between the parts connected to each joint 43A to 43C.

[0029] An actuator (an electric motor in this embodiment) is positioned at each of the joints 43A to 43C. Each actuator is capable of changing the angle of the corresponding joint 43A to 43C. Each actuator in the joints 43A to 43C controls the angle of the corresponding joint 43A to 43C by outputting a driving force in response to a control signal transmitted from the control unit 5, which will be described later.

[0030] <Control Unit 5> The control unit 5 performs the necessary operations to activate the actuators of the front seat displacement mechanism 23, the rear seat displacement mechanism 33, and the support mechanism 4 (see Figure 3). Hereafter, the front seat displacement mechanism 23, the rear seat displacement mechanism 33, and the support mechanism 4 will be collectively referred to as the three operating mechanisms.

[0031] The control unit 5 is connected to the in-vehicle network installed in the vehicle. In addition to the control unit 5, the in-vehicle network is connected to three operating mechanisms, a tablet terminal 6, a seat detection unit 7, and a rear seat camera 8, and the control unit 5 communicates with these devices via the in-vehicle network. The in-vehicle network may be a CAN (Controller Area Network) as an example.

[0032] The control unit 5 is primarily composed of a well-known microcomputer having a CPU 51 and a memory 52 which is a semiconductor memory such as ROM and RAM. The various functions of the control unit 5 are realized by the CPU 51 executing a program stored in the memory 52, which is a non-transitional physical recording medium. When the program is executed, the processing corresponding to the program is performed.

[0033] <Tablet device 6> The tablet terminal 6 is a terminal device used by the rear-seat occupant P2 (see Figures 1 to 3). Specifically, the tablet terminal 6 is positioned so that the rear-seat occupant P2 can view the display 62, which will be described later. The tablet terminal 6 is supported by the support mechanism 4.

[0034] The tablet terminal 6 comprises a processing unit 61, a display 62, and an input unit 63 (see Figure 3). The arithmetic unit 61 is primarily composed of a well-known microcomputer having a CPU 71 and memory 72, which is a semiconductor memory such as ROM and RAM. The various functions of the arithmetic unit 61 are realized by the CPU 71 executing a program stored in memory 72, which is a non-transitional physical recording medium. When the program is executed, the processing corresponding to the program is performed.

[0035] The display 62 and the input unit 63 are configured, for example, as touch panels. That is, the display 62 is configured to display images, and the input unit 63 is configured to accept operations from the user (i.e., rear-seat occupant P2) on the image displayed on the display 62.

[0036] The calculation unit 61 comprises a trigger transmission unit 64, a display content detection unit 65, a face posture detection unit 66, a target setting unit 67, and a target instruction unit 68, as a configuration of functions realized by the CPU 71 executing a program.

[0037] The trigger transmission unit 64 transmits a trigger signal T to the target setting unit 67. Specifically, the display 62 shows a button for commanding the tablet terminal 6 to move to the target position described later, and the input unit 63 transmits information indicating the operation to the trigger transmission unit 64 in response to the operation of tapping the button. Upon receiving this information, the trigger transmission unit 64 transmits a trigger signal T to the target setting unit 67.

[0038] The display content detection unit 65 detects the content displayed on the display 62. Specifically, the display content detection unit 65 detects the content displayed on the display 62 by, for example, detecting the application running on the tablet terminal 6. However, it is not limited to this, and the display content detection unit 65 may also detect the content displayed on the display 62 by, for example, acquiring the content displayed on the display 62 as an image.

[0039] The face and posture detection unit 66 acquires the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face, the position of their eyes, and their sitting posture (hereinafter also referred to as posture information) from images acquired by the rear seat camera 8, which will be described later. Specifically, the face and posture detection unit 66 recognizes the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face and eyes by image processing of the images acquired by the rear seat camera 8. It also recognizes the sitting posture of the rear seat occupant P2 through image processing, in this case, for example, the distance from the seat back 32 to the position of the face. Alternatively, the face and posture detection unit 66 may recognize only the rear seat occupant P2's physique (for example, sitting height, shoulder position, or the position of the top of the head) through image processing. In this case, the position of the face and eyes may be estimated based on the rear seat occupant P2's physique.

[0040] Alternatively, the face posture detection unit 66 may use a pressure sensor located inside the seat back 32. The pressure sensor detects the pressing force applied by the rear seat occupant P2. In this case, the face posture detection unit 66 may estimate the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face and eyes according to the pressing force applied by the rear seat occupant P2. For example, if the pressing force applied by the rear seat occupant P2 is relatively large, it can be estimated that the rear seat occupant P2's face and eyes are close to the seat back 32. Conversely, if the pressing force applied by the rear seat occupant P2 is relatively small, it can be estimated that the rear seat occupant P2's face and eyes are isolated from the seat back 32.

[0041] Furthermore, the face posture detection unit 66 may determine the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face and eyes based solely on the position of the seat back 32. Alternatively, instead of using the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face and eyes, the position of the seat back 32 may be used to perform the processes described later.

[0042] The target setting unit 67 executes target setting processing in response to the receipt of a trigger signal T from the trigger transmission unit 64. Target setting processing is the process of transmitting information indicating the target position (i.e., a command including the target position) to the control unit 5 of the display support device 1. The target position is a target position of the tablet terminal 6 relative to the rear-seat occupant P2, suitable for the rear-seat occupant P2 to view the display 62.

[0043] Specifically, first, the target setting unit 67 acquires various information in response to the receipt of the trigger signal T. This information includes the type of image displayed on the display 62 acquired from the display content detection unit 65, posture information, and seat information.

[0044] Seat information refers to information indicating the current positions of, for example, the front seat 2 and the rear seat 3. Seat information can be obtained from the front seat displacement mechanism 23 and the rear seat displacement mechanism 33. Alternatively, the seat information may be stored in the memory 52 of the control unit 5, in which case it can be obtained from the memory 52.

[0045] Next, the target setting unit 67 determines the target position of the tablet terminal 6 based on various information. Then, the target instruction unit 68 transmits a command including the determined target position to the control unit 5 of the display support device 1.

[0046] <Seating detection unit 7> The seating detection unit 7 is configured to acquire information to determine whether or not a person is seated in the front seat 2 (see Figures 1 to 3). In this embodiment, the seating detection unit 7 is a pressure sensor located on the seat cushion 21 and seat back 22 of the front seat 2, which detects the pressing force from the person seated in the front seat P1. The detected value from the seating detection unit 7 is acquired by the control unit 5 of the display support device 1.

[0047] However, the seating detection unit 7 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a biosensor positioned on the seat back 22 of the front seat 2 and configured to detect the biological information (such as heart rate and respiration) of the front seat occupant P1. Furthermore, the seating detection unit 7 does not have to be positioned on the front seat 2. Specifically, for example, the seating detection unit 7 may be a camera mounted on the ceiling of the vehicle interior and may be configured to image the front seat occupant P1 from the front.

[0048] <Rear seat camera 8> The rear-seat camera 8 is a camera mounted on the ceiling inside the vehicle and is configured to capture images of the rear-seat occupant P2 from the front or side (see Figures 1 to 3). The images acquired by the rear-seat camera 8 are transmitted to the tablet terminal 6.

[0049] [2. Processing] [2-1. Goal Setting Process] The CPU 71 of the arithmetic unit 61 executes the target setting process shown in Figures 4 and 5. The target setting process sets a target position for the tablet terminal 6 relative to the rear seat occupant P2, and transmits this target position to the display support device 1. The target setting process starts when the trigger transmission unit 64 transmits a trigger signal T.

[0050] The rear-seat occupant P2 can select whether or not to set the follow mode via the input unit 63. The follow mode is a mode in which the support mechanism 4 and displacement mechanisms 23, 33, etc. are operated to follow the movement, i.e., the change in posture, of the rear-seat occupant P2. If the follow mode is set, this process is performed repeatedly. If the follow mode is set, the trigger signal T may be sent repeatedly, and this process may be performed repeatedly as a result.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, in the target setting process S100 to S130, the CPU 71 uses the function of the face posture detection unit 66 to estimate the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face. In detail, first in S100, the CPU 71 acquires seat information. Subsequently, in S110, the CPU 71 acquires posture information.

[0052] Next, in S120, the CPU 71 calculates the relative position and orientation. In this process, the CPU 71 recognizes the orientation of the rear-seat occupant P2 relative to the seat back 32, for example, the distance between the seat back 32 and the position of the face, based on the position of the rear-seat occupant P2's face and the position of the seat back 32.

[0053] Next, in S130, the CPU 71 estimates the position of the face, the position of the eyes, and the direction of the gaze. In this process, if the posture information includes the position of the face and the position of the eyes, the CPU 71 uses these positions; if the posture information does not include the position of the face and the position of the eyes, it estimates the position of the face and the position of the eyes. It also estimates the direction of the gaze using the position of the seat back 32, the posture of the rear seat occupant P2, and the position of the face. For example, the CPU 71 can use a pre-prepared function to calculate the orientation of the face (especially the vertical orientation) and use this orientation as the direction of the gaze. The pre-prepared function is one that uniquely derives the orientation of the face when the position of the seat back 32 and the posture of the rear seat occupant P2 are input.

[0054] Next, in steps S140 to S160, the CPU 71 uses the function of the target setting unit 67 to set a target position that matches a pre-prepared relative position, which is the relative position between the face position and the display 62 position.

[0055] In detail, in S140, the CPU 71 calculates a provisional target position. This provisional target position includes the relative distance to the display 62 relative to the position of the rear-seat occupant P2's face, particularly the position of their eyes, and the direction toward the display 62. The relative distance to the display 62 is a pre-prepared relative distance. This relative distance is set to a distance that statistically many people would find easy to view when looking at the display 62. The direction toward the display 62 is set, for example, to the direction of line of sight, or slightly below the direction of line of sight.

[0056] Next, in S150, the CPU 71 performs a correction process. This correction process adjusts the temporary target position according to the type of image displayed on the display 62. In the correction process, as shown in Figure 5, in steps S200 to S250, the CPU 71 is configured to recognize the type of image displayed on the display 62 using its function as a display content detection unit 65. Specifically, in step S200, the CPU 71 determines whether the image displayed on the display 62 is an image related to an in-device application. An in-device application is an application installed in the tablet terminal 6. The display content detection unit 65 can recognize whether or not the image is related to an in-device application.

[0057] If the image displayed on display 62 is an image related to an application within the device (S200: Yes), the process proceeds to S210. If the image displayed on display 62 is not an image related to an application within the device (S200: No), the process proceeds to S220. An example of a case where the displayed image is not an image related to an application within the device is when video is input via an external input cable and displayed on display 62.

[0058] Next, in S210, CPU 71 retrieves application information via the system. Application information refers to information about the application related to the displayed image. In particular, the category to which the application belongs is retrieved as application information. Here, each application installed on the tablet device 6 is pre-categorized according to its application type, and is classified into at least work applications, browsing applications, and other applications.

[0059] Task-oriented applications are applications in which the user views localized parts of an image more than viewing-oriented applications. Conversely, viewing-oriented applications are applications in which the user views a wider area of ​​an image more than task-oriented applications. Examples of task-oriented applications include word processing software, spreadsheet software, and email. Examples of viewing-oriented applications include video viewing software and web conferencing software. Once processing S210 is complete, this process moves on to S230.

[0060] In S220, the CPU 71 recognizes the type of image using image recognition or the like. In this process, the CPU 71 recognizes, for example, that if the displayed image changes relatively frequently, the displayed image is a browsing application, and if the displayed image changes relatively little, the displayed image is a work application.

[0061] Next, in S230, the CPU 71 determines whether the displayed image is a video or entertainment item (i.e., a browsing application). If the displayed image is a video or entertainment item (S230: Yes), the process proceeds to S240. If the displayed image is not a video or entertainment item (S230: No), the process proceeds to S250.

[0062] Next, in S240, the CPU 71 corrects the target position to one that is further away from the provisional target position. In other words, it sets the relative distance between the user's face and the display 62 to be greater so that the user can easily see the entire display 62. Once the processing in S240 is complete, this process ends.

[0063] In S250, CPU71 determines whether the displayed image is an office tool (i.e., a work application). If the displayed image is an office tool (S250: Yes), the process proceeds to S260. If the displayed image is not an office tool (S250: No), the process proceeds to S270.

[0064] Next, in S260, the CPU 71 corrects the target position to one that is closer to the provisional target position. That is, it sets the relative distance between the user's face and the display 62 to be closer so that the user can see a portion of the display 62 more easily. Once the processing in S260 is complete, this process ends.

[0065] Furthermore, in S270, the CPU 71 sets the provisional target position as the target position without making any corrections. Once the processing of S270 is complete, this process ends. Next, returning to Figure 4, in S170, the CPU 71, using its function as a target instruction unit 68, transmits a command to activate the controlled object so that the object's position approaches the target position, based on the target position. The controlled object is at least one of the displacement mechanisms 23, 33 and the support mechanism 4. The target position includes the relative distance to the display 62 and the direction toward the display 62, but the command does not specify which of the controlled objects to activate. Which of the controlled objects to activate is determined in the display displacement processing described later.

[0066] [2-2. Display displacement processing] The CPU 51 of the control unit 5 performs display displacement processing. Display displacement processing is the process of displacing the relative position of the tablet terminal 6 with respect to the rear-seat occupant P2 to the target position, and is performed when the control unit 5 receives information indicating the target position from the target indication unit 68. Hereafter, the relative position of the tablet terminal 6 with respect to the rear-seat occupant P2 will also be referred to simply as the relative position. The display displacement processing will be explained below using the flowchart in Figure 6.

[0067] In S300, the CPU 51 determines whether the target position received from the target instruction unit 68 is within the range of motion of the support mechanism 4. That is, the CPU 51 determines whether it is possible to displace the tablet terminal 6 to the target position by operating only the support mechanism 4.

[0068] If the CPU 51 determines that the target position is within the range of motion of the support mechanism 4 (S300: Yes), it proceeds to S360. On the other hand, if the CPU 51 determines that the target position is not within the range of motion of the support mechanism 4 (S300: No), it proceeds to S310.

[0069] In S310, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a person is seated on the front seat 2. Specifically, the CPU 51 determines that a person is seated on the front seat 2 if the pressure obtained from the seating detection unit 7 is greater than or equal to a predetermined seating threshold. The seating threshold is set, for example, to a value greater than the pressure detected by the seating detection unit 7 when luggage is placed on the front seat 2, and less than the pressure detected when a person is seated on the front seat 2.

[0070] The method for determining whether or not a person is seated in the front seat 2 is not limited to this. For example, if the seating detection unit 7 is the aforementioned biosensor, the CPU 51 may determine that a person is seated in the front seat 2 when biosensor detects biometric information. Alternatively, if the seating detection unit 7 is the aforementioned camera, the CPU 51 may determine whether or not a person is seated in the front seat 2 by detecting whether or not the person seated in the front seat P1 is visible in the image acquired by the camera.

[0071] If CPU 51 determines that a person is seated in front seat 2 (S310: Yes), it proceeds to S320. On the other hand, if CPU 51 determines that no one is seated in front seat 2 (S310: No), it proceeds to S340.

[0072] In S320, the CPU 51 determines whether or not permission has been granted by the front seat occupant P1 to activate the front seat displacement mechanism 23 of the front seat 2. The CPU 51 makes this determination based on an operation by the front seat occupant P1 to select whether or not to allow the front seat displacement mechanism 23 to operate. Specifically, for example, a front seat interface (for example, a touch panel) is provided around the front seat 2 in the vehicle interior (for example, the instrument panel in front of the front seat 2) to receive input operations from the front seat occupant P1. The front seat interface is connected to the in-vehicle network and can communicate with the control unit 5. In S320, the control unit 5 sends a command to the front seat interface to display an allow button to permit the operation of the front seat displacement mechanism 23 and a deny button to deny the operation. The front seat interface displays the allow button and the deny button in response to the command, and when an operation to tap the allow button or the deny button is performed, it sends information indicating that operation to the control unit 5. Based on this information, the CPU 51 determines whether or not operation is permitted. In other words, if the front seat occupant P1 taps the permission button on the front seat interface, the CPU 51 considers that the front seat occupant P1 has given permission to activate the rear seat displacement mechanism 33, and determines that permission has been granted. On the other hand, if the front seat occupant P1 taps the rejection button on the front seat interface, the CPU 51 considers that the front seat occupant P1 has rejected the activation of the rear seat displacement mechanism 33, and determines that permission has not been granted.

[0073] If CPU 51 determines that operation is permitted (S320: Yes), it proceeds to S340. On the other hand, if CPU 51 determines that operation is not permitted (S320: No), it proceeds to S330.

[0074] In the S330, the CPU 51 determines whether or not permission has been given by the rear seat occupant P2 to activate the rear seat displacement mechanism 33 of the rear seat 3. The CPU 51 makes the determination based on an operation by the rear-seat occupant P2 to select whether or not to allow the rear-seat displacement mechanism 33 to be activated. Specifically, in S330, the control unit 5 sends a command to the display 62 of the tablet terminal 6 to display an allow button to allow the activation of the rear-seat displacement mechanism 33 and a deny button to deny the activation of the rear-seat displacement mechanism 33. The tablet terminal 6 displays the allow button and the deny button on the display 62 in response to the command, and when an operation to tap the allow button or the deny button is performed, it sends information indicating that operation to the control unit 5. Based on this information, the CPU 51 determines whether or not activation is permitted, in the same manner as in S320. That is, if the rear-seat occupant P2 performs an operation to tap the allow button on the tablet terminal 6, the CPU 51 considers that the rear-seat occupant P2 has given permission to activate the rear-seat displacement mechanism 33 and determines that activation is permitted. On the other hand, if the rear-seat occupant P2 taps the reject button on the tablet terminal 6, the CPU 51 considers that the rear-seat occupant P2 has rejected the operation of the rear-seat displacement mechanism 33 and determines that operation is not permitted.

[0075] If CPU 51 determines that operation is permitted (S330: Yes), it proceeds to S370. On the other hand, if CPU 51 determines that operation is not permitted (S330: No), it proceeds to S360.

[0076] In S340, the CPU 51 determines whether the target position received from the target instruction unit 68 is within the range of motion of the support mechanism 4 and the front seat displacement mechanism 23. That is, the CPU 51 determines whether it is possible to displace the tablet terminal 6 to the target position by operating only the support mechanism 4 and the front seat displacement mechanism 23.

[0077] If the CPU 51 determines that the target position is within the range of motion provided by the support mechanism 4 and the front seat displacement mechanism 23 (S340: Yes), it proceeds to S380. On the other hand, if the CPU 51 determines that the target position is not within the range of motion provided by the support mechanism 4 and the front seat displacement mechanism 23 (S340: No), it proceeds to S350.

[0078] In the S350, the CPU 51 determines, in the same manner as in the S330, whether or not permission has been granted by the rear seat occupant P2 to operate the rear seat displacement mechanism 33 of the rear seat 3. If CPU 51 determines that operation is permitted (S350: Yes), it proceeds to S390. On the other hand, if CPU 51 determines that operation is not permitted (S350: No), it proceeds to S380.

[0079] In steps S360 to S390, the CPU 51 displaces the relative position of the tablet terminal 6 by activating the selected of the three operating mechanisms. Specifically, first, the CPU 51 selects at least one of the three operating mechanisms. Then, the CPU 51 outputs a control signal to the actuator of the selected operating mechanism, thereby displacing the relative position of the tablet terminal 6 to move it closer to the target position.

[0080] CPU 51 selects and activates support mechanism 4 in S360 (see Figures 2A and 2B), and in S370 selects and activates support mechanism 4 and rear seat displacement mechanism 33. Furthermore, CPU 51 selects and activates support mechanism 4 and front seat displacement mechanism 23 in S380 (see Figures 1A and 1B), and in S390 selects and activates support mechanism 4, front seat displacement mechanism 23, and rear seat displacement mechanism 33.

[0081] The CPU 51 then terminates this process when the tablet terminal 6 reaches the target position. However, there may be cases where the CPU 51 cannot displace the tablet terminal 6 to the target position even by activating the selected actuator (i.e., the target position is outside the range of motion of the tablet terminal 6 by the selected actuator). In this case, the CPU 51 displaces the relative position of the tablet terminal 6 to the closest position to the target position that is reachable by the selected actuator, and then terminates this process.

[0082] [2. Effects] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0083] (1) The display control system 100 described above includes a rear seat 3, a rear seat displacement mechanism 33, a display 62, a support mechanism 4, and a calculation unit 61. In the display control system 100, the rear seat displacement mechanism 33 is configured to displace the rear seat 3 in accordance with a command. The display 62 is configured to display an image that can be seen by an occupant seated in the rear seat 3. The support mechanism 4 is configured to displace the position of the display 62 in accordance with a command.

[0084] Furthermore, at least one of the positions of the rear seat 3 and the display 62 is defined as the position of the object, and at least one of the rear seat displacement mechanism 33 and the support mechanism 4 is defined as the object to be controlled.

[0085] In this display control method, the calculation unit 61 includes, as functions performed by the calculation unit 61, a display content detection unit 65, a target setting unit 67, and a target instruction unit 68. The display content detection unit 65 is configured to recognize the type of image displayed on the display 62 in S200 to S250. The target setting unit 67 is configured to set a target position for the object's location in S140 to S160, such that it matches a pre-prepared relative position that matches the relative position between the rear seat 3 and the display 62. The target instruction unit 68 is configured to send a command in S170 to activate the controlled object so that the object's position approaches the target position, based on the target position.

[0086] This method allows the position of an object to be displaced so that the position of the occupant's face and the position of the display 62 are in an appropriate relative position. Therefore, the position of the display 62 can be optimized according to the occupant's condition.

[0087] (2) In the display control system 100 described above, the calculation unit 61 further includes a face posture detection unit 66 as a function performed by the calculation unit 61. The face posture detection unit 66 is configured to acquire the position of the occupant's face in S100 to S130. The target setting unit 67 is configured to set the target position taking into account the position of the face. This method allows the target position to be set while taking the image type into consideration, making it possible to appropriately set the position of the display 62 for the occupant according to the image type.

[0088] (3) In the display control system 100 described above, the target setting unit 67 may be set to bring the occupant and the display 62 closer together when the image type is a work application, and to move the occupant and the display 62 further apart when the image type is a viewing application. In other words, this method changes the distance between the occupant and the display 62 depending on whether the image type is a work application where it is necessary to view a local part of the image, or a viewing application where it is necessary to view the entire image. Therefore, by using this method, the visibility of the image can be improved according to the type of image.

[0089] [3. Correspondence between wordings] In the above embodiment, the rear seat displacement mechanism 33 corresponds to an example of a displacement mechanism, and the rear seat 3 corresponds to an example of a vehicle seat.

[0090] [4. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0091] (1) For example, in the above embodiment, the support mechanism 4 that supports the display 62 is located on the front seat 2, but the configuration is not limited to this. The support mechanism 4 may be located at any position such as the ceiling, floor, door, wall, window, etc.

[0092] (2) In the above embodiment, the relative position of the display 62 was set based on both the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face or the position of the seat back 32, and the type of image on the display 62. However, the relative position of the display 62 may be set based on either the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face or the position of the seat back 32, or the type of image on the display 62.

[0093] (3) In the above embodiment, the position of the rear seat occupant P2's face was directly obtained by image processing, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the "position of the face" in this disclosure may include values ​​related to the position of the face. The "position of the face" may include, for example, the sitting height of the rear seat occupant P2, the position of the head, the position of the shoulders, the position of the face, the position of the eyes, the line of sight, and other values ​​that can uniquely identify the position of the face.

[0094] (4) The trigger transmitting unit 64 may output a trigger signal T without any operation on the input unit 63. The trigger transmitting unit 64 may output a trigger signal T, for example, when the amount of change in the posture of the rear seat occupant P2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, when the position of the front seat 2 or rear seat 3 (e.g., seat back 32) is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, when the content displayed on the display 62 (e.g., the category of the image) is changed, etc.

[0095] (5) In the above embodiment, the display support device 1 supports a tablet terminal 6 equipped with a display 62. The tablet terminal 6 has built-in computer functions and has the function of displaying information processed by the internal computer on the display 62. However, the display support device 1 may support a display device equipped with a display instead of the tablet terminal 6. The display device may not have computer functions and may be configured to display information input from an external computer on its display.

[0096] (6) In the above embodiment, the rear seat camera 8 is mounted on the ceiling of the passenger compartment. However, the rear seat camera 8 is not limited to this and may be installed in places other than the ceiling of the passenger compartment. For example, the rear seat camera 8 may be installed on the front seat 2, the door trim of the rear door, the center console, or the wall of the passenger compartment. Alternatively, the rear seat camera 8 may be a camera built into the tablet terminal 6 or the aforementioned display device.

[0097] (7) The number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 5 and the number of microcomputers constituting the arithmetic unit 61 may be one or more. Furthermore, the method for realizing each function of the control unit 5 and the arithmetic unit 61 is not limited to software, and some or all of its elements may be realized using one or more hardware components. For example, if each function of the control unit 5 and the arithmetic unit 61 is realized by an electronic circuit which is hardware, that electronic circuit may be a digital circuit containing a large number of logic circuits, or an analog circuit, or a combination thereof.

[0098] (8) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0099] (9) Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is consistent with the intent of the embodiments described above. Therefore, it may be a configuration in which at least two of the embodiments described above are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above are omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 1...Display support device, 2...Front seat, 21...Seat cushion, 22...Seat back, 23...Front seat displacement mechanism, 24...Displacement unit, 3...Rear seat, 31...Seat cushion, 32...Seat back, 33...Rear seat displacement mechanism, 4...Support mechanism, 5...Control unit, 6...Tablet terminal, 61...Calculation unit, 62...Display, 65...Display content detection unit, 66...Face posture detection unit, 67...Target setting unit, 68...Target instruction unit, 100...Display control system, P1...Front seat occupant, P2...Rear seat occupant.

Claims

1. A display control system comprising a vehicle seat, a displacement mechanism, a display, a support mechanism, and a calculation unit, wherein the calculation unit performs a display control method, The displacement mechanism is configured to displace the vehicle seat in response to a command. The display is configured to show an image that can be seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, The support mechanism is configured to displace the position of the display in accordance with a command. The position of the vehicle seat and the position of the display are defined as the position of the object, and the displacement mechanism and the support mechanism are defined as the controlled object. In the said display control method, the calculation unit is: Recognizing the type of image displayed on the aforementioned display, Setting a target position for the object so that it matches a pre-prepared relative position, which is the relative position between the position of the vehicle seat and the position of the display, Based on the aforementioned target position, a command is sent to operate the object to be controlled so that the position of the object approaches the aforementioned target position. A display control method that implements the following.

2. A display control method according to claim 1, The aforementioned arithmetic unit, Further, the position of the occupant's face is obtained, In setting the target position, the position of the face is taken into consideration when setting the target position. Display control method.

3. A display control method according to claim 1 or claim 2, By setting the target position, if the image type is a work application, the position is set to bring the occupant and the display relatively closer together, and if the image type is a viewing application, the position is set to move the occupant and the display relatively further apart. Display control method.

4. A display control system comprising a vehicle seat, a displacement mechanism, a display, a support mechanism, and a calculation unit, The displacement mechanism is configured to displace the vehicle seat in response to a command. The display is configured to show an image that can be seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, The support mechanism is configured to displace the position of the display in accordance with a command. The position of the vehicle seat and the position of the display are defined as the position of the object, and the displacement mechanism and the support mechanism are defined as the controlled object. The aforementioned arithmetic unit, A recognition unit configured to recognize the type of image displayed on the aforementioned display, A target setting unit configured to set a target position for the object's position such that it matches a pre-prepared relative position that corresponds to the relative position between the position of the vehicle seat and the position of the display, A target indicator unit is configured to send a command to operate the object to be controlled so that the position of the object approaches the target position, based on the aforementioned target position. A display control system equipped with the following features.

Images