Electronic device and program

Abstract

To provide a control system or the like capable of displaying a screen in a format required for a user.SOLUTION: A radar detector is a control system which controls screens in different formats for displaying information on a current status to be switched and displayed in predetermined order and a prescribed time interval such as one minute interval. The radar detector has a selection function of causing a user to select screens in formats to be objects of switching display and sets the screens in formats selected by the selection function to be the objects of the switching display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system and the like that perform control to switch and display screens in different formats for displaying information on the current situation.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a control system that notifies of approaching an object to be notified such as a vehicle speed measuring device, the position information of the object to be notified is stored and held, and when the position of the own vehicle detected by GPS and the position of the object to be notified are in a predetermined approaching relationship, an alarm is issued (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] In the case of the control system of Patent Document 1, etc., for example, when the current position of the vehicle and the detection target object to be notified reach a set distance (for example, 1 km or 500 m, etc.), "500 m ahead, it is ○○." (○○ is information for specifying the target object (such as a loop coil)) outputs an audio alarm or outputs and displays the related information on the display in text.

[0004] These control systems contribute to preventing the driver from unknowingly exceeding the speed by, for example, notifying the driver of approaching the vehicle speed measuring device. In particular, since vehicle speed measuring devices are generally installed in places where it is easy to exceed the speed, etc., it is possible to alert the driver to the risk of speeding in dangerous places.

[0005] In such a control system, when not approaching an object to be notified such as a vehicle speed measuring device, it has a function of displaying a map screen around the current position, displaying the acceleration applied to the vehicle, displaying a clock, etc., to display the current situation (Patent Documents 2, 3).

[0006] The user has set to display one desired screen from among screens of different formats that display information regarding these current situations, and is displaying the set screen. However, in recent years, the types of sensors and the like installed have increased, and also, functions have been added such that various vehicle states can be displayed by acquiring data sensed on the vehicle side from a connector connecting to the vehicle, and as a result, screens of a number of different formats are provided. Thus, for example, a function for performing control to switch and display these screens of a number of different formats at a predetermined time interval in a predetermined order can be considered.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, when switching and displaying screens of a plurality of different formats at a predetermined time interval in a predetermined order, there is a problem that screens of formats unnecessary for the user are also displayed, and in many cases, the screen desired by the user is not displayed when the user desires it. Also, in such a case, the user is made to wait until the desired screen is switched and displayed. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a control system or the like that can display a screen in a format necessary for the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the control system according to the present invention is a control system that performs control to switch and display screens in different formats that display information on the current situation at predetermined time intervals in a predetermined order, and includes a selection function for allowing a user to select a screen in the format to be switched and displayed, and is configured such that the screen in the format selected by the selection function is the target of the switching and display.

[0010] In this way, it is possible to display a screen in the format required by the user. For example, if a screen in a format that is unnecessary for the user is not selected as the screen in the format to be switched and displayed, a screen in a format that is unnecessary for the user will not be displayed. As a result, the possibility that the screen desired by the user will be displayed in the desired format when the user desires it is increased. Also, it becomes possible to shorten the time until the display is switched to the desired screen.

[0011] As information on the current situation, for example, it is advisable to display information such as the current time, the current date, the current location, the current situation of the person himself who views the display of this system, and the current situation regarding the location where the display unit displayed by this control system is installed.

[0012] Note that the current situation may be, for example, the situation at this very moment, but it may also be the situation before now to a certain extent. That is, for example, it may be a past situation close to the present to the extent that it is recognized as the current situation by the user. As the predetermined order, for example, it may be a predetermined fixed order, an order set by the user, or a random order.

[0013] The predetermined time interval may be, for example, a fixed time interval such as a one-minute interval that is determined in advance, or a time interval that is variable according to the situation of the acquired information. The predetermined time interval may also be a time interval set by the user. Further, for example, the time from when the screen of the first format is displayed until switching to the display of the screen of the second format, and the time from when the screen of the second format is displayed until switching to the display of the screen of the third format may be the same time or different times.

[0014] As the switching display, for example, it may be configured to rewrite the screen area to another screen area. The screen may be, for example, the entire display area of the display means, but may also be a part of the display area of the display means. At the time of rewriting, for example, a predetermined switching effect display may be performed such as gradually scrolling out the screen area while scrolling in another screen area, or similarly fading in and fading out.

[0015] (2) As the information regarding the current situation, it is preferable to include a plurality of different pieces of information acquired regarding the moving body, and as the screens of the different formats, to provide a plurality of screens of a format for simultaneously displaying the plurality of different pieces of information. In this way, for example, a plurality of different pieces of information acquired regarding the moving body vary as the moving body moves, and moreover, the variations can be grasped simultaneously by looking at the screens of the format for simultaneously displaying the plurality of different pieces of information. Further, since a plurality of screens of such a format for simultaneously displaying a plurality of different pieces of information are provided and control is performed to switch the display at a predetermined time interval in a predetermined order, for example, a large number of pieces of information that vary as the moving body moves can be grasped in a short time.

[0016] As the moving object, for example, it may be a person or a vehicle. If it is a person, it is advisable to sense and obtain physiological phenomena such as the person's heartbeat and body temperature, or sense and obtain the person's position and surrounding situation. In the case of a vehicle, for example, it may be configured to obtain information generated by sensing by the vehicle itself, or be equipped with a GPS, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, etc. and obtain information from these sensors etc.

[0017] (3) The selection function may be configured such that, in the default state, all formats of screens that can be selected are the targets of the switching display, and the user is allowed to select a screen of a format that is not the target of the switching display. In this way, in the default state, screens of all formats that can be selected will be switched and displayed in a predetermined order at predetermined time intervals. The user can thereby know all the screens of formats that can be selected by this control system. And, for example, after using it in this state for a while, by selecting a screen of a format that is not the target of the switching display as a screen of a format that is unnecessary for oneself, only the screens of formats necessary for oneself can be switched and displayed.

[0018] (4) The selection function may be configured to display and allow selection of information representing the screens of each format, and display information related to the represented information together with the screen of the format when performing the switching display. In this way, it can be easily determined by looking at the display of the information representing each format of the screen which screen should be selected when executing the selection function, and when switched to that screen, it can be confirmed that it is properly set by looking at the information representing the screen of the format.

[0019] As the information representing the screens of each format, for example, it may be a character string of the name attached to each screen, a thumbnail screen with each screen reduced in size, an illustration or an icon showing the content of each screen, etc.

[0020] (5) When the switching display of the information representing the screen of the format is performed, the display is performed within the screen of the format and is configured to be erased when a predetermined time has elapsed after the switching. The predetermined time until the erasure is preferably set to be shorter than the predetermined time from when the screen of the format is displayed until switching to the screen of another format. In this way, the information representing the screen of the format is displayed within the screen of the format for a predetermined time and then erased. After that, the screen of the format is displayed in a state where the information representing the screen of the format is not displayed, and then it will switch to the screen of another format. Therefore, for example, when the screen is switched, it is possible to grasp what kind of information the screen of the format displays by the information representing the screen of the format. Furthermore, in a state where such grasping is possible, since the information representing the screen of the format is erased, information regarding the current situation can be confirmed without being obstructed by the display of the information representing the screen of the format.

[0021] (6) As at least one of the selectable screens of the format, control is performed to switch and display a predetermined display area within the screen of the format at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time interval for the switching display from the screen of the format to the screen of another format is preferably set to be longer than the predetermined time interval for the switching display of the predetermined display area within the screen of the format. In this way, the switching display of the predetermined display area within the screen of the format is performed at a time interval shorter than the time interval from when the screen of the format is displayed until the switching display to the screen of another format. Therefore, it is possible to prevent switching to the screen of another format without any switching display of the predetermined display area within the screen of the format. Thus, it becomes possible to visually recognize a large number of pieces of information regarding the current situation in a short time by the switching display of the predetermined display area within the screen of the format and the switching display of the screen of the format itself.

[0022] (7) As at least one of the selectable format screens, a screen in a format that enables the user to understand the current situation by comparing the current situation with the past situation is provided. The predetermined time interval for switching the display from the screen in this format to the screen in another format is set to a time interval that enables the user to understand the current situation by comparing the current situation with the past situation. In this way, it is possible to visually compare the current situation with the past situation before the screen in the currently displayed format is switched to the screen in another format. As a format that enables the user to understand the current situation by comparing the current situation with the past situation, for example, a screen that displays a graph showing both the current situation and the past situation may be used.

[0023] (8) An event screen display switching function is provided that switches to and displays a screen notifying the occurrence of a predetermined event when the predetermined event occurs during the execution of the function of switching and displaying screens in different formats at predetermined time intervals in a predetermined order. The format of the screen selectable as the target of the switching display does not include a screen in the same format as the screen notifying the occurrence of the event. By doing so, the screen in the same format as the screen notifying the occurrence of the event is not switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals in a predetermined order. Therefore, the user can surely know the occurrence of the event and will not misrecognize the screen switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals in a predetermined order as the screen of the occurrence of the event. (10) The functions of the control system according to any one of (1) to (9) are preferably configured as a program for causing a computer to realize them.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control system or the like that can display a screen in a format required by the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Figs. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a radar detector which is a preferred embodiment as the control system of the present invention. This radar detector is usually mounted on the dashboard. This radar detector is usually fixed by attaching the bottom surface of the plate 33b of the pedestal 33 to the dashboard. A ball joint receiving portion 33a is provided at the upper part of the pedestal 33, and a ball portion provided at the lower end of a support column portion 31 extending downward from the bottom surface of the case body 1 is inserted into this ball joint receiving portion 33a, and the ball portion can be held at an arbitrary angle and posture within its movable range. The pedestal 33 has a spherical concave portion at a predetermined position on its upper surface, and the pedestal 33 is made of a material that can be elastically deformed such as rubber and has an appropriate coefficient of friction. The outer diameter of the ball portion and the inner diameter of the concave portion are set to be substantially equal. Thereby, when the ball portion enters the concave portion, the outer shape of the ball portion and the inner shape of the concave portion substantially coincide, and the ball portion can rotate and move in an arbitrary direction along the spherical surface. And by making the diameters of both substantially coincide and giving the inner shape of the concave portion an appropriate coefficient of friction, the ball portion can be held at an arbitrary angle and posture. Further, since the pedestal 33 can be elastically deformed, when the case body 1 is urged in the upward pulling direction while holding the pedestal 33 from the state shown in Fig. 1, the diameter of the opening of the concave portion expands and the ball portion can be detached from the concave portion. Conversely, in the case where the pedestal 33 and the ball portion are separated, when the ball portion is pressed against the opening of the concave portion and urged so as to be pushed into the pedestal 33 in that state, the opening of the concave portion once expands due to the elastic deformation of the concave portion and the ball portion is housed in the concave portion. Thereafter, due to the elastic restoring force of the pedestal 33, the shape of the concave portion returns to its original state, and the ball portion is suppressed from easily detaching from the concave portion. Also, one surface of an adhesive member such as an adhesive sheet, a double-sided adhesive tape, or a hook-and-loop fastener is attached to the bottom surface of the pedestal 33, and the other surface of the adhesive member is attached to a predetermined position in the vehicle interior such as the dashboard. Thereby, the pedestal 33 is fixed at a predetermined position visible to the driver in the vehicle interior.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, in this radar detector, a solar panel 2 and a switch section 3 are arranged on the upper surface of a case main body 1, and a microwave receiver 4 for detecting microwaves in the frequency band emitted by a speed measuring device is arranged inside the front side (the side arranged toward the front of the vehicle (windshield side)) of the case main body 1. On the other hand, a display section 5, an alarm lamp 6, an infrared communication device 7, and a remote control receiver 16 are arranged on the rear side (the side arranged toward the rear of the vehicle (user side (driver side))) of the case main body 1. Further, a GPS receiver 8 is arranged inside the upper surface side of the case main body 1. Furthermore, an adapter jack 9 is arranged on one side surface of the case main body 1, and a power switch 10 and a DC jack (not shown) are arranged on the other side surface. A battery is provided inside the bottom surface side of the case main body, and this battery is charged with electric power supplied from the solar panel 2 and the DC jack and supplies electric power to each section. Also, a speaker 20 is built in the case main body 1. In the present embodiment, the display section 5 is a 3-inch small color dot matrix liquid crystal display having a backlight, and the rear side (the side arranged toward the rear of the vehicle (user side (driver side))) of the case main body 1 is used as a display surface, and a touch panel is provided on the display surface side so that the touched position on the liquid crystal display can be detected. The height H of the rear side of the case main body 1 on which the display section 5 is mounted is made larger than the height H0 of other parts.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the infrared communication device 7 transmits and receives data to and from a communication device incorporating an infrared communication device such as a mobile phone 12. The adapter jack 9 is a terminal for connecting a memory card reader 13. By connecting the memory card reader 13 to the adapter jack 9, data stored in the memory card 14 attached to the memory card reader 13 can be taken in, or the contents of the memory of the database 19 or the control unit 18 can be written to the memory card 14. More specifically, when there is update information such as information on a new target (position information including longitude and latitude, type information, etc.) in the data stored in the memory card 14, the control unit 18 stores (downloads) the update information in the database 19 built into this radar detector, and updates the data in the database 19. Note that the function of the memory card reader 13 may be configured to be built into the main body case 1, or at least a part of the database 19 may be provided in the memory card 14.

[0029] The database 19 is a non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM) inside the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. In the database 19, information on certain targets at the time of shipment, map data similar to that provided by a navigation device including roads, facilities, place names, etc., public enforcement information including the date and time, location, etc. of traffic enforcement announced by each prefectural police department, parameters of each tide gauge for calculating tide information, etc. are registered, and data added later can be updated as described above. Also, data update can be performed via the infrared communication device 7.

[0030] The DC jack is for connecting a cigarette plug cord (not shown), and can receive power supply by connecting to the cigarette socket of the vehicle via the cigarette plug cord.

[0031] The wireless receiver 15 receives wireless signals of a predetermined frequency flying in. The remote control receiver 16 conducts data communication with the remote control (portable device: slave unit) 17 via infrared rays to perform various settings for this device. The remote control 17 is equipped with buttons for screen selection, setting buttons, selection buttons, cancel buttons, determination buttons, reset buttons, and cross buttons for up, down, left, and right. Also, the switch unit 3 is connected to the control unit 18 (not shown in the figure), and is equipped with buttons for screen selection, setting buttons, selection buttons, cancel buttons, determination buttons, and reset buttons, which perform the same operations as those of the remote control 17.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the radar detector of this embodiment includes a connection cable 22 that is connected to an OBD-II (II is the Roman numeral "2", hereinafter "OBD-II" will be referred to as "OBD2") connector mounted on the vehicle. At the tip of this connection cable 22, a connector terminal 23 that can be detachably attached to the OBD2 connector of the vehicle is attached. The OBD2 connector is also called a fault diagnosis connector, is connected to the ECU of the vehicle, and various vehicle information is output. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at the other end of the connection cable 22, a connector terminal 25 for connecting to a socket port 24 provided on the side surface of the case body 1 of the radar detector is provided, so that the connection cable 22 can be detached from the radar detector as well. Of course, the connection cable 22 may be directly connected to the radar detector.

[0033] Therefore, by connecting the connector terminal 23 attached to this connection cable 22 and the OBD2 connector on the vehicle body side, the control unit 18 acquires various vehicle information every 0.5 seconds. Examples of this vehicle information include vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load rate, throttle degree, ignition timing, remaining fuel ratio, intake manifold pressure, intake air volume (MAF), injection opening time, engine coolant temperature (coolant temperature), temperature of the air inhaled into the engine (intake temperature), outside air temperature, remaining fuel amount in the fuel tank (remaining fuel amount), fuel flow rate, instantaneous fuel consumption, accelerator opening, turn signal information (operation (ON / OFF) of the left and right turn signals), brake opening, steering wheel rotation steering angle information, etc.

[0034] The acceleration sensor 27 is provided inside the case main body 1 and is a sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions. The geomagnetic sensor is provided inside the case main body 1 and is a sensor that detects the geomagnetism and detects in which direction the north direction is with respect to the traveling direction.

[0035] The control unit 18 is a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, etc. It executes predetermined processing based on the information input from the above various input devices, and outputs predetermined alarms, messages, and information using the above various output devices. Note that for these basic configurations, basically the same ones as the conventional ones can be used.

[0036] The functions of the radar detector in this embodiment are stored on the EEPROM of the control unit 18 as a program executed by the computer possessed by the control unit 18, and are realized by the computer possessed by the control unit 18 executing this program.

[0037] The functions realized by the computer by the program possessed by the control unit 18 include a GPS logging function, a current information display function, a GPS alarm function, a radar wave alarm function, a wireless alarm function, etc.

[0038] The GPS logging function is a function in which the control unit 18 associates the current position output from the GPS receiver 8 every second with the time when the current position is detected and the speed (vehicle speed) and stores it in the database 19 as a position history. This position history is recorded in, for example, NMEA format.

[0039] The current information display function is a function that displays a screen in the format of the display target selected by the user. The selection of the screen in the format of the display target is performed by displaying the display screen selection screen shown in FIG. 3 when the pressing of the screen selection button on the remote control 17 or the switch unit 3 is detected and allowing the user to select one screen. FIG. 3(a) is a display screen selection screen displayed in a state where the present radar detector and the vehicle's ECU are connected by a connection cable 22 or the like (this state is referred to as the OBD2 connection state). FIG. 3(c) is a display screen selection screen displayed in a state where the present radar detector and the vehicle's ECU are not connected by a connection cable 22 or the like (this state is referred to as the OBD2 non-connection state). The number of selectable format types in the OBDII non-connection state is 14, and the number of selectable format types in the OBD2 connection state is 16. The 14 types of format screens selectable in the OBD2 non-connection state include the map screen illustrated in FIG. 4(a), the clock screen illustrated in FIG. 4(b), the speed screen illustrated in FIG. 5(a), the eco-drive screen illustrated in FIG. 5(b), the acceleration screen illustrated in FIG. 5(c), the inclination screen illustrated in FIG. 6(a), the tide information screen illustrated in FIG. 6(b), the graph screen illustrated in FIG. 6(c), the preset A screen illustrated in FIG. 7(a), the preset B screen illustrated in FIG. 7(b), the preset C screen illustrated in FIG. 7(c), the positioning information screen illustrated in FIG. 8(a), the OFF screen which is a completely black screen with no display, and the AUTO display screen which switches and displays all these format screens other than the map screen and the OFF screen every minute in the default state. The 16 types of format screens selectable in the OBD2 connection state include, in addition to the 14 types of format screens selectable in the OBD2 non-connection state, the fuel consumption screen illustrated in FIG. 8(b) and the OBD data screen illustrated in FIG. 8(c). In the AUTO display screen, in the default state, these are also included and all these format screens other than the map screen and the OFF screen are switched and displayed every minute.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3, the display screen selection screen displays the reduced screens of the above-described screens of each format in a 4-row and 4-column layout. The vertical direction is numbered from top to bottom as the first row, the second row, the third row, and the fourth row, and the horizontal direction is numbered from left to right as the first column, the second column, the third column, and the fourth column for explanation.

[0041] In the OBD2 non-connected state, as shown in Fig. 3(c), the arrangement of the reduced screens is as follows: the map screen is in the first row and first column (the top leftmost), the clock screen is in the first row and second column, the speed screen is in the first row and third column, the eco-drive screen is in the first row and fourth column, the acceleration screen is in the second row and first column, the inclination screen is in the second row and second column, the tidal information screen is in the second row and third column, the graph screen is in the second row and fourth column, the preset A screen is in the third row and first column, the preset B screen is in the third row and second column, the preset C screen is in the third row and third column, the positioning information screen is in the third row and fourth column, the OFF screen is in the fourth row and third column, and the AUTO display screen is in the fourth row and fourth column (the bottom rightmost). In the OBD2 connected state, as shown in Fig. 3(a), in addition to the reduced screens arranged in the same way as in the OBD2 non-connected state, the fuel consumption screen is provided in the fourth row and first column, and the OBD data screen is provided in the fourth row and second column. By making the arrangement of the reduced screens have commonality between the OBD non-connected state and the OBD connected state in this way, it is possible to avoid confusion in operations when there is a change to the OBD connected state.

[0042] In the default setting at the time of factory shipment, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the map screen in the first row and first column is set and stored in the database 19 as the screen of the selected format. The screen of the format selected on the display screen selection screen draws a focus frame, which is a frame surrounding the reduced screen of that format. When any of the up, down, left, or right buttons on the remote control 17 is pressed, the focus frame moves one position to the reduced screen in the direction indicated by the pressed button. For example, when the down button on the remote control is pressed 4 times and the right button is pressed 3 times with the focus frame on the map screen as shown in Fig. 3(a), as shown in Fig. 3(b), the focus frame moves to and is displayed on the AUTO display screen. Similarly, when a touch is detected at the position on the touch panel of the display unit 5 corresponding to the display position of the reduced screen, the focus frame moves to the touch position. When the press of the determination button on the remote control 17 or the switch unit 3 is detected, the screen of the format corresponding to the reduced image of the format with the focus frame displayed is set and stored in the database 19 as the screen of the format to be displayed selected by the user, and is displayed based on this stored setting. Also, when the power of this device is turned on next time, the screen of this selected format stored in the database 19 is displayed.

[0043] For example, as shown in Fig. 3(a), when the press of the determination button on the remote control 17 or the switch unit 3 is detected with the focus frame moved to and displayed on the reduced screen of the map screen, the map screen with the focus frame displayed is stored in the database 19 as the screen of the format to be displayed selected by the user, and is screen-displayed on the display unit 5 in this format as shown in Fig. 4(a). Similarly, for example, as shown in Fig. 3(b), when the press of the determination button on the remote control 17 is detected with the focus frame displayed on the AUTO display screen, the AUTO screen display is performed.

[0044] Next, the format (configuration) of each screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, a clock display section is provided at the upper right of the screen in common for all these screens other than the OFF screen, and the hour and minute of the current time received from the satellite by the GPS receiver 8 are displayed in this format.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the map screen includes an azimuth display section that displays the direction in which the north direction is relative to the display direction of the map based on the geomagnetic direction detected by the geomagnetic sensor 28 at the upper left, and a vehicle speed display section that displays the vehicle speed detected by the GPS receiver 8 adjacent to the right of it. On the other hand, at the lower part of the screen, there is a strip-shaped telop display section in the left-right direction, and a place name display section that searches and displays the current place name corresponding to the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8 from the database 19 to the left of the center in the left-right direction, and a public notice information display section that searches and displays the public notice information related to the current position and current date and time from the database 19 to the right of the center in the left-right direction. A map display section is provided in the screen area of the display section 5 excluding the azimuth display section, vehicle speed display section, and clock display section at the upper part of the screen and the strip-shaped display section at the lower part of the screen. The map display section can be set on the setting screen to perform either a so-called north-up display (display with the north on the upper side of the screen) or a head-up display (heading-up display) (display with the traveling direction on the upper side of the screen), and the display is performed in the set direction. The example in FIG. 4(a) is a display example when set to a head-up display. In the map display section, the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8 is displayed as an arrow-shaped current position icon near the lower end of the map display area at the center in the left-right direction of the screen and above the strip-shaped display section at the lower part of the screen, and the map data of the area approximately 300 m upward, approximately 300 m to the left, and approximately 300 m to the right from there (map data within the range that can be displayed on the map display section) is read from the database 19 and displayed.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the clock screen includes an analog clock display section that displays the current time obtained from the GPS receiver 8 with the long hand and short hand in an analog clock style on the left side, and a date and other information display section that displays the current date and day of the week obtained from the GPS receiver 8 on the right side.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 5(a), the speed screen displays, on the left side, the current moving speed (vehicle speed in this embodiment) obtained from the GPS receiver 8 with a pointer (in the example of Fig. 5(a), the scale of 60 km / h coincides with the pointer) on an analog meter, and also displays a speed display section with a numerical value slightly to the right of the center of the analog meter. On the right side, it is provided with a compass (azimuth compass) image that displays the north direction obtained from the geomagnetic sensor, i.e., an azimuth display section.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 5(b), the eco-driving screen is provided with a radar chart display section on the left side, a comprehensive evaluation display section in the upper right, and a driving speed display section in the lower right. The radar chart display section displays points for sudden acceleration on the upper side, sudden deceleration on the right side, idling on the lower side, and economic speed on the left side. Each point is displayed with a maximum of 100 points (displayed as 100 pt) and a minimum of 0 pt. The initial value of each point is 70 pt. When the output of the acceleration of the acceleration sensor 27 and the output of the speed from the GPS receiver 8 are in an output state determined not to be eco-driving, points are deducted, and when it is in an output state determined to be eco-driving, points are added, and the numerical value of each point and a graph plotted with the numerical values on the radar chart are displayed. The comprehensive evaluation display section displays the average value of each point displayed on the radar chart display section. The driving speed display section displays the current speed obtained from the GPS receiver 8.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5(c), the acceleration screen includes an acceleration image display section on the left side and an acceleration numerical value display section on the right side. The acceleration image display section displays a vehicle image with the front direction of the vehicle on the upper side and the rear direction on the lower side within a circular frame, and also displays a scale which is a point spreading radially from the center thereof. The direction and magnitude of the acceleration obtained from the acceleration sensor 27 are displayed by the direction and magnitude (vector) of an arrow. When the vehicle accelerates forward, the arrow is displayed in a corresponding relationship such that it points backward. The acceleration numerical value display section displays, in order from top to bottom, the character strings of "Speed", "F / R", "L / R", "Current Acceleration", "Maximum Acceleration", "Maximum Deceleration", and the values thereof to the right of each character string. The numerical value of "Speed" displays the current speed acquired from the GPS receiver 8. The numerical value of "F / R" displays the magnitude of the current acceleration in the vehicle's front-rear direction acquired from the acceleration sensor 27. The numerical value of "L / R" displays the magnitude of the current acceleration in the vehicle's left-right direction acquired from the acceleration sensor 27. The numerical value of "Current Acceleration" displays the magnitude of the current acceleration vector acquired from the acceleration sensor 27. "Maximum Acceleration" displays the maximum value of the acceleration in the acceleration direction in the vehicle's front-rear direction up to the present (the maximum value in the positive direction of "F / R") during the period from the time when power is supplied from the DC jack, that is, when the ACC of the vehicle is turned on, to the present. "Maximum Deceleration" displays the maximum value of the acceleration in the deceleration direction in the vehicle's front-rear direction up to the present (the maximum value in the negative direction of "F / R") during the period from the time when power is supplied from the DC jack, that is, when the ACC of the vehicle is turned on, to the present.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 6(a), the inclined screen is provided with an inclination image display section on the left side that displays the current inclination state of the vehicle in the form of an image based on the output value of the acceleration sensor 27, and a numerical display section on the right side. The inclination image display section moves and displays a sphere image with the upper side of the horizontal plane in white, the lower side in black, and the line on the horizontal plane in red within a circular frame, with the vehicle state at power-on as the reference horizontal state based on the output value of the acceleration sensor 27, corresponding to the current inclination states of the vehicle in the longitudinal and lateral directions. The inclination angle in the lateral direction can be confirmed by a scale provided on the circular frame, and the inclination angle in the longitudinal direction can be confirmed by a scale provided on the sphere image. The numerical display section is a traveling azimuth angle display section that numerically displays the angle with respect to the north direction of the current traveling direction obtained from the geomagnetic sensor in the upper stage, and a speed display section that numerically displays the current traveling speed in the lower stage.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 6(b), the tide information screen is provided with a strip-shaped place name, moon age, and tide name display section in the left-right direction on the left side of the clock section in the upper right of the screen of the display section 5, and a tide level graph display section that almost fills the screen in the left-right direction and also almost fills the lower part in the up-down direction below it. The place name, moon age, and tide name display section displays the current date obtained from the GPS receiver 8, the place name of a tide gauge or the like closest to the current position at the current date and time from the current position, the moon age of the current date, and the tide name. The tide level graph display section displays, in order from left to right in the left-right direction at the top, the sunrise time of the day of the current date, the current date, and the sunset time of the day of the current date. Below that, a 24-hour tide level graph of the current date (today) with the left end at 0:00 and the right end at 24:00 is displayed. The tide level graph is calculated and displayed by a known method using the parameters of the tide gauge stored in the database 19 for the current date and the tide gauge near the current position. Also, the tide levels at the times of low tide and high tide today in the graph are numerically displayed at the positions of the times of low tide and high tide.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6(c), the graph screen includes a graph display section in approximately two-thirds of the left side of the screen and a numerical value display section on the right side of the screen. The graph display section displays the type of graph set on the setting screen, and the numerical value display section numerically displays the current value of the type of value displayed in the graph. The types of graphs that can be set on the setting screen are speed, altitude, and acceleration. The right end of the graph is the current value, and it shows the past state as it goes to the left. For example, the left end is the value one minute ago.

[0053] The preset A screen shown in FIG. 7(a), the preset B screen shown in FIG. 7(b), and the preset C screen shown in FIG. 7(c) are screens that display three meters preset in the preset meter setting screen and stored in the database 19. Hereinafter, these screens are collectively referred to as preset screens. Each preset screen displays a left position meter displayed within a circular frame centered at a position shifted to the left in the horizontal direction and shifted downward in the vertical direction, a middle position meter displayed within a circular frame centered at a position centered in the horizontal direction and shifted upward in the vertical direction, and a right position meter displayed within a circular frame centered at a position shifted to the right in the horizontal direction and shifted downward in the vertical direction. The three meters have a line-symmetric shape with a virtual line drawn vertically through the center of the circle of the middle position meter as the axis of symmetry. This is referred to as a triple meter. The circular frames of the left position meter, the middle position meter, and the right position meter are arranged with a degree of overlap such that a part of each frame overlaps while the display content inside the meter can be generally viewed, and the middle position meter is displayed so that the entire circular frame can be viewed. Thereby, it is easy to position the middle position meter as the main meter and the right position meter and the left position meter as sub-meters. Also, each meter can be displayed as large as possible while effectively using the screen area. As types of meters that can be preset, in the OBD2 non-connected state, there are a clock, satellite information, tide information, vehicle speed, eco drive, acceleration, inclination, compass, etc. In the OBD2 connected state, in addition to these, there are instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average fuel consumption on ordinary roads, average fuel consumption on highways, current fuel consumption, lifetime fuel consumption, moving average fuel consumption, fuel flow rate, engine coolant temperature, intake air temperature, outside air temperature, battery voltage, throttle opening, engine load, in-manifold gauge, boost gauge, tachometer, etc.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the positioning information screen draws a globe at the center of the screen, displays the positions of the satellites that can currently be received by the GPS receiver 8 at the corresponding positions on the globe, and displays the numbers of four satellites and their reception levels in descending order of reception level from the satellites on a display section provided around the globe.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the fuel consumption screen displays an OBD data display section on the left side of the screen, an instantaneous fuel consumption display section in the upper right, and a current fuel consumption display section in the lower right. The OBD data display section displays numerical information (referred to as OBD data) based on vehicle information acquired from the vehicle side via the connector terminal 23. This OBD data display section displays the items selected from 56 items on the setting screen. As shown in FIG. 8(b), the number of items that can be displayed simultaneously is 8. When more than 8 items are selected, they are scrolled and displayed at a predetermined time interval to display all the selected items.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8(c), the OBD data screen is a screen in a format that also displays a display section similar to the OBD data display section in FIG. 8(b) on the right side of the screen. That is, the number of OBD data items that can be displayed simultaneously is 8 on the right side and 8 on the left side. When more than 16 items are selected in total, they are scrolled and displayed at a predetermined time interval to display all the selected items.

[0057] The 56 items selectable as OBD data are "speed", "average speed", "maximum speed", "5-second speed", "average 5-second speed", "maximum 5-second speed", "engine speed", "average engine speed", "maximum engine speed", "engine load", "average load", "maximum load", "throttle opening", "average throttle opening", "maximum throttle opening", "ignition timing", "fuel level", "intake manifold pressure", "MAF", "INJ", "coolant temperature", "intake air temperature", "ambient temperature", "remaining fuel", "fuel flow rate", "fuel consumption", "lifetime fuel consumption", "instantaneous fuel consumption", "current fuel consumption", "lifetime fuel efficiency", "average fuel efficiency", "average fuel efficiency on ordinary roads", "average fuel efficiency on highways", "driving time", "travel time", "idle time", "idle ratio", "travel distance", "lifetime travel distance", "acceleration time from 0 to 20 km / h", "average acceleration from 0 to 20 km / h", "shortest acceleration from 0 to 20 km / h", "acceleration time from 0 to 40 km / h", "average acceleration from 0 to 40 km / h", "shortest acceleration from 0 to 40 km / h", "acceleration time from 0 to 60 km / h", "average acceleration from 0 to 60 km / h", "shortest acceleration from 0 to 60 km / h", "acceleration time from 0 to 80 km / h", "average acceleration from 0 to 80 km / h", "shortest acceleration from 0 to 80 km / h", "travel time from 0 to 20 km / h", "travel time from 20 to 40 km / h", "travel time from 40 to 60 km / h", "travel time from 60 to 80 km / h", "travel time above 80 km / h".

[0058] "Speed" displays the current vehicle speed obtained from the vehicle side in the unit of km / h. "Average Speed" displays the average vehicle speed of the vehicle speeds obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on of this device to the present in the unit of km / h. "Maximum Speed" displays the highest vehicle speed among those obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on of this device to the present in the unit of km / h. "5-second Speed" displays the average vehicle speed of the vehicle speeds obtained from the vehicle side from 5 seconds ago to the present in the unit of km / h. "Average 5-second Speed" displays the average speed every 5 seconds of the vehicle speeds obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on in the unit of km / h. "Maximum 5-second Speed" displays the maximum speed every 5 seconds of the vehicle speeds obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on in the unit of km / h. "Revolutions" displays the current engine revolutions obtained from the vehicle side in the unit of rpm. "Average Revolutions" displays the average value of the engine revolutions obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of rpm. "Maximum Revolutions" displays the highest value of the engine revolutions obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of rpm. "Engine Load" displays the current engine load rate obtained from the vehicle side in the unit of %. "Average Load" displays the average value of the engine load rates obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of %. "Average Load" displays the average value of the engine load rates obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of %. "Maximum Load" displays the maximum value of the engine load rates obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of %. "Throttle Opening" displays the current throttle opening obtained from the vehicle side in the unit of %. "Average Throttle Opening" displays the average value of the throttle openings obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of %. "Maximum Throttle Opening" displays the maximum value of the throttle openings obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of %. "Ignition Timing" displays the current ignition timing obtained from the vehicle side in the unit of °. "Average Throttle Opening" displays the average value of the throttle openings obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of %. "Maximum Throttle Opening" displays the maximum value of the throttle openings obtained from the vehicle side from the power-on to the present in the unit of %. "Fuel Level" displays the ratio of the remaining fuel obtained from the vehicle side in the unit of %."Intake Manifold Pressure" displays the current intake manifold pressure acquired from the vehicle side in units of kPa. "MAF" displays the current amount of air inhaled into the engine (Mass Air Flow (MAF)) acquired from the vehicle side in units of g / s. "INJ" displays the time during which fuel is injected by the injector for a certain period of time (injection opening time) acquired from the vehicle side in units of ms. "Coolant Temperature" displays the current temperature of the engine coolant (coolant temperature) acquired from the vehicle side in units of °C. "Intake Air Temperature" displays the current temperature of the air inhaled into the engine (intake air temperature) acquired from the vehicle side in units of °C. "Ambient Temperature" displays the current outside air temperature (ambient temperature) acquired from the vehicle side in units of °C. "Remaining Fuel" displays the current amount of remaining fuel in the fuel tank (remaining fuel amount) acquired from the vehicle side in units of L. "Fuel Flow Rate" displays the current fuel flow rate acquired from the vehicle side in units of ml / m. "Fuel Consumption" displays the difference between the remaining fuel amount acquired from the vehicle side when the power is on and the current remaining fuel amount as fuel consumption in units of ml. "Lifetime Fuel Consumption" displays the cumulative value of fuel consumption since the unit was first installed or reset in units of L. "Instantaneous Fuel Economy" displays the current instantaneous fuel economy acquired from the vehicle side in units of km / l. "Current Fuel Economy" displays the fuel economy for the current driving, etc. calculated based on the instantaneous fuel economy acquired from the vehicle side since the power was on in units of km / l. "Lifetime Fuel Economy" displays the fuel economy during this period calculated based on the instantaneous fuel since the unit was first installed or the all reset was performed on the setting screen until now in units of km / l. "Average Fuel Economy" displays the fuel economy during this period calculated based on the instantaneous fuel since the unit was first installed or the average fuel economy was reset on the setting screen until now in units of km / l. "Average Fuel Economy on Ordinary Roads" determines whether the current position corresponds to a position on an ordinary road based on the map data stored in Database 19 and the current position acquired by the GPS receiver 8, and displays the average fuel economy on ordinary roads since the unit was first installed or the average fuel economy was reset on the setting screen until now based on the instantaneous fuel economy acquired from the vehicle side at the position on the ordinary road in units of km / l. Similarly, "Average Fuel Economy on Highway" displays the average fuel economy on the highway in units of km / l. "Driving Time" displays the time from when the power is on until now in the format of h:mm:ss."Driving Time" displays, in the format of h:mm:ss, the time during which the vehicle speed obtained from the vehicle side has exceeded 0 out of the time from power-on to the present. "Idle Time" displays, in the format of h:mm:ss, the time during which the vehicle has been stopped, i.e., the time during which the vehicle speed obtained from the vehicle side is 0, out of the time from power-on to the present. "Idle Ratio" is displayed in units of %, which is the ratio of the time during which the vehicle has been running, i.e., the time during which the vehicle speed has exceeded 0 (driving time), to the time during which the vehicle has been stopped, i.e., the time during which the vehicle speed obtained from the vehicle side is 0 (stopping time), out of the time from power-on to the present. "Driven Distance" displays the driven distance calculated from the vehicle speed obtained from the vehicle side and the elapsed time from power-on to the present, in units of km. "Lifetime Driven Distance" displays the cumulative value of the driven distance since the unit was first installed or reset, in units of km. "Acceleration Time from 0 to 20 km / h" displays the time taken from the most recent stopped state to reach a speed of 20 km / h, in units of seconds. "Average Acceleration from 0 to 20 km / h" displays the average time taken from the stopped state to reach a speed of 20 km / h, in units of seconds. "Shortest Acceleration from 0 to 20 km / h" displays the shortest time taken from the stopped state to reach a speed of 20 km / h, in units of seconds. "Acceleration Time from 0 to 40 km / h" displays the time taken from the most recent stopped state to reach a speed of 40 km / h, in units of seconds. "Average Acceleration from 0 to 40 km / h" displays the average time taken from the stopped state to reach a speed of 40 km / h, in units of seconds. "Shortest Acceleration from 0 to 40 km / h" displays the shortest time taken from the stopped state to reach a speed of 40 km / h, in units of seconds. "Acceleration Time from 0 to 60 km / h" displays the time taken from the most recent stopped state to reach a speed of 60 km / h, in units of seconds. "Average Acceleration from 0 to 60 km / h" displays the average time taken from the stopped state to reach a speed of 60 km / h, in units of seconds. "Shortest Acceleration from 0 to 60 km / h" displays the shortest time taken from the stopped state to reach a speed of 60 km / h, in units of seconds. "Acceleration Time from 0 to 80 km / h" displays the time taken from the most recent stopped state to reach a speed of 80 km / h, in units of seconds. "Average Acceleration from 0 to 80 km / h" displays the average time taken from the stopped state to reach a speed of 80 km / h, in units of seconds. "Shortest Acceleration from 0 to 80 km / h" displays the shortest time taken from the stopped state to reach a speed of 80 km / h, in units of seconds.The "travel time at 0 - 20 km / h" displays the total travel time from a stopped state at a speed of 20 km / h in the format of h:mm:ss. The "travel time at 20 - 40 km / h" displays the total travel time from a speed of 20 km / h to 40 km / h in the format of h:mm:ss. The "travel time at 40 - 60 km / h" displays the total travel time from a speed of 40 km / h to 60 km / h in the format of h:mm:ss. The "travel time at 60 - 80 km / h" displays the total travel time from a speed of 60 km / h to 80 km / h in the format of h:mm:ss. The "travel time at 80 km / h or higher". displays the total travel time at a speed of 80 km / h or higher in the format of h:mm:ss.

[0059] Next, the processing to be executed according to the events that occur during the execution of the current information display function will be described. During the execution of the current information display function, according to the events that occur, the processing to implement each function such as the GPS warning function, the radar wave warning function, and the wireless warning function is executed, and when the processing of the function ends, it returns to the execution processing of the original current information display function. The priority of each function is set in descending order as the radar wave warning function, the wireless warning function, and the GPS warning function.

[0060] The GPS warning function is a process executed using the position information output from the GPS receiver 8 every second as a trigger. It calculates the distance between the latitude and longitude of the target stored in the database 19 and the latitude and longitude of the current position detected by the GPS receiver 8. When the calculated distance reaches a predetermined approach distance (for example, within 1 km), it outputs a voice of an approach warning indicating that fact from the speaker 20. When a screen other than the map screen is being displayed as the current information display function (including the OFF screen), this process of outputting voice is performed. On the other hand, when the map screen is being displayed as the current information display function, in addition to the output of voice, an alarm window that draws an image based on data such as a schematic diagram or photograph of the approach warning is animatedly drawn over (in front of) the map displayed in the map display section of the map screen in the order shown in FIGS. 9(a), (b), (c) and FIGS. 10(a), (b), (c). That is, FIG. 9(a) shows a state where the distance between the two has not yet reached within 1 km, and a map is being displayed in the map display section of the map screen but the alarm window is not being displayed. When the distance between the two reaches within 1 km, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the size of the alarm window is increased while the display brightness is brightened until the right end of the alarm window gradually reaches a position slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction of the map display section from the upper left to the lower right direction of the map display section. The state of gradually brightening the display brightness is illustrated as a change from FIG. 9(a) to FIG. 9(b). The display process for the size of the window is the same as the drawing process in the order shown in FIGS. 11(a), (b), (c) which will be described later. As the animation, an object indicating the shape of the target displayed inside the alarm window is rotated, and the characters stored in the database 19 for each target, such as "WARNING", are sequentially displayed from the leftmost character to the right on the front surface thereof. A mini radar is displayed over (in front of) the map in the upper right side of the map display section. The mini radar is a circular window with a diameter of slightly less than one-fourth in the left-right direction of the screen and is displayed at the upper right position of the map display section. The mini radar displays a triangular own vehicle position object at the center of the circle and draws the position of the target as seen from the current position as a circular object inside the circle. The radius of the circle corresponds to a distance of 1 km. In the examples of FIGS. 9(b) and (c), the current position and the position of the H system which is the target are being displayed.And the distance from the current position to the target is displayed within this circle. In FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c), the distance from the current position to the target is 580 m, in FIG. 10(a) it is 500 m, and in FIG. 10(b) it is 480 m. When passing through, the warning window is erased following a process opposite to that of the warning window (FIG. 10(c)). Note that, as shown in FIGS. 9(c), 10(a), and 10(b) in sequence, when the distance to the target becomes 500 m or less, a process is performed in which the animation is gradually changed to a real-shot image. Also, when the state is such that the distance between the current position and the target can be regarded as 0, it is determined that the vehicle has passed, and as shown in FIG. 10(c), a process is performed in which the warning window displaying the real-shot image is faded out and the warning window is erased. Note that the real-shot image is actual photo data taken at the position of the target object.

[0061] Examples of such target objects include drowsy driving accident locations, radars, H systems, LH systems, speed limit switching points, enforcement areas, checkpoint areas, no-parking monitoring areas, N systems, traffic monitoring systems, intersection monitoring points, signal violation suppression systems, police stations, accident-prone areas, areas with frequent vehicle targeting, sharp / continuous curves (expressways), branch / merge points (expressways), ETC lane advance guidance (expressways), service areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), highway oases (expressways), smart interchanges (expressways), gas stations within PA / SA (expressways), tunnels (expressways), highway radio reception areas (expressways), prefecture boundary notifications, road stations, viewpoint parking lots, etc. The type information of these target objects, the latitude and longitude information indicating their positions, the schematic diagram or photo data to be displayed on the display unit 5, and the voice data are associated and stored in the database 19, and approaching warnings are given by referring to these.

[0062] The radar wave warning function is an alarm function that, when a signal corresponding to microwave (radar wave) in a frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device (such as a mobile radar, hereinafter simply referred to as "radar") is detected by the microwave receiver 4, displays an alarm screen on the display unit 5 and outputs an alarm sound from the speaker 20. For example, when microwaves in the frequency band of the microwaves emitted by the radar are detected by the microwave receiver 4, the voice data stored in the database 19 is read out and a voice "There is a radar. Caution for speed" is output from the speaker 20. While the voice is being output, the warning lamp 6 is lit. When a screen other than the map screen is being displayed as the current information display function (including the OFF screen), such voice output processing is performed. On the other hand, when the map screen is being displayed as the current information display function, in addition to the voice output, an alarm window that draws an image based on data such as a schematic diagram or a photograph of the radar wave warning is animatedly drawn superimposed on top (in front) of the map displayed on the map display section of the map screen as shown in the order of FIGS. 11(a)(b)(c) and FIGS. 12(a)(b)(c). That is, FIG. 11(a) shows a state where no radar wave is received by the microwave receiver 4, and a map is being displayed on the map display section of the map screen but no alarm window is being displayed. When the microwave receiver 4 receives a radar wave, as shown in the order of FIGS. 11(b)(c), the size of the alarm window is gradually increased from the upper left to the lower right of the map display section until the right end of the alarm window reaches a position slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction of the map display section, and the display brightness is increased for display. As the animation, an object indicating the shape of the target displayed inside the alarm window is rotated, and characters stored in the database 19 such as "WARNING" are sequentially displayed from the leftmost character to the right on the front surface thereof. After this display is performed for a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds), as shown in the order of FIGS. 12(a)(b)(c), processing is performed to gradually change the animation to the image photograph of this speed measuring device. When the radar wave is no longer received, processing is performed to fade out the alarm window displaying the image photograph in the order shown in FIGS. 13(a)(b)(c).

[0063] The wireless warning function is a function that issues a warning when the wireless receiver 15 receives a radio wave emitted by an emergency vehicle or the like, so as not to interfere with its running or the like. In the wireless warning function, frequencies such as regulatory wireless, car radio wireless, digital wireless, very small wireless, police activity system wireless, police telephone, police activity wireless, lecca wireless, helicotere wireless, fire helicotere wireless, fire wireless, emergency wireless, highway wireless, and security wireless are scanned. When wireless is received at the scanned frequency, a schematic diagram indicating that wireless corresponding to that frequency stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is received is displayed on the display unit 5 as a warning screen, and the voice data stored in the database 19 for each wireless type is read out, and a warning voice indicating the type of that wireless is output from the speaker 20. For example, when regulatory wireless is received, a voice such as "This is regulatory wireless. Caution for speed" is output. While the voice is being output, the warning lamp 6 is lit. When a screen other than the map screen is being displayed as the current information display function (including the OFF screen), the process of outputting the voice in this way is performed. On the other hand, when the map screen is being displayed as the current information display function, for example, the same processing as the radar wave warning function is performed except that a display indicating that it is a wireless warning is performed as shown in a part of the change in FIGS. 14(a), (b), and (c).

[0064] The radar detector of this embodiment is provided with an AUTO display target screen selection function for selecting a screen in a format that is a switching target of the AUTO display screen. When the AUTO display screen is selected on the display screen selection screen in FIG. 3, the format screen to be switched and displayed every minute is only the format screen selected by this AUTO display target screen selection function, and a process is performed in which a format screen not selected by the AUTO display target screen selection function is not a target for switching display. In the default state, all screens are set as switching display targets in the database 19, and as described above, all screens are targets for switching display, but the setting of the switching display target in this database 19 can be changed by the AUTO display target screen selection function.

[0065] The AUTO target screen selection function starts with screen transitions by detecting the following operations. First, when it is detected that the setting button of the remote control 17 or the switch unit 3 is pressed in any screen display state, the setting screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. In this state, when a touch to the display position of the "Standby" button at the upper left end is detected by the touch panel of the display unit 5 (hereinafter, the case where a touch to the display position of that button is detected by the touch panel of the display unit 5 is simply referred to as the case where a touch is detected), the standby screen setting screen shown in FIG. 15(b) is displayed. On this screen, when a touch to the "Auto Item" button at the upper right end is detected, the auto item setting screen 1 / 2 shown in FIG. 16(a) is displayed.

[0066] This auto item setting screen 1 / 2 includes a screen title display section with the title "Auto Item 1 / 2" at the top, and a control button display section at the bottom that includes, in order from left to right, an "EXIT" button, a "BACK" button, a blank space, and a right arrow button. Between the screen title section and the control button display section, there is a switching screen selection button display section. The switching screen selection button display section displays a total of seven toggle buttons, with four buttons in the first row and three buttons in the second row. When a touch on the right arrow button provided in the control button display section is detected, in the OBD2 connected state, the auto item setting screen 2 / 2 shown in Fig. 16(b) is displayed, and in the OBD2 non-connected state, the auto item setting screen 2 / 2 shown in Fig. 16(c) is displayed. The auto item setting screen 2 / 2 also has the same configuration as the auto item setting screen 1 / 1 and displays a total of six toggle buttons, with four buttons in the first row and two buttons in the second row. The auto item setting screen 2 / 2 in the OBD2 connected state and the OBD2 non-connected state are the same except that in the OBD2 non-connected state, the fuel consumption screen and the OBD data screen, which are not the targets of switching display, are in a grayed-out state and cannot be selected and switched. Hereinafter, an example in the OBD2 connected state will be described. In the control button display section at the bottom of the auto item setting screen 2 / 2, the part of the right arrow button that was displayed in the auto item setting screen 1 / 1 becomes a blank space, and a left arrow button is displayed in the part that was a blank space in the auto item setting screen 1 / 1. When a touch on the left arrow button is detected, the auto item setting screen 1 / 2 shown in Fig. 16(a) is displayed. In this way, the auto item setting screen 1 / 2 shown in Fig. 16(a) and the auto item setting screen 2 / 2 shown in Fig. 16(b) can be switched with each other using the right arrow button and the left arrow button (page switching is possible), and a total of 13 items will have toggle buttons for switching display or not. When a touch on the "EXIT" button is detected, the process returns to the process before a touch on the setting button of the remote control 17 or the switch section 3 is detected. When a touch on the "BACK" button is detected, the process returns to the waiting screen setting screen in Fig. 15(b), which was the previously displayed screen. Note that the processing when touching the buttons in the control button display section is the same as the processing in other figures of this embodiment.

[0067] On the first half of the auto-item setting screen shown in Fig. 16(a), there are a "Clock" button for setting whether to switch and display the clock screen in the first row and first column, a "Speed" button for setting whether to switch and display the speed screen in the first row and second column, an "Eco Drive" button for setting whether to switch and display the eco drive screen in the first row and third column, an "Acceleration" button for setting whether to switch and display the acceleration screen in the first row and fourth column, a "Tilt" button for setting whether to switch and display the tilt screen in the second row and first column, a "Tide Information" button for setting whether to switch and display the tide information screen in the second row and second column, and a "Graph" button for setting whether to switch and display the graph screen in the second row and third column. On the second half of the auto-item setting screen shown in Fig. 16(b), there are a "Preset A" button for setting whether to switch and display the preset A screen in the first row and first column, a "Preset B" button for setting whether to switch and display the preset A screen in the first row and second column, a "Preset C" button for setting whether to switch and display the preset C screen in the first row and third column, a "Positioning Information" button for setting whether to switch and display the positioning information screen in the first row and fourth column, a "Fuel Consumption" button for setting whether to switch and display the fuel consumption screen in the second row and first column, and an "OBD Data" button for setting whether to switch and display the OBD data screen in the second row and second column. The names of the buttons are displayed on the surfaces of these buttons. The name of each button is the text enclosed in parentheses in the above text. For example, for the "Clock" button, the text "Clock" enclosed in parentheses is displayed as the button name. Each button is a rectangular button of the same size with the horizontal direction surrounding these characters as the long side. A space with a predetermined width is provided between each button to prevent mis-touch.

[0068] At the left end of each button, an indicator section is provided that shows an image of a strip-shaped LED lamp that lights up green with a width thinner than the button width between the upper end and the lower end inside the button. This indicator has a lit state and an unlit state. When a touch is detected at the position of any button on the touch panel of the display unit 5, the lit state of the indicator of the touched button is reversed. That is, if it is in the lit state, it becomes the unlit state, and if it is in the unlit state, it becomes the lit state. When the indicator is in the lit state, the screen corresponding to that button is set as the target for switching display, and when the indicator is in the unlit state, it is stored in the database 19 as a setting where the screen corresponding to that button is not the target for switching display. This storage process is performed when there is a change in the lit state of the indicator. When the pressing of the "EXIT" button is detected and the AUTO screen display is selected as shown in Fig. 3(b) above, the AUTO display screen process is started, and a process of switching only the screens stored in the database 19 as the target for switching display is performed every minute. Hereinafter, it will be described assuming that the AUTO screen display is selected as shown in Fig. 3(b).

[0069] Figs. 16(a) and (b) show an example where the indicators are lit for all buttons. This state is the default state described above. When a touch on the "EXIT" button is detected in this state, all screens become the targets for switching display. That is, the screens of each format are switched and displayed every minute in the order of the clock screen, speed screen, eco-drive screen, acceleration screen, inclination screen, tide information screen, graph screen, preset A screen, preset B screen, preset C screen, positioning information screen, fuel consumption screen, and OBD data screen (each screen is displayed for 1 minute and then switched to the next format screen. The same applies hereinafter). After the OBD data screen is displayed for 1 minute, it returns to the clock screen, and thereafter, the switching display is performed in the same manner.

[0070] Figure 17(a) shows an example where the indicator of the "Clock" button on the Auto Item Setting Screen 1 / 2 is off and the indicators of the other buttons are on. Assume that on the Auto Item Setting Screen 2 / 2, as shown in Figure 16(b), the indicators of all buttons are on. When a touch on the "EXIT" button is detected in this state, all screens except the clock screen become the targets for switched display. That is, the screens of each format are switched and displayed every minute in the order of the speed screen, eco-drive screen, acceleration screen, inclination screen, tide information screen, graph screen, preset A screen, preset B screen, preset C screen, positioning information screen, fuel consumption screen, and OBD data screen. After the OBD data screen is displayed for one minute, it returns to the speed screen and the switched display continues in the same way. Since the clock is displayed in the upper right corner of the screens of each format, users who think it is not necessary to include it in the switched display can touch each button to set it to this indicator state, so that the clock screen is not switched and displayed.

[0071] Figure 17(b) shows an example where the indicators for the "Clock" button and the "Tide Information" button are off, while the indicators for the other buttons are on. Assume that, as shown in Figure 16(b), all button indicators are on in the Auto Item Settings Screen 2 / 2. When a touch on the "EXIT" button is detected in this state, all screens except the clock screen and the tide information screen are targeted for switched display. That is, the screens of each format are switched and displayed every minute in the order of the speed screen, the eco-drive screen, the acceleration screen, the tilt screen, the graph screen, the preset A screen, the preset B screen, the preset C screen, the positioning information screen, the fuel consumption screen, and the OBD data screen. After the OBD data screen is displayed for one minute, it returns to the speed screen and the switching display continues in the same manner. The clock screen and the tide information screen mainly depend only on the date and time and do not change in real time as the vehicle travels. Therefore, a user who wants to know the current real-time state that changes as the vehicle travels can touch and set each button so that the indicators are in such a state, preventing the clock screen and the tide information screen from being switched and displayed, and allowing only the screens of the format that display the current real-time state that changes as the vehicle travels to be switched and displayed.

[0072] Figure 17(c) shows an example where all the indicators of the seven buttons on the auto item setting screen 1 / 2 are off. As shown in Figure 18(a), on the auto item setting screen 2 / 2, the indicators of the "Preset A" button, "Preset B" button, and "Preset C" button are on, and it is assumed that the indicators of the "Positioning information" button, "Fuel consumption" button, and "OBD data" button are off. When a touch on the "EXIT" button is detected in this state, the screens of each format are alternately displayed every minute in the order of the Preset A screen, Preset B screen, and Preset C screen. After the Preset C screen is displayed for one minute, it returns to the Preset A screen and continues to be alternately displayed in the same way. By doing so, the user can repeatedly display the three types of triple meters preset by themselves and prevent the display of screens in other formats. By reducing the number of selected screens in this way, the time required for one cycle of repeated display (in this example, the time required for one cycle of repeated display is three minutes) can be shortened. Also, for example, if all the meters on these three preset screens are set to different types of meters, a total of nine types of meters can be confirmed in three minutes.

[0073] Next, the setting process for each meter to be displayed on the Preset A screen, Preset B screen, and Preset C screen will be described. This setting process starts with a screen transition detected by the following operations. As described above, first, when it is detected that the setting button on the remote control 17 or the switch unit 3 is pressed in any screen display state, the setting screen in Figure 15 is displayed. In this state, when a touch on the "Standby" button at the upper left end is detected, the standby screen setting screen shown in Figure 15(b) is displayed. When a touch on any of the "Preset A" button, "Preset B" button, and "Preset C" button in the second column of this screen is detected, the preset meter setting screen related to that preset is displayed. Here, an example of the case where there is a touch on the "Preset A" button will be described. The same process applies when there is a touch on the "Preset B" button or "Preset C" button.

[0074] When the "Preset A" button is touched, a preset meter setting screen as shown in Fig. 19(a) is displayed. Similar to the auto item setting screen, the preset meter setting screen has a screen title display section with the title "Preset A" at the top and a control button display section with an "EXIT" button and a "BACK" button in order from left to right at the bottom. Between the screen title section and the control button display section, there is a meter setting button display section having three meter setting buttons arranged at positions corresponding to the left position meter, the middle position meter, and the right position meter in Fig. 7(a). That is, the meter setting button display section includes a left position meter setting button for setting the type of the left position meter arranged at the lower left position, a middle position meter setting button for setting the type of the middle position meter arranged at the upper center position, and a right position meter setting button for setting the type of the right position meter arranged at the lower right position. On each button, a character string indicating the currently set meter type is displayed. In the default state, for the Preset A screen, as shown in Fig. 19(a), the left position meter is set to a clock, the middle position meter is set to a vehicle speed, and the right position meter is set to an eco drive. In this state, the display example of the Preset A screen is the same as the display example in Fig. 7(a). That is, as set by each of these meter setting buttons, the left position meter is displayed as a clock, the middle position meter is displayed as a vehicle speed, and the right position meter is displayed as an eco drive.

[0075] Note that the default setting for the Preset B screen is that the left position meter is a clock, the middle position meter is an acceleration, and the right position meter is a vehicle speed, and the display example is as shown in Fig. 7(b). The default setting for the Preset C screen is that the left position meter is a compass, the middle position meter is an inclination, and the right position meter is a tide information, and the display example is as shown in Fig. 7(c).

[0076] In the display state of Fig. 19(a), the process of changing the type of the middle position meter from the vehicle speed to the acceleration as shown in Fig. 19(b) will be described. The types of the left position meter and the right position meter are also changed by the same process.

[0077] When a touch on the middle position meter setting button is detected, a meter type selection screen shown in Fig. 20(a) is displayed. The meter type selection screen has a control button display section with a back button, a blank space, an up arrow button, and a down arrow button arranged vertically on the right side, and four meter type buttons arranged vertically on the left side thereof. As shown in Fig. 20(a), the currently set meter type is first displayed in the second position from the top. Since the setting of the middle position meter setting button in Fig. 19(a) is "vehicle speed", "vehicle speed" is displayed on the second meter type button from the top, and this meter type button is highlighted to indicate the current selection state.

[0078] In this state, when a touch on the down arrow button is detected, the display shown in Fig. 19(b) is set. That is, the meter type button displayed in the second position from the top is moved to the top, the meter type button displayed in the third position from the top is moved to the second position from the top, the meter type button displayed in the fourth (bottom) position from the top is moved to the third position from the top, and the newly set meter type button in the next order is displayed in the fourth (bottom) position from the top. As a result, in this example, as shown in Fig. 20(b), the meter type button for vehicle speed has moved to the top. An example of the display when the down arrow button is touched three more times in this state is shown in Fig. 20(c). An example of the display when the down arrow button is touched three more times from the state of Fig. 20(c) is shown in Fig. 21(a). An example of the display when the down arrow button is touched three more times from the state of Fig. 21(a) is shown in Fig. 21(b). An example of the display when the down arrow button is touched three more times from the state of Fig. 21(b) is shown in Fig. 21(c). An example of the display when the down arrow button is touched three more times from the state of Fig. 21(c) is shown in Fig. 22(a). An example of the display when the down arrow button is touched three more times from the state of Fig. 22(a) is shown in Fig. 22(b). An example of the display when the down arrow button is touched several more times from the state of Fig. 22(b) is shown in Fig. 22(c). The display state of Fig. 22(c) is the same as the display state of Fig. 20(a). In this way, by cyclically scrolling and displaying the meter type buttons, options for selectable meter types are presented.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 20(a) and FIG. 20(b), when a touch is detected at the position of the meter type button for acceleration as the meter type button, the highlight display is moved to the meter type button for acceleration which is the touched button, and the setting of the type of the middle position meter in preset A of the database 19 is changed to "acceleration" and stored. When a touch is detected on the return button in this state, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the display on the middle position meter setting button is changed to this "acceleration". With this setting, when the preset A screen is displayed, as shown in FIG. 23, the middle position meter becomes the meter of "acceleration" as shown in FIG. 23. In this way, the user can set which type of meter each position meter is to be in each preset screen.

[0080] In this way, in the case of the AUTO display setting, when the preset screen is selected as the target for switching display, the preset screen thus set by the user can be made the target for switching display.

[0081] The radar detector, which is an example of the control system according to the present invention as described above, is a control system that performs control to switch and display screens of different formats that display information about the current situation at a predetermined time interval such as one minute interval in the predetermined order as described above. And it is provided with a selection function that allows the user to select the screen of the format to be the target of this switching display, and is configured such that the screen area of the format selected by the selection function is the target of the switching display. Therefore, it is possible to display the screen of the format necessary for the user. As information about the current situation, for example, it displays information about the current time, the current date, the current position, and the current situation regarding the vehicle where the display unit displayed by this control system is installed. In addition to or instead of these, a screen in a format that acquires and displays the current situation of the person who views the display of this system, for example, the driver himself / herself, may be provided. Note that the current situation may be, for example, the situation at this very moment, but in this embodiment, for example, since the position information is output from the GPS receiver 8 every second, it displays the situation before the current time within a range of about one second at most. The vehicle information acquired via the OBD2 connector is also acquired at intervals of 0.5 seconds, so it displays the situation before the current time within a range of about one second at most. The information about the current situation may be the situation in the past that is close to the current time to such an extent that it is recognized by the user as the current situation according to the type and nature of the information to be displayed.

[0082] As the predetermined order, in this embodiment, as described above, it is the order displayed on the setting screen or the like, but for example, it may not be such a predetermined fixed order, but may be the order set by the user, or may be a random order.

[0083] As the predetermined time interval, in this embodiment, it is set to a fixed time interval such as one minute in advance, but it may also be a variable time interval according to the situation of the acquired information. Further, the predetermined time interval may be a time interval set by the user on a setting screen or the like. Also, for example, the time from when the screen of the first format is displayed until switching to the display of the screen of the second format, and the time from when the screen of the second format is displayed until switching to the display of the screen of the third format may be the same time or different times.

[0084] The switching display of this embodiment is configured to rewrite the current screen area to the next screen area within the time between frames. That is, the current screen and the next screen are displayed so as to switch suddenly. However, when rewriting, for example, a predetermined switching effect display may be performed such as gradually scrolling out the screen area while scrolling in another screen area, or similarly performing fade-in and fade-out.

[0085] In this embodiment, as information regarding the current situation, it includes a plurality of different pieces of information acquired regarding the moving body. As screens of different formats, a configuration is adopted in which a plurality of screens in the format of a triple meter, such as preset A, preset B, and preset C, which simultaneously display a plurality of different pieces of information, are provided. Therefore, the plurality of different pieces of information acquired regarding the moving body vary as the moving body moves, and moreover, these variations can be grasped simultaneously by looking at the screen in the format of a triple meter that simultaneously displays a plurality of different pieces of information. Further, since a plurality of screens in the format of a triple meter that simultaneously display such a plurality of different pieces of information are provided and control is performed to switch and display them at a predetermined time interval in a predetermined order by the display function of the AUTO screen, for example, a large number of pieces of information that vary as the moving body moves can be grasped in a short time.

[0086] In addition, in this embodiment, the moving object is a vehicle, but it may be a person, for example. If it is a person, it is advisable to sense and acquire physiological phenomena such as the person's heartbeat and body temperature, or sense and acquire the person's position and surrounding conditions, etc.

[0087] On the auto item setting screen, as shown in FIGS. 16(a) and (b), the indicators of all the buttons are set to the lit state. In this way, the selection function targets all the format screens that can be selected in the default state for switching display, and is configured to allow the user to select, by touch, the format screens that are not the targets of the switching display. Therefore, in the default state, all the format screens that can be selected are switched and displayed in a predetermined order at predetermined time intervals. The user can thereby know all the format screens that can be selected by this radar detector. Then, for example, after using it like this for a while, as described above, by selecting, as the format screens that are not the targets of the switching display, the format screens that are unnecessary for oneself, only the format screens necessary for oneself can be switched and displayed.

[0088] On the auto item setting screen, as shown in Fig. 16 etc., the characters representing the screens of each format are displayed on the buttons for selection. Therefore, when switching the display, it is better to display the characters shown on this button. For example, when switching to the speed screen as shown in Fig. 5(a), as shown in Fig. 24, a horizontal strip-shaped telop area is displayed at the upper part thereof, and the character "speed" which is the character on this button is displayed within the telop area. This display is shown for 3 seconds from the time of switching and then erased. By doing so, it is possible to easily determine which screen should be selected when executing the selection function by looking at the display of the information representing the screens of each format (in this example, the telop displayed for a certain time when switching the screen), and when the screen is switched to that screen, it is possible to confirm that the information representing the format screen is properly set by looking at the information representing the format screen. As the information representing the screens of each format, for example, it is better to use the character string of the name attached to each screen, the thumbnail screen with each screen reduced in size, the illustration or icon showing the content of each screen, etc. The display in the case of switching the display of the information representing the format screen is performed within the format screen and erased when a predetermined time has elapsed after switching. The predetermined time until the erasure is set to 3 seconds, and it is configured to be shorter than 1 minute which is the predetermined time from when the format screen is displayed until it is switched to the screen of another format. By doing so, the information representing the format screen is displayed within the format screen for a predetermined time and then erased. After that, the format screen is displayed in a state where the information representing the format screen is not displayed, and then it is switched to the screen of another format. Therefore, when the screen is switched, it is possible to grasp what kind of information the format screen displays by the information representing the format screen, and furthermore, in a state where such grasping is possible, the information representing the format screen can be erased so that the display according to a predetermined format using the entire screen can be performed.

[0089] Furthermore, as at least one of the format screens selectable on the auto item setting screen, it is advisable to provide a format screen that controls the switching display of a predetermined display area within the format screen at predetermined time intervals. And the predetermined time interval for switching the display from the format screen to another format screen shall be set to a longer time (1 minute as described above in this embodiment) than the predetermined time interval for switching the display of the predetermined display area within the format screen. For example, taking the tidal information meter shown in the right position meter of the preset screen in Fig. 25 as this predetermined display area, when switching to this preset screen, a tidal information meter that displays the name of the tide station or the like closest to the current position as shown in Fig. 25(a), the lunar age of the current date, and the tide name is displayed. Then, after 10 seconds have elapsed, a tidal information meter that displays the time and tide level of the first low tide of the day and the time and tide level of the high tide as shown in Fig. 25(b) is displayed. And after 10 seconds have elapsed since the tidal information meter shown in Fig. 25(b) is displayed, a tidal information meter that displays the time and tide level of the second low tide of the day and the time and tide level of the high tide as shown in Fig. 25(c) is displayed. And after 10 seconds have elapsed since the tidal information meter shown in Fig. 25(c) is displayed, the display returns to the tidal information meter shown in Fig. 25(a). Then, once again, the tidal information meter on the screen of Fig. 25(a) is displayed for 10 seconds, switched to the tidal information meter on the screen of Fig. 25(b), and then the tidal information meter on the screen of Fig. 25(b) is displayed for 10 seconds and switched to the tidal information meter on the screen of Fig. 25(c). And when the tidal information meter on the screen of Fig. 25(c) is displayed for 10 seconds, 1 minute has elapsed since switching to this preset screen, so it will switch to the next format screen. In this way, the content of the tidal information meter, which is a predetermined display area within the format screen, is switched and displayed at a time interval (10 seconds in this embodiment) shorter than the time interval (1 minute in this embodiment) for switching the display to another format screen after the format screen is displayed. Therefore, it is ensured that the screen does not switch to another format screen without any switching display of the predetermined display area (the tidal information meter in this example) within this format screen.Therefore, by means of the switching display of a predetermined display area within the screen of that format and the switching display of the screen itself of that format, it becomes possible to visually recognize a large number of pieces of information in a short time. Also, these pieces of information can be confirmed without waiting until the cycle of the notice of the switching display. For example, when the tidal information screen of the day shown in FIG. 25 is displayed, the screen shown in FIG. 26 is displayed, but this content can be confirmed by the switching display of the content of the tidal information meter in a narrower area, and all the content can be confirmed within the display time (1 minute) of the preset display screen without waiting until the next preset screen is displayed. In addition, on days when there is no time of the second low tide or high tide, it may be left blank, or the meter display may be skipped.

[0090] In the present embodiment, as at least one of the screens of the formats selectable on the auto item setting screen, a graph screen as exemplified in FIG. 6(c) is provided. A screen of a format that enables the current situation to be grasped by comparing the current situation with the past situation like this graph screen is provided, and the predetermined time interval for the switching display from the screen of that format to the screen of another format may be set to a time interval that enables the current situation to be grasped by comparing the current situation with the past situation. The graph screen has a display time of 1 minute, and the current situation can be grasped by comparing the current situation with the past situation. By doing so, it becomes possible to compare and visually recognize the current situation with the past situation before the currently displayed screen of the format is switched to the screen of another format.

[0091] In this embodiment, when a screen other than the map screen is being displayed as the current information display function, and when an alarm is issued by the GPS alarm function, the radar wave alarm function, or the wireless alarm function, a process of outputting sound is to be performed. However, while the alarm sound is being output, it may be switched to the map screen, and an alarm may be issued using an alarm window or the like similar to the alarm when the map screen is being displayed. In such a case, the screen of the format selectable on the auto item setting screen may be configured not to include the map screen. During the execution of the function of switching and displaying screens of different formats in a predetermined order at predetermined time intervals, when a predetermined event (an alarm in this embodiment) occurs, an event screen display switching function is provided to switch to and display a screen for notifying the occurrence of the event. The format of the screen selectable as the target of the switching display may not include a screen of the same format as the screen for notifying the occurrence of the event. By doing so, the screen of the same format as the screen for notifying the occurrence of the event will not be switched and displayed in a predetermined order at predetermined time intervals by the display function of the AUTO screen. Therefore, the user can surely know the occurrence of the event, and will not misrecognize the screen switched and displayed in a predetermined order at predetermined time intervals as the occurrence screen of the event.

[0092] In this embodiment, an example in which the display unit 5 is provided with a touch panel has been described. However, a configuration including only the remote controller 17 or the switch unit 3 may be employed. For example, in response to detection of a button operation, a focus frame may be moved to indicate a selection target. When depression of a determination button is detected, an item with the focus frame is stored in the database 19 as a selected item, and screen switching processing or the like may be performed with reference to the stored item. For example, in the standby screen setting screen shown in FIG. 15(b), when depression of the up, down, left, or right button of the remote controller is detected to move the focus frame and the focus frame is on the "Auto Item" at the upper right end of the upper row, and depression of the determination button of the remote controller 17 is detected, the auto item setting screen 1 / 2 shown in FIG. 16(a) is displayed. When depression of the down button is detected with the focus frame on any of the buttons in the second row, or when depression of the right button is detected with the focus frame on the "Graph" button in the second row and third column, the auto item setting screen 2 / 2 shown in FIG. 16(b) is displayed. The auto item setting screen 2 / 2 also displays a total of seven toggle buttons, with four buttons in the first row and three buttons in the second row. When depression of the up button is detected with the focus frame on any of the buttons in the first row of the auto item setting screen 2 / 2, or when depression of the right button is detected with the focus frame on the "Preset A" button in the first row and first column, the auto item setting screen 2 / 2 shown in FIG. 16(a) is displayed. When depression of the determination button is detected, an item with the focus frame is stored in the database 19 as a selected item, and screen switching processing or the like is performed with reference to the stored item.

[0093] The type of current information is not limited to the example of this embodiment. For example, similar to the acceleration sensor 27, a three-axis gyro sensor may be provided to display the current state of the angular velocity applied to the vehicle, or it may be obtained from various other sensors and communication means.

[0094] In addition, in this embodiment, although described by taking the radar detector as an example, it can be implemented as a function of various electronic devices. For example, it may be incorporated as a function of a navigation device, a drive recorder, or a car audio. Also, the numerical values described in this embodiment may be appropriately changed to values that exhibit effects through experiments or the like. The screen size of the display unit 5 and the like can also be arbitrary. Further, the control unit 18 may be provided with a function of setting the priorities of each function and alarm based on instructions from a user via a remote controller 17 or the like, and the control unit 18 may be configured to perform processing according to the set priorities.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the device is provided with a database 19 that stores various information, and the control unit 18 accesses the database 19 to read necessary information and performs various processes. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, part or all of the information registered in the database 19 may be registered in a server. Then, the radar detector and other electronic devices may be provided with a function of communicating with the server, and the control unit 18 may be a system that appropriately accesses the server, acquires necessary information, and executes processing. Furthermore, at least part of the functions of the control unit 18 may be placed in the server, the function may be executed by the server, and the electronic device held by the user may be a system that acquires the execution result.

[0096] The function as the control system of the above-described embodiment is configured as a program for realizing it in a computer provided in the control unit 18. However, the program is not limited to this, and the program may be distributed and arranged in a plurality of computers for distributed processing.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 1 Case body 2 Solar panel 3 Switch unit 4 Microwave receiver 5 Display unit 6 Lamp 7 Infrared communication device 8 GPS receiver 9 Adapter jack 10 Power switch 12 Mobile phone 13 Memory card reader 14 Memory card 15 Wireless receiver 16 Remote control receiver 17 Remote control 18 Control unit 19 Database 20 Speaker 22 Connection cable 23 Connector terminal 24 Socket port 25 Connector terminal 27 Acceleration sensor 28 Geomagnetic sensor 33 Pedestal

Claims

1. A function to switch between different formats of screens, each of which displays information about the current situation, over time; a function of allowing a user of a mobile body to select a screen of a format to be switched and displayed; The function of switching the display is The screen of the format selected by the function for allowing the user to select is the target of the switching display, and the switching of the display is performed at a timing according to the current situation of the user acquired by sensing. electronic equipment.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the timing according to the current situation is a timing according to a setting made by a user.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the screens having different formats include a screen for displaying a time.

4. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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