Vehicle display control device, vehicle display method, and vehicle display program

Abstract

To obtain a vehicular display control device which can intelligibly notify a function allocated to "a short pressing operation" of a steering switch and a function allocated to "a long pressing operation.SOLUTION: A vehicular display control device 10 detects an operation for a steering switch and causes a display section within a cabin to display a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch on the basis of the detected operation. In this case, the plurality of icons include: a first icon indicating a first function to be executed by a short pressing operation of the steering switch and a second icon indicating a second function to be executed by a long pressing operation of the steering switch. When the short pressing operation is detected, the vehicular display control device 10 causes the display section to display the first icon so as to correspond arrangement of the first icon in the display section to arrangement of the steering switch in the steering wheel and display the second icon at a position different from that of the first icon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display control device, a vehicle display method, and a vehicle display program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle input device in which a plurality of switches are arranged on a steering wheel. In this vehicle input device, when an operation on one of the plurality of switches is detected, information regarding an in-vehicle device assigned to the switch is displayed on a display unit provided on the front side of the vehicle in the driver's seat.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a steering switch or the like, a plurality of functions may be assigned to one switch. In such a case, for example, the function to be the target of the input operation is changed between a "short press operation" and a "long press operation" on the operation surface of the switch.

[0005] By displaying information regarding an in-vehicle device assigned to a switch on a display unit in the vehicle interior as in the display control device described in Patent Document 1 above, it becomes easier for a passenger to operate an arbitrary switch while looking at the display unit. However, consideration has not been given to the point of easily communicating to the passenger the function executed by a "short press operation" and the function executed by a "long press operation" in one switch.

[0006] In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle display control device, a vehicle display method, and a vehicle display program that can clearly convey the functions assigned to the "short press operation" and the "long press operation" of a steering switch.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the first aspect The vehicle display control device includes an operation detection unit that detects an operation on a steering switch, and a display control unit that displays a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch on a display unit in the vehicle interior based on the operation detected by the operation detection unit. The plurality of icons include a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short press operation of the steering switch, and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long press operation of the steering switch. When the short press operation is detected by the operation detection unit, the display control unit displays the first icon so that the arrangement of the first icon on the display unit corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel, and displays the second icon at a position different from the first icon on the display unit. A vehicle display control device, wherein when the long-press operation is detected by the operation detection unit, the display control unit displays a third icon indicating the operation of the second function being executed on the display unit 。

[0008] The first aspect Then, a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch group are Inside the vehicle cabin displayed on the display unit. Thereby, the occupant can operate an arbitrary switch while directing the line of sight to the display unit.

[0009] Here, on the display unit in the vehicle interior, a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short press operation of the steering switch and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long press operation of the steering switch are displayed.

[0010] When a short-press operation is detected, the vehicle display control device causes the first icon to be displayed on the display unit so that the arrangement of the first icon on the display unit corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel. As a result, the occupant can intuitively understand the arrangement of the switch related to the function being executed while keeping their line of sight directed at the display unit. On the other hand, by displaying the second icon at a position different from the first icon on the display unit, while intuitively recognizing that it is a function different from the function being executed, it is possible to grasp that it is the second function executed by a long-press operation of the steering switch. In this way, the function assigned to the "short-press operation" of the steering switch and the function assigned to the "long-press operation" can be easily conveyed to the occupant. Also, in the first aspect, when the operation detection unit detects a long-press operation, a third icon indicating the operation of the second function being executed is displayed on the display unit. Thereby, when the long-press operation is performed and the second function is being executed, the operation of the second function being executed can be recognized by the occupant

[0011] Here, the "short-press operation" and "long-press operation" mentioned here are concepts including, for example, pressing the operation surface of the switch and touching the operation part.

[0012] The second aspect is the first aspect In this case, the display control unit causes the first icon to be displayed by superimposing it on a graphic icon that imitates the outer shape of the steering switch, and causes the second icon to be displayed at a position that does not overlap with the graphic icon.

[0013] The second aspect Then, for the steering switch ShortWhen a pressing operation is performed, a first icon indicating the currently executing first function is displayed superimposed on a graphic icon imitating the outer shape of the steering switch. On the other hand, a second icon indicating a second function that is not currently being executed is displayed at a position where it does not overlap with the graphic icon. As a result, by associating the design of the steering switch with the graphic icon displayed on the display unit, for the first function that is currently being executed, it is possible to obtain a visual effect similar to that when directly visually recognizing the steering switch while looking at the display unit. Also, for the second function that is not currently being executed, by displaying the corresponding second icon at a position where it does not overlap with the graphic icon, it becomes easier to visually recognize that the function is not currently being operated.

[0014] The third aspect is, The first aspect or The second aspect In or, a state detection unit that detects the state of the vehicle related to driving, and an execution function specifying unit that specifies the second function that can be executed by a long pressing operation of the steering switch based on the state of the vehicle detected by the state detection unit, and the display control unit displays a second icon indicating the second function specified by the execution function specifying unit on the display unit.

[0015] The third aspect In, when detecting the state of the vehicle related to driving, based on the detected state of the vehicle, the second function that can be executed by a long pressing operation of the steering switch is specified. And when a short pressing operation of the steering switch is detected, a second icon indicating the second function that can be executed is displayed separately from the first icon indicating the first function that is currently being executed. As a result, for the second function assigned to the long pressing operation, only the functions that can be executed are displayed on the display unit based on the state of the vehicle related to driving, so the amount of information on the display unit can be optimized and conveyed in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect The vehicle display control device is, An operation detection unit that detects an operation on the steering switch, and a display control unit that displays a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch on a display unit inside the vehicle cabin based on the operation detected by the operation detection unit. The plurality of icons include a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short-press operation of the steering switch and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long-press operation of the steering switch. When the operation detection unit detects the short-press operation, the display control unit displays the first icon so that the arrangement of the first icon on the display unit corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel, and displays the second icon at a position different from the first icon on the display unit. A vehicle display control device, the front Table Display unitis the projection surface of the head-up display provided on the vehicle front side of the steering wheel. A plurality of the steering switches are provided on the steering wheel. In one of the plurality of steering switches, the first function is a function of setting display items for a meter display provided on the vehicle lower side of the projection surface, and the second function is a function of adjusting the position of the display items set by executing the first function. When the long-press operation is detected by the operation detection unit, the display control unit displays a third icon indicating the operation of the position adjustment function being executed at the position corresponding to the steering switch on the projection surface and the position corresponding to the display items on the meter display.

[0017] The fourth aspect In [a certain situation], the display unit consists of the projection surface of the head-up display provided on the vehicle front side of the steering wheel. Thereby, the occupant can grasp any switch while looking ahead at the vehicle.

[0018] Also, The fourth aspect In [a certain situation], the display of the meter display can be set by operating one of the plurality of steering switches. Specifically, the display items for the meter display are set by a short-press operation of the steering switch, and the position adjustment function of the display items set by a long-press operation of the steering switch is executed. Here, when the long-press operation of the steering switch is detected, along with the execution of the position adjustment function of the display items, a third icon indicating the operation of the position adjustment function being executed is displayed at the position corresponding to the steering switch on the projection surface and the position corresponding to the display items on the meter display. Thereby, the occupant can intuitively grasp the position adjustment function being executed and the corresponding display items of the meter display while looking ahead at the vehicle.

[0019] According to the fifth aspectA vehicle display method is a vehicle display method that detects an operation on a steering switch and displays a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch on a display unit in the vehicle interior based on the detected operation. The plurality of icons include a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short press operation of the steering switch and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long press operation of the steering switch. When the short press operation on the steering switch is detected, the first icon is displayed on the display unit so that the arrangement of the first icon corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel, and the second icon is displayed at a position different from the first icon on the display unit. And when a long-press operation on the steering switch is detected, a third icon indicating the operation of the second function being executed is displayed on the display unit to do. In the fifth aspect, similar to the first aspect, the functions assigned to the "short-press operation" and the "long-press operation" of the steering switch can be clearly communicated, and when the long-press operation is performed and the second function is being executed, the operation of the second function being executed can be recognized by the occupant

[0020] According to the sixth aspect A vehicle display program is a vehicle display program for detecting an operation on a steering switch and displaying a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch on a display unit in the vehicle interior based on the detected operation. The plurality of icons include a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short press operation of the steering switch and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long press operation of the steering switch. When the short press operation on the steering switch is detected, the first icon is displayed on the display unit so that the arrangement of the first icon corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel, and the second icon is displayed at a position different from the first icon on the display unit. And when a long-press operation on the steering switch is detected, a third icon indicating the operation of the second function being executed is displayed on the display unit to cause a computer to execute the process. In the sixth aspect, similar to the first aspect, it is possible to clearly convey the functions assigned to the "short press operation" and the "long press operation" of the steering switch, and when the long press operation is performed and the second function is being executed, the operation of the second function being executed can be recognized by the occupant.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] As described above, the vehicle display control device, the vehicle display method, and the vehicle display program according to the present invention have an excellent effect of being able to clearly convey the functions assigned to the "short press operation" and the "long press operation" of the steering switch.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, the vehicle display control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. As shown in FIG. 1, an instrument panel 14 is disposed at the front part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 12 to which the vehicle display control device 10 of the present embodiment is applied. Further, a windshield glass 16 is disposed at the front end of the instrument panel 14, and this windshield glass 16 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction to partition the passenger compartment and the outside of the vehicle.

[0024] A display screen 17 is set on the windshield glass 16. The display screen 17 is a projection surface on which an image is projected from a head-up display 15 (see FIG. 8) to a partial area of the windshield glass 16, and is set in the area on the vehicle front side of the driver's seat having the steering wheel 18 in the windshield glass 16.

[0025] In addition, a meter display 19 is provided on the driver's seat side (right side of the vehicle) of the instrument panel 14 at a position below the vehicle of the display screen 17. Information related to the running of the vehicle 12, such as vehicle speed, engine speed, and running distance, and information related to the state of the vehicle 12, such as the operating status of warning lights and lighting devices, can be displayed on the meter display 19. The meter display 19 is provided on the vehicle front side of the driver's seat and above the steering wheel 18 described later.

[0026] Below the meter display 19 on the instrument panel 14, a steering wheel 18 is provided via a steering column (not shown). The steering wheel 18 includes a pair of rim portions 18A provided on the left and right in the vehicle width direction. Each of the pair of rim portions 18A is formed in an arc shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and is provided so as to project left and right with respect to the central portion. The occupant of the driver's seat holds the pair of rim portions 18A with the left and right hands to steer the steering wheel 18.

[0027] Between the pair of rim portions 18A, a hub portion 18B that constitutes the central portion is provided, and the rim portion 18A and the hub portion 18B are connected by a plurality (two in this embodiment) of spoke portions 18C.

[0028] The spoke portions 18C are provided at two locations, between the right rim portion 18A and the hub portion 18B, and between the left rim portion 18A and the hub portion 18B. Here, a right switch 20R is provided on the spoke portion 18C between the right rim portion 18A and the hub portion 18B. Also, a left switch 20L is provided on the spoke portion 18C between the left rim portion 18A and the hub portion 18B. Details of the right switch 20R and the left switch 20L will be described later.

[0029] The right switch 20R and the left switch 20L each constitute a steering switch group including a plurality of switches. In this embodiment, when operations on the right switch 20R and the left switch 20L are detected by the vehicle display control device 10, a plurality of icons representing each switch are configured to be displayed on a display portion provided on the front side of the driver's seat.

[0030] As this display portion, for example, it is possible to use the display screen 17 of the windshield glass 16 and the meter display 19 of the instrument panel 14 described above. The display portion of this embodiment is, for example, the display screen 17.

[0031] (Hardware Configuration) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle display control device 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle display control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 26, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 28, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 30, a storage 32, a communication interface 34, and an input / output interface 36. Each component is communicably connected to each other via a bus 38.

[0032] The CPU 26 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 26 reads a program from the ROM 28 or the storage 32 and executes the program using the RAM 30 as a work area. The CPU 26 performs control of each of the above components and various arithmetic processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 28 or the storage 32.

[0033] The ROM 28 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 30 temporarily stores a program or data as a work area. The storage 32 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

[0034] The communication interface 34 as a communication unit is an interface for the ECU 24 to communicate with a server and other devices. For example, standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc. are used.

[0035] Connected to the input / output interface 36 are a HUD (Head Up Display) 1 5 , an in-vehicle device 39, a right switch 20R, and a left switch 20L. Specifically, the input / output interface 36 is connected to the HUD 1 that projects an image onto the display screen 17 5 and receives a signal from the CPU 26 to control the HUD 1 5The video is projected from to the display screen 17. In addition, the in-vehicle device 39 is a general term including driving support devices such as ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) in addition to devices such as an air conditioner, an audio, a car navigation system, and a voice input device.

[0036] (Steering Switch Group) The right switch 20R and the left switch 20L that make up the steering switch group are arranged in the operation areas provided on the surfaces of the two spoke portions 18C. The right switch 20R and the left switch 20L include a plurality of touch switches composed of touch sensor type switches and a thumb wheel switch 52 composed of a non-touch type switch.

[0037] In addition, a plurality of functions related to the input to the in-vehicle device 39 are assigned to each touch switch. In each switch, by changing the functions executed when the operation surface of the switch is "short-pressed" and when it is "long-pressed", the execution of a plurality of functions is enabled.

[0038] The so-called "short-press operation" here is an operation of pressing the operation surface of the switch briefly as if knocking it. On the other hand, the "long-press operation" is an operation of pressing the operation surface of the switch for a predetermined time or more. In this embodiment, the functions assigned to the "short-press operation" and the "long-press operation" of the touch sensor type switch are described as an example, but the type of the switch is not particularly limited. For example, a push type switch may be used, or a combination of these may be used.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the right switch 20R is composed of a plurality of touch sensor type touch switches. Specifically, the right switch 20R includes a right center switch 40 arranged in the center, a right upper switch 42 arranged in the upper right, a left upper switch 44 arranged in the upper left, and a right lower switch 46 arranged in the lower part.

[0040] Further, the right switch 20R includes a right touch sensor 48 that detects a touch operation on each switch of the right switch 20R. The right touch sensor 48 is composed of, for example, a capacitance-type electrostatic sensor and can detect contact of an operating finger with the surface of the right switch 20R.

[0041] The right center switch 40 has a substantially rectangular operation surface, and the upper, lower, right, and left regions thereof are an upper switch 40A, a lower switch 40B, a right switch 40C, and a left switch 40D, respectively. These sensor switches are mainly used when operating driving support devices centered on the meter display of various in-vehicle devices.

[0042] Note that different functions are assigned to the upper switch 40A, the lower switch 40B, the right switch 40C, and the left switch 40D when the video (icon or character representing each switch) displayed on the meter display 19 is switched. Also, different functions can be executed depending on whether a "short press operation" or a "long press operation" is performed on the upper switch 40A, the lower switch 40B, the right switch 40C, and the left switch 40D.

[0043] The right upper switch 42 is disposed above the right of the right center switch 40 and has a substantially rectangular operation surface having a width of approximately half of the operation surface of the right center switch 40. A function of activating ACC is assigned to the right upper switch 42.

[0044] The left upper switch 44 is disposed above the left of the right center switch 40 and has a substantially rectangular operation surface having a width of approximately half of the operation surface of the right center switch 40. A function of activating LTA is assigned to the left upper switch 44.

[0045] In addition, in the present embodiment, a reverse T-shaped discrimination protrusion 49 that partitions between the right center switch 40, the right upper switch 42, and the left upper switch 44 is provided on the surface of the spoke portion 18C. By obtaining the feeling that the fingertip gets over the discrimination protrusion 49 on the operation area of the right switch 20R, the driver can guide the operation finger to an arbitrary switch without visually recognizing the operation surface of the steering switch.

[0046] The right lower switch 46 is disposed below the right center switch 40 and has a substantially rectangular operation surface having the same width as the width of the operation surface of the right center switch 40. When a "short press operation" is performed on the right lower switch 46, a function of switching the video (icon or character) corresponding to the right switch 20R displayed on the meter display 19 is assigned. That is, the hierarchy displayed on the meter display 19 is switched. Also, when a "long press operation" is performed, a function executable according to the state of the vehicle 12 regarding traveling is assigned.

[0047] On the other hand, the left switch 20L includes a left center switch 50 disposed at the center, a thumb wheel switch 52 disposed at the upper part, and a left lower switch 54 disposed at the lower part.

[0048] The left switch 20L also includes a left touch sensor 56 that detects touch operations on the touch sensor type left center switch 50 and left lower switch 54. The left touch sensor 56 is configured by, for example, a capacitance type electrostatic sensor and can detect contact of an operation finger with the surfaces of the left center switch 50 and the left lower switch 54.

[0049] The left center switch 50 has a substantially rectangular operation surface, and the upper, lower, right, and left regions are the upper switch 50A, the lower switch 50B, the right switch 50C, and the left switch 50D, respectively.

[0050] The thumb wheel switch 52 is disposed above the left center switch 50 and is composed of a non-touch sensor type switch. The thumb wheel switch 52 is a rotary switch composed of a known thumb wheel mechanism, and includes a thumb wheel 52B provided so as to be rotatable through an opening of a switch bezel 52A provided on the spoke portion 18C. The thumb wheel switch 52 performs an input operation on in-vehicle equipment assigned to the switch by outputting a signal according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of the thumb wheel 52B. In the present embodiment, a function of adjusting the volume of the audio is assigned.

[0051] The left lower switch 54 is disposed below the left center switch 50 and has a substantially rectangular operation surface having the same width as the width of the operation surface of the left center switch 50. A function of switching the layer of the video corresponding to the left switch 20L displayed on the meter display 19 is assigned to the left lower switch 54.

[0052] (Functional configuration) The vehicle display control device 10 realizes various functions by using the hardware resources shown in FIG. 8. The functional configuration realized by the vehicle display control device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, the vehicle display control device 10 includes, as a functional configuration, an operation detection unit 82, a state detection unit 84, an execution function specifying unit 86, and a display control unit 88. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 26 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 28 or the storage 32.

[0054] The operation detection unit 82 detects operations on the right switch 20R and the left switch 20L. Specifically, when one of the touch sensor type switches of the right switch 20R and the left switch 20L is touched, the operation detection unit 82 detects an input to the in-vehicle device 39 corresponding to the operated switch. Further, when the thumb wheel switch 52 (non-touch type switch) of the left switch 20L is operated, the operation detection unit 82 detects an input to the in-vehicle device 39 corresponding to the thumb wheel switch 52.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the function of the operation detection unit 82 can distinguish and detect whether the operation performed on the switch is a "short press operation" or a "long press operation".

[0056] The state detection unit 84 detects the state of the vehicle 12 related to driving. For example, the state detection unit 84 detects states such as during driving, stopped, and during execution of driving support for the state of the vehicle 12. Driving support is, for example, a function that supports the driving of the vehicle by automatically performing some or all of the operations of the accelerator, brake, turn indicator, steering, etc., such as ACC (Active Cruise Control), LTA (Lane Tracing Assist), LCA (Lane Change Assist), and autonomous driving, remote driving support.

[0057] When an input to the in-vehicle device 39 is detected by the function of the operation detection unit 82, the execution function specifying unit 86 determines whether the operation is possible and specifies the executable function. That is, since different functions are assigned to the right center switch 40 and the left center switch 50 depending on the hierarchy displayed on the display screen 17, they are switched to a state where they cannot be operated in some hierarchies. Then, the execution function specifying unit 86 determines whether each of the right center switch 40 and the left center switch 50 is in a non-operable state where an input cannot be received.

[0058] Further, when the execution function specifying unit 86 assigns a function executed by a "short press operation" and a function executed by a "long press operation" to one switch, it specifies a function that can be executed by the "long press operation" according to the state of the vehicle 12. Specifically, the execution function specifying unit 86 detects the state of the vehicle 12 regarding running by the function of the state detection unit 84, and specifies a function that can be executed by the "long press operation" according to the detected state.

[0059] When the display control unit 88 detects a touch operation on one switch that constitutes the right switch 20R and the left switch by the function of the operation detection unit 82, it specifies the operation area to which the switch on which the touch operation was performed belongs. The display control unit 88 displays an image (icon or character) corresponding to the specified operation area and the operation area adjacent to the specified operation area on the display screen 17.

[0060] Further, when the display control unit 88 detects a "short press operation" on one of the plurality of steering switches, it displays a first icon (such as a graphic or character) indicating the function assigned to the "short press operation" and a second icon related to the executable function assigned to the "long press operation" on the same switch on the display screen 17.

[0061] Further, during the execution of the function assigned to the "long press operation", the display control unit 88 displays a third icon indicating the operation in progress on the display screen 17 and the meter display 19.

[0062] (Explanation of display information) An example of the display information displayed on the display screen 17 and the meter display 19 by the function of the display control unit 88 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0063] Here, the case where the right switch 20R in the steering switch group is operated will be described as an example.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 3, when an operation (contact) on the operation area of the right switch 20R is detected, a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of switches included in the right switch 20R are displayed on the display screen 17. The arrangement of the plurality of icons on the display screen 17 is displayed so as to correspond to the arrangement of the right switch 20R on the steering wheel 18.

[0065] On the right side of the display screen 17, a right center frame portion 60 is displayed. This right center frame portion 60 is a graphic icon imitating the operation surface of the right center switch 40. And icons M1 to M4 are displayed in the upper, lower, right, and left regions of the right center frame portion 60, and the icons M1 to M4 correspond to the upper switch 40A, the lower switch 40B, the right switch 40C, and the left switch 40D of the right center switch 40. These icons M1 to M4 correspond to the setting function of the display items displayed on the meter display 19.

[0066] Specifically, the icons M1 and M2 are icons that display an image imitating a display in which the character "i" is displayed in proximity to an image of an arrow indicating the vertical direction. The icons M1 and M2 correspond to the function of newly setting the display items displayed on the meter display 19 and registering them as favorites. is doing 。

[0067] The icons M3 and M4 are icons that display an image imitating the character string "DISP" in proximity to an image of an arrow indicating the horizontal direction. The icons M3 and M4 correspond to the function of selecting one from the display items registered in advance as favorites by the registration function of the display items corresponding to the above-mentioned icons M1 and M2.

[0068] The display items are, for example, at least one or a combination of various information related to the running of the vehicle 12 such as vehicle speed, engine speed, running distance, remaining charge of the driving power source, etc., remaining amount of driving fuel, fuel efficiency, and information meters and driving support information related to the state of the vehicle 12 such as warning lights and the operating status of lights.

[0069] On the upper right of the right center frame portion 60, a right upper frame portion 62 is displayed. This right upper frame portion 62 is an icon imitating the operation surface of the right upper switch 42. Overlaid on this right upper frame portion 62, an icon M5 in the shape imitating a vehicle and a meter is displayed. The icon M5 corresponds to the ACC function.

[0070] On the upper left of the right center frame portion 60, a left upper frame portion 64 is displayed. This left upper frame portion 64 is an icon imitating the operation surface of the left upper switch 44. Overlaid on this left upper frame portion 64, an icon M6 in the shape imitating a vehicle and a lane is displayed. The icon M6 corresponds to the LTA function.

[0071] Note that the right center frame portion 60, the right upper frame portion 62, and the left upper frame portion 64 are provided with a discrimination gap 58 corresponding to the shape of the discrimination protrusion 49 and are displayed in an island shape.

[0072] Below the right center frame portion 60, a right lower frame portion 66 is displayed. This right lower frame portion 66 is an icon imitating the operation surface of the right lower switch 46. Overlaid on this right lower frame portion 66, an icon M7 in the shape imitating a rectangle-overlapped shape is displayed. The icon M7 corresponds to the function of changing the hierarchy of the video (icon or character) corresponding to the right switch 20R. That is, by switching the display, the in-vehicle device assigned to the right switch 20R is changed.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, for one switch, a first function executed by a "short press operation" and a second function executed by a "long press operation" are allocated, and icons indicating these functions can be displayed on the display screen 17. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4(A) to 7(B), the display of the functions assigned to the right center switch 40 and the right lower switch 46 will be described as an example.

[0074] (Display example of the right center switch 40) For the upper switch 40A, lower switch 40B, right switch 40C, and left switch 40D of the right center switch 40, a display item setting function is assigned as the first function executed by a "short press operation". Also, for the upper switch 40A, lower switch 40B, right switch 40C, and left switch 40D, a position adjustment function for the display items set by the "short press operation" is assigned as the second function executed by a "long press operation".

[0075] In the vehicle display control device 10, when a "short press operation" on the right center switch 40 is detected by the functions of the operation detection unit 82 and the display control unit 88, icons M1 to M4 indicating the display item setting function (first function) are displayed on the display screen 17. Specifically, the icons M1 to M4 are displayed in a positional relationship corresponding to the upper switch 40A, lower switch 40B, right switch 40C, and left switch 40D by being superimposed on the right center frame portion 60 (graphical icon).

[0076] Also, as shown in FIG. 4(B), by the functions of the execution function specifying unit 86 and the display control unit 88, when a "short press operation" is detected, an icon M8 indicating the position adjustment function (second function) of the display items corresponding to the "long press operation" is displayed together with the icons M1 to M4 indicating the display item setting function (first function).

[0077] The icon M8 indicating the second function is an icon of an image imitating the character string "Long press: Customize". The icon M8 is displayed at a position that does not overlap with the right center frame portion 60, so as to be displayed at a different position from the icons M1 to M4 indicating the first function.

[0078] On the other hand, the icon M8 indicating the second function is displayed only when the second function is executable according to the state of the vehicle 12 related to driving.

[0079] The position adjustment function of the display items assigned as the second function of the upper switch 40A, lower switch 40B, right switch 40C, and left switch 40D is a function that can be executed only when the vehicle 12 is in a stopped state. Therefore, when the state detection unit 84 detects that the vehicle 12 is in a running state, the execution function specifying unit 86 does not specify the second function of the upper switch 40A, lower switch 40B, right switch 40C, and left switch 40D as an executable function. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the icon M8 is not displayed on the display screen 17 while the vehicle 12 is running.

[0080] On the other hand, when the state detection unit 84 detects that the vehicle 12 is in a stopped state, the execution function specifying unit 86 specifies the second function of the upper switch 40A, lower switch 40B, right switch 40C, and left switch 40D as an executable function. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the icon M8 is displayed on the display screen while the vehicle is stopped. Thereby, the occupant can grasp that the position adjustment function of the display item can be executed by a "long press operation" by visually recognizing the display screen 17.

[0081] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), in the right center switch 40, an icon M9 (third icon) indicating the operation in progress is displayed on the display screen 17 and the meter display 19 during the execution of the second function.

[0082] The icon M9 is an icon of an image showing arrows up, down, right, and left, and indicates operations on the upper switch 40A, lower switch 40B, right switch 40C, and left switch 40D of the right center switch 40. In this icon M9, the image of the arrow corresponding to the switch being operated is displayed more prominently than the other arrows.

[0083] The icon M9 is displayed so as to overlap with the right center frame portion 60 on the display screen 17, and has an arrangement relationship corresponding to the upper switch 40A, lower switch 40B, right switch 40C, and left switch 40D.

[0084] Also, on the meter display 19, the icon M9 is displayed at a position corresponding to the display item Q1 that is the target of the operation being executed. As a result, the occupant can intuitively grasp the display item Q1 whose position is being adjusted by the switch being operated by visually recognizing the display screen 17 and the meter display 19. In an example shown in FIG. 5(B), the item "Driving Support" is selected as the display item Q1 displayed below the meter Q2, and it can be seen that the setting operation of the display position of the display item Q1 related to driving support is being executed. Also, on the display screen of the meter display 19, an icon Q3 indicating the operation procedure for completing the change of the display position is displayed below the display item Q1. On the icon Q3, a character string "Complete the change" is displayed in proximity to the icon corresponding to the right lower switch 46 (icon M7 in FIG. 3). As a result, it can be understood that by inputting to the right lower switch 46, the setting mode of the display item can be terminated.

[0085] (Display example of the right lower switch 46) As another example, a display example of the first function and the second function assigned to the right lower switch 46 will be described.

[0086] The right lower switch 46 is assigned a function to change the display hierarchy of the right center switch 40 as the first function executed by a "short press operation".

[0087] Also, the right lower switch 46 is assigned two functions as the second function executed by a "long press operation": a meter position change function to change the display position of the meter Q2 (see FIG. 5(B)) of the meter display 19, and a notification display setting function related to the notification of the driving support being executed.

[0088] Here, the meter position change function for changing the display position of meter Q2 on the meter display 19 can be executed only when the vehicle 12 is in a stopped state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(A), when the right lower switch 46 is "short-pressed" while the vehicle 12 is stopped, an icon M10 indicating the meter position change function (second function) corresponding to the "long-press operation" is displayed together with an icon M7 indicating the change function (first function) of the display hierarchy of the right center switch 40. The icon M10 is, for example, an icon of an image that moves the position of meter Q2 in the meter display 19 from the center of the screen to the right side.

[0089] On the other hand, the notification display setting function regarding the notification of the running assistance being executed can be executed only when the running assistance is being executed in the vehicle 12. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7(A), when the right lower switch 46 is "short-pressed" while the running assistance is being executed in the vehicle 12, an icon M11 indicating the notification display setting function (second function) corresponding to the "long-press operation" is displayed together with an icon M7 indicating the change function (first function) of the display hierarchy of the right center switch 40. In this notification display setting function, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the display / non-display of the message icon M12 displayed on the meter display 19 can be set in order to notify the occupant of the running assistance being executed. The icon M11 indicating this notification display setting function (second function) is, for example, an icon imitating a character string such as "Delate Message" or "Add Message".

[0090] (An example of display processing) Next, an example of the flow of the display processing regarding the right switch 20R by the vehicle display control device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. This display processing is executed, for example, when the ignition (power) of the vehicle 12 is turned ON, and is performed by the CPU 26 reading a program from the ROM 28 or the storage 32, expanding it in the RAM 30, and executing it.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 10, in step S102, the CPU 26 detects the state of the vehicle by the function of the state detection unit 84.

[0092] In step S104, the CPU 26 identifies the functions executable by the operation of the steering switch based on the state of the vehicle 12 detected by the state detection unit 84.

[0093] In step S106, the CPU 26 detects an operation performed on one of the plurality of steering switches by the function of the operation detection unit 82.

[0094] In step S108, the CPU 26 determines whether the operation detected by the function of the operation detection unit 82 is a "short press operation". If it is determined that it is a "short press operation", the process proceeds to the process of step S110. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a "short press operation", it is determined that it is a "long press operation", and the process proceeds to the process of step S112.

[0095] In step S110, for the steering switch on which the operation is detected, the CPU 26 displays a first icon (icon M3 in FIG. 4(B)) indicating a first function executed by a "short press operation" and a second icon (icon M8 in FIG. 4(B)) indicating a second function executed by a "long press operation" on the display unit.

[0096] Here, the second icon is displayed only when the second function is executable based on the state of the vehicle 12 related to traveling. When the second function cannot be executed depending on the state of the vehicle 12, the second icon is not displayed.

[0097] On the other hand, when the CPU 26 determines in step S108 that the operation on the switch is a "long press operation" and proceeds to step S112, it displays a third icon (icon M9 in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B)) indicating an operation in progress for the second function assigned to the "long press operation".

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), this third icon is displayed at a position corresponding to the function being executed on the display screen 17 of the head-up display 15 and on the meter display 19.

[0099] In step S114, the CPU 26 determines whether or not an operation on the steering switch has been detected. If the CPU 26 determines that the switch operation has not been detected, it ends the display process. On the other hand, if it determines that the switch operation is being detected, it returns to step S102.

[0100] (Function) As described above, in the vehicle display control device 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch group are displayed on the display unit provided on the front side of the steering wheel 18. Thereby, the occupant can operate an arbitrary switch while keeping the line of sight directed to the display screen 17 of the head-up display 15.

[0101] Here, on the display screen 17, a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short press operation of the steering switch and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long press operation of the steering switch are displayed.

[0102] FIG. 4(B) shows, as an example, a state in which an icon M3 (first icon) indicating the setting function of the display item executed by the short press operation and an icon M8 indicating the position adjustment function of the display item executed by the long press operation are displayed on the display screen 17 when a short press operation is detected for the right switch 40C of the right center switch 40.

[0103] Also, in the vehicle display control device 10, the shortWhen a pressing operation is performed, a first icon (icon M3 in FIG. 4(A)) indicating the currently-executing first function is displayed superimposed on a graphic icon (right center frame portion 60 in FIG. 4(A)) that mimics the outer shape of the steering switch. On the other hand, a second icon (icon M8 in FIG. 4(B)) indicating a second function that is not currently being executed is displayed at a position that does not overlap with the graphic icon. Thereby, by associating the design of the steering switch with the graphic icon displayed on the display screen 17, for the function being executed by a short pressing operation, it is possible to obtain a visual effect similar to when directly visually recognizing the steering switch while looking at the display screen 17. Also, for the function corresponding to a long pressing operation that is not currently being executed, by displaying the corresponding second icon at a position that does not overlap with the graphic icon, it becomes easier to visually recognize that it is a function for which no operation is currently being performed.

[0104] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when detecting the state of the vehicle related to driving, based on the detected state of the vehicle, a second function executable by a long pressing operation of the steering switch is specified. Then, when a short pressing operation is detected for one of the plurality of steering switches, a second icon indicating the executable second function is displayed separately from the first icon indicating the currently-executing first function. Thereby, for the second function assigned to the long pressing operation, only the executable functions are displayed on the display unit based on the state of the vehicle related to driving. For this reason, the amount of information on the display screen can be optimized and conveyed in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0105] For example, the position adjustment function (second function) of the display item assigned to the long pressing operation of the right switch 40C is a function that can be executed only while the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, when it is detected that the state of the vehicle is in driving, the icon M8 indicating the second function is not displayed as shown in FIG. 4(A). On the other hand, when it is detected that the state of the vehicle is stopped, the icon M8 is displayed on the display screen 17 as shown in FIG. 4(B).

[0106] In addition, in the present embodiment, as an example, the setting function of the display items on the meter display 19 is assigned to the short-press operation of the upper switch 40A, the lower switch 40B, the right switch 40C, and the left switch 40D that constitute the right center switch 40, and the position adjustment function of the display items is assigned to the long-press operation. Here, in the present embodiment, when the position adjustment function is executed by the long-press operation of the right center switch 40, the icon M9 (third icon) indicating the operation in progress is displayed on the display screen 17 and the meter display 19.

[0107] Also, the icon M9 is displayed at a position corresponding to the switch being operated on the display screen 17, and at a position corresponding to the display item in the display screen on the meter display 19. Thereby, the occupant can intuitively grasp the display item of the meter display corresponding to the position adjustment function in progress while looking straight ahead of the vehicle.

[0108] [Supplementary Explanation] Although the embodiments have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the example in which the first icon and the second icon are displayed on the display screen 17 of the head-up display 15 has been described, but the same display may be made on the meter display 19. The first icon to the third icon, and the graphic icon may be displayed on one display unit.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the processing executed by the CPU 26 by reading a program may be executed by various processors other than the CPU 26. Examples of the processor in this case include a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically for executing specific processing, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Also, the above processing may be executed by one of these various processors, or may be executed by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types. For example, it may be executed by a plurality of FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA. More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electric circuit combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that various data is stored in the storage 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a non-temporary recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory may be used as the storage unit. In this case, various programs and data are stored in these recording media.

Explanation of Signs

[0111] 10 Vehicle display control device 15 Head-up display 17 Display screen (display unit, projection surface) 18 Steering wheel 19 Meter display (display unit) 40 Right center switch (steering switch) 40C Right switch (steering switch) 46 Right lower switch (steering switch) 60 Right center frame part (graphical icon) 82 Operation detection unit 84 State detection unit 86 Execution function specifying unit 88 Display control unit M1 to M4 Icons (First icon) M8 Icon (Second icon) M7 Icon (First icon) M10 Icon (Second icon) M11 Icon (Second icon) M9 Icon (Third icon)

Claims

1. An operation detection unit that detects an operation on a steering switch, A display control unit that causes a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch to be displayed on a display unit in the vehicle interior based on the operation detected by the operation detection unit, The plurality of icons include a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short press operation of the steering switch, and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long press operation of the steering switch, When the short press operation is detected by the operation detection unit, the display control unit displays the first icon so that the arrangement of the first icon on the display unit corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel, and displays the second icon at a position different from the first icon on the display unit, A vehicle display control device, The display control unit is a vehicle display control device that displays a third icon indicating an operation of the second function being executed on the display unit when the long press operation is detected by the operation detection unit.

2. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the first icon by superimposing it on a graphic icon imitating the outer shape of the steering switch, and displays the second icon at a position not superimposed on the graphic icon.

3. A state detection unit that detects the state of the vehicle related to driving, An execution function specifying unit that specifies the second function executable by a long press operation of the steering switch based on the state of the vehicle detected by the state detection unit, The display control unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays a second icon indicating the second function specified by the execution function specifying unit on the display unit.

4. An operation detection unit that detects an operation on a steering switch, A display control unit that causes a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch to be displayed on a display unit in the vehicle interior based on the operation detected by the operation detection unit, The plurality of icons include a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short press operation of the steering switch, and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long press operation of the steering switch, When the short-press operation is detected by the operation detection unit, the display control unit causes the first icon to be displayed on the display unit so that the arrangement of the first icon corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel, and displays the second icon at a position different from the first icon on the display unit. A vehicle display control device, The display unit is a projection surface of a head-up display provided on the vehicle front side of the steering wheel, A plurality of the steering switches are provided on the steering wheel, and in one of the plurality of steering switches, The first function is a function of setting display items for a meter display provided on the vehicle lower side of the projection surface. The second function is a function of adjusting the position of the display items set by executing the first function. A vehicle display control device, wherein when the long-press operation is detected by the operation detection unit, a third icon indicating an operation of the position adjustment function being executed is displayed at a position corresponding to the steering switch on the projection surface and at a position corresponding to the display items on the meter display.

5. Detect an operation on the steering switch, In a vehicle display method for displaying a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch on a display unit in the vehicle interior based on the detected operation, The plurality of icons include a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short-press operation of the steering switch and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long-press operation of the steering switch. When the short-press operation on the steering switch is detected, the first icon is displayed on the display unit so that the arrangement of the first icon corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel, and the second icon is displayed at a position different from the first icon on the display unit. A vehicle display control method for displaying a third icon indicating an operation of the second function being executed on the display unit when a long-press operation on the steering switch is detected.

6. Detect an operation on the steering switch, In a vehicle display program for displaying a plurality of icons corresponding to the steering switch on a display unit in the vehicle interior based on the detected operation, The plurality of the icons include a first icon indicating a first function executed by a short press operation of the steering switch and a second icon indicating a second function executed by a long press operation of the steering switch. When the short press operation on the steering switch is detected, the first icon is displayed on the display unit so that the arrangement of the first icon on the display unit corresponds to the arrangement of the steering switch on the steering wheel, and the second icon is displayed at a position different from that of the first icon on the display unit. When a long press operation on the steering switch is detected, the computer is caused to execute a process of displaying, on the display unit, a third icon indicating an operation of the second function being executed. A vehicle display program.

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