Systems and programs

Abstract

To provide a technique for displaying a standby screen and the like.SOLUTION: A system is provided in a vehicle to conduct notification when a notifying condition has been satisfied. If the notifying condition has been satisfied during display of a standby screen 40 where a large meter M1 and a plurality of small meters M2 shown in (a) are arranged at a first position, a control unit performs the displaying with a message area 402 overlapped at a lower end of the display screen, and upward moves ((b→c) the small meters at a lower stage and the large meter M1. The small meters at the lower stage located at a second position have character sections which are not overlapped by the message area, thus have excellent visibility. Since the large meter is moved at the same time, the arrangement balance of the meters is excellent regardless of whether the display of the message area is present or absent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, systems and programs.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle electronic device that displays a predetermined event occurrence screen when a predetermined event occurs and displays a standby screen when the event occurrence screen is not being displayed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a system superior to conventional systems, for example, a display technology such as a display screen.

[0005] The above-described problems are described as independent ones, and the present invention does not necessarily have to solve all of the described problems. The object of the invention of the present application is not limited to this, and the applicant also has the intention of obtaining rights by means of divisional applications, amendments, etc. for a configuration aimed at obtaining an effect resulting from a part of the configuration disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc. For example, the problems obtained by reading the parts described as "can" in this specification as "is a problem" are disclosed in this specification. The problems are described as independent ones, and the applicant also has the intention of obtaining rights by means of divisional applications, amendments, etc. alone for the configuration for solving this problem. Even if the problems are implicitly grasped from the description of the specification, the applicant has the intention of making a part of the configuration described in this specification the scope of claims by amendment or divisional application. Also, problems combining these independent problems are disclosed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] (1) A system provided in a vehicle that gives a notification when a notification condition is satisfied. When the notification condition of predetermined information is satisfied while a predetermined display element is being displayed at a first position on a predetermined display screen, a control unit is provided that performs control to move the display element from the first position to a second position and display a notification area for the predetermined information so as to at least partially overlap the first position. In this way, even when the notification condition of predetermined information is satisfied while a predetermined display element is being displayed on the display screen, new information can be additionally displayed while moving the display element to another location and continuing to display it, so that various types of information can be provided to the user at the same time. Also, since the user can visually recognize the state of the display element moving, it has visual interest and can easily attract the user's attention to the information to be additionally displayed.

[0007] (2) The predetermined display element may be an element that displays information regarding the driving state of the vehicle, and the predetermined information may be information regarding a warning to the user during the driving of the vehicle. In this way, the driving state of the vehicle is displayed on the display screen, and when the notification condition regarding the warning to the user is satisfied, information regarding the warning can be additionally displayed while moving the display element regarding the driving state of the vehicle to another location and continuing to display it, so that various types of information can be provided to the user at the same time. Also, since the user can visually recognize the state of the display element regarding the driving state of the vehicle moving, it has visual interest and can easily attract the user's attention to the information regarding the warning to be additionally displayed.

[0008] (3) The predetermined display element may be an image imitating a circular meter. In this way, information regarding the driving state of the vehicle can, for example, create the feeling of being displayed on a vehicle meter, and information can be provided to the user in a form that is easy to recognize.

[0009] (4) When the notification conditions are met while a predetermined display screen is being displayed, the control unit issues the notification by superimposing the notification area on a portion of the display screen, and the display screen may include the predetermined display element that moves to the second position when the notification conditions for the predetermined information are met, and another display element that does not move to the second position but is displayed at the first position.

[0010] In this way, the notification area displayed when the notification condition is met is displayed superimposed on a predetermined display screen, so the display screen can be displayed, for example, over the entire display area of the display unit, regardless of the display area of the notification area, making it easier to see. Furthermore, the degree of freedom in the layout of display elements displayed on the display screen is increased. When displaying the notification area, a predetermined display element is moved to the second position and displayed, while other display elements continue to be displayed in the first position, thereby improving the visibility of the display unit and improving the appearance, such as the balance of the visible display elements. When there are multiple predetermined display elements that move to the second position, the movement distances of each predetermined display element from the first position to the second position may be the same or different.

[0011] (5) When the control unit displays the specified display element at the first position, if at least a portion of the specified display element overlaps the display area of the notification area, the control unit may move the specified display element to the second position so that the overlapping area is reduced.

[0012] In this way, when the display element overlaps with the display area of the notification area in the first position, the visibility of the overlapping portion is reduced, but by moving it to the second position, the overlapping area is reduced and the visibility is improved.

[0013] (6) The control unit may display the notification area on the periphery of the display screen, and move the display element located on the periphery to the second position.

[0014] By doing so, when the notification area is not displayed, a layout is adopted in which the display elements are arranged near the periphery of the display screen, the entire display screen is used, it is easy to view, and a display mode with variations can be adopted. And even when the notification area is displayed, it is possible to make it in an easy-to-view state by moving a predetermined display element to the second position.

[0015] (7) The display element that moves to the second position may have character information, the character thereof being hidden by the notification area at the first position and being visible at the second position.

[0016] By doing so, it is possible to provide character information that is difficult to read even if a part thereof is hidden in a visible manner regardless of the presence or absence of the display of the notification area.

[0017] (8) The background of the notification area is preferably a transmissive type through which the display elements on the display screen are visible.

[0018] By doing so, even when the display element displayed at the first position overlaps with the display area of the notification area, the overlapping part with only the area of the background where there are no characters, pictures, or other messages displayed in the notification area results in good visibility of the display elements on the display screen, and it is not necessary to move to the second position. The transmissive type may be, for example, transparent or translucent.

[0019] (9) The display element that the control unit moves to the second position preferably has a first display element that is partially hidden by the notification area at the first position and a second display element that changes the display position based on moving the first display element to the second position.

[0020] By doing so, for example, as a result of moving the first display element to the second position, it is possible to suppress the first display element from overlapping with or approaching another display element at the first position and the overall arrangement balance of a plurality of display elements from being shifted, resulting in a poor appearance, and to ensure good visibility of the individual display elements displayed on the display screen regardless of the presence or absence of the display of the notification area.

[0021] (10) It is preferable that the control unit makes the moving distance of the first display element longer than that of the second display element.

[0022] In this way, at the first position, the first display element whose at least a part overlaps with the notification area moves greatly to eliminate or reduce the overlapping part with the notification area, thereby improving the visibility of the first display element even during the display of the notification area. By shortening the moving distance of the second display element that does not overlap with the notification area even while remaining at the first position, the arrangement balance of the plurality of display elements in the state where the notification area is displayed can be made neat.

[0023] (11) The display element has character information, and the control unit preferably displays the display element whose character information is visible even if a part of the display element at the first position is hidden by the notification area at the first position even during the display of the notification area.

[0024] In this way, even for a display element that is located at the first position and a part of which is hidden during the display of the notification area, if the character information is visible, information can be appropriately transmitted to the user. By not moving from the first position, the character information also remains stationary and is easier to view.

[0025] (12) There are a plurality of arrangement patterns of the display elements to be displayed on the display screen, and the control unit determines the arrangement pattern based on an operation on the hierarchical menu screen, and the selection of the arrangement pattern may be made from the menu screen provided above the hierarchical level.

[0026] In this way, the user can reach the menu screen for changing the arrangement pattern with a small number of operations, and the arrangement pattern can be easily changed. The menu screen provided above may be, for example, the top screen.

[0027] (13) The items to be displayed as the plurality of display elements can be changed by setting, and the control unit determines the items based on an operation on the hierarchical menu screen, and the selection of the items may be made from the menu screen provided above the hierarchical level.

[0028] In this way, the user can reach the menu screen for changing items with a small number of operations, and the items can be easily changed. The menu screen provided above may be, for example, the top screen.

[0029] (14) The control unit may change the brightness of the background of the display screen by setting.

[0030] In this way, for example, when the display screen is configured by arranging display elements over the background, there may be cases where, for example, the background is difficult to see or the display elements are difficult to see due to the background. By changing the brightness of the background, for example, the visibility of the background or the visibility of the display elements can be improved, so that the display mode of the display screen with a background suitable for the user's preference can be set. To change the brightness, for example, the luminance may be changed.

[0031] (15) The control unit may have a function of accepting registration of reminder conditions and a function of notifying when the registered reminder conditions are satisfied.

[0032] In this way, for example, if the timing for performing work such as vehicle maintenance is registered as a reminder condition, when the time for maintenance or the like arrives, the user is notified, so that the user can perform such work at an appropriate timing without forgetting.

[0033] (16) Store the position information of the notification target, the notification condition is based on the current position and the position information of the notification target, and the control unit may have a cancel function of registering a first cancel area where normal notification is not performed even when the notification condition based on the position information is satisfied.

[0034] In this way, for example, by registering an area where the user does not want to receive regular notifications based on location information, regular notifications can be suppressed. There are various ways to suppress regular notifications, such as not sending notifications at all, sending notifications but lowering the volume of the audio, or changing the content of the message when sending notifications.

[0035] (17) The notification conditions are based on information other than the location information, and the cancellation function may be configured to prioritize the registration of a second cancellation area in which normal notification is not made even if the notification conditions based on information other than the location information are met, over the registration of the first cancellation area.

[0036] In this way, for example, when a notification condition based on location information and a notification condition based on information other than location information are simultaneously satisfied, it is possible to register a second cancellation area based on information other than location information. For example, if a notification based on information other than location information is more likely to be a false alarm than a notification based on location information, it can be registered preferentially to efficiently prevent false alarms. Information other than location information includes, for example, microwave radar.

[0037] (18) The control unit may distinguish between the first cancellation area and the second cancellation area and register them, and the control unit may issue a regular notification if the position that satisfies the notification condition based on the position information is within the second cancellation area but outside the first cancellation area, and the control unit may issue a regular notification if the position that satisfies the notification condition based on information other than the position information is within the first cancellation area but outside the second cancellation area.

[0038] In this way, even if the vehicle is within the cancellation area, if a notification condition of a type different from that registered is met, notification can be made based on the satisfied notification condition.

[0039] A program for causing a computer to implement the function of any one of the systems (1) to (18) may be provided.

[0040] The system described above may be composed of one device or a plurality of devices.

[0041] The inventions (1) to (19) described above can be arbitrarily combined. For example, at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) and later may be added to all or a part of the configuration of the invention shown in (1). In particular, it is preferable to make an invention in which at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) and later is added to the invention shown in (1). The applicant of the present application also has the intention to obtain patent rights, design rights, etc. by means of amendment, divisional application, change application to design registration application, etc. for those including these configurations.

Effect of the Invention

[0042] According to the present invention, a system superior to the conventional system can be provided. For example, it is possible to provide a technology for display such as a display screen, and for example, the visibility of display elements can be improved regardless of the presence or absence of display in the notification area.

[0043] The effects of the invention of the present application are not limited to this, and the effects exerted by the parts of the configuration disclosed in this specification, drawings, etc. are also disclosed, and the applicant also has the intention to obtain rights by means of divisional application, amendment, etc. for the configuration that exerts the effect. For example, the parts described as "can" in this specification are descriptions that clearly indicate the effects exerted, and even if there is no description of "can", there are parts that indicate the effects. Further, even if there is no such description, there are effects grasped by the configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an external view thereof. [Figure 3]It is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen. [Figure 6A] It is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen. [Figure 6B] It is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the function of changing the standby screen to be displayed. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a display example of giving a notification while displaying a standby screen. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a meter screen based on vehicle information etc. to be displayed as a standby screen. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of a meter screen based on vehicle information etc. to be displayed as a standby screen. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of a meter screen based on vehicle information etc. to be displayed as a standby screen. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of a meter screen based on vehicle information etc. to be displayed as a standby screen. [Figure 13A] It is a diagram for explaining the function of moving the small meter M2, which is a display element, along with the display of the message area 402. [Figure 13B] It is a diagram for explaining the function of moving the small meter M2, which is a display element, along with the display of the message area 402. [Figure 14] It is a diagram for explaining the function of moving the small meter M2, which is a display element, along with the non - display of the message area 402. [Figure 15] It is a diagram for explaining the function of moving the large meter M1 and the small meter M2, which are display elements, along with the display of the message area 402. [Figure 16] It is a diagram for explaining the function of moving the large meter M1 and the small meter M2, which are display elements, along with the non - display of the message area 402. [Figure 17]4 is a diagram illustrating a function of moving a small meter M2, which is a display element, in conjunction with the display of a message area 402. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a function of moving a small meter M2, which is a display element, when the message area 402 is hidden. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen when message area 402 is not displayed. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen when the display elements maintain the first position even in a state where message area 402 is displayed. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a display item change function for changing display items set in each meter constituting the standby screen. [Figure 22] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a layout change function for changing the layout pattern used on the standby screen. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an alarm function performed while a standby screen is displayed. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a radar scope function. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a setting change function. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a map zoom function. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a function for changing the background of the standby screen. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a function for changing the brightness of the background of the standby screen. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating color variations of the standby screen. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a reminder function. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a reminder function. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a function for changing the display conditions of the standby screen. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a function for changing a sound. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a function for changing a sound. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an alarm function. [Figure 36] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the timing of notification using a warning screen 73 of a GPS target. [Figure 37] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a cancellation area registration function. [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a cancellation area registration function. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a cancellation area release function. [Figure 40] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of a light receiving unit 12. [Figure 41] 10 is a graph showing detection distance and detection range performance. [Figure 42] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first device 80 that constitutes a separate-type electronic device. [Figure 43] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an electronic device 900 according to another embodiment. [Figure 44] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first mounting portion for mounting an electronic device 900 of another embodiment on a vehicle. [Figure 45] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electronic device 900 according to another embodiment is installed on a dashboard or the like. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second mounting portion for mounting an electronic device 900 of another embodiment on a vehicle. [Figure 47] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second mounting portion for mounting an electronic device 900 of another embodiment on a vehicle. [Figure 48] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electronic device 900 according to another embodiment is mounted on a ceiling or the like. [Figure 49] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a third mounting portion for mounting a first device 80 of another embodiment on a vehicle. [Figure 50] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first device 80 according to another embodiment is attached to a third attachment portion. [Figure 51] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electronic device 900 according to another embodiment is installed on a ceiling or the like. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration, shape, etc. of the described device are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. In the following description, the numerical labels such as first, second, ··· are used for identifying each element and do not define the number of elements. Also, in each of the drawings referred to in the following description, in order to make each member, each region, etc. recognizable, the scale may be different from the actual one.

[0046] For example, when a notification area is superimposed on a standby screen in a state where a display screen such as a standby screen is being displayed, there is a possibility that a part of the display elements constituting the standby screen may be hidden by the notification area, resulting in a decrease in visibility. There is also a problem that even when the notification area is being displayed, it is desired to improve the visibility of the display elements. Also, if the display area of the standby screen is set so that the notification area does not overlap the standby screen, the display area of the standby screen becomes narrow, and there are problems such as the layout of a plurality of display elements cannot use the entire screen, for example, and it becomes difficult to see. For example, when the notification area is displayed overlapping a part of the standby screen, if the entire area of the notification area hides the standby screen, there is a problem that the number of display elements with decreased visibility increases. Also, when a predetermined notification is made when a predetermined alarm condition is satisfied, there are also places where the notification is not desired. Each of the embodiments of the present invention described below proposes a technology that can solve at least any one of the various problems described above, for example.

[0047] [1. Configuration of Electronic Device] The electronic device 10 is an example of a system that is installed in, for example, a vehicle and issues a notification when a notification condition is met, and is called, for example, a radar detector. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic device 10. A control unit 11 controls each unit of the electronic device 10. The control unit 11 is, for example, a computer including an arithmetic processing circuit and a memory. The arithmetic processing circuit includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other arithmetic processing circuit. The memory includes, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or other volatile memory. The arithmetic processing circuit performs various controls by temporarily reading data into the memory and performing arithmetic processing.

[0048] The light-receiving unit 12 receives light of a predetermined specific wavelength and outputs a digital signal corresponding to the received light amount to the control unit 11. The predetermined specific wavelength may be, for example, the wavelength of pulsed light output from a speed measurement device using an optical method. The speed measurement device is installed on a sidewalk adjacent to a roadway and measures the speed of a vehicle traveling on this roadway. The speed measurement device measures the speed of the vehicle by, for example, the laser scan method. To show a specific example, when the pulsed light reaches the vehicle and is reflected, the speed measurement device receives the reflected light. The speed measurement device measures the distance to the vehicle based on the time required from emitting the pulsed light to receiving the reflected light. Then, the speed measurement device repeatedly measures the distance to the vehicle and measures the vehicle speed based on the moving distance of the vehicle per unit time. The pulsed light output from the speed measurement device has energy concentrated at a specific wavelength. Therefore, as described above, the specific wavelength may be the wavelength at which the energy of the output light peaks. The pulsed light preferably has energy at a specific wavelength outside the visible light region, for example. The specific wavelength is preferably a wavelength that is not perceptible to humans and, for example, may have energy at a specific wavelength outside the visible light region. The specific wavelength belongs to the infrared light region, for example, and is 905 nm. However, the specific wavelength is not limited to this and may be 850 nm, 950 nm, 1900 nm, or other wavelengths. Also, the light-receiving unit 12 may be capable of receiving one or more specific wavelengths.

[0049] The display unit 13 displays an image. The display unit 13 is, for example, a 3.2-inch color TFT liquid crystal display. However, the display unit 13 may be an organic EL display or a display device of other types. The speaker 14 outputs sound. The control unit 11 outputs a predetermined sound from the speaker 14, for example, during an alarm and an operation. The control unit 11 uses the speaker 14 to notify, for example, the operation sound in the operation unit 19 and various messages (guides, alarms, etc.).

[0050] The microwave receiving unit 15 includes an antenna and a receiving circuit and receives microwaves. The GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 16 includes an antenna and a receiving circuit and receives signals from GPS satellites. The GPS receiving unit 16 processes the received signals and outputs position information. The position information includes, for example, latitude information and longitude information, and may also include altitude information. The communication unit 17 communicates with an external device. The communication unit 17 performs wireless communication using, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other methods.

[0051] The storage unit 18 stores data. For example, the storage unit 18 stores programs that the control unit 11 uses to perform various controls. The control unit 11 reads the programs from the storage unit 18 into a memory and executes them. The storage unit 18 also stores map data showing maps, data showing the types and locations of various facilities, data for notifying the presence of notification targets, data for implementing a route guidance function, data for displaying a standby screen, and the like. The targets of notification include, for example, locations of drowsy driving accidents, speed measurement devices (radar type, loop coil type, H system, LH system, photocell type, mobile type, etc.), speed limit change points, enforcement areas, checkpoint areas, no parking monitoring areas, N system, traffic monitoring systems, intersection monitoring points, red light ignorance prevention systems, police stations, accident-prone areas, areas with high rates of vehicle theft, sharp / continuous curves (expressways), branching / merging points (expressways), ETC lane advance guidance (expressways), service areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), highway oases (expressways), smart interchanges (expressways), gas stations inside PAs / SAs (expressways), tunnels (expressways), highway radio reception areas (expressways), prefectural border announcements, roadside stations, and view point parking areas. The storage unit 18 stores the type information of the notification target, the position information indicating the position, the image data (for example, a schematic diagram or a photograph) to be displayed on the display unit 13, and the audio data in association with each other.

[0052] Note that the storage unit 18 may include a storage medium that permanently stores data. The storage unit 18 may include, for example, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor recording medium, or other recording media.

[0053] The operation unit 19 receives user operations. The operation unit 19 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a volume adjustment button, and a work button. The touch sensor is provided on the surface of the display unit 13 and detects the position touched by the user. The volume operation button is operated to adjust the volume of the sound output from the speaker 14. The work button is a button for performing various operations.

[0054] The sensor unit 20 includes various sensors. The sensor unit 20 includes, for example, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an illuminance sensor 201 (see FIG. 2 etc.). The geomagnetic sensor is a sensor that detects the geomagnetism and detects in which direction the north direction is with respect to the traveling direction. The acceleration sensor is a sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions. The illuminance sensor 201 is a sensor that detects the illuminance indicating the brightness inside the vehicle cabin.

[0055] The mounting unit 21 is for removably mounting an external storage medium. The external storage medium is, for example, a memory card. In this case, the mounting unit 21 is a memory card slot. The data stored in the storage unit 18 may be taken in via the external storage medium. Such data includes update information of information (position information such as longitude and latitude, type information, etc.) of a new notification target (target).

[0056] The power supply unit 22 supplies the power supplied from the power source to each part inside the electronic device 10. The power supply unit 22 includes, for example, a power switch 221 and a DC jack 222. The DC jack 222 is for connecting a cigarette plug cord, and is connected to the vehicle's cigarette socket via the cigarette plug cord to receive power supply. The power switch 221 is a switch for turning on or off the power of the electronic device 10. The light emitting unit 23 emits light in various colors. The light emitting unit 23 includes, for example, a light emitting diode.

[0057] The cable terminal unit 24 is a terminal to which an external connection cable is connected. For example, the connection cable is a cable that connects the electronic device 10 to an OBD-II connector mounted on a vehicle. The OBD-II connector is also called a fault diagnosis connector, and is connected to the vehicle's ECU (Engine Control Unit) to output various types of vehicle information. As will be described later, the control unit 11 creates various standby screens based on the acquired vehicle information and outputs them to the display unit 13.

[0058] In addition to the above, the electronic device 10 may also have functions that are provided in well-known radar detectors.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a rear view showing an example of the external configuration of electronic device 10. In this example, housing 100 of electronic device 10 is divided into first housing 1001 located on the front side and second housing 1002 located on the rear side. Display unit 13, light-emitting unit 23, and illuminance sensor 201 of sensor unit 20 are provided on the front side of first housing 1001. The display area of display unit 13 is located in an opening on the front side of first housing 1001. A speaker 14 is provided on the top end surface of second housing 1002 to output audio. An attachment unit 21 (i.e., an SD card slot) for attaching an SD card is provided on the right end surface of housing 100. A condenser lens 121 constituting part of light-receiving unit 12 is provided in the upper right portion of the rear surface of housing 100. A power switch 221 and a DC jack 222 of power supply unit 22 are provided in the lower left portion of the rear surface of housing 100.

[0060] A lens holder 1006 is provided on the rear surface of second housing 1002. Lens holder 1006 constitutes a window, which is an opening that allows communication between the inside and outside of housing 100. When viewed from the rear surface side of housing 100, lens holder 1006 has an elliptical shape with a major axis in the horizontal direction and a minor axis in the vertical direction. When electronic device 10 is installed in a vehicle, the horizontal direction corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle, and the vertical direction corresponds to the height direction of the vehicle.

[0061] The condensing lens 121 is fitted into the lens holder 1006. When viewed from the back of the second housing 1002, the lens holder 1006 and the condensing lens 121 are located toward the upper right of the second housing 1002. For example, the condensing lens 121 is positioned at least above the center in the vertical direction on the back of the housing 100 and at least on the left side of the vehicle's traveling direction when viewed from the driver's seat of the vehicle. This is because the condensing lens 121 may be more easily received when it is positioned relatively high on the back of the second housing 1002 and on the shoulder side where a speed measurement device is likely to be located. Pulsed light from the speed measurement device is introduced into the housing 100 via the lens holder 1006 and the condensing lens 121. The condensing lens 121 is entirely formed using a light-transmitting material. The condensing lens 121 is transparent or translucent. The condenser lens 121 has an aspherical light incidence surface, preferably a surface having a parabolic shape or a smooth curve, for example. Because the condenser lens 121 is an aspherical lens, spherical aberration can be suppressed when forming an image on the light receiving element, compared to when a spherical lens is used. The spot size obtained with an aspherical lens can be several orders of magnitude smaller than that of a spherical lens. Based on this concept, the condenser lens 121 may be realized by combining multiple lenses that have smaller spherical aberration than a spherical lens. The condenser lens 121 is a lens that transmits at least the pulsed light and is a translucent or transparent member.

[0062] The condenser lens 121 guides pulsed light from the speed measurement device to the position of a light receiving element (not shown) that is placed at a predetermined position behind the condenser lens 121. The position of the condenser lens 121 is set according to the characteristics of the condenser lens 121 so that light is focused at the position of the light receiving element.

[0063] When a speed measurement device is located on the shoulder of the road, if the distance between the speed measurement device and the vehicle is large, the pulsed light is incident from almost the front, but as the speed measurement device approaches, the pulsed light is incident from the left. For this reason, the horizontal length of the condenser lens 121 is made longer than the vertical length so that the condenser lens 121 can receive light at a wider acceptance angle in the width direction of the vehicle than in the height direction of the vehicle. For example, it is preferable that the condenser lens 121 be able to condense light incident at an incident angle of 40 degrees on both sides in the width direction and 20 degrees on both sides in the height direction. By making the vertical length relatively short, the concentration of light other than the pulsed light is reduced.

[0064] The condenser lens 121 has a characteristic that allows it to detect even weak pulsed light from the speed measurement device. This allows the electronic device 10 to detect the presence of the speed measurement device over an extremely wide range and long distances, and to quickly report its presence. Furthermore, a visible light cut filter may be provided on the incident surface side of the condenser lens 121, or the condenser lens 121 may be made of a material that has a visible light cut function. This reduces the influence of visible light. The condenser lens 121 may be what is called an aspheric lens.

[0065] The condenser lens 121 may be disposed so that its optical axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, or may be tilted. In this case, if the optical axis of the condenser lens 121 is tilted to the left front side with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, it may be easier to receive pulsed light from the speed measurement device.

[0066] With the above configuration, the control unit 11 outputs various types of warning information to encourage the driver to drive safely. For example, the control unit 11 calculates the distance between the location (latitude and longitude) of the object to be notified stored as map information in the memory unit 18 and the current location (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver unit 16, and outputs warning information from the output device when the calculated distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (GPS warning function). For example, the control unit 11 outputs warning information from the output device when the microwave receiver unit 15 detects a signal corresponding to microwaves in a frequency band emitted from a speed measurement device (radar wave warning function). For example, the control unit 11 outputs warning information from the output device when the light receiver unit 12 receives a predetermined light pulse (laser light warning function). By outputting warning information, the electronic device 10 makes the driver aware of dangerous areas where traffic accidents are likely to occur. This allows the electronic device 10 to encourage the driver to drive safely. Note that the warning information described above is merely an example, and various other types of warning information are actually output to the driver. The alarm information may be, for example, visual information consisting of predetermined images, videos, characters, etc. output to the display unit 13, or sound or voice information output to the speaker 14. Specific alarm contents will be described later.

[0067] [2. Standby screen display function] The control unit 11 has an alarm function that outputs various types of alarm information to prompt the driver to ensure safety when a predetermined event occurs. On the other hand, when no such event occurs, the control unit 11 displays a predetermined standby screen 40 on the display unit 13 (standby screen display function). This standby screen display function displays various information useful for driving, such as GPS information based on the GPS acquired by the GPS receiver 16, such as the vehicle's speed, latitude, longitude, and altitude, in numerical, graph, animation, or other formats; the presence of GPS satellites acquired by the GPS receiver 16 in numerical, animation, or other formats; and vehicle information acquired by the OBDII adapter in numerical, graph, animation, or other formats. To cite a specific example of the standby screen display function, for example, there is a meter display function that displays one or more pieces of information based on the GPS information or vehicle information in one or more meter formats. The standby screen display function may include, for example, a map display function that accesses the memory unit 18 based on the current position acquired by the GPS receiver unit 16, reads out and displays map data stored therein about the surrounding area of the current position, a radar scope function that displays the relative positions of objects to be notified that exist around the current position, and a time display function that displays time information and the like based on the current time and the like acquired by the GPS receiver unit 16. Some or all of these functions may be implemented, or a combination of multiple functions may be executed, and it is also preferable that other display functions be provided.

[0068] <2-1. Example of standby screen 40> 3 to 5, 6A, and 6B show examples of the standby screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13 by various functions of the standby screen display function of the control unit 11. FIG. 3(a) is an example of a map screen in which a vehicle icon 401 is displayed as moving on a national map displayed by the map display function. The control unit 11 displays the vehicle icon 401 at its current position on the national map. FIG. 3(b) is an example of a digital clock screen displayed by the time information display function. The control unit 11 displays, for example, a calendar (year / month / date / day of the week) based on date and time information acquired by the GPS receiver 16 and a speed based on vehicle information. FIG. 3(c), FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6A(a) are examples of meter screens (presets A to H) displayed by the meter display function. The meter is an example of a display element that displays the vehicle's driving status, and includes, for example, a circular area and driving status displayed within or outside the area. The driving status may be displayed as a value indicating the driving status or as the position of a needle. The circle may be a shape that resembles a vehicle meter. When displayed near a circular area, the circle may be positioned close to the circle, or may be aligned with another graphic element (e.g., a straight line in this embodiment) that is adjacent to or connected to the circle. Detailed configurations of the meter screen and the like will be described later. FIG. 6A(b) shows an example of a photo frame that displays a photo. FIG. 6B(a) shows an example of a satellite information screen. The control unit 11 displays the satellite position and number with the vehicle's direction of travel facing upward, based on, for example, GPS satellite position information acquired by the GPS receiver 16. FIG. 6B(b) shows an example of a hybrid screen that is displayed when the electronic device 10 is installed in a hybrid vehicle with multiple power sources and acquires predetermined hybrid information. When the control unit 11 acquires hybrid information, such as the operating status of each of multiple power sources (e.g., an engine and a motor), the control unit 11 displays the information and the like in a predetermined layout. If hybrid information cannot be acquired, the control unit 11 may control the display of the hybrid screen.

[0069] In this example, 13 types of standby screens 40 are prepared. The control unit 11 normally displays one standby screen 40 set from among these 13 types, or sequentially displays all of the 13 types of standby screens 40 or a plurality of standby screens 40 selected from among them. Further, the control unit 11 preferably has an OFF mode in which the standby screen 40 is not displayed. The operation conditions for displaying these standby screens 40 and the like may be set as follows, for example.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 7(a), for example, when the screen of the display unit 13 is touched while the standby screen 40 is being displayed, the control unit 11 displays the top menu screen 50 shown in FIG. 7(b). In the figure, a figure simulating a hand is shown, but this indicates that the drawing has been touched and is not actually displayed on the screen. The same applies to each of the following figures. This top menu screen 50 arranges an item change button section 501, an arrangement change button section 502, and a registration button section 503 from the upper left, a standby change button section 504 and a setting button section 505 from the upper center, and an EXIT button section 506, a volume (+) button section 507, and a volume (-) button section 508 from the upper right. The functions of these button sections will be described as appropriate.

[0071] The standby change button section 504 is a button for changing the standby screen 40 to be displayed. When the control unit 11 detects that the standby change button section 504 has been touched, it displays the standby selection screen 51 shown in FIG. 7(c). The standby selection screen 51 has a layout in which the 13 types of standby screens 40 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, an AUTO button section 511, and an OFF button section 512 are displayed in a list. The control unit 11 indicates the state in which the currently displayed standby screen 40 is selected. The selected state is such that the entire corresponding standby screen display area in the list is masked with a predetermined semi-transparent color. In the illustrated example, the map screen displayed in FIG. 7(a) is selected. The selected state is not limited to thus drawing the whole with a predetermined color, and different display modes, such as changing the color of the square frame to another color, may be used.

[0072] The user touches either the standby screen they want to display, the AUTO button section 511, or the OFF button section 512. If any of the standby screens 40 is touched, the control unit 11 changes the standby screen 40 to be displayed to the touched type and ends the display of the standby selection screen 51. As a result, the selected and changed standby screen 40 is displayed on the display unit 13. Furthermore, if the AUTO button section 511 is touched, the control unit 11 changes the display mode of the standby screen 40 to AUTO and ends the display of the standby selection screen 51. The control unit 11 then displays each standby screen 40 in turn for the set time. Furthermore, if the OFF button section 512 is touched, the control unit 11 changes the display mode of the standby screen 40 to OFF and ends the display of the standby selection screen 51. Because the display mode is OFF, the standby screen 40 is not displayed on the display unit 13, and the display unit 13 remains blank during normal operation when no specific event occurs. Furthermore, if no touch is made within a certain period of time after the standby selection screen 51 is displayed, the control unit 11 times out and terminates the display of the standby selection screen 51. Since the standby screen 40 is not changed, the display unit 13 displays the standby screen that has been set up until now, which is the map screen in the example of FIG.

[0073] 7(b) is touched, the control unit 11 ends the display of the top menu screen 50. Since the standby screen 40 is not changed, the standby screen that has been set up until now, the map screen in the example of FIG. 7, is displayed on the display unit 13. Also, even if the EXIT button 506 is not touched in this way, for example, if no touch is made even after a certain period of time has elapsed, the control unit 11 may time out and end the display of the top menu screen 50.

[0074] The setting button section 505 is a button for performing various settings for the operation of the electronic device 10 and the like. The control unit 11 sequentially displays various hierarchical menu screens for performing various settings and performs the settings. The explanation of this function will be described later. Also, when the volume (+) button section 507 or the volume (-) button section 508 is touched, the control unit 11 increases or decreases the volume set in the electronic device 10.

[0075] <2-2. Message area 402 to be displayed on the standby screen> The alarm function provided by the control unit 11 may be such that, for example, when a predetermined event occurs while the standby screen is being displayed, a screen for giving an alarm is displayed from the standby screen 40. Also, when the fixing of the standby screen 40 is set, the control unit 11 continues to display the standby screen 40 regardless of the distance to the notification target and gives an alarm using the message area 402 overlaid on the standby screen 40. For example, FIG. 8(a) is the standby screen 40 corresponding to the meter screen shown in FIG. 3(c), and FIGS. 8(b) and (c) are the standby screens 40 corresponding to the meter screen shown in FIG. 6(a). As shown in FIG. 8, the message area 402 is arranged at the lower part of the screen of the standby screen 40. The message area 402 may include information regarding a warning to the user. The warning is preferably a warning to the user to be given during the running of the vehicle, and particularly preferably a warning for approaching a speed limit point.

[0076] When there is no information to be alarmed, the control unit 11 makes the message area 402 non-displayed, and when a predetermined event occurs, the control unit 11 displays the message area 402 having a predetermined message. Also, when the predetermined event ends, the control unit 11 ends the display of the message area 402. When no event is occurring, since the message area 402 is not displayed, it becomes possible to use, for example, the entire display area of the display unit 13 for the standby screen 40, and for example, a large display element can be arranged, and a standby screen 40 that is easy to see and rich in variations can be configured.

[0077] The message area 402 may be, for example, a long, narrow rectangular area, with a length approximately equal to the long side of the standby screen 40 displayed on the display unit 13. By making the area long, the number of messages to be displayed can be increased, and even if increased, the messages can be easily viewed. The background color of the message area 402 may be transparent or semi-transparent. Even when the message area 402 is displayed, the display elements of the standby screen 40 displayed below the message area 402 can be seen at least in the portion where there is no message.

[0078] The message displayed in this message area 402 may be information related to a warning given to the user while the vehicle is traveling, such as information informing the user of the presence of an object to be notified. For example, in the case of a GPS warning based on the location information of an object to be notified, as shown in Fig. 8(a), an icon 4021 indicating the type of object to be notified, speed limit information 4022 for the current location, and text 4023 indicating the type of object to be notified may be displayed on the left side, and direction information 4024 indicating the location of the object to be notified (the direction of an arrow in the illustrated example), distance information 4025 to the object to be notified, etc. may be arranged on the right side. This makes it possible to notify the user of the type of object to be notified, its location, etc.

[0079] Furthermore, in the case of notifications that are not based on the location information of the notification target or notifications for areas where no specific location exists, it is advisable not to display direction information 4024 or distance information 4025. When there is no information, for example, [-] or the like may be displayed to indicate that there is no information or that the information cannot be obtained, but by not displaying it, the display elements of standby screen 40 below message area 402 can be seen without being hidden. Similarly, when traveling in an area where there is no information on the speed limit for the current location, it is advisable to hide speed limit information 4022.

[0080] Examples of such non-display are shown in Figures 8(b) and 8(c). Figure 8(b) is an example of a message displayed when microwave radar is received by microwave receiving unit 15, and has a layout in which an icon 4021 indicating the type of object to be notified and text 4023 indicating the type of object to be notified are displayed on the left side, and microwave reception intensity 4026 (here, "LEVEL1") is placed next to them. Figure 8(c) is an example of a message displayed when a predetermined laser is received by light receiving unit 12, and has a layout in which an icon 4021 indicating the type of object to be notified and text 4023 indicating the type of object to be notified are placed on the left side.

[0081] Furthermore, an underline 4027 of a predetermined color is displayed on the bottom border of the message area 402. This makes the message area 402 stand out even if the background color of the message area 402 is transparent. Since the message area 402 is arranged across the entire width of the standby screen 40, the underline 4027 is also displayed along the bottom long side of the standby screen 40, making it stand out. Furthermore, the underline 4027 may be on the bottom side only, or on the bottom side and one or both of the left and right sides, and it is preferable not to provide it on the top side at least. In this way, the risk of the underline 4027 obscuring the display elements of the standby screen 40 and making them difficult to see can be minimized.

[0082] The color of underline 4027 may be changed according to the type of notification target, for example, and may be similar to, or more preferably the same color as, the color of icon 4021. By showing a target color representing the type of notification target with underline 4027, an easy-to-read and natural expression is achieved. The user can understand the type of notification target from the display color of underline 4027, and can check icon 4021 and text 4023 in the case of a notification target with high urgency, such as red, for example.

[0083] Since the message is displayed in the area on the left side of the message area 402, among the display elements constituting the standby screen 40, the character information may not be arranged in the left area, and it is preferable to adopt a layout that does not overlap with the message. By doing so, even while the message area 402 is being displayed, the characters and the like displayed on the standby screen 40 can be visually recognized and recognized. Further, it is even better that the character information is not arranged not only on the left side but also in the area where the message is displayed.

[0084] <2-3. Meter display function> Figures 9 to 12 show an example of a meter screen based on vehicle information and the like displayed on the display unit 13 by the standby screen display function of the control unit 11. This meter screen is an example of the meter screens in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6(a) among the above-described 13 types of standby screens 40.

[0085] The meters constituting the meter screen may include, for example, a circular meter that displays predetermined information inside a circular frame and a character meter M4 that displays text information, and it is preferable to arrange one or both of them as appropriate. Three types of circular meters with different diameters are prepared, and for convenience, they are referred to as a large meter M1, a small meter M2, and a mini meter M3. The mini meter M3 has auxiliary information in text form appended outside the circular frame. The auxiliary information may be, for example, a title that identifies the type of information displayed by the mini meter M3 (such as "Calendar", "Time", etc.), the value indicated by the needle of the meter displayed inside the circular frame, or information that cannot be fully displayed inside the frame.

[0086] For example, Fig. 9(a) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [1] where one large meter M1 is placed on the left side of the standby screen 40 and two small meters M2 are placed vertically on the right side. Fig. 9(b) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [2] where the positions of the large meter M1 and the small meters M2 are reversed left and right. Fig. 9(c) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [3] where one large meter M1 is placed on the left side of the standby screen 40 and three small meters M2 are placed vertically on the right side. Fig. 9(d) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [4] where the positions of the large meter M1 and the small meters M2 are reversed left and right. Fig. 10(a) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [5] where one large meter M1 is placed in the center of the standby screen 40 and two small meters M2 are placed vertically on each of the left and right sides. Fig. 10(b) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [6] where one large meter M1 is placed on the left side of the standby screen 40 and three mini meters M3 are placed vertically on the right side. Fig. 10(c) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [7] where the positions of the large meter M1 and the mini meters M3 are reversed left and right.

[0087] Fig. 11(a) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [8] where one large meter M1 is placed on the left side of the standby screen 40 and five character meters M4 are placed vertically on the right side. Fig. 11(b) shows the layout of arrangement pattern [9] where the positions of the large meter M1 and the mini meters M3 are reversed left and right. Fig. 11(c) shows the layout of arrangement pattern

[10] where six small meters M2 are placed in two vertical rows on the standby screen without overlapping each other. Fig. 11(d) shows the layout of arrangement pattern

[11] where seven small meters M2 are placed in three vertical rows on the standby screen with 2, 3, and 2 in a horizontal row from top to bottom, with some overlapping. Fig. 12(a) shows the layout of arrangement pattern

[12] where eight small meters M2 are placed in three vertical rows on the standby screen with 3, 2, and 3 in a horizontal row from top to bottom, with some overlapping. Fig. 12(b) shows the layout of arrangement pattern

[13] where three mini meters M3 are placed vertically on each of the left and right sides of the standby screen 40. Fig. 12(c) shows the layout of arrangement pattern

[14] where five character meters M4 are placed vertically on each of the left and right sides of the standby screen 40.

[0088] In this embodiment, 14 types of arrangement patterns were prepared as an example, but this number is just an example and can be less or more. If there are more than 15 types, there will be even more variations.

[0089] <2-3-1. Dynamic movement function of display elements> The control unit 11 preferably has a function of moving up and down a predetermined display element such as a meter on a part of the standby screen 40 among the arrangement patterns shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 according to the display status of the message area 402. When the message area 402 is not displayed, the control unit 11, for example, displays the display elements constituting the standby screen 40 at the first position with an arrangement layout using the entire display area of the display unit 13. During the display of the message area 402, a predetermined display element is moved from the first position to the second position a predetermined distance upward. When the display of the message area 402 ends, the control unit 11 moves the display element that has moved to the second position back to the first position.

[0090] The predetermined display element whose display position is to be changed is preferably displayed in the lower area of the standby screen 40, and the display element displayed in the upper area of the standby screen 40 is preferably fixed in its display position regardless of the display status of the message area 402. The display element whose display position changes up and down is preferably such that when the message area 402 is displayed, the characters in the display element overlap with the message in the message area 402 if it remains displayed at the first position. In particular, it is preferably such that the message overlaps the characters and part or all of the characters are hidden, making the characters invisible or difficult to see. By moving the display element that is at least partially hidden by the message area 402 to the second position, it is preferably moved out of the message area 402.

[0091] The distance by which the display element is moved upward, i.e., the distance between the first position and the second position, may be set, for example, to be equal to or greater than the distance at which the characters in the display element are positioned above the display area of message area 402. In this way, the characters in the display element can be seen without being hidden even while message area 402 is displayed. By dynamically moving some of the display elements of standby screen 40 according to the display state of message area 402, the visibility of the characters on standby screen 40 can be improved regardless of whether message area 402 is displayed or not.

[0092] For example, when multiple display elements are arranged in a balanced manner across the entire display area of display unit 13 while message area 402 is not displayed, characters among the display elements may be present in the display area of message area 402. In such a case, the visibility of the characters can be improved by moving the display position of a specific display element up or down.

[0093] When a display element displayed at the first position is moved to the second position, for example, a predetermined display element may be suddenly moved to the second position by switching the display screen, but it is preferable to configure the display element to move upward so that the display position is gradually shifted from the first position to the second position, and also to move gradually downward when the display element that has moved to the second position as the display of message area 402 ends is changed to the first position. In this way, the movement of the display element makes it possible to recognize that some kind of message will be announced and that the announcement has ended, and the movement adds to the sense of luxury.

[0094] <2-3-1-1. Move only the small meter M2 on the bottom row up and down> 13A and 13B show display examples of the layout pattern

[11] shown in FIG. 11(d). The wavy arrows in FIG. 13 and other drawings are intended to indicate the movement and direction of the large meter M1 and small meter M2, which are display elements; they are not actually displayed on the standby screen 40. The length of the arrows does not represent the distance traveled. As shown in FIG. 13A(a), the control unit 11 displays the standby screen 40 in a normal state in which no specific event occurs. In the figure, the small meters M2 are arranged in three rows, one above the other. In the illustrated example, some information is hidden because no vehicle speed information is provided. For example, the values displayed in each meter may be 0, the hands may not be displayed (for example, the hands of the clock are not displayed at the left end of the second row), or the contents of the meter may not be displayed at all (for example, the calendar is not displayed at the left end of the bottom row). In reality, information about each meter is displayed, as shown in FIG. 11(d), for example. This also applies to the meter displays described below.

[0095] If a predetermined event occurs while this standby screen 40 is being displayed, the control unit 11 displays a message area 402 containing a message corresponding to the event, superimposed on the bottom of the standby screen 40 (FIG. 13A(b)). In this state, the lower portion of the sub-meter M2 in the bottom row overlaps the message area 402. Since the characters in the sub-meter M2 are located at the bottom, the characters are positioned below the message area 402 and are likely to overlap with the message. For example, if the sub-meter M2 on the left side of the bottom row is the calendar shown in FIG. 11(d), the day of the week, "Thu," will overlap with the message in the message area 402, making it difficult to see.

[0096] Therefore, the control unit 11 raises only the smallest meter M2 in the bottommost stage among the three stages. At this time, as shown by the wavy arrow, the control unit 11 gradually moves the smallest meter M2 in the bottommost stage upward (see Fig. 13B(a)), and finally positions it at the second position (see Fig. 13B(b)). Also, in Fig. 13B(a), although the arrow indicating the movement is drawn associated with the smallest meter M2 on the left side of the bottommost stage and not drawn on the smallest meter M2 on the right side, the two smallest meters M2 in the bottommost stage move. In this way, the arrow is drawn on one meter each to represent the meters of the moving stage, and this is the same in each of the figures described below.

[0097] In the example shown in Fig. 13B(b), for the smallest meter M2 moved to the second position, the lower side of the meter frame overlaps the display area of the message area 402, but the characters should be positioned above the area. For example, even if parts such as the meter frame and memory overlap and are hidden by the message area 402, as long as the visibility of the characters can be ensured, the information to be displayed can be conveyed to the user. In this way, the second position does not necessarily need to be a position where the entire smallest meter M2, which is a display element, is not hidden by the message area 402. For example, it is advisable to set it to a position where the characters do not overlap, for example, a position where the content conveyed by the smallest meter M2 can be understood.

[0098] By raising the smallest meter M2 in this way, the characters in the message area 402 are made not to overlap or almost not overlap with the characters of the smallest meter M2, and the meter frame etc. overlap the message area 402, so the readability of the characters can be ensured. When a predetermined event occurs, for example, instead of deleting the smallest meter M2 that overlaps the message area 402 while the smallest meter M2 is being displayed on the standby screen 40, the smallest meter M2 is moved to another location on the standby screen 40 and continuously displayed, and at the same time, new information can be additionally displayed by the message area 402. Therefore, various information can be provided to the user at the same time. Also, since the user can visually recognize the state of the smallest meter M2 moving, it has visual interest and can easily attract the user's attention to the information to be additionally displayed.

[0099] In this way, a small meter M2 representing, for example, the running state of the vehicle is displayed on the standby screen 40. When the notification condition regarding the warning to the user is satisfied, while moving the small meter M2 regarding the running state of the vehicle to another location and continuously displaying it, information regarding the warning can be additionally displayed using the message area 402. Therefore, various types of information can be provided to the user simultaneously. Further, since the user can visually recognize the state in which the display element regarding the running state of the vehicle moves, there is a visual interest, and it is possible to easily draw the user's attention to the information regarding the warning to be additionally displayed.

[0100] Further, when a predetermined event for displaying the message area 402 shown in FIG. 14(a) ends, for example, the control unit 11 ends the display of the message area 402, and gradually moves down the small meter M2 at the bottommost step in the second position (see FIG. 14(b)) and positions it at the first position (see FIG. 14(c)).

[0101] As described above, in the present embodiment, after displaying the message area 402 at a predetermined position, the upward movement of the small meter M2 is started, and the small meter M2 in the second position starts the downward movement after erasing the message area 402. The start timing of the small meter M2 is not limited to this. For example, it may be simultaneous with the start of the display of the message area 402, or the movement may start before the display of the message area 402. However, if the process of displaying or erasing the message area 402 is performed first as in the present embodiment, the warning content can be quickly conveyed by the occurrence and end of the event and the message in the message area 402. Further, by moving the small meter M2 after displaying the message area 402, the user can be made to pay attention to the message area 402. Furthermore, when moving the small meter M2 at the bottommost step, it is preferable not to overlap with the small meter M2 at the topmost step located above.

[0102] Also, when the position of the small meter M2 on the bottommost step is originally arranged upward, for example, like the second position, or when the layout is such that the characters are arranged upward within the meter so that the characters are not hidden even when the message area 402 is displayed, compared to such a case, by moving the small meter M2 on the bottommost step up and down as in the present embodiment, the appearance when the message area 402 is not displayed looks good, and also, the visibility of the characters in the small meter M2 is good regardless of whether the message area 402 is displayed or not.

[0103] <2-3-1-2. Moving the small meter M2 and the large meter M1 on the bottommost step up and down> FIGS. 15 and 16 show display examples of the arrangement pattern [5] shown in FIG. 10(a). In this example, the control unit 11 lifts the central large meter M1 and the two small meters M2 arranged on the lower sides of its left and right, and further lifts the two small meters M2 on the lower left and right sides more than the large meter M1. Also in this example, it is preferable that the small meters M2 arranged vertically do not overlap each other.

[0104] For the specific operation, as shown in FIG. 15(a), when a predetermined event occurs while the standby screen 40 is being displayed, the control unit 11 first displays the message area 402, and then moves the large meter M1 and the two lower small meters M2 upward. FIG. 15(b) is a diagram showing a state where the large meter M1 and the small meter M2 are moved upward a little after the message area 402 is displayed, and FIG. 15(c) is a diagram showing a state where the large meter M1 and the small meter M2 are in their second positions.

[0105] On the other hand, when a predetermined event for displaying the message area 402 shown in FIG. 16(a) ends, for example, the control unit 11 ends the display of the message area 402, and then gradually moves the large meter M1 and the lower small meter M2 in the second position downward (see FIG. 16(b)) and positions them in the first position (see FIG. 16(c)).

[0106] When the message area 402 is displayed, the lower small meter M2 is positioned in the second position, so that even characters positioned at the bottom within the small meter M2 do not overlap the area of the message area 402, resulting in good visibility.

[0107] In this layout pattern [5], the diameter of the large meter M1 located in the center is approximately equal to the vertical length of the standby screen 40, and the large meter M1 is displayed so as to cover almost the entire vertical screen. Therefore, compared to a case where, for example, only the two lower small meters M2 are raised so that the characters in the small meters M2 do not overlap the message area 402 when the message area 402 is displayed, in this embodiment, regardless of whether the message area 402 is displayed or not, the large meter M1 and the small meters M2 are arranged in a balanced manner within the standby screen 40, and the visibility of the characters is also improved.

[0108] In this embodiment, the small meter M2 moves more than the large meter M1, and in particular, the distance traveled by the small meter M2 is preferably twice that of the large meter M1. This allows the large meter M1 to transition between the first and second positions while maintaining its relative balance with the upper and lower small meters M2. For example, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the vertical center line of the large meter M1, such as the line connecting the "60" and "180" marks on a speedometer scale, is located at the midpoint between the upper and lower small meters M2. This state is maintained during the movement of the large meter M1 and the small meters M2 (FIG. 15(b)) and at the second position (FIG. 15(c)). Therefore, the vertical balance of the five meters is always maintained. The same applies when returning from the second position to the first position.

[0109] For example, compared to when only the lower small meter M2 moves up, by also moving the large meter M1 appropriately, the vertical center line of the large meter M1 is positioned in the middle between the upper and lower small meters M2, resulting in a well-balanced and stylish display. Furthermore, in this example, the two lower small meters M2 that have moved up do not overlap with the upper small meter M2 even when they reach the second position.

[0110] <2-3-1-3. Move the small meters M2 on the bottom row and the second row up and down> 17 and 18 show display examples of the arrangement pattern

[12] shown in Fig. 12(a). In this example, the control unit 11 raises the small meters M2 in the bottom and middle rows of the three rows, and further raises the row below the middle row more than the middle row.

[0111] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 17(a), when a predetermined event occurs while the standby screen 40 is displayed, the control unit 11 first displays the message area 402, and then moves the small meters M2 in the bottom and middle rows upward. Fig. 17(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the small meters M2 in the bottom and middle rows have moved upward slightly after the message area 402 is displayed, and Fig. 17(c) is a diagram showing a state in which the small meters M2 in the bottom and middle rows are in the second position.

[0112] On the other hand, when a predetermined event that displays the message area 402 shown in Fig. 18(a) has ended, the control unit 11 ends the display of the message area 402, and then gradually moves the small meters M2 in the bottom row and the middle row that were in the second position downward (see Fig. 18(b)), and positions them in the first position (see Fig. 18(c)). In this arrangement pattern

[12] , as in the above-mentioned arrangement patterns [5] and

[11] , the small meters M2 are arranged in a balanced manner, ensuring the visibility of the characters.

[0113] In the case of standby screen 40 having a layout in which small meters M2 are arranged in three vertical rows or mixed with large meters M1 as in arrangement pattern [5] and therefore arranged near the bottom edge of standby screen 40, at least the small meters M2 arranged at the bottom should be positioned in the second position in conjunction with the display of message area 402. Also, as in each of the above-described embodiments, moving the display positions of small meters M2 and large meters M1 increases visual interest.

[0114] <2-3-1-4. Example of not moving the display element (meter)> For example, in the mini-meter M3, the characters are positioned at the center in the vertical direction of the meter frame and are not arranged at the lower side like the mini-meter M2. Therefore, even if the mini-meters M3 are arranged in three vertical rows as shown in FIG. 19, when the message area 402 is displayed as shown in FIG. 20, the characters of the mini-meter M3 in the bottom row are not hidden by the message area 402, so it may be fixedly arranged. Also, for the standby screen 40 composed of the character meter M4, since there is an empty space in the display area of the message area 402, even if the message area 402 is displayed without lifting it, the information displayed there is easy to view. By fixedly arranging the meters in this way, it is easier to see the meters themselves when they do not move, so it is better not to lift them when not necessary.

[0115] <2-3-2. Change of display items> The display items to be displayed on each meter constituting the standby screen 40 in the 14 types of arrangement patterns shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 are just examples and are made changeable. For example, the large meter M1 in FIG. 9(a) shows an example of displaying an analog clock, but in addition to this, for example, digital clocks, speedometers, speed information, travel time information, and many other display items may be stored in the storage unit 18, and the content to be displayed may be made changeable by setting changes. Thereby, the user can change the display items to be displayed on each standby screen 40 according to their preferences by setting changes. The setting changes are made by touching the selection buttons provided on a large number of hierarchical menu screens to display the target menu screen and performing various settings. The change of the display items may be configured to be performed, for example, as follows.

[0116] As shown in Fig. 21(a), when the control unit 11 detects that the standby screen 40 being displayed has been touched, it displays the top menu screen 50 shown in Fig. 21(b) on the display unit 13. When the item change button section 501 of this top menu screen 50 is touched, the control unit 11 displays the target selection screen 52 shown in Fig. 21(c). The target selection screen 52 text-displays the display items of each meter constituting the currently displayed standby screen 40. In the illustrated example, the large meter M1 is "analog clock", the upper small meter M2 is "calendar 2", and the lower small meter M2 is "0 - 180 km / h speed".

[0117] The user touches the display element to be changed (the large meter M1 in the example of the figure). The control unit 11 displays a display item selection screen 53 for setting the display item prepared for the touched display element (see Fig. 21(d)). Since a large number of display items are prepared for the large meter M1 and cannot fit on a single display item selection screen 53, a plurality of display item selection screens 53 are also prepared, and the state of displaying the "other" display item selection screen 53 by screen transition is shown.

[0118] The user touches the selection button part of the display item to be displayed (in the example of the figure, "Eco Drive"). The control unit 11 creates and displays a target selection screen 52 switched to the display item of the touched selection button part (see Fig. 21(e)). Then, when it detects that the EXIT button part prepared in the upper right of the screen is touched in that state, the control unit 11 determines the display item of each display element of the standby screen 40 as the display item displayed on the target selection screen 52 at that time, and displays the standby screen 40 arranged with the determined display item (see Fig. 21(f)). In the illustrated example, the large meter M1 on which the analog clock was displayed in Fig. 21(a) is changed to display the eco drive point in Fig. 21(f). Also, in the above-described example, the case of changing the display item of the large meter M1 has been described. However, for example, when the target selection screen 52 is being displayed, by touching the upper or lower small meter M2, the display item of the touched small meter M2 can be changed. In this way, since the display item of the currently displayed standby screen 40 is changed, when changing the display item of another standby screen 40, for example, after changing the standby screen 40 to be displayed by an operation on the standby selection screen 51, it can be changed by the above-described processing. Also, when the standby screen 40 is set to AUTO display, the standby screen 40 switches in order. Therefore, by touching the screen at the timing when the standby screen 40 for which the display item is to be changed is displayed, the display item of the desired standby screen 40 can be changed.

[0119] Incidentally, for example, if the operation has been performed up to a certain point but the display item is not changed, by touching the BACK button part prepared in the upper left of each screen, the screen of the upper hierarchy is sequentially traced back, and the top menu screen 50 is reached. Then, by touching the EXIT button part 506 on the top menu screen 50, the standby screen 40 is displayed according to the current display item setting. Also, when the EXIT button prepared on each screen is touched, the control unit 11 ends the setting process and displays the standby screen 40.

[0120] Since the item change button section 501 is provided on the top menu screen 50 in this way, by touching the item change button section 501, it is possible to directly jump to a specific menu screen for changing the display items of the standby screen 40 prepared deep in the hierarchy, for example, the target selection screen 52, and the display items of the standby screen 40 can be easily changed.

[0121] Here, it is assumed that the item change button section 501 is provided on the top menu screen 50, but it is not limited to the top menu screen 50, and it may be provided on a higher-level menu screen close to the top menu screen 50.

[0122] <2-3-3. Arrangement change function> The standby screens 40 shown in FIGS. 3(c), 4, 5, and 6(a) are examples of those initially assigned to the standby screens 40 of each preset A / B / C / D / E / F / G / H. The standby screen to be displayed for each preset can be set to any one of the 14 arrangement pattern standby screens 40 shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 by changing the mode setting. Such mode setting is to display the target menu screen while touching the selection buttons provided on a large number of hierarchical menu screens and perform various settings. This display change may be configured to be performed as follows, for example.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 22(a), when it is detected that the currently displayed standby screen 40 has been touched, the control unit 11 displays the top menu screen 50 shown in FIG. 22(b) on the display unit 13. When the arrangement change button section 502 of this top menu screen 50 is touched, the control unit 11 displays the arrangement selection screen 54 shown in FIG. 22(c). The arrangement selection screen 54 includes 14 arrangement selection button sections 541 for selecting each arrangement pattern. The arrangement selection button section 541 displays a diagram schematically showing the arrangement pattern, and the arrangement selection button section 541 of the currently selected arrangement pattern displays a line 542 of a predetermined color. In the figure, the line 542 is displayed on the arrangement selection button section 541 of the arrangement pattern [1] arranged at the left end of the first row from the top.

[0124] The user touches the layout pattern they wish to change (in the example shown in the figure, the layout pattern

[10] , third row from the top, second from the left). The control unit 11 displays the touched layout pattern (see FIG. 22(d)). Then, when it detects that the EXIT button provided in the upper right corner of the screen has been touched in this state, the control unit 11 fixes the currently displayed layout pattern as a new preset layout pattern that was set as the layout pattern displayed in FIG. 22(a), and displays the fixed layout pattern as the standby screen 40 (see FIG. 22(e)).

[0125] By performing the above-described operation while the standby screen 40 of a predetermined preset is displayed, the allocation of the layout pattern for the predetermined preset can be changed. For each preset, the display layout can be selected from 14 different patterns.

[0126] Incidentally, even when changing this layout pattern, if, for example, operation has been performed halfway but the layout pattern is not changed, touching the BACK button provided in the upper left of each screen will sequentially navigate through the screens in the next higher hierarchy until reaching the top menu screen 50. Then, touching the EXIT button section 506 on the top menu screen 50 will display the standby screen 40 according to the settings for the current preset. Also, touching the EXIT button provided on each screen will cause the control unit 11 to end the setting process and display the standby screen 40.

[0127] In this way, the top menu screen 50 is provided with the layout change button section 502, so that by touching the layout change button section 502, it is possible to jump directly to a specific menu screen prepared deeper in the hierarchy for changing the layout pattern of the standby screen 40, such as the layout selection screen 54, and the standby screen 40 set to the preset A / B / C / D / E / F / G / H can be easily changed.

[0128] Here, the layout change button section 502 is provided on the top menu screen 50, but it is not limited to the top menu screen 50, and may be provided on a menu screen in a higher layer closer to the top menu screen 50. The layout change button section 502 and the item change button section 501 may be provided on the same menu screen.

[0129] In this embodiment, for each preset A to H, the selected value of the current arrangement pattern and the contents of each item set in each of the arrangement patterns [1] to

[14] are all stored. As a result, even when the selection of the arrangement pattern is switched to another one within the same preset and then returned to the original arrangement pattern, the previous item contents remain as they are, and the item contents of the previous arrangement pattern are displayed. Furthermore, the setting values of presets A to H are completely independent of each other.

[0130] [3. Other warnings while the standby screen 40 is displayed] For example, the electronic device 10 may be provided with a device for detecting the driver's state, such as whether the driver is dozing or looking away, and a device for detecting the distance from a vehicle ahead, and the electronic device 10 may be provided with a function for issuing a predetermined alarm based on the detection results of the device. The alarm may be an information display area 403 displayed on the display unit 13 along with a predetermined warning sound such as a voice or buzzer. This information display area 403 may be smaller than the standby screen 40 and may be displayed, for example, in the center of the standby screen 40, overlapping the meter. The information displayed in the information display area 403 may be information indicating cautions using text, pictures, animations, or the like. In the illustrated examples, FIG. 23(a) shows an example of a drowsy driving alarm, FIG. 23(b) shows an example of a warning to pay attention to the road ahead due to inattentive driving, and FIG. 23(c) shows an example of a following distance alarm. Warnings regarding the driver's condition, such as whether or not the driver is dozing or looking away, are displayed near the center of the standby screen 40, using a layer in front of the meter, making warnings that the user should be particularly aware of in order to ensure safe driving more noticeable.

[0131] Also, when the digital photo frame is displayed as the standby screen 40 as shown in FIG. 6(b), it is preferable not to issue an alarm using the information display area 403 and to issue only an alarm by sound such as voice or buzzer. It is also possible to display the information display area 403 in the same manner as the meter screen or the like, but it is easier to view the displayed photo if it is not displayed.

[0132] [4. Radar Scope] FIG. 24 shows an example of visually displaying the positional relationship of notification targets existing around the current position on the large meter M1 of the standby screen 40 of the meter screen. This display mode is, for example, referred to as a radar scope. This relative positional relationship is obtained by arranging a vehicle icon 401 indicating the vehicle position at the lower position within the circular frame of the large meter M1, a plurality of concentric scales 404 centered on the vehicle icon 401, azimuth lines 405 extending in eight directions based on the vehicle icon 401, and target icons 406 arranged at the existing positions of the notification targets within the regions partitioned by the scales 404 and the azimuth lines 405. The target icon 406 may be, for example, the same as the icon indicating the notification target displayed at the existing position on the map screen. The center of the radar scope having such a configuration is shifted from the center of the large meter M1, and the control unit 11 draws a radar scope centered on the vehicle icon 401 within the large meter M1 in a state where it is cut out by the circular frame of the meter with the center shifted.

[0133] In this way, by displaying the vehicle icon 401 indicating the vehicle position and the target icon 406 indicating the position of the target of the notification to be noted together with the scale 404 and the azimuth line 405, the relative positional relationship between the two can be intuitively understood. Also, since the control unit 11 automatically selects and displays the target icon 406 that satisfies a predetermined criterion, such as the notification target closest to the vehicle position, the target to be noted can be automatically focused.

[0134] The scale 404 on the concentric circles is drawn at intervals of 250 m. Also, this radar scope is of a 1000 m range that displays up to 1000 m ahead (see Fig. 24(a)), a 500 m range that displays up to 500 m ahead (see Fig. 24(b)), a 1500 m range that displays up to 1500 m ahead (not shown), and a 2000 m range that displays up to 2000 m ahead (not shown). It optimally and smoothly switches according to the target, focusing on four ranges ahead. When the position of the host vehicle approaches the target to be notified, the control unit 11 may switch the range at an appropriate timing according to the distance of the target to be notified.

[0135] Also, the radar scope is limited to heading up, and by placing the host vehicle icon 401 below, the area displayed ahead is expanded, giving a display that emphasizes the front more. For example, if the host vehicle icon 401 is placed in the center, the marking area for targets behind, which has little meaning, becomes wider, making it difficult to obtain useful information.

[0136] When there is no target of the target to be focused on, the 1000 m range is displayed. Also, for example, while notifying an invisible target, the current range is maintained. Further, the targets are displayed starting from the one closest to the host vehicle. In the case of the large meter M1, the maximum number of targets may be, for example, 50. Also, such a radar scope may be displayed on the small meter M2. Since the display area is small, for example, the maximum number of targets may be less than that of the large meter M1, for example, 25.

[0137] Also, the range switching may be such that a plurality of prepared ranges are sequentially switched and displayed, and when switching ranges, an animation-like display change through an intermediate scale may be adopted.

[0138] [5. Setting Change] When the standby screen 40 in the display is touched, the control unit 11 displays the top menu screen 50 shown in FIG. 25(a). When the setting button section 505 in this top menu screen 50 is touched, the control unit 11 displays the setting menu screen 60 shown in FIG. 25(b). The control unit 11 is configured to perform various settings using a menu screen hierarchically structured in a tree structure for each type, and divides the various settings into six groups so that the settings can be made. In accordance with the six groups, an alarm button section 601, a map / standby button section 602, and an image / LED button section 603 are arranged from the left in the upper row, and a voice button section 604, a system button section 605, and an external device button section 606 are arranged from the left in the lower row, and an EXIT button section 607 is arranged on the upper right side of the screen.

[0139] The alarm button section 601 is a button for setting functions related to alarms. The map / standby button section 602 is a button for setting functions related to maps and standby screens. The image / LED button section 603 is a button for setting the brightness of the screen and LED settings. The voice button section 604 is a button for setting voice announcements and alarm sounds. The system button section 605 is a button for setting functions related to this device, such as initializing settings. The external device button section 606 is a button for setting accessories such as an OBDII adapter. When those button sections are touched, the control unit 11 displays the top menu screen of the tree associated with each, and then displays the target menu screen while touching the selection buttons provided on that menu screen, and performs various settings. Also, when the EXIT button section 607 is touched, the control unit 11 ends the display of the setting menu screen 60 and displays the standby screen 40.

[0140] For example, if the number of groups is reduced to "System," "Alarm," "Options (External Devices)," etc., many setting items, such as settings for items other than alarms, will be allocated to the System group, making it difficult to understand and cumbersome for the user to reach the menu screen for the item they want to set. Therefore, by dividing into six groups as described above, the items are not divided into unnecessary subdivisions, and the user can intuitively understand which button section the item they want to set belongs to. In addition, each button section can be arranged on a single setting menu screen 60.

[0141] 25(c) to (e) are examples of menu screens arranged below the alarm button section 601. As shown in each figure, a BACK button section 608 for returning to the menu screen one level above is arranged at the top left of the screen, an EXIT button section 607 for terminating the display and displaying standby screen 40 is arranged at the top right, a title indicating the contents of the menu screen (in the example shown, "Alert," "GPS Details," and "Alert Speed") is displayed at the top center, and a selection button section and a scroll button section 609 for switching pages are arranged in the large area below them. Furthermore, when there are no pages to scroll, as shown in FIG. 25(e), the scroll button section 609 is not displayed, and the selection button section is arranged using the entire large area below.

[0142] Such menu screens are standardized throughout. Furthermore, by arranging the BACK button section 608 and EXIT button section 607 at the top of the screen, the area for displaying the selection button section is widened, increasing the number of selection button sections displayed on one page, and making the up and down scroll button section 609 larger. This makes the scroll button section 609 easier to press, making screen scrolling easier. It is advisable for the scroll button section 609 to have the same width as the EXIT button section 607, for example.

[0143] In addition, since the layout allows many selection items to be displayed on the screen, it is easy to understand how many selection items there are. For example, if all can be displayed on one screen, it is immediately clear how many selection items there are. Even if all cannot be displayed on one screen, the number of page turns can be reduced, so the target menu screen can be reached with a small number of touches, and the desired selection button part can be touched to make settings.

[0144] [6. Map Zoom Function] It is preferable to provide multiple types of map scales for the map screen displayed on the standby screen 40 etc. and enable switching display. In this embodiment, four different map scales are prepared, and the control unit 11 displays the map screen of the map scale selected by setting.

[0145] Figures 26(a) to (d) show examples of four map screens with different map scales in the state where the position of the own vehicle is the same. Figure 26(a) is ZOOM1 that displays a wide area with the smallest scale, Figure 26(b) is ZOOM2 with the second smallest scale, Figure 26(c) is ZOOM3 with the third smallest scale, and Figure 26(d) is a display example of ZOOM4 that displays details with the largest scale. For example, with the display of ZOOM4, the situation around the position of the own vehicle can be easily known, and with the display of ZOOM1, for example, the presence of a distant notification target in the forward direction from the target icon 406 can be recognized. Since four types of map screens with different map scales are prepared in this way, the user can confirm the necessary information according to the situation by switching the display according to the situation.

[0146] In this embodiment, the icons corresponding to the types of buildings etc. displayed on the four map maps are all displayed in the same way. For example, in the case of wide area display like ZOOM1, it is conceivable to reduce the number of icons to be displayed compared to ZOOM4, but in this embodiment, the icons displayed at the map scale of ZOOM4 are also displayed in ZOOM4. By doing so, it is possible to suppress as much as possible the situation where no icons are displayed in the case of wide area display, making it seem as if they do not exist and causing a sense of loneliness. Different information does not appear even when the map scale is changed and the map is enlarged.

[0147] On the other hand, character information such as place names is thinned out appropriately when displaying a wide area to prevent characters from overlapping and becoming difficult to read. For example, a table of characters to be thinned out depending on the zoom ratio of the map scale may be stored in the memory unit 18, and the control unit 11 may read out character information corresponding to the map scale of the currently displayed map screen and display it at a predetermined position on the map on the map screen. In addition, a target icon indicating the target to be notified is stored for each map.

[0148] Selection of these four map scales may be performed using, for example, a map zoom selection screen 55 shown in Fig. 26(e). This map zoom selection screen 55 is provided in a lower layer of the hierarchical menu screen that is displayed by touching the map / standby button section 602 on the setting menu screen 60 shown in Fig. 25(b). As shown in the figure, this map zoom selection screen 55 has four zoom selection buttons 551 for selecting ZOOM1, ZOOM2, ZOOM3, and ZOOM4, respectively, and also has a BACK button section 552 and an EXIT button section 553 at the top of the screen, similar to the other menu screens.

[0149] Each zoom selection button 551 displays a schematic map image corresponding to the map scale with a name (ZOOM1, ZOOM2, ZOOM3, ZOOM4) superimposed on the image. By displaying a pattern of specific image pictures and allowing the user to select one of the images, the user can easily visualize the map scale of the map screen displayed after selection, reducing the likelihood of incorrect selection or a situation where the map scale is not what they intended. For example, + / - buttons could be provided so that pressing them would increase or decrease the zoom, but it would be difficult to visualize how much the map scale would increase or decrease with each step. Furthermore, while words such as "wide area" and "slightly wide" could be displayed, the map scales imagined by users when they see these words vary. Furthermore, with only words such as ZOOM1, ZOOM2, ZOOM3, and ZOOM4, it is unclear which direction the zoom is being used. In contrast, by displaying a map image corresponding to the actual map scale, as in this embodiment, the user can intuitively understand the size.

[0150] Furthermore, a selection line 554 is displayed on the bottom side of the zoom selection button section 551 of the currently selected map scale. In the example shown in the figure, ZOOM4 is selected, so the selection line 554 is displayed on the zoom selection button section 551 at the bottom right. When any zoom selection button section 551 is touched, the control unit 11 switches the display of the selection line 554 to the bottom side of the touched area. Then, as with other menu screens, the map scale is set to the zoom selection button section 551 that was selected when the BACK button section 552 or EXIT button section 553 was touched.

[0151] Also, in the case of wide-area displays such as ZOOM1 and ZOOM2, the amount of map information displayed increases and the update speed of the displayed map slows down, but the amount of movement of the vehicle's position on the displayed map is also small, so the display can be displayed without any discomfort.

[0152] [7. Custom wallpaper] <7-1. Basic Functions> In the initial setting, the entire background of the standby screen 40 is black. In this embodiment, an image such as an arbitrary photo can be arranged on the background of the standby screen 40. Specifically, for example, one favorite JPEG file is recorded in a predetermined folder (user / back / ) of the SD card. This SD card is inserted into the card slot 21. On the other hand, the user displays the standby background custom setting screen 65 shown in FIG. 27(a). This standby background custom setting screen 65 is provided in the lower layer of the hierarchical menu screen that is displayed by touching the map standby button part 602 of the setting menu screen 60 shown in FIG. 25(b), and the above-mentioned standby background custom setting screen 65 is displayed by operating an appropriate menu screen.

[0153] This standby background custom setting screen 65 has a standby background custom setting button part 651, a brightness setting button part 652, and a zoom setting button part 653 arranged vertically. The standby background custom setting button part 651 shows the current setting state on the right side of its area (in the example of the figure, it is "ON"), and ON and OFF are switched each time the button area is touched. And it is confirmed in the state selected when the BACK button part 654 or the EXIT button part 655 is touched.

[0154] As shown in the figure, when ON is set, when the control unit 11 displays the standby screen 40, it reads out the above-mentioned JPEG file recorded on the SD card and sets it as the background. As a result, for example, as shown in FIGS. 27(b) to (d), even when switching to different standby screens, the same photo or the like is displayed as the background.

[0155] Depending on the preset screen, if there are many things displayed on the upper part, it is difficult to visually recognize the photo or the like in the background and there is not much effect, but it is effective for those expressed only by characters. Also, for the character part of the preset minimeter M3 and the character display part, when displaying the background custom setting, it is better not to place character-based color background components.

[0156] The zoom setting button section 653 is a button for setting the display ratio etc. when displaying a JPEG file registered on the SD card as a background, and the menu screen at a lower level provides setting items such as the default full, normal, normal without enlargement, and forced screen size.

[0157] <7-2. Setting the brightness of the standby background> The electronic device 10 has a function for changing the brightness of the standby background. Changing the brightness of the background, for example, brightness, improves the visibility of the photograph placed in the background and the visibility of the meters that make up the standby screen 40. The user can freely change the brightness to their liking. The quality of the photograph may make the meters difficult to see, so the brightness can be adjusted to make them visible. In particular, when the background can be replaced, the meters may be difficult to see due to variations in the shading of the photograph prepared by the user, but this brightness setting function can make them easier to see.

[0158] To change the brightness setting, the user touches, for example, a brightness setting button section 652 on a standby background custom setting screen 65 shown in Fig. 27(a). Based on the touch on this brightness setting button section 652, the control unit 11 displays a background brightness setting screen 66 shown in Fig. 28(a). In this embodiment, brightness selection buttons 661 corresponding to the respective numerical values are provided so that the background brightness can be set in 10% increments within a range of 10% to 100%.

[0159] The control unit 11 displays a selection line 662 at the lower side of the brightness selection button part 661 corresponding to the currently selected brightness. In the example of the figure, since 80% is selected, the selection line 662 is displayed on the central brightness selection button part 661 in the third row from the top. When the user touches any of the brightness selection button parts 661, the control unit 11 switches the display of the selection line 662 to the lower side of the touched area. Then, similar to other menu screens, the brightness is set to that of the brightness selection button part 661 that was selected when the BACK button part 663 or the EXIT button part 664 is touched. The brightness setting button part 652 is effective only when the standby background custom setting is ON.

[0160] FIG. 28(b) is an example of the standby screen 40 when the background brightness is set to 80%, FIG. 28(c) is an example of the standby screen 40 when the background brightness is set to 50%, and FIG. 28(d) is an example of the standby screen 40 when the background brightness is set to 30%.

[0161] As shown in the figure, the vehicle itself in the background is more visible at 80%, but the whole becomes brighter and the white characters become difficult to see. Therefore, it is better to set it to 30% for a user who wants to see the characters. On the other hand, if the character information can be vaguely understood, it is better to set it to 80% for a user who wants to see the vehicle. Especially when using a photo or the like prepared by oneself as the background, there may be a user who wants to make the photo look better, and this can be accommodated. Furthermore, for a user who wants to see both moderately, for example, it can be set to 50%.

[0162] Also, depending on the screen placed on the background such as a photo, when the brightness is high, the photo is easy to see but the characters on the standby screen 40 are difficult to see, and when the brightness is low, the photo becomes dark and difficult to see but the characters on the standby screen 40 tend to be easy to see. Therefore, the user should set the specific brightness while taking into account the brightness of the photo or the like registered in the background. In this embodiment, a wide setting range from 10% to 100% is provided and it is in 10% increments, so that the display mode of the standby screen 40 with background customization suitable for the user's preference can be achieved.

[0163] [Base color of standby screen 40] In this embodiment, it is preferable to prepare a plurality of basic colors for the standby screen 40 and display the standby screen 40 based on the base color selected by setting. In this embodiment, the plurality of colors are five colors: White (see Fig. 29(a)), Red (see Fig. 29(b)), Blue (see Fig. 29(c)), Gray (see Fig. 29(d)), and Black (see Fig. 29(e)). However, this number is arbitrary, and it may be at least one, or six or more. Furthermore, it is preferable to prepare special colors that are effective when implemented in special or vehicle applications.

[0164] This setting of the base color may be performed, for example, by operating an appropriate menu screen (not shown) prepared in the lower layer of the hierarchical menu screen displayed by touching the map standby button section 602 of the setting menu screen 60.

[0165] Figs. 9(a) and (b) show an example in which Black is selected as the base color, Figs. 9(c) and (d) show an example in which Gray is selected as the base color, Figs. 10 and 11(a) show an example in which Red is selected as the base color, Figs. 11(b) to (d) and Fig. 12(a) show an example in which Blue is selected as the base color, and Figs. 12(b) and (c) show an example in which White is selected as the base color. By preparing and changing a large number of base colors in this way, the standby screen 40 that suits the user's preference can be displayed.

[0166] [9. Reminder function] The electronic device 10 has a reminder function that, for example, sets reminders for the replacement times of easily forgotten items such as oil, oil elements, tires, and batteries in terms of days or distance, and notifies the user at the set timing. This notification may be made, for example, when the engine is started or when the electronic device 10 is started after a specified number of days have elapsed. Also, when an OBDII adapter is connected to enable acquisition of vehicle information, the notification may be made when the cumulative driving distance reaches the set distance, for example, when the engine is started or when the electronic device 10 is started. The notification may be made, for example, for a certain period of time (e.g., about 5 seconds) or a predetermined number of times (e.g., up to 3 times) using voice, a screen, or the like. The initial values of the conditions for the reminder notification (e.g., days, distance, notification target) are not set, and the device should notify when the user sets them using the setting function shown below. Since the notification conditions vary depending on the situation of the implemented vehicle and the user's usage situation, setting some condition as the initial value may result in notification at an inappropriate timing. Therefore, by allowing the user to set the notification conditions considering various situations, the user will be notified at the correct timing and it will be a useful reminder.

[0167] When setting a reminder, similar to when performing the various settings described above, when the setting button section 505 in the top menu screen 50 shown in Fig. 25(a) that is displayed by touching the standby screen 40 being displayed is touched, the control unit 11 displays the setting menu screen 60 shown in Fig. 30(a). When the system button section 605 of this setting menu screen 60 is touched, the control unit 11 displays the system setting screen 61 shown in Fig. 30(b). When the reminder setting button section 611 provided on this system setting screen 61 is touched, the control unit 11 displays the reminder target selection screen 62 shown in Fig. 30(c). This reminder target selection screen 62 is for selecting the items to receive reminder notifications. In the illustrated example, four target selection button sections 621 for oil, oil element, tire, and battery are provided. In this example, since there are four selectable targets, they are all displayed on one screen, and the scroll button section is made non-selectable.

[0168] For example, when the target selection button section 621 for oil is touched on this screen, the control unit 11 displays a notification condition registration screen 63 for oil (see Fig. 30(d)). The user touches the selection button section 631 of "days input" or "distance input" to select the type of notification to receive. For example, when the selection button section 631 of "days input" is touched, the control unit 11 displays a notification days input screen 64 shown in Fig. 31(a). Also, when the selection button section 631 of "distance input" is touched on the notification condition registration screen 63 in Fig. 30(d), a notification distance input screen (not shown) is displayed. Also, as described above, since the notification based on distance is performed when the OBDII adapter is connected, it is advisable to make it invalid and unselectable when the OBDII adapter is not connected.

[0169] Then the user operates the displayed notification days input screen 64 and inputs the period for receiving the notification. In this embodiment, the setting unit of the period is one month, and it is advisable to be able to input up to 99 months with the 10-key input. Also, one month of the input is not based on the calendar, but for example, 30 days per month. Thereby, the same period is set regardless of the month input. Also, when 0 months is input, the control unit 11 should invalidate the setting and turn off the notification.

[0170] When the OK button on the notification days input screen 64 is touched, the control unit 11 determines the notification days based on the numerical value input at that time as the reminder setting value, and displays the notification condition registration screen 63 for oil (see Fig. 31(b)). As shown in the figure, the number of days corresponding to the input and confirmed month (number of months × 30) is displayed on the right side of the button area of the oil selection button section 631. The user checks whether the input is correct by looking at this display. If it is correct, for example, the user touches the BACK button section 632 to return to the reminder target selection screen 62 in the upper hierarchy and set the notification days for another item, or touches the EXIT button section 633 to end the setting work. Thereby, the reminder is set. Also, when the notification condition displayed on the selection button section 631 is incorrect, the selection button section 631 should be touched to perform re-setting.

[0171] Although specific illustrations are omitted, for the notification distance input screen for inputting the distance, the layout may be the same as that for the number of days, and it may be 10-key input. The distance may be in units of 100 km, and up to 99,900 km can be input. When 0 km is input, the setting may be made invalid. That is, when "1" is input, it may be considered that 100 km has been input. Also, when the number of days or the distance is reset, the remaining number of days or the remaining distance before and during the notification at the time of reset is reset, and notification may be made based on the number of days and the distance after reset. By doing so, the notification setting can be easily performed.

[0172] The control unit 11 stores and holds the set remaining number of days, remaining distance, etc., and subtracts the remaining values by one setting unit each time one day elapses or 100 km is traveled. Then, when the electronic device 10 is started up, the control unit 11 checks the reminder setting value, and if it is "0", a notification is made. This notification may, for example, display the notification screen 67 of the dialog shown in FIG. 31(c) for a certain period of time (for example, about 5 seconds), and at the same time, make a notification by a voice message such as "It's time to change the oil". In the illustrated example, it is a reminder based on oil, but the notification screen 67 corresponding to the set item and the voice of "It's time to change ○○." may be spoken. The "○○" spoken may be, for example, the set items such as oil, oil element, battery, and tire.

[0173] Also, in the above example, it was assumed that a notification is made when the remaining number of days or the remaining distance becomes 0 based on them. On the contrary, the number of days elapsed or the driving distance from when the reminder is set may be accumulated and stored and held. When the electronic device 10 is started up, the reminder setting value is checked, and when the specified number of days has elapsed or the specified distance has been traveled, the notification screen 67 of the target dialog may be displayed and a predetermined notification may be spoken.

[0174] In addition, multiple items can be registered as reminder targets, and multiple targets may be met at the same time. In this case, it is recommended to display all of them on a single notification screen (maximum of 4 lines in this example) and speak all the voices in order. Then, after 5 seconds from the last voice utterance, It is advisable to keep the dialog notification screen 67.

[0175] The control unit 11 also records the number of times this notification has been made, and increments the number of notifications by one each time, for example, when the electronic device 10 is started up. As described above, the control unit 11 checks the remaining value when the electronic device 10 is started up, and if it is "0," checks the number of notifications made, and if that value reaches the maximum number, for example, three times, it is preferable to stop making notifications. This eliminates the annoyance of being repeatedly notified. In the example described above, the number of notifications is incremented by one, but it is also possible to set the maximum number, for example, three, and subtract one by one, and stop making notifications when the remaining number of notifications reaches zero, thereby enabling various controls.

[0176] Furthermore, when the confirmation button 671 on the notification screen 67 is touched while the notification screen 67 is displayed, the control unit 11 may record this and prevent the notification from being sent the next time the device is started, or may erase the reminder notification so that the notification will not be sent the next time the device is started. In this way, after receiving a reminder and performing maintenance such as a specified replacement work, or confirming that the time has come even if no maintenance is actually performed, the annoyance of receiving another reminder notification can be eliminated.

[0177] It is also possible to set two conditions for the same item, namely, the number of days and the distance. In this case, the notification will be sent based on whichever condition is met first, and both the number of days and the distance settings can be deleted by pressing the confirmation button 671 or by activating the button three times.

[0178] In this embodiment, the notification target items of the reminder are prepared in advance as oil, oil element, tire, and battery, but the items are not limited to these. For example, it is better to increase the number of items further, such as wiper blade replacement. Also, for example, it is better to enable the user to input text so that any content can be registered. By allowing the input of any character string, for example, information about the vehicle such as vehicle inspection and 24-month inspection, and the number of months based on the license renewal deadline can be registered. In this case, for the ○○ of the notification by speech, it is better to input the words entered by text.

[0179] [10. Setting of standby AUTO] When the AUTO button part 511 is touched on the standby selection screen 51 in FIG. 7(c) and the display of the standby screen 40 is set to the AUTO mode, the control unit 11 displays each standby screen 40 in order at the set time intervals. In this embodiment, it has a switching time for displaying each standby screen 40 and a function for selecting the standby screen 40 to be displayed.

[0180] The setting of such a switching time may be performed, for example, using the switching time selection screen 68 shown in FIG. 32(a). This switching time selection screen 68 is prepared in the lower layer of the hierarchical menu screen that is displayed by touching the map - standby button part 602 of the setting menu screen 60 shown in FIG. 25(b). As shown in the figure, it is provided with a switching time selection button part 681 for selecting 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes respectively, and takes a layout in which all the switching time selection button parts 681 are displayed on one screen. The control unit 11 displays a selection line 682 at the lower side of the switching time selection button part 681 corresponding to the currently selected switching time. In the example of the figure, since 1 minute which is the initial value is selected, the selection line 682 is displayed on the second switching time selection button part 681 from the top on the left side. When the user touches any of the switching time selection button parts 681, the control unit 11 switches the display of the selection line 682 to the lower side of the touched area. Then, similar to other menu screens, when the BACK button part 683 or the EXIT button part 684 is touched, the switching time is set to the time of the switching time selection button part 681 that was selected.

[0181] Also, the setting of the standby screen 40 to be displayed may be performed using, for example, the item selection screen 69 shown in FIG. 32(b). This item selection screen 69 is provided in the lower layer of the hierarchical menu screen that is displayed by touching the map standby button part 602 of the setting menu screen 60 shown in FIG. 25(b). As shown in the figure, it is provided with an item selection button part 691 for selecting each of the 12 standby screens 40, and has a layout in which all the item selection button parts 691 are displayed on one screen. The control unit 11 displays a selection line 692 at the lower side of the item selection button part 691 corresponding to the currently selected standby screen 40. In the example of the figure, the selection line 692 is displayed for all the item selection button parts 691 which are the initial values. Each time the item selection button part 691 is touched, ON and OFF are switched. The user appropriately touches the item selection button part 691 so that the standby screen 40 not to be displayed becomes OFF. Then, similar to other menu screens, when the BACK button part 693 or the EXIT button part 694 is touched, the switching time is set for the time of the item selection button part 691 that was selected. It is preferable that at least one or more items need to be checked and it is not possible to turn all of them off.

[0182] [11. Change of Voice Customization] The electronic device 10 may be provided with a function of changing sounds such as an alarm sound output when notifying the presence of a notification target such as various alarms or a startup sound output at startup. For example, it is preferable to previously store several types of sounds or the like in the storage unit 18 from the beginning, and enable the sound or the like at the time of notification to be changed only by selecting it from the sounds registered by the user through a setting operation. By doing so, for example, a user who does not like the default sound or the like can easily select and change a favorite sound or the like from the separately prepared sounds or the like.

[0183] The sounds and voices output by the electronic device 10 may sometimes use those pre-registered in the electronic device 10 as they are. And, for example, when changing the sounds registered in the electronic device 10 due to a model change, in such a case, for example, when the user says that the sounds of the previous model were better, the previous model's sounds are not registered in the electronic device 10, so the user's wishes cannot be accommodated. Also, for example, when recording mp3 files of desired voices etc. (such as 1.mp3 and 2.mp3) in the user folder of an SD card, setting the recorded SD card in the electronic device 10, and performing a predetermined operation to provide a function to customize sounds etc., the customization operation is complicated. By providing a voice customization change function as in this embodiment, the user can select and use a desired sound from among a plurality of sounds etc. when performing a predetermined notification. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a function for the user to use a preferred sound source. The preferred sound source may be used from those stored in a predetermined folder of the SD card, similar to the standby background customization setting.

[0184] The voice customization change process may be performed, for example, using the sound customization change screen 70 shown in FIG. 33(a). This sound customization change screen 70 is prepared in the lower layer of a hierarchical menu screen that is displayed by touching the voice button section 604 of the setting menu screen 60 shown in FIG. 23(b). As shown in the figure, this sound customization change screen 70 has, on the first page, four selection button sections 701 for the startup sound, orbis jingle, GPS alarm jingle, and GPS notification jingle for selecting the change target item of the sound source, arranged vertically. At the upper end of the screen, similar to other menu screens, there is a BACK button section 702 and an EXIT button section 703, and on the right end of the screen, there is a scroll button section 705. In the button area of each selection button section 701, the change target item is displayed on the left side, and the type of the currently set sound source is displayed on the right side. In the example shown in the figure, the default sound 1 is set for all. Also, although not shown in the figure, on the second page that is switched by touching the scroll button section 705, four selection button sections for the wireless alarm jingle, positioning announcement, radar melody, and laser melody are provided.

[0185] The user touches a predetermined selection button 701 provided on the sound customization change screen 70 to select a sound item to be changed. In the example shown in FIG. 33(a), the startup sound selection button 701 is touched. In response, the control unit 11 displays the sound selection screen 71 for the startup sound shown in FIG. 33(b). The sound selection screen 71 includes five sound selection buttons 711 for the startup sound. Among the sound selection buttons 711, "OFF" disables the startup sound, "SOUND 1" through "SOUND 3" allow users to select three sound sources pre-registered in the storage unit 18 of the electronic device 10, and "CUSTOM" allows users to select a sound source prepared by the user and recorded on an SD card. A selection line 712 is displayed on the bottom of the sound selection button 711 corresponding to the sound currently set as the startup sound. In the example shown in the figure, the selection line 712 is displayed on the sound selection button 711 for SOUND 1, which is the default setting. When any of the sound selection button sections 711 is touched, the control unit 11 switches the display of the selection line 712 to the bottom edge of the touched area. Then, as with other menu screens, the sound selection button section 711 that was selected when the BACK button section 713 or the EXIT button section 714 was touched is set as the sound source. In this way, the user can switch to a desired sound source by performing the same operations as performing various setting processes.

[0186] For the startup sound shown in the figure, three types of sound sources are registered and selectable, but the number of sound sources is not limited to three and may be registered in greater numbers. It is also advisable to provide more sound sources for various alarms (e.g., speed camera jingles, GPS alert jingles, GPS notification jingles, radio alert jingles, etc.) associated with the detection of an object to be notified than for the startup sound. It is also advisable to provide an "OFF" setting for the startup sound, so that alarm-related sounds, such as speed camera jingles, GPS alert jingles, GPS notification jingles, radio alert jingles, radar melodies, and laser melodies, should always be selected without providing an "OFF" setting. This minimizes the occurrence of situations where an alarm is turned off and no notification is made due to a setting error. It is also advisable to provide an "OFF" setting for the positioning announcement that is given when GPS positioning is completed.

[0187] [12. Changes to enforcement and inspection level notifications] For example, it is advisable to set levels for enforcement points and checkpoints and make announcements according to the levels. For example, the level of points that have become less frequent can be lowered and new points can be raised. The control unit 11 can then have a function to notify the level at the time of an alarm or to issue an alarm according to the level. If such a function is provided, it is advisable to enable the level announcement to be switched on and off by setting. For users who find level announcements annoying, setting it to OFF will prevent announcements, for example. This change can be made, for example, by providing a setting item in a hierarchical predetermined menu screen (e.g., "alarm sound"), which is an audio setting tree that is displayed when the audio button section 604 on the setting menu screen 60 shown in FIG. 25(b) is touched.

[0188] [13. Individual alarm sound settings] For example, various alarm sounds may be grouped, and a function may be provided to set the ON / OFF of the alarm sounds in groups according to the mode according to the situation. However, in this embodiment, such a collective setting is not provided, and individual settings are made instead. For example, various items such as "Orbis countdown" that notifies the remaining distance as approaching the Orbis and "speed alarm" that notifies when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed are prepared as setting items in a hierarchical predetermined menu screen, which is a voice setting tree displayed by touching the voice button section 604, for example, the "alarm sound setting screen" shown in FIGS. 34(a) and (b) and the "other sound setting screen" shown in FIGS. 34(c) and (d), so that they can be set individually. When grouped, which group each individual sound belongs to may vary depending on the user's preference, and the user may not be satisfied even if set collectively. Therefore, individual settings are made so that the settings can be made according to the user's preference.

[0189] For example, for the exemplified "Orbis countdown", it is preferable to set "OFF" where such notification is not performed and the count start point (for example, "from 400 m", "from 900 m", etc.). Also, for the "speed alarm", it is preferable to set "OFF" where such notification is not performed and the speed at which notification is performed (for example, 30 km / h or more, 40 km / h or more, 50 km / h or more, 60 km / h or more, 70 km / h or more, 80 km / h or more, 90 km / h or more, 100 km / h or more, 110 km / h or more, 120 km / h or more, 130 km / h or more, etc.).

[0190] The present invention can be implemented in a form different from the above-described embodiment. The present invention can also be implemented, for example, in the following forms. Also, the forms shown below may be appropriately combined with each other.

[0191] [14. Alarm cancellation function] The electronic device 10 has an alarm cancellation function for registering a cancellation area where no alarm is issued. When the set type of alarm condition is satisfied within the area set by this alarm cancellation function, the alarm is not issued.

[0192] <14-1. Alarm function> The alarm function that is a prerequisite for canceling the alarm will be described. For example, the control unit 11 recognizes a notification target existing around the current position based on the GPS information, sets a notification target that satisfies a predetermined alarm condition such as being the closest to the vehicle position as a GPS target, and displays an alarm screen 73 as shown in FIG. 35(a) on the display unit 13 and issues an alarm using a predetermined sound or the like. The alarm screen 73 has a layout in which a message window 732 is superimposed on the lower area of the alarm map screen 731. The message window 732 displays various alarms regarding the notification target. In the figure, the left message window 732 displays a photo of the actual notification target, and the speed limit is displayed at the lower left when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition may be, for example, when the GPS target is, for example, an orbis (loop coil / LH system / new H system / radar type orbis / laser type orbis, etc.) and in the case of a partial restricted area alarm. Also, the right message window 732 displays the type of the GPS target (described as "LH system" in the illustrated example), the direction of the GPS target (indicated by an arrow in the illustrated example), and the distance to the GPS target. Also, a vehicle icon 733 is displayed at the vehicle position on the map of the alarm map screen 731, and a target icon 734 is displayed at the position of the GPS target. The image displayed in the left message window 732 is not limited to an actual photo, and may be drawn with various drawings such as CG, illustrations, etc., and further, may be various images indicating the type of the notification target instead of the actual notification target. However, when using an actual photo, the user can immediately understand when reaching the actual location.

[0193] Furthermore, for example, when microwave radar is received by the microwave receiving unit 15, the control unit 11 displays an alarm screen 73 as shown in FIG. 35(b). A left message window 732 displayed superimposed on the lower region of the alarm map screen 731 displays a photo of the same type as the object to be notified. The right message window 732 displays the type of object to be notified ("radar" in the illustrated example) and the microwave reception strength ("LEVEL 5" in the illustrated example). A host vehicle icon 733 is displayed at the host vehicle's position on the map of the alarm map screen 731.

[0194] Furthermore, for example, when the light receiving unit 12 receives a predetermined laser, the control unit 11 displays an alarm screen 73 as shown in FIG. 35(c). A message window 732 may be displayed superimposed on the lower area of the alarm map screen 731. The message window 732 on the left displays a photo of the same type as the object to be notified. The message window 732 on the right displays the type of object to be notified ("laser" in the illustrated example). A host vehicle icon 733 is displayed at the host vehicle's position on the map of the alarm map screen 731.

[0195] 36 shows the timing of notification using a GPS target alarm screen 73. As shown in the figure, when the standby screen 40 is displayed and the vehicle approaches a predetermined distance from the GPS target, the standby screen 40 is switched to the alarm screen 73, and after the alarm screen 73 is displayed for a certain period of time, the display returns to the standby screen 40. Furthermore, when the distance to the GPS target reaches a set distance (for example, 500 m or 1000 m), the alarm screen 73 continues to be displayed. Then, when the vehicle passes the position of the GPS target, the display of the alarm screen 73 ends and the standby screen 40 is displayed.

[0196] Also, the alarm map screen 731 may be used in common with the map screen of the standby screen 40. By making it common, the amount of data to be stored is reduced. And in the example shown in FIG. 36, although the standby screen 40 is displaying in a meter format, for example, when the map screen is being displayed as the standby screen 40, as described above, when the alarm map screen 731 is made common with the map screen of the standby screen 40, a predetermined message window 732 may be displayed below the map screen of the standby screen 40.

[0197] Also, although not shown, the notification timing of the alarm screen 73 when receiving a microwave radar, for example, may be to continuously display the alarm screen 73 during reception and switch to the display of the standby screen 40 when reception stops. Also, due to the radio wave environment, etc., it is not always possible to receive microwaves constantly, and there may be cases where reception is temporarily impossible. Therefore, for example, when reception cannot be continued for a certain period of time, it may be determined that reception has stopped when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The notification timing of the alarm screen 73 when receiving a predetermined laser may be the same as that in the case of microwave reception.

[0198] <14-2. Registration of Alarm Cancellation> In this embodiment, the alarms for the GPS target and the alarms based on the reception of the microwave radar are cancelled, and the alarms based on the reception of the laser are not cancelled.

[0199] For example, as shown in FIG. 37(a), touch the alarm screen 73 or the standby screen 40, and then touch the registration button part 503 of the top menu screen 50 displayed based on that touch (see FIG. 37(b)), and then touch the cancellation area registration button part 754 of the various registration screens 75 displayed based on that touch (see FIG. 37(c)) to perform registration of cancellation points and the like.

[0200] The cancellation point is registered according to the following priority order according to the situation when the cancellation area registration button part 754 is touched. (Priority 1) If touched and registered while receiving radar, it will become a radar cancellation point. (Priority 2) If Priority 1 is not met and there is a GPS target in focus, this is the point at which the warning for that GPS target is canceled. (Priority 3) If neither Priority 1 nor Priority 2 is met, the location is registered, and the next time the radar is received, it is registered as a cancellation point.

[0201] The specific function of the control unit 11 that performs this registration process is as follows. Fig. 38 is a flowchart showing the alarm cancellation registration function of the control unit 11. The control unit 11 waits for the alarm screen 73 or the standby screen 40 shown in Fig. 37(a) to be touched (S11), and when this screen is touched, displays the top menu screen 50 (S12). After displaying the top menu screen 50, the control unit 11 waits for a button section to be touched (S13). When the touched button section is the registration button section 503 (see Fig. 37(b)), the control unit 11 displays the various registration screens 75. On the other hand, when another button section is touched, the control unit 11 performs processing corresponding to that button section (S15).

[0202] 37(c), the various registration screen 75 has a layout in which, from left to right on the top row, a pin posting button section 751, a pin registration button section 752, and an EXIT button section 753 are arranged, and, from left to right on the bottom row, a cancel area registration button section 754, a cancel area release button section 755, and a my area registration button section 756. Alarm cancellation is registered by touching the cancel area registration button section 754.

[0203] Therefore, after displaying the various registration screens 75, the control unit 11 waits for the button unit to be touched (S16). If the touched button unit is a button unit other than the cancel area registration button unit 754, the control unit 11 performs the process corresponding to that button unit (S22). Also, if none of the button units are touched within a certain time and the time runs out (Yes in S23), the control unit 11 clears the various registration screens 75 and returns to the display of the warning screen 73 or the standby screen 40 (S23). And if the touched button unit is the cancel area registration button unit 754, the control unit 11 determines whether radar reception is currently in progress (S17).

[0204] If radar reception is in progress (Yes in S17), the above-mentioned priority 1 is established, and the current position (latitude and longitude) is registered as the cancel point for the warning based on radar reception (S19). An area with a predetermined radius (for example, 200 m) centered on this registered cancel point becomes the cancel area, and no warning is issued even if radar is received within that cancel area.

[0205] When a cancel point is registered, it is advisable to make it so that the fact that the cancel point is registered changes when traveling to the registered point or area. For example, as shown in FIG. 37(d), a predetermined icon 735 is displayed at the registration point of the cancel point on the map of the warning map screen 731. Thereby, it can be distinguished whether there is no notification target in the surroundings when the warning is not notified, or whether there is a target but it is not notified due to the setting of the cancel area. Also, it is not limited to the display of the icon, and various notification modes may be adopted such as displaying "canceling" using a predetermined message area 736 or outputting an audio message such as "canceling".

[0206] On the other hand, when the radar is not being received (No in S17), the control unit 11 determines whether the GPS target is in focus (S18). For example, when the warning screen 73 is being displayed, the control unit 11 assumes that the GPS target is in focus (Yes in S18), and the above-mentioned priority 2 is established. The highest-priority target that is in focus within the warning range, that is, the POI (Point of Interest) information of the notification target that is displayed in the message window 732 and as the target icon 734 on the warning screen 73, is registered as the cancel point (S20). The POI information registered as the cancel point may include, for example, position information (latitude, longitude, etc.), azimuth information, and the like. Based on this registered cancel point, when driving around later, for example, for the highest-priority target that is in focus within the warning range (conditions for displaying the message window 732, within the 1100 m opposite fan area of the orbis, within the 300 m opposite fan area of the N system, etc.), voice warnings and LED warnings (both voice-linked and area-linked) should not be issued.

[0207] Also, the warning for the GPS target uses a voice announcement in combination with the warning screen 73, and as described above, the warning screen 73 continues to be displayed until the GPS target of the notification target has passed even after the announcement has ended. Since it is in focus at least while the warning screen 73 is being displayed, the focus period, that is, the period during which cancellation can be registered, can be made longer. Therefore, the user can appropriately determine whether cancellation is necessary and correctly register the cancel point as needed. On the other hand, for example, if the warning screen 73 is only displayed while the announcement is being made, the registration of the cancel point has to be done during that short period, and there may be cases where the determination cannot be made correctly or where cancellation cannot be done when it is not possible to touch immediately during driving. However, such problems are solved in this embodiment.

[0208] In addition, as a cancellation point, a hash generated from the latitude, longitude, and azimuth information of the POI is generated and stored. Therefore, even if the data is updated and the POI at the time of cancellation point registration is deleted, the cancellation point becomes valid, and the warning based on the new POI also continues to be the cancellation area as it is.

[0209] In addition, the target to be canceled should preferably be the target that can be seen as an icon among the targets for voice warnings. For example, invisible targets such as no-parking areas and wrong-way areas should preferably be excluded.

[0210] On the other hand, when it is not in the GPS warning and not focusing on the GPS target in the branch determination of S18, Priority 3 is established, and the current position (latitude and longitude) is registered as a point (S21). The position registered at this point is registered as a cancellation point when the radar is received next. Note that when Priority 3 is established, it may be registered as a cancellation point based on the radar reception.

[0211] Also, when registering a cancellation point, if there is already another cancellation point registered within a predetermined distance (for example, 200 m) around it, the current cancellation point should also be able to be registered, and it should be possible to register multiple cancellation points in the area within the predetermined distance. By allowing multiple registrations in this way, for example, the cancellation point for the warning of the GPS target based on the POI registered based on Priority 2 and the cancellation point for the radar warning registered based on Priority 1 can be registered within a predetermined area respectively.

[0212] <14-2-1. Registration of warning cancellation when multiple warning conditions occur simultaneously> For example, when both alarm conditions occur simultaneously so that radar is received within the warning range based on the GPS target, in the above-described embodiment, cancellation of the radar is registered based on Priority 1 according to the priority order. When the cancellation point based on this radar is registered, the radar warning will no longer be issued, so the warning based on the POI will be output. Therefore, if cancellation registration is performed again, the cancellation information of the POI will be registered. In this way, when two cancellation operations are performed during one driving, two pieces of cancellation information can be registered.

[0213] In this method, for example, for a user who wants to cancel the warning based on the POI without registering the cancellation of the warning based on the radar, it is necessary to wait for the warning based on the radar to end and then perform the cancellation registration, which is cumbersome. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to have a function that the user can select in a case where a plurality of warnings occur. Such a selection function may include, for example, a function of simultaneously displaying on the display unit 13 screens for warnings for different notification targets, such as a message window 732 for warnings based on radar reception and a message window 732 based on the GPS target, and may be configured to be specified by, for example, touching the message window 732 in which the notification target to be canceled is displayed.

[0214] Also, it is not limited to simultaneously displaying two types of message windows 732 in this way. For example, two types of message windows 732 may be alternately displayed for selection. Further, for example, when the cancellation area registration button unit 754 is pressed, for example, the screen may be divided into a plurality of parts, and cancellation candidates within the warning range may be displayed on each screen so that one or a plurality of notification target candidates for cancellation registration can be selected.

[0215] <14-2-2. Alarm Processing When Multiple Alarm Conditions Occur Simultaneously> As described above, when the warning conditions based on the GPS target and the radar reception occur at the same timing, it is advisable to issue a warning for either one first and then continue to issue the remaining warning. Also, for the warnings using the display unit 13, both warnings may be issued simultaneously or in a predetermined order. The warnings issued in a predetermined order may be, for example, in accordance with the priority order of determining the cancellation point. That is, it is advisable to first issue a warning based on the radar reception and then issue a warning based on the GPS target.

[0216] <14-2-3. Selection of Cancellation Target> When registering a cancellation point, in addition to the cancellation information such as the position information, it is advisable to also record which priority condition (priority 1, 2, 3) was satisfied for the registration. By doing so, for example, if there is a cancellation point recorded based on priority 2, even if the vehicle subsequently travels to the same location, no warning based on the POI will be issued. On the other hand, if the radar is received during subsequent travel, a warning based on the radar can be issued without cancellation.

[0217] Also, for example, if the registration condition of the registered cancellation point is priority 2, when there is newly registered POI information within the cancellation area based on that cancellation point, it is advisable to cancel the warning based on that POI information as well. For example, for a user who does not want a warning based on the GPS target in a certain area, even when new POI information is registered within that area, no further cancellation registration operation is required. For example, such a setting is preferable for a user who, in general, does not want a warning to sound in well-known areas such as their home or company.

[0218] Also, when registering the cancellation point of the GPS target, it is advisable to associate it with the specific POI in the POI information. By doing so, the GPS alarm based on that POI will be cancelled thereafter, but the alarm based on the GPS target of another POI existing nearby will be issued. This is a preferable setting for a user who only wants to cancel the alarm based on the POI registered at the cancellation point. Also, in this setting, for example, when a new POI is registered, an alarm will be issued once. If the alarm based on the new POI is unnecessary, it is advisable to handle it by registering the cancellation again.

[0219] In this way, for example, for a user who wants to cancel the alarm based on the GPS target in a certain area, as the POI information registered at the cancellation point, it is advisable to record the location information and the information specifying the area, and associate the registration condition (priority 2) without specifying the specific POI. Also, for a user who wants to cancel the alarm based on a specific POI but needs the alarm based on another POI in the same area, it is advisable to record the information specifying the specific POI in the POI information registered at the cancellation point.

[0220] The target of the above-described alarm cancellation, etc. varies depending on the user's preference and appropriateness for use and ventilation. Therefore, for example, as shown in the following (1) to (3), it is advisable to prepare a plurality of types of settings with different items to be registered at the cancellation point so that the user can select them.

[0221] (1) For example, in a place where there is no need to sound an alarm, as a setting corresponding to the case where the user wants to cancel it overall regardless of whether the priority condition is met, when the cancellation area registration button part 754 is touched, that position is registered as the cancellation point, and thereafter, no alarm will be sounded within a predetermined range around the cancellation point. (2) For example, as in the above-described embodiment, register the cancellation point according to a predetermined priority condition, and do not sound the alarm in units of groups such as a predetermined type, for example, the alarm based on radar and the alarm of the GPS target. (3) When a GPS target is alerted, the POI that is alerted is also linked and registered so that an alert will not be issued for that POI.

[0222] <14-3. Cancellation of Cancellation Area> The electronic device 10 may have a function to cancel the cancellation area registered by the above-described process. This function can be used, for example, for a cancellation area that was registered but is no longer needed, or for a cancellation area that was once set but for which an alarm should be issued again.

[0223] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 39(a), by touching the registration button section 503 on the top menu screen 50 displayed by touching the standby screen 40 or the alarm map screen 731, the various registration screens 75 shown in FIG. 39(b) are displayed. For example, when the control unit 11 approaches within a predetermined distance (e.g., approximately 200 m) before a cancellation area or cancellation point, the control unit 11 activates the cancellation area release button section 755 and makes it selectable. When the cancellation area release button section 755 is touched in this state, the control unit 11 deletes the target cancellation area. With the deletion of this cancellation area, a message "Cancel Cancel Area" is displayed at the bottom of the screen as shown in FIG. 39(c), and the cancel icon 407 of the cancellation point that was displayed in FIG. 39(a) is no longer displayed as shown in FIG. 39(c). Thereafter, when the vehicle travels through the same area, a predetermined alarm should be output.

[0224] Furthermore, if multiple cancellation points are registered in a predetermined area (for example, within a radius of 200 m from the reference position), it is advisable to delete all cancellation points within that area.

[0225] Furthermore, touch the system button section 605 of the setting menu screen 60 shown in FIG. 25(b), and it may be provided as one of the setting items of a predetermined hierarchical menu screen (for example, "deletion") which is the system setting tree. When the button section of this set setting item is touched, for example, a dialog stating "Do you want to delete the cancellation area?" is overlaid and displayed on the display section 13, and when confirmed, all those existing within a predetermined distance of 200 m from the reference position may be deleted.

[0226] [15. Other display modes] Although the message area 402 is displayed on the lower side of the standby screen, the display position may be, for example, on the peripheral sides such as the left side, the right side, or the upper side, or may be displayed at the center or any other arbitrary location. In that case, the meter of the display element may move in a direction away from the message area 402 that appears.

[0227] [16. Configuration of the light receiving unit 12] FIG. 40 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the light receiving unit 12. The light receiving element that converts into an electrical signal is here the photodiode 122. The cathode of the photodiode 122 is connected to the power supply line on the high potential side, and the anode of the photodiode 122 is connected to one end of the resistor R1. The other end of the resistor R1 is grounded. The photodiode 122 is disposed on the back side of the condenser lens 121, receives the light condensed by the condenser lens 121, and outputs an output current corresponding to the intensity of the incident light.

[0228] A integrated circuit (IC) 123 for current-voltage conversion and amplification is arranged at the subsequent stage of this photodiode 122. The input terminal of this integrated circuit 123 is commonly connected to the anode of the photodiode 122 and one end of a resistor R1 via a capacitor C1. This integrated circuit 123 is a light-receiving IC for other applications not for, for example, a radar detector. For example, it is advisable to use a light distance measurement receiver. In this embodiment, for example, MAX3806 manufactured by MAXIM may be used. The light distance measurement receiver is a high-gain linear amplifier for a distance measurement application using a laser beam. Also, it is advisable to use a transimpedance amplifier IC for the integrated circuit 123. The transimpedance amplifier linearly amplifies the signal from the photodiode 122. MAX3806 is a high-gain linear amplifier for a distance measurement application using a laser beam and is specialized in speed. Therefore, for example, even if the input signal is a pulse signal in a high-frequency band with a narrow pulse width of 20 ns, it can be processed accurately. And a sufficiently large gain can be obtained with one integrated circuit 123. When the input side of the integrated circuit 123 in this embodiment arranges the photodiode 122 on the high potential side, the integrated circuit 123 outputs a negative pulse from the output terminal.

[0229] The output terminal of this integrated circuit 123 is connected to an emitter-grounded amplifier circuit 124 using a transistor 1241. The amplifier circuit 124 inverts and further amplifies the output signal of the integrated circuit 123. Thereby, a positive pulse is output from the amplifier circuit 124. It is desirable that the amplifier circuit 124 is designed to amplify a signal in the wavelength region of a specific wavelength of the laser emitted from the speed measurement device.

[0230] The output terminal of the amplifier circuit 124 is connected to the emitter follower circuit 125 via the capacitor C3. Then, the output terminal of the emitter follower circuit 125 is connected to the comparator 126. The comparator 126 turns ON when the received signal level exceeds the threshold value. Since the pulse width of the laser emitted from the speed measuring device received by the photodiode 122 is short, for example, 20 ns, a pulse with a narrow pulse width corresponding to the received pulse width is also output from the comparator 126.

[0231] The output terminal of the comparator 126 is connected to the waveform shaping circuit 127. The waveform shaping circuit 127 shapes the input narrow pulse width into a pulse with a predetermined width that can be processed by the control unit 11 and outputs it. As described above, the pulse width of the pulse output from the comparator 126 is a very narrow pulse width, for example, 20 ns corresponding to the input laser pulse width. If it is directly input to the microcomputer or the like constituting the control unit 11, it is difficult to process in the control unit 11. Therefore, for example, a pulse widened to about 50 μs may be generated and output. This waveform shaping circuit 127 may be composed of, for example, an AND element and a monostable multivibrator, etc., and may be configured to output a pulse with a predetermined width defined by the time constant of the monostable multivibrator.

[0232] The output terminal of the waveform shaping circuit 127 is connected to the control unit 11. When the control unit 11 receives pulsed light with a pulse interval of 80 ms from, for example, a speed measuring device (or it may include a range less than 80 ms or / and a range exceeding 80 ms within a certain range from the reference pulse interval), it may perform control to notify the presence of the speed measuring device. Alternatively, when the control unit 11 receives pulsed light with a pulse width (emission time) of 20 ns (or it may include a range less than 20 ns or exceeding 20 ns within a certain range from the reference pulse width) at the photodiode 122 and the pulse width output from the waveform shaping circuit 127 is, for example, about 50 μs, it may perform control to notify the presence of the speed measuring device. The control unit 11 may notify the presence of the speed measuring device when pulsed light of a specific wavelength is received at least once. In this way, when there is a possibility that a speed measuring device exists, its presence can be quickly notified and made known to the user.

[0233] In this embodiment, since the first-stage amplifier that supplies the current signal output from the light-receiving element uses an IC for distance measurement instead of for a radar detector, high gain can be obtained in one stage, and the sensitivity of the laser light reception of the electronic device 10 is increased.

[0234] For example, an op-amp may be used to form a transimpedance configuration, but compared with the integrated circuit 123, its performance in the high-frequency band is particularly low, and there is a possibility that it may not be able to pick up pulsed light that appears in a short time. In this embodiment, by using the integrated circuit 123, detection can be performed accurately.

[0235] <16-1. Place the thermistor 1252 on the input side of the emitter follower circuit 125> In this embodiment, the emitter follower circuit 125 has a thermistor 1252 connected to ground via a resistor R3 between a capacitor C3 connected to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit 124 and the base of a transistor 1251 which is the input terminal of the emitter follower circuit 125. The DC voltage on the input side of the emitter follower circuit 125 has its DC component cut off by the capacitor C3 and only the AC component is input, so it is determined by the voltage division of resistors T4, R5, etc. around the base side of the transistor 1251. Since the electronic device 10 is mounted on a vehicle, the temperature change in its installation environment is large. The voltage drop between the base and emitter of the transistor 1251 depends on temperature, but by providing the thermistor 1252, the variation in the voltage drop due to temperature change is reduced.

[0236] If the threshold value in the comparator 126 is set high with a margin, false alarms that occur when receiving another pulsed light not emitted from the speed measuring device can be prevented, but the sensitivity decreases. If the threshold value is set low, the sensitivity increases, but there is a possibility of generating false alarms that pick up noise. In this embodiment, by reducing the temperature change, even if the threshold value is set low, noise is not picked up, so the sensitivity can be increased.

[0237] As described above, as amplification means for amplifying the signal received by the light receiving element, an integrated circuit 123 of a high-gain linear preamplifier which is a receiver for optical distance measurement is used in the first stage, and an amplifier circuit 124 composed of an emitter-grounded transistor circuit is used in the second stage. By arranging the thermistor 1252 on the input side of the emitter follower circuit 125 and appropriately setting the threshold value of the comparator 126, for example, as shown in FIG. 41, the detection distance and the detection range can be increased. In FIG. 41, Comparative Example 2 is a configuration in which amplifier circuits composed of transistors are connected in multiple stages, and the detection distance is increased compared to Comparative Example 1.

[0238] <16-2. Configuration etc. based on using MAX3806 in the integrated circuit 123> In the reference of the MAX3806 that constitutes the integrated circuit 123, the connection part of the photodiode and the coil is connected to the input terminal, but in this embodiment, a resistor R1 is used. The laser emitted from the speed measuring device to be detected has a very narrow pulse width and high frequency, but since the resistor R1 is used, the occurrence of ringing can be suppressed. Although a coil may be used as in the reference, it is better to use the resistor R1 because there is also a possibility of causing ringing due to the element. Also, since the MAX3806 is a transimpedance amplifier, the input impedance is low. The resistor R1 has a sufficiently large resistance value compared to the input impedance, and the input signal flows to the resistor R1 side, and the influence of loss is small.

[0239] Also, the MAX3806 allows the acceptance of a single pulse or burst pulse with a pulse width of 30 ns or more, but a signal with a narrower pulse width (for example, 20 ns) is input and detected. It has been confirmed that a 20-ns signal can also be detected.

[0240] The transimpedance of the integrated circuit 123 is preferably in the range of 44 to 77 kΩ, and preferably 60 kΩ. In the embodiment, the 7th pin (GAIN) of the integrated circuit 123 is forced high to make it 60 kΩ.

[0241] <16-3. Place the photodiode on the low potential side> The arrangement position of the photodiode 122, which is a light receiving element, may be arranged in the opposite way to the above-described embodiment. For example, the photodiode 122 is arranged below the input terminal of the integrated circuit 123, and the resistor R1 is arranged above the input terminal. As a result, the positive and negative are inverted. Along with this, a positive pulse is output from the integrated circuit 123. As described above, in the amplifier circuit 124 with the emitter grounded, it is inverted along with amplification, and a negative pulse is output. Therefore, in such a case, an inverter circuit may be provided between the amplifier circuit 124 and the emitter follower circuit 125.

[0242] Furthermore, if the gain of the integrated circuit 123 satisfies the specifications, it is preferable to configure the integrated circuit 123 so that the output terminal is connected to the emitter follower circuit 125 without providing the amplifier circuit 124 as in the above-described embodiment. In this way, the amplifier circuit 124 becomes unnecessary, and the configuration can be simplified. In this case, the output of the integrated circuit 123 has low drive capability. It is preferable to adjust (for example, increase) the input impedance of the emitter follower circuit 125.

[0243] 17. Different forms of electronic devices <17-1. Separate type> In the above-described embodiments, the electronic device 10 is an integrated monitor type in which various devices, equipment, etc. are mounted in a single housing. However, for example, the electronic device 10 may be a separate type divided into multiple housings. FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a first device 80 constituting a separate type electronic device, as viewed from the right front side with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The first device 80 is a box-shaped device having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first device 80 does not have a display unit 13 and outputs various signals to an external device via a wired cable 81. The first device 80 may also communicate with an external device via a wireless communication path. The first device 80 is divided into a first housing 801 located above and a second housing 802 located below. A second device, such as a monitor (not shown), is connected to the end of this cable 81.

[0244] <17-2. Mounting position variations> The installation position may also be a suspended type, attached to the dashboard, windshield, rearview mirror, ceiling, etc. of a vehicle using a predetermined attachment member, and the device can be applied to a variety of locations.

[0245] <17-2-1. Configuration in which one electronic device 900 can be installed in different locations (part 1)> FIG. 43 is a diagram showing the external configuration of an electronic device 900 according to another embodiment. FIG. 43(a) is a view of the electronic device 900 seen from the upper right diagonal direction on the front side of the electronic device 900. FIG. 43(b) is a view of the electronic device 900 seen from the upper right diagonal direction on the back side of the electronic device 900. The external appearance of this electronic device 900 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is longer in the width direction than in the vertical direction. The electronic device 900 has dimensions and a weight that allow the user to easily carry it. The housing 900A of the electronic device 900 is divided into a first housing 901 located on the front side and a second housing 902 located on the back side. On the front side of the first housing 901, a light emitting part 911, an operation part 912, and a sound emitting part 913A are provided. This electronic device 900 does not include a display part 13, and the alarm is given using sound and light.

[0246] The light emitting part 911 emits a predetermined light. The light emitting part 911 includes, for example, a light emitting diode. The light emitting part 911 emits light according to the operating state of the electronic device 900. The light emitting part 911 is provided at a position near the lower right of the first housing 901 when viewed from the front side. The light emitting part 911 emits white light when the electronic device 900 is in the standby state. The light emitting part 911 emits blue light when the electronic device 900 is being operated. The light emitting part 911 emits red blinking light when the electronic device 900 is receiving pulsed light. Note that the relationship between the operating state and the light emitting state is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible for the mode of light emission such as the light emitting color and the light emitting timing (for example, the frequency of blinking and the number of times of blinking).

[0247] The operation part 912 receives the user's operation. The operation part 912 is provided at a position near the lower right of the first housing 901 when viewed from the front side and is located adjacent to the right of the light emitting part 911. The operation part 912 functions as a volume button here. The operation part 912 is operated by the user, for example, when adjusting the volume of an alarm sound or other sound, or when muting the alarm sound emitted when receiving pulsed light. The operation part 912 receives a pressing operation here, but may be an operation part that receives a slide, touch, or other operation.

[0248] The sound emitting unit 913A emits a predetermined sound. The sound emitting unit 913A has a plurality of holes provided at a position near the upper right of the first housing 901 when viewed from the front. The sound emitting unit 913A outputs sound through the plurality of holes. The sound emitting unit 913A outputs an alarm sound and other voices.

[0249] On the left side surface of the housing 900A, a DC jack for receiving power input from a power source is provided. A cigarette plug cord or a power cable is connected to the DC jack, for example. On the back surface of the second housing 902, a mounting portion 917 for mounting a first mounting member 940 and a second mounting member 950, which will be described later, is provided. Thus, the mounting portion 917 is a mounting portion shared by the first mounting member 940 and the second mounting member 950. The mounting portion 917 is provided near the center in the width direction of the second housing 902 when viewed from the back side, and near the lower end of the second housing 902. The mounting portion 917 has a pair of groove portions 9171, 9172. The pair of groove portions 9171, 9172 are provided at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the electronic device 900 and each extends in the vertical direction. The first mounting member 940 and the second mounting member 950, which will be described later, are detachable from the pair of groove portions 9171, 9172. Note that the first mounting member 940 and the second mounting member 950 may be further fixed to the second housing 902 using a fixture such as a screw.

[0250] On the back surface of the second housing 902, a lens holder 915 is provided. The lens holder 915 constitutes a window which is an opening allowing passage through the inside and outside of the housing 900A. The lens holder 915 may have the same shape as the above-described lens holder 1006 and has an elliptical shape with a major axis in the width direction and a minor axis in the vertical direction when viewed from the back side of the housing 900A. In a state where the electronic device 900 is installed in a vehicle, the width direction corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle, and the vertical direction corresponds to the height direction of the vehicle. The second housing 902 is screwed to the first housing 901 using screws at positions on both end sides in the width direction when viewed from the back side.

[0251] The condensing lens 920 is fitted into the lens holder 915. The condensing lens 920 is part of the light receiving unit 920A in the electronic device 900 and is provided at a position corresponding to the light incident portion. The condensing lens 920 may have the same configuration as the condensing lens 121. The lens holder 915 and the condensing lens 920 are provided at a position near the upper right of the second housing 902 when viewed from the back side of the second housing 902. For example, the condensing lens 920 is arranged so as to be located above at least the center in the vertical direction and on the left side with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle when viewed from at least the driver's seat side of the own vehicle on the back surface of the housing 900A. This is because if the condensing lens 920 is located relatively above the back surface of the second housing 902 and is arranged on the shoulder side where the speed measuring device is likely to be located, it may be easier to receive the light from the speed measuring device. The pulsed light from the speed measuring device is introduced into the inside of the housing 900A through the lens holder 915 and the condensing lens 920.

[0252] Inside this housing 900a, for example, an electric circuit, a control unit, and various other devices that constitute the light receiving unit 12 of the above-described embodiment are mounted. The pulsed light condensed by the condensing lens 920 is converted into a pulsed signal with a predetermined pulse width by the circuit of the high-sensitivity light receiving unit 920A including the above-described integrated circuit 123 and is given to the control unit. Then, the control unit may perform notification in response to the reception of the pulsed light from the speed measuring device in the same manner as the above-described control unit 11. Further, when the control unit 11 receives the pulsed light, it may cause the light emitting unit 911 to emit light in red or emit an alarm sound using the sound emitting unit 913A. In the illustrated example, the display unit 13 is not provided, but it may be provided and perform display control of the standby screen and the like in the same manner as the above-described embodiment.

[0253] The electronic device 900 having the above configuration is attached to the vehicle by selectively using the first attachment member 940 and the second attachment member 950. The first attachment member 940 is a member for attaching the electronic device 900 to the dashboard and is also called a dashboard attachment bracket. The second attachment member 950 is also called a ceiling suspension attachment stay.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 44, the first attachment member 940 includes a pedestal portion 941, a socket portion 942, a ball stud 943, and a mounting portion 944. The pedestal portion 941 is a portion to be attached to the dashboard of the vehicle. The bottom surface of the pedestal portion 941 is attached to the dashboard using a fixing member such as an adhesive sheet or a double-sided tape of Patent No. 5958927. The pedestal portion 941 includes a socket portion 942 having a space opened on the front side. The ball portion of the ball stud 943 is mounted in the socket portion 942. The socket portion 942 and the ball stud 943 mounted in the socket portion 942 constitute a ball joint mechanism. The ball stud 943 changes its posture vertically, horizontally, and laterally while being mounted in the socket portion 942 under the action of an external force. A mounting portion 944 is provided at the front-side position of the ball stud 943. The mounting portion 944 is mounted on the mounting portion 917 of the electronic device 900. The mounting portion 944 has a pair of protruding portions 9441 and 9442 that protrude from both left and right sides when viewed from the front. The protruding portion 9441 protrudes more forward than other portions of the mounting portion 944 and protrudes to the right when viewed from the front side. The protruding portion 9442 protrudes more forward than other portions of the mounting portion 944 and protrudes to the left when viewed from the front side. The protruding portion 9441 is inserted into the groove portion 9171, and the protruding portion 9442 is inserted into the groove portion 9172. When the mounting portion 944 is mounted on the mounting portion 917, the mounting portion 944 is located between the pair of groove portions 9171 and 9172 in the electronic device 900. In this way, the electronic device 900 is attached to the mounting portion 944 of the first attachment member 940 (see FIG. 45). By attaching the bottom surface of the pedestal portion 941 of the first attachment member 940 to the dashboard using a fixing member as described above, the electronic device 900 is installed on the dashboard.

[0255] Also, as shown in FIG. 46, the second attachment member 950 is a plate-like member formed using a metal such as aluminum. The second attachment member 950 has a first portion 951, a second portion 952, and a third portion 953. The first portion 951 is a plate-like portion. The first portion 951 supports the electronic device 900 by the upper surface thereof coming into contact with the bottom surface of the electronic device 900.

[0256] The second part 952 is a plate-shaped part that is connected to the first part 951 and is substantially orthogonal to the first part 951. The second part 952 supports the electronic device 900 by having one of its surfaces contact the back surface of the electronic device 900. The second part 952 has a pair of protruding parts 9521 and 9522 that protrude from both the left and right sides as seen from the front side as the part to be mounted on the mounting part 917 of the electronic device 900. The protruding part 9521 protrudes more forward than the other parts of the second part 952 and protrudes to the right as seen from the front side. The protruding part 9522 protrudes more forward than the other parts of the second part 952 and protrudes to the left as seen from the front side. The protruding part 9521 is inserted into the groove part 9171, and the protruding part 9522 is inserted into the groove part 9172, whereby the second part 952 is attached. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 47, the electronic device 900 is mounted on the second attachment member 950.

[0257] The second part 952 further has a notch part 9523. The notch part 9523 is notched so as not to overlap with the condenser lens 920 when the second attachment member 950 is attached to the electronic device 900 (see FIG. 47(b)).

[0258] The third part 953 is a plate-shaped part that is connected to the second part 952. The third part 953 is attached (for example, pasted) to the attachment part using a fixing member such as a double-sided tape with its upper surface as the attachment surface. When being attached by the user, the posture of the third part 953 with respect to the second part 952 may be adjusted according to the shape of the attachment part in the vehicle, in this embodiment, the inclination of the windshield. The third part 953 is attached to the attachment part X1, which is a gap region (which may be a region near the upper end of the windshield X3) between the ceiling X2 and the windshield X3, for example, as shown in FIGS. 48(a) and (d), using a double-sided tape. The gap region may be recognized by the user as a black edge part. The attachment part X1 is, for example, a part behind the rearview mirror, which is desirable for a person inside the vehicle in that the electronic device 900 is hidden behind the rearview mirror.

[0259] <17-2-2. Configuration in which one electronic device 900 can be attached to different locations (Part 2)> For the above-described separate type first device 800, for example, a fixing member such as a double-sided tape can be attached to the bottom surface of the second housing 802, and it can be installed on the dashboard. Further, for example, using the third attachment member 960 shown in FIG. 49, the first device 800 is attached to a predetermined position of the third attachment member 960 as shown in FIG. 50. Then, as shown in FIG. 51, by attaching the third attachment member 960 to the windshield using a fixing member such as a double-sided tape, the first device 800 can be suspended and installed.

[0260] Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification and is also included in the scope of combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in this specification. Among the present invention, the configuration for which a patent is sought is specified in the appended claims. However, even a configuration that is not currently specified in the claims has the intention of being the subject of future claims based on the configurations disclosed in this specification.

[0261] The present invention of the application is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments. The constituent elements of the above-described embodiments and modification examples may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Also, any constituent element of each embodiment and modification example may be arbitrarily combined with any constituent element described in the means for solving the invention or a constituent element embodying any constituent element described in the means for solving the invention. We also have the intention of obtaining rights in amendments or divisional applications of the present application regarding these. Even if there are descriptions such as "in the case of ~" or "when ~", they are not described as configurations limited to that case or that time. Configurations other than these cases and times are also disclosed and have the intention of obtaining rights. Also, the descriptions with an order are not limited to this order. Configurations with some parts deleted or the order changed are also disclosed and have the intention of obtaining rights.

[0262] Also, due to the change to the design registration application, it has the intention of obtaining rights for the overall design or partial design. Although the drawings depict the entire device in solid lines, the drawings include not only the overall design but also partial designs that claim parts of the device. For example, not only can a part of the members of the device be a partial design, but the drawings also include as partial designs parts of the device regardless of the members, such as parts of the members. As parts of the device, they can be parts of the members of the device or parts of those members. Regarding the overall design, of course, it has the intention of obtaining rights for partial designs where any part of the solid-line portion of the drawings is changed to a dashed-line portion. Also, for the modules, members, parts, etc. inside the housing of the device, those shown in the drawings are all independently subject to transactions, and similarly, it has the intention of making a change to the design registration application to obtain rights.

Explanation of Signs

[0263] 10: Electronic device 11: Control unit 12: Light-receiving unit 13: Display unit 14: Speaker 15: Microwave receiving unit 16: GPS receiving unit 17: Communication unit 18: Storage unit 19: Operation unit 20: Sensor unit 21: Mounting unit 22: Power supply unit 23: Light-emitting unit 24: Cable terminal unit 40: Standby screen 50: Top menu screen 51: Standby selection screen 52: Target selection screen 53: Display item selection screen 54: Arrangement selection screen 55: Map zoom selection screen 60: Settings menu screen 61: System settings screen 62: Reminder target selection screen 63: Notification Condition Registration Screen 64: Notification Days Input Screen 65: Incoming Call Background Customization Screen 66: Brightness Setting Screen 67: Notification Screen 68: Switching Time Selection Screen 69: Item Selection Screen 70: Sound Customization Change Screen 71: Sound Selection Screen 73: Alarm Screen 75: Registration Screen

Claims

1. A system provided in a vehicle that gives a notification when a notification condition is satisfied, stores position information of a notification target, wherein the notification condition includes one based on the current position of the vehicle and the position information of the notification target, and one based on information other than the position information at the notification target, and includes a control unit having a function of registering a first cancellation area where no normal notification is given even when the notification condition based on the position information is satisfied, and a function of preferentially registering a second cancellation area where no normal notification is given even when the notification condition based on information other than the position information is satisfied over the registration of the first cancellation area. System.

2. The control unit has a function of separately registering the first cancellation area and the second cancellation area, and the control unit has a function of giving a normal notification if the position where the notification condition based on the position information is satisfied is within the second cancellation area and outside the first cancellation area, and the control unit has a function of giving a normal notification if the position where the notification condition based on information other than the position information is satisfied is within the first cancellation area and outside the second cancellation area. The system according to claim 1.

3. When the notification condition of predetermined information is satisfied while a predetermined display element is being displayed at a first position on a predetermined display screen, the control unit has a function of moving the display element from the first position to a second position and performing control to display a notification area of the predetermined information so that at least a part thereof overlaps with the first position. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

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

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