Indication device

Abstract

To provide a technique for suppressing deterioration in visibility of a meter image even when a pointer image is moving.SOLUTION: A display panel 212 can display at least one meter image, each having a pointer image constituting a pointer and an index image constituting an index to which the pointer can point. A display control section 228 controls a display state of the index image. The display control section 228 displays the index image in a first display mode when the pointer image does not point to the index image and displays the index image in a second display mode when the pointer image points to the index image. The first display mode is different from the second display mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Some vehicle display devices display an instrument image on a display panel, which has a pointer image constituting a needle and an index image constituting an index. In the display device, when the pointer image and the index image overlap, the brightness or hue of the portion of the pointer image overlapping the index image is displayed differently from the brightness or hue of the other portion of the pointer image (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-15284 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The human eye has a characteristic of being less able to recognize objects that move at high speeds. For example, on a display device, the faster a pointer moves, the more difficult it may be for the human eye to recognize where the pointer is pointing.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that suppresses a decrease in the visibility of an instrument image even when the needle image is moving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a display device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a display panel capable of displaying at least one instrument image, each having a pointer image constituting a pointer and an index image constituting an index that the pointer can point to, and a display control unit that controls the display of the index image. The display control unit displays the index image in a first display mode when the pointer image does not point to an index image, and displays the index image in a second display mode when the pointer image points to an index image, the first display mode and the second display mode being different. the law of nature , The at least one instrument image includes a first instrument image and a second instrument image, the first instrument image includes a first pointer image that is a pointer image and a first index image that is an index image, the second instrument image includes a second pointer image that is a pointer image and a second index image that is an index image, the display control unit displays the first index image using only the first display mode and displays the second index image by switching between the first display mode and the second display mode, the second pointer image being movable faster than the first pointer image. . Another aspect of the present disclosure is also a display device. This device includes a display panel capable of displaying at least one instrument image, each having a pointer image constituting a needle and a pointer image constituting an index that the needle can point to, and a display control unit that controls the display of the index images. The display control unit displays the index image in a first display mode when the needle image is not pointing at the index image and in a second display mode when the needle image is pointing at the index image, the first display mode and the second display mode being different, the instrument image is displayed in either the first mode or the second mode, and the instrument image in the second mode is displayed smaller than the instrument image in the first mode. The display control unit displays the index image using only the first display mode in the first mode, and in the second mode, the display control unit displays the index image in the first display mode when the needle image is not pointing at the index image and in the second display mode when the needle image is pointing at the index image.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, even when the needle image is moving, it is possible to suppress a decrease in visibility of the instrument image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a vehicle interior of a vehicle according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the display device of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a meter screen displayed on the display panel of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of processing in the display control unit in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing an example of an instrument image displayed on the display panel of FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart showing a display procedure performed by the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing another example of the instrument image displayed on the display panel of FIG. [Figure 8]8(a) and 8(b) are diagrams showing still another example of the instrument image displayed on the display panel of FIG. [Figure 9] 9(a) and 9(b) are diagrams showing an example of a meter screen displayed on the display panel of FIG. [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing another example of the meter screen displayed on the display panel of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing this embodiment in detail, an overview of the embodiment will be provided. This embodiment relates to a display device that electronically displays various instruments as images. The display device is disposed, for example, on an instrument panel of a vehicle. Hereinafter, images displaying various instruments will be referred to as "instrument images." Examples of the instrument image include an image of a fuel gauge, an image of a speedometer, and an image of a tachometer. The instrument image includes a pointer image constituting a needle and an index image constituting an index that the needle can point to. To improve the visibility of the index image when a pointer image and an index image are displayed overlapping each other, for example, the brightness or hue of the overlapping portion of the pointer image and the non-overlapping portion of the pointer image have sometimes been changed. Meanwhile, since the human eye has a reduced ability to recognize objects that move at high speeds, it can be difficult to recognize a moving pointer image. Therefore, it would be useful to be able to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the index image even when the pointer image is moving. In this embodiment, when an index image overlaps a movable pointer image, the display mode of the index image is changed.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows the interior structure of a vehicle 10. A windshield 52 is disposed in front of a dashboard 50 located at the front of the vehicle cabin. A steering wheel 54 is disposed on the right side of the dashboard 50. The steering wheel 54 may also be disposed on the left side of the dashboard 50. A display device 200 is disposed in front of the steering wheel 54, for example, on the instrument panel of the vehicle 10. The display device 200 is also called an electronic display meter. A center console 56 extending in the vertical direction is disposed in the center of the dashboard 50. An in-vehicle monitor 100 is fitted into the center console 56. The in-vehicle monitor 100 displays, for example, a map image from a car navigation system.

[0012] 2 shows the configuration of the display device 200. The display device 200 includes a processing unit 210 and a display panel 212. The processing unit 210 includes a communication controller 220, a non-volatile memory 222, a ROM 224, a RAM 226, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 230, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 232, and a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 234. The CPU 230 and the GPU 232 may be combined into a display control unit 228.

[0013] The communication controller 220 receives vehicle information from various ECUs (Electronic Control Units) and various sensors via an in-vehicle network in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter), JTAG (Joint Test Action Group), etc. The communication controller 220 is a network (e.g., a communication network). For example, the communication controller 220 receives fuel information from an ECU connected to a fuel sensor, vehicle speed information from an ECU connected to a vehicle speed sensor, and engine speed information from an ECU that manages the engine. The communication controller 220 also receives average fuel consumption information from the ECU. The communication controller 220 is also connected to an interface for obtaining information required to display the screen from the driver. The communication controller 220 outputs the received vehicle information to the CPU 230.

[0014] The non-volatile memory 222 is a large-capacity storage device. For example, a flash memory or a hard disk is used as the non-volatile memory 222. Various application programs and various data are stored in the non-volatile memory 222. Image data is also stored in the non-volatile memory 222. The image data includes, for example, vertex data, texture data, polygon data, etc. of each part that constitutes the image. The ROM 224 is a read-only non-volatile memory that stores firmware and basic data. The ROM 224 can store programs, image data, and polygon data that do not need to be rewritten. The RAM 226 is a read / write volatile memory that is used as a working area for the CPU 230. The CPU 230 reads programs and data from the non-volatile memory 222 and ROM 224 into the RAM 226 and executes various processes.

[0015] The GPU 232 is a dedicated IC specialized for image processing such as image drawing or color correction, and generates images to be displayed on the display panel 212. The VRAM 234 is a readable and writable volatile memory, and is used as a working area for the GPU 232. For example, the VRAM 234 has an area for storing data handled by the GPU 232, a memory area for loading texture data, and a frame buffer area. The VRAM 234 stores polygon data and textures. The VRAM 234 may be included in the RAM 226.

[0016] The display control unit 228, which includes the CPU 230 and the GPU 232, generates a meter screen that displays a plurality of meters based on the vehicle information received from the communication controller 220. The meter screen generated by the display control unit 228 will be described later. The display control unit 228 displays the generated meter screen on the display panel 212. Furthermore, when the received vehicle information is updated, the display control unit 228 updates the meter screen and displays it on the display panel 212. In this way, the display control unit 228 controls the display state of the display panel 212. The display panel 212 is a display. The display panel 212 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display panel 212 displays an image output from the processing unit 210, that is, the meter screen that the GPU 232 has drawn in a frame buffer.

[0017] FIG. 3 will also be used here to explain the meter screen generated by the display control unit 228 and displayed on the display panel 212. FIG. 3 shows the basic configuration of a meter screen 400 displayed on the display panel 212. A first instrument image 300a is arranged on the left edge of the meter screen 400 shown in FIG. 3, a second instrument image 300b is arranged to the right of the first instrument image 300a, and a third instrument image 300c is arranged to the right of the second instrument image 300b. The first instrument image 300a, the second instrument image 300b, and the third instrument image 300c are collectively referred to as instrument images 300. A background image 312 is arranged on the meter screen 400 to surround each of the multiple instrument images 300. In this way, the multiple instrument images 300 and the background image 312 are simultaneously displayed on the meter screen 400. 3, the number of instrument images 300 is "3", but the number of instrument images 300 may be "2". In that case, the third instrument image 300c is omitted. Also, the number of instrument images 300 may be "4" or more.

[0018] The first instrument image 300a is, for example, an image of a fuel gauge. The first instrument image 300a includes a first pointer image 302a, a first indicator image 304a, a first outer frame image 306a, and a first dial image 308a. The first pointer image 302a constitutes a pointer. The first indicator image 304a constitutes an indicator pointed to by the first pointer image 302a. The first outer frame image 306a constitutes a circular outer frame surrounding the first indicator image 304a. The first dial image 308a constitutes a dial located inside the first indicator image 304a. The display control unit 228 in FIG. 2 determines the angle of the first pointer image 302a relative to the first indicator image 304a based on the fuel information received from the communication controller 220, and generates the first instrument image 300a in which the first pointer image 302a is oriented at the determined angle.

[0019] The second instrument image 300b is, for example, an image of a speedometer. The second instrument image 300b includes a second pointer image 302b, a second index image 304b, a second outer frame image 306b, a second dial image 308b, and a second unit image 310b. The second pointer image 302b, the second index image 304b, the second outer frame image 306b, and the second dial image 308b are displayed in the same manner as the first pointer image 302a, the first index image 304a, the first outer frame image 306a, and the first dial image 308a, respectively. The second unit image 310b indicates the unit of the index. The display control unit 228 in Figure 2 determines the angle of the second pointer image 302b relative to the second index image 304b based on the speed information received from the communication controller 220, and generates a second instrument image 300b in which the second pointer image 302b is oriented at the determined angle.

[0020] The third instrument image 300c is, for example, an image of a tachometer. The third instrument image 300c includes a third needle image 302c, a third index image 304c, a third outer frame image 306c, a third dial image 308d, and a third unit image 310c. The third needle image 302c, the third index image 304c, the third outer frame image 306c, the third dial image 308c, and the third unit image 310c are shown in the same manner as the second needle image 302b, the second index image 304b, the second outer frame image 306b, the second dial image 308b, and the second unit image 310b, respectively. The display control unit 228 in Figure 2 determines the angle of the third pointer image 302c relative to the third index image 304c based on the rotation speed information received from the communication controller 220, and generates a third instrument image 300c in which the third pointer image 302c is oriented at the determined angle.

[0021] The first pointer image 302a, the second pointer image 302b, and the third pointer image 302c are collectively referred to as pointer images 302. The first index image 304a, the second index image 304b, and the third index image 304c are collectively referred to as index images 304. The first outer frame image 306a, the second outer frame image 306b, and the third outer frame image 306c are collectively referred to as outer frame images 306. The first dial image 308a, the second dial image 308b, and the third dial image 308c are collectively referred to as dial images 308. The second unit image 310b and the third unit image 310c are collectively referred to as unit images 310.

[0022] The third index image 304c in the third instrument image 300c indicates the numerical values ​​"0," "1," "2," "3," "4," and "5." The third needle image 302c moves (rotates) in response to changes in engine speed, and when the third needle image 302c overlaps with one of the numerical values, the numerical value becomes difficult to see. Furthermore, the moving third needle image 302c also becomes difficult to see. To solve this problem, the display control unit 228 controls the display of the third index image 304c as described below.

[0023] 4 shows an overview of the processing in the display control unit 228. This shows the processing by which the display control unit 228 determines the angle of the third needle image 302c (hereinafter referred to as the "needle angle") in accordance with the engine speed. For clarity of explanation, the third instrument image 300c, third needle image 302c, third index image 304c, etc. may be referred to as the instrument image 300, needle image 302, and index image 304. The numerical values ​​"0," "1," "2," "3," "4," and "5" in the index image 304 are respectively referred to as a first value image 320a, a second value image 320b, a third value image 320c, a fourth value image 320d, a fifth value image 320e, and a sixth value image 320f.

[0024] 4 is set to "0 degrees," and the display control unit 228 defines a coordinate system in which the pointer angle increases in the direction of the clock's rotation. In this coordinate system, a certain angular range centered on angle θ1 is first index range 322a, a certain angular range centered on angle θ2 is second index range 322b, a certain angular range centered on angle θ3 is third index range 322c, a certain angular range centered on angle θ4 is fourth index range 322d, a certain angular range centered on angle θ5 is fifth index range 322e, and a certain angular range centered on angle θ6 is sixth index range 322f.

[0025] The first index range 322a includes at least a portion of the first value image 320a, the second index range 322b includes at least a portion of the second value image 320b, the third index range 322c includes at least a portion of the third value image 320c, the fourth index range 322d includes at least a portion of the fourth value image 320d, the fifth index range 322e includes at least a portion of the fifth value image 320e, and the sixth index range 322f includes at least a portion of the sixth value image 320f. The first index range 322a may include the entire first value image 320a, the second index range 322b may include the entire second value image 320b, the third index range 322c may include the entire third value image 320c, the fourth index range 322d may include the entire fourth value image 320d, the fifth index range 322e may include the entire fifth value image 320e, and the sixth index range 322f may include the entire sixth value image 320f. Furthermore, an engine speed of 0 r / min corresponds to the angle θ1, an engine speed of 1000 r / min corresponds to the angle θ2, an engine speed of 2000 r / min corresponds to the angle θ3, an engine speed of 3000 r / min corresponds to the angle θ4, an engine speed of 4000 r / min corresponds to the angle θ5, and an engine speed of 5000 r / min corresponds to the angle θ6.

[0026] The display control unit 228 maintains a correspondence between the engine speed and the pointer angle, and identifies the pointer angle from the engine speed. For example, if the engine speed is 1000 r / min, the display control unit 228 identifies the angle θ2 as the pointer angle. If the identified pointer angle is included in the index range 322, the display control unit 228 determines that the pointer image 302 points to the index image 304 or that the pointer image 302 overlaps with the index image 304. On the other hand, if the pointer angle is not included in the index range 322, the display control unit 228 determines that the pointer image 302 does not point to the index image 304 or that the pointer image 302 does not overlap with the index image 304.

[0027] 5(a) and 5(b) show an example of an instrument image 300 displayed on the display panel 212. In the instrument image 300, the first to sixth value images 320a to 320f are displayed as numbers with borders. The transparency of the inside of the borders of the first to sixth value images 320a to 320f can be changed. Hereinafter, the transparency of the inside of the borders of the first to sixth value images 320a to 320f may be referred to as the transparency of the first to sixth value images 320a to 320f. FIG. 5(a) shows an example of an instrument image 300 when the display control unit 228 determines that the pointer image 302 does not point to any of the index images 304. The pointer image 302 does not point to any of the first to sixth value images 320a to 320f. The first value image 320a to the sixth value image 320f are shown with the inner portions of their edges semi-transparent.

[0028] 5(b) shows an example of the instrument image 300 when the display control unit 228 determines that the pointer image 302 points to the index image 304, for example, the third-value image 320c. The pointer image 302 points to the third-value image 320c. The third-value image 320c is displayed with zero transparency. In other words, the third-value image 320c is displayed with the inside of its edge filled in. Meanwhile, the first-value image 320a, the second-value image 320b, and the fourth-value image 320d to the sixth-value image 320f are displayed with the inside portions of their edges semi-transparent, as before.

[0029] The display mode of the value image 320 when not pointed by the pointer image 302 is referred to as the "first display mode," and the display mode of the value image 320 when pointed by the pointer image 302 is referred to as the "second display mode." The first display mode is used for all the value images 320 in FIG. 5(a) and the first value image 320a, second value image 320b, and fourth value image 320d to sixth value image 320f in FIG. 5(b), and the second display mode is used for the third value image 320c in FIG. 5(b). The display control unit 228 reduces the transparency of the value image 320 displayed in the second display mode compared to the transparency of the value image 320 displayed in the first display mode.

[0030] Here, the value image 320 may be displayed with zero transparency when not pointed by the pointer image 302, and the value image 320 may be displayed with the inner edge portion semi-transparent when pointed by the pointer image 302. That is, the value image 320 in the first display mode may be displayed with zero transparency, and the value image 320 in the second display mode may be displayed with the inner edge portion semi-transparent. In this case, the display control unit 228 makes the transparency of the value image 320 in the second display mode higher than the transparency of the value image 320 in the first display mode. In summary, it can be said that the display control unit 228 differentiates the first display mode from the second display mode by changing the transparency of the value image 320 between the first display mode and the second display mode.

[0031] This configuration can be realized in hardware terms by any computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and other LSIs (Large Scale Integration), and in software terms by programs loaded into memory, but here we depict functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware alone or a combination of hardware and software.

[0032] The operation of the display device 200 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the display procedure by the display device 200. The display control unit 228 acquires vehicle information (S10). The display control unit 228 selects the display mode of the index image 304 (S12). If the pointer angle is within the index range (Y in S14), the display control unit 228 changes the display mode of the corresponding index image 304 (S16). If the pointer angle is not within the index range (N in S14), step 16 is skipped. If the prime mover of the vehicle 10, for example, an engine or motor, is not stopped (N in S18), the process returns to step 10. If the prime mover of the vehicle 10 is stopped (Y in S18), the process ends.

[0033] A modified example of the meter screen 400 will be shown below. (Variation 1) The first display mode in Modification 1 is the same as that in the embodiment. That is, in the first display mode, the transparency of the value image 320 is fixed at a constant value, such as semi-transparent or zero transparency. On the other hand, the second display mode in Modification 1 is different from that in the embodiment.

[0034] 7(a)-(b) show another example of the instrument image 300 displayed on the display panel 212. These show the instrument image 300 when the display control unit 228 determines that the needle image 302 points to the index image 304, for example, the third value image 320c.

[0035] FIG. 7(a) shows the display of the first stage. This is the same as FIG. 5(b), and the third value image 320c is displayed with zero transparency. Meanwhile, the first value image 320a, the second value image 320b, and the fourth value image 320d to the sixth value image 320f are all displayed with semi-transparent inner edges. FIG. 7(b) shows the display of the second stage following the first stage. The third value image 320c changes from zero transparency to semi-transparent inner edges. The first value image 320a, the second value image 320b, and the fourth value image 320d to the sixth value image 320f have the same transparency as the first stage. Therefore, in the second stage, all the value images 320 are displayed with the same transparency. Following the second stage, the first stage is displayed, and then the first and second stages are displayed alternately at regular intervals. In this way, the transparency of the third value image 320c changes periodically, causing the third value image 320c to blink. This display mode corresponds to the second display mode in the first modification.

[0036] (Variation 2) In the embodiment and the first modification, when the pointer image 302 changes from a state where it is not pointing at a value image 320 to a state where it is pointing at the value image 320, the transparency of the corresponding value image 320 is changed. In the second modification, when the pointer image 302 changes from a state where it is not pointing at a value image 320 to a state where it is pointing at the value image 320, the font of the corresponding value image 320 is changed.

[0037] 8(a)-(b) show yet another example of the instrument image 300 displayed on the display panel 212. FIG. 8(a) shows the instrument image 300 when the display control unit 228 determines that the pointer image 302 does not point to any of the index images 304. The pointer image 302 does not point to any of the first value image 320a to the sixth value image 320f. The first value image 320a to the sixth value image 320f are displayed in, for example, a "Gothic" font. This corresponds to the first display mode.

[0038] FIG. 8(b) shows the instrument image 300 when the display control unit 228 determines that the pointer image 302 points to the index image 304, for example, the third value image 320c. The pointer image 302 points to the third value image 320c. The third value image 320c is displayed with a font changed from "Gothic" to "Mincho." This corresponds to the second display mode. Meanwhile, the first value image 320a, the second value image 320b, and the fourth value image 320d to the sixth value image 320f are all displayed in the "Gothic" font, as before. In other words, the font of the value image 320 is changed between the first display mode and the second display mode. The font used for the value image 320 is not limited to "Gothic" and "Mincho."

[0039] (Variation 3) The second display mode shown in Modification 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "variable display mode") and the second display mode shown in the embodiment or Modification 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "fixed display mode") may be used in combination. For example, when the red zone of the tachometer is "5000 r / min" or higher, the first value image 320a to the fifth value image 320e in FIG. 5(b) indicate rotation speeds that have not yet reached the red zone, and the sixth value image 320f indicates a rotation speed in the red zone. When the needle image 302 is not pointing at any of the value images 320, the display control unit 228 displays all of the value images 320 in the first display mode. Furthermore, when the pointer image 302 points to any of the first value images 320a to fifth value images 320e, the display control unit 228 displays any of the first value images 320a to fifth value images 320e in a fixed display mode, and displays the remaining first value images 320a to fifth value images 320e and the sixth value image 320f in the first display mode. Furthermore, when the pointer image 302 points to the sixth value image 320f, the display control unit 228 displays the sixth value image 320f in a variable display mode, and displays the first value images 320a to fifth value images 320e in the first display mode.

[0040] (Variation 4) In the embodiment and modifications 1 to 3, the description is directed to the image of a tachometer, which is the third instrument image 300c in Fig. 3. However, the first display mode and the second display mode may be used for the image of a fuel gauge, which is the first instrument image 300a, and the image of a speedometer, which is the second instrument image 300b in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the first display mode and the second display mode may be used for all of the first instrument image 300a to the third instrument image 300c included in the meter screen 400 in Fig. 3.

[0041] Here, the needles of the speedometer and tachometer may move faster than the needle of the fuel gauge. That is, the second needle image 302b and the third needle image 302c may move faster than the first needle image 302a. In such a situation, the first and second display modes may be used for the second and third instrument images 300b and 300c included in the meter screen 400 of FIG. 3, and only the first display mode may be used for the first instrument image 300a.

[0042] (Variation 5) In the fifth modification, a plurality of display modes are set for the meter screen 400, and when the display mode is switched, the meter screen 400 is also switched. The display modes include a first mode and a second mode, and for example, the first mode is defined as a "normal mode" and the second mode is defined as a "sports mode."

[0043] 9(a)-(b) show an example of a meter screen 400 displayed on the display panel 212. FIG. 9(a) shows the meter screen 400 in the first mode, which includes a first instrument image 300a, a second instrument image 300b, and a third instrument image 300c. Furthermore, the meter screen 400 in FIG. 9(a) displays the word "Normal" above the second instrument image 300b to indicate that it is in the first mode.

[0044] In the first mode, when the pointer image 302 does not point to all of the value images 320, the display control unit 228 displays all of the value images 320 in the first display manner. On the other hand, in the first mode, when the pointer image 302 points to any of the value images 320, the display control unit 228 displays that value image 320 in the second display manner described in the embodiment.

[0045] 9(b) shows the meter screen 400 in the second mode, which includes the first instrument image 300a, the second instrument image 300b, and the third instrument image 300c. Furthermore, the meter screen 400 in FIG. 9(b) displays the word "Sports" above the second instrument image 300b to indicate that it is in the second mode.

[0046] In the second mode, when the pointer image 302 does not point to all of the value images 320, the display control unit 228 displays all of the value images 320 in the first display mode. On the other hand, in the second mode, when the pointer image 302 points to any of the value images 320, the display control unit 228 displays that value image 320 in the second display mode shown in Modification 2. In other words, different second display modes are used in the first mode and the second mode. Here, the second display mode used in the second mode may be called the third display mode.

[0047] (Variation 6) In the sixth modification, multiple display modes are set for the meter screen 400, and when the display mode is switched, the meter screen 400 is also switched. The display modes include a first mode and a second mode, and the size of the instrument image 300 differs between the first mode and the second mode.

[0048] 10(a)-(b) show another example of the meter screen 400 displayed on the display panel 212. FIG. 10(a) shows the meter screen 400 in the first mode. FIG. 10(a) is shown similarly to FIG. 3. In the first mode, the display control unit 228 displays the indicator image 304 using only the first display mode, without using the second display mode.

[0049] FIG. 10(b) shows the meter screen 400 in the second mode. The meter screen 400 includes a first instrument image 350a, a second instrument image 350b, and a third instrument image 350c. The first instrument image 350a includes a first needle image 352a and a first indicator image 354a, and the third instrument image 350c includes a third needle image 352c and a third indicator image 354c. The first instrument image 350a and the third instrument image 350c display the same content as the first instrument image 300a and the third instrument image 300c, respectively. The first instrument image 350a and the third instrument image 350c are displayed smaller than the first instrument image 300a and the third instrument image 300c, respectively. In the second mode, the display control unit 228 switches between the first display mode and the second display mode to display the indicator image 354.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the display mode of the index image is changed depending on whether the pointer image is pointing at the index image, so that a decrease in visibility of the instrument image can be suppressed even when the pointer image is moving. Furthermore, the transparency of the index image is changed depending on whether the pointer image is pointing at the index image, so that a decrease in visibility of the instrument image can be suppressed even when the pointer image is moving. Furthermore, the transparency of the index image is made higher when the pointer image is pointing at the index image than when the pointer image is not pointing at the index image, so that a decrease in visibility of the instrument image can be suppressed. Furthermore, the transparency of the index image is made lower when the pointer image is pointing at the index image than when the pointer image is not pointing at the index image, so that a decrease in visibility of the instrument image can be suppressed.

[0051] Furthermore, when the needle image points to an index image, the transparency of the index image is periodically changed, thereby suppressing a decrease in visibility of the instrument image. Furthermore, the font of the index image is changed depending on whether the needle image points to an index image, thereby suppressing a decrease in visibility of the instrument image. Furthermore, the first display mode and the second display mode are switched for multiple instrument images displayed on the display panel, thereby suppressing a decrease in visibility of the instrument image.

[0052] Furthermore, by switching between the first and second display modes for an instrument image including a pointer image that moves at high speed, and using only the first display mode for an instrument image including a pointer image that does not move at high speed, a decrease in visibility of the instrument image can be suppressed even when the pointer image is moving. Furthermore, by changing the display mode depending on the value image pointed to by the pointer image, the value image pointed to by the pointer image can be easily recognized. Furthermore, by changing the display mode when the pointer image points to an index image between the first mode and the second mode, the display mode can be easily recognized. Furthermore, by using only the first display mode in the first mode and using both the first and second display modes in the second mode, the visibility of the index image can be changed depending on the size of the instrument image.

[0053] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows: A display device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a display panel capable of displaying at least one instrument image, each having a pointer image constituting a needle and an index image constituting an index that the needle can point to, and a display control unit that controls the display of the index image. The display control unit displays the index image in a first display mode when the needle image is not pointing at the index image, and displays the index image in a second display mode when the needle image is pointing at the index image, the first display mode and the second display mode being different.

[0054] The display control unit causes the index image displayed in the first display mode and the index image displayed in the second display mode to have different transparency levels.

[0055] The display control unit makes the transparency of the index image displayed in the second display manner lower than the transparency of the index image displayed in the first display manner.

[0056] The display control unit makes the transparency of the index image displayed in the second display manner higher than the transparency of the index image displayed in the first display manner.

[0057] The display control unit fixes the transparency of the index image at a constant value in the first display mode, and periodically changes the transparency of the index image in the second display mode.

[0058] The display control unit changes the font of the index image between the first display mode and the second display mode.

[0059] The at least one instrument image includes a first instrument image and a second instrument image, the first instrument image includes a first pointer image which is a pointer image and a first index image which is an index image, the second instrument image includes a second pointer image which is a pointer image and a second index image which is an index image, and the display control unit switches between the first display mode and the second display mode to display the first index image and the second index image.

[0060] The at least one instrument image includes a first instrument image and a second instrument image, the first instrument image includes a first pointer image that is a pointer image and a first index image that is an index image, the second instrument image includes a second pointer image that is a pointer image and a second index image that is an index image, the display control unit displays the first index image using only the first display mode and displays the second index image by switching between the first display mode and the second display mode, and the second pointer image can move faster than the first pointer image.

[0061] The index image includes a first value image indicating a first value and a second value image indicating a second value different from the first value, and the display control unit displays the first value image and the second value image in a first display mode when the pointer image does not point to either the first value image or the second value image, displays the first value image in a second display mode and displays the second value image in the first display mode when the pointer image points to the first value image, and displays the first value image in the first display mode and displays the second value image in a third display mode when the pointer image points to the second value image, and the third display mode is different from both the first display mode and the second display mode.

[0062] The instrument image is displayed in a first mode or a second mode, and the display control unit displays the index image in a first display mode when the pointer image does not point to the index image in the first mode, and displays the index image in a second display mode when the pointer image points to the index image, and the display control unit displays the index image in the first display mode when the pointer image does not point to the index image, and displays the index image in a third display mode when the pointer image points to the index image in the second mode, and the third display mode is different from both the first display mode and the second display mode.

[0063] The instrument image is displayed in a first mode or a second mode, and the display control unit displays the index image using only the first display mode in the first mode, and the display control unit displays the index image in the first display mode when the pointer image does not point to the index image, and displays the index image in the second display mode when the pointer image points to the index image.

[0064] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. The embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the respective components or the respective treatment processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 vehicle, 50 dashboard, 52 windshield, 54 steering wheel, 56 center console, 100 in-vehicle monitor, 200 display device, 210 processing unit, 212 display panel, 220 communication controller, 222 non-volatile memory, 224 ROM, 226 RAM, 228 display control unit, 230 CPU, 232 GPU, 234 VRAM, 300 instrument image, 302 needle image, 304 index image, 306 outer frame image, 308 dial image, 310 unit image, 320 value image, 322 index range, 350 instrument image, 352 needle image, 354 index image, 400 meter screen.

Claims

1. A pointer image constituting a pointer, and an index image constituting an index that can be pointed by the pointer. and a display panel capable of displaying at least one instrument image, each having: a display control unit that controls display of the index image, the display control unit displays the index image in a first display mode when the pointer image does not point to the index image, and displays the index image in a second display mode when the pointer image points to the index image; the first display mode and the second display mode are different, the at least one instrument image includes a first instrument image and a second instrument image; the first instrument image includes a first pointer image that is the pointer image and a first index image that is the index image, the second instrument image includes a second pointer image that is the pointer image and a second index image that is the index image, the display control unit displays the first indicator image using only the first display mode, and displays the second indicator image by switching between the first display mode and the second display mode; The second pointer image is movable at a higher speed than the first pointer image. Display device.

2. the display control unit causes the index image displayed in the first display mode and the index image displayed in the second display mode to have different transparency levels. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. the display control unit sets a transparency of the index image displayed in the second display mode lower than a transparency of the index image displayed in the first display mode. The display device according to claim 2 .

4. the display control unit sets a transparency of the index image displayed in the second display mode higher than a transparency of the index image displayed in the first display mode. The display device according to claim 2 .

5. the display control unit fixes the transparency of the index image at a constant value in the first display mode and periodically changes the transparency of the index image in the second display mode. The display device according to claim 1 .

6. the display control unit changes the font of the index image between the first display mode and the second display mode. The display device according to claim 1 .

7. the index image includes a first value image indicating a first value and a second value image indicating a second value different from the first value, the display control unit displays the first value image and the second value image in the first display mode when the pointer image does not point to either the first value image or the second value image, displays the first value image in the second display mode and the second value image in the first display mode when the pointer image points to the first value image, and displays the first value image in the first display mode and the second value image in a third display mode when the pointer image points to the second value image, the third display mode is different from both the first display mode and the second display mode; The display device according to claim 1 .

8. the instrument image is displayed in a first mode or a second mode; the display control unit, in the first mode, displays the index image in the first display manner when the pointer image does not point to the index image, and displays the index image in the second display manner when the pointer image points to the index image; the display control unit, in the second mode, displays the index image in the first display manner when the pointer image does not point to the index image, and displays the index image in a third display manner when the pointer image points to the index image; the third display mode is different from both the first display mode and the second display mode; The display device according to claim 1 .

9. A pointer image constituting a pointer, and an index image constituting an index that can be pointed by the pointer. and a display panel capable of displaying at least one instrument image, each having: a display control unit that controls display of the index image, the display control unit displays the index image in a first display mode when the pointer image does not point to the index image, and displays the index image in a second display mode when the pointer image points to the index image; the first display mode and the second display mode are different, the instrument image is displayed in a first mode or a second mode; The instrument image in the second mode is displayed smaller than the instrument image in the first mode, the display control unit, in the first mode, displays the indicator image using only the first display manner; the display control unit, in the second mode, displays the index image in the first display manner when the pointer image does not point to the index image, and displays the index image in the second display manner when the pointer image points to the index image. Display device.

Images