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

Abstract

To provide a vehicle display control device, a vehicle display device, a vehicle, a vehicle display control method, and a vehicle display control program capable of simplifying selection of a display screen by a user by reducing the number of unnecessary display screens.SOLUTION: A vehicle display control device includes a display control part that switches a plurality of display screens including information on various functions and displays the display screens in a display region of a display part and changes the number of a plurality of display screens to be switched, in between an on state and an off state of a function of an advanced operation support system. As a result, since the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched can be reduced in the off state of the advanced operation support system, the number of unnecessary display screens is reduced, so that selection of the display screen by a user can be simplified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle information display device that images information provided in a vehicle and displays it on a display. In this vehicle information display device, a display screen corresponding to the type of the above information is switched and displayed on the display, and a display method is determined according to the type of information and the display priority.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, when a specific display screen including information related to a specific function such as an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) function is displayed on the display, if the specific function is in an OFF state, the specific display screen becomes a black screen and an unnecessary display screen.

[0005] In consideration of the above fact, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle display control device, a vehicle display device, a vehicle, a vehicle display control method, and a vehicle display control program that can simplify the selection of a display screen by a user by reducing unnecessary display screens.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle display control device according to claim 1 includes a display control unit that switches between a plurality of display screens containing information about various functions and displays them in the display area of ​​the display unit, and changes the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched between depending on whether the advanced driver assistance system function is ON or OFF.

[0007] The vehicle display control device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a display control unit that switches between a plurality of display screens containing information related to various functions and displays them in the display area of ​​the display unit, and changes the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched between depending on whether the advanced driver assistance system function is ON or OFF. Therefore, when the advanced driver assistance system function is OFF, the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched between can be reduced, thereby simplifying the selection of display screens by the user by reducing unnecessary display screens.

[0008] The vehicle display control device according to claim 2, in the configuration described in claim 1, wherein the display control unit inserts a specific display screen that displays information related to the functions of the advanced driver assistance system into the plurality of display screens when the functions of the advanced driver assistance system are turned ON.

[0009] In the vehicle display control device according to claim 2 of the present invention, the display control unit inserts a specific display screen that displays information related to the functions of the advanced driver assistance system into multiple display screens when the functions of the advanced driver assistance system are turned ON. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of display screens as needed, and to suppress the increase of unnecessary display screens.

[0010] The vehicle display control device according to claim 3, in the configuration described in claim 2, wherein the display control unit changes the position of the specific display screen to be inserted according to the content of the display screen displayed in the display area.

[0011] In the vehicle display control device according to claim 3, the display control unit changes the position of a specific display screen to be inserted based on the content of the display screen displayed in the display area, making it easier for the user to select a display screen.

[0012] The vehicle display control device according to claim 4, in the configuration described in claim 3, inserts the specific display screen between a first display screen that is immediately displayed in the display area and a second display screen adjacent to the first display screen either in front of or behind the first display screen when the display control unit displays the specific display screen in the display area.

[0013] In the vehicle display control device according to claim 4, when the display control unit displays a specific display screen in the display area, it inserts the specific display screen between the first display screen that is immediately displayed in the display area and the second display screen that is adjacent to the first display screen either in front of or behind it. Therefore, since the specific display screen is adjacent to the first display screen that is immediately displayed, the effort required of the user to switch display screens when displaying the specific display screen can be reduced.

[0014] The vehicle display control device according to claim 5, in the configuration described in claim 4, wherein when the display control unit displays the message tab screen in the display area, the blank screen adjacent to the message tab screen becomes the first display screen.

[0015] In the vehicle display control device according to claim 5, when the display control unit displays a message tab screen in the display area and then displays a specific display screen in the display area, the blank screen adjacent to the message tab screen is set as the first display screen. Therefore, since the specific display screen can be placed adjacent to the message tab screen, the effort required for the user to switch display screens when displaying the specific display screen can be reduced.

[0016] The vehicle display control device according to claim 6 is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display control unit continuously and dynamically switches the plurality of display screens to display them in the display area.

[0017] In the vehicle display control device according to claim 6 of the present invention, the display control unit continuously and dynamically switches between a plurality of display screens and displays them in the display area, so that the user can visually observe the process of switching between display screens, making it easier to recognize that the display screen has been switched.

[0018] The vehicle display control device according to claim 7 is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the function of the advanced driver assistance system is a lane keeping assist function.

[0019] In the vehicle display control device according to claim 7, since the function of the advanced driver assistance system is a lane keeping assist function, the number of display screens to be switched between can be reduced when the lane keeping assist function is OFF. By reducing unnecessary display screens, the user's selection of display screens can be simplified.

[0020] The vehicle display device according to claim 8 comprises a display unit having the display area and The vehicle display control device is provided as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0021] The vehicle display device according to claim 8 comprises a display unit having a display area and a vehicle display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Since this vehicle display control device is a vehicle display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the above-mentioned functions and effects can be obtained.

[0022] The vehicle according to claim 9 is equipped with the vehicle display device described in claim 8.

[0023] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 9, the vehicle display device described in claim 8 is provided. This vehicle display device is the vehicle display device described in claim 8, and this vehicle display control device is the vehicle display control device described in any one of claims 1 to 7. Therefore, the above-described actions and effects can be obtained.

[0024] The vehicle display control method according to the present invention described in claim 10 switches a plurality of display screens including information regarding various functions and displays them in the display area of the display unit, and changes the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched between the state where the function of the advanced driving assistance system is ON and the state where it is OFF.

[0025] In the vehicle display control method according to the present invention described in claim 10, a plurality of display screens including information regarding various functions are switched and displayed in the display area of the display unit, and the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched is changed between the state where the function of the advanced driving assistance system is ON and the state where it is OFF. Therefore, in the state where the function of the advanced driving assistance system is OFF, the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched can be reduced, and by reducing unnecessary display screens, the selection of the display screens by the user can be simplified.

[0026] The vehicle display control program according to the present invention described in claim 11 causes a computer to switch a plurality of display screens including information regarding various functions and display them in the display area of the display unit, and change the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched between the state where the function of the advanced driving assistance system is ON and the state where it is OFF.

[0027] The vehicle display control program according to claim 11 of the present invention causes the computer to switch between a plurality of display screens containing information about various functions and display them in the display area of ​​the display unit, and to change the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched between depending on whether the advanced driver assistance system function is ON or OFF. Therefore, when the advanced driver assistance system function is OFF, the number of the plurality of display screens to be switched between can be reduced, thereby simplifying the selection of display screens by the user by reducing unnecessary display screens. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] As described above, the vehicle display control device, vehicle display device, vehicle, vehicle display control method, and vehicle display control program according to the present invention have the excellent effect of simplifying the selection of display screens by the user by reducing unnecessary display screens. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the front part of the vehicle interior of a vehicle to which the vehicle display device according to this embodiment is applied, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a steering wheel switch. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle display device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This block diagram shows the functional configuration of a vehicle display control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the display area in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of multiple display screens that appear in the display area when the ACC function is OFF. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of how to insert a specific display screen. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of multiple display screens that appear in the display area when the ACC function is ON. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the display processing flow in this embodiment. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of the process for changing the number of display screens in this embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows another example of the multiple display screens that appear in the display area when the ACC function is OFF. [Figure 12] This figure shows another example of the multiple display screens that appear in the display area when the ACC function is ON. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] A vehicle 12 equipped with a vehicle display device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In Figure 1, the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, the vertical direction and the left-right direction refer to the vertical direction of the vehicle and the left-right direction in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, an instrument panel 14 is provided in the front part of the passenger compartment 13 of the vehicle 12. The instrument panel 14 extends in the vehicle width direction, and a steering wheel 16 is provided on the right side of the instrument panel 14. In other words, in this embodiment, as an example, the steering wheel 16 is provided on the right side, making it a so-called right-hand drive vehicle, and the driver's seat is set on the right side of the vehicle.

[0032] The steering wheel 16 has a roughly annular rim portion 16A, and a hub portion 16B forming the central part is provided on the inner circumference side of the rim portion 16A. The right side of the rim portion 16A and the hub portion 16B are connected by spokes 16C, and the left side of the rim portion 16A and the hub portion 16B are connected by spokes 16C. The steering wheel 16 is rotatably supported on the vehicle body, with the hub portion 16B fixed to the rear end of the steering shaft (not shown). The vehicle 12 is steered by rotating the steering shaft when the steering wheel 16 (rim portion 16A) is rotated.

[0033] Furthermore, the steering wheel 16 has steering switches 30, which will be described later, located on the spoke portion 16C, and the steering switches 30 can be operated by the occupant. Figure 1 shows the steering wheel 16 when the vehicle is moving straight.

[0034] The steering switch 30 includes a right first operation switch 34R, a right second operation switch 36R, a right function selector switch 38R, a left first operation switch 34L, a left second operation switch 36L, and a left function selector switch 38L. The right first operation switch 34R, the right second operation switch 36R, and the right function selector switch 38R are located on the right spoke portion 16C. The left first operation switch 34L, the left second operation switch 36L, and the left function selector switch 38L are located on the left spoke portion 16C.

[0035] Figure 2 shows the main components of the steering switch 30 in a front view. The steering wheel 16 has steering switches 30 on the spoke 16C on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the hub 16B, and on the spoke 16C on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the hub 16B. However, for convenience, only the steering switch 30 on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the hub 16B will be described in detail here. The steering switch 30 on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the hub 16B has the same function as the steering switch 30 on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the hub 16B. This is possible. The steering switch 30 may be selected as a switch that can operate either the right side or the left side in the vehicle width direction of the hub portion 16B, or it may be selected as a switch that can operate both sides.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the steering switch 30 includes a right second operating switch 36R on the hub portion 16B side (corresponding to the left side of Figure 1) and a right first operating switch 34R on the rim portion 16A side (corresponding to the right side of Figure 1). The right first operating switch 34R and the right second operating switch 36R are, for example, of the contact detection type.

[0037] In this embodiment, the right first operation switch 34R is a switch assigned to switching the display screen, which will be described later. The right first operation switch 34R has the right second operation switch 36R side assigned to the UP switch (front screen switch) 30A, and the side opposite the right second operation switch 36R is assigned to the DOWN switch (rear screen switch) 30B.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a windshield glass 17 is provided at the front end of the instrument panel 14. The windshield glass 17 extends in the vehicle's vertical and vehicle width directions, separating the interior of the vehicle from the exterior.

[0039] The right-side end of the windshield glass 17 is fixed to the right-side front pillar 18 of the vehicle. The front pillar 18 extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the windshield glass 17 is fixed to the inner end of the front pillar 18 in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the front side glass 19 is fixed to the outer end of the front pillar 18 in the vehicle width direction. The left-side end of the windshield glass 17 is fixed to the left-side front pillar of the vehicle (not shown).

[0040] Here, the instrument panel 14 is provided with a first display unit 24 having an image display area V1. The image display area V1 is formed by a meter display located on the right side of the vehicle of the instrument panel 14, in front of the driver's seat. The first display unit 24 is connected to various meter devices mounted on the vehicle 12, and the display area V1 is positioned so that it is within the driver's field of vision when they are looking forward at the vehicle.

[0041] The windshield glass 17 is provided with a second display unit 26 having an image display area V2. The display area V2 is set on the upper side of the vehicle above the display area V1, and the display area V2 is composed of a projection surface projected by a head-up display device 44 (see Figure 3). Specifically, the head-up display device 44 is provided on the front side of the instrument panel 14, and the head-up display device 44 is configured to project an image onto the display area V2 of the second display unit 26 on the windshield glass 17. In other words, the display area V2 is a part of the windshield glass 17 that serves as the projection surface of the head-up display device 44.

[0042] (Hardware configuration of the vehicle display device 10) The vehicle 12 is equipped with a display control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 28, which is a vehicle display control device that controls the vehicle display device 10. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle display device 10.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the display control ECU 28 of the vehicle display device 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 40A, ROM (Read Only Memory) 40B, RAM (Random Access Memory) 40C, storage 40D, communication interface (communication I / F) 40E, and input / output interface (input / output I / F) 40F. Each component is connected to the bus 42. They are connected to each other in a way that allows them to communicate with one another.

[0044] The CPU 40A is the central processing unit, which executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 40A reads programs from ROM 40B or storage 40D and executes them using RAM 40C as the working area. The CPU 40A controls the above components and performs various calculations according to the programs recorded in ROM 40B or storage 40D.

[0045] ROM40B stores various programs and data. RAM40C temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage40D is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data. In this embodiment, ROM40B or storage40D stores programs for display processing, and various data.

[0046] The communication I / F40E is an interface for the vehicle display device 10 to communicate with servers and other devices (not shown), and standards such as Ethernet®, LTE, FDDI, and Wi-Fi® are used.

[0047] The input / output interface 40F is connected to the first display unit 24 and the head-up display device (HUD) 44. The head-up display device 44 projects an image onto the display area V2 of the second display unit 26.

[0048] Furthermore, the input / output interface 40F is connected to a system bus 43 provided in the vehicle 12. The system bus 43 is connected to a switch control device 46, a vehicle control device 47, an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) device 48, and in-vehicle equipment 49, among others.

[0049] The switch control device 46 is connected to various switches, including the steering wheel switches 30, which serve as selection and setting means, and controls the input from these switches. In this embodiment, the switch control device 46 detects the operating state of the steering wheel switches 30 (UP switch 30A and DOWN switch 30B) and outputs it to the display control ECU 28 via the system bus 43.

[0050] The vehicle control device 47 is equipped with various control ECUs, including a vehicle control ECU responsible for vehicle control including driving control, an engine ECU for engine control, a steering control ECU for steering control, a braking control ECU for braking control, and a transmission control ECU for transmission control. The vehicle control device 47 works in cooperation with each control ECU to control the driving of the vehicle 12.

[0051] The ACC device 48 is a device that provides a driving assistance function to maintain a safe distance from the preceding vehicle, including maintaining vehicle speed and distance from the preceding vehicle (ACC function). In vehicle 12, the ACC device 48 may also work in cooperation with the vehicle control device 47 to function as a driver assistance device, providing driver assistance functions to support the occupants' driving operations.

[0052] The in-vehicle equipment 49 includes various devices such as air conditioners, audio systems, car navigation systems, and voice input systems, as well as various sensor devices such as cameras, radar, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), and GPS (global positioning system) sensors, and other devices mounted on the vehicle 12.

[0053] (Functional configuration of display control ECU28) The display control ECU28 implements various functions using the hardware resources described above. The functional configuration implemented by the display control ECU28 will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, the display control ECU 28 is configured as a function acquisition unit 52, a display control unit 54, and a display screen setting unit 56. Each function is realized by the CPU 40A reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 40B or storage 40D.

[0055] The function acquisition unit 52 acquires the ON and OFF states of various functions of the vehicle 12. In the vehicle 12, the vehicle control device 47, the ACC device 48, and each of the in-vehicle devices 49, etc., monitor the operating state of the controlled object. Furthermore, when the vehicle control device 47, the ACC device 48, and each of the in-vehicle devices 49, etc. detect an event that should be notified to the occupants in the controlled object, they generate information or an information image related to the detected event and output it to the display control ECU 28 via the system bus 43. In this embodiment, the function acquisition unit 52 acquires whether the ACC function is ON or OFF based on the ACC function ON signal input from the ACC device 48 to the display control ECU 28.

[0056] The display control unit 54 acquires information corresponding to the driving state and operating state of the vehicle 12 via the system bus 43, and displays an image corresponding to the acquired information as a display screen in the display area V1 of the first display unit 24, and also displays it in the display area V2 of the second display unit 26 via the HUD 44. In the display control ECU 28, the format of the information to be displayed in the display area V1 of the first display unit 24 and the image format for displaying said information are determined in the steady state of the vehicle 12.

[0057] As shown in Figure 5, the image 60 displayed as a display screen in the display area V1 of the first display unit 24 is roughly rectangular. Image 60 is an image showing engine speed, and a tachometer image 60A for showing engine speed is placed in the center. The tachometer image 60A has narrow, arc-shaped scale bars 60B arranged in the circumferential direction. A colored numerical bar 60C indicating the current engine speed is arranged along the scale bars 60B, with the left end in the circumferential direction set to 0 rpm, and the numerical bar 60C changes according to the engine speed. The engine speed is displayed by the extension of the rightmost edge.

[0058] In addition, in image 60, the central part is the shift display unit 60D, which displays the shift position of the transmission, and the display changes when the shift position of the transmission is changed. Furthermore, in image 60, the area above the shift display unit 60D is the speed display unit 60E, which displays a value corresponding to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in image 60, a rectangular display area 24A is provided below the shift display unit 60D. This display area 24A is set as part of the display area V1 of the first display unit 24, and the display control unit 54 switches between a plurality of display screens set by the display screen setting unit 56 (described later) to display in the display area 24A.

[0060] When the display control unit 54 receives information or an informational image of an event to be notified from the vehicle control device 47, ACC device 48, and various in-vehicle devices 49 of the vehicle 12, it selects a display screen from a plurality of display screens to be displayed in the display area 24A based on the received information and displays it in the display area 24A. The plurality of display screens are set by the display screen setting unit 56 and are stored, for example, in the storage 40D.

[0061] Here, we will describe the multiple display screens that are displayed in the display area 24A. As shown in Figure 6, the display screen setting unit 56 has set, as an example, to be able to display display screens A1 to A4 and a blank screen B in order in the display area 24A. Display screen A1 is communication I This is a display screen that shows Drive Information 1, which provides traffic information, road information, etc., received via / F40E. Display screen A2 is a display screen that shows Drive Information 2, which provides fuel efficiency information, etc., of the vehicle 12. Display screen A3 is a display screen that shows an energy monitor, which provides information showing the relationship between tires, battery, and energy. Display screen A4 is an audio status screen that provides the operating status of the audio system. Blank screen B is a display screen consisting of a black screen, etc., which is displayed when the user does not wish to display various information in the display area 24A.

[0062] These multiple display screens, including display screens A1 to A4 and blank screen B, are sequentially switched by the display control unit 54 in response to the operation of the UP switch 30A and DOWN switch 30B, and displayed in the display area 24A. Specifically, when the UP switch 30A is operated, each time the UP switch 30A is operated, the display screens are switched and displayed one page at a time from left to right, in the order of display screen A1, display screen A2, display screen A3, and so on, until the final display screen. Conversely, when the DOWN switch 30B is operated, each time the DOWN switch 30B is operated, the display screens are switched one page at a time from right to left, in the order of blank screen B, display screen A4, display screen A3, and so on, until the first display screen.

[0063] Furthermore, when the UP switch 30A or DOWN switch 30B is operated, the display control unit 54 dynamically switches and displays each display screen so that they flow continuously horizontally within the display area 24A when the UP switch 30A or DOWN switch 30B is operated. In other words, while the display screen is being switched completely, two display screens are displayed together in the display area 24A.

[0064] Furthermore, if the UP switch 30A or DOWN switch 30B is pressed and held, the display control unit 54 will, for example, continue to sequentially switch and display multiple display screens until the long press operation of the UP switch 30A or DOWN switch 30B is released, and at the time the long press operation of the UP switch 30A or DOWN switch 30B is released, display the display screen currently displayed in the display area 24A as the selected display screen in the display area 24A.

[0065] Furthermore, when the display control unit 54 acquires that the ACC function is ON by the function acquisition unit 52, it inserts the ACC display screen, which provides information about the ACC function, as a specific display screen S into the above-mentioned multiple display screens. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figure 7, the display control unit 54 inserts the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S between the first display screen M, which is displayed immediately before in the display area 24A, and the second display screen M-1, which is displayed one step before it (displayed when the DOWN switch 30B is operated once).

[0066] The display screen setting unit 56 sets the ACC display screen, which is inserted as a specific display screen S, as one of the multiple display screens. As shown in Figure 8, for example, suppose that currently, display screen A3, which displays the energy monitor, is displayed in the display area 24A. In this case, the display control unit 54 inserts the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S between display screen A3, which is the first display screen M, and display screen A2, which displays drive information 2, as the second display screen M-1 that is displayed one step before display screen A3. As a result, the display screen setting unit 56 sets the display screens so that they are switched and displayed one page at a time from left to right in the order of display screen A1, display screen A2, specific display screen S, display screen A3, and so on, until the final display screen. In other words, the total number of display screens managed by the display screen setting unit 56 increases.

[0067] Furthermore, the display control unit 54 is determined by the function acquisition unit 52 to be in the OFF state of the ACC function. When the data is acquired, the ACC display screen, which was inserted as a specific display screen S into multiple display screens, is deleted. As a result, the display screen setting unit 56 returns to the display screen settings for the vehicle 12 in a steady state as shown in Figure 6. In other words, the total number of display screens managed by the display screen setting unit 56 decreases (returns to its original state).

[0068] (Display processing) Next, the vehicle display control processing performed in the display control ECU 28 will be explained using the flowcharts shown in Figures 9 and 10. This display control processing is performed by the CPU 40A reading the display control program from ROM 40B or storage 40D, loading it into RAM 40C, and executing it. The following processing is disclosed after the display control ECU 28 display screen is instructed to be ON.

[0069] As shown in Figure 9, in step S11, the display control ECU 28 turns on the display screen (display area V1) of the first display unit 24 and the head-up display device 44 (display area V2).

[0070] Next, the display control unit 54 determines in step S12 whether or not the UP switch 30A or the DOWN switch 30B has been operated. If there is no operation (step S12; NO), the CPU 40A proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the UP switch 30A or the DOWN switch 30B has been operated in step S12 (step S12; YES), the display control unit 54 switches the display screen displayed in the display area 24A in step S14 according to the operation of the UP switch 30A or the DOWN switch 30B.

[0071] Next, the CPU 40A determines in step S15 whether or not there is an instruction to turn off the display screen. If there is no instruction to turn off (step S15; NO), the CPU 40A proceeds to step S12 and repeats the process from step S12 onward. On the other hand, if there is an instruction to turn off in step S15 (step S15; YES), the display control ECU 28 turns off the display screen (display area V1) of the first display unit 24 and the head-up display device 44 (display area V2) in step S16, and terminates the series of processes.

[0072] Furthermore, when the display screen (display area V1) of the first display unit 24 and the head-up display device 44 (display area V2) are turned ON in step S11, the display control unit 54 performs a display screen number change process in step S17 in parallel with the processing in step S12.

[0073] As shown in Figure 10, in step S21, the function acquisition unit 52 determines whether the ACC function has been turned ON. If the ACC function has been turned ON (step S21; YES), the display control unit 54 determines in step S22 whether the ACC display screen is among the multiple display screens set by the display screen setting unit 56 as a specific display screen S.

[0074] If there is no ACC display screen (step S22; NO), the display control unit 54 inserts the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S into the multiple display screens in step S23. Then, in step S24, the display screen setting unit 56 sets the ACC display screen as the inserted specific display screen S into the multiple display screens. Once the multiple screens are set by the display screen setting unit 56, the display control unit 54 terminates the display screen number change process and proceeds to step S15 in Figure 9. On the other hand, if there is an ACC display screen in step S22 (step S22; YES), the display control unit 54 also terminates the display screen number change process and proceeds to step S15 in Figure 9.

[0075] Furthermore, if the function acquisition unit 52 determines in step S21 that the ACC function is not turned ON (step S21; NO), then in step S25 the function acquisition unit 52 will turn the ACC function OFF. It determines whether the setting is F or not. If the ACC function is not turned OFF (step S25; NO), the display control unit 54 proceeds to step S21 and repeats the process from step S21 onwards.

[0076] On the other hand, if the function acquisition unit 52 determines in step S25 that the ACC function has been turned OFF (step S25; YES), the display control unit 54 determines in step S26 whether or not there is an ACC display screen as a specific display screen S among the multiple display screens set by the display screen setting unit 56. If there is no ACC display screen (step S26; NO), the display control unit 54 terminates the display screen number change process and proceeds to step S15 in Figure 9.

[0077] In step S26, if the ACC display screen exists (step S26; YES), the display control unit 54 removes the ACC display screen as the specific display screen S from the multiple display screens in step S27. Then, in step S24, the display screen setting unit 56 sets the multiple display screens from which the ACC display screen as the specific display screen S has been removed as the multiple display screens to be displayed in the display area 24A. Once the multiple screens have been set by the display screen setting unit 56, the display control unit 54 terminates the display screen number change process and proceeds to step S15 in Figure 9.

[0078] In this way, the display control unit 54 performs a display screen number change process in step S17, which changes the number of display screens displayed in the display area 24A depending on whether the ACC function is ON or OFF.

[0079] (Effects and Benefits) Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0080] The display control ECU 28, which serves as a vehicle display control device according to this embodiment, switches between multiple display screens containing information about various functions and displays them in the display area of ​​the display unit. It also includes a display control unit 54 that changes the number of multiple display screens to be switched between depending on whether the ACC function is ON or OFF. Therefore, when the ACC function is OFF, the number of multiple display screens to be switched between can be reduced, thereby simplifying the user's selection of display screens by reducing unnecessary display screens.

[0081] Furthermore, in the display control ECU 28 as a vehicle display control device according to this embodiment, the display control unit 54 inserts an ACC display screen, which is a specific display screen S that displays information related to the ACC function, into multiple display screens when the ACC function is turned ON. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of display screens as needed, and to suppress the increase of unnecessary display screens.

[0082] Furthermore, in the display control ECU 28 as a vehicle display control device according to this embodiment, when the display control unit 54 displays the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S in the display area 24A, it inserts the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S between the first display screen M that is displayed immediately before in the display area 24A and the second display screen M-1 that is adjacent to the first display screen M. Therefore, since the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S is adjacent to the first display screen M that is displayed immediately before, the effort required of the user to switch display screens when displaying the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S can be reduced.

[0083] Furthermore, in the display control ECU 28 as a vehicle display control device according to this embodiment, the display control unit 54 continuously and dynamically switches between multiple display screens and displays them in the display area 24A. This allows the user to visually observe the process of switching between display screens, making it easier for them to recognize that a display screen has been switched.

[0084] Furthermore, since the vehicle display device 10 according to this embodiment includes a first display unit 24 and a display control ECU 28, the same functions and effects as the display control ECU 28 described above can be obtained.

[0085] Furthermore, since the vehicle 12 according to this embodiment is equipped with a vehicle display device 10, the same functions and effects as those of the display control ECU 28 described above can be obtained, similar to those of the vehicle display device 10.

[0086] Furthermore, the vehicle display control method and vehicle display control program according to this embodiment also provide the same functions and effects as the display control ECU28 described above.

[0087] (First variation) The first modified example is an example of inserting the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S into multiple display screens when the message tab screen AM is displayed in the display area 24A. Here, the message tab screen AM is a warning display screen for an irregularly occurring event, such as "The oil is dirty, please go to the dealer for an oil change." As shown in Figure 11, the message tab screen AM is usually inserted adjacent to the blank screen B.

[0088] As shown in Figure 12, when the message tab screen AM is displayed in the display area 24A, the function acquisition unit 52 acquires that the ACC function is ON, and the display control unit 54 sets the blank screen B, which is displayed immediately before the message tab screen AM in the display area 24A, as the first display screen M, and the message tab screen AM as the second display screen M+1, which is displayed immediately after the blank screen B. The display control unit 54 inserts the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S between the first display screen M and the second display screen M+1. The display screen setting unit 56 then sets the inserted ACC display screen as a specific display screen S as one of the multiple display screens.

[0089] In this way, the ACC display screen AC, which is a specific display screen S, can be placed adjacent to the message tab screen AM, thus reducing the effort required for the user to switch display screens when displaying the ACC display screen AC.

[0090] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, when the display control unit 54 displays the ACC display screen as a specific display screen S in the display area 24A, it inserts the ACC display screen between the first display screen M that is immediately displayed in the display area 24A and the second display screen M-1 adjacent to the first display screen M. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ACC display screen may be inserted between the first display screen M that is immediately displayed in the display area 24A and the second display screen M+1 adjacent to the first display screen M. Furthermore, the position of the specific display screen S to be inserted may be changed depending on the content of the display screens displayed in the display area 24A. As an example, the specific display screen S may be inserted in a position adjacent to the display screen that has been displayed in the display area 24A for the longest period of time. In this case, the user can display the specific display screen S by simply operating the UP switch 30A or DOWN switch 30B from the display screen they are frequently viewing, thus reducing the effort required for the user to switch display screens.

[0091] Furthermore, although the ACC function was described as an example of a specific function in the above embodiment, the specific function of the present invention is not limited to the ACC function. For example, the specific function may be an ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System) function such as the LKA (Lane Keeping Assist) function performed by an LKA (Lane Keeping Assist) device (not shown). The LKA function is a function that warns of the possibility of departure from the lane or road and assists in some of the steering operations to avoid departure from the lane or road. In this case, the specific display screen S becomes an LKA display screen that includes information about the LKA function.

[0092] Furthermore, if the function acquisition unit 52 acquires the ON / OFF status of both the ACC function and the LKA function as specific functions, the specific display screen S will be both the ACC display screen and the LKA display screen, and the display control unit 54 can insert the display screen for each function when that function is turned ON.

[0093] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example of display in display area V1, it is not limited to this, and a display area 24A may be provided in display area V2.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the vehicle 12 is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and plugs up, and an energy monitor for providing information showing the relationship between tires, battery, and energy is displayed in the display area 24A. Examples include in-hybrid vehicles (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). However, vehicle 12 may be a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Vehicle 12 may also be a vehicle equipped with an engine (reciprocating engine) as a power source for driving. In the case of a vehicle equipped with an engine, instead of display screen A3 which displays the energy monitor, a display screen showing, for example, eco-driving information can be displayed. The display control ECU 28 should display the information set according to the vehicle it is installed in.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each process executed by the CPU 40A shown in Figure 3 after reading the software (program) may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processes, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Each process may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0096] Furthermore, each program described in this embodiment may be provided in the form of being recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the programs may be provided in the form of being downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0097] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10 Vehicle display devices 12 vehicles 24 1st display section (display section) 24A display area 26 2nd display section (display section) 28 Display Control ECU (Vehicle Display Control Unit) 54 Display Control Unit A1~A4 display screen B Blank screen AM Message tab screen S Specific display screen (ACC display screen)

Claims

1. A vehicle display control device comprising a display control unit that switches between multiple display screens containing information about various functions and displays them in the display area of ​​the display unit, and changes the number of the multiple display screens to be switched between depending on whether the advanced driver assistance system function is ON or OFF.

2. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit inserts a specific display screen that displays information related to the functions of the advanced driver assistance system into the plurality of display screens when the functions of the advanced driver assistance system are turned ON.

3. The vehicle display control device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit changes the position of the specific display screen to be inserted according to the content of the display screen displayed in the display area.

4. The vehicle display control device according to claim 3, wherein when the display control unit displays the specific display screen in the display area, it inserts the specific display screen between a first display screen that is immediately displayed in the display area and a second display screen adjacent to the first display screen either in front of or behind the first display screen.

5. The vehicle display control device according to claim 4, wherein when the display control unit displays the message tab screen in the display area, the display control unit makes the blank screen adjacent to the message tab screen the first display screen when displaying the specific display screen in the display area.

6. The display control unit is configured to continuously and dynamically switch between the plurality of display screens and display them in the display area, as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The vehicle display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the function of the advanced driver assistance system is a lane keeping assist function.

8. A display unit having the aforementioned display area, A vehicle display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A vehicle display device equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

9. A vehicle equipped with the vehicle display device described in claim 8.

10. A vehicle display control method that switches between multiple display screens containing information about various functions and displays them in the display area of ​​the display unit, and changes the number of the multiple display screens to be switched between depending on whether the advanced driver assistance system function is ON or OFF.

11. On the computer, A vehicle display control program that switches between multiple display screens containing information about various functions and displays them in the display area of ​​the display unit, and changes the number of the multiple display screens to be switched between depending on whether the advanced driver assistance system function is ON or OFF.

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