Display control method, display control device, and display control system

Abstract

In the present invention, a first control device (11) transmits an instruction relating to the display of an image to a second control device (12) in accordance with a time and controls a first display device (13) so as to display the image in accordance with the time, and the second control device (12), upon receiving the instruction from the first control device (11), controls a second display device (14) so as to display the image on the basis of the instruction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a system including a plurality of display devices and a terminal device that gives an instruction to start displaying an image to the plurality of display devices. When the display device receives an instruction to start displaying from the terminal device, the display device projects an image onto a projection area (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, when a plurality of terminal devices control corresponding display devices, there is a problem that the image display of the plurality of display devices cannot be controlled with the image display timings synchronized.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a display control method, a display control device, and a display control system capable of controlling the image display of a plurality of display devices with the image display timings synchronized when a plurality of terminal devices control corresponding display devices.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by having a first control device transmit instructions regarding the display of an image to a second control device according to the time, control the first display device to display an image according to the time, and when the second control device receives instructions from the first control device, control the second display device to display an image based on the instructions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when multiple terminal devices each control a corresponding display device, the image display of the multiple display devices can be controlled while synchronizing the image display timing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the display control system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a flowchart of the control process for a display control method executed by multiple control devices. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a sequence chart of a display control method executed by the display control system in this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a sequence chart of a display control method executed by the display control system in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The display control system of the present invention will be described using Figure 1. The display control system is a system that controls the display of image information to the user. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the display control system according to this embodiment. The display control system 1 comprises a first control device 11, a second control device 12, a first display device 13, and a second display device 14. These devices are mounted on a vehicle, for example, and are provided in a display control device 10 mounted on the vehicle. Each device is connected by CAN communication, Ethernet (registered trademark) communication, or other in-vehicle LAN, and can send and receive information from each other. The first control device 11 controls the image display of the first display device 13. The second control device 12 controls the image display of the second display device 14 based on instructions received from the first control device 11. The first display device 13 and the second display device 14 display images to the user. The user is a vehicle occupant, mainly the driver of the vehicle, but the user may be other passengers other than the driver. In this embodiment, an example of controlling a display device mounted on a vehicle is described, but the system is not particularly limited to this, as long as it is a display device that displays image information to the user. The first control device 11, the second control device 12, the first display device 13, and the second display device 14 teeth, Display control device 10 The device is not limited to those provided in the above. For example, the display device may be a portable terminal device such as a personal computer or a smartphone. Also, the display control system may include multiple second control devices 12.

[0011] The first control device 11 controls the first display device 13 to display an image on the first display device 13. The first control device 11 includes an input device 2, a database 3, and a first controller 110. The first control device 11 and the second control device 12 can exchange information with each other.

[0012] The input device 2 can be, for example, a touch panel or joystick placed on a display that allows manual user input, or a microphone and voice recognition device that allow user voice input. An example of the input device 2 is a display, and when a touch panel display is used, it can be used in conjunction with the first display device 13 and the second display device 14. In this embodiment, the input device 2 accepts a selection input from the user to select a display mode for the display device. The display mode indicates a method of displaying the image shown on the display device. The display mode includes a display mode that displays an image according to the time. Hereinafter, this display mode will also be referred to as the first display mode. Furthermore, the display mode includes a display mode different from the first display mode. Hereinafter, this display mode will also be referred to as the second display mode. The second display mode is a display mode that continues to display the same image regardless of the time, for example, a display mode that displays one image from the time it is switched to until it is switched to another display mode. There may be multiple second display modes.

[0013] Database 3 is a storage medium for storing information. Database 3 stores images to be displayed on the first display device 13. The images may include, for example, a background image that serves as the background of the screen. The images include images for the first display mode and images for the second display mode. For each image of the first display mode, time information and identification information (image number) that identifies the image are stored in association. The time information is the time when the associated image is displayed. For example, if there are 16 images for the first display mode, each image will be assigned a number from 1 to 16. For each display mode, one image is stored in association with the second display mode.

[0014] Furthermore, database 3 stores images representing information provided to the user other than meter information. Information provided to the user other than the vehicle's meter information is, for example, information related to so-called infotainment (In-Vehicle Infotainment, IVI), including navigation information and / or entertainment information. For example, in this embodiment, when the first control device 11 displays an image representing infotainment information on the first display device 13, it may use a background image as the screen background and display the image representing infotainment information in front of the background image.

[0015] The first controller 110 includes a computer having hardware and software, which includes a ROM that stores programs, a CPU that executes the programs stored in the ROM, and RAM that functions as an accessible storage device. The first controller 110 includes a time management unit 111, a first setting management unit 112, and a first image control unit 113 as functional blocks. In this embodiment, the functions of the first controller 110 are divided into three blocks and the functions of each functional block are described, but the functions of the first controller 110 do not necessarily have to be divided into three blocks, and may be divided into two or fewer functional blocks, or four or more functional blocks.

[0016] The time management unit 111 acquires time information indicating the current time. For example, the time management unit 111 acquires time information contained in the GPS signal using a GPS receiver. Alternatively, the time management unit 111 may acquire time information from an internal clock. For example, if the time management unit 111 cannot receive time information contained in the GPS signal, it acquires time information from an internal clock. This prevents the display of an image that does not match the time, which would cause discomfort to the user, when a GPS signal cannot be received.

[0017] In this embodiment, when the user selects the first display mode, the time management unit 111 acquires the time information at that time. Also, while the display mode is set to the first display mode, the time management unit 111 acquires the time information at a fixed period. The time management unit 111 may acquire Time information when the accessory power supply or ignition power supply of the vehicle is turned on. Also, the time management unit 111 may set the time zone of the current position of the vehicle based on the position information of the vehicle. The time management unit 111 determines whether the acquired current time is a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a time set in advance. The predetermined time may be set at regular time intervals. For example, the predetermined time may be set every hour, such as 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, etc. Also, the predetermined time may be a time belonging to a predetermined time zone. That is, the time management unit 111 determines whether the acquired current time belongs to a predetermined time zone.

[0018] The first setting management unit 112 transmits an instruction regarding the display of an image to the second control device 12 according to the time. The instruction regarding the display of the image is information for instructing the image to be displayed. The image to be displayed is, for example, an image corresponding to the time. In this embodiment, in the database 3, an image corresponding to the time is stored in advance for each time. When the first setting management unit 112 determines that the current time is a predetermined time by the time management unit 111, it transmits information for instructing an image corresponding to the predetermined time (current time) as the image to be displayed to the second control device 12.

[0019] For example, when the first setting management unit 112 determines that the current time is a predetermined time by the time management unit 111, it transmits identification information for identifying an image corresponding to the predetermined time to the second control device 12. The identification information is a number assigned to the image. Also, the first setting management unit 112 may transmit time information indicating the predetermined time to the second control device 12.

[0020] Here, an example of the display control method according to this embodiment will be described. In this example, predetermined times are set in advance every hour. For example, the predetermined times are set every hour such as 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, etc. In this case, each time the current time reaches a predetermined time such as 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, etc., the first setting management unit 112 instructs the second control device 12 to display an image corresponding to the predetermined time as the image to be displayed. As described above, as time progresses, each time a predetermined time is reached, the first setting management unit 112 transmits an instruction regarding the display of the image to the second control device 12 so as to change the image to be displayed.

[0021] Also, the first setting management unit 112 may manage the setting of the display mode. The first setting management unit 112 acquires a selection input of the display mode by the user from the input device 2, and sets the display mode based on the acquired selection input. For example, when there is a selection input by the user to select the first display mode, the first setting management unit 112 sets the display mode to the first display mode. Also, when the first setting management unit 112 newly sets the display mode, it transmits a switching instruction to the second control device 12 to cause a switch to the set display mode. In this embodiment, when the display mode is set to the first display mode, the first setting management unit 112 transmits a switching instruction to the second control device 12 to cause a switch to the first display mode.

[0022] In this embodiment, when the first setting management unit 112 sets the display mode to the first display mode, after transmitting the identification information of the image corresponding to the time at that point or the time information at that point to the second control device 12, it transmits a switching instruction to the second control device 12. Thereby, the second control device 12 that has received the switching instruction can display an image corresponding to the time on the second display device 14 based on the identification information or time information received in advance, and it is possible to prevent the images at different times from being displayed on the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 respectively and the images not matching.

[0023] The first image control unit 113 executes image control processing to control the image display on the first display device 13. In the image control processing, the first image control unit 113 controls the first display device 13 to display an image according to the time. For example, if the time management unit 111 determines that the current time is a predetermined time, the first image control unit 113 retrieves an image corresponding to the predetermined time from the database 3 and displays the retrieved image corresponding to the predetermined time on the first display device 13. Specifically, the first image control unit 113 transmits a control instruction to the first display device 13 that includes an image corresponding to the predetermined time.

[0024] The first image control unit 113 starts image control processing of the first display device 13 when the vehicle's accessory power or ignition power is turned on. In this case, the first image control unit 113 controls the first display device 13 to display an image corresponding to the current time, which has been acquired by the time management unit 111.

[0025] Furthermore, the first image control unit 113 may store the image displayed to the user during the previous startup in association with the user's identification information (user ID). For example, when the first display device 13 switches from the startup state to the stop state, the first image control unit 113 stores the image that was displayed to the user as the image displayed to the user during the previous startup. Subsequently, when the first display device 13 is started again, the first image control unit 113 identifies the user in the vehicle and displays the image that was displayed during the previous startup, which is associated with the user's identification information. For example, in this embodiment, the user's identification information and the key number are stored in association. Based on the key number received from the user's key, the first image control unit 113 identifies the user associated with that key number.

[0026] Furthermore, the first image control unit 113 may store the image displayed to the user during the previous first display mode in association with the user's identification information. For example, at the timing of switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, the first image control unit 113 stores the image that was displayed to the user as the image displayed to the user during the previous first display mode. Subsequently, when a new first display mode is set, the first image control unit 113 identifies the user riding in the vehicle and displays the image that was displayed to the user during the previous first display mode, which is associated with the user's identification information.

[0027] Furthermore, the first image control unit 113 may perform processing to compensate for display delays in the second display device 14 during image control processing. When the transmission of CAN signals to the second control device 12 is delayed due to the processing load of the first control device 11, the timing of image display in the second display device 14 may be delayed. In this embodiment, the first image control unit 113 adjusts the timing of image display in the first display device 13 so that the timing error of image display in the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 is within 100ms. For example, the first image control unit 113 controls the image display of the first display device 13 at a timing that is predetermined time later than the normal image display timing. The predetermined time is, for example, 10ms to 20ms. This prevents the user from getting a bad impression of the display due to a mismatch in image display timing between the first display device 13 and the second display device 14, even if the timing of image display in the second display device 14 is delayed.

[0028] Furthermore, if the user is unable to provide input, the first image control unit 113 may display the image that was displayed during the previous startup on the first display device 13. In this case, the second image control unit 122 may display the image that was displayed during the previous startup on the second display device 14. This prevents the image from not switching on the first display device 13 and the second display device 14, and prevents the image from being hidden.

[0029] The second control device 12 controls the second display device 14 to display an image on the second display device 14. The second control device 12 includes a database 5 and a second controller 120.

[0030] Database 5 is a storage medium for storing information. Database 5 stores images to be displayed on the second display device 14. The specific content of the stored images is the same as the images stored in Database 3. For example, the images are background images. The images include images for the first display mode and images for the second display mode. For specific details, refer to the description of Database 3 as appropriate. Database 5 also stores images representing meter information. For example, in this embodiment, when the second control device 12 displays an image representing meter information on the second display device 14, it may use the background image as the screen background and display the image representing meter information in front of the background image.

[0031] The second controller 120 includes a computer with hardware and software, which includes a ROM for storing programs, a CPU for executing programs stored in the ROM, and RAM for functioning as an accessible storage device. When the second controller 120 receives an instruction from the first control device 11 regarding the display of an image, it controls the second display device 14 to display the image based on that instruction. The second controller 120 includes a second setting management unit 121 and a second image control unit 122 as functional blocks. In this embodiment, the functions of the second controller 120 are divided into two blocks and the functions of each functional block are described, but the functions of the second controller 120 do not necessarily have to be divided into two blocks; they may be divided into one functional block or three or more functional blocks. An example of each function of the second controller is described below.

[0032] The second setting management unit 121 stores identification information from the first control device 11 for identifying an image to be displayed on the second display device 14. The image to be displayed is, for example, an image corresponding to a predetermined time. The second setting management unit 121 stores identification information from the first control device 11 for identifying an image corresponding to a predetermined time. In addition, the second setting management unit 121 stores identification information for identifying an image corresponding to a predetermined time based on the time information when it receives time information indicating a predetermined time from the first control device 11. In this embodiment, the database 5 stores identification information for the corresponding image for each time. The second setting management unit 121 retrieves identification information for the image corresponding to a predetermined time from the database 5 based on the acquired time information and stores the acquired identification information. In this embodiment, when the current time is a predetermined time, the first control device 11 transmits time information indicating the current time, and identification information for identifying an image corresponding to the current time is stored.

[0033] Furthermore, the second setting management unit 121 may set the display mode on the second display device 14 when it receives a switching instruction from the first control device 11. For example, when the second setting management unit 121 receives a switching instruction to the first display mode, it switches the display mode to the first display mode.

[0034] The second image control unit 122 executes image control processing to control the image display on the second display device 14. In the image control processing, when the second image control unit 122 receives an instruction regarding the display of an image from the first control device 11, it controls the second display device 14 to display the image based on that instruction. For example, the second image control unit 122 retrieves the image specified in the instruction regarding the display of an image from the database 5 and sends a control instruction to the second display device 14 to display the retrieved image.

[0035] Furthermore, if the second setting management unit 121 has stored image identification information corresponding to a predetermined time, the second image control unit 122 retrieves the image corresponding to the predetermined time from the database 5 based on the stored identification information and transmits a control instruction including the image corresponding to the predetermined time to the second display device 14.

[0036] Furthermore, the second image control unit 122 may control the second display device 14 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time when it receives an instruction from the first control device 11 to switch to the first display mode. For example, when the display mode is switched to the first display mode by the second setting management unit 121, the second image control unit 122 controls the second display device 14 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time based on the identification information stored at that time. The timing of acquiring the image corresponding to the predetermined time from the database 5 based on the stored identification information may be before or after the switch to the first display mode.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the first control device 11 first transmits identification information for identifying an image corresponding to a predetermined time to the second control device 12, and then transmits an instruction to switch to the first display mode to the second control device 12. As a result, the second control device 12 updates the stored identification information before receiving the switching instruction. Then, at the timing of switching to the first display mode, the second control device 12 controls the image display on the second display device 14 based on the identification information stored at that time. The second control device 12 can display an image corresponding to a predetermined time on the second display device 14 based on the updated identification information, rather than the previously stored identification information, thereby preventing the display of images from different times on the first display device 13 and the second display device 14, which would result in mismatched images.

[0038] Furthermore, if the second image control unit 122 has not received an instruction from the first control unit 11 regarding the display of an image after the second display device 14 has been started, it may control the second display device 14 to display the image that was displayed when it was last started. Cases where the second image control unit 122 has not received an instruction from the first control unit 11 regarding the display of an image include, for example, when communication from the first control unit 11 is interrupted, when the second control unit 12 receives an abnormal value instead of image identification information, or when the first control unit is stopped and the second control unit 12 is started. In this embodiment, in such cases, it is possible to prevent the second display device 14 from becoming invisible because the second control unit 12 is unable to determine which image should be displayed on the second display device 14. For example, the second image control unit 122 stores the image that was displayed to the user as the image that was displayed when it was last started when the second display device 14 switches from the started state to the stopped state. Subsequently, when the second display device 14 is newly started, the second image control unit 122 displays the stored image that was displayed when it was last started on the second display device 14.

[0039] Furthermore, the second image control unit 122 may store the image displayed to the user during the previous first display mode. For example, at the time of switching from the first display mode to the second display mode, the second image control unit 122 stores the image that was displayed to the user as the image displayed to the user during the previous first display mode. Subsequently, when a new first display mode is set, the second image control unit 122 displays the stored image that was displayed to the user during the previous first display mode.

[0040] Furthermore, the second image control unit 122 may control the second display device 14 to display the image that was displayed when the second display device 14 was last started if an image stored in the database 5 is lost or an image cannot be read from the database 5. This prevents the second display device 14 from becoming unusable due to the inability to acquire a predetermined image based on instructions from the first control device 11.

[0041] Furthermore, the second image control unit 122 may store the image displayed to the user during the previous startup in association with the user's identification information (user ID). When the second display device 14 is started, the second image control unit 122 identifies the user riding in the vehicle and displays the image that was displayed during the previous startup and is associated with the user's identification information.

[0042] The first display device 13 and the second display device 14 are displays installed in the vehicle, extending from the driver's seat to the passenger seat. These displays are composed of, for example, liquid crystal displays or organic EL displays. Each of these displays has a display area. When composed of multiple displays, the multiple displays are arranged in a substantially straight line so that they touch each other. These displays may also be equipped with speakers that output audio information. These displays start displaying images when the vehicle's accessory power or ignition power is turned on.

[0043] The first display device 13 and the second display device 14 display images under the control of the first control device 11 and the second control device 12, respectively. Specifically, when the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 receive a control instruction from the first control device 11 and the second control device 12, respectively, to display an image, they display the image based on the received control instruction. In this embodiment, the first control device 11 transmits a control instruction to the first display device 13 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time. The second control device 12 receives the instruction from the first control device 11 and transmits a control instruction to the second display device 14 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time. As a result, the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 display the same image corresponding to the predetermined time. The displayed image includes, for example, a background image. The image control method according to this embodiment will be described below using an example in which the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 display an image including a background image, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0044] In this example, the display screen of the first display device 13 consists of an image representing information to be provided to the user other than the meter information and a background image. The first display device 13 uses the background image as the background of the display screen and displays a display image in which the image representing information to be provided to the user other than the meter information is composited on top of the background image. The information to be provided to the user other than the vehicle's meter information is, for example, information related to so-called infotainment (In-Vehicle Infotainment, IVI), including navigation information and / or entertainment information. Navigation information is information that shows the vehicle's route guidance. Navigation information includes, for example, map information, the vehicle's current location, route information from the current location to the destination, and guidance information for the vehicle to travel along the route. Entertainment information includes information that includes entertainment content such as music and videos. Entertainment information includes, for example, an image representing a music playback screen, and moving images such as movies.

[0045] The first control device 11, via the first image control unit 113, retrieves images representing information to be provided to the user other than meter information and a background image from the database 3, and generates a display image by combining the retrieved images. The first control device 11 then sends a control instruction to the first display device 13 via the first image control unit 113 to display the generated display image. The first display device 13 displays the display image based on the control instruction. In this example, the database 3 stores background images corresponding to each time period. If the current time is a predetermined time, the first control device 11 retrieves a background image corresponding to the predetermined time from the database 3, and controls the first display device 13 to display a display image by combining the retrieved background image and an image representing information to be provided to the user other than meter information.

[0046] Furthermore, the display screen of the second display device 14 consists of an image representing the vehicle's meter information and a background image. The second display device 14 uses the background image as the background of the display screen and displays a display screen in which the image representing the meter information is superimposed on the background image. The meter information includes, for example, the vehicle's speed information and the vehicle's energy information. The vehicle's meter information is, for example, an image representing the vehicle's meter.

[0047] The second control device 12, via the second image control unit 122, retrieves an image representing meter information and a background image from the database 5 and generates a display image by combining the retrieved images. The second control device 12 then sends a control instruction to the second display device 14 via the second image control unit 122 to display the generated display image. The second display device 14 displays the display image based on the control instruction. In this example, the database 5 stores background images corresponding to each time period. If the current time is a predetermined time, the second control device 12 retrieves a background image corresponding to the predetermined time from the database 5 and controls the second display device 14 to display a display image by combining the retrieved background image and an image representing meter information. In this embodiment, the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 are described as displaying infotainment information and vehicle meter information, respectively, but they are not limited to these, and any devices that display different information may be used.

[0048] Furthermore, background images may be divided into multiple types (themes) depending on how they are displayed. For example, the background images include background images for the first display mode. In the first display mode, the displayed background image changes according to the time. The first display mode is also called the Interactive background. In the background images for the first display mode, a number is associated with the background image to be displayed for each time. An example of a background image for the Interactive background is an image that includes an illustration of the sun in a different position depending on the time. For example, if a predetermined time is 18:00, the background image corresponding to that predetermined time is an image that includes an illustration of the sun touching the horizon.

[0049] When the user selects the first display mode (Interactive background), the first control unit 11 generates a display image including a background image corresponding to the time, and controls the first display device 13 to display the display image. The first control unit 11 also transmits identification information for the background image corresponding to the time to the second control unit 12, and then transmits a switching instruction to the second control unit 12 to switch the display mode to the first display mode. The identification information is, for example, a signal value indicating the background image number (also called Dynamic Background State). The switching instruction is also called Cluster Skin Request. The switching instruction includes a signal value indicating the first display mode (Interactive background). The second control unit 12 receives information from the first control unit 11 in the order of identification information and then switching instruction. First, the second control unit 12 stores the identification information for the background image corresponding to the time. Subsequently, the second control device 12 sets the background image display mode to the first display mode (Interactive background) based on the switching instruction, generates a display image including a background image corresponding to the time based on the stored identification information, and controls the second display device 14 to display the said display image. In addition, when the second control device 12 sets a display mode, it notifies the first control device 11 that the display mode has been set to the first display mode (Interactive background).

[0050] Furthermore, when the display mode is set to the first display mode (Interactive background), the first control device 11 acquires time information indicating the current time at regular intervals and determines whether the current time is a predetermined time. If the current time is a predetermined time, the first control device 11 transmits a signal value (Dynamic Background State) indicating the background image number corresponding to the predetermined time to the second control device 12. The first control device 11 also controls the first display device 13 to display a display image including the background image corresponding to the predetermined time. When the second control device 12 receives a signal value (Dynamic Background State) indicating the background image number corresponding to the predetermined time, it saves the background image number corresponding to the predetermined time and controls the second display device 14 to display a display image including the background image of the saved number.

[0051] Next, using Figure 2, an example of a control procedure for executing the display control method according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the control process of the display control method executed by the display control device.

[0052] In step S101, the first control device 11 transmits an instruction to the second control device 12 regarding the display of an image, depending on the time. For example, if the current time is a predetermined time, the first control device 11 transmits an instruction to the second control device 12 to display an image corresponding to the predetermined time. In step S102, the first control device 11 controls the first display device 13 to display an image, depending on the time. For example, the first control device 11 transmits a control instruction to the first display device 13 to display an image corresponding to the predetermined time. The first display device 13 displays an image corresponding to the predetermined time based on the control instruction from the first control device 11. In step S103, the second control device 12 controls the second display device 14 to display an image, based on the instruction regarding the display of an image received from the first control device 11. For example, the second control device 12 transmits a control instruction to the second display device 14 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time. The second display device 14 displays an image corresponding to the predetermined time based on the control instruction from the second control device 12. As described above, in this embodiment, when the current time reaches a predetermined time, the first control device 11 sends an instruction to the second control device 12, thereby controlling the image display of the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 in a synchronized manner.

[0053] Next, the processing procedure of the display control method executed by the display control system 1 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence chart of the display control method executed by the display control system in this embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of the processing procedure of the display control method executed when the user sets the display mode to the first display mode. Note that each step shown in Figure 3 is an example of a processing procedure for executing the display control method according to this embodiment, and is not an essential configuration; it may be configured as needed.

[0054] In step S201, the user selects the first display mode as the display mode via the input device 2 of the first control unit 11. In step S202, if the first display mode is selected, the first control unit 11 obtains the current time. In step S203, if the current time is a predetermined time, the first control unit 11 transmits identification information to the second control unit 12 for identifying an image corresponding to the predetermined time. In step S204, the second control unit 12 stores the identification information. In step S205, the first control unit 11 transmits a switching instruction to the second control unit 12 to switch the display mode to the first display mode. In step S206, the first control unit 11 switches the display mode of the first display device 13 to the first display mode. In step S207, the second control unit 12 switches the display mode of the second display device 14 to the first display mode.

[0055] In step S208, the second control unit 12 notifies the first control unit 11 of the display mode of the second display device 14. In step S209, the first control unit 11 sends a control instruction to the first display device 13 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time. In step S210, the second control unit 12 sends a control instruction to the second display device 14 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time. In step S211, the first display device 13 displays an image corresponding to a predetermined time. In step S212, the second display device 14 displays an image corresponding to a predetermined time. As described above, when the user sets the display mode to the first display mode, the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 display an image corresponding to the current time.

[0056] Next, the processing procedure of the display control method executed by the display control system 1 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence chart of the display control method executed by the display control system in this embodiment. Figure 4 shows an example of the processing procedure of the display control method that is executed while the display mode is set to the first display mode. While the display mode is set to the first display mode, the current time is acquired at regular intervals, and each step shown in Figure 4 is repeatedly executed. Note that each step shown in Figure 4 is an example of a processing procedure for executing the display control method according to this embodiment, and is not an essential configuration; it may be configured as needed.

[0057] In step S301, the first control device 11 determines the time. For example, the first control device 11 obtains the current time and determines whether the obtained current time is a predetermined time. If it determines that the current time is a predetermined time, in step S302, the first control device 11 transmits identification information to the second control device 12 that identifies an image corresponding to the predetermined time. In step S303, the second control device 12 stores the identification information.

[0058] In step S304, the first control device 11 transmits a control instruction to the first display device 13 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time. In step S305, the second control device 12 transmits a control instruction to the second display device 14 to display an image corresponding to a predetermined time. In step S306, the first display device 13 displays an image corresponding to a predetermined time. In step S307, the second display device 14 displays an image corresponding to a predetermined time. As described above, in this embodiment, when the display mode is set to the first display mode, the current time is determined at regular intervals, and each time a predetermined time is reached, the images displayed on the first display device 13 and the second display device 14 are updated.

[0059] In this embodiment, multiple control devices are provided, each controlling a separate display device. The advantage of having multiple control devices is that, for example, the display devices can be controlled to display different images on each of them. One display device can display vehicle meter information, while the other displays information related to the IVI (In-Vehicle Information Display). Furthermore, only one of the display devices can be activated first. For example, the display device showing meter information can be activated before the display device showing IVI information. Additionally, the overall security of the display control system can be enhanced. Furthermore, the number of possible combinations of components constituting the control device can be increased.

[0060] As described above, in the display control method, display control device, and display control system according to this embodiment, the first control device transmits instructions regarding the display of an image to the second control device according to the time, and controls the first display device to display an image according to the time, and when the second control device receives instructions from the first control device, it controls the second display device to display an image based on the instructions. As a result, when multiple terminal devices each control their respective display devices, the image display of multiple display devices can be controlled in a synchronized manner.

[0061] Furthermore, in the display control method, display control device, and display control system according to this embodiment, when the first control device receives a selection input from the user to select a display mode in which an image is displayed according to the time, it acquires the time, and if the acquired time is a predetermined time, it transmits identification information for identifying an image corresponding to the predetermined time to the second control device, transmits a switching instruction to the second control device, and controls the first display device to display an image corresponding to the predetermined time. When the second control device receives identification information from the first control device, it stores the identification information, and when it receives a switching instruction from the first control device, it controls the second display device to display an image corresponding to the predetermined time based on the stored identification information. As a result, when the second display device switches to the first display mode, it can display an image corresponding to the same time as the first display device, rather than the image that was previously displayed.

[0062] Furthermore, in the display control method, display control device, and display control system according to this embodiment, when the first control device receives a selection input from the user to select a display mode in which an image is displayed according to the time, it acquires the time, and if the acquired time is a predetermined time, it transmits time information indicating the predetermined time to the second control device, transmits a switching instruction to the second control device, and controls the first display device to display an image corresponding to the predetermined time. When the second control device receives time information from the first control device, it stores identification information for identifying an image corresponding to the predetermined time based on the time information, and when it receives a switching instruction from the first control device, it controls the second display device to display an image corresponding to the predetermined time based on the stored identification information. As a result, when the second display device switches to the first display mode, it can display an image corresponding to the same time as the first display device, rather than the image that was displayed last time.

[0063] Furthermore, in the display control method, display control device, and display control system according to this embodiment, if the second display device has been started up but has not received instructions from the first control device, the second control device controls the second display device to display the image that it displayed when it was last started up. This prevents the second display device from being hidden while there are no instructions from the first control device.

[0064] Furthermore, in the display control method, display control device, and display control system according to this embodiment, if communication from the first control device is interrupted after the second display device has been started, the second control device controls the second display device to display the image that was displayed when the second display device was last started. This prevents the second display device from becoming invisible when communication with the first control device is interrupted.

[0065] Furthermore, in the display control method, display control device, and display control system according to this embodiment, the first control device and the second control device each store an image corresponding to the time at each time point. As a result, there is no need to send or receive images between the first control device and the second control device, thus reducing the communication load.

[0066] Furthermore, in the display control method, display control device, and display control system according to this embodiment, the first control device and the second control device each store the image displayed to the user when the first display device and the second display device were last started, associated with the user's identification information from the previous time. This allows the image displayed to be changed for each user when the display device is started.

[0067] Furthermore, in the display control method, display control device, and display control system according to this embodiment, the first control device is a device mounted on a vehicle, and when the vehicle's accessory power or ignition power is turned on, it acquires the time and controls the first display device to display an image corresponding to the acquired time. This makes it possible to display an image corresponding to the time when the vehicle's accessory power or ignition power is turned on.

[0068] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiments is intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1…Display control system 11…First control device 110...First controller 111…Time management department 112...1st setting management section 113...First Image Control Unit 12...Second control device 120...Second controller 121...Second setting management section 122...Second Image Control Unit 13…First display device 14…Second display device

Claims

1. A display control method performed by a first control device that controls a first display device and a second control device that controls a second display device, The first control device is If the user has selected a display mode to show images according to the time, The aforementioned time is obtained and rights If the acquired time is a predetermined time, the second control device is transmitted time information indicating the predetermined time, or identification information for identifying the image corresponding to the predetermined time. The second control device is sent an instruction to switch to the aforementioned display mode. The first display device is controlled to display the image corresponding to the predetermined time, The second control device is When the first control device receives the time information or the identification information, the identification information is stored. A display control method that, upon receiving the switching instruction from the first control device, controls the second display device to display the image corresponding to the predetermined time based on the stored identification information.

2. A display control method according to claim 1, The second control device is A display control method that, after the second display device has been started up, has not received information from the first control device to instruct the image corresponding to the predetermined time, by controlling the second display device to display the image that was displayed when it was last started up.

3. A display control method according to claim 2, The second control device is A display control method that controls the second display device to display the image that was displayed when the second display device was last started, if communication from the first control device is interrupted after the second display device has been started.

4. A display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The first control device and the second control device each store the image corresponding to the time at each time interval.

5. A display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A display control method in which the first control device and the second control device each store the image that the first display device and the second display device displayed to the user at the time of the last startup, in association with the user's identification information from the previous startup.

6. A display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The first control device is A device installed in a vehicle, When the accessory power or ignition power of the vehicle is turned on, the time is acquired. A display control method for controlling the first display device to display the image corresponding to the acquired time.

7. A display control device comprising a first control device for controlling a first display device and a second control device for controlling a second display device, The first control device is If the user has selected a display mode to show images according to the time, The aforementioned time is obtained and rights If the acquired time is a predetermined time, the second control device is transmitted time information indicating the predetermined time, or identification information for identifying the image corresponding to the predetermined time. The second control device is sent an instruction to switch to the aforementioned display mode. The first display device is controlled to display the image corresponding to the predetermined time, The second control device is When the first control device receives the time information or the identification information, the identification information is stored. A display control device that, upon receiving the switching instruction from the first control device, controls the second display device to display the image corresponding to the predetermined time based on the stored identification information.

8. A display control system comprising a first control device for controlling a first display device and a second control device for controlling a second display device, The first control device is If the user has selected a display mode to show images according to the time, The aforementioned time is obtained and rights If the acquired time is a predetermined time, the second control device is transmitted time information indicating the predetermined time, or identification information for identifying the image corresponding to the predetermined time. The second control device is sent an instruction to switch to the aforementioned display mode. The first display device is controlled to display the image corresponding to the predetermined time, The second control device is When the first control device receives the time information or the identification information, the identification information is stored. A display control system that, upon receiving the switching instruction from the first control device, controls the second display device to display the image corresponding to the predetermined time based on the stored identification information.

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