Straddled vehicle system, control method, and application program

Abstract

Provided is a straddled vehicle system capable of presenting desired information in a short time from multiple items of presentable information while suppressing any increase in the amount of operation of a handlebar switch by a rider. This straddled vehicle system includes a straddled vehicle and an application program that operates on a portable information terminal capable of communicating with the straddled vehicle. The straddled vehicle includes a vehicle body, a handlebar switch, a vehicle image display device, and a vehicle image control device. The portable information terminal includes a terminal operation device and a terminal control device. The application program, due to being executed by the terminal control device, causes the terminal control device to select, as a selection image group, an image group of image data that can be transmitted to the vehicle image display device in accordance with a selection operation made using the terminal operation device. When a selection command is received from the vehicle image control device, the application program sequentially selects one from a plurality of selection image groups, and causes the image data included in the selected display image group to be transmitted. The vehicle image control device: transmits, to the terminal control device, a selection command for selecting a display image group in response to an operation made using the handlebar switch; and, upon receiving the image data, causes the vehicle image display device to display a content image of the image data.

Description

Straddled vehicle system, control method, and application program

[0001] The present invention relates to a straddle-type vehicle system, a control method, and an application program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a display system mounted on a saddle-ride type vehicle. The display system includes a display unit, a communication unit, handlebar switches provided on the handlebar, and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with a mobile device. The display system can display an image of infotainment information transmitted from the mobile device in the display area of ​​the display unit.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-057764

[0004] More specifically, the control unit of the display system mounted on the saddle-riding vehicle generates image data based on infotainment information searched through the mobile device in response to the operation of the handlebar switch and template image data, and transmits the image data to the display unit. The generated image is displayed on the display unit. The types of information that can be presented to the rider of the saddle-riding vehicle, including information generated or stored in the mobile device and information obtained via a network, are increasing every day. The types and quantity of information desired by the rider are also increasing. As the types of information increase, the types of applications (content) that generate and present information also increase, and the conditions and selection methods for presenting information are also changing every day. In response to the increase in the types and quantity of information, it is sometimes desirable to be able to display desired information in a short time from a large amount of presentable information while suppressing an increase in the number of handlebar switch operations by the rider of the saddle-riding vehicle, and to flexibly respond to requests for changes in the conditions and selection methods for presentation.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a saddle-type vehicle system, a control method, and an application program that can present desired information in a short amount of time from a large amount of presentable information while suppressing an increase in the amount of handlebar switch operation by a rider of a saddle-type vehicle, and can flexibly respond to requests for changes in the presentation conditions or presentation selection method.

[0006] A straddle-type vehicle system can provide a variety of types of information, such as images of information indicating the vehicle's status or images of information about the location of travel. As a variety of types of information can be provided, the rider's operations for selecting desired information from the various types of information tend to increase. For example, as the number of types of information that can be presented increases, the rider may have to operate the handlebar switch multiple times until the sequentially presented information is the desired type. This increases the time it takes to present the desired type of information. In light of the above-mentioned problem, the inventors have conducted extensive research into how to display desired images for a large amount of presentable information in a short time while suppressing an increase in the number of handlebar switch operations, and have obtained the following findings. A terminal control device provided in a mobile information terminal selects, as multiple selected image groups, image groups to which transmittable image data belong from multiple image groups that contain image data of one or more content images that can be displayed on the vehicle image display device. For example, the terminal control device displays a list image representing a list of image groups. While displaying the list image, the terminal control device accepts operations related to the displayed list image. The terminal operation device selects an image group in response to an operation. A vehicle image control device mounted on a vehicle transmits a selection command to the terminal control device in response to an operation of a handlebar switch by the rider's hand. Then, when the terminal control device receives the selection command from the vehicle image control device, it sequentially selects one of the multiple selected image groups as a display image group and transmits image data included in the selected display image group. When the terminal control device receives the selection command, it transmits image data of the selected display image group. When the vehicle image control device receives the image data, it causes content images of the image data to be displayed on the vehicle image display device. The terminal operation device of the mobile information terminal can display images and accept operations related to the displayed images, so operations such as scrolling or tapping to select an image group are possible. Therefore, even if there are a large number of image groups containing content images that can be displayed, it is possible to quickly narrow down candidate image groups with simple operations.Furthermore, by operating a handlebar switch that can be operated while holding the handlebar, the desired group can be selected with fewer operations by sequentially selecting one image from the already selected image groups than by sequentially selecting one image from the original displayable image groups. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to display the desired image in a short amount of time from among a large number of displayable images while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch by the rider of the saddle-ride type vehicle. The present invention was completed based on this finding.

[0007] The present invention can provide the following saddle-ride type vehicle system.

[0008] (1) A saddle-riding type vehicle system comprising a saddle-riding type vehicle and an application program operating on a mobile information terminal capable of communicating with the saddle-riding type vehicle, wherein the saddle-riding type vehicle comprises: a vehicle body including handlebars held by the hands of a rider of the saddle-riding type vehicle; handlebar switches attached to the handlebars; a vehicle image display device attached to the vehicle body and displaying images; and a vehicle image control device having a function of communicating with the mobile information terminal and controlling the vehicle image display device, wherein the mobile information terminal comprises: a terminal operation device that displays images and accepts operations related to the displayed images; and a terminal control device as a computer having a function of communicating with the vehicle image control device and controlling the terminal operation device, and the application program, when executed by the terminal control device, causes the terminal control device to select, as a plurality of selected image groups, image groups including image data that can be transmitted to the vehicle image display device in accordance with a selection operation on the terminal operation device from a plurality of image groups each including image data of one or more content images that can be displayed on the vehicle image display device, Each time a selection command to select one of the plurality of selected image groups is received from the vehicle image control device, one display image group is selected in sequence from the plurality of selected image groups and image data included in the selected display image group is transmitted; the vehicle image control device transmits the selection command to the terminal control device to cause the terminal control device to select one of the plurality of selected image groups in sequence as the display image group in response to operation of the handlebar switch by the rider's hand while holding the handlebar; and when image data included in the display image group is received from the terminal control device, the vehicle image control device displays a content image of the received image data on the vehicle image display device.

[0009] According to the saddle-type vehicle system (1) described above, the terminal control device selects, from a plurality of image groups, an image group to which transmittable image data belongs as a selected image group in response to a selection operation on the terminal operation device. Then, each time the terminal control device receives a selection command from the vehicle image control device, the terminal control device sequentially selects one display image group from the plurality of selected image groups and transmits the image data included in the selected display image group. The decision to transmit the image data in response to receiving the selection command is made by the terminal control device executing an application program. The vehicle image control device transmits the selection command to the terminal control device in response to an operation of a handlebar switch by the rider's hand. Upon receiving the selection command, the terminal control device in the mobile information terminal transmits the image data of the selected display image group. The vehicle image control device receives the image data and displays content images of the image data on the vehicle image display device. In this way, the selected image groups, which are original candidates from which one is selected in response to the operation of the handlebar switch, are selected in advance on the mobile information terminal using the terminal operation device. The terminal operation device of the mobile information terminal displays images and accepts operations related to the displayed images, so that, for example, it is possible to display images from a list of image groups and perform operations such as scrolling or tapping to select an image from the list. Therefore, even if there are many image groups containing displayable content images, candidate selected image groups can be selected with simple operations in a short time. Furthermore, by operating a handlebar switch that can be operated while holding the handlebars, sequentially selecting one of the selected selected image groups allows the desired group to be selected with fewer operations than sequentially selecting one of the pre-selection image groups. Furthermore, the functions of selecting the selected image group and selecting the display image group are performed by the mobile information terminal and application program. Therefore, requests for changes in the display conditions or the display selection method can be accommodated by updating the software of the mobile information terminal. Therefore, changes in the display conditions or the display selection method can be accommodated without requiring changes to the functions or structure of the saddle-type vehicle.Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to present the desired information in a short time from a large amount of presentable information while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch by the rider of the saddle-type vehicle, and it is possible to flexibly respond to requests for changes in the presentation conditions or presentation selection method.

[0010] A saddle-type vehicle is a vehicle equipped with a saddle-type seat. A saddle-type vehicle is configured so that a rider sits astride the seat. Saddle-type vehicles are not limited to scooter-type, moped-type, off-road-type, and on-road motorcycles, but also include snowmobiles, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and the like. A saddle-type vehicle may have at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. A saddle-type vehicle is not limited to motorcycles, but may be a three-wheeled vehicle having a pair of front or rear wheels, or a four-wheeled vehicle having a pair of front and rear wheels, respectively. A saddle-type vehicle may be configured to be able to turn in a leaned position toward the center of a curve.

[0011] The portable information terminal is an information terminal that can be carried by the rider. The portable information terminal has a size that allows the rider to carry it. The portable information terminal is, for example, a smartphone. However, the portable information terminal is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a tablet computer or a wearable terminal. Furthermore, when the rider rides a saddle-type vehicle, the portable information terminal may be detachably attached to the vehicle body.

[0012] An image group includes, for example, image data corresponding to each of a plurality of content images. An image group may include, for example, one content image. A content image is, for example, a display image output as a result of a content program, such as a photo album, being executed on a mobile information terminal. In this case, each of the plurality of image groups is, for example, a content program. Furthermore, the content image is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an image of image data received by the mobile information terminal from a server computer connected via the Internet as a result of executing a content program on the mobile information terminal. Furthermore, the content image is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an image of image data stored in the memory of the mobile information terminal. In this case, each of the plurality of image groups may be a folder or directory containing one or more content images. An operation image for controlling the mobile information terminal is different from a content image.

[0013] The vehicle image display device is, for example, a speedometer that displays the traveling speed of a saddle-type vehicle. In this case, the vehicle image display device has, for example, an area that displays the numerical value of the traveling speed and an area that displays an image of image data received from the terminal control device. In this case, the vehicle image display device may have, for example, an area that displays the numerical value of the traveling speed as an image and an area that displays an image of image data received from the terminal control device. The vehicle image display device is attached, for example, to the handlebars. However, the attachment position of the vehicle image display device is not particularly limited, and for example, the vehicle image display device may be attached to a part of the vehicle body other than the handlebars. The vehicle image display device displays, for example, still images. More specifically, the vehicle image display device may have, for example, a function that only displays still images. In this case, the configuration of the vehicle image display device can be simplified, and the display image can be updated by intermittent communication corresponding to one image. However, the display function of the vehicle image display device is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be capable of displaying moving images.

[0014] The terminal operation device is, for example, a touch screen. The touch screen has a display that displays images and a translucent touch panel overlaid on the display. However, the structure of the terminal operation device is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a display that displays images and a switch provided at a location away from the display.

[0015] An application program is a program executed by a terminal control device serving as a computer. For example, the application program is a program for wirelessly connecting to a vehicle image control device mounted on a saddle-riding type vehicle and transmitting image data or acquiring image data from the saddle-riding type vehicle. The application program is sometimes referred to as a connected application, for example. The application program differs from operating software (OS), which has the minimum functions required for a mobile information terminal serving as a computer to operate. For example, a terminal control device that executes an OS downloads and installs the application program via the Internet. This allows the terminal control device to execute the application program.

[0016] (2) A saddle-type vehicle system according to (1), wherein the handlebar switch comprises two or more first switches arranged along a first direction and two or more second switches arranged along a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the vehicle image control device transmits the selection command to the terminal control device when the first switch is operated, and transmits an image switching command to the terminal control device when the second switch is operated, causing the terminal control device to sequentially select one content image from the display image group, and wherein the application program is executed by the terminal control device, causing the terminal control device to sequentially select one content image from the display image group and transmit it as the image data when the image switching command is received from the vehicle image control device.

[0017] According to the straddle-type vehicle system of (2) above, by operating the first switch of the handlebar switch, each of the multiple selected image groups is selected as a display image group. Therefore, by operating the first switch, an image group is selected. Furthermore, by operating the second switch, a content image included in the selected display image group is selected and transmitted. Therefore, by operating the second switch, a content image within the display image group is selected. Since the orientation of the first switch and the orientation of the second switch are different, it is easy to distinguish between types of operation. Therefore, for example, compared to a case in which the orientation and selection types of (2) above are not provided, even if the rider is not gazing at the handlebar switch, the selection of an image group and the selection of a content image within the image group can be performed in a short time. Therefore, the desired information can be displayed in a short time from a large amount of presentable information while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch.

[0018] (3) In a saddle-type vehicle system according to (1) or (2), the application program is executed by the terminal control device, so that when trigger information relating to a specific image group included in the selected image group is received from outside the mobile information terminal, the terminal control device is forced to transmit image data included in the specific image group without receiving the selection command.

[0019] According to the straddle-type vehicle system described above in (3), for example, content images that are useful to display urgently, such as an emergency earthquake alert, can be displayed in an interrupt manner without waiting for the operation of a handlebar switch.

[0020] The present invention can also provide the following control method: (4) A control method for controlling a display on a vehicle image display device attached to a body of a saddle-riding type vehicle by using a portable information terminal equipped with a terminal control device and a terminal operation device capable of communicating with the saddle-riding type vehicle, the control method comprising: selecting, in response to a selection operation on the terminal operation device, from a plurality of image groups each including image data of one or more content images displayable on the vehicle image display device, image groups including image data that can be transmitted to the vehicle image display device as a plurality of selected image groups; transmitting, in response to an operation on a handlebar switch attached to a handlebar of the vehicle body, a selection command to the terminal control device for sequentially selecting one display image group from the plurality of selected image groups; selecting, each time the selection command for selecting one of the plurality of selected image groups is received, one display image group from the plurality of selected image groups and transmitting the image data included in the selected display image group; and, when image data included in the display image group is received from the terminal control device, displaying a content image of the received image data on the vehicle image display device.

[0021] According to the above configuration, it is possible to display desired information in a short time from a large amount of presentable information while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch by the rider of the saddle-ride type vehicle.

[0022] The present invention can also provide the following saddle-riding type vehicle system: (5) A saddle-riding type vehicle system including a saddle-riding type vehicle and a portable information terminal capable of communicating with the saddle-riding type vehicle, wherein the saddle-riding type vehicle includes: a vehicle body including handlebars held by the hands of a rider of the saddle-riding type vehicle, handlebar switches attached to the handlebars, a vehicle image display device attached to the vehicle body and displaying images, and a vehicle image control device having a function of communicating with the portable information terminal and controlling the vehicle image display device, the portable information terminal includes: a terminal operation device that displays images and accepts operations related to the displayed images, and a terminal control device as a computer having a function of communicating with the vehicle image control device and controlling the terminal operation device, and the terminal control device executes an application program to select, from a plurality of image groups each including image data of one or more content images displayable on the vehicle image display device, as a plurality of selected image groups in accordance with a selection operation on the terminal operation device, Each time a selection command to select one of the plurality of selected image groups is received from the vehicle image control device, one display image group is selected in sequence from the plurality of selected image groups and image data included in the selected display image group is transmitted; and the vehicle image control device transmits the selection command to the terminal control device to cause the terminal control device to select one of the plurality of selected image groups in sequence as the display image group in response to operation of the handlebar switch by the rider's hand while holding the handlebar; and when image data included in the display image group is received from the terminal control device, the vehicle image display device displays a content image of the received image data.

[0023] According to the above configuration, similar to (1) above, it is possible to present desired information in a short time for a large number of presentable images while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch by the rider of the saddle-type vehicle, and it is possible to flexibly respond to requests for changes in the presentation conditions or presentation selection method.

[0024] (6) A saddle-type vehicle system according to (5), wherein the handlebar switch comprises two or more first switches arranged along a first direction and two or more second switches arranged along a second direction different from the first direction, and when the first switch is operated, the vehicle image control device transmits the selection command to the terminal control device, and when the second switch is operated, transmits an image switching command to the terminal control device to sequentially select one content image from the display image group, and when the terminal control device receives the image switching command from the vehicle image control device, the terminal control device executes the application program to select one content image from the display image group sequentially and transmit it as the image data.

[0025] With the above configuration, compared to a case where the arrangement and selection types described in (6) above are not provided, for example, the rider can select an image group and a content image within the image group in a short time even when the rider is not gazing at the handlebar switch. Therefore, it is possible to display the desired information from a large amount of presentable information in a short time while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch.

[0026] (7) In the saddle-type vehicle system of (5) or (6), when the terminal control device receives trigger information related to a specific image group included in the selected image group from outside the mobile information terminal, the terminal control device forcibly transmits the image data included in the specific image group without receiving the selection command.

[0027] According to the above configuration, content information that is useful to present urgently can be presented in an interrupt manner without waiting for the handlebar switch to be operated.

[0028] The present invention can also provide the following application program: (8) An application program for controlling the portable information terminal provided in the saddle-ride type vehicle system of any one of (5) to (7), wherein the application program, when executed by the terminal control device, causes the terminal control device to: select, as a selected image group, an image group of image data that can be transmitted to the vehicle image display device in accordance with a selection operation on the terminal operation device from a plurality of image groups each including image data of one or more content images that can be displayed on the vehicle image display device; and, each time a selection command for selecting one of the plurality of selected image groups is received from the vehicle image control device, cause the terminal control device to sequentially select one display image group from the plurality of selected image groups and transmit the image data included in the selected display image group.

[0029] According to the above configuration, it is possible to display the desired information in a short time for a large amount of presentable information while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch by the rider of the saddle-ride type vehicle, and it is possible to flexibly respond to requests for changes in the presentation conditions or presentation selection method.

[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of defining particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed components. As used herein, the use of the terms "including," "comprising," or "having," and variations thereof, identifies the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or equivalents thereof, but may include one or more of the steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the terms "attached," "connected," "coupled," and / or equivalents thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect attachments, connections, and couplings. Furthermore, "connected" and "coupled" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, but can include direct or indirect electrical connections or couplings. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the relevant technology and the context of this disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein. It is understood that numerous techniques and processes are disclosed in the description of the present invention. Each of these has distinct advantages, and each can be used with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from unnecessarily repeating all possible combinations of individual steps. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that all such combinations are within the scope of the present invention and claims. A novel straddle-type vehicle system and control method are described herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. The present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the following drawings or description.

[0031] According to the present invention, it is possible to present desired information in a short time from a large amount of presentable information while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch by the rider of the saddle-ride type vehicle.

[0032] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a saddle-ride type vehicle system according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the saddle-ride type vehicle system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the saddle-ride type vehicle system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the saddle-ride type vehicle system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the saddle-ride type vehicle system shown in Fig. 1.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a saddle-ride type vehicle system according to one embodiment. Part (a) of FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of the saddle-ride type vehicle system. Part (b) of FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a mobile information terminal. Part (c) of FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the saddle-ride type vehicle system. Part (d) of FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on the mobile information terminal. Part (e) of FIG. 1 is a chart illustrating the transition of a display on a vehicle image display device.

[0034] 1 includes a saddle-type vehicle 1, a portable information terminal 2, and an application program 23. The application program 23 runs on the portable information terminal 2 that is capable of communicating with the saddle-type vehicle 1.

[0035] The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 11, a handlebar switch 12, a vehicle image display device 13, and a vehicle image control device 14. The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 also includes wheels 17.

[0036] The vehicle body 11 supports wheels 17. The vehicle body 11 includes handlebars 11b. The handlebars 11b are held by the hands H of the rider R of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. The saddle riding type vehicle 1 is steered by holding the handlebars 11b of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 with the hands H of the rider R seated on the saddle riding type vehicle 1. The handlebar switches 12 are attached to the handlebars 11b. The handlebar switches 12 are provided in a position where they can be operated by the hands H of the rider R holding the handlebars 11b. The handlebar switches 12 can be operated by the hands H of the rider R holding the handlebars 11b. The vehicle image display device 13 is attached to the vehicle body 11. The vehicle image display device 13 displays images. The vehicle image display device 13 displays still images. The vehicle image display device 13 also serves as a speedometer that displays, for example, the traveling speed of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. The vehicle image display device 13 has, for example, an area for displaying the traveling speed and an area for displaying an image that is different from the area for displaying the traveling speed. The vehicle image display device 13, for example, displays the traveling speed as a numerical value as an image. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the traveling speed on the vehicle image display device 13 is displayed using, for example, a 7-segment display. The vehicle image control device 14 has a function for communicating with the mobile information terminal 2. The vehicle image control device 14 can communicate with the mobile information terminal 2 via short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The vehicle image control device 14 also controls the vehicle image display device 13. More specifically, the vehicle image control device 14 controls the display operation of the vehicle image display device 13. The vehicle image control device 14 is a computer that controls the vehicle image display device 13 by executing a program 15, as shown in the lower part of part (c) of FIG. 1. More specifically, the vehicle image control device 14 includes a processor 14a, a communication device 14b that wirelessly communicates with the mobile information terminal 2, and a memory 14c that stores a program 15 and data. The processor 14a executes the program 15, thereby performing the functions and processing of the vehicle image control device 14.

[0037] The mobile information terminal 2 is capable of communicating with the saddle-riding type vehicle 1. As shown in part (b) of FIG. 1 , the mobile information terminal 2 includes a terminal operation device 21 and a terminal control device 22. Specifically, the terminal control device 22 has a function of communicating with the vehicle image control device 14. The terminal control device 22 is a computer that controls the terminal control device 21 by executing an application program 23. More specifically, the terminal control device 22 includes a processor 22a that executes the application program 23, a communicator 22b that wirelessly communicates with the vehicle image control device 14, and a memory 22c that stores the application program 23 and data. The processor 22a executes the application program 23 stored in the memory 22c to communicate with the vehicle image control device 14 and control the terminal operation device 21. The application program 23 is acquired via a computer network such as the Internet. For example, the rider R operates the mobile information terminal 2 to acquire the application program 23 and installs the application program 23 into the mobile information terminal 2, thereby producing the saddle-riding type vehicle system S.

[0038] The terminal operation device 21 displays an image and accepts operations related to the displayed image. The terminal operation device 21 is, for example, a touch screen.

[0039] The mobile information terminal 2 can provide image data of content images that can be displayed on the vehicle image display device 13. The image data is stored, for example, in the memory 22c of the mobile information terminal 2. For example, the image data is obtained by the terminal control device 22 communicating with a device other than the mobile information terminal 2 and other than the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 via a network. For example, the image data is generated by the terminal control device 22 executing application software. For example, the image data is generated by a photographing operation of a camera (not shown) included in the mobile information terminal 2. The mobile information terminal 2 has multiple image groups. The image data of the content images belongs to one of the image groups. An image group includes image data corresponding to each of the content images. An image group includes image data corresponding to one or more content images. An image group corresponds, for example, to application software that displays the content images. For example, in the example shown in part (c) of FIG. 1, the mobile information terminal 2 has image groups A to W. Image groups A, B, C, etc. include image data for content images A1, B1, B2, C1, etc., respectively. For example, image group A is application software for displaying vehicle information. Image group A has, for example, content image A1. Image group C is application software for displaying, for example, content images of graphic images generated by a program or content images captured from a display screen. Image group C has, for example, content images C1, C2, etc. Image group C is, for example, photo album software. Image group E is, for example, application software for displaying weather information. Image group E has, for example, content images E1 and E2.

[0040] The following describes the operations of the vehicle image control device 14 and the mobile information terminal 2. The vehicle image control device 14 performs control processing by executing a program 15. The terminal control device 22 of the mobile information terminal 2 performs control processing by executing an application program 23.

[0041] The terminal control device 22 executes the application program 23 to select, as a selected image group, an image group having image data that can be transmitted to the vehicle image display device 13 from among the multiple image groups A, B, C, etc. More specifically, the terminal control device 22 performs the selection by displaying images on the terminal operation device 21 and accepting operations related to the displayed images. For example, as shown in part (d) of FIG. 1 , the terminal control device 22 displays a list of image groups A, B, C, etc. on the terminal operation device 21 and selects a selected image group in response to an operation on a portion of the terminal operation device 21 corresponding to the display position of the image group. In the example shown in part (d) of FIG. 1 , a list of image groups A, B, C, etc. and a toggle switch are displayed, and selection is performed in response to a drag operation on the display position of the toggle switch. For example, as shown in the "selection process" in part (c) of FIG. 1 , the terminal control device 22 selects selected image groups A, C, E in response to a selection operation on the terminal operation device 21.

[0042] Each time the terminal operation device 21 receives a selection command from the vehicle image control device 14, it selects one of the multiple selected image groups A, C, and E as a display image group. The terminal operation device 21 sequentially selects one display image group from the multiple selected image groups A, C, and E. For example, each time the terminal operation device 21 receives a selection command, it selects one display image group by circulating through the multiple selected image groups A, C, and E. The terminal operation device 21 transmits one of the image data included in the selected display image group to the vehicle image control device 14. In response to this, the vehicle image control device 14 provided on the vehicle body 11 transmits a selection command to the terminal control device 22 of the mobile information terminal 2 in response to an operation on the handlebar switch 12. The handlebar switch 12 is operated by the hand H of the rider R while holding the handlebar 11b. The selection command is a command for causing the terminal control device 22 to select one display image group from the multiple selected image groups A, C, and E. When the vehicle image control device 14 receives image data included in the display image group from the terminal control device 22 , it causes the vehicle image display device 13 to display the content image of this image data.

[0043] More specifically, for example, as shown in part (d) of FIG. 1 , a list of image groups A, B, C, etc., such as "vehicle information," "photo album," and "weather information," is displayed on the terminal operation device 21 of the mobile information terminal 2. The rider R operates a position corresponding to each item in the list of image groups displayed on the terminal operation device 21 to select a selected image group. In the example shown in parts (c) and (d) of FIG. 1 , the image group A for vehicle information, the image group C for photo album, and the image group E for weather information are selected as selected image groups. Then, the vehicle image control device 14 transmits a selection command to the terminal control device 22 in response to operation of the handlebar switch 12. Each time the terminal operation device 21 receives a selection command, it sequentially selects one display image group from the multiple selected image groups A, C, E and transmits image data belonging to the selected display image group. When the vehicle image control device 14 receives the image data, a content image of the image data is displayed on the vehicle image display device 13. As a result, as shown in part (e) of Figure 1, each time the handlebar switch 12 is operated, the content images belonging to the selected image groups A, C, and E are displayed in sequence on the vehicle image display device 13, more specifically in the display area 13a. In this way, one of the selected image groups A, C, and E is selected as the display image group. Note that if the selected display image group contains multiple content images, each time an operation other than the selection of the display image group is performed, one of the multiple content images belonging to the display image group is selected in sequence by the terminal operation device 21 and transmitted to the vehicle image control device 14. However, the multiple content images in the selected display image group may be switched or selected over time, for example, regardless of an operation.

[0044] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the straddle-type vehicle system shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the control by the mobile information terminal 2 and the control by the vehicle image control device 14.

[0045] The control of the portable information terminal 2 is performed by the terminal control device 22 executing an application program 23. The control of the vehicle image control device 14 is performed by the vehicle image control device 14 executing a program 15.

[0046] If a selection request has been input (Yes in S11), the terminal control device 22 executes a selection process (S12). The selection request is input via a selection operation on the terminal operation device 21 after the application program 23 has been installed and started up on the mobile information terminal 2. The mobile information terminal 2 displays a list of image groups A, B, C, etc. on the terminal operation device 21, as shown in part (d) of Fig. 1, and the selection request is input in response to a selection operation on the terminal operation device 21. Steps S11 and S12 select a selected image group (for example, A, C, and E shown in part (c) of Fig. 1) from image groups A to W.

[0047] The vehicle image control device 14 executes a selection command transmission process (S22) each time the handlebar switch 12 is operated (Yes in S21). The vehicle image control device 14 transmits a selection command to the terminal control device 22.

[0048] When the terminal control device 22 receives a selection command from the vehicle image control device 14 (Yes in S13), it executes a selection and transmission process (S14). Each time the terminal control device 22 receives a selection command, it sequentially selects one display image group from the multiple selected image groups A, C, and E. The terminal control device 22 transmits the image data included in the selected display image group to the vehicle image control device 14.

[0049] When the vehicle image control device 14 receives the image data (Yes in S23), it executes an image display process (S24). The vehicle image control device 14 displays the content image of the received image data on the vehicle image display device 13. The vehicle image control device 14 maintains the display of the content image on the vehicle image display device 13 until it receives the next image data.

[0050] Furthermore, if an image switching trigger has occurred (Yes in S15), the terminal control device 22 executes image switching processing (S16). If the currently selected display image group includes multiple image data, the terminal control device 22 transmits the image data next to the last transmitted image data to the vehicle image control device 14. This causes the vehicle image control device 14 to switch the images displayed on the vehicle image display device 13 within the currently selected display image group. The image switching trigger is, for example, a trigger for receiving a switching command transmitted by the vehicle image control device 14 in response to an image switching operation on the handlebar switch 12. However, the image switching trigger may also be, for example, a trigger generated by the terminal control device 22 timing. In this case, the content image is switched periodically or irregularly without any operation.

[0051] As described above, the vehicle image control device 14 executes the selection command transmission process (S21, S22) and the image display process (S23, S24). The terminal control device 22 executes the selection process (S11, S12) and the selection and transmission process (S13, S14).

[0052] In this embodiment, a selected image group to be selected in response to an operation on the handlebar switch 12 is selected in advance using the terminal operation device 21 of the mobile information terminal 2. The terminal operation device 21 of the mobile information terminal 2 displays images and accepts operations related to the displayed images, as shown in part (d) of FIG. 1 , for example, and thus allows operations such as scrolling through a list of image groups or selecting an image by tapping. Therefore, even if there are many image groups A-W containing displayable content images, it is possible to quickly narrow down the candidate selected image groups (e.g., A, C, E) with simple operations. Then, when the rider R operates the handlebar switch 12 while holding the handlebar 11b with his / her hand H, one of the narrowed-down selected image groups A, C, E is selected sequentially. Therefore, as shown in part (e) of FIG. 1 , for example, the desired image group can be selected with fewer operations than selecting from the original many displayable image groups A-W. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to display a desired image in a short time from a large number of displayable images while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch 12 by the rider R of the saddle-riding vehicle 1. Furthermore, the vehicle image control device 14 of this embodiment displays an image of the transmitted image data each time the image data is transmitted from the mobile information terminal 2. The vehicle image control device 14 does not need to record image data of all image groups, from image group A to image group W. The storage capacity for displaying images in the vehicle image control device 14 provided in the saddle-riding vehicle 1 is sufficient to display images of the image data transmitted from the mobile information terminal 2, regardless of the amount of image data of all image groups. Therefore, even if the number of images that can be displayed increases over time, this can be accommodated without replacing the vehicle image control device 14 of the saddle-riding vehicle 1. Furthermore, with this embodiment, the handlebar switch 12 of the saddle-riding vehicle 1 is sufficient in configuration and function to receive an operation to sequentially select one image from the selected image group and an operation to sequentially select one image from the selected group. Therefore, the structure provided on the saddle riding type vehicle 1 can be simplified while still being able to accommodate the display of a large number of image groups A to W.Furthermore, changes to the selection method or specifications to accommodate a larger number of image groups can be accommodated by, for example, updating the application program 23 in the mobile information terminal 2. Therefore, it is possible to accommodate selection methods or a larger number of image groups while minimizing changes that require modifications to the saddle-type vehicle 1.

[0053] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the saddle-ride type vehicle system shown in Fig. 1. Part (a) of Fig. 3 is an external view showing an example of a handlebar switch. Part (b) of Fig. 3 is a chart showing an example of image transitions in response to the operation of the handlebar switch. The description will also refer to Fig. 1.

[0054] As shown in part (a) of FIG. 3 , the handlebar switch 12 may include two first switches 12U and 12D and two second switches 12L and 12R. Alternatively, the handlebar switch 12 may include an enter switch 12H. The first switches 12U and 12D are arranged along a first direction UD. The second switches 12L and 12R are arranged along a second direction LR. The first switches 12U and 12D are aligned in the first direction UD. The second switches 12L and 12R are aligned in the second direction LR. In this case, the vehicle image control device 14 transmits a selection command to the terminal control device 22 when the first switches 12U and 12D are operated. For example, the vehicle image control device 14 transmits a selection command in forward order when the first switch 12D is operated, and transmits a selection command in reverse order when the first switch 12U is operated. The forward order and reverse order are types of selection commands. Furthermore, when the second switches 12L and 12R are operated, the vehicle image control device 14 transmits an image switching command to the terminal control device 22. The image switching command is a command for switching the content images included in the currently selected display image group. The image switching command includes two types: forward order and reverse order. For example, the vehicle image control device 14 transmits a forward order image switching command when the second switch 12R is operated, and transmits a reverse order image switching command when the second switch 12L is operated.

[0055] When the terminal control device 22 receives an image switching command from the vehicle image control device 14 by executing the application program 23, it sequentially selects one content image from the currently selected display image group and transmits the selected content image as image data.

[0056] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the saddle-ride type vehicle system shown in Fig. 1. Elements in Fig. 4 that are common to those in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2 for ease of viewing, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0057] In the selection command transmission process of step S22 in Fig. 4, the vehicle image control device 14 transmits a selection command to the terminal control device 22 when the first switch 12U, 12D (see Fig. 3) is operated, and transmits an image switching command to the terminal control device 22 when the second switch 12L, 12R is operated. The image switching command transmitted from the vehicle image control device 14 is treated by the terminal control device 22 as an image switching trigger (S15) in step S15. When the terminal control device 22 receives the image switching command, it executes image switching processing (S16).

[0058] For example, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 3 , when selected image groups A, C, and E are selected, if rider R operates the first switch 12U or 12D, one display image group is selected sequentially from selected image groups A, C, and E. "U," "D," "R," and "L" indicate the operation of the first switch 12U or 12D and the second switch 12L or 12R, respectively. The order of selection is reversed between the first switch 12U and the first switch 12D. As the display image group is changed by selection, image data belonging to the new display image group is transmitted to the vehicle image display device 13, and the image displayed in the display area 13a of the vehicle image display device 13 is switched. Furthermore, if one of selected image groups C or E, which contains multiple images, is selected as the display group, if rider R operates the second switch 12R or 12L, an image to be displayed is selected from the images belonging to the currently selected display group. For example, when the second switches 12R and 12L are operated while the selected image group C is selected as the display group, new image data from the selected image group C is transmitted. As a result, the content images C1, C2, C3, etc. displayed in the display area 13a of the vehicle image display device 13 are switched. The selection order of the second switches 12R and 12L is reversed.

[0059] The first switches 12U, 12D and the second switches 12R, 12L are arranged in different directions, making it easy to distinguish between different types of operation. This allows the rider R to accurately select an image group and a content image within the image group in a short amount of time, even if he or she is not gazing at the handlebar switch 12. This makes it possible to display the desired image from a large number of displayable images in a short amount of time, while suppressing an increase in the amount of operation of the handlebar switch 12.

[0060] Part (a) of FIG. 3 shows the handlebar switches 12 as two first switches 12U and 12D and two second switches 12L and 12R. However, the number of first switches and second switches is not particularly limited and may be more than two. For example, the additional switches can be used for skip selection. The number of first switches and second switches may be one each. In this case, only forward selection can be realized.

[0061] Furthermore, when the terminal control device 22 receives specific trigger information by executing the application program 23 (Yes in S17 of FIG. 4 ), it may execute a forced selection process (S18). The forced selection process is a process of forcibly transmitting image data included in a specific image group without receiving a selection command. The trigger information is data received from outside the mobile information terminal 2. The trigger information is data that is previously set in the application program 23 in association with a specific image group. The communicator 14b of the terminal control device 22 has a function of communicating with a computer external to the mobile information terminal 2 and the saddle-riding vehicle 1, for example, via the Internet. The terminal control device 22 receives trigger information from outside the mobile information terminal 2 and the saddle-riding vehicle 1 via the communicator 14b. The trigger information is, for example, an earthquake early warning that is set in the terminal control device 22 in association with image group E, which is weather information. For example, when the terminal control device 22 receives an earthquake early warning as trigger information (Yes in S17), it forcibly selects the specific image group E, which is weather information, as the selected image group without receiving a selection command. The terminal control device 22 then transmits the image data included in the selected image group E to the vehicle image control device 14. The vehicle image control device 14 displays the image of the received image data on the vehicle image display device 13. Therefore, when the mobile information terminal 2 receives the Earthquake Early Warning, an image of the weather information including the Earthquake Early Warning is displayed on the vehicle image display device 13 without the need to operate the LIDAR R.

[0062] Here, an example of an earthquake early warning in an image group of weather information has been described, but the trigger information is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, information about an incoming call in an image group of telephones.

[0063] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the saddle-riding type vehicle system shown in Fig. 1. Part (a) of Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a mobile information terminal of the saddle-riding type vehicle system. Part (b) of Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on the mobile information terminal.

[0064] 5 may correspond to image folders in a photo album software. For example, image group A is a folder of touring photos, and image group C is a folder of family photos. These image data are stored in memory 22c of terminal control device 22 in mobile information terminal 2, for example.

[0065] In the example shown in Fig. 5, the terminal control device 22 causes the terminal operation device 21 to display a list of image groups A, B, C, etc., as shown in part (b) of Fig. 5. At the same time, the terminal control device 22 selects a selected image group in response to an operation on a part of the terminal operation device 21 corresponding to the display position of the image group. In the example shown in part (b) of Fig. 5, a list of image groups A, B, C, etc., which are photo album folders, and a toggle switch are displayed, and selection is performed in response to a drag operation on the display position of the toggle switch. The terminal control device 22 selects selected image groups A, C, E in response to a selection operation on the terminal operation device 21, as shown in part (c) of Fig. 1.

[0066] REFERENCE SIGNS 1: saddle-ride type vehicle 2: mobile information terminal 11: vehicle body 11b: handlebar 12: handlebar switch 12U, 12D: first switch 12R, 12L: second switch 13: vehicle image display device 14: vehicle image control device 21: terminal operation device 22: terminal control device 23: application program S: saddle-ride type vehicle system

Claims

1. A saddle-riding type vehicle system comprising a saddle-riding type vehicle and an application program operating on a portable information terminal capable of communicating with the saddle-riding type vehicle, wherein: The saddle-riding type vehicle includes: A vehicle body including a handlebar held by the rider's hand of the saddle-riding type vehicle; A handlebar switch attached to the handlebar; A vehicle image display device attached to the vehicle body for displaying an image; A vehicle image control device having a function of communicating with the portable information terminal and controlling the vehicle image display device; The portable information terminal includes: A terminal operation device for displaying an image and receiving an operation related to the displayed image; A terminal control device as a computer having a function of communicating with the vehicle image control device and controlling the terminal operation device; When the application program is executed by the terminal control device, the terminal control device is caused to select, from a plurality of image groups each including image data of one or more content images that can be displayed on the vehicle image display device, an image group including image data transmissible to the vehicle image display device as a plurality of selected image groups in response to a selection operation on the terminal operation device. Each time a selection command for selecting one of the plurality of selected image groups is received from the vehicle image control device, one display image group is sequentially selected from the plurality of selected image groups, and the image data included in the selected display image group is transmitted. The vehicle image control device transmits, to the terminal control device, the selection command for causing the terminal control device to sequentially select one of the plurality of selected image groups as the display image group in response to an operation on the handlebar switch by the rider's hand holding the handlebar. When receiving the image data included in the display image group from the terminal control device, the vehicle image control device causes the vehicle image display device to display the content image of the received image data.

2. The handlebar switch includes two or more first switches arranged along a first direction and two or more second switches arranged along a second direction different from the first direction. When the first switch is operated, the vehicle image control device transmits the selection command to the terminal control device. When the second switch is operated, the vehicle image control device transmits an image switching command to the terminal control device to sequentially select one content image from the display image group. The application program, when executed on the terminal control device, causes the terminal control device to sequentially select one content image from the display image group and transmit it as the image data when receiving the image switching command from the vehicle image control device. The saddle-riding type vehicle system according to claim 1.

3. The application program, when executed on the terminal control device, causes the terminal control device to forcibly transmit the image data included in the specific image group without receiving the selection command when receiving trigger information related to the specific image group included in the selection image group from outside the portable information terminal. The saddle-riding type vehicle system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A control method for controlling the display of a vehicle image display device attached to the vehicle body of a saddle-type vehicle using a portable information terminal including a terminal control device and a terminal operation device that can communicate with the saddle-type vehicle, comprising: selecting, from a plurality of image groups each including image data of one or more content images that can be displayed on the vehicle image display device, an image group including image data that can be transmitted to the vehicle image display device as a plurality of selected image groups in response to a selection operation on the terminal operation device; transmitting a selection command to the terminal control device for sequentially selecting one display image group from the plurality of selected image groups in response to an operation on a handlebar switch attached to the handlebar of the vehicle body; each time receiving the selection command for selecting one of the plurality of selected image groups, sequentially selecting one of the display image groups from the plurality of selected image groups and transmitting the image data included in the selected display image group; and when receiving the image data included in the display image group from the terminal control device, displaying the content image of the received image data on the vehicle image display device.

5. A saddle-riding type vehicle system including a saddle-riding type vehicle and a portable information terminal capable of communicating with the saddle-riding type vehicle, wherein the saddle-riding type vehicle includes: a vehicle body including a handlebar held by a rider's hand of the saddle-riding type vehicle; a handlebar switch attached to the handlebar; a vehicle image display device attached to the vehicle body and displaying an image; and a vehicle image control device having a function of communicating with the portable information terminal and controlling the vehicle image display device, and the portable information terminal includes: a terminal operation device that displays an image and receives an operation related to the displayed image; and a terminal control device as a computer having a function of communicating with the vehicle image control device and controlling the terminal operation device. The terminal control device, by executing an application program, selects, from a plurality of image groups each including image data of one or more content images that can be displayed on the vehicle image display device, an image group including image data transmissible to the vehicle image display device as a plurality of selected image groups according to a selection operation on the terminal operation device, and each time receiving a selection command for selecting one of the plurality of selected image groups from the vehicle image control device, sequentially selects one display image group from the plurality of selected image groups and transmits the image data included in the selected display image group. The vehicle image control device transmits, to the terminal control device, the selection command for sequentially selecting one of the plurality of selected image groups as the display image group from the terminal control device according to an operation on the handlebar switch by the rider's hand holding the handlebar, and when receiving the image data included in the display image group from the terminal control device, causes the vehicle image display device to display the content image of the received image data.

6. The handlebar switch includes two or more first switches arranged along a first direction and two or more second switches arranged along a second direction different from the first direction. When the first switch is operated, the vehicle image control device transmits the selection command to the terminal control device. When the second switch is operated, the vehicle image control device transmits an image switching command to the terminal control device to sequentially select one content image from the display image group. When the terminal control device receives the image switching command from the vehicle image control device by executing the application program, the terminal control device sequentially selects one content image from the display image group and transmits it as the image data. The saddle-type vehicle system according to claim 5.

7. When the terminal control device receives trigger information related to a specific image group included in the selection image group from outside the portable information terminal, without receiving the selection command, the terminal control device forcibly transmits the image data included in the specific image group. The saddle-type vehicle system according to claim 5 or 6.

8. An application program for controlling the portable information terminal provided in the saddle-type vehicle system according to any one of claims 5 to 7. When the application program is executed by the terminal control device, the terminal control device selects, as a selection image group, an image group of image data that can be transmitted to the vehicle image display device according to a selection operation on the terminal operation device from a plurality of image groups each including image data of one or more content images that can be displayed on the vehicle image display device. Each time the terminal control device receives a selection command for selecting one of the plurality of selection image groups from the vehicle image control device, the terminal control device sequentially selects one display image group from the plurality of selection image groups and transmits the image data included in the selected display image group.

Images