Vehicle

Abstract

A sunroof device (5) included in a vehicle (1) disclosed herein has a sunroof (9) and a sunroof control part (6). A display device (3) has a screen (4) and a display control part(3A). The display control part(3A), upon receiving a stopping operation with respect to a stopping part (40) of the screen (4), maintains the state of a sunroof drawing displayed on a display part (30) of the screen (4) at the time of receipt of the stopping operation, and sends information relating to the stopping operation to the sunroof control part (6). The sunroof control part (6) stops the sunroof (9) on the basis of said information and sends to the display control part(3A) a stop signal and the degree of opening at the time of the stop. The display control part(3A), upon receiving the stop signal, corrects the degree of opening of the sunroof drawing to the received degree of opening.

Description

Vehicle

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a sunroof device.

[0002] In a vehicle equipped with a sunroof device, a panel (also called a lid or glass) that can open and close the roof opening freely and an operation unit (e.g., an operation switch) that operates the opening and closing state of this panel are provided. Since the panel is above the occupant's (user's) head, a technology has been proposed that enables the user to operate the opening and closing of the panel without directly visualizing the panel (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Also, a sunroof device equipped with a shade in addition to the panel is known. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a sunroof device that enables operation of the panel and the shade by a single operation switch. In this sunroof device, the user can control the opening and closing states of the panel and the shade by appropriately using push operations (long press operations, short press operations) and slide operations.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-45303, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-278469, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-136445

[0004] However, in the above Patent Document 3, the user needs to know (or remember) a plurality of switch operations, which is inconvenient for a user who is not familiar with the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, in order to enable the user to easily operate, for example, an operation screen is arranged at a position where the user's hand can easily reach, and an input operation (signal) on the screen is transmitted from the device on the screen side to the sunroof device, and the sunroof device controls the opening and closing of the panel and the shade (hereinafter, these are referred to as "sunroof") based on the signal. In this case, if the actual state of the sunroof (opening degree, position, etc.) is displayed on the screen, the user can operate the sunroof while looking at the screen, thus improving the usability. However, in this case, since signal transmission and reception are performed between the device on the screen side and the device that controls the sunroof, the actual state of the sunroof is not always immediately displayed (reflected) on the screen. Therefore, there is room for improvement from the perspective of improving usability.

[0006] This invention was conceived in light of the above-mentioned challenges, and one of its objectives is to improve usability in vehicles equipped with a sunroof. However, in addition to this objective, another objective of this invention is to achieve effects and benefits that cannot be obtained with conventional technology, derived from the various configurations shown in the "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention" described later.

[0007] The disclosed vehicle can be realized in the following embodiments (examples of application) and solves at least some of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward is an additional embodiment that can be appropriately selected and each is an embodiment that can be omitted. None of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward disclose any embodiments or configurations that are essential to this case.

[0008] Embodiment 1. The disclosed vehicle comprises a sunroof device and a display device. The sunroof device includes a sunroof that opens and closes an opening provided in the roof of the vehicle, and a sunroof control unit that controls the sunroof. The display device includes a screen on which the open / closed state of the sunroof can be set, and a display control unit that receives operations on the screen and controls the content displayed on the screen. The screen also includes a display unit that displays the state of a sunroof diagram that mimics the sunroof, and a stop unit for stopping the movement of the sunroof. When the display control unit receives a stop operation on the stop unit, it maintains the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed on the display unit at the time the stop operation is received, and transmits information regarding the stop operation to the sunroof control unit. The sunroof control unit stops the sunroof based on the information received from the display control unit and transmits a stop signal and the opening degree of the sunroof at the time of stopping to the display control unit. When the display control unit receives the stop signal, it corrects the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed on the display unit to match the received opening degree.

[0009] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1 above, it is preferable that the screen further includes a setting unit for setting the open / closed state. In this case, it is preferable that the display control unit, upon receiving the stop operation, disables operations on the setting unit until a predetermined condition is met. Embodiment 3. In an embodiment including Embodiment 2 above, it is preferable that the display control unit, upon receiving the stop operation, masks the setting unit to make it inoperable until the predetermined condition is met. Embodiment 4. In an embodiment including Embodiment 1 above, it is preferable that the display control unit, when maintaining the sunroof diagram, overlays an icon indicating that it is stopped on the sunroof diagram.

[0010] According to the disclosed vehicle, usability can be improved.

[0011] This figure illustrates the outline of a vehicle according to the embodiment. (a) is a figure illustrating an example of the transition between the actual opening degree of the sunroof and the opening degree shown in the sunroof diagram for the vehicle in Figure 1, and (b) is a comparative example. This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the vehicle. This is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the vehicle. This is a figure showing a specific example of the operation screen of the display device. This is a figure illustrating a state in which the operation screen of the display device is masked.

[0012] The vehicle as an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are merely illustrative, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of technologies not explicitly shown in the embodiments below. Each configuration of the embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from their spirit. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0013] The vehicle according to this embodiment is not particularly limited in type as long as it is equipped with a sunroof device and a display device, and can be applied to, for example, gasoline vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles (hybrid electric vehicles, HEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, PHEVs), etc. A plug-in hybrid vehicle means a hybrid vehicle that can be externally charged to a battery or externally powered from a battery. A plug-in hybrid vehicle is provided with a charging port (inlet) for inserting a charging cable into which power is supplied from an external charging facility, and an outlet for external power supply.

[0014] [1. Overview] An overview of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 1, the sunroof device 5 has a sunroof 9 that opens and closes an opening provided in the roof of the vehicle 1, and a sunroof control unit 6 that controls the sunroof 9. The sunroof 9 here includes at least a panel (also called glass or a lid) that can open and close the opening formed in the roof. The sunroof 9 may also include a shade that can open and close the opening on the interior side of the roof.

[0015] The sunroof control unit 6 issues commands to the actuator 9A that moves the sunroof 9, causing it to open or close to a predetermined degree. Preferably, the actual opening degree (or actual position) of the sunroof 9 is detected by the detection unit 9B, and this detection result is transmitted to the sunroof control unit 6. If there is no detection unit 9B, the sunroof control unit 6 may manage the operation of the actuator 9A and calculate (estimate) the actual opening degree and position of the sunroof 9. Thus, in the sunroof device 5, as shown by arrow S3 in Figure 1, a signal is transmitted from the sunroof control unit 6 to the sunroof 9 (actuator 9A), and further, as shown by arrow S4, a signal is transmitted from the sunroof 9 (detection unit 9B) to the sunroof control unit 6.

[0016] The display device 3 includes a screen 4 (hereinafter referred to as "operation screen 4") on which the open / closed state of the sunroof 9 can be set, and a display control unit 3A that receives operations on the operation screen 4 and controls the content displayed on the operation screen 4. The operation screen 4 includes a display unit 30 that displays the state of a sunroof diagram that mimics the sunroof 9, and a stop unit 40 for stopping the movement of the sunroof 9. The term "sunroof diagram" is a name used to distinguish it from the actual sunroof 9, and it is a figure or image (video) that mimics the sunroof 9 and is displayed on the display unit 30.

[0017] Furthermore, the operation screen 4 may include a setting section (for example, setting sections 10 and 20 described later using Figure 5) for setting the open / closed state of the sunroof 9. The operation screen 4 may be located in a place that is easy for the user (occupant) to operate (for example, on the instrument panel), and may be used in conjunction with the navigation system screen or the audio system screen. The operation screen 4 has a function to receive user operations (touch operations, slide operations, etc.) and transmits the received operations to the display control unit 3A.

[0018] When the display control unit 3A receives an operation request for the sunroof 9 from the operation screen 4 (arrow S1), it transmits information related to that operation (hereinafter referred to as "operation information") to the sunroof control unit 6 (arrow S2). The operation information transmitted here includes information related to the opening and closing operation of the sunroof 9 (hereinafter referred to as "opening / closing information") and information related to the stopping operation of the sunroof 9 (hereinafter referred to as "stopping information"). Opening and closing operations refer to operations to open the sunroof 9 to a predetermined opening degree (opening operation) and operations to close the sunroof 9 to a predetermined opening degree (closing operation). Opening and closing information includes, for example, the type of operation (opening operation, closing operation) and information such as the set opening degree and position. Stopping operations refer to operations to stop the movement of the sunroof 9, and stopping information includes a signal indicating that a stopping operation has occurred and information on the opening degree at the time of the stopping operation.

[0019] Based on the above operation information, the sunroof control unit 6 issues commands to the actuator 9A as described above. The sunroof control unit 6 also feeds back the signal (opening degree information) from the sunroof 9 (detection unit 9B) to the display control unit 3A (arrow S5). In the display device 3, as shown by arrow S6, the signal is transmitted from the display control unit 3A to the operation screen 4. As a result, the operation screen 4 displays (draws) the actual state of the sunroof 9 as a sunroof diagram based on the feedback signal. Hereinafter, the signal flow (transmission and reception) shown by the six arrows S1 to S6 in Figure 1 will be referred to as the normal route.

[0020] In the normal route, when the display control unit 3A receives an operation on the operation screen 4 (settings unit) (arrow S1), it transmits the operation information to the sunroof control unit 6 (arrow S2). Upon receiving the operation information, the sunroof control unit 6 operates the sunroof 9 based on that information (arrow S3) and transmits (feedback) the status of the sunroof 9 to the display control unit 3A (arrows S4, S5). Based on the received status, the display control unit 3A displays the status of the sunroof diagram on the display unit 30 (arrow S6). As a result, the actual status of the sunroof 9 is displayed (drawn) as a sunroof diagram on the display unit 30 of the operation screen 4 based on the feedback signal, so the user can understand the status of the sunroof 9 by checking the operation screen 4.

[0021] Here, we assume that the user operates the stop unit 40 on the operation screen 4 while the sunroof 9 and the sunroof diagram are moving. In this case, the display control unit 3A receives the stop operation for the stop unit 40 (arrow S1), maintains the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed on the display unit 30 at the time the stop operation is received, and transmits the stop information to the sunroof control unit 6 (arrow S2). "Maintaining" here means stopping the movement of the sunroof diagram and continuing to display it at that opening degree without changing it.

[0022] Upon receiving the stop information, the sunroof control unit 6 stops the sunroof 9 based on the stop information (arrow S3), and transmits (feedback) the stop signal (a signal indicating that it has stopped) and the opening degree of the sunroof 9 at the time of stopping to the display control unit 3A (arrows S4, S5). When the display control unit 3A receives the stop signal, it corrects the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed on the display unit 30 to match the received opening degree (arrow S6).

[0023] In other words, if the user stops the sunroof 9 and sunroof diagram while they are moving due to the user's opening and closing operation, the sunroof diagram on the display unit 30 will stop at that point. On the other hand, the sunroof 9 stops when the stop information from the display control unit 3A is transmitted to the sunroof control unit 6, and the signal (command) from the sunroof control unit 6 reaches the actuator 9A. As such, the timing of stopping for the sunroof 9 and the sunroof diagram is different, which may cause a discrepancy in their opening degrees. The above correction by the display control unit 3A is a process to eliminate the discrepancy so that the opening degree of the sunroof diagram matches the opening degree of the sunroof 9.

[0024] The display of the sunroof diagram via the normal route described above (hereinafter referred to as "normal display") has the advantage of being a more accurate representation of the actual state of the sunroof 9 obtained from the sunroof device 5, but it also has the disadvantage of causing communication delays. Therefore, a shortcut route that is completed within the display device 3 may be provided in addition to the normal route to display the sunroof diagram on the operation screen 4 without being affected by communication delays. Hereinafter, the display of the sunroof diagram via the shortcut route will be referred to as "preliminary display." Preliminary display means a display that is performed before the normal display.

[0025] The shortened route is one in which a signal is transmitted from the operation screen 4 to the display control unit 3A, and then from the display control unit 3A back to the operation screen 4 (arrows S1 and S7). In this way, the display control unit 3A, independently of the sunroof device 5, displays the information in advance without waiting for the signals indicated by arrows S2 to S5 to be returned, thus enabling display without communication delay and improving usability.

[0026] In the case of the shortened route, if the operation on the operation screen 4 (settings unit) is an opening / closing operation (arrow S1), the display control unit 3A transmits the opening / closing information to the sunroof control unit 6 (arrow S2), calculates the opening degree of the sunroof 9 based on that opening / closing information, and displays the state of the sunroof diagram on the display unit 30 of the operation screen 4 in advance based on the calculated opening degree (black arrow S7 in the diagram). Note that the advance display is performed only when the opening / closing operation of the sunroof 9 is performed, so if the operation on the operation screen 4 (settings unit) is an operation other than opening / closing (for example, a stop operation), the signal transmission and reception will be in the normal route.

[0027] The case where the above-described stopping operation is performed on vehicle 1, which is equipped with a shortened route, will be explained using Figures 2(a) and (b). Figures 2(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating examples of the transition between the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9 and the opening degree shown in the sunroof diagram. Figure 2(a) is an example of the transition in this embodiment, and Figure 2(b) is a comparative example. The numbers indicating the opening degree (e.g., "50%") are just examples and are written to make them easier to understand. In addition, the opening degree within the white frame indicates that it is changing, the opening degree with a dot pattern within the thick-lined frame indicates the moment it has stopped (the moment the opening degree is fixed), and the opening degree with a dot pattern within the thin-lined frame indicates that it is stopped.

[0028] As described above, the advance display is performed only when the sunroof 9 is opened or closed. In other words, if the display device 3 receives a stop operation for the sunroof 9, it does not perform the advance display and waits for a signal to be fed back from the normal route.

[0029] For example, as shown in Figure 2(b), when the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9 and the opening degree of the sunroof diagram are moving in sync, and the display control unit 3A receives a stop operation for the operation screen 4 (stop unit 40) (time t1), stop information is transmitted from the display control unit 3A to the sunroof control unit 6 [arrow B1 in Figure 2(b)]. As a result, at time t2, the sunroof 9 stops and the actual opening degree stops moving, while the sunroof diagram continues to move. Also at time t2, the sunroof control unit 6 transmits a stop signal and the actual opening degree at that time to the display control unit 3A (arrow B2).

[0030] At time t3, when the display control unit 3A receives the stop signal and the actual opening degree, the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9 remains stopped, but the opening degree of the sunroof diagram changes from the value at time t2. Then, at time t4, when the display control unit 3A has finished preparing the display (drawing) for the operation screen 4, the opening degree of the sunroof diagram changes further. Then, at time t5, when the sunroof diagram is displayed on the display unit 30 of the operation screen 4, the opening degree of the sunroof diagram is corrected from the opening degree immediately before (65% in Figure 2(b)) to match the received actual opening degree (55% in Figure 2(b)). In this way, the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed at time t5 matches the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9. However, the difference between the opening degree at time t4 and the opening degree at time t5 is large, and the sunroof diagram, which was moving in the opening direction from time t1 to t4, is suddenly updated in the closing direction (reverse direction) at time t5, which may cause discomfort to the user.

[0031] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2(a), when the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9 and the opening degree of the sunroof diagram are moving in sync, if the display control unit 3A receives a stop operation for the operation screen 4 (stop unit 40), it maintains the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed on the display unit 30 at the time the stop operation was received (time t1). That is, at this time t1, the movement of the sunroof diagram is stopped and the opening degree is fixed. Also, if the display control unit 3A receives a stop operation for the operation screen 4 (stop unit 40) at time t1, stop information is transmitted from the display control unit 3A to the sunroof control unit 6 at that time [arrow B1 in Figure 2(a)].

[0032] At time t2, the sunroof diagram is already stopped, and the sunroof 9 also stops, so the actual opening degree does not move. At time t2, the sunroof control unit 6 transmits a stop signal and the actual opening degree at that time to the display control unit 3A (arrow B2). At time t3, when the display control unit 3A receives the stop signal and the actual opening degree, and at time t4, when the display control unit 3A completes preparation for display (drawing) on ​​the operation screen 4, the sunroof diagram remains stopped. Then, at time t5, when the sunroof diagram is displayed on the display unit 30 of the operation screen 4, the opening degree of the sunroof diagram is corrected from the stopped opening degree [50% in Figure 2(a)] to match the received actual opening degree [55% in Figure 2(a)].

[0033] Thus, although the point that the opening degree of the sunroof diagram and the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9 coincide at time t5 is the same as in the comparative example in Figure 2(b), in this embodiment, the difference between the opening degree at time t4 and the opening degree at time t5 is smaller than in the comparative example. Furthermore, the sunroof diagram, which was moving in the opening direction until time t1, is updated in the opening direction from time t4 to time t5. Therefore, compared to the comparative example, the possibility of causing discomfort to the user is greatly reduced.

[0034] In summary, in vehicle 1 equipped with a shortened route, when the display control unit 3A receives a user's opening / closing operation, the sunroof diagram is displayed on the display unit 30 before the signal (opening degree information) is fed back, and the sunroof diagram and the sunroof 9 move separately. If the user performs a stop operation while they are moving, the sunroof diagram displayed on the display unit 30 stops at that point. On the other hand, the sunroof 9 stops when stop information from the display control unit 3A is transmitted to the sunroof control unit 6, and the signal (command) from the sunroof control unit 6 reaches the actuator 9A.

[0035] Thus, even with the shortened route, the timing of stopping differs between the sunroof 9 and the sunroof diagram, which means there is a possibility that their opening degrees will be out of sync. Therefore, even with the shortened route, the display control unit 3A performs a correction to eliminate the discrepancy so that the opening degree of the sunroof diagram matches the opening degree of the sunroof 9. Furthermore, with the shortened route, compared to the normal route, the sunroof diagram is displayed in advance based on the opening degree calculated by the display control unit 3A. Therefore, maintaining the opening degree of the sunroof diagram that is being displayed in advance when the stop operation is received greatly contributes to reducing the feeling of incongruity.

[0036] Furthermore, regardless of whether it is the normal route or the shortened route, if the display control unit 3A receives a stop operation while the sunroof 9 and sunroof diagram are moving, it may disable operations on the operation screen 4 (settings unit) until predetermined conditions are met. In other words, even if the user performs further operations after receiving a stop operation, the display control unit 3A may temporarily not accept those additional operations.

[0037] The predetermined conditions are, for example, that any one of the following conditions 1 to 3 is met. Condition 1. The display control unit 3A receives a feedback signal (opening information) from the sunroof control unit 6 (arrow S5 in Figure 1). Condition 2. The display control unit 3A corrects the state of the sunroof diagram (arrow S6 or S7 in Figure 1). Condition 3. A predetermined time has elapsed since the stop operation was received.

[0038] Furthermore, regardless of whether it is the normal route or the shortened route, if the display control unit 3A receives a stop operation while the sunroof 9 and sunroof diagram are moving, it may mask the setting unit and make it inoperable until the above predetermined conditions are met. In other words, in addition to the above disabling, the display control unit 3A may also make it impossible for the user to operate the setting unit at all.

[0039] Furthermore, if the display control unit 3A maintains the state of the sunroof diagram when it receives a stop operation, it may overlay an icon indicating that the system is stopped on the sunroof diagram. Examples of icons include a progress ring or a ring cursor, which has long been used in the UI of electronic devices. The display control unit 3A may display the icon when it receives a stop operation and remove the icon when the above predetermined conditions are met.

[0040] Next, the embodiments and specific examples of the vehicle 1 (display device 3, sunroof device 5) of this embodiment described so far will be further explained with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

[0041] [2. Configuration] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing vehicle 1 as an embodiment, and Figure 4 is a schematic top view of vehicle 1. As shown in Figure 3, vehicle 1 is equipped with the above-mentioned display device 3 and sunroof device 5. The sunroof device 5 includes a sunroof 9, and the display device 3 includes an operation screen 4 (screen) on which the open / closed state of the sunroof 9 can be set.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the sunroof 9 is a component that opens and closes an opening 2A provided in the roof 2 of the vehicle 1. The sunroof 9 of this embodiment includes, in addition to a panel 7 (also referred to as a lid or glass) provided so as to be able to close the opening 2A, a shade 8 that opens and closes by covering the opening 2A separately from the panel 7 below the vehicle of the panel 7. In the following description, when referring to the "sunroof 9", it is not limited to either the panel 7 or the shade 8, and it means that it is applicable to both.

[0043] The panel 7 is a plate-like member having translucency (for example, glass or a transparent panel), moves in a predetermined direction from one end of the opening 2A (the opening formed in the roof 2), and opens and closes the opening 2A. The shade 8 is a plate-like member formed of a material capable of blocking sunlight pouring into the vehicle interior, moves in a predetermined direction from one end of the opening 2A (the opening on the interior side of the roof 2), and opens and closes the opening 2A. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the predetermined direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "longitudinal direction"), and one end is the front end 2f of the opening 2A. However, the predetermined direction may be, for example, the left-right direction, and in this case, one end is the left end or the right end.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the sunroof device 5 further includes a sunroof control unit 6 that controls the sunroof 9, an actuator 9A that drives the sunroof 9, and a detection unit 9B that detects the opening degree of the sunroof 9 as the actual opening degree. In this embodiment, as the actuator 9A, a panel actuator 7A that drives the panel 7 and a shade actuator 8A that drives the shade 8 are provided. The actuator 9A (7A, 8A) operates using the power of a battery 50 mounted on the vehicle 1. In other words, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a battery 50 that serves as a power source for the sunroof 9. The battery 50 is provided with a voltage sensor 51 that detects its voltage (hereinafter referred to as the "battery voltage").

[0045] In this embodiment, the detection unit 9B includes a panel detection unit 7B that detects the opening degree of panel 7 as the actual opening degree, and a shade detection unit 8B that detects the opening degree of shade 8 as the actual opening degree. The detection unit 9B (7B, 8B) transmits the detected actual opening degree to the sunroof control unit 6. Alternatively, instead of detecting the opening degree, the detection unit 9B (7B, 8B) may detect the position (front-to-back position) of the sunroof 9 (panel 7, shade 8). As will be described later, the opening degree and position of the sunroof 9 correspond to each other, so the detection unit 9B (7B, 8B) may indirectly detect (calculate) the opening degree by detecting the position.

[0046] Although not shown in the diagram, the sunroof device 5 may include rails (not shown) that guide the movement of the panel 7 and the shade 8, and physical buttons for setting the open and closed states of the panel 7 and the shade 8. The physical buttons may be located, for example, near the steering wheel or map lamp, and may allow the panel 7 and the shade 8 to be set to any desired opening degree, or they may only allow the setting of typical opening degrees such as fully closed or fully open.

[0047] The sunroof control unit 6 is a computer (electronic control device) for controlling the state of the sunroof 9 (the state of each of the panel 7 and shade 8) based on input operations to an operation unit that allows for individual setting of the state of the sunroof 9 (the state of each of the panel 7 and shade 8). The sunroof control unit 6 may have a built-in processor (arithmetic processing unit) and memory (storage device). The processing content (program) of the sunroof control unit 6 may be stored in memory and executed by appropriately loading its contents into the processor. The operation unit is the part operated by the user and has the function of setting the state of the sunroof 9. The operation unit includes the operation screen 4 of the display device 3 and physical buttons. In the following description, the case in which the operation screen 4 is used as the operation unit is given as an example.

[0048] The display device 3 is mounted on the vehicle 1 and is a device that displays information related to the settings of the sunroof device 5 (such as opening / closing information and information indicating the state of the sunroof 9). In addition to the above operation screen 4, the display device 3 may include a screen for displaying various content information, a home screen, and the like. Specific examples of the content information include vehicle information, driving information, information related to driving support functions, audio information, car navigation information, alert information, various setting information, and the like.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 3 includes a display control unit 3A and an output device 3B. The display control unit 3A is a computer (electronic control device) for controlling the content displayed on the output device 3B, and incorporates a processor (arithmetic processing device) and a memory (storage device). The processing content (program) of the display control unit 3A is stored in the memory, and the content is executed by being appropriately read into the processor. Note that the display control unit 3A may be integrally formed with (built into) the output device 3B, or may be provided separately from the output device 3B.

[0050] The output device 3B is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, a projector, or the like, and at least displays the operation screen 4. Hereinafter, the display or projector screen on which information is displayed is referred to as a display screen. The operation screen 4 is one of the display screens. The information displayed on the display screen is controlled by the display control unit 3A. The shape of the display screen (the shape of the area where information is displayed) is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction.

[0051] All information displayed on the output device 3B may be controlled by the display control unit 3A. The output device 3B is positioned in a location easily visible to the driver, such as in front of the driver (in front of the steering wheel) or in front of the center of the vehicle (in front of the space between the driver's seat and the passenger seat). An input device that accepts input operations on the content of the display screen may be provided as an accessory device to the output device 3B. Specific examples of input devices include a touch panel device that detects touch operations on the display screen, an input device equipped with a keyboard, physical buttons or a touchpad, a gaze detection device that detects the driver's gaze, and a gesture reading device that detects gesture operations.

[0052] In this embodiment, at least the output device 3B has a touch panel device that detects touch operations (such as tap operations and slide operations) on the operation screen 4, and the display control unit 3A receives operations on the operation screen 4. The operations referred to here include opening and closing operations of the sunroof 9 and stopping operations to stop the movement of the sunroof 9. Opening and closing operations are opening operations to open the sunroof 9 (to set it to a predetermined opening degree or to put it in the tilt-up state described later), and closing operations to close the sunroof 9 (to set it to a predetermined opening degree, to close it completely, or to release the tilt-up state). Hereinafter, opening and closing operations and stopping operations will be collectively referred to as "setting operations".

[0053] When the display control unit 3A receives an operation on the operation screen 4 (setting operation of the sunroof 9), it transmits information about that operation (operation information) to the sunroof control unit 6. This is the normal route described above. On the other hand, the display control unit 3A calculates the opening degree of the sunroof 9 based on the opening and closing information, and displays the state of the sunroof diagram 39 (see Figure 5), which is modeled after the sunroof 9, on the operation screen 4 based on the calculated opening degree. This is the shortened route described above. In other words, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is provided with a shortened route. As shown in Figure 3, the operation screen 4 includes setting units 10 and 20 for setting the opening and closing states of the panel 7 and shade 8, a state display unit 30 (display unit) for displaying the state of the sunroof diagram 39, and a stop button 40 (stop unit) for stopping the movement of the sunroof 9.

[0054] First, let's explain the normal route. The sunroof control unit 6 controls the sunroof 9 (panel 7, shade 8) based on the operation information received from the display control unit 3A. In this embodiment, the sunroof control unit 6 operates the panel actuator 7A and the shade actuator 8A respectively based on signals (instructions) from the display control unit 3A, and controls the open / closed state of the panel 7 and the open / closed state of the shade 8, respectively.

[0055] Furthermore, the sunroof control unit 6 acquires the actual opening degree (actual opening degree) detected by the detection unit 9B (panel detection unit 7B, shade detection unit 8B). The panel detection unit 7B is a sensor that directly or indirectly detects the opening degree of panel 7 (hereinafter referred to as "panel opening degree") as the actual opening degree, and the shade detection unit 8B is a sensor that directly or indirectly detects the opening degree of shade 8 (hereinafter referred to as "shade opening degree") as the actual opening degree. These detection units 7B and 8B may also indirectly detect the panel opening degree and shade opening degree by detecting the position of panel 7 (hereinafter referred to as "panel position") and the position of shade 8 (hereinafter referred to as "shade position"). The specific configurations of panel 7 and shade 8 will be described below, followed by a description of the relationship between the opening degree and position.

[0056] Panel 7 may be configured to close the opening 2A with a single panel, or it may be configured to close the opening 2A with multiple panels (for example, two panels). In the latter configuration, as shown in Figure 4, panel 7 may include a movable panel 7C positioned on the front side (one end in a predetermined direction) of the opening 2A, and a fixed panel 7D fixed to the roof 2 behind the movable panel 7C. In other words, the sunroof device 5 may be configured such that the rear portion of the opening 2A is always closed by the fixed panel 7D, and the movable panel 7C moves in the portion of the opening 2A where there is no fixed panel 7D. The number of movable panels 7C and fixed panels 7D is not particularly limited.

[0057] In this embodiment, the sunroof device 5 is exemplified by having two panels 7 of approximately the same size arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction. The rear panel 7 is a fixed panel 7D fixed to the roof 2, and the front panel 7 is a movable panel 7C that is slidably mounted along the opening 2A in the front-to-back direction. In Figure 4, for convenience, the fixed panel 7D is shown only by its outline, and the movable panel 7C is shown with a dot pattern. In this configuration, the front half of the opening 2A can be opened and closed.

[0058] The shade 8 may be configured to cover the opening 2A with a single piece, or it may be configured to cover the opening 2A with multiple pieces (for example, two pieces). In this embodiment of the sunroof device 5, a single shade 8 is shown to cover the opening 2A from the vehicle interior side (below). In Figure 4, for convenience, the shade 8 is shown with a horizontal stripe pattern. In this configuration, the entire opening 2A can be opened and closed.

[0059] The panel opening degree refers to the ratio of the actually opened area (hereinafter referred to as the "open area") to the area of ​​the opening 2A that the panel 7 can open and close. For example, if the panel 7 is fully closed, the panel opening degree is 0%, if it is half-open, the panel opening degree is 50%, and if it is fully open, the panel opening degree is 100%. In this embodiment, the panel 7 can open and close the front half of the opening 2A, and always keeps the rear half of the opening 2A closed. Therefore, when the movable panel 7C completely blocks half of the total area of ​​the opening 2A (hereinafter referred to as the "open area"), the opening degree is 0%, and when half of the open area is open, the opening degree is 100%.

[0060] Furthermore, the panel position refers to the position (front-to-back position) of the front end 7f of panel 7 relative to the opening 2A. For example, when panel 7 is fully closed, the panel position is the position Pf of the front end 2f of the opening 2A (hereinafter also referred to as "front end position Pf"). When panel 7 is fully open, the movable panel 7C completely overlaps the fixed panel 7D in the vertical direction, so the panel position at this time is the central position Pc in the front-to-back direction of the opening 2A (approximately the same as the front end position of the fixed panel 7D). In this way, the panel opening degree and the panel position correspond to each other.

[0061] The same applies to shade 8. That is, the shade opening degree means the ratio of the actually opened area (open area) to the area of ​​the opening 2A that shade 8 can open and close. In this embodiment, since shade 8 can open and close the entire opening 2A, the state in which shade 8 blocks the entire opening area is an opening degree of 0%, the state in which half of the opening area (the front half) is open is an opening degree of 50%, and the state in which the entire opening area is open is an opening degree of 100%.

[0062] Furthermore, the shade position refers to the position (front-to-back position) of the front end 8f of the shade 8 relative to the opening 2A. For example, when the shade 8 is fully closed, the shade position is the front end position Pf. When the shade 8 is fully open, the entire opening 2A is opened, and in this case, the shade position is the position Pr of the rear end 2r of the opening 2A (hereinafter also referred to as the "rear end position Pr"). In this way, the shade opening degree and the shade position correspond to each other. In this embodiment, the panel position when the panel opening degree is 100% and the shade position when the shade opening degree is 50% are the same.

[0063] In the sunroof device 5 of this embodiment, the panel 7 can be controlled to any opening degree from a fully closed state (0% opening) to a fully open state (100% opening), and can also be controlled to a predetermined opening degree. Furthermore, it is possible to control the panel 7 to a tilt-up state in which the rear edge of the panel 7 rises and tilts. In the tilt-up state of the panel 7 of this embodiment, with the panel opening degree at 0%, the rear of the movable panel 7C rises, causing it to tilt upward toward the rear when viewed from the side of the vehicle. The shade 8 can also be controlled to any opening degree from a fully closed state (0% opening) to a fully open state (100% opening), and can also be controlled to a predetermined opening degree. Furthermore, in the sunroof device 5 of this embodiment, when the panel 7 is open, the shade 8 is opened to a extent greater than the open area of ​​the panel 7.

[0064] The sunroof control unit 6 transmits the panel opening degree obtained from the panel detection unit 7B and the shade opening degree obtained from the shade detection unit 8B to the display control unit 3A. In this way, the sunroof control unit 6 controls the sunroof 9 (panel 7, shade 8) based on the signal (instruction) from the display control unit 3A, and also feeds back the opening degree (actual opening degree) detected by the detection unit 9B (7B, 8B) to the display control unit 3A. The sunroof control unit 6 may also transmit a signal indicating the state of the sunroof 9 when transmitting (feedback) the opening degree.

[0065] Next, the shortcut route will be explained. When the display control unit 3A receives an opening / closing operation, it calculates the opening degree (panel opening degree, shade opening degree) of the sunroof diagram 39 to be displayed on the operation screen 4 based on the opening / closing information. One method of this calculation is to calculate the amount or rate of change required to change the current opening degree of the sunroof 9 (the opening degree of the displayed sunroof diagram 39) to the opening degree derived from the opening / closing information (the opening degree set by the user). Based on the calculated opening degree, the display control unit 3A operates the sunroof diagram 39 and displays the state of the sunroof diagram 39 in advance.

[0066] Furthermore, when the display control unit 3A receives a stop operation from the user while the sunroof 9 and sunroof diagram 39 are moving, it maintains the opening degree of the sunroof diagram 39 that is currently being displayed at the time of reception. At the time of reception, the display control unit 3A also transmits information regarding the stop operation (stop information) to the sunroof control unit 6, and the sunroof control unit 6 stops the sunroof 9 based on the received stop information and transmits (feeds back) the stop signal and the actual opening degree to the display control unit 3A. When the display control unit 3A receives the stop signal, it also corrects the opening degree of the sunroof diagram 39 that is currently being displayed on the status display unit 30 to match the actual opening degree that was received.

[0067] Furthermore, the display control unit 3A may disable operations on the setting units 10 and 20 of the operation screen 4 from the time it receives a stop operation until the above predetermined conditions are met, or it may mask the setting units 10 and 20 to make them inoperable. At this time, the display control unit 3A may display an icon indicating that the system is stopped, so as to overlap with the sunroof diagram 39.

[0068] Furthermore, the display control unit 3A may, not only when a stop operation is received, but also when there is a discrepancy between the signal (opening degree information) fed back via the normal route and the opening degree of the displayed sunroof diagram 39, display (correct) the state of the sunroof diagram 39 based on the opening degree obtained from the normal route. This ensures that even if a discrepancy occurs for any reason, the final displayed sunroof diagram 39 will reflect the actual state, thus not impairing usability.

[0069] One case in which a discrepancy may occur is when the operating sunroof 9 stops due to an external disturbance. Even if the user does not perform a stop operation, the operating sunroof 9 will stop if an object gets caught between the sunroof 9 and the edge of the opening, or if a force acts that hinders the movement of the sunroof 9. This stop cannot be detected by the display device 3 alone. Therefore, if the sunroof 9 stops due to an external disturbance, a discrepancy will occur between the signal fed back through the normal route (the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9) and the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed (or pre-displayed) on the operation screen 4 at the time the signal is received.

[0070] When the sunroof 9 stops, the sunroof control unit 6 transmits a stop signal and the opening degree of the sunroof 9 at the time of stopping to the display control unit 3A. When the display control unit 3A receives this stop signal, it corrects the state of the sunroof diagram currently displayed (pre-displayed) on the status display unit 30 so that it matches the opening degree received simultaneously with the stop signal. This corrects any discrepancies between the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9 and the opening degree shown in the sunroof diagram 39 due to external disturbances, resulting in a correct display.

[0071] The sunroof device 5 of this embodiment has a detection means for detecting when the panel 7 stops due to a disturbance while the panel 7 is operating. The detection means consists of, for example, an ammeter (not shown) for detecting the current value of the panel actuator 7A and a sunroof control unit 6. If an object gets caught between the edge of the opening 2A and the panel 7, or if a force acts that hinders the movement of the panel 7, while the panel actuator 7A is moving the panel 7, the current value of the panel actuator 7A changes in an increasing direction. The sunroof control unit 6 can detect that the panel 7 has stopped due to a disturbance based on this change in current value and the rate of change. The detection means may also detect when the shade 8 stops due to a disturbance while the shade 8 is operating. In this case, the detection means may include an ammeter (not shown) for detecting the current value of the shade actuator 8A.

[0072] The sunroof 9 can operate without problems (for example, at a preset speed) as long as the battery voltage is within the normal range. However, if the battery voltage is outside the normal range (especially below it), it may affect the operation of the sunroof 9. For example, if the battery voltage is lower than the normal range, the sunroof 9 is likely to move slowly.

[0073] Therefore, the display control unit 3A may adjust the operating speed of the sunroof diagram 39, which is displayed in advance on the operation screen 4, based on this battery voltage. For example, if the battery voltage is below a predetermined value (for example, the lower limit of the normal range or a value slightly higher than the lower limit), the display control unit 3A may set the operating speed of the sunroof diagram 39 to be slower than normal (for example, about 70-90%). Alternatively, if the battery voltage is below a predetermined value, the operating speed of the sunroof diagram 39 may be slower the lower the battery voltage is. Alternatively, since the viscosity of the lubricant in the sunroof 9 changes depending on the outside temperature, the operating speed of the sunroof diagram may be increased when the outside temperature is high and decreased when the outside temperature is low. By performing such advance displays, a state closer to the actual movement can be displayed on the operation screen 4.

[0074] [3. Specific Examples of Display Devices] Finally, specific examples of the display device 3 and the operation screen 4 will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the operation screen 4 has a first setting unit 10 for setting the open / closed state of the panel 7, a second setting unit 20 for setting the open / closed state of the shade 8, a state display unit 30 for displaying images 31 showing the open / closed states of the panel 7 and the shade 8, and a stop button 40. Note that in the figure showing the operation screen 4, the dashed lines indicate areas and are not actually displayed.

[0075] The first setting unit 10 and the second setting unit 20 are both operated by the user and are located on the operation screen 4. The status display unit 30 is also located on the operation screen 4. The status display unit 30 displays an image 31 which superimposes a panel diagram 37 and a shade diagram 38, which are models of the panel 7 and shade 8, onto a vehicle diagram 32 which is modeled after the vehicle 1 as seen from above with the front facing upwards. In other words, the status display unit 30 is not operated by the user, but rather is a part that informs the user of the open / closed status of the panel 7 and shade 8. The panel diagram 37 and shade diagram 38 are examples of the sunroof diagram 39 shown above.

[0076] In the example vehicle 1, predetermined operations (slide operation, tap operation) on the operation screen 4 cause the panel diagram 37 and shade diagram 38 on the status display unit 30 to move and the panel 7 and shade 8 to operate based on the open / closed state of the panel 7 and the open / closed state of the shade 8 set in the first setting unit 10 and the second setting unit 20, respectively. Furthermore, if the stop button 40 is tapped on the operation screen 4 while the panel 7 and shade 8 are operating, the operating panel diagram 37 and / or shade diagram 38 will stop, and the operating panel 7 and / or shade 8 will also stop. Tapping the stop button 40 constitutes the above-described stop operation.

[0077] The first setting unit 10 has a first operation bar 11 which includes a first gauge 11a that can set the panel 7 to any opening degree, and a first operation unit 11b that is movable along the first gauge 11a and sets the panel opening degree. The first operation bar 11 is the part for setting the panel to any opening degree by user operation. The first gauge 11a has a vertical shape and accepts both slide and tap operations. The first gauge 11a also has the function of displaying the panel opening degree being set. The first operation unit 11b is a part (knob) that is slid up and down by the user (moved while lightly placing a finger on it), and is also a part that displays the panel opening degree being set. In the display device 3, the position of the first operation unit 11b (the position where the user releases their finger after operating it) is set as the panel opening degree.

[0078] The first operation bar 11 can be slid from any position on the first gauge 11a other than the first operation section 11b. In this case, the first operation section 11b moves to the position where the finger was released after the sliding operation, and this position is set as the panel opening degree. In other words, the user does not necessarily have to place their finger on the first operation section 11b before starting the sliding operation. Furthermore, when any position on the first gauge 11a is tapped, the first setting section 10 moves the first operation section 11b to the tapped position and sets that position as the panel opening degree. Thus, there are three types of opening degree settings using the first operation bar 11.

[0079] The first gauge 11a is set to 0% and 100% opening positions corresponding to the orientation of image 31. Here, the upper side of the operation screen 4 corresponds to the front side of the vehicle diagram 32, and the upper end of the first gauge 11a is set to 0% opening, and the lower end to 100% opening. The length of the area below the first operation section 11b on the first gauge 11a indicates the panel opening degree. Note that the first gauge 11a may have scales or numerical values. Operation of the first operation bar 11 is either an open operation or a closed operation.

[0080] The first setting unit 10 has a first operation bar 11 and a plurality of first buttons that can set the panel 7 to a predetermined state. Each first button is arranged in parallel in relation to the opening position of the first operation bar 11. Here, the first buttons include a close button 12 that sets the panel 7 to a fully closed state (opening 0%), a tilt button 13 that sets the panel 7 to a tilt-up state, a comfort button 14 that sets the panel 7 to a comfortable predetermined opening (an opening that does not produce wind noise while driving), and a full open button 15 that sets the panel 7 to a fully open state (opening 100%). In the display device 3, when any of the first buttons 12 to 15 are tapped by the user, the panel 7 is set to the state of the tapped first button 12 to 15. The first operation unit 11b moves to a position corresponding to the opening of the tapped first button 12 to 15.

[0081] The close button 12 is positioned next to the first gauge 11a at the 0% opening position (i.e., the upper end). The tilt button 13 is positioned directly below the close button 12. This is because the tilt-up state is achieved when the panel opening is 0%. In other words, if the tilt button 13 is tapped when the panel opening is not 0%, the panel 7 will first be fully closed before moving to the tilt-up state. If the close button 12 is tapped while the panel is in the tilt-up state, the tilt-up state is released and the panel 7 closes. At this time, the shade 8 does not operate.

[0082] The comfort button 14 is positioned next to the first gauge 11a at a predetermined opening degree (for example, 80%). Since the opening degree at which wind noise does not occur while driving varies depending on the vehicle model, the opening degree of the comfort button 14 can be set for each vehicle model. The full open button 15 is positioned next to the first gauge 11a at the 100% opening degree (i.e., the lower end). Tapping the close button 12 is a closing operation, and tapping the full open button 15 is an opening operation. In addition, tapping the tilt button 13 and the comfort button 14 will result in either an opening or closing operation depending on the opening degree at the time of the tap.

[0083] The second setting unit 20 has a second operation bar 21 which includes a second gauge 21a that can set the shade 8 to any opening degree, and a second operation unit 21b that is movable along the second gauge 21a and sets the shade opening degree. The second operation bar 21 is the part for setting the shade to any opening degree by user operation. The second gauge 21a has a vertical shape and accepts both slide and tap operations. The second gauge 21a also has the function of displaying the shade opening degree being set. The second operation unit 21b is a part (knob) that is slid up and down by the user, and also a part that displays the shade opening degree being set. In the display device 3, the position of the second operation unit 21b (the position where the user releases their finger after operation) is set as the shade opening degree.

[0084] The second operation bar 21, like the first operation bar 11, can be slid from any position on the second gauge 21a other than the second operation section 21b. In this case, the second operation section 21b moves to the position where the finger was released after the sliding operation, and this position is set as the shade opening. In other words, the user does not necessarily have to place their finger on the second operation section 21b before starting the sliding operation. Furthermore, when any position on the second gauge 21a is tapped, the second setting section 20 moves the second operation section 21b to the tapped position and sets that position as the shade opening. Thus, there are three types of opening setting using the second operation bar 21.

[0085] The second gauge 21a is set to 0% and 100% opening positions corresponding to the orientation of image 31. Here, since the upper side of the operation screen 4 corresponds to the front side of the vehicle diagram 32, the upper end of the second gauge 21a is set to 0% opening and the lower end to 100% opening. The length of the area below the second operation section 21b on the second gauge 21a indicates the shade opening. Note that the second gauge 21a may have scales or numerical values. Operation of the second operation bar 21 is either an open operation or a closed operation.

[0086] The second setting unit 20 has, in addition to the second operation bar 21, a plurality of second buttons that can set the shade 8 to a predetermined state. Each second button is arranged in parallel in relation to the opening position of the second operation bar 21. Here, the second buttons include a close button 22 that sets the shade 8 to a fully closed state (opening 0%), a half button 23 that sets the shade 8 to a half-open state (opening 50%), and an open button 24 that sets the shade 8 to a fully open state (opening 100%). In the display device 3, when any of the second buttons 22 to 24 are tapped by the user, the shade 8 is set to the state of the tapped second button 22 to 24. The second operation unit 21b moves to a position corresponding to the opening degree of the tapped second button 22 to 24.

[0087] The close button 22 is positioned next to the second gauge 21a at the 0% opening position (i.e., the upper end). The half button 23 is positioned next to the second gauge 21a at the 50% opening position (i.e., the center in the vertical direction). The open button 24 is positioned next to the second gauge 21a at the 100% opening position (i.e., the lower end). When the panel 7 is in the tilt-up state, tapping the close button 22 will release the tilt-up state. In this case, as will be described later, the panel 7 will first be fully closed before the shade 8 closes.

[0088] Tapping the close button 22 is a closing operation, and tapping the open button 24 is an opening operation. Furthermore, tapping the half button 23 is either an opening or closing operation, depending on the degree of opening at the time of the tap. The first and second buttons described above do not accept additional operations while the panel 7 or shade 8 is operating, and therefore may be disabled (for example, grayed out to prevent tapping).

[0089] The status display unit 30 displays images 31 in which the panel diagram 37 and the shade diagram 38 move based on the open / closed state of the panel 7 set in the first setting unit 10 and the open / closed state of the shade 8 set in the second setting unit 20. This allows the user to recognize what state the panel 7 and shade 8 will be in according to the user's operation without having to look overhead. The status display unit 30 shown in Figure 5 is positioned approximately in the center of the operation screen 4 in the left-right direction.

[0090] Figure 5 illustrates an image 31 showing the panel 7 in a fully closed state and the shade 8 open to approximately 60%. In this embodiment of the sunroof device 5, two panels 7 (a fixed panel 7D and a movable panel 7C) are provided, so image 31 also has two panel diagrams 37 arranged vertically. Hereafter, when distinguishing between the two panel diagrams 37, the upper panel diagram 37 corresponding to the movable panel 7C will be called "movable panel diagram 37c," and the lower panel diagram 37 corresponding to the fixed panel 7D will be called "fixed panel diagram 37d." In Figure 5, for convenience, a dot pattern is added only to the movable panel diagram 37c.

[0091] Since the fixed panel diagram 37d is a representation of the fixed panel 7D, it does not move even when the user operates on the first setting unit 10. In other words, only the movable panel diagram 37c moves when the user operates on the first setting unit 10. As shown in Figure 5, when panel 7 is in the fully closed state, an image 31 is displayed where the movable panel diagram 37c has reached the upper end of the opening 2A in the vehicle diagram 32. The movable panel diagram 37c moves in conjunction with the user's operation on the first setting unit 10 (first operation bar 11 and first buttons 12-15).

[0092] In this embodiment, the sunroof device 5 is provided with a single shade 8, and therefore image 31 also has a single shade diagram 38. In Figure 5, for convenience, the shade diagram 38 is given a vertical stripe pattern. The shade diagram 38 moves in conjunction with user operation on the second setting unit 20 (second operation bar 21 and second buttons 22-24). Since the shade 8 is located on the vehicle interior side of the panel 7, in image 31, the panel diagram 37 is displayed positioned in front of the shade diagram 38. The transparency of the panel diagram 37 may be increased so that the shade diagram 38 on the far side is visible even when the panel diagram 37 and the shade diagram 38 overlap.

[0093] When the display control unit 3A receives an operation from at least one of the first setting unit 10 and the second setting unit 20 described above, it transmits the opening and closing information to the sunroof control unit 6 and calculates at least one of the panel opening degree and the shade opening degree itself. Based on the calculated opening degree, it then displays at least one of the panel diagram 37 (movable panel diagram 37c) and the shade diagram 38 on the operation screen 4 (status display unit 30) in advance.

[0094] Furthermore, when the display control unit 3A receives a stop operation, it may display an icon 41 (for example, a progress ring) indicating that the unit is stopped, overlapping the sunroof diagram 39 (panel diagram 37 and shade diagram 38), as shown in Figure 6. In addition, the display control unit 3A may mask (gray out) the areas of the first setting unit 10 and the second setting unit 20, as shown in Figure 6, rendering them inoperable. Note that the area 42 to be masked is not limited to the entire area; for example, it may be just the operation bars 11 and 21, or just the operation bars 11 and 21 and the buttons 12-15 and 22-24. Alternatively, the display control unit 3A may simply disable operations on the first setting unit 10 and the second setting unit 20 without masking.

[0095] [4. Effects] (1) In the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, when a stop operation is performed on the operation screen 4 of the display device 3, that information (stop information) is transmitted to the sunroof control unit 6, enabling control on the sunroof device 5 side. On the other hand, when the display device 3 receives a stop operation on the operation screen 4, it maintains the state (display) of the sunroof diagram at that time. This prevents a situation in which the sunroof diagram does not stop until the stop signal is fed back to the display device 3 side.

[0096] Furthermore, if the sunroof diagram continues to move until feedback is received, regardless of whether it is the normal route or the shortened route, the discrepancy between the opening degree when the sunroof diagram stops and the actual opening degree of the sunroof 9 that is fed back will become large, and the sunroof diagram will be corrected to the actual opening degree, which may cause discomfort to the user. In contrast, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, by maintaining the sunroof diagram, the amount of correction (magnitude of opening degree) that is ultimately made can be reduced, thus suppressing or avoiding discomfort. Therefore, usability can be improved and the product value of the vehicle 1 can be increased.

[0097] Furthermore, if a vehicle 1 with a shortened route is provided, the display device 3 calculates the opening degree of the sunroof 9 based on the operation information if it is opening / closing information, and displays the state (operation and position) of the sunroof diagram (for example, sunroof diagram 39 in Figure 5) on the operation screen 4 based on that opening degree. In this way, the display device 3 displays the state of the sunroof diagram separately from (independently with) the sunroof device 5, without waiting for a signal from the sunroof device 5, thereby suppressing or eliminating the display delay compared to when the state of the sunroof diagram is displayed after receiving a signal from the sunroof device 5. Therefore, usability can be improved, and the product value of the vehicle 1 can be increased.

[0098] On the other hand, in vehicle 1, which is equipped with a shortened route, when a stop operation is performed, the discrepancy between the feedbacked opening degree of the sunroof 9 and the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed in advance tends to become large. By applying the control of this embodiment (i.e., the process of maintaining the opening degree of the sunroof diagram at the time of receiving the stop operation and correcting the opening degree of the sunroof diagram when a stop signal is received) to vehicle 1, this discrepancy can be reduced. Furthermore, since the direction in which the sunroof diagram was moving up to the time of receiving the stop operation becomes the same as the direction in which it moves after correction, the user will feel less discomfort, and usability can be improved.

[0099] (2) In the vehicle 1 described above, once the display control unit 3A receives the above stop operation, it disables operations to the setting unit of the operation screen 4 (for example, the setting units 10 and 20 in Figure 5) until a predetermined condition is met. In this way, when a stop operation is performed, operations to the setting unit are temporarily disabled, so even if the user performs an additional operation, the display device 3 will not accept that additional operation. As a result, no unnecessary signals are sent to the sunroof device 5, and the control can be simplified.

[0100] (3) Furthermore, once the display control unit 3A receives the above-mentioned stop operation, it can mask the setting section of the operation screen 4 (for example, the setting sections 10 and 20 in Figure 5) to make it inoperable until a predetermined condition is met, thereby informing the user that the display device 3 will not accept any further operations, and thus improving usability.

[0101] (4) When the display control unit 3A receives the above stop operation and maintains the sunroof diagram, if it overlays an icon indicating that it is stopped (for example, icon 41 in Figure 6) on the sunroof diagram, the user can easily recognize that the sunroof diagram is stopped, thereby improving usability.

[0102] (5) In addition, as shown in the specific example in Figure 5, the user can set the open / closed state of the panel 7 and shade 8 of the sunroof device 5 by operating two setting units 10 and 20 displayed on the same operation screen 4 while looking at the image 31 of the status display unit 30 displayed on the operation screen 4. Since the panel 7 and shade 8 operate according to the set open / closed state, user operation can be simplified, and the user's preferences can be realized without visual inspection, thereby improving usability.

[0103] [5. Others] The vehicle 1, display device 3, and sunroof device 5 described above are all examples and are not limited to those described above. For example, in the display device 3 described above, the first setting unit 10 and the second setting unit 20 each have operation bars 11 and 21 and a number of buttons 12 to 15 and 22 to 24, but the configuration for setting the sunroof 9 is not limited to these. Either the operation bars or the buttons may be provided, or if both are provided, their arrangement and type are not limited to those described above. The first buttons 12 to 15 and the second buttons 22 to 24 are also examples, some may be omitted, or other buttons may be provided. The input operations for each setting unit 10 and 20 are also examples. Note that the various controls (disabling the operation, masking the setting unit, displaying an icon) when the display control unit 3A receives a stop operation are examples and are not mandatory controls.

[0104] In the sunroof device 5 described above, an example was shown in which two panels 7 of approximately the same size (a movable panel 7C on the front side and a fixed panel 7D on the rear side) are arranged side by side in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction. However, the sizes of the two panels may differ, or the movable panel and fixed panel may be reversed front to back. Furthermore, the opening may be closed and opened using a single panel, or it may be closed and opened using three or more panels. In these cases, the image 31 (panel diagram) should also be configured in the same way as the actual device. In addition, the shade 8 is not limited to the configuration described above; for example, multiple shades may be arranged side by side in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction.

[0105] The function for detecting objects getting stuck is not essential and may be omitted. Furthermore, the operating speed of the sunroof (Figure 39) displayed in advance may be kept constant regardless of the battery voltage. In addition, the sunroof (Figure 9) may consist only of the panel (Panel 7). In this case, all of the above-described configurations related to the shade (Shade 8) are unnecessary.

[0106] Furthermore, for example, if the sunroof device 5 cannot be operated for any reason, all operation bars and buttons on the display device 3 screen may be grayed out to indicate that it is inoperable, and at the same time, the display on the status display unit 30 may also be grayed out to visually inform the user that an error has occurred temporarily.

[0107] Furthermore, if the vehicle 1 is turned off or powered off (no longer in a drivable state) while panel 7 is not fully closed, the display device 3 may display a message indicating that panel 7 is not fully closed, and a warning sound may be emitted. Such notification to the user may reduce the risk of water ingress or theft caused by the user leaving the vehicle with panel 7 open.

[0108] This technology can be used in the manufacturing industry of vehicles equipped with a sunroof and an operating screen.

[0109] 1 Vehicle 2 Roof 2A Opening 3 Display device 3A Display control unit 4 Operation screen (screen) 5 Sunroof device 6 Sunroof control unit 9 Sunroof 10 First setting unit (setting unit) 20 Second setting unit (setting unit) 30 Status display unit (display unit) 39 Sunroof diagram 40 Stop button (stop unit) 41 Icon 42 Area to mask

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a sunroof device having a sunroof that opens and closes an opening provided on the roof of a vehicle, and a sunroof control unit that controls the sunroof; a display device having a screen on which the open / closed state of the sunroof can be set, and a display control unit that receives operations on the screen and controls the content displayed on the screen, wherein the screen includes a display unit that displays the state of a sunroof diagram that mimics the sunroof, and a stop unit for stopping the movement of the sunroof; the display control unit, upon receiving a stop operation to the stop unit, maintains the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed on the display unit at the time of receiving the stop operation, and transmits information regarding the stop operation to the sunroof control unit; the sunroof control unit, based on the information received from the display control unit, stops the sunroof and transmits a stop signal and the opening degree of the sunroof at the time of stopping to the display control unit; and, upon receiving the stop signal, corrects the opening degree of the sunroof diagram displayed on the display unit to the received opening degree.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the screen further includes a setting unit for setting the open / closed state, and the display control unit, upon receiving the stop operation, disables operations on the setting unit until predetermined conditions are met.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that when the display control unit receives the stop operation, it masks the setting unit and puts it in an inoperable state until the predetermined condition is met.

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the display control unit maintains the sunroof diagram, it displays an icon indicating that the vehicle is stopped superimposed on the sunroof diagram.

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