JP2017171120A - Indoor indicator display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indoor index display device for a vehicle which prevents an indicator from giving a sense of incongruity to any one of occupants in the vehicle.SOLUTION: An indoor indicator display device comprises: indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C provided at right and left ends of an instrument panel and in a center of a top face thereof; occupant state determination means U1 which determines an occupant state in a cabin based on information from an in-vehicle camera S1; and indicator control means U2 which controls an indicator that may make any occupant feel a sense of incongruity so that the indicator is made inconspicuous when it is determined that a plurality of occupants are present by the occupant state determination means U1. For example, when an occupant exists in a front passenger seat in addition to a driver, an entire or a part of the indicators 10L and 10C visible to the occupant in the front passenger seat or the indicator 10L that is closer to the front passenger seat than to a driver seat are turned off or dimmed so that they become inconspicuous.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle interior indicator display device.

  In a vehicle such as an automobile, an indoor indicator display device that displays an indicator in the interior of the vehicle may be used to support the driving operation of the driver. For example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of driving assistance, when a cautionary object (for example, a dangerous obstacle such as a pedestrian) is detected in front, an index provided on the vehicle interior is directed to the cautionary object. An invention is disclosed in which images are displayed so as to move.

JP 2006-331040 A

  By the way, at night, a driver who is in a dark room is immersive and difficult to recognize the space (decrease in space recognition ability). For this reason, it is difficult to grasp the position of the host vehicle and the behavior of the vehicle. It becomes. Therefore, it is conceivable to use an indicator that appropriately displays the traveling direction of the vehicle and the state of the vehicle with respect to the traveling direction in accordance with the driving state of the vehicle to compensate for the decrease in the driver's spatial recognition ability. Specifically, by using an indicator that faces the direction of the driver's line of sight (optical flow direction), the driver clearly recognizes the position and traveling direction of the vehicle based on the position and direction of the indicator. To be able to.

  However, when such an index based on the direction of the driver's line of sight is used, when an occupant other than the driver sees the index, the index is his own (that is, viewed from the occupant other than the driver). Since the direction is different from the optical flow (vector indicating the flow of the landscape), there is a possibility that a sense of incongruity may occur.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a sense of discomfort to any one of the passengers even when a plurality of passengers get on the vehicle indoor indicator display device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle indoor indicator display device that can prevent the occurrence of the vehicle indoor

In order to achieve the above object, the following solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 1,
In a vehicle interior indicator display device in which an indicator having a predetermined direction is arranged on a vehicle interior,
Occupant detection means for detecting the occupant's boarding situation in the vehicle;
When the presence of a plurality of occupants is detected by the occupant detection means, there is provided an index control means for controlling the display state of the index according to the boarding positions of the plurality of occupants.

  According to the above solution, when there are a plurality of occupants in the vehicle, the display state of the index is controlled according to the occupant's boarding position, so each index depends on the magnitude of the influence on each occupant. Can be controlled appropriately. For example, if any index can cause any occupant to feel uncomfortable, it is appropriate that the index gives the occupant an uncomfortable feeling by performing control such as disabling the index. While other indicators can be prevented, other indicators can continue to be used effectively.

  Preferred embodiments based on the above solution are as described in claims 2 and below in the claims. That is, the plurality of indicators are installed in a direction suitable for the direction of the line of sight of a specific occupant, and the indicator control means makes it difficult for an indicator visible from other occupants other than the specific occupant to stand out. Control is performed (corresponding to claim 2). In this case, the indicators that can be seen by passengers other than the specific passenger are controlled so that they are not easily noticeable. Can be appropriately prevented.

  The plurality of indicators are installed in a direction suitable for the direction of the line of sight of a specific occupant, and the indicator control means is configured to provide a distance from each indicator to the specific occupant and occupants other than the specific occupant. Are compared with each other, and an index closer to the passengers other than the specific passenger is made less conspicuous than the specific passenger (corresponding to claim 3). In this case, since the indicators arranged near the occupants other than the specific occupant are controlled so as not to stand out, the occupants other than the specific occupant feel uncomfortable due to the indicators arranged nearby. On the other hand, appropriate driving assistance can be given to a specific occupant by using an indicator placed nearby.

  The indicator control means makes the indicator less noticeable by turning off or dimming all or part of the indicator (corresponding to claim 4). In this case, the display mode by the index can be variously set according to the magnitude of the influence on each occupant, and appropriate control can be performed.

  The specific occupant is a driver (corresponding to claim 5). In this case, since the control is made inconspicuous only when an occupant other than the driver gets on the vehicle, the indicator is utilized to the maximum extent possible for driving assistance of the driver.

  According to the present invention, in the vehicle interior indicator display device, even when a plurality of occupants are on board, it is possible to prevent occupants from generating a sense of incongruity due to the indicators.

The figure which shows the vehicle interior example provided with the parameter | index display apparatus of this invention. The block block diagram which shows the example of a control system of this invention. The flowchart which shows the example of control of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a case where there are passengers in the driver's seat and the passenger seat as a plurality of passengers in the vehicle will be mainly described.

  FIG. 1 shows a front part of a vehicle compartment provided with the indicator display device of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the vehicle includes a front window glass 1, left and right front pillars 2R and 2L provided on both sides of the front window glass 1, and an instrument panel 3 provided below the front window glass 1. A steering wheel 4 provided on the driver's seat side (right side) and a center console 5 that separates the passenger seat side (left side) from the driver's seat side are provided.

  On the instrument panel 3, left and right indicators (indicator indicators) 10R and 10L are provided so as to be positioned near the lower ends of the front pillars 2R and 2L. A central index 10 </ b> C located in front of the front window glass 1 is provided in the vicinity of the left and right center of the instrument panel 3. The indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C have a bar-shaped (bar-shaped) display mode having a predetermined direction (vector component). For example, a thin-film display or LED light using liquid crystal or organic EL is used. It is comprised by the indicator used. As another aspect, the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C may be projected and displayed by a projection mapping device provided on the instrument panel 3. Each of the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C can be switched between lighting, dimming, and extinguishing.

  The indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C are arranged in a direction assumed as a driver's optical flow (vector indicating the flow of scenery) when the vehicle is traveling straight ahead. In FIG. 1, a part of the optical flow extending radially toward the host vehicle from an enlarged center (vanishing point) O in front of the driver when the vehicle is traveling straight ahead is shown as OP1, OP2, and OP3. The optical flow OP1 gradually extends downward and to the right as it goes rearward, and passes through the upper surface position of the right end portion of the instrument panel 3. The optical flow OP2 extends gradually downward and to the left as it goes rearward, and passes through the position of the upper surface of the left end portion of the instrument panel 3. The optical flow OP3 gradually extends downward and to the left as it goes rearward, and passes through the upper surface position near the center of the instrument panel 3.

  The index 10R on the right side is set so as to face the same direction as the extension line of the optical flow OP1 (so as to overlap). Further, the left index 10L is set so as to face the same direction as the extension line of the optical flow OP2 (so as to overlap). In addition, the center index 10C is set so as to face the same direction as the extension line of the optical flow OP3 (so as to overlap). As a result, the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C have a display form in which the interval gradually decreases toward the front (display in a C-shaped form in a plan view).

  On the other hand, FIG. 1 also shows optical flows OP1 ′ and OP2′OP3 ′ of passengers in the passenger seat when the vehicle is traveling straight ahead. The optical flows OP1 ′ and OP2′OP3 ′ extend radially from the enlarged center O ′ in front of the passenger on the passenger seat and pass over the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C, respectively. As described above, the optical flow is a velocity field of the entire image of the outside world projected on the human retina, and thus varies depending on the occupant's boarding position. That is, the optical flow expansion center O ′ of the passenger seat passenger located on the left side of the driver seat is positioned on the left side of the driver optical flow expansion center O, and the optical flows OP1 ′ and OP2 ′. OP3 ′ is tilted to the left of the optical flows OP1, OP2, and OP3, respectively.

  As described above, the optical flows of the driver and the passenger in the passenger seat are greatly different. As a result, the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C directed toward the driver's optical flows OP1, OP2, and OP3 are the optical flows of the passenger in the passenger seat. Since it is facing the right side larger than OP1 ′, OP2′OP3 ′, there is a possibility that the passenger in the passenger seat may feel uncomfortable when looking at the indicators 10R, 10L, 10C. In order to prevent such a sense of incongruity, the index display device controls the index 10R, 10L, 10C so that the index that is considered to have a large influence on the passenger on the passenger seat is less noticeable.

  Specifically, the left index 10L and the central index 10C that can be visually observed by the passenger in the passenger seat are made inconspicuous by turning off or dimming all or a part thereof. As a result, the passenger on the passenger seat does not feel uncomfortable by looking at the indications of the indicators 10L and 10C, and the driver can continue to receive driving assistance with the indicator 10R on the right side that is visible only to the driver.

  As another control mode, for each of the indicators 10L, 10R, and 10C, the distance from the driver's seat and the distance from the passenger's seat are compared, and the indicators closer to the passenger's seat are controlled to be less noticeable than the driver's seat. Also good. More specifically, the right index 10R among the indices 10L, 10R, and 10C is closer to the driver's seat than the passenger's seat, and thus maintains the normal lighting state. In addition, the center indicator 10C is arranged slightly closer to the driver's seat than the middle between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, and is not closer to the passenger seat than the driver seat, so the normal lighting state is maintained as it is. On the other hand, the left-side index 10L is closer to the passenger seat than the driver seat, and is therefore controlled so that it is less noticeable by turning off or dimming all or part thereof. This prevents the passenger 10 from feeling uncomfortable due to the indicator 10L close to the passenger seat, while allowing the driver to continue appropriate driving assistance using the indicators 10R and 10C.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a control system of the index display device of this embodiment. As shown, the control system includes a controller (control unit) U configured using a microcomputer. The controller U receives a signal from an in-vehicle camera (occupant detection means) S1 capable of photographing the vehicle interior.

  The controller U includes an occupant state determination unit U1, and determines in which seat an occupant is present in the vehicle interior based on a signal (information) from the in-vehicle camera S1. The controller U includes index control means U2 that controls the display states of the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C, and controls the display state of each index based on the determination by the occupant state determination means U1.

  Specifically, when the driver is the only passenger in the passenger compartment, all the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C are in a normal lighting state, while when there are a plurality of passengers in the passenger compartment, the indicator 10R. 10L, 10C by turning off or dimming all or part of an indicator that can be seen by passengers other than the driver, or an indicator placed closer to the seat of another passenger than the driver's seat , Control to a less noticeable state.

  Various methods (configurations) for making the indicators 10R and 10L inconspicuous are conceivable. For example, the entire indicator may be simply turned off or dimmed so that the display becomes inconspicuous, or a part of the indicator may be turned off or dimmed. The indicators 10R and 10L may be made inconspicuous by reducing the display areas of the indicators 10R and 10L (for example, reducing the area range to be lit).

  Moreover, you may make it change suitably according to the magnitude | size of the influence on each passenger | crew, so that the display by the parameter | index 10R, 10L becomes inconspicuous. For example, when there is a passenger seat occupant, the left indicator L, which has a great influence on the passenger seat occupant, is turned off, while the central indicator C located between the passenger seat and the driver seat is dimmed. By stopping, it may be used for driving assistance of the driver while preventing (reducing) the uncomfortable feeling that may occur to the passenger on the passenger seat.

  Next, an example of control by the controller U will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, Q indicates a step. First, in Q1, information (signal) from the outside camera S1 is acquired, and in subsequent Q2, it is determined whether there is a passenger other than the driver in the vehicle interior based on this information.

  If it is determined in Q2 that no other occupants are present, the process proceeds to Q4, where all the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C are maintained in the lighting state, and one cycle of control is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined in Q2 that another occupant is present, the process proceeds to Q3, and it is determined whether or not there is an index to be controlled so as to be inconspicuous.

  If it is determined in Q3 that there is no index to be controlled to be inconspicuous, the process proceeds to Q4, and all the indices 10R, 10L, and 10C are maintained in the lighting state, and one cycle of control is performed. finish. On the other hand, when it is determined in Q3 that there is an index that should be controlled to be inconspicuous, the process proceeds to Q5, where the corresponding index is controlled to be inconspicuous, and one cycle of control is completed.

  Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, although the above embodiment has been described with a focus on the case where an occupant is present in the passenger seat, the present invention is also applicable to cases where other occupants are present in a seat other than the passenger seat (rear seat). In particular, in a vehicle of a type in which the rear seat is higher than the front seat (driver's seat and front passenger seat), the indicator on the instrument panel can be clearly seen from the rear seat, so that the present invention is useful.

  Further, in order to make the indicators 10R and 10L inconspicuous, various methods other than turning off or dimming all or part of the indicators 10R and 10L are conceivable. For example, an appropriate one can be adopted such as covering the indicators 10R and 10L with a separately provided cover member. In addition, the indicators 10R and 10L only need to have a vector component indicating the direction of the optical flow, and may have an appropriate shape such as a polygonal shape. Further, the number of indices is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, only one of the indices 10R, 10L, 10C, or may be only the left and right indices 10R, 10L, or four or more indices are provided. You may do it.

  In addition, the position where the index is provided is not limited to the vicinity of the front window glass 1, for example, the vicinity of the side window glass in the side door for the driver's seat or the side door for the passenger's seat where the driver's line of sight may turn when turning left or right You may make it provide in. The vehicle interior material provided with the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C is not limited to the instrument panel 3, but may be, for example, the front pillars 2R and 2L (particularly the lower end), or the side door (particularly the front upper edge). An appropriate one can be selected. The height position at which the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C are provided is lower than the driver's eye position, so that the driver is not unnecessarily dazzled, and the driver. Is preferable in order to prevent the consciousness of the user from concentrating too much on the indicators 10R, 10L, and 10C.

  Furthermore, the in-vehicle camera S1 can be replaced with appropriate means such as a weight sensor provided in each seat, a motion sensor for detecting the movement of an occupant in the passenger compartment, or seating estimation based on door opening / closing history. .

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a vehicle interior indicator display device that is particularly suitable during night driving.

1: Front window glass 2R, 2L: Front pillar 3: Instrument panel 4: Steering wheel 5: Center console 10R, 10L, 10C: Indicators OP1, OP2, OP3: Driver's optical flow OP1 ', OP2', OP3 ' : Optical flow for passenger in passenger seat U: Controller S1: In-vehicle camera

Claims (5)

In a vehicle interior indicator display device in which an indicator having a predetermined direction is arranged on a vehicle interior,
Occupant detection means for detecting the occupant's boarding situation in the vehicle;
An indoor indicator display device for a vehicle, comprising: indicator control means for controlling a display state of the indicator according to a boarding position of the plurality of occupants when presence of a plurality of occupants is detected by the occupant detection means. The vehicle indoor index display device according to claim 1,
The plurality of indicators are installed in a direction suitable for the direction of the line of sight of a specific occupant,
The vehicle interior indicator display device that controls the indicator control means so that an indicator visible from other passengers other than the specific passenger is less noticeable. The vehicle indoor index display device according to claim 1,
The plurality of indicators are installed in a direction suitable for the direction of the line of sight of a specific occupant,
The index control means compares a distance from each index to the specific occupant and a distance to an occupant other than the specific occupant, and stands out for an index closer to an occupant other than the specific occupant than the specific occupant. An indoor indicator display device for a vehicle that is controlled to be difficult. In the vehicle indoor index display device according to claim 2 or 3,
The indicator control means is a vehicle indoor indicator display device that makes the indicator less noticeable by turning off or dimming all or part of the indicator. In the vehicle indoor index display device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The specific occupant is a vehicle indoor index display device that is a driver.

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