JP2002205611A - Display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent generation of a display sticking phenomenon of a dot matrix type display element by utilizing a screen saver function in displaying of the display element. SOLUTION: In a case where an operation panel 10 is further operated after operation of the panel 10, when the panel is not operated after passage of a predetermined time, a microcomputer 20 controls an organic EL panel 40 so as to switch a display content of the organic EL panel 40 to a display content of the screen saver.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, there is a display device for a passenger car which employs an organic EL panel as a display panel.

[0003]

In the above display device, since the organic EL panel is a self-luminous element, the organic EL panel gradually deteriorates when it is operated. For this reason, the luminance of the organic EL panel decreases. Therefore, when the organic EL panel is used as a dot matrix type display element, if the display content of the organic EL panel is kept fixed, only the shining pixels among the pixels of the organic EL panel are deteriorated, and the decrease in the luminance is reduced. Invite. In such a state, when the entire surface of the organic EL panel is uniformly illuminated, the display is in a fixed state, and only the shining pixel is deteriorated. This causes a phenomenon (so-called display burn-in phenomenon).

As a preventive measure, it is effective to extend the life of the organic EL panel. However, in an environment where the organic EL panel is mounted on a passenger car, it is not possible to satisfy the specification satisfying the extended life of the organic EL panel. Have difficulty.

On the other hand, it is conceivable to apply a screen saver function used for a personal computer or the like to an organic EL panel. This screen saver function prevents the deterioration of only the fixed display portion and prevents the occurrence of a burn-in phenomenon by moving the display of the organic EL panel controlled by the personal computer without fixing it when not operating the personal computer. Things.

In order to address the above-mentioned problems, the present invention utilizes a screen saver function for displaying a dot matrix type display element or the like in a display device for a vehicle so that a display burn-in phenomenon of the display element can be achieved. It is intended to prevent the occurrence of the problem.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vehicle display device according to a first aspect of the present invention controls a display element and a display content of the display element to be switchable to a screen saver display content. A control device.

The display device has vehicle information output means (70, 120) for outputting vehicle information, and the control means changes the screen saver display content in conjunction with a change in vehicle information from the vehicle information output means. like,
The display device is controlled.

As described above, the screen saver function is also introduced in the vehicle display device, and the display content of the display element is fixed for a long time by changing the display content of the screen saver on the display element in conjunction with the change of the vehicle information. Never be. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the display burn-in phenomenon in the display element.

A vehicle display device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a dot matrix type display element (40),
Operating means (10); and control means (4) for controlling the display element so as to display a display content corresponding to the operation on the display element in a dot matrix based on the operation of the operating means (4).
0a, 100, 110) and a determining means (12) for determining whether the operating means is further operated within a predetermined time after the operation.
0) and when the determining means determines that the operating means has not been further operated, the control means controls the display element to switch the display content of the display element to the screen saver display content.

The vehicle display device includes vehicle information output means (70, 121) for outputting vehicle information,
The control means controls the display element so as to change the display content of the screen saver in conjunction with the change of the vehicle information.

As described above, the screen saver function is also introduced in the vehicle display device, and the display content of the display element is fixed for a long time by changing the screen saver display content of the display element in conjunction with the change of the vehicle information. Never be. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the display burn-in phenomenon in the display element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the control means displays the screen saver display content with the vehicle information on the display element, and changes the screen saver display content with the vehicle information. The display element is controlled so that display is performed with a change in information.

Thus, the same operation and effect as those of the first or second aspect of the invention can be achieved, and the display contents of the screen saver change in conjunction with the change of the vehicle information. In the screen saver display state, it can be visually recognized and is convenient.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the display element has a characteristic that the luminance is lower than the initial luminance as the lighting time elapses. It is characterized by the following.

As described above, since the display element has the characteristic that the luminance is lowered from the initial state as the lighting time elapses, the operation and effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 can be further enjoyed.

According to the invention described in claim 5, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the display element is disposed at a position where the driver can visually recognize the display element in the vehicle. It is characterized by being.

According to this, since the display contents of the screen saver are changed in conjunction with the change of the vehicle information as described above, the display element can be visually recognized by the driver as in the invention according to claim 5. Even if it is arranged at the position, the screen saver display content changes more slowly than OA products where the screen saver display content changes frequently.
The driver's attention will not be distracted.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the display element is an organic EL element.

According to this, since the organic EL element is a display element in which the so-called burn-in phenomenon is remarkably likely to appear, the screen saver display content is effective in preventing such a burn-in phenomenon of the organic EL element.

Note that the reference numerals in parentheses of the above means indicate the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a display device for a passenger car according to the present invention. This display device has an operation panel 10
, Microcomputer 20, indicator 30
And the organic electroluminescence panel 40 (hereinafter, referred to as
Organic EL panel 40).

The operation panel 10 is disposed on a console box located immediately below the left and right central portion of an instrument panel provided in the passenger compartment of the passenger car. The operation panel 10 is disposed in a driver's seat of the passenger car. It is in a position where it can be seen by a seated driver.

The operation panel 10 outputs an operation command for controlling the air conditioner ECU 50 and the audio ECU 60 to the microcomputer 20 by operating one of various operation switches displayed on the operation surface. Here, the air conditioner ECU 50 is an electronic control device that controls an operation mode of an air conditioner (hereinafter, referred to as an air conditioner) provided in the passenger car. The audio ECU 60 is an electronic control unit that controls an operation mode of audio provided in the passenger compartment of the passenger car. Various operations on the operation panel 10 are performed to specify the operation modes of the air conditioner and the audio.

The microcomputer 20 executes a computer program in accordance with the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 30, drive circuit 40a for organic EL panel 40, air conditioner ECU 50 and audio ECU
The control processing of 60 is performed. The computer program is stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 20 in advance. The microcomputer 20 also connects the battery B via the ignition switch IG of the passenger car.
It is powered by and operates.

The meter ECU 70 is an electronic control unit that controls the display of a meter provided in front of the driver's seat on the instrument panel in accordance with the detection outputs of a vehicle speed sensor, a rain sensor, and other sensors of the passenger car. . Further, the meter ECU 70 outputs each detection output of the vehicle speed sensor and the rain sensor to the microcomputer 20 as passenger car information.

The indicator 30 is provided near the operation panel 10 at a position visible to the driver. The indicator 30 includes a plurality of light emitting elements,
The indicator 30 is controlled by the microcomputer 20 in accordance with the operation of the operation panel 10 and causes the light emitting element corresponding to the operation to emit light. This means that the light emitting element indicates a corresponding operation of the operation panel 20 by the light emission.

The organic EL panel 40 has a large number of dot matrix pixels built therein. The organic EL panel 40 is driven in a matrix by a drive circuit 40a under the control of the microcomputer 20. A dot matrix display is performed by the pixels. In addition,
The organic EL panel 40 is provided near the operation panel 10.

In the embodiment constructed as described above, when the microcomputer 20 operates by being supplied with power from the battery B via the ignition switch IG, the microcomputer 20 executes the computer program in accordance with the flowcharts of FIGS. , Start running.

Here, if the operation of the operation panel 10 has been performed, YES is determined in step 100 of FIG. Along with this, the processing routine 110 for air conditioner control, audio control, and display of these controls is performed. Here, if the operation of the operation panel 10 is for putting the air conditioner in one operation mode, in the routine 110, a process of controlling the air conditioner in one operation mode and a process of displaying the same are performed.

Then, under the control of the microcomputer 20, the air conditioner ECU 50 controls the air conditioner to be in one operation mode. The indicator 30 is controlled by the microcomputer 20 in accordance with the operation of the operation panel 10 to emit light corresponding to the operation, and the organic EL panel 40 is driven by the drive circuit 40 under the control of the microcomputer 20.
The dot-a is driven by dot matrix, and the one operation mode of the air conditioner is displayed in dot matrix by the large number of pixels.

The operation of the operation panel 10 described above
When the audio is to be put into one operation mode, the audio ECU 60 controls the audio to be put into one operation mode under the control of the microcomputer 20. The indicator 30
Is controlled by the microcomputer 20 in accordance with the operation of the operation panel 10 to emit light corresponding to the operation, and the organic EL panel 40 is driven in a matrix by the drive circuit 40a under the control of the microcomputer 20. The one operation mode of the audio is displayed in a dot matrix by the plurality of pixels.

After the processing of the processing routine 110 is performed as described above, in step 120, it is determined whether or not the operation of the operation panel 10 is performed again within a predetermined time after the operation of any of the operation panels 10 described above. Is determined. Here, the predetermined time represents a time (for example, 20 seconds) required for the organic EL panel 40 to shift to the screen saver display state by the screen saver function of the microcomputer 20.

If re-operation of the operation panel 10 is performed within the above-mentioned predetermined time, the determination in step 120 becomes YES, and the processing routine 1 corresponding to the re-operation is performed.
The processing of step 10 and the determination processing of step 120 are performed.

On the other hand, if the re-operation is not performed within the predetermined time, the determination in step 120 is NO. This means that it is time to shift the display state of the organic EL panel 40 to the screen saver display state.

Following the determination of NO in step 120 as described above, in step 121, the meter ECU 7
From 0, passenger car information, which is information on the passenger car, is input to the microcomputer 20. This passenger car information indicates each detection output of the vehicle speed sensor and the rain sensor.

Next, in step 130 of FIG.
It is determined whether the passenger car is running. If the detection output of the vehicle speed sensor in the passenger car information indicates that the passenger car is traveling, the determination in step 130 becomes YES. Accordingly, in step 131, the organic EL panel 4
The process of setting the display state of 0 to the screen saver display state indicating that the passenger car is running is performed. Specifically, on the display screen of the organic EL panel 40, the state where the passenger car is located on the road is sequentially changed from the left in the order of FIG. 4 (a) → FIG. 4 (b) → FIG. 4 (c). The screen saver display in step 131 is performed so as to shift to the right. However, the speed of shifting in the order of FIG. 4 (a) → FIG. 4 (b) → FIG. 4 (c) is set to a speed suitable for preventing the occurrence of the burn-in phenomenon of the display of the organic EL panel 40. .

If the detection output of the vehicle speed sensor in the passenger car information indicates that the passenger car is stopped, step 130
Is NO. Next, in step 132, a process of setting the display state of the organic EL panel 40 to the screen saver display state indicating that the passenger car is stopped is performed. Specifically, a screen saver display is performed on the display screen of the organic EL panel 40 so that the display contents as shown in FIG. However, FIG.
Is set to a speed suitable for preventing the occurrence of the burn-in phenomenon of the display of the organic EL panel 40. The transition of the display contents shown in FIG.
For example, the transition in the vertical direction on the display screen of the organic EL panel 40 is shown.

As described above, step 131 or 132
Is completed, it is determined in step 140 whether the information is warning information. Here, if the detection output of the rain sensor in the passenger car information corresponds to the warning information indicating the danger of slipping of the passenger car, the determination in step 140 becomes YES. Accordingly, in step 141,
The process of setting the display state of the organic EL panel 40 to the screen saver display state indicating the danger of slippage of the passenger car is performed. Specifically, a screen saver display is performed on the display screen of the organic EL panel 40 so that the display content as shown in FIG. 6 shifts. However, FIG.
Is set to a speed suitable for preventing the occurrence of the burn-in phenomenon of the display of the organic EL panel 40. The transition of the display contents shown in FIG.
For example, it refers to a vertical transition on the display screen of the organic EL panel 40.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the time to set the display state of the organic EL panel 40 to the screen saver display state has been reached, while the passenger car is traveling, FIGS. The screen saver function is exhibited by the transition of the display contents in the order shown in (c). When the passenger car is stopped, the screen saver function is exhibited by the transition of the display contents shown in FIG. In this case, the screen saver function is exhibited by shifting the display contents shown in FIG.

As described above, the organic EL panel 40
In the screen saver display state, the display of the organic EL panel 40 while recognizing whether the passenger car is running or stopped or the danger of slipping of the passenger car is recognized. Can prevent image sticking.

In implementing the present invention, the meter EC
In place of the output of U70, the engine E
The vehicle speed output and the engine speed output of the CU may be used.

In practicing the present invention, instead of the organic EL panel 40, a display element having a characteristic that the luminance is reduced from the initial state due to the passage of the lighting time, such as a liquid crystal panel of a dot matrix type, a CRT, an inorganic EL element, or the like. If so, the same operation and effect as the above embodiment can be achieved.

In practicing the present invention, the present invention is not limited to a display device for a passenger car, but is generally applied to a display device for a vehicle such as an automobile, which has a dot matrix type display element such as an organic EL panel. And implement it,
Functions and effects substantially similar to those of the above embodiment can be achieved.
Further, the present invention can be applied to a case where a segment type display element is employed instead of a dot matrix type display element, and the present invention is not limited to a vehicle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first part of a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a latter part of the flowchart.

FIGS. 4 (a) to (c) are illustrations showing a change in a screen saver display state while a passenger car is traveling.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen saver display state when the passenger car is stopped.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen saver display state indicating a danger of slipping of a passenger car.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 operation panel, 20 microcomputer, 40
... an organic EL panel, 70 ... a meter ECU.

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle information output means (70, 120) for outputting vehicle information, comprising: a display element; and a control device for controlling a display content of the display element to be switchable to a screen saver display content.
A display device for a vehicle, wherein the control means controls the display element so as to change the display content of the screen saver in conjunction with a change in vehicle information from the vehicle information output means. 2. A dot matrix type display device (40).
Operating means (10); and control means (40a, 100, 1) for controlling the display element such that display contents corresponding to the operation are displayed in a dot matrix on the display element based on the operation of the operating means.
10); determining means (120) for determining whether or not the operating means has been further operated within a predetermined time after the operation; and controlling the control when the determining means determines that the operating means has not been further operated. The vehicle information output means for outputting vehicle information in a vehicle display device for controlling the display element so as to switch the display content of the display element to a screen saver display content.
A display device for a vehicle, wherein the control means controls the display element so as to change the display content of the screen saver in conjunction with a change in the vehicle information. 3. The control means controls the display element so that the display element displays the screen saver display content with the vehicle information, and displays a change in the screen saver display content with a change in the vehicle information. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is controlled. 4. The vehicular display device according to claim 1, wherein the display element has a characteristic that the luminance decreases from an initial stage as the lighting time elapses. 5. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the display element is disposed at a position in the vehicle where the driver can view the display element. 6. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the display element is an organic EL element.