JP2005031787A - On-vehicle system and attention-drawing method in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To draw attention of a user who is watching a video on a rear monitor. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 11 instructs a message-superimposing part 16 to superimposing a message to be displayed on the rear monitor 3 when a video content from AV equipment 7 is being displayed on the rear monitor 3. The rear massage processing part 68 of a navigation device 6 outputs a message for drawing the user's attention, who sits on the rear seat, to the message-superimposing part 16 via a message output interface 69 when a vehicle approaches a point where a sharp curb begins. The message-superimposing part 16 superimposes the message thus inputted on the video from the AV equipment 7 outputting to the rear monitor 3 when it receives the instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for presenting caution information to a user seated on a rear seat in an in-vehicle system including a front monitor that is a display device for a user seated on the front seat and a rear monitor that is a display device for a user seated on the rear seat.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an in-vehicle system including a front monitor that is a display device for a front seat boarding user and a rear monitor that is a display device for a rear seat boarding user is known (for example, JP-A-2002-135758).
In addition, an in-vehicle system including a navigation device and AV equipment such as a TV tuner and a DVD video playback device is known in addition to a front monitor and a rear monitor. Usually, in such an in-vehicle system, the front monitor is selectively used in accordance with a user operation to display route guidance information of the navigation device and output video of the AV device. On the other hand, the rear monitor is exclusively used for displaying the output video of the AV device.
[0003]
There is also known a technique for dividing the display screen of such a front monitor into a plurality of sub-screens and simultaneously displaying the route guidance information of the navigation device and the output video of the AV device on different sub-screens (for example, JP-A-6-195056).
Prior art document information relating to the invention of this application includes the following.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-135758
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-195056
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Now, in the in-vehicle system including the front monitor, the rear monitor, the navigation device, and the AV device such as the TV tuner and the DVD playback device as described above, the output content of the AV device in which the rear seat boarding user displays the video on the rear monitor. If you are obsessed with movies (for example, movies), you will not be able to predict the behavior of the vehicle and make preparations for that behavior (for example, holding a handrail before a sharp curve). May end up.
[0007]
On the other hand, the technology for dividing the conventional display screen of the front monitor into a plurality of sub-screens is applied to the display of the rear monitor so that the route guidance information of the navigation device and the output video of the AV device are displayed simultaneously on the rear monitor. Then, the user seated on the rear seat can predict the behavior of the vehicle from the route guidance information displayed on the rear monitor and can prepare for the behavior. However, when this is done, the visibility of the output video of the AV device of the user seated on the rear seat deteriorates, and the output content of the AV device cannot be comfortably enjoyed.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to alert the user on the rear seat to the behavior of the vehicle without greatly impairing the visibility of the output video of the AV device on the rear monitor.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a front monitor that is a display device for a user seated on the front seat, a rear monitor that is a display device for a user seated on the rear seat, and a guide for guiding the traveling of the user to the front monitor. In an in-vehicle system including a navigation device that displays and outputs a screen and an AV device that displays and outputs video on the rear monitor, the navigation device is based on map data representing at least a road map and a current travel point of the vehicle. A prediction means for predicting the occurrence of the steep movement of the vehicle, and a message for notifying the user on the rear seat of the occurrence of the steep movement when the prediction means predicts the occurrence of the steep movement of the vehicle. Rear message output means for generating and outputting, and the rear message is included in the in-vehicle system. Messages di outputting means outputs, to the rear monitor displaying images from the AV apparatus, temporarily, is provided with a message indicating means for displaying together with the video from the AV equipment.
[0010]
Here, the message presentation in the message presenting means of the in-vehicle system is performed by, for example, temporarily displaying the message output from the rear message output means on the rear monitor displaying the video from the AV device. It can be performed by displaying in a form of being superimposed on the video from the device.
[0011]
Further, the prediction in the prediction means of the above-described in-vehicle system can be performed by, for example, predicting the occurrence of a steep motion of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches a sharp curve or a crossing. Alternatively, the navigation device includes a route guidance unit that searches the route from the user to the destination set using the map data and sets the route as a guidance route and guides the guidance route on the guidance screen. The prediction means may perform the prediction by predicting the occurrence of a steep motion of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches an intersection that will change direction when traveling according to the guidance route. can do.
[0012]
According to such an in-vehicle system, when the user seated on the rear seat is watching the video from the AV device on the rear monitor, if the navigation device predicts the occurrence of the steep motion of the vehicle, the predicted steep A message for notifying the occurrence of motion is temporarily displayed together with the video from the AV device on the rear monitor displaying the video from the AV device. Therefore, the user seated on the rear seat is not bothered by the message display except during the period in which the message is displayed. In addition, since it is not necessary to always secure an area for displaying a message, video from an AV device is displayed on one of a plurality of sub-screens and the navigation device is displayed on the other one at least during a period during which the message is displayed. Compared with the application of the technology for displaying the route guidance information, the video from the AV device can be displayed in a larger size. In particular, as described above, when the message is superimposed and displayed on the video from the AV device, the video from the AV device can be continuously displayed in a large size.
[0013]
Accordingly, the user seated on the rear seat can recognize the future behavior of the vehicle and prepare for the behavior while enjoying the video from the AV device with good visibility.
In addition, the message here includes not only a message that conveys meaning by a character string but also a message that conveys meaning by a symbol or mark.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an in-vehicle system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle system includes a main unit 1, a front monitor 2, a rear monitor 3, a speaker 4, headphones 5, a navigation device 6, one or a plurality of AV devices 7 such as a TV tuner and a DVD video playback device, and an operation unit 8. And.
[0015]
The main unit 1 also includes a control unit 11, a rear audio selector 12, a front audio selector 13, a rear video selector 14, a front video selector 15, and a message composition unit 16.
And the control part 11, each AV apparatus 7, and the navigation apparatus 6 are connected by the bus | bath, and the control part 11 controls each AV apparatus 7 and the navigation apparatus 6 via this bus | bath.
The audio output of each AV device 7 and the navigation device 6 is input to the rear audio selector 12 and the front audio selector 13, and the rear audio selector 12 selects any input according to the control of the control unit 11 and headphones. 5, the front audio selector 13 selects one of the inputs according to the control of the control unit 11 and outputs it as sound from the speaker 4.
[0016]
Also, the video output of each AV device 7 and the navigation device 6 is input to the rear video selector 14 and the front video selector 15, and the rear video selector 14 selects one of the inputs under the control of the control unit 11 and sends a message. The video data is output to the combining unit 16, and the front video selector 15 selects one of the inputs under the control of the control unit 11 and outputs it to the front monitor 2.
[0017]
Under the control of the control unit 11, the message synthesis unit 16 generates a video signal representing a screen obtained by synthesizing the video represented by the video signal input from the navigation device 6 with the video represented by the video signal input from the rear video selector 14. Display output on the rear monitor 3.
[0018]
Then, the control unit 11 controls each unit in accordance with the user operation of the operation unit 8 to switch the output source of the video displayed on the front monitor 2 and the rear monitor 3 and output to the speaker 4 and the headphones 5. Switch the audio output source.
More specifically, when displaying the video output of the navigation device 6 on the front monitor 2, the video output of the navigation device 6 is selected by the front video selector 15, and the video of any AV device 7 is displayed on the front monitor 2. When displaying the output, the front video selector 15 is made to select the video output of the AV device 7.
[0019]
When the video output of the navigation device 6 is displayed on the rear monitor 3, the video output of the navigation device 6 is selected by the rear video selector 14 and the video output of any AV device 7 is displayed on the rear monitor 3. Causes the rear video selector 14 to select the video output of the AV device 7.
[0020]
Further, the front audio selector 13 selects the audio output of the output source device selected by the front video selector 15, and the rear audio selector 12 outputs the video output selected by the rear video selector 14. Select the audio output of the original device.
As a result, for example, when the output source of the video displayed on the front monitor 2 is the navigation device 6 and the output source of the video displayed on the rear monitor 3 is the AV device 7, the front monitor 2 is shown in FIG. The navigation device 6 displays a route guidance screen for video output, and the rear monitor 3 displays an AV content screen for video output by the AV device 7 as shown in FIG.
[0021]
Here, FIG. 2c shows an example of the arrangement of the front monitor 2 and the rear monitor 3 in the vehicle as described above. As shown in the figure, the front monitor 2 is placed on the dashboard in front of the front seat or in front of the dashboard. The rear monitor 3 is suspended from the rear of the front seat or the ceiling in front of the rear seat. Moreover, the headphones 5 are prepared so that a user seated on the rear seat can use them.
[0022]
Next, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the navigation device 6.
As shown in the figure, the navigation device 6 includes a map database 61 storing map data, a state detection unit 62 that detects a traveling state of the vehicle including a GPS receiver, a vehicle speed sensor, an angular acceleration sensor, and the like, map data and state detection. A current position calculation unit 63 that calculates a current position, a currently traveling route, and a traveling direction by performing map matching of the detection contents of the unit 62, and searches for a route from the current position to a destination specified by the user as a guidance route A route search unit 64 for generating the route guidance screen data for defining the above-described route guidance screen, a guidance processing unit 65 for generating guidance voice data for defining various guidance voices, and an audio signal representing the voice defined by the guidance voice data A voice output unit 66 for generating a voice signal and generating a video signal representing a route guidance screen defined by the generated route guidance screen data A video output interface 67 for outputting video, a rear message processing unit 68 for generating message data defining a message to be displayed on the rear monitor 3, and a message for outputting a message video signal which is a video signal representing a message defined by the generated message data An output interface 69 has a navigation control unit 60 that communicates with the control unit 11 of the main unit 1 via the bus described above and controls the operation of each unit described above under the control of the control unit 11.
[0023]
Note that the route guidance screen represented by the video output output from the video output interface 67 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2a, on the map 21 around the current position calculated by the current position calculation unit 63. A current position mark 22 representing the current position calculated by 63 and a route graphic 23 representing a guide route that is a route to the destination searched by the route search unit 64 are shown. However, the route graphic 23 is not included in the route guidance screen when the guidance route to the destination is not searched, such as when the destination is not set by the user.
[0024]
Such a navigation device 6 may be configured using a computer system including a CPU, a main memory, and the like in hardware. In this case, each of the above-described units, or a part thereof, It may be realized by the CPU executing a computer program.
[0025]
Hereinafter, in such an in-vehicle system, an operation of presenting a message for alerting the vehicle behavior of the rear seat boarding user who is viewing the output content of the AV device 7 on the rear monitor 3 will be described.
This operation is realized by a message composition control process performed by the control unit 11 of the main unit 1, a rear message output process performed by the rear message processing unit 68 of the navigation device 6, and a message composition operation of the message composition unit 16.
First, the message composition control process performed by the control unit 11 will be described.
In this process, as shown in FIG. 4a, when the process is started, the process waits for the rear video selector 14 to select the video output of the AV device 7 (step 402). When the rear video selector 14 is in a state of selecting the video output of the AV device 7, the navigation apparatus 6 displays the message represented by the video signal input from the rear video selector 14 to the message synthesis unit 16. A message compositing operation for synthesizing the message video represented by the input message video signal and displaying the video signal of the synthesized video on the rear monitor 3 is started (step 404). Details of the message composition operation of the message composition unit 16 will be described later. Note that the message compositing unit 16 does not perform the message compositing operation after receiving the instruction to start the message compositing operation, and displays and outputs the video signal input from the rear video selector 14 as it is on the rear monitor 3.
[0026]
Next, the control unit 11 waits for the rear video selector 14 to select the video output of the navigation device 6 (step 406), and instructs the message synthesis unit 16 to stop the message synthesis operation ( Step 408), returning to Step 402. Here, the message synthesizing unit 16 that has received the instruction to stop the message synthesizing operation does not perform the message synthesizing operation until the next instruction to start the message synthesizing operation, and receives the video signal input from the rear video selector 14. Is output to the rear monitor 3 as it is.
[0027]
Next, rear message output processing performed by the rear message processing unit 68 will be described.
In this process, a point where the occurrence of an event that requires the user's attention, such as a steep movement of the vehicle, is set as a warning point, and the user's movement against the movement that is predicted to occur at the point when the warning point approaches is set. Perform a process to call attention.
As shown in FIG. 4b, in this process, when the process is started, it is first checked whether or not a route is currently being guided, that is, whether or not a valid guide route is set (step 452). Wait for the route guidance to start. On the other hand, if the current route is being guided, it is checked whether the current position calculated by the current position calculation unit 63 is close to the alerting point within a predetermined distance (step 454). Return. On the other hand, if the current position is close to the alerting point within a predetermined distance, message data for alerting the user at the alerting point is generated according to the type of alerting point, and the message output interface 69 is generated. To output the message video signal to the message synthesizer 16 (step 456).
[0028]
Here, in the present embodiment, for example, when traveling according to a guidance route, an intersection that changes a traveling route such as a left or right turn, a level crossing that passes when traveling according to a guidance route, and a traveling according to a guidance route Four points of the start point of a sharp curve that will pass through are set as alert points. Further, the rear message processing unit 68 performs identification of each point as the alerting point based on the guide route and the map data stored in the map database 61. Here, for such identification, the map data may include in advance information such as a point corresponding to a railroad crossing or a point serving as a starting point of a sharp curve for each traveling direction.
[0029]
Next, as message data for calling attention generated according to the type of warning point, for example, if the warning point is an intersection that makes a right turn according to the guidance route, a message such as “I will turn right soon!” Use message data that specifies a mark to represent, and if the alert point is a right-hand curve that passes along the guidance route, use a message such as “Caution on the right front curve!” Or message data that defines a mark that represents a right-hand curve. If the arousing point is a level crossing that passes through the guidance route, a message such as “Be careful about the front level crossing step!” And message data that defines a mark indicating the level difference are used.
[0030]
If the output of the message data to the message output interface 69 is started in this way, then whether the current position calculated by the current position calculation unit 63 passes the alerting point (step 458), or the current position It is monitored that the current position calculated by the calculation unit 63 deviates from the guidance route (step 460). If any event occurs, the output of message data is stopped (step 462), and the process returns to step 462.
[0031]
Next, the message composition operation performed by the message composition unit 16 will be described.
As described above, the message composition unit 16 represents a screen in which the message image represented by the message video signal input from the message output interface 69 of the navigation device 6 is synthesized with the image represented by the video signal selected and output by the rear video selector 14. A video signal is generated and displayed on the rear monitor 3.
[0032]
FIG. 5 shows an example of this synthesis.
FIG. 5A shows a message image 502 represented by a message video signal input from the navigation device 6 in a translucent manner on the image 501 output from the AV device 7. "And a mark indicating a right turn are a message to the rear seat boarding user.
[0033]
Next, FIG. 5B shows a message that is input from the navigation device 6 to an empty area caused by the difference in the aspect ratio when the aspect ratio of the video 501 output from the AV device 7 and the aspect ratio of the rear monitor 3 are different. A message video 502 represented by the video signal is displayed. In this example, the aspect ratio of the video 501 output from the AV device 7 is longer than the aspect ratio of the rear monitor 3 and an empty area is generated in the vertical direction. The character string “!” And a mark indicating a right turn are messages to the rear seat boarding user.
[0034]
5c shows a message video 502 represented by a message video signal input from the navigation device 6 in a translucent manner on the video 501 output from the AV device 7 in the same manner as FIG. 5a. However, the rear message processing unit 68 of the navigation device 6 generates message data that defines a mark indicating the content to be noted (a mark indicating a right turn in the figure) as the message data.
[0035]
In any of the above cases, during a period when a significant message video signal is not input from the navigation device 6 (a period other than between steps 456 to 462 of the rear message output process), the message synthesis unit 16 As shown in FIG. 2 b, only the video 501 output from the AV device 7 is displayed on the rear monitor 3. For example, the rear message processing unit 68 notifies the control unit 11 of the main unit 1 of the start and stop of message output via the bus, and the control unit 11 starts to output the notified message. Only the period until the stop can be realized by causing the message compositing unit 16 to perform the message compositing operation, or by using a technique such as chroma key and the rear message processing unit 68 does not output a message. Can be realized by the message output interface 69 outputting a message video signal having a value to be synthesized as a completely transparent video in the message synthesis unit 16.
[0036]
As a result of the above processes, when the video content from the AV device 7 is displayed on the rear monitor 3, that is, when the user riding on the rear seat is viewing the video content from the AV device 7, When approaching a sharp curve or railroad crossing scheduled to pass according to a left turn intersection or guidance route, a display for alerting the user is performed on the rear monitor 3 in a manner that does not hinder the visibility of the video content. Become. Accordingly, the user seated on the rear seat can recognize the future behavior of the vehicle and prepare for the behavior while enjoying the video content with good visibility.
[0037]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
In the above embodiment, the warning message is displayed on the rear monitor 3 only during the route guidance. However, even when the route guidance is not being performed, the warning message is similarly displayed. Display may be performed. For example, in the rear message processing unit 68, when the direction indicator is operated by the driver, or when there is a start point of a sharp curve or a level crossing within a predetermined distance in front of the traveling route, a change of direction or a step is announced. Then, message data for alerting the user seated on the rear seat may be generated and output to the message output interface 69 so that the message video signal is output to the message synthesis unit 16.
[0038]
In the above embodiment, the navigation device 6 outputs a message for alerting the user on the rear seat as a video signal, and the message synthesis unit 16 synthesizes it with the video signal output by the rear video selector 14. However, this is because message data defining the content of the message is output from the navigation device 6, a message video is generated from the message data in the message synthesizer 16, and the video signal output from the rear video selector 14 is spun in. You may make it synthesize | combine by forms, such as posing.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to alert the user seated on the rear seat to the behavior of the vehicle without greatly impairing the visibility of the output video of the AV device on the rear monitor.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of a front monitor and a rear monitor according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a synthesis example of a message to a rear monitor of the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: main unit, 2: front monitor, 3: rear monitor, 4: speaker, 5: headphones, 6: navigation device, 7: AV device, 8: operation unit, 11: control unit, 12: rear audio selector, 13: Front audio selector, 14: Rear video selector, 15: Front video selector, 16: Message composition unit, 60: Navigation control unit, 61: Map database, 62: State detection unit, 63: Current position calculation unit, 64: Route search 65: Guidance processing unit 66: Audio output unit 67: Video output interface 68: Rear message processing unit 69: Message output interface

Claims (5)

A front monitor that is a display device for a front seat boarding user, a rear monitor that is a display device for a rear seat boarding user, a navigation device that displays and outputs a guidance screen for guiding the user's travel to the front monitor, and an image An in-vehicle system comprising an AV device for display output on the rear monitor,
The navigation device
A predicting means for predicting the occurrence of a steep motion of the vehicle based on map data representing at least a road map and a current travel point of the vehicle;
Rear message output means for generating and outputting a message for notifying the occurrence of the steep motion predicted to the rear seat boarding user when the prediction means predicts the occurrence of the steep motion of the vehicle,
The in-vehicle system has message presenting means for temporarily displaying the message output by the rear message output means on the rear monitor displaying the video from the AV device together with the video from the AV device. A featured in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system according to claim 1,
The message presenting means displays the message output by the rear message output means on the rear monitor displaying the video from the AV device temporarily in a form of being superimposed on the video from the AV device. An in-vehicle system characterized by this. The in-vehicle system according to claim 1 or 2,
The on-board system is characterized in that the predicting means predicts the occurrence of a steep motion of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches a sharp curve or a railroad crossing. The in-vehicle system according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
The navigation device has a route guidance means for searching for a route from a user to a destination set using the map data and setting it as a guidance route, and guiding the guidance route on the guidance screen,
The on-board system is characterized in that the predicting means predicts the occurrence of a steep motion of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches an intersection that changes direction when traveling along the guidance route. A front monitor that is a display device for a front seat boarding user, a rear monitor that is a display device for a rear seat boarding user, a navigation device that displays and outputs a guidance screen for guiding the user's travel to the front monitor, and an image In an in-vehicle system provided with an AV device for display output on the rear monitor, a method for calling attention to a steep movement of a vehicle of a rear seat boarding user,
Predicting the occurrence of steep movement of the vehicle in the navigation device;
A step of generating a message for notifying the occurrence of the steep motion predicted to the rear seat boarding user when the occurrence of the steep motion of the vehicle is predicted;
And a step of temporarily displaying the generated message on the rear monitor displaying the video from the AV device together with the video from the AV device.

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