JP2006017652A - Information display for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make alarm display not be an eyesore as much as possible, while issuing the alarm display as to a fuel amount in proper timing. <P>SOLUTION: A display part 10a is installed in the vicinity of a steering wheel 2, for example, out of an instrument panel 1, and the alarm display 11d ("an amount of gasoline is in a low level" or the like) about the fuel amount is displayed in the display part 10a. A GS (gas station) in the vicinity is searched when a touch panel type selection switch 24 displayed on a monitor 20 is pushedly operated under the condition where the alarm display 11d is displayed, and a screen is displayed to set the GS as a destination (not shown in Fig.). The alarm display 11d on the display part 10a is eliminated when the selection switch 24 is pushedly operated to set the desired GS as the destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle information display device that notifies vehicle information to a driver.

  In vehicles, particularly automobiles, various vehicle information is provided to the driver, and the number of vehicle information tends to increase as the functions of the vehicle diversify. As the vehicle information, for example, there are many vehicle failure information, traffic congestion information, fuel warning information indicating that the amount of fuel is low, traffic regulation information from a traffic center, and the like. In recent vehicles, there are an increasing number of vehicles having a navigation device for guiding the host vehicle to a destination, and vehicle information is appropriately displayed on a display screen (display, monitor) for the navigation device. It has been broken.

  By the way, for the driver, the vehicle information relating to the residual fuel amount is extremely important in determining when and where to refuel. An increasing number of vehicles are provided with a warning lamp that is turned on when the fuel amount provided on the instrument panel becomes equal to or less than a predetermined fixed value (for example, 10 liters) at which the residual fuel amount is absolutely reduced. In Patent Literature 1, when driving an unfamiliar vehicle such as a rental car, the driver often does not know the left and right positions of the fuel filler port, and when the remaining fuel amount decreases. A warning system that is generally used in the past, and when this warning is issued, searches for the filling station and informs whether the position of the filling port is left or right when located near the filling station Has been proposed.

  As described above, in the case where a warning is issued when the fuel remaining amount becomes less than a predetermined constant value at which the fuel remaining amount is absolutely reduced, the fuel remaining amount at the time of warning is always constant. There are many cases that do not always match the driver's will. That is, the predetermined constant value is often set as a value that can travel at least about 50 to 70 km, but driving that runs exclusively in an area where there are many city areas and there is always a gas station nearby. For those who are warned, the warning is too early and the warning becomes annoying. Conversely, for drivers who have many opportunities to travel in mountainous areas where gas stations are often closed at midnight and where there are few gas stations, the amount of residual fuel can be increased at an early stage. A warning will be desired. In addition, some drivers are strongly urged to refuel at the gas station of a specific affiliated oil company with which they are contracted (members) and travel to the gas station of the nearest affiliated oil company. It would be desirable to be alerted when the fuel is depleted as much as possible.

Matching the warning display regarding the fuel amount, that is, the residual fuel amount as much as possible to the timing required by the driver can be dealt with considerably depending on how the warning conditions are set. However, the fact that the warning display is continued even when the driver receiving the warning display is heading to the gas station, etc., this warning display is an obstacle to the driver, and some measures are desired in this respect as well. It will be.
JP 2003-121174 A

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide both a warning display regarding the amount of fuel at an appropriate time and the prevention of the warning display from becoming an obstacle to the driver. An object of the present invention is to provide an information display device for a vehicle which can be satisfied at a high level.

In order to achieve the above object, the following solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 1 in the claims,
Display means for displaying vehicle information;
A navigation device for guiding the vehicle to a destination;
Warning display means for displaying a warning indicating that the amount of fuel is low on the display means when the fuel quantity is determined in advance and meets warning conditions;
When the warning display is performed on the display means, destination setting display means for causing the navigation device to display for destination setting up to a gas station,
Warning erasure means for erasing the warning display displayed on the display means when the navigation device is set as a gas station,
It is supposed to be equipped with.

  According to the above solution, a warning is displayed when the warning condition is met, so that the driver can know that there is a need for refueling at an appropriate timing. When the warning is displayed, the navigation device is displayed for setting the destination to the gas station, so the driver switches the navigation device to the display for setting the destination when the warning is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the gas station as the destination without performing any special operation. When the gas station is set as the destination, the warning display is erased, so the warning display does not become obstructive.

A preferred mode based on the above solution is as described in claim 2 and the following claims. That is,
Independently from the main monitor for the navigation device, it has a sub-monitor as the display means,
The sub monitor is positioned at a position where a driver who is traveling can view without greatly shifting his / her line of sight compared to the main monitor,
(Claim 2). In this case, the traveling driver can visually recognize the warning display without taking a large line of sight, which is preferable for easily and clearly checking the warning display. In addition, since it can be easily and clearly visually recognized, an unnecessary warning display is obstructive, so the effect of preventing the warning display from being obstructive is extremely high.

  A warning redisplay unit may be provided for causing the display unit to display the erased warning display again when the preset redisplay condition is met (corresponding to claim 3). In this case, it is preferable to prevent a situation in which fuel shortage occurs due to various factors such as a detour on the way to the gas station set as the destination.

  When the re-display condition is that the vehicle has deviated from the route to the destination, and the residual fuel amount is less than or equal to a predetermined constant value set in advance, it is determined that there is insufficient fuel to travel to the destination. In such a case, it may be set so as to include at least one of them (corresponding to claim 4). In this case, a specific situation that is preferably displayed again is specified.

Independently of the warning display displayed on the display means, it comprises independent warning means for giving a warning when the residual fuel amount becomes a predetermined constant value or less,
The re-display condition is set as when the independent warning means is activated,
(Corresponding to claim 5). In this case, if the remaining fuel amount is not more than the predetermined value and the warning is given by the independent warning means, the warning is not displayed on the display means. However, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable.

  When traveling in an area well known to the driver, the operation of the destination setting display means can be prohibited (corresponding to claim 6). In this case, it is very likely that the driver is familiar with the location of the familiar gas station in the surrounding area, so in this case the warning display will be obstructive by not displaying the warning display. This is preferable for further reducing the above.

  A warning forcibly erasing means for forcibly erasing the warning display by manual operation may be further provided (corresponding to claim 7). In this case, when the warning display is not necessarily the refueling timing requested by the driver, it is preferable to forcibly erase the warning display by the driver's manual operation and further reduce the situation in which the warning display becomes obstructive. It will be a thing.

  It is possible to further include a setting display forced erasing means for forcibly erasing the destination setting display by manual operation (corresponding to claim 8). In this case, when the driver does not request until the gas station is set as the destination, the display for setting the destination is forcibly erased by the driver's manual operation, and the navigation screen is operated. It is preferable for promptly returning to the contents requested by the person.

  The warning condition may be set as a case where fuel is insufficient before reaching the destination (corresponding to claim 9). In this case, it is preferable for prompting the refueling required before reaching the destination.

  The warning condition may be determined based on a setting condition registered in advance (corresponding to claim 10). In this case, since the warning condition is determined based on a preset setting condition, the driver should be familiar with the setting condition, that is, the warning condition in advance, and more understand the situation regarding the fuel amount when the warning is displayed. This is preferable for full understanding.

  The setting condition can be set and changed by a driver (corresponding to claim 11). In this case, it is preferable to set the warning condition to a condition that suits the driver's preference.

  The warning condition may be determined based on profit information input from the outside (corresponding to claim 12). In this case, if there is discount information at a certain gas station or discount service at a certain store, a warning is displayed in relation to the amount of fuel required to go to this profitable place. be able to.

  According to the present invention, a warning is displayed when the warning condition is met, so that the driver can know that there is a need for refueling at an appropriate timing. Further, when the warning is displayed, the navigation device is displayed for setting the destination to the gas station, so that the driver displays the navigation device for setting the destination when the warning is displayed. It is possible to easily set the gas station as the destination without performing a special operation for switching to the above. Further, when the destination of the gas station is set, the warning display is erased, so that the warning display does not become an obstacle.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is an instrument panel extending in the vehicle width direction, and 2 is a steering handle. The position immediately before the steering handle 2 in the instrument panel 1 is a meter panel section 1a, which is frequently confirmed by the driver during operation of the speedometer 3, engine tachometer 4, fuel gauge 5, and the like. The vehicle information required to be displayed is displayed.

  On the upper surface of the instrument panel 1, a sub-monitor 10 constituting the first display screen is provided at a position closer to the steering handle 2 side than the center in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, the vehicle width direction center part is extended long in the up-down direction among the instrument panels 1, and the main monitor 20 as a 2nd display screen is provided here. The main monitor 20 is a display screen for a navigation device in the embodiment, and has a larger display area than the sub monitor 10. An operation unit 6a of the audio device 6 is disposed immediately below the main monitor 20, and an operation unit 7a of the air conditioning unit 7 is disposed below the operation unit 6a.

  Control of the display on each of the monitors 10 and 20 is performed by a controller (control unit) U configured using a microcomputer as shown in FIG. The controller U controls the navigation device 30, the audio device 6, and the air conditioning unit 7 in addition to the display control of the monitors 10 and 20. A wireless communication device 31 is connected to the controller U for display control of the monitors 10 and 20, and a signal indicating the current fuel amount from the fuel sensor 32 is input. Fault information is entered. The wireless communication device 31 is used for obtaining various latest information from a contracted traffic information center, for exchanging e-mails and for telephone communication. For example, a mobile phone can be used.

  The sub monitor 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the sub-monitor 10 is divided into a plurality of display units 10a to 10h. The display unit 10a is for displaying alerting information, which will be described in detail later, and is set to the uppermost right position, that is, a position where the driver can visually check without greatly shifting his / her line of sight while driving. The display unit 10b is positioned next to the display unit 10a, and when a plurality of pieces of alert information are displayed on the display unit 10a, the driver is notified of which detailed information about the alert information is obtained. Is to do. The display unit 10c displays the circulation state of the inside and outside air and each temperature thereof. The display unit 10d displays the air-conditioning air blowing position and the set temperature on the right side of the passenger compartment. The display unit 10e displays the amount of air-conditioning air blown out. The display unit 10 f displays the operating state of the audio device 6. The display unit 10g displays the set temperature on the left side of the passenger compartment. The display unit 10h displays the current date and time together with the time. The display unit 10a substantially constitutes a first display screen for displaying the alert information, and the display unit 10b notifies (identifies) which alert information corresponds to the detailed information obtained this time. Is to do. The display units 10a and 10b will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 4 shows a display example on the main monitor 20, which is a display mode for navigation. The main monitor 20 is of a touch panel type, and appropriately provides a switch function that is activated by touching a finger among various displays displayed on the main monitor 20. In FIG. 4, the display units having a switch function are 20a to 20g.

  FIG. 5 shows a case where a plurality of pieces of alert information 11a to 11f are displayed on the display unit 10a of FIG. Each of the alert information 11a to 11f is displayed in the form of an icon that briefly shows the contents of the information symbolically. The alert information 11a indicates that the latest information has been transmitted from the traffic information center. The alert information 11b indicates that there is vehicle failure information. The attention information 11b as failure information is marked with an x mark, which is an identification display indicating that the detailed information cannot be seen unless the vehicle is stopped (about the failure information). It is not preferable for the driver to check the detailed information while driving because the detailed information is too detailed. The alert information 11c indicates that a call has been received. The alert information 11d indicates that there is little remaining gasoline as fuel. The alert information 11e indicates that an e-mail has arrived. The alert information 11f indicates that there is traffic jam information. The display of one alert information, in FIG. 5, alert information 11e is different from the other alert information (for example, it is displayed brighter than other alert information or blinking). As will be described later, this is to make the driver recognize that detailed information is currently displayed on the main monitor 20 for one specific alert information (11e in FIG. 5).

  The display unit 10a displays the priority when displaying the detailed information in association with each of the alert information 11a to 11f. In the embodiment, the display of the priority order is performed by the display units 12a to 12f that display numerical values indicating the priority order at positions immediately above the alert information 11a to 11f. In the case of FIG. 5, the priorities are 11a, 11c, 11e, 11f, 11d, and 11b in order from the first to the sixth.

FIG. 6 shows a display screen in the case where the priority order for the alert information described in FIG. 5 is manually set. The display of FIG. 6 is displayed on the main monitor 20, and displays display units (switch units) 21a to 21f corresponding to the alert information 11a to 11f, a replacement switch 22, and a prohibition setting switch 23. The
In FIG. 6, the display unit 21a corresponding to E-mail has the highest priority. To change the priority of the display unit 21a, for example, the following is performed. First, after pressing the display unit 21a, the switching switch 22 is pressed, and then the display unit 21c is pressed, for example. As a result, the display on the display unit 21a is changed to a position directly below the display unit 21c (the priority is changed in the order immediately after the display unit 21c). The prohibition switch 23 is for prohibiting the display of detailed information (corresponding to the operation of attaching an X mark on the alert information 11b in FIG. 5, for example). That is, when a desired switch is pressed after the desired one of the displays 21a to 21f is pressed, the display of detailed information corresponding to the desired display is prohibited.

  Next, an outline of control of displaying alert information on the display unit 10a of the sub monitor 10 and displaying detailed information on the main monitor 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 7, three warning information 11d (fuel information), 11e (email information), and 11f (congestion information) are displayed on the display unit 10a. The priority order of the detailed information is 11e, 11f. , 11d. Then, on the display unit 10b, the character display for the alert information 11e with the first priority, which is the display target of the detailed information, is performed, for example, with a display “Mail has arrived”.

  Corresponding to the state of FIG. 7, the main monitor 20 displays as shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 8 corresponds to the display of FIG. 4, but a selection switch 24 for displaying detailed information is newly displayed along with the display of the alert information. On this selection switch 24, an outline of detailed information displayed on the main monitor 20 when the pressing operation is performed, that is, a display indicating that it is for selecting detailed information corresponding to the alert information 11e for e-mail, In the embodiment, display of “unread mail list display” is performed.

  When the driver presses the selection switch 24 in the state of FIG. 8, a mail list is displayed on the main monitor 20 as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, it is displayed as indicated by reference numerals 25a and 25b that E-mails are received from “Mr. A” and “Mr. B”. When the display unit 25a is pressed, the content of the e-mail is displayed on the main monitor 20 (the same applies to the display unit 25b). In FIG. 9, the selection switch 24 is changed to select the detailed information of the traffic jam information which is the next priority. In the embodiment, the selection switch 24 displays “congestion information”. However, the position itself of the selection switch 24 is not changed at all, and the selection switch 24 is always displayed at a fixed position on the main monitor 20. The display on the display unit 10b of the sub monitor 10 is also changed to the content corresponding to the display content of the selection switch 24. That is, in the state of FIG. 9, for example, a message such as “We have acquired traffic information” is displayed on the display unit 10 b.

  In FIG. 9, when the selection switch 24 is pressed, traffic congestion information related to the current host vehicle position is displayed as shown in FIG. 10. In the embodiment, the position of the host vehicle V is displayed on the map information displayed on the main monitor 20, and the traffic jam ahead of the host vehicle V in the traveling direction is indicated by, for example, a wavy line α. In FIG. 10, the detailed information regarding the traffic jam information is displayed, and the selection switch 24 is displayed to select the detailed information regarding the fuel amount which is the next priority, for example, “search for surrounding GS”. Is displayed (GS is a gas station). The display on the display unit 10b of the sub monitor 10 is also changed to the content corresponding to the display content of the selection switch 24. That is, in the state of FIG. 10, for example, a display such as “Fuel is running low” is displayed on the display unit 10 b.

  When the selection switch 24 shown in FIG. 10 is pressed, a plurality of GSs located around the host vehicle V on the map information are displayed as shown in FIG. In the state of FIG. 11, the selection switch 24 displays “Select the nearest GS”. When the selection switch 24 is pressed, a specific GS located closest to the host vehicle V is set as a destination among a plurality of GS in the vicinity. In FIG. 11, a plurality of GS displayed on the map information, for example, “A Petroleum” display unit 26 a, “B Petroleum” display unit 26 b, “C Petroleum” display unit 26 c, “D Petroleum” Since the display unit 26d and the display unit 26e of “E oil” are displayed together, when one of the display units 26a to 26e is pressed, the specific GS that has been pressed is set as the destination. . The destination setting using the display units 26a to 26e is normally used when the driver desires to refuel with a specific series of GS contracted by the driver. In connection with setting the destination of the GS, the main monitor 20 newly displays display units 25a and 25b as switches.

  Note that the alert information displayed on the display unit 10a is automatically displayed after the detailed information is displayed on the main monitor 20 (after the destination for fuel-related alert information is set). Erased. Note that the alert information displayed on the display unit 10a can be erased, for example, when a touch panel type erase switch provided on the main monitor 20 is operated.

  Next, a detailed control example by the controller U regarding the display of the alert information and the detailed information described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the following description, S indicates a step. First, FIG. 12 shows a main flowchart. In S1, it is determined whether or not there is alert information to be notified to the driver. Next, in S2, as will be described in detail later, control for setting the priority order of the alert information is performed. In S3, as will be described in detail later, control related to the fuel amount is performed. In S4, the display on the display units 10a and 10b, which is a display related to the alert information, is controlled. In S5, control relating to the display of detailed information on the main monitor 20 according to the operation of the selection switch 24 is performed. In S6, control related to erasure of alert information on the display unit 10a is performed.

  Details of S2 in FIG. 12 are shown in FIGS. First, in S11 of FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of pieces of alert information. If the determination in S11 is NO, the process is returned as it is. If the determination in S11 is YES, it is determined in S12 whether or not the priority order of the alert information is manually set (refer to the description of FIG. 6 for manual setting of the priority order). If YES in S12, the priority order of the alert information set manually is read in S13. Thereafter, in S14, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is currently parked or stopped. If the determination in S14 is YES, in S16, the priority order of the contents read in S13 (contents that have been manually set) is determined as the final priority order and displayed on the main monitor 20 as it is. The display of the detailed information of the caution alerting information is also determined to be performed for all the alerting information read in S13.

  When the determination in S14 is NO, that is, when the vehicle is currently running, in S15, the correction related to the alert information read in the display S13 is performed. This correction is performed so that the detailed information about the failure information is not displayed on the main monitor 20 from the viewpoint that the driver is too careful about the detailed information when the detailed information is displayed during traveling. Further, a display setting for notifying the driver that the detailed information of the failure information is not displayed (setting of the X mark attached to the icon of the alert information 11b in FIG. 5) is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S16, and the content after the correction in S15 is finally determined. It returns after S16.

  If the determination in S12 is NO, that is, if the priority order for the alert information is not set manually, it is determined in S21 whether or not the current vehicle periphery is an area that is unfamiliar to the driver. Is done. The determination in S21 is, for example, determined that the current position of the host vehicle is a non-guide area when the current position of the host vehicle is an area that is more than a predetermined distance away from the driver's home registration point set in the navigation device 30. can do. If the determination in S21 is YES, it is determined in S22 whether the vehicle is currently parked or stopped. When the determination in S22 is YES, in S23, the priority order of the alert information and the setting of items for which display of the detailed information is prohibited are set to the contents shown here. That is, from the highest priority to the lowest priority, the order is “mail”, “phone”, “latest information”, “traffic jam information”, “GS” (fuel remaining amount), “failure information”. . The priority setting in S23 is a setting that places importance on “mail” and “telephone”, which are alert information that is relatively detailed and that is not directly related to traveling. In addition, the alert information that should not be displayed on the main monitor 20 should be prohibited (the setting that allows the detail information to be displayed for all alert information).

  On the other hand, when the determination in S22 is NO, that is, when the vehicle is currently running, in S24, the priority setting of the warning information and the setting of the warning information for which display of detailed information is prohibited are shown here. To be done. The priority setting in S24 is a setting in which “latest information” and “traffic congestion information” that are deeply related to driving are emphasized. In addition, display of detailed information regarding failure information is prohibited.

  When the determination in S21 is NO, that is, in a region where the driver sufficiently knows the surrounding road conditions, the processes of S25 to S27 are performed. That is, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is parked or stopped in S25. When YES is determined in S25, the process of S26 is performed, and when NO is determined in S25, the process of S27 is performed. The setting in S26 during parking and stopping is exactly the same as in S23 described above. On the other hand, the setting in S27 during running is the same as that in the case of S24 described above, except that the display of detailed information on “failure information” is prohibited. The order is set to be lower (priority setting considering that the driver is likely to know the surrounding road conditions including traffic conditions).

  After S23, S24, S26, and S27 in FIG. 13, the process proceeds to S31 in FIG. In S31, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed since the selection switch 24 was displayed on the main monitor 20. If the determination in S31 is YES, the alert information that is the target of the display of detailed information this time is considered to be less important for the driver. In this case, in S32, the detailed information for a predetermined time or more. The priority for the alert information for which no display is selected is lowered (for example, the priority is lowered by one level). When the determination in S31 is NO and after S32, the processes of S33 and S34 are performed (corresponding to the processes of S15 and S16 in FIG. 13), respectively.

  Next, detailed control in S3 of FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the control shown in FIG. 15 and below is a special control for alerting information (11d in FIG. 5) relating to refueling, which is set from the following viewpoint. In other words, the driver is contracted with a certain affiliated oil company and can refuel with the GS of the particular affiliated oil company as much as possible. Briefly, not only when the remaining amount of fuel is absolutely less than a predetermined amount (for example, 10 liters) or less, but the remaining amount of fuel is, for example, 30 liters, until the nearest GS is reached. Is more than sufficient, but when the amount of residual fuel is not enough to reach the nearest specific oil company, control is performed to encourage the driver to refuel. Further, in the embodiment, the fuel gauge 5 installed in the meter panel portion 1a of the instrument panel 1 has a format that does not separately give a warning when the residual fuel amount is absolutely less than the predetermined amount. In consideration of this, the control for giving an alarm when the amount of the fuel is below the predetermined amount is also performed.

  Assuming the above, FIG. 15 shows that when the fuel is not sufficient to reach the nearest specific affiliated oil company (for example, “A oil company”), the fuel remaining on the display unit 10a is displayed. The alert information 11d indicating that the amount has decreased is displayed, and the display 10b displays “gasoline is low”. Corresponding to the state of FIG. 15, the main monitor 20 displays a selection switch 24 as shown in FIG. 16, and the selection switch 24 displays “search for surrounding GS”.

  When the selection switch 24 is pressed in the state of FIG. 16, a search for GS including a specific affiliated oil company (A oil company) located near the host vehicle is performed as shown in FIG. When the search is completed, the display shown in FIG. In the display of FIG. 11, the display unit 26 a for setting the destination for the GS of A oil of a specific oil company is displayed at the most prioritized upper position. In FIG. 17, a display unit 28 as a switch for canceling the search for GS is newly displayed. Although the display unit 28 forcibly deletes the display for setting the destination by manual operation, the display unit 18 can also be displayed in the state shown in FIG.

  From the state of FIG. 11, the state after selecting the display unit 26a of A oil which is a specific affiliated oil company as the destination is the state of FIG. In FIG. 18, the selection switch 24 is a switch for searching around the destination (A petroleum GS), and by pressing this selection switch 24, map information around the A petroleum GS is displayed. It will be. In FIG. 18, a display unit 29 is newly displayed as a switch for searching around the current location.

  Next, details of the above control (details of S3 in FIG. 12) will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in S41 of FIG. 19, it is determined whether or not the flag is 1. When this flag is 1, it means that after the warning information about the fuel remaining amount on the display unit 10a is once displayed, it is erased because the destination of GS is set, and is initially initialized to 0. Therefore, the determination in S41 is NO. If NO in S41, it is determined in S42 whether the destination is currently set. If YES in S42, that is, if the destination is set, it is determined in S46 whether fuel is sufficient to reach the destination. If the determination in S46 is NO, it is determined in S47 that the warning regarding the residual fuel amount, that is, the display of the alert information (11d) regarding the residual fuel amount on the display unit 10a is unnecessary.

  If the determination in S46 is YES, it is determined in S48 whether or not the residual fuel amount is, for example, 40 liters or less. The determination in S48 is a situation where the destination is quite far away and it is considered that refueling is almost certainly required before reaching the destination. When the determination in S48 is NO, that is, when the fuel exceeds 40 liters, it is determined in S47 that the display of the alert information (11d) regarding the remaining fuel amount is unnecessary.

  When the determination in S48 is YES, in S49, alert information (11d) regarding the remaining fuel amount is displayed on the display unit 10a. Next, in S50, as detailed information to be displayed on the main monitor 20, a display for setting the destination of the GS is performed (status display in FIG. 16).

  If the determination in S42 is NO, that is, if the destination is not set, it is determined in S43 whether or not the residual fuel amount is absolutely smaller than a predetermined amount (for example, 10 liters). If the determination in S43 is NO, the process proceeds to S47, where the alerting information regarding the remaining fuel amount is not displayed. If the determination in S43 is YES, it is determined in S44 whether or not the road condition of the currently traveling area is an area that the driver does not know well. If the determination in S44 is YES, the process proceeds to S49 so that the destination of GS can be set. When the determination in S44 is NO, the process proceeds to S45 to display the alert information (11d) regarding the residual fuel amount on the display unit 10a and then return. In the process through S45, the process corresponding to S50 for setting the destination of the GS is not performed, but this means that the driver knows the position of the GS to be refueled. This is a consideration.

  After S50 in FIG. 19, it is determined in S61 in FIG. 20 whether a condition for setting the destination of GS is satisfied. Although details of this determination will be described later, when the determination in S61 is YES, in S62, the display of the alert information (11d) regarding the residual fuel amount on the display unit 10a is erased (the destination is set for GS). Therefore, it is troublesome to display the alert information 11d indefinitely). After S62, the flag is set to 1 in S63.

  After S63, it is determined in S64 whether or not a condition for redisplaying the alert information 11d regarding the residual fuel amount is satisfied. Details of the determination in S64 will be described later. When the determination in S64 is YES, in S65, the alerting information 11d regarding the remaining fuel amount is displayed again on the display unit 10a, and then the flag is set to 0 in S66.

  If the determination in S61 is NO, it is determined in S67 whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed since the alert information 11d regarding the remaining fuel amount is displayed. If the determination in S67 is YES, in S68, the alert information 11d regarding the remaining fuel amount is deleted from the display unit 10a.

  If the determination in S41 of FIG. 19 is YES, the process proceeds to S64 of FIG. 20, and if NO in S67 and after S68, the process returns.

  Next, details of the determination to S61 in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in S71, it is determined whether or not a GS (gas station) is set as a destination. When the determination in S71 is YES, in S72, the display for setting the GS on the main monitor 20 is deleted. Thereafter, in S73, it is determined that the condition for setting the destination of GS is established (the condition is YES in the determination in S61 of FIG. 20).

  If the determination in S71 is NO, it is determined in S74 whether or not the alert information 11d regarding the remaining fuel amount has been forcibly deleted by the driver's will (this deletion switch is displayed on the display screen of FIG. 16, for example). Can be displayed). When the determination in S74 is YES, the process proceeds to S72. If the determination in S74 is NO, it is determined in S75 whether or not an erasure switch for forcibly erasing the display for setting the destination of GS has been operated (this erasure switch is, for example, shown in FIGS. 17 or the display screen of FIG. 18). If the determination in S75 is YES, the process proceeds to S72. If the determination in 75 is NO, it is determined in S76 that the condition for setting the destination of GS is not satisfied.

  Details of S64 in FIG. 20 are shown in FIG. First, in S81 of FIG. 22, it is determined whether or not the route toward the destination GS is disconnected. When the determination in S81 is YES, it is determined in S82 that the condition for redisplaying the alert information 11d regarding the remaining fuel amount on the display unit 10a is satisfied. If the determination in S81 is NO, it is determined in S83 whether or not there is a shortage of residual fuel necessary to travel to the destination GS. Also when the determination in S83 is YES, the process proceeds to S82. If the determination in S83 is NO, it is determined in S84 whether or not the fuel remaining amount is a predetermined amount of 10 liters or less which is absolutely reduced. If the determination in S84 is YES, the process proceeds to S82. When the determination in S84 is NO, it is determined that the condition for redisplaying the reminder information 11d of the residual fuel amount on the display unit 10a is not satisfied. The process in S84 is set in consideration of the fact that, in addition to the process in S43 of FIG. 19, in the embodiment, there is no separate alarm function for warning that the residual fuel amount is less than a predetermined amount that is absolutely less. It is.

  As described above, after the warning information 11d regarding the residual fuel amount is once displayed on the display unit 10a, when the driver is taking measures related to the residual fuel amount, such as setting the destination of the GS, the warning is issued. Since the information 11d is erased, the alert information 11d is preferable in order not to obstruct the driver as much as possible. In particular, if there is usually a habit of refueling at a GS of a particular oil company, even if the remaining amount of fuel is sufficiently greater than a predetermined amount (eg 10 liters), the nearest While it is possible to issue an advance warning so that there is no shortage of fuel before going to a GS of a specific oil company, increasing the opportunity to eliminate this advance warning will obstruct the warning and advance warning. It is possible to satisfy the prevention of becoming at a high level.

  FIG. 23 shows that an alarm device 5a relating to the remaining amount of fuel is separately provided in the fuel meter 5, and this alarm device 5a is activated when the remaining fuel amount is absolutely smaller than a predetermined amount (for example, 10 liters) ( For example, it is lit). In the case of having such an alarm device 5a, it is preferable to always display warning information 11d regarding the residual fuel amount on the display unit 10a as long as the alarm device 5a is operating.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes, for example, the following cases. The selection switch 24 may be always displayed on the main monitor 20. Further, the selection switch 24 can be installed in the vicinity of the main monitor 20 or on the steering handle without using the display screen of the main monitor 20 as long as the installation position is easy to operate by the driver. It can be selected as appropriate. Appropriate information can be selected as the type of alert information in addition to the case shown in the embodiment.

  The installation position of the display unit 10a as the first display screen is set, for example, at a position directly above the meter panel unit 1a in the instrument panel 1 or displayed (projected) in a virtual image format in front of the front window glass. For example, an appropriate position can be selected. Similarly, the setting position of the main monitor 20 as the second display screen can be selected as appropriate, for example, by setting it to the left of the sub monitor 10 in FIG. Further, the alerting information 11d relating to refueling may be shared by the main monitor 20 for the navigation device 30 (for example, displayed on the upper end of the main monitor 20).

  In S48 of FIG. 19, the remaining fuel amount serving as the determination threshold value may be automatically set based on preset setting conditions (a plurality of setting conditions are possible), or may be desired by the driver. Can also be manually set (changed) to the value (for example, setting and setting change using a screen corresponding to priority order setting as shown in FIG. 6). Further, the residual fuel amount serving as the threshold value is, for example, profit information obtained from a traffic information center, for example, information that is discounted at a GS of a certain oil company or a dealer that sells products other than fuel. Sometimes, it can be set as the amount of fuel required to travel to the discounted GS or dealer. A switch for forcibly deleting the alert information 11d related to the remaining amount of fuel displayed on the display unit 10a may be provided by manual operation (for example, the alert information 11d is forcibly deleted in the state of FIG. 11). Display the display part separately).

  Each step or group of steps shown in the flowchart can also be expressed as a functional unit included in the controller U, or can be expressed by adding a name of means to the function. It is implied that the object of the present invention is to provide what has been expressed as preferred or substantially preferred, not limited to what is explicitly stated.

The figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention, and looked at the instrument panel from the vehicle interior side. The figure which shows the example of a control system of this invention in a block diagram. The figure which shows the detailed display example of the sub monitor in which alerting information is displayed. The figure which shows the example of a display of a main monitor. The figure which shows an example in which several alerting information was displayed on the sub monitor. The figure which shows the example of a screen for setting the priority of alerting information manually. It is for explaining the outline of the present invention diagrammatically and shows a display portion on a sub-monitor. The figure which shows the example of a display of the main monitor corresponding to the state of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of a main monitor when a selection switch is pressed by the state of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of a main monitor when a selection switch is pressed by the state of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of a main monitor when a selection switch is pressed by the state of FIG. The main flowchart which shows the example of control of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed control example of S2 of FIG. The flowchart which shows the detailed control example of S2 of FIG. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the example of control of S3 of FIG. 12, and shows the example of a display of a sub monitor. The figure which shows the example of a display of the main monitor corresponding to FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of a main monitor when a selection switch is pressed by the state of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the main monitor further changed according to the pressing operation of the selection switch from the state of FIG. The flowchart which shows the detailed control example of S3 of FIG. The flowchart which shows the detailed control example of S3 of FIG. The flowchart which shows the example of detailed control of S61 of FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a detailed control example of S64 in FIG. The figure which shows an example at the time of providing the alarm regarding the fuel residual amount separately in a fuel gauge.

Explanation of symbols

1: Instrument panel 2: Steering handle 5: Fuel gauge 5a: Alarm (independent alarm means)
10: Sub-monitor 10a: Display section (Warning display display means)
11a-11f: Alert information (information for vehicles)
20: Main monitor (for navigation device)
24: Selection switch (for selecting detailed information)
29: Display section (for deleting destination setting display)
30: Navigation device 31: Wireless communication device 32: Fuel sensor V: Own vehicle on map information U: Controller (control means)

Claims (12)

Display means for displaying vehicle information;
A navigation device for guiding the vehicle to a destination;
Warning display means for displaying a warning indicating that the amount of fuel is low on the display means when the fuel quantity is determined in advance and meets warning conditions;
Destination setting display means for causing the navigation device to display for destination setting up to a gas station when the warning is displayed on the display means;
Warning erasure means for erasing the warning display displayed on the display means when the navigation device is set as a gas station,
A vehicle information display device comprising: In claim 1,
Independently of the main monitor for the navigation device, it has a sub-monitor as the display means,
The sub-monitor is positioned at a position where a driver who is traveling can view without greatly shifting his / her eyes compared to the main monitor,
A vehicle information display device characterized by the above. In claim 1,
An information display device for a vehicle, comprising: a warning redisplay unit that causes the display unit to display the erased warning display again when a redisplay condition set in advance is met. In claim 3,
When the re-display condition is that the vehicle has deviated from the route to the destination, and the residual fuel amount is less than or equal to a predetermined constant value set in advance, it is determined that there is insufficient fuel to travel to the destination. The vehicle information display device is configured to include at least one of the following. In claim 3,
Independently of the warning display displayed on the display means, an independent warning means for giving a warning when the residual fuel amount becomes a predetermined constant value or less,
The re-display condition is set as when the independent warning means is activated,
A vehicle information display device characterized by the above. In claim 1,
The vehicle information display device, wherein when the vehicle is traveling in an area well known to the driver, the operation of the destination setting display means is prohibited. The vehicle information display device according to claim 1, further comprising a warning forced deletion means for forcibly deleting the warning display by a manual operation. In claim 1,
A vehicular information display device, further comprising setting display forcibly erasing means for forcibly erasing the destination setting display by manual operation. In claim 1,
The vehicle information display device, wherein the warning condition is set as a case where fuel is insufficient before reaching a destination. In claim 1,
The vehicle information display apparatus, wherein the warning condition is determined based on a preset setting condition. In claim 10,
The vehicle information display device, wherein the setting condition can be changed by a driver. In claim 1,
The vehicle information display device, wherein the warning condition is determined based on profit information input from outside.

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