JP2006232199A - Display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device for a vehicle capable of preventing a driver from having a feeling of discomfort or a stress even if vehicle information about speed etc. is output by voice. <P>SOLUTION: The display device for the vehicle is equipped with a line-of-view sensing means 1 to output a line-of-view sensing signal corresponding to the direction of the line of view of the vehicle driver, a combination meter 4 furnished with gauges 4a-4d for displaying information, a voice output means 5 to output the mentioned information by voice, and a microcomputer 3 to output the information of the gauge lying in the direction of the line of view by the voice output means 5 when judgement is passed that the line of view of the driver has shifted to the combination meter 4 on the basis of the line-of-view sensing signal given by the sensing means 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle display device provided with information display means provided in the vicinity of an instrument panel of a vehicle to display various information.

  For safe driving of the vehicle, the driver operates various devices in the vehicle while constantly grasping the surroundings outside the vehicle. For example, when changing lanes while driving on a road with two lanes on one side, see the rearview mirror, side mirror, etc. Confirm that there is no rapidly approaching vehicle, etc., and further confirm that there is no vehicle at the position where the blind spot of the mirror, and confirm the blinking signal before changing the lane. Then, the operation of changing the lane is performed. At this time, depending on the driver, the blinker is displayed in the appropriate front where it is necessary to change the lane, and then the lane change is performed after confirming safety by looking at the rearview mirror such as the rearview mirror and side mirror. Sometimes.

  Always pay attention to the front of the driving lane during safety confirmation work by moving the line of sight. For example, if the car traveling in front does not suddenly brake, You can't neglect the caution that there is no car to interrupt. In addition, the rearview mirror and side mirror are difficult to see, especially when it is raining or when the window or mirror is cloudy. Therefore, a lot of attention is required for changing the lane, which is a dangerous work for the driver and a troublesome work.

  However, since visual information takes time to perceive and the short-term memory time is short, a vehicle equipped with a normal speedometer display tends to increase the number of times the speedometer is viewed during driving. This becomes more prominent as the amount of information required per unit time increases during high-speed operation.

For this reason, conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which the speed of the vehicle being driven is notified by voice output in addition to the normal speedometer display. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, when a vehicle is in a constant upper and lower allowable range, it emits a continuous sound, and when it is within a range close to the allowable range, it emits an intermittent sound. The driver is informed of the vehicle speed.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-91533

  However, in such a conventional audio output device for a vehicle, in the case of visual information, it is only necessary to direct the line of sight to the speedometer when the driver needs it. Alternatively, when it is in the vicinity, speed information by voice is output unilaterally and enters the driver's ear, causing problems such as discomfort and stress to the driver.

  In addition, when the driver searches for or looks at the necessary information in the display screen when there is no audio output, the field of view becomes narrow and it may be difficult to notice the situation in front of the vehicle. On the other hand, when the situation in front of the vehicle is concerned, there is a problem that it is difficult to understand the display contents of the display screen, and the driver is burdened by repeatedly viewing the display screen and the outside of the vehicle.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to pay attention to the above-mentioned problems, and even if vehicle information such as vehicle speed information is output by voice, it does not cause discomfort or stress to the driver. The object is to provide a display device for a vehicle. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle display device that can quickly detect vehicle information.

  The vehicle display device according to the present invention includes, as described in claim 1, a line-of-sight detection means for outputting a line-of-sight detection signal corresponding to the line-of-sight direction of the driver of the vehicle, and a display unit for displaying information. When it is determined that the driver's line of sight has moved to the information display unit, based on the information display unit, the voice output unit that outputs the information by voice, and the line-of-sight detection signal from the line-of-sight detection unit And control means for causing the audio output means to output information of the display unit in the line-of-sight direction.

  The vehicle display device according to claim 1, further comprising vehicle speed detection means for outputting a vehicle speed detection signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, wherein the control means is configured to detect the vehicle speed. The sound pressure of the sound output means is changed based on a vehicle speed detection signal from the means.

  The vehicle display device according to claim 1, further comprising vehicle speed detection means for outputting a vehicle speed detection signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, wherein the control means is configured to detect the vehicle speed. On the basis of the vehicle speed detection signal from the means, when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed, output by the sound output means is not performed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle display device according to the first aspect, the information display unit includes an alarm display unit that displays an abnormal state of the vehicle, and the control unit includes: When it is determined that the vehicle is in an abnormal state based on detection signals from various sensors mounted on the vehicle and the line of sight is moved to the information display unit based on the line-of-sight detection signal of the line-of-sight detection unit The sound output means outputs sound for explaining the abnormal state.

  Further, as described in claim 5, in the vehicle display device according to claim 1, the control unit is configured so that the driver can control the information display unit based on the line-of-sight detection signal of the line-of-sight detection unit. When it is determined that the line of sight has been moved to the display unit, the illumination luminance or illumination color of the light source that illuminates the display unit is changed.

  The present invention relates to a vehicular display device provided with an information display means provided in the vicinity of an instrument panel of a vehicle to display various types of information. Even if vehicle information such as vehicle speed information is output by voice, The vehicle display device does not cause discomfort or stress. In addition, the vehicle display device can quickly detect vehicle information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle display device includes a line-of-sight detection means 1, a vehicle speed sensor (vehicle speed detection means) 2, a microcomputer (control means) 3, a combination meter (information display means) 4, and a voice. Output means 5 is provided in the vehicle.

  The line-of-sight detection means 1 detects the direction of the line of sight of the driver sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle, and includes a stereo camera 1a and an image analysis circuit 1b. The stereo camera 1a is composed of two cameras provided on the upper part of the instrument panel P located in front of the driver's seat, and images the same object in a synchronized state. The stereo camera 1a has a known internal parameter and relative positional relationship, and captures a driver's face image including the eyes to be detected and outputs the image to the image analysis circuit 1b. The image analysis circuit 1b can detect the movement state of the line of sight (eyeball) using a predetermined algorithm based on the face image and calculate the line-of-sight direction. The line-of-sight information regarding the line-of-sight direction and the viewpoint position calculated by the image analysis circuit 1b is output to the microcomputer 3 as a line-of-sight detection signal. The image analysis circuit 1b calculates, for example, the three-dimensional coordinates of the characteristic part of the driver's eyes based on the image captured by the stereo camera 1a, and the black eye calculated separately from the center coordinates of the eyeball calculated from the coordinates. The line-of-sight direction can also be calculated using the line passing through the central coordinates of the line of sight as the line of sight.

  The vehicle speed sensor 2 generates a vehicle speed detection signal corresponding to the traveling speed of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle speed sensor 2 is attached to the transmission of the vehicle, generates a predetermined number of pulse signals per one rotation of the pinion for the speedometer, and the microcomputer 3 Output to.

  The microcomputer 3 is composed of a microcomputer, and includes a ROM that stores a program for processing operations, a RAM that temporarily stores calculation values, an EEPROM that stores various preset values, and the program. It is mainly composed of a CPU for execution and an input / output interface circuit. The input / output interface circuit is a circuit for establishing an electrical connection relationship with the image analysis circuit 1b, the vehicle speed sensor 2, each instrument of the combination meter 4, the audio output means 5, and various sensors (not shown). . The microcomputer 3 outputs a control signal to each instrument of the combination meter 4 and the sound output means 5 based on the input from the line-of-sight detection means 1 and the vehicle speed sensor 2 and the program, and prompts desired display and sound output. Can do.

  The combination meter 4 is provided with instruments (display units) such as a speedometer 4a, a fuel gauge 4b, an odometer 4c, and a clock 4d, and displays information indicating a vehicle state, information indicating time, and the like. is there. In this case, the combination meter 4 is provided on the surface of the instrument panel P, and the display portion of each instrument is arranged at a position that is easy for the driver seated on the driver's seat to visually recognize. The combination meter 4 includes an alarm display unit 4e that displays an abnormal state of the vehicle. In addition, each meter 4a-4d and the alarm display part 4e are provided with the light source for illuminating each indicator, a parameter | index, and a display element, and are illuminated based on the control signal of the microcomputer 3. FIG.

  The speedometer 4a includes a pointer that rotates using a stepping motor that operates based on a control signal of the microcomputer 3 as a drive source, and a display board on which indices such as scales and units that are to be indicated by the pointer are printed. The microcomputer 3 calculates the traveling speed of the vehicle by detecting the number of pulses or the pulse period per unit time output from the vehicle speed sensor 2, and sends a control signal that prompts the traveling hand to instruct the traveling speed. Output to the speedometer 4a. The driver can comprehend the traveling speed of the vehicle by comparing and reading the pointer and index of the speedometer 4a.

  Similar to the speedometer 4a, the fuel gauge 4b displays the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank of the vehicle based on a pointer that operates based on a control signal from the microcomputer 3 and an index that is the target of the pointer. It is. The microcomputer 3 calculates a remaining amount of fuel based on information from a fuel injection amount sensor provided in the injection, a liquid level sensor provided in the fuel tank, etc. (not shown), and displays a calculation result. Is output to the fuel gauge 4b.

  The odometer 4c displays the accumulated mileage of the vehicle as a number based on the control signal of the microcomputer 3, and is constituted by a liquid crystal display element. The microcomputer 3 calculates the travel distance of the vehicle by counting the number of pulses per unit time output from the vehicle speed sensor 1, and sends a control signal to the travel distance meter 4c so as to prompt the display according to the travel distance. Output.

  The timepiece 4d displays a time calculated based on a vibrator of the microcomputer 3 or a dedicated vibrator, and is constituted by a liquid crystal display element that displays according to a control signal from the microcomputer 3.

  The alarm display unit 4e relates to vehicle conditions such as forgetting to close the door, forgetting to fasten the seat belt, an inter-vehicle distance alarm, an exhaust temperature abnormality, and an electrical system abnormality based on detection signals of various sensors mounted on the vehicle. An abnormal state is displayed to inform the driver. In this case, the alarm display unit 4e can apply a TFT-type liquid crystal display element, and the alarm contents can be displayed by symbols, marks, characters, and the like.

  The audio output means 5 conveys information to the driver by voice based on a control signal from the microcomputer 3, and in this case, a dedicated speaker can be applied. Note that the audio output means 5 may also be used as a speaker used in a vehicle audio device or a navigation system.

  With the above configuration, the vehicle display device of the present invention can be configured. Further, the microcomputer 3 can operate the sound output means 5 based on the line-of-sight detection signal from the line-of-sight detection means 1, and this processing method will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the microcomputer 3 inputs the driver's line-of-sight information every predetermined time based on the line-of-sight detection signal from the line-of-sight detection means 1 (step S1). The microcomputer 3 stores the line-of-sight information in the RAM, and can determine the movement state of the line of sight based on information on the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction between the present and the past.

  Next, the microcomputer 3 selects a line-of-sight object in the driver's line-of-sight direction based on the line-of-sight detection signal obtained in step S1 (step S2). The microcomputer 3 stores in advance the position coordinates of vehicle parts such as the front window W and the combination meter 4. The line-of-sight direction based on the position coordinates of the vehicle parts and the line-of-sight detection signal of the line-of-sight detection means 1 and the driver's It is possible to select which vehicle component the driver is looking at from the position of the eyes. For example, the microcomputer 3 determines which instrument 4a to 4d in the combination meter 4 the gaze is directed to from the gaze passage and the gaze time, and determines the gaze target instrument. be able to.

  The microcomputer 3 determines whether or not the line-of-sight object selected in step S2 is the combination meter 4 (step S3).

  The microcomputer 3 calculates the traveling speed of the vehicle based on the vehicle speed detection signal from the vehicle speed sensor 2, and determines whether or not it is greater than the predetermined traveling speed (step S4). In this case, the microcomputer 3 determines whether or not the traveling speed of the vehicle is faster than 20 km / h set as the predetermined traveling speed. The predetermined traveling speed may be set in advance from a practically used traveling speed range (for example, 0 to 100 kilometers per hour), and can be set to an arbitrary value by the driver. Also good.

  Next, if the microcomputer 3 determines in step S3 that the driver has turned his / her line of sight to the combination meter 4, and determines in step S4 that the vehicle traveling speed is greater than the predetermined traveling speed, the microcomputer 3 responds to the vehicle traveling speed. The sound pressure that is likely to be heard by the driver is selected in consideration of the increased driving noise (step S5). The microcomputer 3 can select an optimum sound pressure from the traveling speed of the vehicle, a noise sensor attached to the vehicle, a sound pressure setting (volume setting) value of the in-vehicle audio device or the navigation system, or the like.

  Next, the microcomputer 3 determines whether or not there is an abnormal state to display on the alarm display unit 4e based on detection signals from various sensors mounted on the vehicle (step S6). Note that the microcomputer 3 outputs a control signal for prompting the display of the alarm contents to the alarm display unit 4e by another algorithm when the vehicle is in an abnormal state. Therefore, the microcomputer 3 may determine whether or not an alarm is displayed in the display content of the alarm display unit 4e in step S6.

  If the microcomputer 3 determines that there is an abnormal state in step S6, the microcomputer 3 outputs a control signal to the voice output means 5 to notify the alarm content displayed on the alarm display unit 4e by voice (step S7). At this time, the microcomputer 3 controls the sound output means 5 so that sound is output at the optimum sound pressure selected in step S5.

  If the microcomputer 3 determines in step S3 that the driver has turned his / her line of sight to the combination meter 4 and determines in step S4 that the traveling speed of the vehicle is greater than the predetermined traveling speed, the target instrument is In order to notify the information to be displayed by voice, a control signal is output to the voice output means 5 (step S8). At this time, the microcomputer 3 controls the sound output means 5 so that sound is output at the optimum sound pressure selected in step S5. For example, when it is selected in step S2 that the line of sight is directed to the speedometer 4a, it can be read out as “It is 60 kilometers per hour” and output as a voice. Further, when the alarm content is output as a voice in step S7, the information (traveling speed) at that time can be output as a voice after waiting for the end of the voice output of the alarm content.

  Since it takes time to start reading and finish reading the voice, do not output the fuel meter for information that changes suddenly (for example, the engine speed) or information that needs to know small value changes. It is preferable to output a value with little change such as the fuel remaining amount (liter unit) of 4b and the travel distance (kilometer unit) of the odometer 4c. Therefore, the microcomputer 3 can selectively output the control signal to the sound output means 5 so as to output only the information of the instrument suitable for outputting sound.

  Further, the microcomputer 3 outputs a control signal to the light source of the combination meter 4 so that the illumination of the meter selected as the line-of-sight target blinks while the sound is output by the process of step S8 (step S9). Therefore, the driver can easily detect which instrument is the information that is output as a voice in step S8. Note that a light source that emits a color different from the normal illumination color is prepared in the combination meter 4 for each instrument, and the illumination color of the instrument selected as the line-of-sight target can be changed.

  By repeating the processes of steps S1 to S9 described above, the voice output unit 5 is operated based on the line-of-sight detection signal from the line-of-sight detection unit 1, and the driving can easily recognize information necessary for the driver. It becomes a support function.

  Such a vehicle display device includes a line-of-sight detection means 1 that outputs a line-of-sight detection signal corresponding to the line-of-sight direction of the driver of the vehicle, a combination meter 4 provided with instruments 4a to 4d for displaying information, and voice. When it is determined that the driver's line of sight has moved to the combination meter 4 based on the line-of-sight detection signal from the sound output means 5 for outputting the information and the line-of-sight detection means 1, information on the instrument in the line-of-sight direction Is output by the audio output means 5.

  Therefore, the driver can output information by display and voice when checking any instrument of the combination meter 4, so that the driver can quickly grasp necessary information using vision and hearing. It becomes possible. In addition, by using the line-of-sight detection means 1, it is possible to automatically output a sound at an appropriate timing without performing troublesome work such as switch operation when the driver wants to confirm. Therefore, the vehicle display device does not cause discomfort or stress to the driver.

  Further, the vehicle speed detection means 2 for outputting a vehicle speed detection signal corresponding to the vehicle speed is provided, and the microcomputer 3 changes the sound pressure of the sound output means 5 based on the vehicle speed detection signal from the vehicle speed detection means 2. As a result, it is possible to output desired information by sound with an appropriate sound pressure in consideration of traveling noise that increases in accordance with the vehicle speed. Therefore, the driver can easily hear the information output by voice and can quickly grasp the information.

  Further, the vehicle speed detection means 2 for outputting a vehicle speed detection signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle is provided, and the microcomputer 3 determines that the vehicle speed is a predetermined speed based on the vehicle speed detection signal from the vehicle speed detection means 2 by the process of step S4. In the following cases, output by the audio output means 5 can be prevented. Therefore, for example, when it is thought that sufficient time to look at the instrument can be secured, such as when the vehicle is stopped or driving slowly, the voice output is not performed automatically, reducing the annoyance and causing the driver to feel uncomfortable or stressful. It can be avoided.

  The combination meter 4 is provided with an alarm display unit 4e for displaying an abnormal state of the vehicle, and the microcomputer detects that the vehicle is in an abnormal state based on detection signals from various sensors mounted on the vehicle and detects the line of sight. When it is determined that the line of sight has been moved to the combination meter based on the line-of-sight detection signal of the means 1, the sound output means 5 outputs a sound explaining the abnormal state. Therefore, it is possible to promptly grasp a warning that is likely to be overlooked by the driver. Further, since information that cannot be displayed in the display space of the alarm display unit 4e can be expressed by voice, the alarm can be notified in an easy-to-understand manner.

  Moreover, the microcomputer 3 illuminates the light sources that illuminate the instruments 4a to 4d when the driver determines that the driver has moved his / her line of sight to the instruments 4a to 4d of the combination meter 4 based on the sight line detection signal of the sight line detection means 1. By changing the brightness or illumination color, it is possible to have a relationship between the information that is output as voice and the instrument that displays and outputs that information. It is possible to grasp quickly.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle display device including the above-described components has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration and processing have the same effects. What is necessary is just to be obtained, for example, it may differ from the procedure of the above-mentioned processing, such as not performing the above-mentioned processing (Steps S6 and S7) based on the abnormal state of the vehicle.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal display element and the instrument composed of the pointer and the index have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, on the upper part of the instrument panel P. By using a virtual image display device (head-up display device) including at least a display device that projects a display image and a reflection mirror that projects the display image as a virtual image toward the driver, Therefore, the vehicle display device can quickly detect the situation in front of the vehicle while further suppressing the movement of the driver's line of sight.

The block diagram of the display apparatus for vehicles which is an embodiment of the invention. The figure which shows the example by which the vehicle display apparatus of embodiment same as the above was mounted in the vehicle. The figure which shows the process sequence regarding the audio | voice output of embodiment same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1 Gaze detection means 3 Microcomputer (control means)
4 Combination meter (information display means)
4a Speedometer (display unit)
4b Fuel gauge (display unit)
4c Clock (display unit)
4d Alarm display section 5 Audio output means

Claims (5)

Gaze detection means for outputting a gaze detection signal corresponding to the gaze direction of the driver of the vehicle;
Information display means provided with a display unit for displaying information;
Voice output means for outputting the information by voice;
Based on the line-of-sight detection signal from the line-of-sight detection means, when it is determined that the driver's line of sight has moved to the information display means, information on the display unit in the line-of-sight direction is output by the audio output means. Control means characterized by outputting, and
A vehicle display device comprising: Vehicle speed detection means for outputting a vehicle speed detection signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle,
The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a sound pressure of the sound output unit based on the vehicle speed detection signal from the vehicle speed detection unit. Vehicle speed detection means for outputting a vehicle speed detection signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle,
The said control means is based on the said vehicle speed detection signal from the said vehicle speed detection means, When the speed of the said vehicle is below a predetermined speed, it does not perform the output by the said audio | voice output means. The vehicle display device according to 1. The information display means includes an alarm display unit for displaying an abnormal state of the vehicle,
The control means moves the line of sight to the information display means based on the line-of-sight detection signal of the line-of-sight detection means based on detection signals of various sensors mounted on the vehicle. 2. The vehicular display device according to claim 1, wherein the sound output means outputs a sound explaining the abnormal state when it is determined. The control means illuminates a light source that illuminates the display unit when the driver determines that the line of sight has moved to the display unit of the information display unit based on the gaze detection signal of the gaze detection unit The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein brightness or illumination color is changed.

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