JP2008230356A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously provide navigation information by using a non-hidden display region even when a part of a display region of a display equipped in a display device is hidden in a center console part. <P>SOLUTION: A control part acquires the navigation information when it is judged to be in the middle of navigation guidance (S130: YES) when it is judged that the display of a display part is stored in the center console part (S120: YES) in a display content changeover process, forms a "Turn by Turn" image from the acquired navigation information and displays the formed "Turn by Turn" image in an exposing region of the display region of the display (S140). Consequently, it is possible to continuously provide the navigation information by using the exposing region which is the non-hidden region even when a part of the display region of the display is hidden in the center console part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that is arranged in the vicinity of a driver and displays visual information output by a navigation device or the like.

  In general, visual information (eg, map information, route information, facility information, etc.) output by a navigation device is displayed on a display device (eg, a liquid crystal display) arranged in a console box of the vehicle. It is transmitted to the driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Among such display devices, there is a display device having a movable display configured such that a liquid crystal display can be stored in a dashboard or a center console.
JP 05-24485 A

  However, in a display device having a movable display, when a part of the movable display is housed in an instrument panel or the like, a part of the display area is concealed. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is not to be concealed even when a part of the display area of the display included in the display device is concealed in the center console unit. It is to provide navigation information continuously using a display area.

  The display device according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above problem, is a portion that is not concealed in the display area of the display when a part of the display area of the display is concealed in the center console unit. An image to be displayed in the exposed area is generated from navigation information, and the generated image is displayed in the exposed area of the display.

  Specifically, the above-described display device includes a display having a display area capable of displaying various information associated with the operation of the vehicle. This display is movable between a “hiding position” and an “exposure position”. The concealment position refers to a position where a part of the display area is concealed inside the center console section of the vehicle, and the exposure position refers to a position where the display area is exposed from the center console section. Further, the display moving means can move the display between the concealment position and the exposure position, and the position control means conceals the display position by controlling the display moving means in accordance with the control signal. Switch between position and exposure position. The navigation information acquisition means can acquire navigation information.

  The image generation unit generates a “first image” to be displayed in the display area of the display at the exposure position from the navigation information acquired by the navigation information acquisition unit. In addition, the navigation in which the image generation means acquires the “second image” to be displayed on the “exposed area” that is the part exposed from the center console portion in the display area of the display at the concealment position. Generate from information. When the display is at the exposure position, the notification control unit displays the first image generated by the image generation unit in the display area of the display. On the other hand, when the navigation information acquisition unit is acquiring navigation information when the display is in the concealment position, the notification control unit displays the second image generated by the image generation unit in the exposed area of the display.

  According to the display device of the present invention configured as described above, when a part of the display area of the display is concealed by the center console unit, the display is displayed in the exposed area which is an unoccluded part of the display area. An image for this purpose is generated from the navigation information, and the generated image is displayed in the exposed area of the display. Therefore, even when a part of the display area of the display is concealed by the center console unit, the navigation information can be continuously provided using the exposed area that is not concealed.

  Specific examples of the navigation information include so-called “turn by turn” navigation information, an enlarged map, a compass mode screen, an off-road navigation mode screen, and the like.

  By the way, when navigation information is displayed in the display area of the display as described above, a part of the display area of the display is hidden by the center console unit, so that an area for displaying navigation guidance by image is limited. Even if it is done, it is beneficial for the user if some kind of navigation guidance is continued.

  Therefore, when navigation guidance is being performed when a part of the display is concealed, it is conceivable that voice guidance related to navigation is continuously executed. Specifically, as in claim 2, when the navigation information includes guidance information indicating voice guidance, a speaker capable of outputting voice based on the guidance information, and the display is in the concealment position When the navigation information acquisition unit is acquiring navigation information, the notification control unit may cause the speaker to output sound based on the guidance information included in the navigation information acquired by the navigation information acquisition unit.

  In this way, when navigation information is displayed in the display area of the display, a part of the display area of the display is concealed by the center console unit, so that an area for displaying navigation guidance by image is limited. Even when the navigation is performed, the navigation guidance can be continuously received by voice guidance, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  Note that when voice guidance is continuously executed as described above, it is conceivable to change the voice guidance to a more detailed one. Specifically, as in claim 3, the guidance information included in the navigation information includes “first guidance information” for outputting sound when navigation by image and navigation by image are performed. "Second guidance information" for outputting sound when not being displayed, and when the navigation information acquisition means is acquiring navigation information when the display is in the concealment position, notification control means However, it is conceivable that the sound is output to the speaker based on the second guidance information among the guidance information included in the navigation information. In this way, for example, by making the second guidance voice detailed, it is possible to receive the navigation guidance by the detailed guidance voice even if the navigation guidance by the image is not received. Convenience can be further improved.

  In addition, when a part of the display area of the display is concealed by the center console part and the navigation guidance is not performed, an image to be displayed on the part not concealed is generated from the vehicle information or the audio information. Can be displayed. Specifically, the vehicle information / audio information acquisition means capable of acquiring vehicle information or audio information is provided as in claim 4, and the image generation means displays a third image to be displayed in the exposed area of the display. When the navigation information acquisition means is not acquiring navigation information when it is generated from the vehicle information or audio information acquired by the vehicle information / audio information acquisition means and the display is at the concealment position, the notification control means It is conceivable to display the third image generated by the above in the exposed area of the display.

  In this way, even when navigation guidance is not performed when a part of the display area of the display is concealed by the center console portion, the vehicle is used, for example, by using the exposed area that is not concealed. Information useful for users other than navigation information such as information and audio information can be provided.

  Specific examples of the vehicle information include vehicle speed, engine speed, indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, eco information (fuel consumption information, charge state information, etc.), and the like.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation device 20 in which the function of the display device of the present invention is incorporated. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the display 26a of the display unit 26. FIG. 3 (a) shows the display 26a in the exposed position, and FIG. 3 (b) shows the display 26a in the hidden position.

  The navigation device 20 is mounted on a vehicle, and a position detector 21 that detects the current position of the vehicle, a touch panel 22 for inputting various instructions from a user, and various instructions similar to the touch panel 22 can be input. A remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as “remote control”) 23a that is separate from the navigation device 20, a remote control sensor 23b that inputs a signal from the remote control 23a, and an external device that communicates with the outside by connecting to a packet communication network or the like. A communication device 24, a map data input device 25 for inputting data from a map storage medium in which map data, voice data, and the like are recorded, a display unit 26 for displaying a map and various information, various guide voices, etc. A voice output unit 27 for outputting a signal, a microphone 28 for outputting an electrical signal based on the voice spoken by the user, Various processes are executed in accordance with the input from the position detector 21, touch panel 22, remote control sensor 23b, external communication device 24, map data input device 25, microphone 28, external communication device 24, display unit 26, audio output unit 27. And a control unit 29 for controlling.

  The position detector 21 receives a radio wave from a GPS (Global Positioning System) artificial satellite via a GPS antenna (not shown) and outputs a received signal, and a rotational motion applied to the vehicle. A gyroscope 21b for detecting the size and a distance sensor 21c for detecting a distance traveled from the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle or the like are provided. And the control part 29 calculates the position, direction, speed, etc. of a vehicle based on the output signal from these sensors 21a-21c. Although there are various methods for obtaining the current position based on the output signal from the GPS receiver 21a, either a single positioning method or a relative positioning method may be used.

  The touch panel 22 includes a panel that outputs coordinates touched by the user, and is laminated and integrated with the display unit 26. There are various methods such as a pressure-sensitive method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitance method, or a combination of these methods for detecting the user's operation, and any of them may be used.

The external communication device 24 acquires accident information, traffic jam information, and the like from the VICS information center via an optical beacon or a radio beacon installed on the roadside.
The map data input device 25 is a device for inputting various data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) (for example, a hard disk or a DVD-ROM). Map data storage media include map data (node data, link data, cost data, background data, road data, name data, mark data, intersection data, facility data, etc.), voice data for guidance, voice recognition data, etc. Is remembered. Instead of inputting these data from the map data storage medium, these data may be input via a communication network.

  The display unit 26 is a color display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and any of them may be used. The display unit 26 includes a display 26a and a drive mechanism 26b. Among these, the display 26a has a display area capable of displaying various information associated with the operation of the vehicle at substantially the center thereof. In the display area of the display 26a, a mark indicating the current location identified from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detector 21 and the map data input from the map data input device 25, a guidance route to the destination, Additional data such as names, landmarks, and various facility marks can be displayed in an overlapping manner. Also, facility guides can be displayed.

  In addition, the display 26a is movable between a “hiding position” (see FIG. 3B) and an “exposure position” (see FIG. 3A). The concealment position refers to a position where a part of the display area of the display 26a is concealed inside the center console portion 30 of the vehicle (see FIG. 3B). In this case, a portion exposed in the display area of the display 26a without being hidden by the center console portion 30 is referred to as an exposed area. Further, the exposure position refers to a position where the entire display area of the display 26a is exposed from the center console section 30 (see FIG. 3A).

  The drive mechanism 26b is controlled by the control unit 29 and configured to move the display 26a between the concealment position and the exposure position. Since the above-described drive mechanism 26b is in accordance with a known technique, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

The voice output unit 27 can output facility guides and various guidance voices input from the map data input device 25.
The microphone 28 outputs an electric signal (voice signal) based on the inputted voice to the control unit 29 when the user inputs (speaks) voice. The user can operate the navigation device 20 by inputting various sounds to the microphone 28.

  The control unit 29 is configured around a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, SRAM, I / O, and a bus line connecting these configurations, and is based on a program stored in the ROM and RAM. Various processes. For example, the current position of the vehicle is calculated as a set of coordinates and traveling directions based on each detection signal from the position detector 21, and a map near the current position read via the map data input device 25 is displayed on the display unit 26. Route calculation for calculating the optimum route from the current position to the destination based on the processing to be performed, the map data stored in the map data input device 25, and the destination set according to the operation of the touch panel 22 or the remote controller 23a Processing, a route guidance process for guiding the route by displaying the calculated route on the display unit 26 or outputting the sound as a voice to the voice output unit 27, and the like are executed.

  In addition, the control unit 29 controls the drive mechanism 26b of the display unit 26 in accordance with a control signal such as an operation signal input from the touch panel 22 or a signal indicating the state of the main power supply, whereby the display 26a of the display unit 26 is displayed. Has a function of switching the position between the concealment position and the exposure position. The control unit 29 has a function of acquiring navigation information related to navigation, such as the current position of the vehicle and route guidance, and a function of acquiring vehicle information and audio information from various external ECUs. The navigation information includes guidance information indicating voice guidance. And the control part 29 produces | generates the navigation image (refer FIG. 3 (a)) for displaying on the display area of the display 26a in an exposure position from navigation information, when the display 26a exists in an exposure position, When the display 26a is in the concealment position, it has a function of generating from the navigation information a “Turn by Turn” image (see FIG. 3B) to be displayed in the exposure area. The “Turn by Turn” image referred to here is an image generated from information necessary for the user to confirm the traveling direction when traveling from the current position to the destination such as going straight or turning right. The navigation image corresponds to the first image in the claims, and the “Turn by Turn” image corresponds to the second image in the claims.

[Description of operation]
Next, the display content switching process among the various processes executed by the control unit 29 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and FIG. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the general process (A route calculation process, a route guidance process, etc.) which the control part 29 performs.

This display content switching process is a process executed by the control unit 29 when the ignition key is operated by the driver and the accessory power supply (ACC) is entered.
First, the control unit 29 determines whether the main power source of the navigation device 20 and the power source of the display 26a of the display unit 26a are turned on (S110). When it is determined that the main power source of the navigation device 20 and the display 26a of the display unit 26a are not turned on and at least one of the power sources is turned off (S110: NO), the control unit 29 Then, it is determined that no image is displayed on the display 26a of the display unit 26 (S160), and the process proceeds to S110.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the main power source of the navigation device 20 and the display 26a of the display unit 26a are turned on (S110: YES), the control unit 29 determines that the display 26a of the display unit 26 is the center console. It is determined whether it is stored in 30 (S120). For example, the control unit 29 detects the position of the display 26a from a signal indicating the driving state of the driving mechanism 26b, an output signal from a position sensor that detects the position of the display 26a, and the display 26a is connected to the center console 30. And so on. If it is determined that the display 26a of the display unit 26 is not stored in the center console 30 and the entire display area of the display 26a is exposed (S120: NO), the control unit 29 acquires navigation information. Then, a navigation image is generated from the acquired navigation information, and the generated navigation image is displayed in the display area of the display 26a (S170). In this case, the control unit 29 may acquire audio information, generate an audio image from the acquired audio information, and display the generated audio image in the display area of the display 26a. Further, the control unit 29 may acquire vehicle information, generate a vehicle information image from the acquired vehicle information, and display the generated vehicle information image in the display area of the display 26a. Then, the process proceeds to S110.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the display 26a of the display unit 26 is stored in the center console 30 (S120: YES), the control unit 29 determines whether navigation guidance is being performed (S130). In this case, the navigation information is output from each component of the navigation device 20, and the control unit 29 determines that “navigation guidance is being performed” when the output navigation information can be acquired. When it is determined that navigation guidance is being performed (S130: YES), the control unit 29 acquires navigation information, generates a “Turn By Turn” image from the acquired navigation information, and generates the generated “Turn” The “by Turn” image is displayed in the exposed area of the display area of the display 26a (S140), and the process proceeds to S110.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the navigation guidance is not being performed (S130: NO), the control unit 29 acquires audio information, generates an audio image from the acquired audio information, and displays the generated audio image on the display 26a. (S150), the process proceeds to S110.

[effect]
Thus, according to the navigation device 20 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 29 determines in the display content switching process that the display 26a of the display unit 26 is stored in the center console unit 30 (S120: YES), when it is determined that navigation guidance is being performed (S130: YES), navigation information is acquired, a “Turn by Turn” image is generated from the acquired navigation information, and the generated “Turn by Turn” is generated. The image is displayed in the exposed area of the display area of the display 26a (S140). Thereby, even when a part of the display area of the display is hidden by the center console unit, the navigation information can be continuously provided by using the exposed area which is not hidden.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) In the above embodiment, when the control unit 29 determines in the display content switching process that the display 26a of the display unit 26 is stored in the center console 30 (S120: YES), the navigation guidance is being performed. If it is determined (S130: YES), the navigation information is acquired, a “Turn By Turn” image is generated from the acquired navigation information, and the generated “Turn By Turn” image is displayed on the display 26a. Although it is displayed on the exposed area (S140), it is not limited to this. The control unit 29 acquires audio information instead of the navigation information described above, generates an audio image to be displayed on the exposed area of the display 26a from the acquired audio information, and exposes the generated audio image to the display 26a. It may be displayed in the area. The audio image corresponds to the third image in the claims. Even if comprised in this way, there exists an effect similar to the said embodiment.

  (2) Moreover, the control part 29 acquires vehicle information instead of the above-mentioned navigation information, produces | generates the vehicle information image for displaying on the exposure area | region of the display 26a from the acquired vehicle information, The produced | generated vehicle The information image may be displayed on the exposed area of the display 26a. Specific examples of the vehicle information include vehicle speed, engine speed, indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, eco information (fuel consumption information, charge state information, etc.), and the like. The audio image and the vehicle information image correspond to a third image in the claims. Even if comprised in this way, there exists an effect similar to the said embodiment.

  (3) In the above embodiment, when the control unit 29 determines in the display content switching process that the display 26a of the display unit 26 is stored in the center console 30 (S120: YES), the navigation guidance is being performed. If it is determined (S130: YES), navigation information is acquired, a “Turn By Turn” image is generated from the acquired navigation information, and the generated “Turn By Turn” image is displayed on the display 26a. Although it is displayed on the exposed area of the area (S140), guidance information included in the acquired navigation information may be output to the voice output unit 27 at that time.

  In this way, when navigation information is displayed in the display area of the display 26a, a part of the display area of the display 26a is hidden by the center console unit 30, thereby displaying navigation guidance based on images. Even when the area to be operated is limited, navigation guidance can be continuously received by voice guidance, and convenience for the user can be improved.

  (4) When the guidance information is output to the voice output unit 27 as described above, the guidance information may be changed to more detailed information. However, for this purpose, the guidance information included in the navigation information outputs “first guidance information” for outputting audio when navigation by image is performed, and audio when navigation by image is not performed. "Second guidance information" is required to be included. In this way, by making the second guidance voice detailed, for example, even when the area for displaying the navigation guidance by image is limited, the navigation guidance can be received by the detailed guidance voice. , User convenience can be further improved.

[Correspondence with Claims]
The correspondence between the above embodiment and the claims is shown. The control unit 29 corresponds to position control means, navigation information acquisition means, vehicle information / audio information acquisition means, image generation means, and notification control means.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display content switching process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display of a display part, (a) shows the display in an exposure position, (b) shows the display in a concealment position.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Navigation apparatus, 21 ... Position detector, 21a ... GPS receiver, 21b ... Gyroscope, 21c ... Distance sensor, 22 ... Touch panel, 23a ... Remote control, 23b ... Remote control sensor, 24 ... External communication device, 25 ... Map data Input device, 26 ... display unit, 26a ... display, 26b ... drive mechanism, 27 ... sound output unit, 28 ... microphone, 29 ... control unit, 30 ... center console unit

Claims (4)

A display area capable of displaying various information associated with the operation of the vehicle; a concealment position where a part of the display area is concealed inside the center console part of the vehicle; and all the display areas from the center console part. A display that can be moved between exposed exposure positions;
Display moving means for moving the display between the concealment position and the exposure position;
Position control means for switching the display position between the concealment position and the exposure position by controlling the display moving means according to a control signal;
Navigation information acquisition means capable of acquiring navigation information;
A first image to be displayed on the display area of the display at the exposure position is generated from the navigation information acquired by the navigation information acquisition means, and the center in the display area of the display at the concealment position Image generating means for generating a second image to be displayed in an exposed area that is a part exposed from the console part from the navigation information acquired by the navigation information acquiring means;
When the display is in the exposed position, the first image generated by the image generating means is displayed in the display area of the display, while the navigation information is acquired when the display is in the hidden position. Notification control means for displaying a second image generated by the image generation means on the exposed area of the display when the means is acquiring navigation information;
A display device comprising: The display device according to claim 1,
The navigation information includes guidance information indicating voice guidance,
A speaker capable of outputting sound based on the guidance information;
The notification control means is based on guidance information included in the navigation information acquired by the navigation information acquisition means when the navigation information acquisition means is acquiring navigation information when the display is at the concealment position. A display device that outputs sound to the speaker. The display device according to claim 2,
The guidance information included in the navigation information includes first guidance information for outputting sound when navigation by an image is performed, and second for outputting sound when navigation by an image is not performed. Guidance information, and
When the display is in the concealment position and the navigation information acquisition unit is acquiring the navigation information, the notification control unit uses the guidance information included in the navigation information as the second guidance information. A display device that outputs sound to the speaker based on the above. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Vehicle information / audio information acquisition means capable of acquiring vehicle information or audio information is provided,
The image generation means generates a third image to be displayed on the exposed area of the display from vehicle information or audio information acquired by the vehicle information / audio information acquisition means,
When the display is in the concealment position and the navigation information acquisition unit is not acquiring navigation information, the notification control unit displays the third image generated by the image generation unit in the exposed area of the display. A display device characterized by displaying.