JP2008280025A - Display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device for a vehicle suitably displaying a plurality of images different in purpose of display, depending on respective purposes. <P>SOLUTION: A liquid crystal panel includes: a first pixel region as a meter display pixel region displaying meter image indicating a state value of the vehicle; and a second pixel region as a caution display pixel region displaying an outside world image as caution image for promoting awareness of an occupant. An input part as an input means receives an adjusted value for adjusting brightness of the meter image and outside image as input from the occupant of the vehicle. A main control part as a control means and a drawing part cooperatively change, gradation ratios according to the adjusted value so that a gradation ratio in the second pixel region becomes higher than a gradation ratio in the first pixel region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle including a liquid crystal panel.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a type of vehicle display device that illuminates a liquid crystal panel that displays an image with a light source in a vehicle, a device in which the gradation value of a pixel of the liquid crystal panel or the light emission luminance of the light source is variable is known ( For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this type of vehicle display device, for example, the brightness of the display image on the liquid crystal panel is suppressed by reducing the gradation value of the pixel or the light emission luminance of the light source at night when the illuminance of outside light is low, thereby making the display image easy to see. ing.
JP 2004-284508 A JP 2006-258783 A

  In the above-described type of vehicle display device, when the gradation value of the pixel or the light emission luminance of the light source is lowered, the brightness of the entire display image on the liquid crystal panel is suppressed. Here, the visibility of a state value can be improved about the meter image which displays the state value of a vehicle by suppressing brightness. However, there are some external images obtained by shooting the outside world to call attention to the outside world situation of the vehicle and warning images that warn the abnormality to call attention to the vehicle abnormality. For images that require brightness, if the brightness is suppressed, the original display purpose of the images may not be achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle display device that appropriately displays a plurality of images having different display purposes in accordance with the respective purposes. .

  The invention according to claim 1 controls the liquid crystal panel for displaying an image in the vehicle, the illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal panel by light emission, the input means for receiving input from the vehicle occupant, the liquid crystal panel and the illumination means. In a vehicle display device comprising a control means, the liquid crystal panel displays a meter display pixel for displaying a meter image for instructing a state value of the vehicle, and a caution display for displaying a caution image for alerting an occupant The input means receives as an input an adjustment value for adjusting the brightness of the image including the meter image and the attention image, and the control means receives the meter display pixel for the set gradation value of the meter display pixel. The ratio of the gradation value is used as the meter display gradation ratio, and the ratio of the gradation value of the caution display pixel to the set gradation value of the caution display pixel is used as the caution display gradation ratio. As warning display gradation ratio is greater than, and wherein the changing in accordance with the meter display gradation ratio and warning display gradation ratio to the adjustment value.

  In such an invention, the meter display pixel that displays the meter image for instructing the state value of the vehicle and the caution display pixel that displays the caution image for alerting the occupant are the respective gradation ratios. Both the adjustment ratio and the caution display gradation ratio change according to the input adjustment value from the passenger. According to this, the brightness of the meter image and the caution image, which are display images of the meter display pixel and the caution display pixel, are adjusted together. At this time, the caution display gradation is higher than the meter display gradation ratio. By increasing the ratio, the relative brightness of the attention image with respect to the meter image can be increased. Therefore, for meter images, the visibility can be improved by sufficiently suppressing the brightness according to the adjustment value, and for the caution image, the purpose is to call attention while suppressing the brightness according to the adjustment value. Can be secured. As described above, meter images and attention images having different display purposes can be appropriately displayed according to the respective purposes.

  It should be noted that the set gradation value that serves as a reference for the gradation ratio of the meter display pixel and the set gradation value that serves as a reference for the gradation ratio of the caution display pixel may be different or the same. Good.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means stores the correlation information storage unit that stores the correlation information indicating the correlation with the adjustment value of the meter display gradation ratio and the attention display gradation ratio, and the correlation information storage unit stores the correlation information. A gradation ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio according to the correlation information. According to this, since the change mode suitable for the specification can be easily realized for the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio simply by changing the correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit, the vehicle display The versatility of the apparatus can be improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the correlation information has the same ratio of the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio with respect to the change of the adjustment value. Represents a decreasing correlation. According to this, by reducing the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio from the same ratio according to the correlation information, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be accurately determined according to the input adjustment value of the occupant. Can be increased. Therefore, the brightness of the meter image and the attention image can be matched to the occupant's preference within a range where appropriate display according to each purpose is possible.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the correlation information indicates that the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio linearly decrease from the same ratio with respect to a change in the adjustment value, and the linear display ratio of the meter display gradation ratio Represents a correlation with a small linear decrease rate of the attention display gradation ratio. According to this, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be reliably increased according to the occupant input adjustment value. Moreover, since the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio can be adjusted simply by linearly converting the input adjustment value according to the correlation information, the adjustment processing of these gradation ratios can be simplified.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the correlation information indicates that the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio correspond to the change in the adjustment value, and the caution display gradation is higher than the meter display gradation ratio. The correlation decreases as the ratio increases, and the reference ratio of the caution display gradation ratio is larger than the reference ratio of the meter display gradation ratio. According to this, by reducing the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio from the respective reference ratios according to the correlation information, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image is set according to the occupant input adjustment value. Can be accurately increased. Therefore, the brightness of the meter image and the attention image can be matched to the occupant's preference within a range where appropriate display according to each purpose is possible.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the correlation information indicates that the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio are linearly decreased from the respective reference ratios and the meter display gradation ratio is linearly decreased with respect to the change of the adjustment value. This represents a correlation in which the linear reduction rate of the caution display gradation ratio is smaller than the rate. According to this, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be reliably increased according to the occupant input adjustment value. Moreover, since the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio can be adjusted simply by linearly converting the input adjustment value according to the correlation information, the adjustment processing of these gradation ratios can be simplified.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the input means receives the permission of displaying the caution image as an input, and the control means captures the outside world of the vehicle and obtains the outside image, and the caution image by the input. And the gradation ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the caution display gradation ratio using the external image acquired by the imaging unit as the caution image. According to this, when an external image obtained by photographing the external environment of the vehicle as a caution image is permitted by the occupant, input adjustment is performed within a range in which the relative brightness with respect to the meter image is increased. The brightness can be changed according to the value. Therefore, the brightness of the external image can be adjusted without impairing the display purpose of the external image that calls attention to the external environment.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting unit that detects abnormality of the vehicle, the image storage unit that stores the warning image that warns of abnormality, and the abnormality detecting unit. The image storage unit includes a gradation ratio adjusting unit that adjusts the attention display gradation ratio using the stored warning image as a caution image. According to this, when a warning image that warns of a vehicle abnormality is detected as a caution image, depending on the input adjustment value within a range in which the relative brightness with respect to the meter image is increased. The brightness can be changed. Therefore, the brightness of the external image can be adjusted without impairing the display purpose of the warning image that calls attention to the abnormality.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the illuminating unit has an entire light source that emits light to illuminate the entire liquid crystal panel, and the control unit sets the emission luminance of the entire light source to a constant luminance with respect to changes in the adjustment value. Hold on. According to this, the brightness of the meter image and the caution image substantially depends on the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio, respectively. Therefore, by making the caution display gradation ratio larger than the meter display gradation ratio, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be reliably increased.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, the liquid crystal panel for displaying an image in the vehicle, the illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal panel by light emission, the input means for receiving input from the vehicle occupant, and the liquid crystal panel and the illumination means are controlled. In the vehicular display device including the control means, the liquid crystal panel displays a meter display pixel for displaying a meter image for instructing a state value of the vehicle and a caution image for alerting an occupant. Display means, and the illumination means includes a meter display light source that emits light to illuminate the meter display pixels, and a caution display light source that emits light to illuminate the caution display pixels, and the input means includes a meter image. And an adjustment value for adjusting the brightness of the image including the caution image as an input, and the control means uses the caution table rather than the meter display light source luminance that is the emission luminance of the meter display light source. As noted display light source luminance is the light emission luminance of the light source is increased, and wherein the changing in accordance with the meter display light source luminance and notices the light source luminance adjustment value.

  In this invention, a meter display pixel that displays a meter image for instructing a state value of a vehicle and a caution display pixel that displays a caution image for alerting an occupant are displayed for their illumination. The light emission luminance of the light source and the caution display light source both change according to the input adjustment value from the passenger. According to this, the brightness of the meter image and the caution image, which are display images of the meter display pixel and the caution display pixel, are both adjusted. At this time, the brightness of the meter display light source that is the emission luminance of the meter display light source is adjusted. Further, by increasing the caution display light source luminance, which is the emission luminance of the caution display light source, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be increased. Therefore, for meter images, the visibility can be improved by sufficiently suppressing the brightness according to the adjustment value, and for the caution image, the purpose is to call attention while suppressing the brightness according to the adjustment value. Can be secured. As described above, meter images and attention images having different display purposes can be appropriately displayed according to the respective purposes.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the control means stores the correlation information indicating the correlation with the adjustment values of the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance, and the correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit. And a light source luminance adjustment unit for adjusting the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance. According to this, the change mode suitable for the specification can be easily realized for the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance simply by changing the correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit. Versatility can be improved.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the correlation information is such that the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance are the same with respect to the change in the adjustment value, so that the caution display light source luminance is larger than the meter display light source luminance. Represents a decreasing correlation. According to this, by reducing the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance from the same luminance according to the correlation information, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be accurately increased according to the occupant input adjustment value. Can do. Therefore, the brightness of the meter image and the attention image can be matched to the occupant's preference within a range where appropriate display according to each purpose is possible.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the correlation information indicates that the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance linearly decrease from the same luminance with respect to the change in the adjustment value, and the caution display is greater than the linear decrease rate of the meter display light source luminance. This represents a correlation with a small linear decrease rate of light source luminance. According to this, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be reliably increased according to the occupant input adjustment value. In addition, the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance can be adjusted simply by linearly converting the input adjustment value in accordance with the correlation information, so that the light source luminance adjustment processing can be simplified.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the correlation information is such that the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance are larger than the meter display light source luminance from the respective reference luminances with respect to changes in the adjustment value. The reference luminance of the attention display light source luminance is larger than the reference luminance of the meter display light source luminance. According to this, by reducing the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance from the respective reference luminances according to the correlation information, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be accurately determined according to the input adjustment value of the occupant. Can be increased. Therefore, the brightness of the meter image and the attention image can be matched to the occupant's preference within a range where appropriate display according to each purpose is possible.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the correlation information indicates that the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance are linearly decreased from the respective reference luminances with respect to the change of the adjustment value, and are more than the linear decrease rate of the meter display light source luminance. Represents a correlation with a small linear decrease rate of the attention display light source luminance. According to this, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be reliably increased according to the occupant input adjustment value. In addition, the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance can be adjusted simply by linearly converting the input adjustment value in accordance with the correlation information, so that the light source luminance adjustment processing can be simplified.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the input means receives whether or not to display the caution image as an input, and the control means captures the outside world of the vehicle and acquires the outside image, and the caution image by the input. When the display is permitted, an external image acquired by the imaging unit is used as a caution image, and the light source luminance adjustment unit adjusts the caution display light source luminance. According to this, when an external image obtained by photographing the external environment of the vehicle as a caution image is permitted by the occupant, input adjustment is performed within a range in which the relative brightness with respect to the meter image is increased. The brightness can be changed according to the value. Therefore, the brightness of the external image can be adjusted without impairing the display purpose of the external image that calls attention to the external environment.

  According to the invention described in claim 17, when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting unit that detects abnormality of the vehicle, the image storage unit that stores a warning image that warns the abnormality, and the abnormality detecting unit, The image storage unit includes a light source luminance adjusting unit that adjusts the warning display light source luminance using the stored warning image as a caution image. According to this, when a warning image that warns of a vehicle abnormality is detected as a caution image, depending on the input adjustment value within a range in which the relative brightness with respect to the meter image is increased. The brightness can be changed. Therefore, the brightness of the external image can be adjusted without impairing the display purpose of the warning image that calls attention to the abnormality.

  According to the invention of claim 18, the control means sets the ratio of the gradation value of the meter display pixel to the gradation value set for the meter display pixel as the meter display gradation ratio, and sets the gradation value for the attention display pixel. The ratio of the gradation value of the caution display pixel to the caution display gradation ratio is used, and the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio are held at the same constant ratio with respect to the change in the adjustment value. According to this, the brightness of the meter image and the attention image substantially depends on the meter display light source luminance and the attention display light source luminance, respectively. Therefore, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be reliably increased by making the caution display light source luminance larger than the meter display light source luminance.

  According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the control means holds the gradation value of the meter display pixel and the gradation value of the caution display pixel at the same constant value with respect to the change of the adjustment value. According to this, the brightness of the meter image and the attention image substantially depends on the meter display light source luminance and the attention display light source luminance, respectively. Therefore, the relative brightness of the caution image with respect to the meter image can be reliably increased by making the caution display light source luminance larger than the meter display light source luminance.

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

(First embodiment)
2 and 3 show a schematic configuration of the vehicle display device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows an electric circuit configuration of the device 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the vehicle display device 1 functions as a combination meter. From the liquid crystal panel 10, the backlight 20, the input unit 30, the imaging unit 40, the drawing unit 50, the main control unit 60, and the like. It is configured.

  The liquid crystal panel 10 is a TFT transmissive liquid crystal panel, and is installed in front of the driver seat so that the screen 11 faces the driver seat side of the vehicle. The liquid crystal panel 10 is a dot matrix type having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a full color image display is realized on the screen 11 by driving each pixel. Here, in the present embodiment, the pixels of the liquid crystal panel 10 include three-color sub-pixels R, G, and B in which red, green, and blue color filters are respectively disposed, and the drawing unit 50 that drives the liquid crystal panel 10. Is supplied with a display command signal for selecting a gradation value for each of the sub-pixels for each pixel.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, among the sub-pixels that form the same pixel and express a specific hue (hue), the sub-pixels that require density for the hue expression. The ratio to the set gradation value (hereinafter, simply referred to as “gradation ratio”) is determined so that the gradation value is in a range greater than 0 and less than or equal to the set gradation value. When there are a plurality of sub-pixels necessary for the hue expression, it is important that the tone ratios of the sub-pixels are set to the same ratio so that the hue does not change. This is because, since the color does not change, the display is easy to see for the vehicle occupant, and mistakes can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the display command for selecting the gradation value that establishes the gradation ratio determined as described above for the sub-pixels necessary for the hue expression and selecting 0 as the gradation value of the remaining sub-pixels. The signal is given to the drawing unit 50. Therefore, in the following, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the gradation ratio of the sub-pixels necessary for the hue expression among the sub-pixels constituting the pixel will be described as “pixel gradation ratio”.

  Here, as the set gradation value that becomes the reference of the gradation ratio for the gradation value of the sub-pixel necessary for the hue expression, for example, a table having 64 gradation values of 0 to 63 shown in FIG. It is stored in 50 image memories 54, and it is possible to set an appropriate numerical value from among the 64 gradation values. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 9, 63 is set as the set gradation value in the case of the sub-pixel R necessary for red expression, and 63 and 31 are set in the case of the sub-pixels R and G necessary for yellow expression, respectively. In the case of sub-pixels R, G, and B necessary for white expression, 63, 63, and 63 are set gradation values, respectively. Thus, the set gradation value is the maximum value among the selected gradation values, and therefore, the gradation ratio at the set gradation value is 100% as the maximum ratio. Here, particularly in the present embodiment, the maximum ratio is the gradation ratio when the luminance of the image is maximized by the selection of the set gradation value in the first mode described later in which the backlight 20 is not dimmed.

  The set gradation value may be a numerical value other than 64 and 0 even if, for example, 64 gradation values are stored in the image memory 54. Specifically, in the yellow expression of the example shown in FIG. 9, the set gradation value of the sub-pixel G when the maximum ratio is 100% is 31, so that the gradation ratio of the sub-pixel G is changed to 50%. In some cases, 15 is selected as the gradation value of the sub-pixel G. In accordance with this, for example, by setting the set gradation value of the sub-pixel R required for red expression to 31 and selecting 15 as the gradation value of the sub-pixel R, the gradation ratio of the sub-pixel R is set to the maximum ratio 100. Of course, it is also possible to change from 50% to 50%.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal panel 10 of the present embodiment includes a first pixel region 14 that includes a plurality of pixels and displays a meter image 12 and a background image 13, and a second pixel that includes a plurality of pixels and displays an external image 16. And a pixel region 18.

  Specifically, the meter image 12 is an image for instructing the vehicle occupant to the state value of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the vehicle speed display image 12a indicating the vehicle speed, the rotation speed display image 12b indicating the engine speed, and the engine. A water temperature display image 12c indicating the temperature of the cooling water and a remaining amount display image 12d indicating the remaining amount of fuel are included. The background image 13 is displayed as a background for making the meter image 12 stand out. The first pixel area 14 is defined in a rectangular outer peripheral portion excluding a substantially central portion on the screen 11, and displays the meter image 12 and the background image 13 by driving each pixel constituting the area 14.

  The outside image 16 is a “caution image” obtained by photographing a predetermined area of the outside world by the imaging unit 40 in order to call attention to the outside world situation of the vehicle. At this time, an image of the vehicle front area where the visible light from the headlamp does not reach, that is, a night view image is obtained. The second pixel area 18 is defined at a substantially central portion of the screen 11 surrounded by the first pixel area 14, and displays the external image 16 by driving each pixel constituting the area 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the backlight 20 includes a light emitting diode 22 and a diffusion plate 24. The light emitting diode 22 is a chip type, and is installed obliquely behind the liquid crystal panel 10 in the vehicle. The light emitting diode 22 is electrically connected to the main control unit 60, and emits light when driven according to a light emission drive signal supplied from the main control unit 60. The diffusing plate 24 is formed of a light transmissive resin in a flat plate shape, and is disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 10 in parallel with the panel 10. The diffusing plate 24 diffuses incident light from the light emitting diodes 22 located adjacent to each other and emits the light from the light emitting surface 26 on the liquid crystal panel 10 side, so that the light emission luminance on the light emitting surface 26 is substantially uniform over the entire area. To do. As described above, the backlight 20 transmits and illuminates the entire liquid crystal panel 10 from behind by the light from the light emitting surface 26.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the input unit 30 includes a liquid crystal adjustment switch 32, a display permission / rejection switch 34, and a light switch 36.

  The liquid crystal adjustment switch 32 is installed, for example, around the liquid crystal panel 10 and is operated by a passenger to adjust the brightness of the display image on the liquid crystal panel 10. Here, the liquid crystal adjustment switch 32 of the present embodiment has a plurality of operation positions corresponding to the adjustment values in a plurality of stages that are defined in advance for the brightness of the display image of the liquid crystal panel 10. Therefore, the occupant can input an adjustment value corresponding to the operation position by operating the liquid crystal adjustment switch 32 to a predetermined position.

  The display permission / rejection switch 34 is installed, for example, around the liquid crystal panel 10 and is turned on / off by the occupant to permit the display of a predetermined image. Here, the display permission / rejection switch 34 according to the present embodiment targets the display of the external image 16 in the second pixel region 18 of the liquid crystal panel 10 as a permission target. Accordingly, the occupant can input a permission command or a prohibition command for displaying the external image 16 by operating the display permission switch 34 to the on position or the off position.

  The light switch 36 is installed, for example, around the steering in front of the driver's seat, and is turned on and off by the occupant to turn on and off a predetermined lamp of the vehicle. Here, the light switch 36 of the present embodiment has, as operation positions, a vehicle width lamp on position and a headlamp on position where the tape lamp of the vehicle is lit, and an all lamp off position where the tail lamp of the vehicle is extinguished. . Therefore, the occupant can input a lighting command or a lighting command corresponding to the operation position by operating the light switch 36 to a predetermined position.

  Each of the switches 32, 34, and 36 is electrically connected to the main control unit 60, and transmits a signal representing the input content corresponding to each operation position to the main control unit 60.

  The imaging unit 40 includes an external camera 42 and an image processing circuit 44. The external camera 42 captures an external area of the vehicle with an image sensor such as a CCD. Here, the external camera 42 of the present embodiment is installed, for example, in a front bumper or a front grill of a vehicle, and the reflected light with respect to the infrared light irradiated forward from the dedicated projector or the vehicle headlamp is converted into an image signal by the imaging device. Convert. The image processing circuit 44 is composed of a microcomputer, is installed in the vehicle, and is electrically connected to the external camera 42. The image processing circuit 44 processes an image signal from the external camera 42 to generate an external image in front of the vehicle. As described above, the imaging unit 40 captures the area where the visible light from the headlamp does not reach at night or when the vehicle passes through the dark place, and acquires the external image 16 related to the area.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the drawing unit 50 includes a drawing circuit 52 and an image memory 54. The drawing circuit 52 includes an IC chip such as an ASIC, and is installed behind the light emitting diode 22 in the vehicle and is electrically connected to the liquid crystal panel 10 and the main control unit 60. The image memory 54 is composed of an EEPROM and is electrically connected to the drawing circuit 52. In the image memory 54, the meter image 12 and the background image 13 are stored in advance as image information before the device 1 is shipped from the factory. As described above, the drawing circuit 52 reads the predetermined meter image 12 and the background image 13 from the image memory 54 in response to the display command signal from the main control unit 60, and each constituent pixel of the first pixel region 14 according to the display command signal. The meter image 12 and the background image 13 are displayed on the screen 11 by driving.

  In the drawing unit 50 of the present embodiment, the drawing circuit 52 is also electrically connected to the image processing circuit 44 of the imaging unit 40. Thus, the drawing circuit 52 reads the external image 16 from the imaging unit 40 in response to the display command signal from the main control unit 60, and drives each component pixel in the second pixel region 18 according to the display command signal. The image 16 is displayed on the screen 11.

  The main control unit 60 includes a control circuit 62 and a correlation information memory 64. The main control unit 60 is composed of a microcomputer, and is installed behind the light emitting diode 22 in the vehicle. The control circuit 62 is electrically connected to the light emitting diode 22 of the backlight 20, the switches 32, 34, and 36 of the input unit 30, the drawing circuit 52 of the drawing unit 50, and the state value sensor 66. Here, the state value sensor 66 detects the vehicle state value displayed as the meter image 12 by the first pixel region 14 of the liquid crystal panel 10, that is, the vehicle speed, the engine speed, the engine coolant temperature, the remaining fuel amount, etc. A signal representing the detection result is transmitted to the control circuit 62.

  The correlation information memory 64 is composed of an EEPROM and is electrically connected to the control circuit 62. In the correlation information memory 64, the first correlation information and the second correlation information are stored in advance before the device 1 is shipped from the factory. Specifically, the first correlation information is the meter image 12 under a predetermined condition among the gradation ratios of the pixels displaying the meter image 12 in the first pixel region 14 (hereinafter simply referred to as “meter display gradation ratio”). Represents the correlation between the gradation ratio in displaying “” and the input adjustment value (hereinafter simply referred to as “input adjustment value”) by the liquid crystal adjustment switch 32. Further, the second correlation information is obtained under a predetermined condition out of the gradation ratios of pixels that display the external image 16 as “attention pixels” in the second pixel area 18 (hereinafter simply referred to as “attention display gradation ratios”). This represents the correlation between the gradation ratio when the external image 16 is displayed and the input adjustment value.

  Particularly in this embodiment, the maximum ratio in which the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel area 14 and the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel area 18 are the same as each other with respect to the increase change of the input adjustment value as shown in FIG. The first correlation information and the second correlation information are respectively defined so as to linearly decrease from Rmax and so that the linear decrease rate is smaller in the latter than in the former. As a result, the correlation represented by the second correlation information has a caution display gradation ratio with respect to an increasing change in the input adjustment value, and is larger than the meter display gradation ratio corresponding to the same input adjustment value in the correlation represented by the first correlation information. Thus, the maximum ratio Rmax is decreased.

  In the correlation information memory 64, the first and second correlation information may be stored as table data, may be stored as map data, or may be stored as function data.

  As described above, the control circuit 62 in FIG. 4 outputs the display command signal based on the signals from the switches 32, 34, and 36 and the state value sensor 66 and the first and second correlation information read from the correlation information memory 64. Generate. The display command signal is supplied to the drawing circuit 52 of the drawing unit 50 to control the driving of each component pixel of the liquid crystal panel 10. In the following, “display command signal is supplied to the drawing circuit 52”. It will be described as “controlling the liquid crystal panel 10”.

  Further, the control circuit 62 generates a light emission drive signal based on the signals from the switches 32, 34, and 36 and the state value sensor 66 and the first and second correlation information. This light emission drive signal is applied to the light emitting diode 22 of the backlight 20 to control the driving of the light emitting diode 22. In the following, “the light emission drive signal is supplied to the light emitting diode 22” is referred to as “backlight 20. Will be described as “controlling”.

  Next, the display operation of the vehicle display device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 6 shows the light emission luminance of the backlight 20, FIG. 1 shows the gradation ratio of the pixel regions 14 and 18, and FIG. 7 shows the brightness of the images 12 and 16. In the display operation and control flow (described later) of the first embodiment, the display of the meter image 12 is fixed with respect to the gradation ratio and the hue of the pixel displaying the background image 13 in the first pixel region 14. Shall be.

(1) First Mode The control circuit 62 of the main control unit 60 receives a signal from the light switch 36 indicating the all-lamp off position and a signal from the display permission / rejection switch 34 indicating a command to prohibit the display of the external image 16. If so, the control mode is set to the first mode. The first mode set in this way is usually realized in the daytime.

  Specifically, in the first mode, the control circuit 62 controls the backlight 20 so that the light emission luminance on the light emitting surface 26 of the diffuser plate 24 (hereinafter referred to as “light emission luminance of the backlight 20”) is an input adjustment value. The constant maximum luminance Lmax (FIG. 6) is maintained with respect to the change.

  In the first mode, the control circuit 62 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 so that the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 is set to a constant maximum ratio Rmax (FIG. 1) with respect to the change of the input adjustment value. Hold.

  As described above, in the first mode, the meter image 12 is displayed with the maximum permissible brightness B1max (FIG. 7).

  In the first mode, the attention display gradation ratio and hue of the second pixel area 18 are adjusted so as to have a gradation ratio (Rass in FIG. 1) and hue that assimilate the external image 16 with the background image 13. The However, the assimilation of the images here is not only complete assimilation by making the gradation ratio and hue of the images the same, but also because of the small gradation value even if the hues of the images are different. It also includes the fact that it becomes a dark color that is difficult to distinguish and is substantially assimilated. Therefore, the external image 16 is not apparently displayed (FIG. 7).

(2) Second mode The control circuit 62 includes a signal from the light switch 36 that indicates the vehicle width lamp on position or the headlamp on position, and a signal from the display permission / inhibition switch 34 that indicates a permission command to display the external image 16. Is received, the control mode is set to the second mode. The second mode set in this way is realized, for example, at night or when the vehicle passes through a dark place with particularly little light.

  Specifically, in the second mode, the control circuit 62 controls the backlight 20 so that the light emission luminance is lower than the maximum luminance Lmax and constant intermediate luminance Lmid with respect to the change of the input adjustment value (FIG. 6). Hold on.

  In the second mode, the control circuit 62 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 to change the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 to the corresponding ratio of the input adjustment value according to the first correlation information in the correlation information memory 64. Change. That is, in the second mode, the meter display gradation ratio is adjusted to a value corresponding to the input adjustment value within a range ΔR1 (FIG. 1) that is equal to or less than the maximum ratio Rmax.

  Further, in the second mode, the control circuit 62 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 to change the attention display gradation ratio of the second pixel area 18 to the corresponding ratio of the input adjustment value according to the second correlation information of the correlation information memory 64. Change. That is, in the second mode, the attention display gradation ratio is larger than the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 in accordance with the input adjustment value within the range ΔR2 (FIG. 1) equal to or less than the maximum ratio Rmax. It is adjusted.

  As described above, in the second mode, for example, the ranges ΔB1 and ΔB2 below the intermediate brightness B1mid and B2mid with respect to the maximum allowable brightness B1max and B2max so that the external image 16 becomes brighter than the meter image 12 (FIG. 7) Images 12 and 16 suppressed to the brightness desired by the occupant are displayed.

(3) Third mode The control circuit 62 includes a signal from the light switch 36 indicating the vehicle width lamp ON position or the headlamp ON position, and a signal from the display permission / rejection switch 34 indicating the instruction to prohibit the display of the external image 16. Is received, the control mode is set to the third mode. The third mode set in this way is realized, for example, when the vehicle passes through a dark place with relatively much light.

  Specifically, in the third mode, the control circuit 62 controls the backlight 20 to maintain the light emission luminance as in the second mode (FIG. 6).

  In the third mode, the control circuit 62 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 to change the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 as in the second mode (FIG. 1).

  On the other hand, in the third mode, the attention display gradation ratio and the hue of the second pixel region 18 have a gradation ratio (Rass in FIG. 1) and a hue that assimilate the external image 16 with the background image 13. Adjusted.

  As described above, in the third mode, the meter image 12 suppressed to the occupant's desired brightness within the range ΔB1 (FIG. 7) is displayed, but the external image 16 is not apparently displayed (FIG. 7). .

  Next, a control flow by the control circuit 62 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This control flow starts when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on.

  First, in step S101, the control mode is set to one of the first to third modes based on the signals from the light switch 36 and the display permission / rejection switch 34.

  When the control mode is set to the first mode in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the light emission luminance is adjusted to the maximum luminance Lmax with the backlight 20 as a control target. Subsequently, in step S103, the meter image 12 is displayed with the maximum permissible brightness B1max by adjusting the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 to the maximum ratio Rmax with the liquid crystal panel 10 as a control target. At the same time, in step S103, the attention display gradation ratio and the hue of the second pixel region 18 are adjusted so that the liquid crystal panel 10 is a control target so that the external image 16 is assimilated with the background image 13, and the external image 16 is not displayed. And

  On the other hand, when the control mode is set to the second mode in step S101, the process proceeds to step S104. In this step S104, the light emission luminance is adjusted to the intermediate luminance Lmid with the backlight 20 as a control target. Subsequently, in step S105, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 is adjusted to a ratio in the range ΔR1 according to the first correlation information with the liquid crystal panel 10 as a control target, thereby the meter image 12 in the range ΔB1. Display with reduced brightness. At the same time, in step S105, by adjusting the attention display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 18 to the ratio within the range ΔR2 according to the second correlation information with the liquid crystal panel 10 as the control target, the external image 16 is within the range ΔB2. Display with reduced brightness.

  On the other hand, when the control mode is set to the third mode in step S101, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the light emission luminance of the backlight 20 is adjusted in the same manner as in step S104. Subsequently, in step S107, the meter image 12 is displayed at a brightness within the range ΔB1 by adjusting the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 as in step S105. At the same time, in step S107, the external display image 16 assimilate the background image 13 with the caution display gradation ratio and the hue of the second pixel region 18 by using a method different from that in step S105. Thus, the external image 16 is set in a non-display state.

  Note that after execution of steps S103, S105, and S107, the process proceeds to step S108, and it is determined whether or not the ignition switch is turned off. As a result, when an affirmative determination is made, the present control flow is terminated, whereas when a negative determination is made, the process returns to step S101 to continue the present control flow.

  According to the first embodiment described above, in the second mode in which the external image 16 is displayed simultaneously with the meter image 12, the brightness of the external image 16 is suppressed together with the brightness of the meter image 12 according to the input adjustment value. It is done. However, at this time, since the relative brightness of the external image 16 with respect to the meter image 12 can be increased by adjusting the characteristic gradation ratio of each pixel area 14, 18, the display purpose of the external image 16 is called alerting. It is possible to avoid the situation that is hindered. On the other hand, the meter image 12 can be displayed with sufficiently low brightness so as to match the passenger's preference, so that the visibility is improved. According to such a first embodiment, the images 16 and 12 having different display purposes can be appropriately displayed according to the respective purposes.

  In the first embodiment so far, the backlight 20 corresponds to “illuminating means” and “whole light source”, the input unit 30 corresponds to “input means”, the imaging unit 40, the drawing unit 50, and the main control. The unit 60 corresponds to a “control unit”, and the drawing unit 50 and the main control unit 60 correspond to a “gradation ratio adjustment unit”. In the first embodiment, the correlation information memory 64 corresponds to the “correlation information storage unit”, and the first and second correlation information stored in the correlation information memory 64 is changed to “correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit”. Equivalent to.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the vehicle display device 100 of the second embodiment, the backlight 120 includes a first light emitting diode 122 a that transmits and illuminates the first pixel region 14 of the liquid crystal panel 10 on both sides of the second pixel region 18. And two sets of the first diffusion plate 124a are provided as the first light source 128a. In addition, the backlight 120 includes a pair of a second light emitting diode 122b and a second diffusion plate 124b that transmit and illuminate the second pixel region 18 in a substantially central portion of the liquid crystal panel 10 as a second light source 128b.

  In each of the light sources 128a and 128b, the light emitting diodes 122a and 122b are electrically connected to the control circuit 162 of the main control unit 160, and emit light by being driven according to the light emission drive signals respectively given from the main control unit 160. In each light source 128a, 128b, light incident on the diffusion plates 124a, 124b from the light emitting diodes 122a, 122b is diffused by the diffusion plates 124a, 124b and emitted from the light emitting surfaces 126a, 126b on the liquid crystal panel 10 side. Accordingly, the pixel regions 14 and 18 of the liquid crystal panel 10 are transmitted and illuminated by light from the light emitting surfaces 126a and 126b that emit light with substantially uniform luminance in the light sources 128a and 128b, respectively.

  In the second embodiment, the correlation information memory 164 of the main control unit 160 stores first and second correlation information different from the first embodiment in advance. Specifically, the first correlation information is the meter image 12 by the first pixel region 14 under a predetermined condition of the light emission luminance on the light emitting surface 126a of the first light source 128a (hereinafter referred to as “light emission luminance of the first light source 128a”). Represents the correlation between the emission brightness and the input adjustment value. Further, the second correlation information is obtained by using the second pixel region 18 to display the external image 16 under a predetermined condition out of the light emission luminance on the light emission surface 126b of the second light source 128b (hereinafter referred to as “light emission luminance of the second light source 128b”). It shows the correlation between the emission luminance at the time of display and the input adjustment value.

  Here, particularly in the present embodiment, the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a and the light emission luminance of the second light source 128b linearly decrease from the same intermediate luminance Lmid with respect to the increase change of the input adjustment value as shown in FIG. The first correlation information and the second correlation information are respectively defined so that the linear decrease rate becomes smaller in the latter case. As a result, the correlation represented by the second correlation information indicates the light emission luminance of the second light source 128b with respect to the increase change of the input adjustment value, and the light emission of the first light source 128a corresponding to the same input adjustment value in the correlation represented by the first correlation information. The intermediate luminance Lmid is decreased so as to be larger than the luminance.

  In such a second embodiment, the control circuit 162 of the main control unit 160 shown in FIG. 10 receives the signals from the switches 32, 34, 36 and the state value sensor 66, and the first and second values read from the correlation information memory 164. A display command signal is generated based on the second correlation information. As in the case of the first embodiment, this display command signal controls the driving of each component pixel of the liquid crystal panel 10 by being supplied to the drawing circuit 52 of the drawing unit 50. The process of “giving a signal to the drawing circuit 52” will be described as “controlling the liquid crystal panel 10”.

  The control circuit 162 generates a light emission drive signal based on the signals from the switches 32, 34, and 36 and the state value sensor 66 and the first and second correlation information. The light emission drive signals are individually supplied to the light emitting diodes 122a and 122b of the light sources 128a and 128b, thereby controlling the driving of the light emitting diodes 122a and 122b. Therefore, hereinafter, “giving the light emission drive signal to the light emitting diodes 122a and 122b” will be described as “controlling the light sources 128a and 128b”.

  Next, the display operation of the vehicle display device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 12 shows the gradation ratio of the pixel regions 14 and 18, FIG. 13 shows the light emission luminance of the light sources 128a and 128b, and FIG. 14 shows the brightness of the images 12 and 16. In the display operation and control flow (described later) of the second embodiment, the display of the meter image 12 is fixed with respect to the gradation ratio and hue of the pixel displaying the background image 13 in the first pixel region 14. Shall be.

(1) First Mode In the first mode, the control circuit 162 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 to change the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 to a constant maximum ratio Rmax ( FIG. 12).

  In the first mode, the control circuit 162 controls the first light source 128a to maintain the light emission luminance at a constant maximum luminance Lmax (FIG. 13) with respect to the change of the input adjustment value.

  As described above, in the first mode, the meter image 12 is displayed with the maximum permissible brightness B1max (FIG. 14).

  In this first mode, the attention display gradation ratio and hue of the second pixel region 18 are adjusted so as to have a gradation ratio (Rass in FIG. 12) and hue that assimilate the external image 16 with the background image 13. Is done. In the first mode, the second light source 128b is controlled so that the light emission luminance thereof matches the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a (Lmax in FIG. 13). Therefore, the external image 16 is apparently not displayed (FIG. 14).

(2) Second Mode In the second mode, the control circuit 162 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 to change the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel area 14 and the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel area 18 to the first mode. The same as in the case of the meter display gradation ratio in the mode (FIG. 12).

  In the second mode, the control circuit 162 controls the first light source 128a to change the light emission luminance to the corresponding luminance of the input adjustment value according to the first correlation information in the correlation information memory 164. That is, in the second mode, the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a is adjusted to a value corresponding to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL1 (FIG. 13) that is equal to or lower than the intermediate luminance Lmid.

  Further, in the second mode, the control circuit 162 controls the second light source 128b to change the light emission luminance to a corresponding value of the input adjustment value according to the second correlation information in the correlation information memory 164. That is, in the second mode, the light emission luminance of the second light source 128b is adjusted to be greater than the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a in accordance with the input adjustment value within a range ΔL2 (FIG. 13) that is equal to or lower than the intermediate luminance Lmid. It is.

  As described above, in the second mode, for example, the ambient image 16 is brighter than the meter image 12, and the brightness desired by the occupant is suppressed within the ranges ΔB1 and ΔB2 (FIG. 14) below the intermediate brightness B1mid and B2mid, respectively. The images 12 and 16 are displayed.

(3) Third Mode In the third mode, the control circuit 162 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 to maintain the meter display gradation ratio in the first pixel region 14 as in the first mode (FIG. 12). .

  In the third mode, the control circuit 162 controls the first light source 128a to change the light emission luminance to the same value as in the second mode (FIG. 13).

  On the other hand, in the third mode, the attention display gradation ratio and the hue of the second pixel region 18 have the gradation ratio (Rass in FIG. 12) and the hue that assimilate the external image 16 with the background image 13. Adjusted. In the third mode, the second light source 128b is controlled so that the light emission luminance thereof matches the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a (the luminance within the range ΔL1 in FIG. 13).

  As described above, in the third mode, the meter image 12 suppressed to the occupant's desired brightness within the range ΔB1 (FIG. 14) is displayed, but the external image 16 is not apparently displayed (FIG. 14). .

  Next, a control flow by the control circuit 162 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that steps S201 and S208 in FIG. 15 are substantially the same as steps S101 and S108 in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted, and steps S202 to S207 different from those in the first embodiment will be described.

  In step S202, which is shifted to when the control mode is set to the first mode in step S201, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 is adjusted to the maximum ratio Rmax with the liquid crystal panel 10 as a control target. At the same time, in step S202, the attention display gradation ratio and the hue of the second pixel region 18 are adjusted so that the external image 16 is assimilated with the background image 13 with the liquid crystal panel 10 as a control target. After the above, in step S203, the first and second light sources 128a and 128b are controlled, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to the maximum luminance Lmax, so that the meter image 12 is set to the maximum allowable brightness B1max. The external image 16 is not displayed.

  On the other hand, in step S204, which is shifted when the control mode is set to the second mode in step S201, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 and the attention of the second pixel region 18 are set with the liquid crystal panel 10 as the control target. All the display gradation ratios are adjusted to the maximum ratio Rmax. Subsequently, in step S205, the first light source 128a is set as the control target, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to the luminance within the range ΔL1 according to the first correlation information, so that the meter image 12 is displayed while being suppressed to the brightness within the range ΔB1. . At the same time, in step S205, the second light source 128b is set as a control target, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to the luminance within the range ΔL2 according to the second correlation information, so that the external image 16 is displayed with the brightness within the range ΔB2 suppressed. .

  On the other hand, in step S206, which is shifted to when the control mode is set to the third mode in step S201, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel area 14 and the caution display of the second pixel area 18 are the same as in step S202. Adjust the gradation ratio and hue. Subsequently, in step S207, the meter image 12 is displayed with the brightness within the range ΔB1 suppressed by adjusting the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a as in step S205. At the same time, in step S207, the second light source 128b is set as the control target, specifically, the light emission luminance is matched with the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a, and the external image 16 is not displayed. And

  According to the second embodiment described above, in the second mode in which the external image 16 is displayed simultaneously with the meter image 12, the characteristic light emission luminance adjustment of each of the light sources 128a and 128b is performed. The same effect as the form can be enjoyed.

  In the second embodiment so far, the backlight 120 corresponds to “illuminating means”, the first light source 128a corresponds to “meter display light source”, and the second light source 128b corresponds to “caution display light source”. . In the second embodiment, the imaging unit 40, the drawing unit 50, and the main control unit 160 correspond to a “control unit”, and the main control unit 160 corresponds to a “light source luminance adjustment unit”. Further, in the second embodiment, the correlation information memory 164 corresponds to the “correlation information storage unit”, and the first and second correlation information stored in the correlation information memory 164 is changed to “correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit”. Equivalent to.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the third embodiment, the reference ratio R1 in which the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel area 14 and the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel area 18 are different from each other with respect to the increase change of the input adjustment value. , R2 and the first correlation information and the second correlation information are defined so that the linear decrease rate is smaller in the latter than in the former. Here, the reference ratio R2 related to the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel area 18 is set to the maximum ratio Rmax, while the reference ratio R1 related to the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel area 14 is the reference ratio R2 Is set to a smaller ratio. Accordingly, the correlation represented by the second correlation information corresponds to the first input adjustment value corresponding to the same input adjustment value in the correlation represented by the first correlation information. The maximum ratio Rmax is decreased so as to be larger than the meter display gradation ratio of the pixel region 14.

  In the second mode of the third embodiment, the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 18 is adjusted within the range ΔR2 (FIG. 17) equal to or less than the reference ratio R2 according to the second correlation information, while the first correlation According to the information, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 is adjusted within a range δR1 (FIG. 17) that is smaller than the reference ratio R2 and is equal to or less than the reference ratio R1. Accordingly, the attention display gradation ratio of the second pixel area 18 is set to be larger than the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel area 14, and the relative brightness of the external image 16 with respect to the meter image 12 is increased. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment can be enjoyed.

  In the third mode of the third embodiment, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 is adjusted to be the same as in the second mode (FIG. 17).

  In the third embodiment, in addition to the first correlation information and the second correlation information, the first correlation function (see FIG. 5) of the first embodiment is stored in the correlation information memory 64 as the third correlation function. . Therefore, in the first mode of the third embodiment, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 is adjusted within the range ΔR1 (FIG. 1) that is equal to or less than the maximum ratio Rmax according to the third correlation information. .

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the second embodiment. In the following description, differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the fourth embodiment, the emission luminance of the first light source 128a and the emission luminance of the second light source 128b linearly decrease from different reference luminances L1 and L2 with respect to the increase change of the input adjustment value, and The first correlation information and the second correlation information are respectively defined so that the linear decrease rate is smaller in the latter than in the former. Here, the reference luminance L2 related to the light emission luminance of the second light source 128b is set to the intermediate luminance Lmid, while the reference luminance L1 related to the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a is set to a luminance smaller than the reference luminance L2. . As a result, the correlation represented by the second correlation information indicates the light emission luminance of the second light source 128b with respect to the increase change of the input adjustment value, and the light emission of the first light source 128a corresponding to the same input adjustment value in the correlation represented by the first correlation information. In the second mode of the fourth embodiment, the emission luminance of the second light source 128b is within a range ΔL2 in which the emission luminance of the second light source 128b is equal to or less than the reference luminance L2 in accordance with the second correlation information so as to be larger than the luminance. On the other hand, the emission luminance of the first light source 128a is adjusted within the range δL1 (FIG. 19) that is equal to or lower than the reference luminance L1 according to the first correlation information. Accordingly, the light emission luminance of the second light source 128b is set to be larger than the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a, and the relative brightness of the external image 16 with respect to the meter image 12 is increased. The same effects as the embodiment can be enjoyed.

  In the third mode of the fourth embodiment, the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a is adjusted to be the same as that in the second mode (FIG. 19), and the light emission of the second light source 128b is matched with the light emission luminance. The brightness is also adjusted.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, in the vehicle display device 200 of the fifth embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 210 has a warning image 216 and a background image below the first pixel region 214 that displays the meter image 12 and the background image 13. A second pixel region 218 for displaying 217 is included. Here, the warning image 216 is a “caution image” that warns the abnormality in order to call attention to the abnormality of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, an abnormality display image 216a that indicates an abnormal temperature rise of the engine cooling water, An abnormality display image 216b indicating an empty abnormality of the remaining amount of fuel is included. Regarding such a warning image 216, the second pixel area 218 is displayed by driving each component pixel of the area 218 when an abnormality occurs, and is not displayed apparently in a normal state where there is no abnormality. On the other hand, the background image 217 is displayed as a background for making the warning image 216 stand out. Therefore, hereinafter, in order to distinguish the background images 13 and 217 displayed by the pixel regions 214 and 218, the background image 13 of the first pixel region 214 is referred to as a “first background image 13”, and the second pixel region 218. The background image 217 is referred to as “second background image 217”.

  Note that the first pixel region 214 of the present embodiment is configured in the same manner as the first pixel region 14 of the first embodiment, except for the arrangement position in the liquid crystal panel 210. In FIG. 20, a two-dot chain line virtually represents a boundary between the first pixel region 214 and the second pixel region 218.

  With the above modification, the warning image 216 and the second background image 14 are stored in advance as image information in the image memory 254 of the drawing unit 250 together with the meter image 12 and the first background image 13 as shown in FIG. Yes. Further, the first correlation information and the second correlation information stored in the correlation information memory 264 of the main control unit 260 indicate the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 and the warning image 216 in the second pixel region 218, respectively. This is related to the gradation ratio of pixels displayed as a “caution image” (hereinafter, this gradation ratio is referred to as “caution display gradation ratio”). Further, the input unit 230 is not provided with the display permission / denial switch 34.

  In the fifth embodiment, the control circuit 262 of the main control unit 260 detects a temperature rise abnormality of the engine cooling water and an empty abnormality of the remaining fuel amount based on a signal from the state value sensor 66. As a result, the control circuit 262 determines “when an abnormality has occurred” when detecting an abnormal temperature increase of the engine cooling water or an empty abnormality of the remaining fuel amount, and “normal time” when none of these abnormalities are detected. It will be judged.

  The control circuit 262 generates a display command signal based on the signals from the switches 32 and 36 and the state value sensor 66 and the first and second correlation information read from the correlation information memory 264. The display command signal is supplied to the drawing circuit 252 of the drawing unit 250 to control the driving of each constituent pixel of the liquid crystal panel 210. In the following description, “display command signal is supplied to the drawing circuit 252”. It will be described as “controlling the liquid crystal panel 210”.

  Further, the control circuit 262 generates a light emission drive signal based on the signals from the switches 32 and 36 and the state value sensor 66 and the first and second correlation information. As in the first embodiment, this light emission driving signal is applied to the light emitting diode 22 of the backlight 20 to control the driving of the light emitting diode 22. The “giving” will be described as “controlling the backlight 20”.

  Next, the display operation of the vehicle display device 200 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 22 shows the light emission luminance of the backlight 20, FIG. 23 shows the gradation ratio of the pixel regions 214 and 218, and FIG. 24 shows the brightness of the images 12 and 216. In the display operation and control flow (described later) in the fifth embodiment, the display of the meter image 12 is emphasized with respect to the gradation ratio and hue of the pixel displaying the first background image 13 in the first pixel region 214. It shall be fixed.

(First mode)
The control circuit 262 of the fifth embodiment sets the control mode to the first mode when receiving a signal from the light switch 36 indicating the all-lamp off position. The first mode set in this way is usually realized in the daytime.

  Specifically, the control circuit 262 controls the backlight 20 to control the backlight 20 to emit light at a constant maximum brightness Lmax with respect to changes in the input adjustment value (FIG. 22). Hold on.

  Further, the control circuit 262 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 at the time of normal and abnormal occurrence of the first mode, thereby changing the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 according to the first correlation information in the correlation information memory 264. Change to the corresponding ratio of the input adjustment value. That is, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 is adjusted to a ratio corresponding to the input adjustment value within a range ΔR1 (FIG. 23) that is equal to or less than the maximum ratio Rmax. Therefore, in both the normal mode and the abnormality occurrence in the first mode, the meter image 12 having the maximum allowable brightness B1max (FIG. 24) or the meter suppressed to the brightness desired by the occupant within the range ΔB11 (FIG. 24). The image 12 will be displayed.

  Further, only in the normal time of the first mode, the control circuit 262 displays the warning image 216 and the second background image 217 for the gradation ratio (that is, the attention display gradation ratio) and the hue of the entire second pixel region 218. Adjustment is performed so that the gradation ratio (Rass in FIG. 23) and the color to be assimilated with the first background image 13 are obtained. Therefore, the warning image 216 is not apparently displayed in the normal time of the first mode (FIG. 24).

  On the other hand, the control circuit 262 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 when the abnormality occurs in the first mode, thereby adjusting the caution display gradation ratio in the second pixel region 218 according to the second correlation information in the correlation information memory 264. Change to the corresponding ratio of values. That is, the attention display gradation ratio is adjusted so as to be larger than the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 in accordance with the input adjustment value within the range ΔR2 (FIG. 23) that is equal to or less than the maximum ratio Rmax. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the first mode, a warning image 216 having the maximum allowable brightness B2max (FIG. 24) or a warning image 216 suppressed to the passenger's desired brightness within the range ΔB21 (FIG. 24) is displayed. Will be.

  Note that in the second pixel area 218 when the abnormality occurs in the first mode, the gradation ratio and the hue of the pixel displaying the second background image 217 are the gradation ratio that assimilate the image 217 with the first background image 13. (Rass) and the color tone are adjusted. Thereby, the display of the warning image 216 surrounded by the second background image 217 can be made to stand out.

(Second mode)
The control circuit 262 of the fifth embodiment sets the control mode to the second mode when receiving a signal from the light switch 36 indicating the vehicle width lamp on position or the headlamp on position. The second mode set in this way is usually realized when the vehicle passes at night or in a dark place.

  Specifically, the control circuit 262 controls the backlight 20 to change its emission luminance to a constant intermediate luminance Lmid with respect to the change of the input adjustment value (FIG. 22). Hold on.

  Further, the control circuit 262 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 when the second mode is normal and when an abnormality occurs, so that the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 is the same as in the first mode (FIG. 23). To change. Accordingly, the meter image 12 that is suppressed to the occupant's desired brightness within the range ΔB12 (FIG. 24) that is equal to or less than the intermediate brightness B1mid is displayed in both the normal mode and the abnormality occurrence in the second mode. Become.

  Further, the control circuit 262 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 only in the normal mode of the second mode, so that the same gradation ratio (Rass in FIG. 23) and hue as in the first mode are displayed in the second pixel region 218. Realized. Therefore, even when the second mode is normal, the warning image 216 is apparently not displayed (FIG. 24).

  On the other hand, when the abnormality occurs in the second mode, the control circuit 262 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 so that the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 218 is the same as in the first mode (FIG. 23). Change. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the second mode, a warning image 216 that is brighter than the meter image 12 and suppressed to a passenger-desired brightness within a range ΔB22 (FIG. 24) that is equal to or less than the intermediate brightness B2mid is displayed. It will be.

  In the second pixel region 218 when the abnormality occurs in the second mode, the gradation ratio and hue of the pixel displaying the second background image 217 are the same gradation ratio and hue as in the first mode. As will be adjusted. Thereby, the display of the warning image 216 surrounded by the second background image 217 can be made to stand out.

  Next, a control flow by the control circuit 262 of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This control flow also starts when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on.

  First, in step S301, based on each signal from the light switch 36, the control mode is set to either the first mode or the second mode.

  When the control mode is set to the first mode in step S301, the process proceeds to step S302. In this step S302, the light emission luminance is adjusted to the maximum luminance Lmax with the backlight 20 as a control target. In step S303, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 is adjusted to a ratio in the range ΔR1 according to the first correlation information with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target. As a result, the meter image 12 is displayed with the maximum allowable brightness B1max or with a brightness that is less than B1max within the range ΔB11.

  Thereafter, in step S304, it is determined based on a signal from the state value sensor 66 whether or not an abnormal temperature increase of the engine cooling water or an empty abnormality of the remaining fuel amount is detected.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S304, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred and the process proceeds to step S305. In this step S305, the attention display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 218 is adjusted to a ratio within the range ΔR2 according to the second correlation information with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target. At the same time, in step S 305, with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target, the gradation ratio and hue of the display pixel of the second background image 217 in the second pixel area 218 are assimilated with the first background image 13. Adjust to. As a result, the warning image 216 is displayed with the maximum allowable brightness B2max or the brightness that is less than the B2max within the range ΔB21.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S304, it is determined that it is normal, and the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the gradation ratio and hue of the entire second pixel region 218 are adjusted using the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target so that the warning image 216 and the second background image 217 are assimilated with the first background image 13, and the warning is performed. The image 216 is not displayed.

  The case where the control mode is set to the first mode in step S301 has been described above, but when the control mode is set to the second mode in step S301, the process proceeds to step S307. In this step S307, the light emission luminance is adjusted to the intermediate luminance Lmid with the backlight 20 as a control target. Subsequently, in step S308, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 is adjusted as in step S303. Thus, the brightness of the meter image 12 is displayed in a range ΔB12 that is equal to or less than the intermediate brightness B1mid.

  Thereafter, in step S309, it is determined in the same manner as in step S304 whether or not an abnormal temperature rise of the engine cooling water or an empty abnormality of the remaining fuel amount is detected.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S309, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred and the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 218 is adjusted in the same manner as in step S305. At the same time, in step S310, the gradation ratio and hue of the display pixels of the second background image 217 in the second pixel region 218 are adjusted in the same manner as in step S305. Thus, the warning image 216 is displayed while being suppressed within the range ΔB22 of the intermediate brightness B2mid or less.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S309, it is determined that it is normal, and the process proceeds to step S311. In step S311, with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target, the gradation ratio and hue of the entire second pixel region 218 are adjusted in the same manner as in step S306, and the warning image 216 is not displayed.

  Note that after execution of steps S305, S306, S310, and S311, the process proceeds to step S312 to determine whether or not the ignition switch is turned off. As a result, when an affirmative determination is made, the present control flow is terminated, whereas when a negative determination is made, the process returns to step S301 to continue the present control flow.

  According to the fifth embodiment described above, when an abnormality occurs in each mode in which the warning image 216 is displayed simultaneously with the meter image 12, the brightness of the warning image 216 depends on the input adjustment value. Reduced with brightness. However, at this time, since the relative brightness of the warning image 216 with respect to the meter image 12 can be increased by adjusting the characteristic gradation ratio of each of the pixel regions 214 and 218, the display purpose of the warning image 216, which is alerting, is displayed. It is possible to avoid the situation that is hindered. On the other hand, the meter image 12 can be displayed with sufficiently low brightness so as to match the passenger's preference, so that the visibility is improved. Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, the images 216 and 12 having different display purposes can be appropriately displayed according to the respective purposes.

  In the fifth embodiment so far, the input unit 230 corresponds to the “input unit”, the imaging unit 40, the drawing unit 250, and the main control unit 260 correspond to the “control unit”, and the drawing unit 250 and the main control. The unit 260 corresponds to a “gradation ratio adjustment unit”. In the fifth embodiment, the correlation information memory 264 corresponds to the “correlation information storage unit”, and the first and second correlation information stored in the correlation information memory 264 is “correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit”. The state value sensor 66 and the main control unit 260 correspond to an “abnormality detection unit”, and the image memory 254 corresponds to an “image storage unit”.

(Sixth embodiment)
The sixth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the fifth embodiment. In the following description, differences from the fifth embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 26, in the vehicle display device 300 of the sixth embodiment, the backlight 320 is a set of a first light emitting diode 322a and a first diffusion plate 324a that illuminates and transmits the first pixel region 214 of the liquid crystal panel 210. Is provided as a first light source 328a. The backlight 320 includes a pair of the second light emitting diode 322b and the second diffusion plate 324b that transmit and illuminate the second pixel region 218 of the liquid crystal panel 210 as the second light source 328b.

  In each of the light sources 328a and 328b, the light emitting diodes 322a and 322b are electrically connected to the control circuit 362 of the main control unit 360, and emit light by being driven according to the light emission drive signal respectively given from the main control unit 360. In each light source 328a, 328b, light incident on the diffusion plates 324a, 324b from the light emitting diodes 322a, 322b is diffused by the diffusion plates 324a, 324b and emitted from the light emitting surfaces 326a, 326b on the liquid crystal panel 210 side. Accordingly, the pixel regions 214 and 218 of the liquid crystal panel 210 are transmitted and illuminated by light from the light emitting surfaces 326a and 326b that emit light with substantially uniform luminance in the light sources 328a and 328b, respectively.

  In the sixth embodiment, the correlation information memory 364 of the main control unit 360 stores in advance first and second correlation information different from the fifth embodiment. Specifically, the first correlation information is the meter image 12 by the first pixel region 214 under a predetermined condition out of the light emission luminance on the light emitting surface 326a of the first light source 328a (hereinafter referred to as “light emission luminance of the first light source 328a”). Represents the correlation between the emission brightness and the input adjustment value. Further, the second correlation information includes a warning image 216 by the second pixel region 218 under a predetermined condition among light emission luminances on the light emission surface 326b of the second light source 328b (hereinafter referred to as “light emission luminance of the second light source 328b”). The correlation between the light emission luminance at the time of display and the input adjustment value is shown.

  Here, particularly in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the maximum luminance Lmax (the upper half in the figure) in which the emission luminance of the first light source 328a and the emission luminance of the second light source 328b are the same as the input adjustment value increases. Alternatively, the first correlation information and the second correlation information are respectively defined such that the linear decrease is from the intermediate luminance Lmid (the lower half of the figure) and the linear decrease rate is smaller in the latter than in the former. As a result, the correlation represented by the second correlation information indicates the light emission luminance of the second light source 328b with respect to the increase change of the input adjustment value, and the light emission of the first light source 328a corresponding to the same input adjustment value in the correlation represented by the first correlation information. The value is decreased from the maximum luminance Lmax or the intermediate luminance Lmid as an initial value so as to be larger than the luminance.

  In the sixth embodiment, the control circuit 362 of the main control unit 360 shown in FIG. 26 includes the signals from the switches 32 and 36 and the state value sensor 66, and the first and second signals read from the correlation information memory 364. A display command signal is generated based on the correlation information. As in the case of the fifth embodiment, this display command signal controls the driving of each component pixel of the liquid crystal panel 210 by being given to the drawing circuit 252 of the drawing unit 250. The process of “giving a signal to the drawing circuit 252” will be described as “controlling the liquid crystal panel 210”.

  Further, the control circuit 362 generates a light emission driving signal based on the signals from the switches 32 and 36 and the state value sensor 66 and the first and second correlation information. The light emission drive signals are individually supplied to the light emitting diodes 322a and 322b of the light sources 328a and 328b, thereby controlling the driving of the light emitting diodes 322a and 322b. Therefore, hereinafter, “giving the light emission drive signal to the light emitting diodes 322a and 322b” will be described as “controlling the light sources 328a and 328b”.

  Next, the display operation of the vehicle display device 300 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 28 shows the gradation ratio of each pixel area 214, 218, FIG. 29 shows the light emission luminance of each light source 328a, 328b, and FIG. 30 shows the brightness of each image 12, 216, and the like. In the display operation and control flow (described later) of the sixth embodiment, the display of the meter image 12 is emphasized with respect to the gradation ratio and hue of the pixel displaying the first background image 13 in the first pixel region 214. It shall be fixed.

(1) First Mode When the first mode is normal and when an abnormality occurs, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 to change the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 with respect to the change of the input adjustment value. At a constant maximum ratio Rmax (FIG. 28).

  Further, the control circuit 362 controls the first light source 328a to control the light emission luminance at the normal time and abnormality occurrence in the first mode, and the maximum luminance Lmax of the first correlation information in the correlation information memory 364 has an initial value. The input adjustment value is changed to the corresponding luminance according to the object. That is, the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a is adjusted to a luminance according to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL11 (FIG. 29) that is equal to or less than the maximum luminance Lmax. Therefore, in both the normal time and the occurrence of an abnormality in the first mode, the brightness desired by the occupant is suppressed within the meter image 12 having the maximum allowable brightness B1max (FIG. 30) or within the range ΔB11 (FIG. 30). The meter image 12 will be displayed.

  Further, only in the normal time of the first mode, the control circuit 362 displays the warning image 216 and the second background image 217 for the gradation ratio (that is, including the attention display gradation ratio) and the hue of the entire second pixel region 218. Adjustment is performed so that the gradation ratio (Rass in FIG. 28) and the color to be assimilated with the first background image 13 are obtained. In addition to this, the control circuit 362 controls the second light source 328b to match the light emission luminance with the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a (the luminance within the range ΔL11 in FIG. 29). As described above, the warning image 216 is not apparently displayed in the normal time of the first mode (FIG. 30).

  On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the first mode, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 so that the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 218 is set to a constant maximum with respect to the change in the input adjustment value. The ratio Rmax (FIG. 28) is maintained. In addition, the control circuit 362 controls the second light source 328b to control the light emission luminance of the input adjustment value according to the maximum luminance Lmax of the second correlation information in the correlation information memory 364 according to the initial value. Change to the corresponding brightness. That is, the light emission luminance of the second light source 328b is adjusted to a luminance according to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL21 (FIG. 29) that is equal to or less than the maximum luminance Lmax. As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the first mode, the warning image 216 having the maximum permissible brightness B2max (FIG. 30) or the warning image 216 suppressed to the occupant's desired brightness within the range ΔB21 (FIG. 30) Will be displayed.

  Note that in the second pixel area 218 when the abnormality occurs in the first mode, the gradation ratio and the hue of the pixel displaying the second background image 217 are the gradation ratio that assimilate the image 217 with the first background image 13. (Rass) and the color tone are adjusted. Thereby, the display of the warning image 216 surrounded by the second background image 217 can be made to stand out.

(Second mode)
When the second mode is normal and when an abnormality occurs, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 to maintain the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 as in the first mode (FIG. 28). To do.

  Further, the control circuit 362 controls the first light source 328a to control the light emission luminance at the time of normal and abnormal occurrence of the second mode, and the intermediate luminance Lmid of the first correlation information in the correlation information memory 364 has an initial value. The input adjustment value is changed to the corresponding luminance according to the object. That is, the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a is adjusted to a luminance corresponding to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL12 (FIG. 29) that is equal to or lower than the intermediate luminance Lmid. Therefore, the meter image 12 that is suppressed to the occupant's desired brightness within the range ΔB12 (FIG. 30) of the intermediate brightness B1mid or less is displayed both when the abnormality occurs in the first mode and during the normal time. Become.

  Furthermore, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 only in the normal mode in the second mode, so that the same gradation ratio (Rass in FIG. 28) and hue as in the first mode are displayed in the second pixel region 218. Realized. In addition to this, the control circuit 362 controls the second light source 328b to match the light emission luminance with the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a (the luminance within the range ΔL12 in FIG. 29). As described above, the warning image 216 is apparently not displayed even in the normal time in the second mode (FIG. 30).

  In contrast, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 when an abnormality occurs in the second mode, so that the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 218 is the same as in the first mode (FIG. 28). Hold. In addition, the control circuit 362 controls the second light source 328b to control the light emission luminance of the input adjustment value according to the intermediate luminance Lmid of the second correlation information in the correlation information memory 364 having the initial value. Change to the corresponding brightness. That is, the light emission luminance of the second light source 328b is adjusted to a luminance according to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL22 (FIG. 29) that is equal to or lower than the intermediate luminance Lmid. As described above, when the abnormality occurs in the second mode, the warning image 216 that is suppressed to the passenger-desired brightness within the range ΔB22 (FIG. 30) that is equal to or less than the intermediate brightness B2mid is displayed.

  In the second pixel region 218 when the abnormality occurs in the second mode, the gradation ratio and hue of the pixel displaying the second background image 217 are the same gradation ratio and hue as in the first mode. As will be adjusted. Thereby, the display of the warning image 216 surrounded by the second background image 217 can be made to stand out.

  Next, a control flow by the control circuit 362 of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that steps S401, S404, and S411 in FIG. 31 are substantially the same as steps S301, S304, and S309 in the fifth embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted, and steps S402, S403, and S405 that are different from those in the first embodiment are omitted. -S410, S412 to S416 will be described.

  In step S402, which is shifted when the control mode is set to the first mode in step S401, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 is adjusted to the maximum ratio Rmax with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target. Subsequently, in step S403, the first light source 328a is controlled, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to a luminance within a range ΔL11 according to the first correlation information with the maximum luminance Lmax being the initial value. As a result, the meter image 12 is displayed with the maximum allowable brightness B1max or with a brightness that is less than B1max within the range ΔB11.

  Thereafter, in step S405, which is transferred when an affirmative determination is made in step S404, the attention display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 218 is adjusted to the maximum ratio Rmax with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target. At the same time, in step S405, with the liquid crystal panel 210 as the control target, the gradation ratio and hue of the display pixel of the second background image 217 in the second pixel region 218 are assimilated with the first background image 13 by the image 217. Adjust to. Further, in the subsequent step S406, the light emission luminance of the second light source 328b is adjusted to a luminance within a range ΔL21 in accordance with the maximum luminance Lmax of the second correlation information according to the initial value. As a result, the warning image 216 is displayed with the maximum allowable brightness B2max or the brightness that is less than the B2max within the range ΔB21.

  On the other hand, in step S407, which is shifted to a case where a negative determination is made in step S404, the gradation ratio and hue of the entire second pixel region 218 with the liquid crystal panel 210 as the control target, the warning image 216 and the second background image 217 are the first. Adjustment is performed so as to assimilate with the background image 13. Subsequently, in step S408, the second light source 328b is set as a control target, and the light emission luminance is matched with the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a adjusted in the immediately preceding step S403. Thus, the non-display state of the warning image 216 is realized.

  As described above, the subsequent step when the control mode is set to the first mode in step S401 has been described. However, in step S409 that is shifted to when the control mode is set to the second mode in step S401, the same as step S402 is performed. Further, the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 214 is adjusted. Subsequently, in step S410, the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a is adjusted to the luminance within the range ΔL12 according to the intermediate luminance Lmid of the first correlation information according to the initial value. As a result, the meter image 12 is displayed with the brightness suppressed within the range ΔB12 of the intermediate brightness B1mid or less.

  Thereafter, in step S412, which proceeds when an affirmative determination is made in step S411, the caution display gradation ratio of the second pixel region 218 is adjusted in the same manner as in step S405. At the same time, in step S412, the gradation ratio and hue of the display pixels of the second background image 217 in the second pixel region 218 are adjusted in the same manner as in step S405. Further, in the subsequent step S413, the light emission luminance is adjusted to the luminance within the range ΔL22 according to the second correlation information according to the initial value of the intermediate luminance Lmid, with the second light source 328b as the control target. As a result, the warning image 216 is displayed with the brightness suppressed within the range ΔB22 of the intermediate brightness B2mid or less.

  On the other hand, in step S414, which is shifted when a negative determination is made in step S411, the gradation ratio and hue of the entire second pixel region 218 are adjusted in the same manner as in step S407. Subsequently, in step S415, the second light source 328b is set as a control target, and the light emission luminance is matched with the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a adjusted in the immediately preceding step S410. Thus, the non-display state of the warning image 216 is realized.

  Note that after execution of steps S406, S408, S413, and S415, the process proceeds to step S416, and it is determined whether or not the ignition switch is turned off. As a result, when an affirmative determination is made, the present control flow is terminated, whereas when a negative determination is made, the process returns to step S401 and the present control flow is continued.

  According to the sixth embodiment described above, since the warning image 216 is displayed at the same time as the meter image 12, when the abnormality occurs in each mode, the characteristic light emission luminance adjustment of each light source 328a, 328b is performed. The same operational effects as in the fifth embodiment can be enjoyed.

  In the sixth embodiment thus far, the backlight 320 corresponds to “illuminating means”, the first light source 328a corresponds to “meter display light source”, and the second light source 328b corresponds to “caution display light source”. . In the sixth embodiment, the imaging unit 40, the drawing unit 250, and the main control unit 360 correspond to a “control unit”, and the main control unit 360 corresponds to a “light source luminance adjustment unit”. Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, the correlation information memory 364 corresponds to the “correlation information storage unit”, and the first and second correlation information stored in the correlation information memory 364 is changed to “correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit”. The state value sensor 66 and the main control unit 360 correspond to an “abnormality detection unit”.

(Seventh embodiment)
The seventh embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the second embodiment. In the following description, differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 32, in the seventh embodiment, among the sub-pixels that constitute the same pixel and express a specific hue (hue), sub-pixels that require density for the hue expression. Is determined to be in a range greater than 0 and less than or equal to the maximum value.

  In the seventh embodiment, the display command signal for selecting the gradation value determined as described above for the sub-pixels necessary for the color expression and selecting 0 as the gradation value of the remaining sub-pixels is displayed in the drawing unit. 50 drawing circuits 52 are provided. Therefore, in the following, in order to make the description easy to understand, the gradation value of the sub-pixels necessary for the hue expression among the sub-pixels constituting the pixel will be described as “pixel gradation value”.

  When there are a plurality of sub-pixels necessary for color expression, each of the gradation values of the sub-pixels means a “pixel gradation value”. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 32, the maximum value of the gradation value of a pixel is 63 in the case of a pixel that expresses red by one subpixel R, but yellow by two subpixels R and G. In the case of the pixel to express, it will be 63,31, and in the case of the pixel which expresses white by subpixel R, G, B, it will be 63,63,63.

  The display operation of the seventh embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 33 shows the gradation values of the pixel regions 14 and 18, FIG. 34 shows the emission luminance of the light sources 128a and 128b, and FIG. 35 shows the brightness of the images 12 and 16, respectively. In the display operation and control flow (to be described later) of the seventh embodiment, the display of the meter image 12 is fixed with respect to the gradation value and the hue of the pixel displaying the background image 13 in the first pixel region 14. Shall be.

(1) First Mode In the first mode, the control circuit 162 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 so that the gradation value of the pixel displaying the meter image 12 in the first pixel region 14 (hereinafter simply referred to as “meter display gradation”). Value ”) is held at a constant maximum value Tmax (FIG. 33) with respect to the change of the input adjustment value.

  In the first mode, the control circuit 162 controls the first light source 128a to maintain the light emission luminance at a constant maximum luminance Lmax (FIG. 34) with respect to the change of the input adjustment value.

  As described above, in the first mode, the meter image 12 is displayed with the maximum permissible brightness B1max (FIG. 35).

  In this first mode, the gradation value and hue of the entire second pixel region 18 are adjusted so as to have a gradation value (Tass in FIG. 33) and hue that assimilate the external image 16 with the background image 13. The In the first mode, the second light source 128b is controlled so that the light emission luminance thereof matches the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a (Lmax in FIG. 34). Therefore, the external image 16 is not apparently displayed (FIG. 35).

(2) Second Mode In the second mode, the control circuit 162 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 to change the meter display gradation value of the first pixel area 14 and the gradation value of the entire second pixel area 18 into the first mode. The same as in the case of the meter display gradation value in (FIG. 33).

  In the second mode, the control circuit 162 controls the first light source 128a to change the light emission luminance to the corresponding luminance of the input adjustment value according to the first correlation information in the correlation information memory 164. That is, in the second mode, the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a is adjusted to a value corresponding to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL1 (FIG. 34) that is equal to or lower than the intermediate luminance Lmid.

  Further, in the second mode, the control circuit 162 controls the second light source 128b to change the light emission luminance to a corresponding value of the input adjustment value according to the second correlation information in the correlation information memory 164. That is, in the second mode, the light emission luminance of the second light source 128b is adjusted to be greater than the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a in accordance with the input adjustment value within a range ΔL2 (FIG. 34) that is equal to or lower than the intermediate luminance Lmid. It is.

  As described above, in the second mode, for example, the ambient image 16 is brighter than the meter image 12, and the brightness desired by the occupant is suppressed within the ranges ΔB1 and ΔB2 (FIG. 35) below the intermediate brightness B1mid and B2mid, respectively. The images 12 and 16 are displayed.

(3) Third Mode In the third mode, the control circuit 162 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 to hold the meter display gradation value in the first pixel region 14 as in the first mode (FIG. 33). .

  In the third mode, the control circuit 162 controls the first light source 128a to change the light emission luminance to the same as in the second mode (FIG. 34).

  On the other hand, in the third mode, the gradation value and hue of the entire second pixel region 18 are adjusted so as to have a gradation value (Tass in FIG. 33) and hue that assimilate the external image 16 with the background image 13. Is done. In the third mode, the second light source 128b is controlled so that the light emission luminance thereof matches the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a (the luminance within the range ΔL1 in FIG. 34).

  As described above, in the third mode, the meter image 12 suppressed to the occupant's desired brightness within the range ΔB1 (FIG. 35) is displayed, whereas the external image 16 is not apparently displayed (FIG. 35). .

  Next, the control flow of the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that steps S501 and S508 in FIG. 36 are substantially the same as steps S201 and S208 in the second embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted, and steps S502 to S507 different from those in the second embodiment will be described.

  In step S502 which is shifted when the control mode is set to the first mode in step S501, the meter display gradation value of the first pixel region 14 is adjusted to the maximum value Tmax with the liquid crystal panel 10 as a control target. At the same time, in step S <b> 502, the gradation value and the hue of the entire second pixel region 18 are adjusted with the liquid crystal panel 10 as a control target so that the external image 16 is assimilated with the background image 13. After the above, in Step S503, the first and second light sources 128a and 128b are controlled, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to the maximum luminance Lmax, so that the meter image 12 is set to the maximum allowable brightness B1max. The external image 16 is not displayed.

  On the other hand, in step S504, which is shifted to when the control mode is set to the second mode in step S501, the meter display gradation value of the first pixel region 14 and the entire second pixel region 18 are controlled with the liquid crystal panel 10 as a control target. All the gradation values are adjusted to the maximum value Tmax. Subsequently, in step S505, the first light source 128a is set as a control target, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to the luminance within the range ΔL1 according to the first correlation information, thereby displaying the meter image 12 while suppressing the brightness within the range ΔB1. . At the same time, in step S505, the second light source 128b is set as the control target, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to the luminance within the range ΔL2 according to the second correlation information, so that the external image 16 is displayed while being suppressed to the brightness within the range ΔB2. .

  On the other hand, in step S506, which is shifted to when the control mode is set to the third mode in step S501, the meter display gradation value of the first pixel area 14 and the entire level of the second pixel area 18 are set as in step S502. Adjust tone value and hue. Subsequently, in step S507, the meter image 12 is displayed with the brightness within the range ΔB1 suppressed by adjusting the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a as in step S505. At the same time, in step S507, by using a method different from that in step S505, specifically, the second light source 128b is set as a control target, the light emission luminance is matched with the light emission luminance of the first light source 128a, and the external image 16 is not displayed. And

  According to the seventh embodiment described above, in the second mode in which the external image 16 is displayed at the same time as the meter image 12, the characteristic light emission brightness adjustment of each of the light sources 128a and 128b is performed. The same effect as the form can be enjoyed.

(Eighth embodiment)
The eighth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the sixth embodiment. In the following, the description will be focused on differences from the sixth embodiment.

  In the eighth embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 32, a display command signal defining a gradation value is provided to the drawing circuit 252 of the drawing unit 250 in substantially the same manner as in the seventh embodiment. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the gradation value for the sub-pixels necessary for the hue expression among the sub-pixels constituting the pixel will be described as “pixel gradation value”.

  The display operation of the eighth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 37 shows the gradation values of the pixel regions 214 and 218, FIG. 38 shows the light emission luminance of the light sources 328a and 328b, and FIG. 39 shows the brightness and the like of the images 12 and 216. In the display operation and control flow (described later) of the eighth embodiment, the display of the meter image 12 is made to stand out with respect to the gradation value and the hue of the pixel displaying the first background image 13 in the first pixel region 214. It shall be fixed.

(1) First Mode When the first mode is normal and when an abnormality occurs, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 to change the meter display gradation value of the first pixel region 214 with respect to the change of the input adjustment value. At a constant maximum value Tmax (FIG. 37).

  Further, the control circuit 362 controls the first light source 328a to control the light emission luminance at the normal time and abnormality occurrence in the first mode, and the maximum luminance Lmax of the first correlation information in the correlation information memory 364 has an initial value. The input adjustment value is changed to the corresponding luminance according to the object. That is, the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a is adjusted to a luminance according to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL11 (FIG. 38) that is equal to or less than the maximum luminance Lmax. Therefore, in both the normal mode and the abnormality occurrence of the first mode, the brightness of the occupant desired is suppressed within the meter image 12 of the maximum permissible brightness B1max (FIG. 39) or the range ΔB11 (FIG. 39). The meter image 12 will be displayed.

  Further, only in the normal time of the first mode, the control circuit 362 performs gradation values for assimilating the warning image 216 and the second background image 217 with the first background image 13 with respect to the gradation values and hues of the entire second pixel region 218. (Tass in FIG. 37) and the color tone are adjusted. In addition to this, the control circuit 362 controls the second light source 328b to match the light emission luminance with the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a (the luminance within the range ΔL11 in FIG. 38). As described above, the warning image 216 is apparently not displayed during normal operation in the first mode (FIG. 39).

  On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the first mode, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 to control the gradation value of the pixel that displays the warning image 216 as the “caution image” in the second pixel region 218 ( Hereinafter, the “caution display gradation value” is simply held at a constant maximum value Tmax (FIG. 37) with respect to the change of the input adjustment value. In addition, the control circuit 362 controls the second light source 328b to control the light emission luminance of the input adjustment value according to the maximum luminance Lmax of the second correlation information in the correlation information memory 364 according to the initial value. Change to the corresponding brightness. That is, the light emission luminance of the second light source 328b is adjusted to a luminance according to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL21 (FIG. 38) that is equal to or less than the maximum luminance Lmax. As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the first mode, the warning image 216 having the maximum allowable brightness B2max (FIG. 39) or the warning image 216 suppressed to the passenger's desired brightness within the range ΔB21 (FIG. 39) Will be displayed.

  Note that in the second pixel area 218 when the abnormality occurs in the first mode, the gradation value and hue of the pixel displaying the second background image 217 are gradation values that assimilate the image 217 with the first background image 13. (Tass) and the color tone are adjusted. Thereby, the display of the warning image 216 surrounded by the second background image 217 can be made to stand out.

(Second mode)
When the second mode is normal and when an abnormality occurs, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 to maintain the meter display gradation value of the first pixel region 214 as in the first mode (FIG. 37). To do.

  Further, the control circuit 362 controls the first light source 328a to control the light emission luminance at the time of normal and abnormal occurrence of the second mode, and the intermediate luminance Lmid of the first correlation information in the correlation information memory 364 has an initial value. The input adjustment value is changed to the corresponding luminance according to the object. That is, the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a is adjusted to a luminance according to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL12 (FIG. 38) that is equal to or lower than the intermediate luminance Lmid. Therefore, the meter image 12 that is suppressed to the occupant's desired brightness within the range ΔB12 (FIG. 39) of the intermediate brightness B1mid or less is displayed both when the abnormality occurs in the first mode and during the normal time. Become.

  Further, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 only in the normal mode of the second mode, so that the same gradation value (Tass in FIG. 37) and hue as in the first mode are displayed in the second pixel region 218. Realized. In addition to this, the control circuit 362 controls the second light source 328b to match the light emission luminance with the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a (the luminance within the range ΔL12 in FIG. 38). As described above, the warning image 216 is apparently not displayed even in the normal mode of the second mode (FIG. 39).

  On the other hand, the control circuit 362 controls the liquid crystal panel 210 when an abnormality occurs in the second mode, so that the caution display gradation value of the second pixel region 218 is the same as in the first mode (FIG. 37). Hold. In addition, the control circuit 362 controls the second light source 328b to control the light emission luminance of the input adjustment value according to the intermediate luminance Lmid of the second correlation information in the correlation information memory 364 having the initial value. Change to the corresponding brightness. That is, the light emission luminance of the second light source 328b is adjusted to a luminance corresponding to the input adjustment value within a range ΔL22 (FIG. 38) that is equal to or lower than the intermediate luminance Lmid. As described above, when the abnormality occurs in the second mode, the warning image 216 suppressed to the passenger's desired brightness within the range ΔB22 (FIG. 39) of the intermediate brightness B2mid or less is displayed.

  In the second pixel region 218 when the abnormality occurs in the second mode, the gradation value and hue of the pixel displaying the second background image 217 are the same as those in the first mode. As will be adjusted. Thereby, the display of the warning image 216 surrounded by the second background image 217 can be made to stand out.

  Next, the control flow of the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that steps S601, S604, S611, and S616 in FIG. 40 are substantially the same as steps S501, S404, S411, and S416 in the sixth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted, and step S602 that is different from that in the first embodiment is used. , S603, S605 to S610, S612 to S615 will be described.

  In step S602, which is shifted to when the control mode is set to the first mode in step S601, the meter display gradation value of the first pixel region 214 is adjusted to the maximum value Tmax with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target. Subsequently, in step S603, the first light source 328a is set as a control target, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to a luminance within a range ΔL11 according to the first correlation information with the maximum luminance Lmax being the initial value. As a result, the meter image 12 is displayed with the maximum allowable brightness B1max or with a brightness that is less than B1max within the range ΔB11.

  Thereafter, in step S605, which is shifted to when the affirmative determination is made in step S604, the attention display gradation value of the second pixel region 218 is adjusted to the maximum value Tmax with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target. At the same time, in step S605, with the liquid crystal panel 210 as a control target, the gradation value and the hue of the display pixel of the second background image 217 in the second pixel area 218 are assimilated with the first background image 13. Adjust to. Furthermore, in the subsequent step S606, the second light source 328b is controlled, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to a luminance within a range ΔL21 according to the second correlation information with the maximum luminance Lmax being the initial value. As a result, the warning image 216 is displayed with the maximum allowable brightness B2max or the brightness that is less than the B2max within the range ΔB21.

  On the other hand, in step S607, which is shifted to when the negative determination is made in step S604, the gradation value and hue of the entire second pixel region 218 with the liquid crystal panel 210 as the control target, the warning image 216 and the second background image 217 are the first. Adjustment is performed so as to assimilate with the background image 13. Subsequently, in step S608, the second light source 328b is set as a control target, and the light emission luminance is matched with the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a adjusted in the immediately preceding step S603. Thus, the non-display state of the warning image 216 is realized.

  As described above, the subsequent steps when the control mode is set to the first mode in step S601 have been described. However, in step S609 that is shifted to when the control mode is set to the second mode in step S601, the same as step S602 is performed. Further, the meter display gradation value of the first pixel region 214 is adjusted. Subsequently, in step S610, the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a is adjusted to a luminance within a range ΔL12 according to the intermediate luminance Lmid of the first correlation information according to the initial value. As a result, the meter image 12 is displayed with the brightness suppressed within the range ΔB12 of the intermediate brightness B1mid or less.

  Thereafter, in step S612, which is shifted when an affirmative determination is made in step S611, the caution display gradation value of the second pixel region 218 is adjusted in the same manner as in step S605. At the same time, in step S612, the gradation value and hue of the display pixel of the second background image 217 in the second pixel region 218 are adjusted in the same manner as in step S605. Further, in subsequent step S613, the second light source 328b is set as a control target, and the light emission luminance is adjusted to a luminance within a range ΔL22 according to the intermediate luminance Lmid having the initial value in the second correlation information. As a result, the warning image 216 is displayed with the brightness suppressed within the range ΔB22 of the intermediate brightness B2mid or less.

  On the other hand, in step S614, which is shifted when a negative determination is made in step S611, the gradation value and hue of the entire second pixel region 218 are adjusted in the same manner as in step S607. Subsequently, in step S615, the second light source 328b is set as a control target, and the light emission luminance is matched with the light emission luminance of the first light source 328a adjusted in the immediately preceding step S610. Thus, the non-display state of the warning image 216 is realized.

  According to the eighth embodiment described above, since the warning image 216 is displayed at the same time as the meter image 12, the characteristic light emission luminance adjustment of each of the light sources 328 a and 328 b is performed when the abnormality occurs in each mode. The same operational effects as in the sixth embodiment can be enjoyed.

(Other embodiments)
Up to this point, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not construed as being limited to these embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. be able to.

  For example, by combining the first or third embodiment with the second or fourth embodiment and changing both the gradation ratio of the pixel regions 14 and 18 and the light emission luminance of the light sources 128a and 128b, the image 12, The brightness of 16 may be adjusted. Similarly, the brightness of the images 12 and 216 is obtained by combining the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment and changing both the gradation ratio of the pixel regions 214 and 218 and the light emission luminance of the light sources 328a and 328b. May be adjusted. Further, by combining at least one of the first to fourth and seventh embodiments and at least one of the fifth, sixth and eighth embodiments, both the external image 16 and the warning image 216 are disclosed in the present invention. You may make it display according to.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, as the liquid crystal panels 10 and 210, a reflective liquid crystal panel may be used in addition to the transmissive liquid crystal panel. In this case, an illumination unit that reflects and illuminates the liquid crystal panels 10 and 210 from the front can be used.

  In the first, third and fifth embodiments, as the backlight 20, various light sources capable of adjusting the light emission luminance can be used in addition to the combination of the light emitting diode 22 and the diffusion plate 24. Similarly, in the second, fourth, and sixth to eighth embodiments, the light sources 128a, 128b, 328a, and 328b of the backlights 120 and 320 include the light emitting diodes 122a, 122b, 322a, and 322b, and the diffusion plate 124a, In addition to the combination of 124b, 324a, and 324b, various light sources capable of adjusting the light emission luminance can be used.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, the image memories 54 and 254 and the correlation information memories 64, 164, 264 and 364 may be, for example, ROMs other than those composed of an EEPROM in which stored information can be easily written before factory shipment. You may use what consists of. In the first to eighth embodiments, the correlation information stored in the correlation information memories 64, 164, 264, and 364 is other than that in which the gradation ratio or the light emission luminance changes linearly with respect to the change in the input adjustment value. In addition, for example, the gradation ratio or the light emission luminance may change in a multidimensional function or a step function with respect to a change in the input adjustment value. Furthermore, in the first to eighth embodiments, the input adjustment value may be defined so as to change continuously, in addition to being defined so as to change stepwise. The operation position of the switch 32 is defined as an arbitrary position within a predetermined range.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, the state value sensor 66 detects a state value other than the vehicle state values (vehicle speed, engine speed, engine coolant temperature, fuel remaining amount) described above, for example, a travel distance, The corresponding meter image 12 may be displayed. Further, in the first to fourth and seventh embodiments, an image obtained by photographing an external world region on the front, rear, and side of the vehicle using the reflected light of visible light is displayed as the external image 16. You may make it do. Furthermore, in the fifth, sixth and eighth embodiments, an abnormality other than a temperature rise abnormality of the engine cooling water and an empty abnormality of the remaining fuel amount, for example, a wheel locking abnormality where the ABS system operates is detected, A corresponding warning image 216 may be displayed.

  In the first and third embodiments, for example, when an image captured using reflected light of visible light as described above is displayed as the external image 16, the attention display gradation of the second pixel region 18 in the first mode. The ratio and the meter display gradation ratio of the first pixel region 14 in the first mode may be adjusted according to the second mode so that the former is larger than the latter. Further, in the fifth embodiment, the first and second correlation information according to the third embodiment may be adopted. Similarly, in the sixth embodiment, the first and second correlation information according to the fourth embodiment is used. Two correlation information may be adopted. Further, in the third, fifth, sixth and eighth embodiments, the brightness of the images 12 and 216 in the first mode may be kept constant.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, when gradation control is performed so that images are assimilated, normally, in the liquid crystal panel 10, the thin film transistor corresponding to the electrode of each sub-pixel of the display pixel is always energized, so that the liquid crystal in the corresponding portion. Will be turned on. On the other hand, it is also possible to assimilate the images by cutting off the energization of the thin film transistor corresponding to the electrode of each sub-pixel of the display pixel and turning off the liquid crystal in the corresponding part.

  The present invention can be applied to an apparatus that functions as a head-up display that displays a display image of a liquid crystal panel on a combiner, for example, in addition to a vehicle display apparatus that functions as a combination meter.

It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the gradation ratio of the 1st and 2nd pixel area | region by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the display apparatus for vehicles by 1st embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a front view showing a schematic structure of a display for vehicles by a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the display apparatus for vehicles by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st and 2nd correlation information by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the light emission luminance of the backlight by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the brightness of the meter image and external field image by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for illustrating and explaining the pixel gradation ratio of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the display apparatus for vehicles by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st and 2nd correlation information by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the gradation ratio of the 1st and 2nd pixel area | region by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the light emission luminance of the 1st and 2nd light source by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the brightness of the meter image and external field image by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st and 2nd correlation information by 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the gradation ratio of the 1st and 2nd pixel area | region by 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st and 2nd correlation information by 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the gradation ratio of the 1st and 2nd pixel area | region by 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows schematic structure of the display apparatus for vehicles by 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the display apparatus for vehicles by 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the light emission luminance of the backlight by 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the gradation ratio of the 1st and 2nd pixel area | region by 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the meter image and warning image by 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow by 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the display apparatus for vehicles by 6th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st and 2nd correlation information by 6th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the gradation ratio of the 1st and 2nd pixel area | region by 6th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the light emission luminance of the 1st and 2nd light source by 6th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the meter image and warning image by 6th embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow by 6th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for illustrating and explaining pixel gradation values of the seventh and eighth embodiments of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the gradation value of the 1st and 2nd pixel area | region by 7th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the light emission luminance of the 1st and 2nd light source by 7th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the brightness of the meter image and external field image by 7th embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow by 7th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the gradation value of the 1st and 2nd pixel area | region by 8th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the light emission luminance of the 1st and 2nd light source by 8th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the meter image and warning image by 8th embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow by 8th embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display apparatus for vehicles, 10 Liquid crystal panel, 11 screens, 12 meter image, 12a Vehicle speed display image, 12b Revolution display image, 12c Water temperature display image, 12d Remaining amount display image, 13 Background image / first background image, 14 1 pixel area, 16 external image (attention image), 18 second pixel area, 20 backlight (illumination means / total light source), 22 light emitting diode, 24 diffuser plate, 26 light emitting surface, 30 input section (input means), 32 Liquid crystal adjustment switch, 34 Display permission / rejection switch, 36 Light switch, 40 Imaging unit (control means), 42 External camera, 44 Image processing circuit, 50 Drawing unit (control means / tone ratio adjustment unit), 52 Drawing circuit, 54 image Memory, 60 main control unit (control means / gradation ratio adjustment unit), 62 control circuit, 64 correlation information memory (correlation information storage unit) , 66 State value sensor (abnormality detection unit), 100 display device for vehicle, 120 backlight (illuminating means), 122a first light emitting diode, 122b second light emitting diode, 124a first diffusion plate, 124b second diffusion plate, 126a , 126b Light emitting surface, 128a First light source (meter display light source), 128b Second light source (caution display light source), 160 Main control unit (control means / light source luminance adjustment unit), 162 Control circuit, 164 Correlation information memory (correlation information) Storage unit), 200 vehicle display device, 210 liquid crystal panel, 214 first pixel region, 216 warning image (caution image), 216a, 216b abnormal display image, 217 background image / second background image, 218 second pixel region, 230 input unit (input unit), 250 drawing unit (control unit / gradation ratio adjustment unit), 252 drawing circuit H.254 image memory (image storage unit), 260 main control unit (control means / gradation ratio adjustment unit / abnormality detection unit), 262 control circuit, 264 correlation information memory (correlation information storage unit), 300 vehicle display device, 320 Backlight (illuminating means), 322a First light emitting diode, 322b Second light emitting diode, 324a First diffuser plate, 324b Second diffuser plate, 326a, 326b Light emitting surface, 328a First light source (meter display light source), 328b First Two light sources (caution display light source), 360 main control unit (control means, light source luminance adjustment unit, abnormality detection unit), 362 control circuit, 364 correlation information memory (correlation information storage unit)

Claims (19)

A liquid crystal panel for displaying an image in a vehicle; illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal panel by light emission; input means for receiving an input from an occupant of the vehicle; and control means for controlling the liquid crystal panel and the illumination means. In a vehicle display device,
The liquid crystal panel includes a meter display pixel that displays a meter image for instructing a state value of the vehicle, and a caution display pixel that displays a caution image for alerting the occupant,
The input means receives, as the input, an adjustment value for adjusting the brightness of the image including the meter image and the attention image,
The control means sets a ratio of a gradation value of the meter display pixel to a set gradation value of the meter display pixel as a meter display gradation ratio, and sets the attention display pixel of the attention display pixel with respect to the set gradation value of the attention display pixel. Using the ratio of gradation values as the caution display gradation ratio, the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio are adjusted to the adjustment value so that the caution display gradation ratio is larger than the meter display gradation ratio. The display apparatus for vehicles characterized by changing according to.   The control means includes a correlation information storage unit that stores correlation information representing a correlation of the meter display gradation ratio and the attention display gradation ratio with respect to the adjustment value, and the correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit according to the correlation information. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a gradation ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio.   The correlation information is such that the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio are the same with respect to the change in the adjustment value, so that the caution display gradation ratio is larger than the meter display gradation ratio. The vehicular display device according to claim 2, wherein the vehicular display device represents a decreasing correlation.   The correlation information indicates that the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio linearly decrease from the same ratio with respect to a change in the adjustment value, and the caution display floor is lower than the linear decrease ratio of the meter display gradation ratio. The vehicle display device according to claim 3, wherein the linear reduction rate of the adjustment ratio represents a small correlation.   In the correlation information, the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio are larger than the meter display gradation ratio because the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio correspond to the change in the adjustment value. The vehicle display device according to claim 2, wherein the reference ratio of the caution display gradation ratio is larger than the reference ratio of the meter display gradation ratio.   The correlation information indicates that the meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio are linearly decreased from the respective reference ratios with respect to a change in the adjustment value, and the caution is more than the linear decrease ratio of the meter display gradation ratio. The vehicle display device according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle display device represents a correlation with a small linear decrease rate of the display gradation ratio. The input means receives the permission of display of the caution image as the input,
The control unit is configured to capture an external image of the vehicle and acquire an external image, and to display the external image acquired by the imaging unit when display of the caution image is permitted by the input. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a gradation ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the attention display gradation ratio as the attention image.   The control means includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the vehicle, an image storage unit that stores a warning image that warns of the abnormality, and the image storage unit when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit. 8. The vehicle display according to claim 1, further comprising: a gradation ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the attention display gradation ratio using the warning image stored in the memory as the attention image. apparatus. The illumination means has an overall light source that emits light to illuminate the entire liquid crystal panel,
The vehicular display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control means maintains a light emission luminance of the overall light source at a constant luminance with respect to a change in the adjustment value. A liquid crystal panel for displaying an image in a vehicle; illumination means for illuminating the liquid crystal panel by light emission; input means for receiving an input from an occupant of the vehicle; and control means for controlling the liquid crystal panel and the illumination means. In a vehicle display device,
The liquid crystal panel includes a meter display pixel that displays a meter image for instructing a state value of the vehicle, and a caution display pixel that displays a caution image for alerting the occupant,
The illumination means includes a meter display light source that emits light to illuminate the meter display pixel, and a caution display light source that emits light to illuminate the caution display pixel,
The input means receives, as the input, an adjustment value for adjusting the brightness of the image including the meter image and the attention image,
The control means includes the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source so that the caution display light source luminance that is the light emission luminance of the caution display light source is larger than the meter display light source luminance that is the light emission luminance of the meter display light source. A display device for a vehicle, wherein brightness is changed in accordance with the adjustment value.   The control means includes a correlation information storage unit that stores correlation information representing a correlation between the meter display light source luminance and the attention display light source luminance with respect to the adjustment value, and the meter display according to the correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit. The vehicle display device according to claim 10, further comprising: a light source luminance adjusting unit that adjusts light source luminance and the attention display light source luminance.   The correlation information includes a correlation in which the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance decrease from the same luminance with respect to the change in the adjustment value so that the caution display light source luminance is larger than the meter display light source luminance. The vehicle display device according to claim 11, wherein the display device is a vehicle.   The correlation information indicates that the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance linearly decrease from the same luminance with respect to the change of the adjustment value, and the caution display light source luminance is more linear than the linear decrease rate of the meter display light source luminance. The vehicle display device according to claim 12, wherein a correlation with a small decrease rate is expressed.   The correlation information decreases such that the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance are larger than the meter display light source luminance from the respective reference luminances with respect to the change in the adjustment value. The vehicle display device according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle display device represents a correlation, and a reference luminance of the caution display light source luminance is larger than a reference luminance of the meter display light source luminance.   The correlation information indicates that the meter display light source luminance and the caution display light source luminance linearly decrease from the respective reference luminances with respect to the change in the adjustment value, and the caution display light source luminance exceeds the linear decrease rate of the meter display light source luminance. The vehicle display device according to claim 14, wherein the linear reduction rate of the vehicle represents a small correlation. The input means receives the permission of display of the caution image as the input,
The control unit is configured to capture an external image of the vehicle and acquire an external image, and to display the external image acquired by the imaging unit when display of the caution image is permitted by the input. The vehicle display device according to claim 10, further comprising: a light source luminance adjusting unit that adjusts the attention display light source luminance as a caution image.   The control means includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the vehicle, an image storage unit that stores a warning image that warns of the abnormality, and the image storage unit when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit. The vehicle display device according to claim 10, further comprising: a light source luminance adjusting unit that adjusts the warning display light source luminance using the stored warning image as the attention image.   The control means sets a ratio of a gradation value of the meter display pixel to a set gradation value of the meter display pixel as a meter display gradation ratio, and sets the attention display pixel of the attention display pixel with respect to the set gradation value of the attention display pixel. The meter display gradation ratio and the caution display gradation ratio are held at the same constant ratio with respect to a change in the adjustment value, with the gradation value ratio being a caution display gradation ratio. The vehicle display device according to any one of 10 to 17.   18. The control means according to claim 10, wherein the gradation value of the meter display pixel and the gradation value of the caution display pixel are held at the same constant value with respect to the change of the adjustment value. The vehicle display device according to any one of the above.

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