JP2009137486A - Vehicular meter unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular meter unit capable of effectively creating spatial isolation sense of an individual image function part regardless that a plurality of image function parts including an image meter are displayed on a plane-like display, and also excellent in discrimination property of important meter information. <P>SOLUTION: A non-meter image function part is subjected to layout as inter-meter information output parts 530, 531 so as to be stored in a wedge-like inter-meter space formed between respective adjacent inner side upper parts opposed to each other of a circular arc scale discs 213, 213 of two rotation pointer type analog meters 501, 504A and an upper edge of a picture. Further, stereoscopic image treatment is applied such that it is visually recognized that a part group including the inter-meter information output parts 530, 531 together with the analog meters 501, 504A exists at a short side in a depth direction more than the other part group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle meter unit.

JP 2004-157434 A

  Meters for displaying vehicle speed, engine speed, and the like are arranged in the cockpit for vehicles (particularly for automobiles). Such a meter is a classic analog machine pointer type meter, but as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a meter unit is configured by a display such as a liquid crystal panel, and a conventional analog machine is used here. Instead of the formula meter, there has been proposed an image display of a color image of a meter (so-called soft meter). Such a meter unit can display a group of multiple images with different indication value types, such as a pointer-type speedometer and tachometer, as well as a water temperature gauge and fuel fuel gauge, on the display, reducing the number of meter parts. You can enjoy various advantages such as improved design freedom.

  However, when trying to display a large number of meter groups at once by screen display on the display, since a plurality of meters are laid out using an essentially flat display, the sense of spatial isolation between individual meters is inevitably insufficient. Become. It should be noted that this is not limited to the visibility of the meter group, but also leads to a decrease in distinguishability between important display information and relatively less important display information. In the meter unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, in addition to a speedometer, a tachometer, a water temperature gauge, and a fuel fuel gauge each displayed as a pointer-type meter, a car navigation screen and the like are densely laid out. An attempt has been made to enhance the discrimination between each pointer-type meter by dialing the periphery of the dial with a solid metallic ring image. However, the layout of each meter is limited to a two-dimensional layout as if it were fitted into a single background panel. There is also a problem that lacks distinguishability between important meter information and information that is not.

  The problem of the present invention is that it is possible to effectively create a sense of spatial isolation between individual image function components, even though a plurality of image function components including an image meter are displayed on a flat display. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle meter unit that is excellent in distinguishing important meter information.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

The vehicle meter unit of the present invention is a vehicle meter unit disposed opposite to a driver's seat of a vehicle,
Display,
Meter display area forming means for forming a meter display area that is visually recognized with a three-dimensional spread in the depth direction of the screen on the screen of the display;
A plurality of image function components each formed as either an image meter for displaying a meter instruction value or an information output unit other than the image meter, and at least one of which is an image meter, each including at least one image function component The meter display area is divided into a plurality of parts groups and subjected to different stereoscopic image processing for each part group so that each part group can be visually recognized as existing at different positions in the depth direction in the meter display area. Image functional component display means for displaying and outputting to,
The image functional component display means has, as an image meter, a pointer that can move along an arc-shaped instruction locus, and a scale plate formed along the instruction locus, and one of them is a speedometer. Displayed on the left and right adjacent to each other.
Further, at least one of the non-meter image function parts which are image function parts formed as information output parts other than the image meter is used as an inter-meter information output part, and adjacent to the arc-shaped scale plate of the two rotary pointer type analog meters. Displayed in a wedge-shaped inter-meter space formed between each facing inner upper part and the upper edge of the screen,
Stereoscopic image processing is performed so that a component group including a rotation pointer type analog meter and an inter-meter information output unit is visually recognized as existing in the depth direction with respect to other component groups.

  According to the configuration of the vehicle meter unit of the present invention described above, a plurality of image functional parts to be collectively displayed on the screen of the display are divided into a plurality of part groups, and the individual part groups are arranged in the depth direction of the screen in the meter display area. In order to be visually recognized as being present at different positions, different 3D image processing is performed between the component groups, and the display is output. That is, despite the fact that a plurality of image functional parts are displayed on a flat display, the above-described stereoscopic image processing provides a virtual sense of infinite gap in the screen depth direction for image functional parts belonging to different groups. Can be created effectively. As a result, it is possible to realize a layout with excellent identification of individual image function parts, even though many image function parts are arranged on the same screen. Also, by making the important meter visually recognized as being located on the near side in the depth direction of the screen (that is, the side close to the driver), the display content of the image function unit can be effectively emphasized, and important meter information and Excellent discrimination from other information.

  In this invention, each has an arc-shaped scale plate, a plurality of index numbers serving as indicators of the pointers arranged along the scale plate, and a pointer indicating the value on the scale plate, and one of them is a speedometer The images of the two pointer-type analog meters are displayed adjacent to each other. The other pointer-type analog meter is, for example, a tachometer, but may be a power meter in the case of a hybrid vehicle. These two analog meters can be said to be the main meter with the highest visual frequency among the meters laid out in the cockpit, so that the above-mentioned stereoscopic image processing allows the front side of the screen depth direction to be closer to the other image meters. By visually recognizing it as being located at the position, it is possible to greatly improve the distinguishability.

  Of course, the two analog meters visually enhanced by the above-described stereoscopic image processing have a high frequency of visual recognition of both analog meters when other image functional parts are arranged in a space formed between them. You can make it easier to stand out visually. Therefore, the non-meter image function so as to fit in the wedge-shaped inter-meter space formed between each of the two upper rotating analog analog meters adjacent to each other on the arc-shaped scale plate and the upper edge of the screen. By laying out the parts, even horizontally long non-meter image functional parts that use the upper part of an inverted triangular space can be stored without difficulty as an inter-meter information output part, which hinders the visibility of analog meters. There is no. Then, the inter-meter information output is performed by performing stereoscopic image processing so that the component group including the inter-meter information output unit together with the analog meter is visually recognized as existing in the depth direction with respect to the other component groups. The discriminability of the part can be improved.

  Note that the concept of “performing component image processing that differs for each component group” is the one that is to be visually recognized as being positioned closest to the front in the screen depth direction among a plurality of component groups. It is intended to include non-embodiments.

  The image functional component display means performs the above-described stereoscopic image processing on the surface of the image functional component by the virtual light source when assuming a virtual light source that illuminates the image functional component from a direction inclined with respect to the screen normal before the screen viewing direction. The shading imparting process may be performed so that the shading is deeper in other component groups than the component group including the rotation pointer type analog meter and the inter-meter information output unit.

  By assigning shadows to image function parts, it is possible to make the driver aware of the existence of virtual light sources that illuminate individual image function parts on the front side of the screen, and the density of the shadows to be assigned for each part group. Thus, it is possible to recognize that a part group with a darker shadow is located farther in the depth direction. In other words, if the shadow added to the component group including the rotation pointer type analog meter and the inter-meter information output unit is made thinner than the other component groups, the analog meter and inter-meter information output unit exists in the forefront of the depth direction. It can be recognized as a thing, and the distinguishability can be improved.

  Assuming a virtual light source that illuminates the image function component from diagonally above, the shadow addition processing is natural light or ceiling lighting if the same image function component is shaded so as to become darker toward the lower surface. This makes it possible to create a natural feeling of shading, etc., and to easily express the sense of isolation in the depth direction of the image functional parts.

  Further, the shadow generated on the object surface becomes thinner as the distance to the light source is shorter. In particular, with respect to an emphasis target image component having a flat form such as an analog meter dial or index numbers, if the distance to the light source is sufficiently close, shadows hardly occur. Assuming such a situation, the image function component display means sets the component group including the rotation pointer type analog meter and the inter-meter information output unit as the highlight target component group positioned closest to the depth direction in the depth direction. The image functional component belonging to the component group having the planar form along the screen is used as the enhancement target image component, and the process of applying a shadow to the enhancement target image component (which is a subordinate concept of the above-described stereoscopic image processing) is performed. It can be configured not to. In other words, the enhancement target component is an image functional component that does not dare to apply a shadow, so that the enhancement target component is positioned closer to the screen in the depth direction than any other image functional component that is shaded As a result, the output information of the emphasis target part can be identified as superior to the output information of other image function parts.

  Next, the image function component can be configured to include a redundant display image meter group for redundantly displaying the same meter indication value by a plurality of image meters in different display forms. The image function component display means can display a plurality of image meters included in the redundant display image meter group in a form in which the image function components are distributed to a plurality of component groups having different viewing positions in the depth direction. By displaying one meter instruction value in a redundant manner using a plurality of image meters (redundant display image meter group), an important meter instruction value can be effectively emphasized. Then, by making these redundant display image meter groups visible at different positions in the virtual screen depth direction, the viewing priority order is set in perspective for a plurality of image meters displaying the same meter instruction value. Can be granted.

  Specifically, the redundant display image meter group is a digital display that digitally displays the scale plate and the image of the pointer type analog meter that indicates the value on the scale plate with the pointer, and the indication value of the pointer type analog meter as a number. The image functional component display means are different from each other so that the image of the pointer type analog meter and the image of the digital meter are visually recognized as existing at different positions in the depth direction. It can be configured to perform stereoscopic image processing and display output. According to the above configuration, since the digital meter is collectively displayed inside the pointer type analog meter on the same display screen, both the direct reading of the current indicated value (analog meter) and the improvement of the reading accuracy (digital meter) are compatible. be able to.

  In this case, the image functional component display means may display an image of a pointer-type analog meter having excellent direct readability of the current instruction value so that the image is visible to the near side in the depth direction than the image of the digital meter. Accordingly, the driver can be smoothly guided to a rational reading order in which the approximate indication value is instantaneously read with a nearby pointer-type analog meter and then the detailed indication value is supplemented with a digital meter. In this case, the image functional component display means performs a process of applying a shadow to the numerical image indicating the display value of the digital meter, while the image of the dial plate of the pointer type analog meter is not applied as an emphasis target image component. Can be displayed.

  When the image function component display means displays a horizontal decorative surface extending in the depth direction of the screen in the meter display area and assumes a virtual light source that illuminates the image function component from diagonally above in front of the screen viewing direction as stereoscopic image processing An ornamental inverted shadow image that imitates the reflection projection image of the digital meter numbers forming the image functional parts on the horizontal decorative surface is added to the horizontal decorative surface in a form that reflects the position of the numbers in the depth direction. Processing to display can be performed. A horizontal decorative surface extending in the depth direction of the screen is displayed, and an ornamental inverted shadow image imitating a reflection projection image of the image functional component on the horizontal decorative surface is additionally displayed. The assumed position in the screen depth direction of the corresponding image functional component can be made apparent from the screen from the appearance position on the screen.

  The image functional component display means displays the horizontal decorative surface in a form disappearing in the dark background of the horizontal decorative surface while gradually decreasing the brightness according to the perspective toward the vanishing point on the screen, and On the horizontal decorative surface, horizontal decorative stripes parallel to the horizontal direction of the screen can be displayed in such a manner that the visual arrangement interval is gradually reduced according to the perspective as it goes farther in the depth direction. If the perspective display is performed in such a manner that the horizontal decorative surface as described above disappears in the dark background, the concept of expressing a three-dimensional sense of depth by the shadow applied to the image functional component can be made more obvious. And the appearance position on the horizontal decorative surface of the decorative inverted shadow image can be grasped more clearly by the horizontal decorative stripe formed on the horizontal decorative surface.

  In order to display the current position, which is the currently selected position of the shift lever of the vehicle, as the information output unit other than the image meter, the image functional component display means displays the plurality of positions according to the position selection order sequence by the shift lever. Display symbols are determined in a one-to-one correspondence, and a shift position display unit that selectively displays a current symbol that is a display symbol corresponding to the current position can be output. Compared to a speedometer or the like, the shift position display unit has a limited frequency of visual recognition when the vehicle is started or stopped, or when a forced gear change is performed when traveling on a slope. Therefore, the shift position display unit can visually recognize the shift position display unit as being located rearward in the screen depth direction by adding a shadow to the current symbol.

  The inter-meter information output unit is a lane guidance display unit that displays a plurality of designated direction instruction images indicating the designated traveling direction of each lane at the approaching road branch point adjacent to the left and right in a form reflecting the lane arrangement. be able to. The lane allocation at road junctions such as intersections will not allow you to see the guidance information by road signs etc. unless you are close enough to the junction. You will be forced to struggle, and it will be a hindrance to traffic. Therefore, providing a lane guidance display unit in a meter unit that is disposed opposite to the driver's seat of the vehicle and frequently viewed for speed check or the like is extremely technically significant from the viewpoint of solving the above-described problems.

  Then, this lane guidance display unit is displayed between the two analog meters as the main meter as an inter-meter information output unit, and the lane is changed by recognizing it as being closest to the screen depth direction together with the analog meter. When approaching a road junction that requires attention, etc., the driver can quickly notice the lane allocation.

  When the number of lanes displayed on the lane guidance display unit increases, the horizontal display size of the lane guidance display unit inevitably increases. When the dials of the two rotary pointer analog meters are displayed in a relationship where the horizontal diameter positions coincide with each other in the screen height direction, the width of the space between the meters above the horizontal diameter position of each scale plate Therefore, a necessary display space can be easily secured even in a laterally long lane guide display section, and display overlap with an analog meter can be avoided.

  If the lower edge of the lane guide display area is displayed below the upper edge of each dial in the space between the meters, there will be sufficient space above the dial of the rotary pointer analog meter. Even if it is not, a space for the horizontally long lane guide display section can be secured without any problem. In this case, an empty space is formed below the lane guide display portion in the inverted triangular space between the meters, so that the above-mentioned shift position display portion can be arranged here. Thus, the meter display area can be effectively used (that is, the shift position display section is displayed below the lane guide display section in the space between the meters).

  The inter-meter information output unit can be a guidance guidance display unit that indicates a guidance guidance direction at a road branching point that is approaching. That is, the guidance guidance direction at the road branch point by a car navigation device or the like is displayed between two analog meters serving as main meters by the guidance guidance display unit forming the inter-meter information output unit, and the screen depth direction together with the analog meter. By recognizing that the vehicle is present at the forefront of the vehicle, when approaching a road junction that requires attention to lane change or the like, the driver can quickly notice the direction of guidance. In particular, when the lane guidance display section and the guidance guidance display section are displayed in parallel, driving guidance at a road junction including lane changes can be performed more smoothly. In this case, it is reasonable in terms of space allocation to display the horizontally long lane guide display section on the upper side and the guide guidance display section on the lower side in the inverted triangular intermeter space.

  On the other hand, the inter-meter information output unit may be a warning symbol display unit that displays one or a plurality of warning symbols. The warning symbol must be immediately recognized by the driver when it is displayed, so it is displayed between the two analog meters as the main meter as an inter-meter information output unit, and displayed in the depth direction of the screen together with the analog meter. It is extremely effective to make it recognized that it exists at the forefront.

  Next, the image functional component display means is a three-dimensional visual recognition that extends the strip-shaped dial decoration along the inner peripheral edge of the arc-shaped scale board according to the pointer type analog meter from the inner peripheral edge of the scale board to the back side of the screen. The shape can be displayed while giving a shadow whose brightness decreases toward the back of the screen. By displaying the three-dimensionally visible scale dial decoration part extending from the inner periphery of the dial to the back side of the screen with the above-mentioned shadow, the spatial extent behind the dial is revealed. It can be emphasized that the scale plate is spatially present on the near side.

  The image function component display means can display the dial decoration part as having an inclined surface-like stereoscopic viewing shape in which the inner peripheral radius decreases toward the back side of the screen. In addition, on the scale plate, a plurality of scale line figures that respectively extend along the radial direction of the scale plate are displayed and formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the scale plate, and the individual scales are displayed on the scale plate decoration portion. It is possible to display a decorative scale line figure to which shadows are respectively given in a form connected to the inner end side in the radial direction of the line figure. By displaying such a decorative scale line figure, the direct readability of the pointer instruction value can be further enhanced.

  Here, if the perspective method is adopted as an image representation method of the three-dimensional space, the above-described dial decoration part is assumed to extend in the shape of a right cylinder from the dial parallel to the screen to the back. It can be expressed as an image area. On the other hand, it is appropriate to draw the decorative scale line figure in the direction of the inner surface of the scale board decoration part so as not to impair the creation feeling of the inner surface solid shape of the scale board decoration part by the above-mentioned shading. However, if the center line of the scale line drawn in the radial direction of the arc-shaped scale plate is deviated from the vanishing point position in perspective, the decorative scale line figure will move from the corresponding scale line toward the center of the scale plate to the vanishing point direction. There is a problem that the effect of improving the readability of the indicated value is impaired. However, if the dial decoration part is displayed as having a three-dimensional viewing shape with an inclined surface whose inner radius decreases toward the back of the screen, the focal point of the inner surface bus of the dial decoration part is the center of the dial. Since the decorative scale line figure drawn along this can be displayed in an extended form of the scale line, the effect of improving the readability of the indicated value is remarkably exhibited.

  The image functional component display means has a positional relationship in which the tip of the pointer overlaps with the dial decoration, and the pointer is positioned on the front side of the dial decoration in the depth direction of the screen. The part located behind the pointer of the part can be displayed in a hidden form. By displaying the pointer that directly points to the dial in a form that hides the dial decoration, the driver clearly indicates that the dial decoration is a virtual body with a shape that extends behind the dial. It can make you conscious.

  In this case, the image functional component display means assumes that the image of the pointer is positioned behind the index number in the depth direction of the screen, and when the index number and the pointer overlap, the image function component display means is positioned behind the index number. The pointer portion to be displayed can be displayed in a hidden form. Even if the pointer on the image overlaps with the index number, the outline of the index number is not concealed by the pointer, and the direct readability of the indicated value is greatly improved. Moreover, the spatial spread in the depth direction of the screen can be made more obvious by making the three-dimensional positional relationship in which the pointer exists between the scale board and the index number and the scale board decoration part. The image functional component display means displays the pointer so that the tip of the pointer faces the inner peripheral edge of the scale plate, thereby reducing the radial overlap size of the pointer with the scale plate itself. Can do. Thereby, even when the pointer exists in the vicinity, the scale line can always be clearly recognized, and the direct reading of the indicated value is not impaired by causing the decoration scale line figure to be concealed by the pointer.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1A shows a screen display example of the vehicle meter unit of the present invention in a bitmap image, and FIG. 1B schematically shows this. The vehicle meter unit 1 is disposed opposite to a driver's seat of an automobile (vehicle), and has a shape in which a plurality of image functional parts including an image meter or an information output unit other than the image meter are assembled in a predetermined layout. Are configured to be collectively displayed on the display 210. As shown in FIG. 2, the display 210 is a known display having a TFT color liquid crystal panel 108 and a backlight module 309 (however, it may be composed of a self-luminous display such as a plasma display or an EL display). ). The entire screen of the display 210 is used as a meter display area (however, only a part can be used as a meter display area).

  Specifically, the speedometers 504A and 504D, the power meter 501, the average fuel consumption meter 506, the fuel remaining amount meter 507, the water temperature meter 509, the outside air temperature meter 511, and the total distance as the image meters A total 510 is displayed. As an information output unit other than the image meter, a display unit for a shift position display unit 503 and a warning symbol (here, a fueling indicator and a water temperature indicator) 512 is formed.

  The speedometers 504A and 504D are analog speedometers 504A that are rotation needle type analog meters having a pointer 502 that can move along an arc-shaped instruction locus and a dial 40 formed along the instruction locus. And a digital speedometer 504D for digitally indicating the indicated value of the pointer 502 numerically in a region including the rotation center O of the pointer 502 inside the indicated locus on the screen.

  In addition, a lane guidance display unit 530 is formed on the screen of the display 210, and a plurality of designated direction instruction images 510i indicating designated traveling directions of the respective lanes at the approaching road junction (for example, an intersection) are arranged in the lane arrangement. Adjacent to the left and right are displayed in the reflected form. The lane guide display unit 530 is formed as an inter-meter information output unit that fits in a space formed between the two rotation pointer type analog meters 504A and 501. More specifically, the two lane guide type analog meters It arrange | positions so that it may fit in the upper part of the wedge-shaped intermeter space formed between each inner upper part which adjoins each of the arc-shaped scales 213 and 213 of 504A, 501 and the screen upper edge.

  The scale plates 213 and 213 of the two rotary pointer type analog meters 504A and 501 are displayed in a relationship in which the horizontal diameter positions coincide with each other in the screen height direction. The lane guidance display unit 530 is displayed above the horizontal diameter position of each scale plate 213 in the inter-meter space. The lane guidance display unit 530 is arranged such that its lower edge is located below the upper edge position of the scale plates 213 and 213 in the inter-meter space. Note that the upper edge of the lane guidance display portion 530 is located above the upper edge position of the dials 213 and 213.

  On the other hand, in the wedge-shaped inter-meter space, immediately below the lane guidance display unit 530, as another information output unit between meters, a guidance guidance display unit 531 indicating the guidance guidance direction at the approaching road junction is approaching. Is displayed together with distance information (300 m) to the road junction. In addition, in the lower part of the wedge-shaped inter-meter space, the above-described shift position display section 503 is displayed further below the guidance display section 531.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the vehicle meter unit 1.
The main part of the configuration is a meter ECU 200 that performs main control of meter display. The main part of the meter ECU 200 includes a microcomputer in which a CPU 281, a ROM 282, a RAM 283, a drawing LSI, and an input / output unit 280 are connected via an internal bus. The ROM 282 stores meter drawing software, graphic data necessary for drawing each of the image meters 504A, 504D, 501, 506, 507, and 509, and numeric font data for displaying speed on the digital speedometer 504D. .

  The meter ECU 200 is network-connected to another ECU such as the body system ECU 300 via the serial communication bus 127 via the communication interface 126, and also functions as an operation state parameter acquisition unit. That is, the body system ECU 300 is connected to a sensor group for acquiring basic operation state information to be displayed on the meter. Specifically, a vehicle speed sensor 301, a vehicle output detection unit 302, a coolant temperature sensor 303, a fuel remaining amount sensor 304, an average fuel consumption calculation unit 305, a gear position detection unit 306, and the like.

  The meter ECU 200 acquires the detection information from the sensor groups 301 to 307 via the communication bus 127, and indicates the indicated value on a master image (for example, stored in the ROM 282) of each corresponding meter. Is reflected to create drawing data for each meter (hereinafter referred to as meter drawing data). Specifically, in FIG. 2, the detection value of the gear position detection unit 306 is displayed on the shift position display unit 503, the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 301 is displayed on the speedometers 504A and 504D, and the detection value of the vehicle output detection unit 302 is displayed on the power meter. In 501, the fuel consumption calculation value of the average fuel consumption calculation unit 305 is reflected in the average fuel consumption meter 506, the detection value of the fuel remaining amount sensor 304 is reflected in the fuel remaining amount meter 507, and the detection value of the water temperature sensor 303 is reflected in the water temperature meter 509. . The drawing LSI 106 receives the above drawing data, synthesizes an image on the graphic memory 107 and outputs it to the liquid crystal panel 108 (in cooperation with the meter ECU 200 that executes meter drawing software, a meter display area forming unit and an image functional component display unit) To realize the function).

  The outline of the flow of the meter operation processing related to, for example, the speedometers 504A and 504D by the meter drawing software is as follows (the basic operation flow is the same for other meters). First, when the engine is started, the detection value of the vehicle speed acquired from the body system ECU 300 is acquired, and meter operation processing corresponding to the acquired vehicle speed is performed. This processing routine is repeatedly executed until the engine is stopped. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, the pointer 502 of the analog speedometer 504A is drawn so as to move to the graduation position corresponding to the acquired vehicle speed, and the numerical value indicating the vehicle speed is expressed using the font data described above. Is displayed on the digital speedometer 504D. As the above-described processing routine is repeated, the drawing position of the pointer 502 and the display value of the digital speedometer 504D change following the fluctuation of the acquired engine speed.

  In the vehicle meter unit 1 described above, the image function parts 504A, 504D, 501, 506, 507, 509, 511, 510, 503, 512, 530, and 531 are divided into two parts groups, that is, the analog speedometer 504A and the power. A first part group consisting of a meter 501, an average fuel consumption meter 506, a fuel remaining amount meter 507, a water temperature meter 509, an outside air temperature meter 511, a lane guidance display unit 530, a guidance guidance display unit 531 and a warning symbol 512, and a digital speedometer 504D And a second part group consisting of a shift position display section 503. Each of these component groups is displayed and output in the meter display region after being subjected to a different three-dimensional image process for each component group so that the component groups are visually recognized as being present at different positions in the depth direction in the meter display region ( Image functional component display means).

  In the second part group, stereoscopic image processing is performed as shown in FIG. 4, like the number 50 indicating the display value of the digital speedometer 504D shown in FIG. 1B and the current symbol 401CS of the shift position display unit 503 shown in FIG. 7. Implemented as a process for applying a shadow GL by a virtual light source LS (assumed to illuminate the number 50 (digital speedometer 504D, which is an image functional component) in front of the screen viewing direction) Has been. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates a virtual positional relationship of each part that should be visually recognized in the depth direction of a planar screen by stereoscopic image processing. Then, it can be said that the shadow providing process is performed such that the shadow GL becomes darker as the image function component of the component group located farther in the depth direction. Specifically, by assuming a virtual light source LS that illuminates the image function component 50 obliquely from above, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 7, the image function component 50 becomes closer to the lower surface side with respect to the image function component (50, 401CS). A shadow GL is added so as to be dark.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first part group, that is, the analog speedometer 504A and the power meter 501, the average fuel consumption meter 506, the fuel remaining amount meter 507, the water temperature meter 509, the outside temperature meter 511, and the total distance meter. 510, the first part group including the lane guidance display unit 530, the guidance guidance display unit 531 and the warning symbol 512 are all part groups located in front of the second part group in the screen depth direction (that is, the foremost part). It is treated as an emphasis target component group. Of the image functional parts belonging to the emphasis target part group, those having a planar form along the screen, specifically, the analog speedometer 504A and the scale 213 of the power meter 501, and the index number 215 (hereinafter these are combined) (Also referred to as the dial 40), the average fuel consumption meter 506, the temperature display value of the outside air temperature meter 511, the distance display value of the total distance meter 510, the lane guidance display portion 530, the guidance guidance display portion 531 and the warning symbol 512, respectively. It is defined as an image part and has no shadow. However, the fuel remaining amount meter 507 and the water temperature meter 509 are provided with shadows corresponding to fade-outs on the left and right edges of the background image 600 on the screen.

  The shadow GL generated on the object surface becomes thinner as the distance to the light source is shorter. In particular, as described above, the image parts having a planar form such as the analog meter dial 213, the index numeral 215, the numeral 50 indicating the display value of the digital meter 504D, the lane guidance display section 530, or the guidance display section 531. If the distance to the light source is sufficiently short, the shadow will hardly occur, and conversely, the shadow becomes deeper as the distance from the light source increases. And even if it is an image part which has the same plane form, the scale board 213 of the analog meters 501 and 504A which form the first part group, the index number 215, the lane guidance display part 530, the guidance guidance display part 531 or the outside air temperature No shadow is given to the total 511 or the total distance meter 510, and a shadow GL is given to the number 50 of the digital meter 504D forming the second part group and the current symbol 401CS of the shift position display unit 503. The one component group is visually recognized as being present on the near side in the screen depth direction than the second component group.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a three-dimensional background image 600 is displayed behind each image component. In the background image 600, the average brightness is set lower than the image of each meter. Below the number 50 displayed on the digital speedometer 504D, a decorative inverted shadow image 504S obtained by inverting the number 50 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 4, with respect to the horizontal reference line HK along the lower edge of the display area of the numeral 50 in FIGS. 1A and 1B on the screen of the display 210, the horizontal including the horizontal reference line HK in the screen depth direction. When the decorative surface DP (virtual projection surface HP) is set and the virtual illumination light VL is projected from the upper front side of the screen where the user viewpoint exists, as shown in FIG. The decorative inverted shadow image 504S is displayed in a form simulating a reflection projection image onto the horizontal decorative surface DP by the virtual illumination light VL of numeral 50.

  By displaying a reflection projection image of the digital speedometer 504D on the horizontal decorative surface DP with respect to the numeral 50 as the decorative inverted shadow image 504S, the horizontal decorative surface DP as if it were a water surface (or mirror surface) existing under the numeral 50. Recognized and can produce an exhilarating and spacious space on a limited display screen. Note that the decorative inverted shadow image 504S is displayed as a gradation image in which the brightness gradually decreases from the lower edge of the numeral 50 toward the front of the screen depth direction. As a result, the brightness of the decorative inverted shadow image 504S decreases toward the front side of the screen where the amount of projected reflected light decreases, and the reality as a reflected projection image is enhanced.

  Further, the horizontal decorative surface DP is displayed in a form that causes a vanishing point FOP in the depth direction of the screen by perspective. By actively displaying such a horizontal decorative surface DP, the existence of a virtual projection surface at a position corresponding to the horizontal decorative surface DP can be made more apparent, and the decorative inverted shadow image 504S is reflected to the user. You can make it more intuitive as a projected image. The background image 600 including the horizontal decorative surface DP is displayed so that the brightness gradually decreases as the distance from the virtual depth direction increases, and from the center of the screen to the left and right in the horizontal direction. The perspective when the existence of the light source of the virtual illumination light is assumed is rendered more realistically. In FIG. 1B, a large number of decorative stripes SP1 that converge toward a vanishing point FOP far in the depth direction of the screen are formed on the horizontal decorative surface DP, and the horizontal decorative surface DP is reduced in brightness by decreasing the brightness. Designed to fade out in front, the three-dimensional depth is enhanced.

  On the horizontal decorative surface DP, horizontal decorative stripes SP2 parallel to the horizontal direction of the screen are displayed in such a manner that the visual arrangement interval gradually decreases according to the perspective as it goes farther in the depth direction. It can be seen that the horizontal decorative stripe SP2 makes it clearer where the decorative inverted shadow image 504S and the numeral 50 of the digital meter 504D are located on the horizontal decorative surface DP in the screen depth direction.

  Next, in the two analog meters 501, 504A, the image of the scale board 213 and the index numeral 215 (the dial face 40), which are the most important in reading the indicated values, are set as the emphasis target image parts, and the shade GL is not applied respectively. Thus, the visual priority of the pointer type analog meters 501 and 504A is enhanced compared to other image function parts. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in each of the pointer type analog meters 501, 504A, the scale-shaped decoration part 220 having a strip shape is formed along the inner peripheral edge of the arc-shaped scale board 213. The three-dimensional viewing shape that extends from the inner periphery of the screen to the back side of the screen is displayed with a shadow that decreases in lightness toward the back side of the screen. By displaying the scale decoration element 220 having a three-dimensional viewing shape extending from the inner peripheral edge of the scale board 213 to the back side of the screen while giving a shadow, the spatial extent behind the scale board 213 is revealed. It is emphasized that the dial 213 exists spatially on the near side.

  The dial decoration unit 220 in FIG. 4 showing the virtual positional relationship of each part to be visually recognized in the depth direction of the planar screen by the stereoscopic image processing is as shown in FIG. Is displayed as having a three-dimensional viewing shape with an inclined surface in which the inner peripheral radius decreases toward the back of the screen. In FIG. 7, the dial decoration unit 220 is assumed to be displayed as a tapered three-dimensional viewing shape, but as shown in FIG. 8, a curved three-dimensional viewing shape is assumed. May be.

  On the scale plate 213, a plurality of scale line figures 211 each along the radial direction of the scale plate 213 are displayed and formed at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the scale plate 213. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the scale scale decoration part 220 displays the scale scale line pattern 211 </ b> S to which each shadow line is given in a form connected to the inner end side in the radial direction of each scale line pattern 211. Since the perspective method is adopted as an image representation method of the three-dimensional space, as shown in FIG. 9, the above-described dial decoration unit 220 extends from the dial 213 parallel to the screen to the back in the shape of a right cylinder. Even if it is assumed, it can be expressed as an image area in a strip shape. On the other hand, it is appropriate to draw the decoration scale line figure 211S in the direction of the inner surface bus of the scale board decoration part 220 in order not to impair the creation feeling of the inner face solid shape of the scale board decoration part 220 by applying the shadow GL described above. It is. However, if the center line of the scale line drawn in the radial direction of the arc-shaped scale board 213 deviates from the position of the vanishing point FOP in perspective, the decorative scale line figure 211S corresponds to the scale corresponding to the center of the scale board 213. There is a problem that the effect of improving the direct reading of the indicated value is impaired due to the shape drawn in a direction shifted from the line toward the vanishing point. However, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, if the scale decoration 220 is displayed as having a three-dimensional viewing shape with an inclined surface whose inner radius is reduced toward the back of the screen, FIG. 1A and FIG. As shown in FIG. 1B, the focal point of the inner surface generating line of the scale board decoration part 220 can be brought close to the center of the scale board 213, and the decoration scale line figure 211S drawn along this is shown in FIG. Since the graphic 211 can be displayed in an extended form, it is possible to improve the direct readability of the instruction value by the pointer 502 as shown in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the distal end portion of the pointer 502 has a positional relationship overlapping with the dial decoration portion 220. Then, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 6, the pointer 502 is positioned behind the pointer 502 of the dial decoration element 220, assuming that the pointer 502 is positioned in front of the scale decoration element 220 in the depth direction of the screen. It is displayed in a form that hides the part. Further, the image of the pointer 502 is assumed to be located behind the index number 215 in the screen depth direction. When the index number 215 and the pointer 502 overlap, the pointer 502 is displayed in a form that hides the portion of the pointer 502 located behind the index number 215. Even if the pointer 502 on the image overlaps the index number 215, the outline of the index number 215 is not hidden by the pointer 502, and the direct reading of the indicated value is greatly improved. Further, the three-dimensional positional relationship in which the pointer 502 exists between the dial 213 and the index numeral 215 and the dial decoration unit 220 is clarified, and the effect of making the spatial spread in the depth direction of the screen more obvious is also produced. ing.

  Further, the tip end of the pointer 502 has a positional relationship facing the inner peripheral edge of the scale plate 213, and the radial overlap between the scale plate 213 and the pointer 502 is reduced, so the pointer 502 exists in the vicinity. Even in the case, the scale line can always be clearly seen. On the other hand, the decoration scale line figure 211S is responsible for concealment by the pointer 502, and direct reading of the instruction value is ensured.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the image of the pointer 502 is displayed at the center of rotation according to the speed value to be instructed in a state where the longitudinal direction of the pointer coincides with the direction of the rotational radius R of the pointer 502. Displayed while rotating around O (pointer display means). The dial 40 described above has an arc-shaped scale portion 213 in which scale lines 211 are engraved, and indication values (in this case, speed values) at representative scale positions arranged along the scale portion 213. It consists of a plurality of index numbers 215 respectively shown. In the image of the plurality of index numbers 215, the vertical direction of each of the index numbers 215 coincides with the rotational radial direction along the rotational circumferential direction of the pointer 502, and the pointers 502 are rotated at the positions of the index numbers 215. At this time, the index numbers 215 are arranged and displayed so as to overlap a part of the pointer 502 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the pointer 502. The scale portion 213 is displayed outside the row of index numbers 215 in the direction of the radius R.

  The pointer 502 and the index number 215 are displayed in display colors having different hues. The display color of the index number 215 is white, and a three-dimensional shadow or the like is not particularly given. On the other hand, the display color of the pointer 502 is light green, and a three-dimensional shadow is given. Specifically, the pointer 502 has a convex surface shape along the longitudinal direction of the pointer having a height peak at an intermediate position in the width direction, and is assumed to receive virtual illumination light from the front side of the meter. A high-brightness reflective glossy part is formed along the ridge line (R direction), and gradations are gradually reduced as the distance from the convex ridge line to both sides in the width direction and closer to the base end of the pointer. ing. Note that the base end side of the pointer 501 is faded out in the background image 600 forming a dark background.

  Further, the analog speedometer 504A and the digital speedometer 504D form a redundant display image meter group that redundantly displays the same meter indication value (vehicle speed) with a plurality of image meters in different display forms. Then, by adding the above-described shadow GL and the decorative inverted shadow image 504S only to the digital speedometer 504D, the analog speedometer 504A using a pointer-type analog meter with excellent direct readability of the current indication value is compared to the digital speedometer 504D. The image representation form is also visually recognized on the near side in the depth direction. As a result, the driver smoothly reads the approximate indication value instantaneously with the nearby pointer-type analog meter 504A (which is visually recognized), and then supplements the detailed indication value with the digital meter 504D smoothly. Led.

  FIG. 10 shows another embodiment according to the display form of the inter-meter information output unit (the same reference numerals are given to the common parts with FIG. 1A, and detailed description is omitted). In this embodiment, the guidance guidance display unit 531 is omitted, and the lane guidance display unit 530 has an upper edge located below the upper edges of the scale plates 213 and 213 of the two analog meters 501 and 504A. Thus, the display position is lowered compared to FIG. 1A. In the space between the meters, a plurality of warning symbols 1512 different from the water temperature indicator and the fueling indicator 512 are displayed in an area sandwiched between the upper edge of the screen and the upper edges of the scale plates 213 and 213. It has become. These warning symbols 1512 are defined as image objects to be emphasized, and are not shaded.

The front view which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on one Embodiment of the meter unit for vehicles of this invention. FIG. 1B is a front view schematically showing FIG. 1A. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the meter unit for vehicles of FIG. 1B. The figure which extracts and shows the analog speedometer part of FIG. 1B in the overlapping state of a pointer and an index number. Similarly, the figure shown in a non-overlapping state of the pointer and the index number. The schematic diagram which shows the virtual positional relationship of the screen depth direction of each image function component laid out on the screen of the meter unit of FIG. 1A. The figure which expands and shows a scale line figure and a decoration scale line figure. Explanatory drawing which extracts and shows the display form of the pointer vicinity. The virtual sectional view which shows the 1st example of a scale board decoration part. The virtual sectional view which shows the 2nd example of a dial decoration part. The virtual sectional view which shows the 3rd example of a dial decoration part. The front view which shows the example of a screen display which concerns on the modified embodiment of the meter unit for vehicles of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle meter unit 106 Drawing LSI (meter display area formation means and image functional component display means)
200 Meter ECU (meter display area forming means and image functional component display means)
210 display 211 scale line figure 211S decoration scale line figure 213 scale board 215 index number 220 scale board decoration part 501 power meter (rotation pointer type analog meter)
502 Pointer 503 Shift position display section (image function component)
504A Analog speedometer (Rotary pointer type analog meter: Image function component)
504D Digital Speedometer (Digital Meter: Image Function Component)
506 Average fuel consumption meter (image functional parts)
507 Fuel Fuel Gauge (Image functional parts)
509 Water temperature gauge (image function parts)
510 Total distance meter (image function component)
511 Outside thermometer (image function parts)
512, 1512 Warning symbol (image functional component)
530 Lane guidance display section (inter-meter information output section)
531 Guidance guidance display section (inter-meter information output section)
GL Shade DP Horizontal decorative surface SP2 Horizontal decorative stripe

Claims (13)

A vehicle meter unit disposed opposite to a driver's seat of a vehicle,
Display,
Meter display area forming means for forming a meter display area that is visually recognized with a three-dimensional spread in the depth direction of the screen on the screen of the display;
A plurality of image function components each formed as either an image meter for displaying a meter instruction value or an information output unit other than an image meter, and at least one of which is the image meter, each of at least one image function component In addition, the three-dimensional image processing is performed for each component group so that each component group is visually recognized as being present at different positions in the depth direction in the meter display region. Image function component display means for displaying and outputting to the meter display area,
The image functional component display means has, as the image meter, a pointer that can move along an arc-shaped instruction locus, and a scale plate formed along the instruction locus, and one of them is a speedometer. The images of two rotation pointer type analog meters are displayed adjacent to each other on the left and right,
Further, at least one of the non-meter image function parts which are image function parts formed as information output parts other than the image meter is used as an inter-meter information output part, and the arc-shaped scale plate of the two rotation pointer type analog meters Display in a wedge-shaped inter-meter space formed between each of the adjacent inner upper portions of the screen and the upper edge of the screen,
The stereoscopic image processing is performed so that a component group including the rotation pointer type analog meter and the inter-meter information output unit is visually recognized as existing in the depth direction with respect to another component group. Meter unit for vehicles.   The image functional component display means assumes that the stereoscopic image processing is a virtual light source that illuminates the image functional component from a direction inclined with respect to the screen normal before the screen viewing direction. The shading imparting process on the surface is performed so that the shading is deeper in the other component group than the component group including the rotation pointer type analog meter and the inter-meter information output unit. Meter unit for vehicles.   The shading imparting process imparts the shading so as to become darker toward the lower surface side with respect to the same image functional component by assuming the virtual light source that illuminates the image functional component obliquely from above. Item 3. The vehicle meter unit according to Item 2.   The image function component display means sets a component group including the rotation pointer type analog meter and the inter-meter information output unit as a highlight target component group positioned closest to the depth direction, and belongs to the highlight target component group. 4. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 2, wherein an image functional component having a planar form along the screen is used as an enhancement target image component, and the shading is not applied to the enhancement target image component. 5. .   The image functional component display means displays, as the image functional component, a digital meter that digitally displays an instruction value of one of the two pointer-type analog meters as a numerical value, and shades the numerical value indicating the display value of the digital meter. The vehicular meter unit according to claim 4, wherein the applying process is performed.   The image functional component display means displays a horizontal decorative surface extending in the depth direction of the screen in the meter display area, and illuminates the image functional component from obliquely above in front of the screen viewing direction as the stereoscopic image processing. Assuming a virtual light source, the inverted inverted shadow image simulating the reflection projection image of the numeral of the digital meter constituting the image functional component onto the horizontal decorative surface reflects the position of the numeral in the depth direction. 6. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 5, wherein an additional display process is performed on the horizontal decorative surface in a curved shape.   In order to display the current position, which is the currently selected position of the shift lever of the vehicle, as the information output unit other than the image meter, the image functional component display means, according to the position selection order sequence by the shift lever, A display symbol is defined in a one-to-one correspondence with the position of the output, a shift position display unit that selectively displays a current symbol that is a display symbol corresponding to the current position, and The vehicle meter unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the shading is given to the current symbol.   The inter-meter information output unit is a lane guidance display unit that displays a plurality of designated direction instruction images indicating the designated traveling directions of each lane at an approaching road branching point adjacent to each other in a form reflecting the lane arrangement. The vehicle meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The scale plates of the two rotary pointer type analog meters are displayed in a relationship in which the horizontal diameter positions coincide with each other in the screen height direction, and the lane guide display unit is provided with each scale in the space between the meters. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 8, wherein the meter unit is displayed above the horizontal diameter position of the panel.   10. The vehicle meter unit according to claim 9, wherein the lane guide display unit is displayed such that a lower edge thereof is positioned below an upper edge position of each scale board in the inter-meter space.   11. The vehicle according to claim 8, comprising the requirement according to claim 7, wherein the shift position display unit is displayed below the lane guide display unit in the inter-meter space. Meter unit.   The vehicular meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inter-meter information output unit is a guidance guidance display unit that indicates a guidance guidance direction at an approaching road branch point.   The vehicle meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the inter-meter information output unit is a warning symbol display unit that displays one or a plurality of warning symbols.