JP2011233045A - Transmitter, receiver, display device, program, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmitter, receiver, display device, program and communication system equipped with a vehicle and capable of making a switch to more suitable meter display in accordance with a traveling road while using information about on which roads and which meter display other vehicles perform.SOLUTION: A plurality of meters which are displayed on a meter display part of the vehicle are stored, and history information about which roads and which meters are used is collected from a plurality of vehicles and transmitted to a center. The center stores information about the usage history of each meter for each individual road. Then, the center transmits to the vehicle recommended meters whose number of times of being used at the traveling location of the vehicle is at a higher rank, and images 900 and 910 of the recommended meters are displayed on a display part 305 of a portable terminal carried by an occupant of the vehicle (a) together with priorities, or (b) by overlapping upon roads on a map. One meter selected among the displayed meters by the user is displayed on the meter display part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission device, a reception device, a display device, a program, and a communication system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in a display device for an automobile, a display device is constituted by a liquid crystal display (LCD), particularly a TFT liquid crystal display, and an image of a meter created by computer graphics technology is displayed on the screen. More and more cases are displayed. In that case, there are advantages such as ease of assembly and a high degree of freedom of design change.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for expressing glossiness with a ring image, which is a frame portion of a meter, and automatically changing the portion indicated by the pointer to a luminance that is easy to visually recognize.

JP 2004-157434 A

  Of course, it is desirable that the meter display be as highly visible to the driver as possible. Further, if a suitable display method corresponding to the characteristics of the road is used or additional information can be notified according to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, a display device with higher performance can be obtained. Therefore, for example, if the meter display (meter image) is changed according to the road on which the vehicle is traveling, it is conceivable that improvement in visibility, appropriate display method, and notification of appropriate information can be realized.

  Furthermore, when the meter image is switched depending on the road on which the vehicle is traveling, it may be difficult for the user to know which meter image is appropriate for which road. Therefore, if information on which meter image is displayed on which road by another vehicle can be acquired, this is useful information when the user selects a meter image suitable for each road. However, such a system has not been proposed in the prior art.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is equipped with a vehicle, while using information on which meter is displayed on which road by other vehicles, according to the road to travel, An object of the present invention is to provide a transmission device, a reception device, a display device, a program, and a communication system that can switch to a more appropriate meter display.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, a transmission device according to the present invention is provided in a vehicle, and displays an instrument display unit that displays the instrument of the vehicle and the same numerical value indicating the running state of the vehicle in different display forms. Calculated by first display control means for controlling one of the plurality of instruments to be displayed according to the travel position of the vehicle and displayed on the instrument display, and navigation means for calculating the position. Transmitting the position information of the vehicle that has been displayed and display information that is information indicating which of the plurality of instruments is displayed on the instrument display unit by the first display control means at the position Means.

  Thereby, in the transmission device according to the present invention, the instrument display unit can switch and display a plurality of instruments, and the position information calculated by the navigation means and which instrument is displayed on the instrument display unit at that position. Since information is transmitted, it is possible to collect information on which instrument is displayed at which position by the vehicle. Therefore, it is indispensable to gather very useful information in a system that can switch the instrument display according to the position of the vehicle, such as which instrument on which the map is used (or on which road). A part can be constructed. Therefore, construction of an instrument display system that contributes to prompting the driver to drive appropriately by displaying appropriate instruments (such as instruments that are easy to see or instruments that notify additional information) according to the position of the vehicle. There is a remarkable effect that contributes to.

  Further, the receiving device according to the present invention is the one of a plurality of meters that displays the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle and the same numerical value indicating the running state of the vehicle at the position in different display forms. Display information, which is information indicating whether the vehicle has been displayed on the instrument display of the vehicle, and a plurality of positions for each position on the map using the position information and display information received by the receiving means. Storage means for storing a display history of each of the instruments.

  Thus, the receiving device according to the present invention can receive the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle and information indicating which instrument is displayed at the position, and store it in the storage means. Therefore, it is indispensable to gather very useful information in a system that can switch the instrument display according to the position of the vehicle, such as which position on the map (or on which road) is used frequently Can be built. Therefore, construction of an instrument display system that contributes to prompting the driver to drive appropriately by displaying appropriate instruments (such as instruments that are easy to see or instruments that notify additional information) according to the position of the vehicle. There is a remarkable effect that contributes to.

  In addition, the display device according to the present invention includes a map display unit that displays a map, and information on the display history of each of the plurality of instruments for each position on the map, which is stored by the storage means provided in the receiving device. And a second display control means for superimposing and displaying on the map displayed on the map display section.

  Thereby, in the display device according to the present invention, the display history information of each of the plurality of instruments for each position on the map is displayed superimposed on the map, so that the user can see which instrument has been displayed at which position. Information can be acquired in an easy-to-understand manner by the display form superimposed on the map.

  In addition, the second display control unit is superimposed on a road on the map displayed on the map display unit, and is recorded in the storage unit, and the display number on the road is within a predetermined number that is relatively large. Third display control means for displaying an image of the instrument may be provided.

  As a result, an image of an instrument that is relatively frequently used on the road is displayed superimposed on the road on the displayed map, so that the user can determine which instrument has been used frequently on which road. Information can be acquired in an easy-to-understand manner using the information in the instrument image.

  Further, an input for selecting one instrument from among images of the instrument within a predetermined number displayed on the road on the map displayed on the map display unit by the third display control means is provided. An input means for receiving and an instrument display unit that displays the instrument selected by the input means while displaying the instrument in the vehicle compartment while the vehicle is traveling on the road displayed with the instrument superimposed. And fourth display control means for displaying.

  As a result, when one of a plurality of instruments frequently used in the past displayed superimposed on the road on the map is selected, the instrument is displayed on the instrument display unit of the vehicle while traveling on the road. The user can easily understand the instruments that have been used many times on each road, and can select the desired instrument according to his / her preference, and the instrument suitable for that road while driving Can be displayed. Accordingly, an appropriate driving is promoted by displaying an appropriately selected instrument for each road on the instrument display unit.

  Further, the program according to the present invention is a computer-readable program provided in a vehicle and connected to an instrument display unit that displays the instrument of the vehicle, and the computer is the same that indicates the running state of the vehicle. A first display control means for controlling one instrument from among the plurality of instruments for displaying numerical values in different display forms so as to be switched according to the traveling position of the vehicle and displayed on the instrument display unit; Position information of the vehicle calculated by the navigation means for calculating the position, and information indicating which of the plurality of instruments at the position is displayed on the instrument display unit by the first display control means It functions as a transmission means for transmitting information.

  Thus, using the program according to the present invention, the instrument display unit can switch and display a plurality of instruments, and the position information calculated by the navigation means and which instrument is displayed on the instrument display unit at that position. Information on which instrument the vehicle has displayed at which position can be collected. Therefore, it is indispensable to gather very useful information in a system that can switch the instrument display according to the position of the vehicle, such as which instrument on which the map is used (or on which road). A part can be constructed. Therefore, it is possible to display a suitable instrument according to the position of the vehicle, and to achieve a remarkable effect of contributing to the construction of an instrument display system that contributes to prompting the driver to perform a suitable driving.

  Further, the program according to the present invention is a computer-readable program, and the computer displays different information on the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle and the same numerical value indicating the running state of the vehicle at the position. Receiving means for receiving display information which is information indicating which of a plurality of instruments displayed in the form is displayed on the instrument display of the vehicle, and the position information and display information received by the receiving means And functioning as storage means for storing the display histories of the plurality of instruments for each position on the map.

  Thus, by using the program according to the present invention, it is possible to receive the position information of the vehicle transmitted from the vehicle and the information indicating which instrument is displayed at the position and store it in the storage means. . Therefore, it is indispensable to gather very useful information in a system that can switch the instrument display according to the position of the vehicle, such as which position on the map (or on which road) is used frequently Can be built. Therefore, it is possible to display a suitable instrument according to the position of the vehicle, and to achieve a remarkable effect of contributing to the construction of an instrument display system that contributes to prompting the driver to perform a suitable driving.

  The communication system according to the present invention is provided in a vehicle, and includes an instrument display unit that displays the instrument of the vehicle, and a plurality of the instruments that display the same numerical value indicating the running state of the vehicle in different display forms. The first display control means for controlling one instrument to switch according to the travel position and display it on the instrument display section, the vehicle position information calculated by the navigation means for calculating the position, and Transmitting means for transmitting, at a position, display information which is information indicating which of the plurality of instruments is displayed on the instrument display unit by the first display control means; and Using the receiving means for receiving the position information and display information transmitted from the transmitting means, and the position information and display information received by the receiving means, a plurality of the totals for each position on the map. To the storing means for storing each of the display history, a reception apparatus having, comprising the.

  Thus, in the communication system according to the present invention, the instrument display unit can switch and display a plurality of instruments, and on the transmission device side, the position information calculated by the navigation means and the position are displayed on the instrument display unit. The information on which instrument is displayed is transmitted, and on the receiving device side, the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle and the information indicating which instrument is displayed at that position are received and stored. Store in the means. Therefore, it is possible to collect information on which instrument is displayed at which position by the vehicle. Therefore, it is indispensable to gather very useful information in a system that can switch the instrument display according to the position of the vehicle, such as which instrument on which the map is used (or on which road). A part can be constructed. Therefore, construction of an instrument display system that contributes to prompting the driver to drive appropriately by displaying appropriate instruments (such as instruments that are easy to see or instruments that notify additional information) according to the position of the vehicle. There is a remarkable effect that contributes to.

The block diagram of the display system in the Example of this invention. 5 is a flowchart of display processing in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of display processing in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of display processing in the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of display processing according to the fourth embodiment. The flowchart of the 1st optimal (recommended) meter search process. The flowchart of the 2nd optimal (recommended) meter search process. The flowchart of the 1st display process of an emphasis speedometer. The flowchart of the 2nd display process of an emphasis speedometer. The flowchart of the display process of an inclination speedometer. The flowchart of the display process of a drowsiness speedometer. The flowchart of the display process of an eco speedometer. The flowchart of a tachometer selection process. The flowchart of a tachometer display process. Recommended meter display example. Display example of emphasized speedometer. Inclination speedometer display example. Display example of sleepiness speedometer. Example of Eco Speedometer display. A tachometer display example with a large deflection angle.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device configuration of a vehicle display system 1 (display system) according to the present invention. The display system 1 includes a center 4 (server) connected to each unit mounted on the vehicle 2 of the automobile, the mobile terminal 3, and the communication network 5.

  The display system 1 includes a meter electronic control device 200 (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) in a vehicle 2. The meter ECU 200 has a normal computer structure, a CPU that executes various calculations and information processing, a RAM that is a temporary storage unit as a work area thereof, a ROM that stores various information, and an in-vehicle communication An interface unit or the like may be provided.

  The meter ECU 200 is connected to a liquid crystal display 201 (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), a backlight module 202, a wireless communication unit 203, a short-range wireless communication unit 204, and a database 205 (DB).

  The LCD 201 is, for example, a TFT liquid crystal display, and is installed at a location facing the driver's seat on the dashboard (instrument panel) to display a meter image, thereby notifying the driver of various measurement values related to vehicle travel. To do. The backlight module 202 emits light from the back side of the LCD 201 so that the image of the LCD 201 can be visually recognized by the driver (occupant, user).

  The meter ECU 200 is assumed to include a drawing LSI and a graphic memory for display on the LCD 201. An image is formed on the graphic memory by the drawing LSI, and the image is transmitted to the LCD 201 for display. The LCD 201 may be changed to a self-luminous display such as a plasma display or an EL display.

  The wireless communication unit 203 is equipped to wirelessly communicate with the center 4 via the base station 500 and the communication network 5. The short-range wireless communication unit 204 is, for example, a wireless communication unit based on Bluetooth (registered trademark), and is provided for wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 304 provided in the mobile terminal 3. The DB 205 stores information necessary for the present system, such as usage history of each meter on each road. The meter ECU 200 includes a nonvolatile memory 206, and various kinds of meter image data 207 described later are stored in the memory 206.

  The display system 1 further includes a body ECU 220 (ECU) in the vehicle 2. The body ECU 220 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 221, an engine speed sensor 222, a remaining fuel sensor 223, and a water temperature sensor 224. The vehicle speed sensor 221 includes a rotation detection unit such as a known rotary encoder, and is installed near the wheel mounting unit, for example, detects the rotation of the wheel and sends it to the ECU 220 as a pulse signal. ECU 220 converts the number of rotations of the wheel into the speed of the vehicle.

  The engine speed sensor 222 measures the engine speed (per unit time). Specifically, the engine speed sensor 222 is, for example, a crank angle sensor that measures the rotation angle of a crank connected from the engine, and the detected value is sent to the ECU 220 to calculate the engine speed. The remaining fuel sensor 223 detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank of the vehicle. The water temperature sensor 224 detects the temperature of engine coolant. The body ECU 220 may further acquire shift lever information and direction indicator light information. The body ECU 220 is also connected to an acceleration sensor 225 (tilt sensor) to acquire information on the tilt angle of the vehicle body.

  The display system 1 further includes a navigation device 240 (navigation device). The navigation device 240 has a normal computer structure, a CPU that executes various calculations and information processing, a RAM that is a temporary storage unit as a work area thereof, a ROM that stores various information, and an in-vehicle communication An interface unit or the like may be provided. The navigation device 240 includes a GPS receiving unit 241, a gyro sensor 242, a map information database 243 (DB), a display unit 244, and an input unit 245.

  The GPS receiving unit 241 receives a GPS signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite. The gyro sensor 242 is a sensor having a function of detecting an angular velocity in the yaw direction of the vehicle. A change in the direction of the vehicle is calculated by integrating the angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor 242.

  The DB 243 is a map information database used in car navigation. The display unit 244 may be a liquid crystal display, for example, and may be disposed at a position that is visible to the passenger in the vehicle interior. The input unit 245 receives input related to car navigation from the occupant. The input unit 245 may be a touch panel integrated with the display unit 244, for example.

  The navigation device 240 executes information processing related to car navigation (car navigation) as follows using the above configuration.

  The position calculation method for car navigation is, for example, a combination of GPS navigation, autonomous navigation, and map matching. Among these, in GPS navigation, the position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle on the earth is calculated by receiving a GPS signal from a GPS satellite by the GPS receiver 241.

  In autonomous navigation, the position of the vehicle is calculated by determining the direction of the vehicle using the gyro sensor 242 and the like, and integrating the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 221 to determine the travel distance. The navigation apparatus 240 may calculate the vehicle position by hybrid navigation combining the GPS navigation and the autonomous navigation.

  In hybrid navigation, for example, GPS navigation is used for occasional numerical corrections, including initial position determination. In other cases, the traveling direction and mileage of the vehicle are calculated momentarily by autonomous navigation, and then integrated. The vehicle position is sequentially calculated by following the steps. By using hybrid navigation, GPS navigation is difficult to calculate the vehicle position in situations where it is difficult to receive radio waves from GPS satellites in tunnels or behind buildings, and in autonomous navigation, the distance traveled is integrated. Over time, errors accumulate and can compensate for the problem of reduced vehicle position accuracy, so that the vehicle position can be calculated with high accuracy.

  Then, the vehicle position obtained by the hybrid navigation may be further corrected by the map matching method. In the map matching method, when the vehicle position obtained by the hybrid navigation is considered to be an inappropriate position in comparison with the map of the DB 243, the vehicle position is matched with the map of the DB 243 and more appropriate vehicle position. To correct.

  Furthermore, the display system 1 includes a drowsiness level detection unit 260. The sleepiness level detection unit 260 has a function of detecting the sleepiness level of the driver. The detection principle used in the drowsiness level detection unit 260 may be the method disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-45418. That is, the photographing unit 261 is installed at a position where the driver's face can be photographed, and an image analysis is performed on the image of the driver's face photographed thereby to extract a feature related to the driver's sleepiness.

  Specifically, from the driver's face image, for example, the distance between the left and right mouth corners, the distance between the eyebrows and the eyes, the head tilt angle, the distance between the middle point of the eyebrow and the middle point of the eye, the distance between the eyebrows, the lower nose The distance between the middle point of the eye and the middle point of the eye, the distance between the middle point of the mouth and the middle point of the eye, the distance between the lower lip and the middle point of the eye, the distance between the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid, outside the left and right nostrils The distance between the edges and the distance between the upper lip upper edge and the middle point of the eye are detected. Then, those values are acquired including when the driver is awakened, and threshold values for determining the presence or absence of sleepiness in the individual values are determined from the accumulated values. Each numerical value is compared with a threshold value, and the result is put together to calculate the driver's sleepiness level. The sleepiness level calculated by the sleepiness level detection unit 260 may be, for example, a discontinuous numerical value (integer value) or a continuous numerical value.

  The meter ECU 200, the body ECU 220, the navigation device 240, and the drowsiness level detection unit 260 described above are connected by a multiplex communication bus so that information can be transferred.

  Next, the portable terminal 3 may be a terminal that can be carried by an occupant and has a communication function, such as a mobile phone. The mobile terminal 3 includes a CPU 300, a RAM 301, a ROM 302, a wireless communication unit 303, a short-range wireless communication unit 304, a display unit 305, and an input unit 306.

  The CPU 300 executes various calculations and information processing related to this system. A RAM 301 is a temporary storage unit used as a work area for the CPU 300. The ROM 302 is a non-volatile storage unit that stores various programs necessary for this system. The wireless communication unit 303 is equipped to wirelessly communicate with the center 4 via the base station 500 and the communication network 5. The wireless communication unit 303 may not be equipped.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 304 is, for example, a wireless communication unit based on Bluetooth (registered trademark), and is equipped for wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 204 connected to the meter ECU 200. The display unit 305 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various meter images and the like as will be described later. The input unit 306 receives various inputs related to the present system from the user, such as a meter image selection input. The input unit 306 may be a touch panel integrated with the display unit 305, for example.

  Next, the center 4 (server device) is connected to the communication network 5 and communicates with the vehicle 2 (or the portable terminal 3) via the base station 500. The center 4 includes a CPU 400, a RAM 401, a ROM 402, and a database 403 (DB).

  The CPU 400 executes various calculations and information processing related to this system, for example, a command to store a meter usage history in the DB 403, and the like. A RAM 401 is a temporary storage unit used as a work area of the CPU 400, and a ROM 402 is a non-volatile storage unit that stores various programs necessary for the system. The DB 403 accumulates information such as usage history of each meter on each road that is necessary for this system. One of DB 205 and DB 403 may be equipped as will be described later.

  Under the above configuration, the display system 1 displays a meter suitable for the road on which the vehicle is traveling on the meter display unit (LCD 201) of the vehicle. At that time, when using information on the characteristics of each road (whether it is a road that easily exceeds the speed limit or a road that easily induces drowsiness, etc.) and vehicles that have joined this system (including both own and other vehicles) Therefore, there is a case where information indicating which road is displayed on which road is acquired wirelessly and accumulated at the center and the information is used.

  Further, there are a manual type in which a recommended meter image is shown to the user on the system side and the user selects one from among them, and an automatic type in which the optimum meter is automatically selected in the system.

  Specifically, Embodiments 1 and 2 described below are examples in which the user manually selects a meter image. Among them, Embodiment 1 stores the meter usage history in the center 4, and Embodiment 2 includes the center 4. Is not used. The third and fourth embodiments are examples in which the system automatically selects an optimal meter image. Among them, the third embodiment stores the meter usage history at the center 4, and the fourth embodiment does not use the center 4. It is.

  The manual (manual) mode and the automatic (automatic) mode may be switched by input from the user (for example, to the input unit 306). In the first and third embodiments, the DB 205 may not be equipped, and in the second and fourth embodiments, the DB 403 (or the center 4) may not be equipped. The communication between the meter ECU 200 and the portable terminal 3 described below may be performed using the short-range wireless communication units 204 and 304. Communication between the meter ECU 200 and the center 4 may be performed using the wireless communication unit 203.

  First, the first embodiment will be described. The processing procedure of Example 1 is shown in FIG. The processing procedure of FIG. 2 is programmed in advance and stored in, for example, the memory 206, the ROM 302, and the ROM 402. The meter ECU 200, the CPU 300 of the portable terminal 3, and the CPU 400 of the center 4 automatically execute this (except for the operation by the user). Just do it.

  In the process of FIG. 2, first, in step S <b> 10, the user activates application software related to this system (that is, including this flowchart) in the mobile terminal 3. In S15, the meter ECU 200 is instructed to transmit the current position information of the vehicle to the center 4.

  The meter ECU 200 receives this command in S20, and acquires the current position information of the vehicle from the navigation device 240 in S25. In step S30, the current position information of the vehicle is transmitted to the center 4. At the same time, a vehicle identification code is also transmitted.

  In step S35, the center 4 receives the vehicle identification code and the current position information of the vehicle. In step S40, the center 4 searches for a meter suitable for the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling or the next road (described later). This search method will be described later. When the search for the meter is completed, the center 4 determines, in S45, a meter suitable for the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling or the next road (hereinafter referred to as a recommended meter) and the meter of the vehicle 2 corresponding to the identification code received in S35. It transmits toward ECU200.

  When the meter ECU 200 receives the recommended meter in S50, the meter ECU 200 immediately transmits it to the portable terminal 3 in S55. In the portable terminal 3, if this is received by S60, a recommended meter image will be displayed on the display part 305. FIG. An example of the display is shown in FIG.

  Next, in S <b> 70, the user uses the input unit 245 (for example, when the input unit 245 is a touch panel, touches the display area of one meter image with a fingertip) to select one meter image to be displayed. In S <b> 75, the portable terminal 3 transmits the meter selected by the user (hereinafter, selected meter) to the meter ECU 200.

  The meter ECU 200 receives this at S80, and displays the selected meter on the meter display unit (LCD 201) (that is, switches from the currently displayed meter to the selected meter) at S85.

  The meter display processing is completed as described above. Subsequently, processing related to information accumulation in the center 4 is executed below. Specifically, in S90, information on what the meter selected by the user in S70 is transmitted to the center 4 together with the current position information of the vehicle. The center 4 receives this in S95, and newly stores this information in the database 403 in S97.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the situation where a plurality of vehicles 2 are subscribed to the system, the processing of S90 to S97 is performed sequentially from all the vehicles 2 that are subscribed to the system. Information on the number of times each meter is used is accumulated. In S40, the stored information is used.

  Next, Example 2 will be described. The processing procedure of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. The processing procedure of FIG. 3 is programmed in advance and stored in, for example, the memory 206 and the ROM 302, and the meter ECU 200 and the CPU 300 of the portable terminal 3 may automatically execute this (other than the operation by the user).

  In the process of FIG. 3, first, in step S <b> 100, the user activates application software related to this system in the mobile terminal 3. In step S105, a recommended meter search command is transmitted to the meter ECU 200.

  The meter ECU 200 receives this command in S110, and acquires the current position information of the vehicle from the navigation device 240 in S115. In step S120, the meter ECU 200 searches the DB 205 for a meter suitable for the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling or the next road. This search method will be described later.

  When the search for the meter is completed, the meter ECU 200 transmits a meter (recommended meter) suitable for the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling or the next road to the portable terminal 3 in S125. In the portable terminal 3, if this is received by S130, a recommended meter image will be displayed on the display part 305 by S135. A display example is as shown in FIG. 15 (described later).

  Next, in S140, the user selects one meter image to be displayed using the input unit 245 (for example, when the input unit 245 is a touch panel, touches the display area of one meter image with a fingertip). In S145, the portable terminal 3 transmits the meter selected by the user (hereinafter, selected meter) to the meter ECU 200.

  The meter ECU 200 receives this at S150, and displays the selected meter on the meter display unit (LCD 201) at S155 (that is, switches from the currently displayed meter to the selected meter).

  The meter display processing is thus completed, but subsequently, processing related to information storage in the DB 205 is executed in S160. Thus, information on the number of times each meter is used on each road is accumulated. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, past meter usage information of only the host vehicle is accumulated. This accumulated information is used in S135.

  Next, Example 3 will be described. The processing procedure of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. The processing procedure of FIG. 4 is programmed in advance and stored in, for example, the memory 206 and the ROM 402, and the meter ECU 200 and the CPU 400 of the center 4 may automatically execute this.

  In the process of FIG. 4, first, the current position information of the vehicle is acquired from the navigation device 240 in step S200. In step S <b> 210, the vehicle current position information is transmitted to the center 4. At the same time, a vehicle identification code is also transmitted.

  In step S220, the center 4 receives the vehicle identification code and the current position information of the vehicle. In step S230, the center 4 searches for the optimum meter for the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling or the next road. This search method will be described later. When the search for the meter is completed, the center 4 determines, in S240, the optimum meter for the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling or the next road (hereinafter, the optimum meter), and the meter of the vehicle 2 corresponding to the identification code received in S210. It transmits toward ECU200.

  The meter ECU 200 receives this in S250, and displays the optimum meter on the meter display unit (LCD 201) (that is, switches from the currently displayed meter to the selected meter) in S260.

  Next, Example 4 will be described. The processing procedure of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. The processing procedure in FIG. 5 may be programmed in advance and stored in the memory 206, for example, and the meter ECU 200 may automatically execute it.

  In the process of FIG. 5, the meter ECU 200 first acquires the current position information of the vehicle from the navigation device 240 in step S300. In step S310, the meter ECU 200 searches for the optimum meter (optimum meter) for the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling or the next road. This search method will be described later. When the search for the meter is completed, the meter ECU 200 displays the optimum meter on the meter display unit (LCD 201) in S320 (that is, switches from the currently displayed meter to the optimum meter). The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  Next, a method for searching for a recommended meter (optimum meter) in S40, S135, S230, and S310 described above will be described. An example of this search method is shown in FIG. 6 or FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 6, a recommended meter (optimum meter) is determined based on road characteristics. Here, the road refers to a road that extends forward from the current position of the vehicle in the traveling direction of the vehicle, that is, a road that is currently traveling, a next road (a road on which a vehicle will travel next to a road that is currently traveling), or the like. And it is sufficient. In the example of FIG. 6, “roads that easily exceed the speed limit”, “roads that easily induce drowsiness”, “roads with slopes”, and “roads that are less likely to be eco-driven” are used as road characteristics. A method for determining whether or not these characteristics are satisfied may be obtained by acquiring information from the navigation device 3.

  For example, a straight road or a road with a small amount of traffic is determined as a road that easily exceeds the speed limit. Further, for example, a highway and a road with few traffic lights (for example, the number of installed traffic lights in a predetermined range including the current position on the travel route) is determined to be a road that easily induces sleepiness. Further, for example, a road for which a gradient equal to or greater than a predetermined value is calculated by information from the navigation device 3 is determined as a road having a gradient. In addition, for example, a road with many traffic lights (for example, the number of traffic lights installed in a predetermined range including the current position on the travel route is greater than or equal to a predetermined value) is difficult to make eco-driving due to frequent acceleration and deceleration or idling while the vehicle is stopped. Judge as road.

  Priorities are set between these conditions, and according to the priorities, whether the road is likely to exceed the speed limit (S400), whether the road is likely to induce sleepiness (S410), the slope It is determined in the order of whether or not there is a road (S420) and whether or not the road is difficult to travel ecologically (S430). This priority order is merely an example and may be changed as appropriate.

  If the road is likely to exceed the speed limit (S400: YES), the process proceeds to S440, and a speedometer (hereinafter referred to as an enhanced speedometer) that emphasizes the speed limit (or higher) portion is called. Each meter may be assigned a unique number (symbol) in advance. For example, if No. 1 to No. 10 are emphasized speedometers, processing for determining the No. 1 to No. 10 meters as recommended meters (or processing for determining one as the optimum meter) is performed in S440. Finally, in the meter display process such as S85, meter image data 207 corresponding to the number of the selected meter (optimum meter) is called from the memory 206 and displayed on the LCD 201.

  Similarly, if the road is likely to induce drowsiness (S400: NO and S410: YES), the process proceeds to S450 and a speedometer (hereinafter referred to as drowsiness speedometer) on which the drowsiness level display is superimposed (also used) is called. In the case of a road with a slope (S400: NO, S410: NO, and S420: YES), the process proceeds to S460, and a speedometer on which the slope display is superimposed (also used as a slope speedometer) is called. In the case of a road that is difficult to travel ecologically (S400: NO, S410: NO, S420: NO and S430: YES), the process proceeds to S470 and a speedometer (hereinafter referred to as an eco speedometer) on which ecological traveling display (eco gauge) is superimposed (also used). Call.

  In other cases (S400: NO, S410: NO, S420: NO and S430: NO), the process proceeds to S480 to call a normal speedometer. It should be noted that a plurality of emphasized speedometers, drowsiness speedometers, gradient speedometers, eco speedometers, and ordinary speedometers are stored in advance, and in S440, S450, S460, S470, and S480, a plurality of speedometers are called. do it.

  Next, an example of FIG. 7 will be described. In the case of FIG. 7, the meter usage history information stored in S97 or S160 described above is used. Specifically, in S490, on the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling or the next road, the meter having the number of times used in the past is called up using the meter usage history information stored in S97 or S160.

  When the meter usage history information stored in S97 is used, it is the usage meter information collected in the DB 403 of the center 4 from all the vehicles that have joined this system. Therefore, the upper meter of the past number of times of use after including not only the own vehicle but also other vehicles is called.

  When the usage meter information stored in S160 is used, the usage meter information is collected in the DB 205 of the host vehicle. Accordingly, the upper meter of the number of times the vehicle has been used in the past on the currently running road or the next road is called.

  In the process of FIG. 6, only one (in other words, one type) is selected from the emphasis speedometer, drowsiness speedometer, gradient speedometer, eco speedometer, and normal speedometer. You may deform | transform so that it may be selected (modification 1). In the case of this modification 1, all the determination processes from S400 to S430 are performed, and all the speedometers corresponding to the determination processes that have become affirmative (YES) are called. In this case, FIG. 6 may be modified such that the process proceeds to S410 after the process of S440, proceeds to S420 after the process of S450, proceeds to S430 after the process of S460, and proceeds to S480 after the process of S470.

  Moreover, you may perform the process which combined FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 (modification 2). For example, all the meters that are set as recommended meters in the process of either (or both) of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 are finally set as recommended meters.

  In addition, what is necessary is just to give the priority order to the meter beforehand. In the case of calling the optimum meter, if the meter having the highest priority among the plurality of meters called by the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 (and the first and second modifications) is designated as the optimum meter, Good.

  In the case of calling a recommended meter, for example, all of a plurality of meters called by the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 (and modifications 1 and 2) may be set as recommended meters. Alternatively, an upper limit of the number of recommended meters is set in advance, and a meter within the upper limit from the highest priority among the plurality of meters called by the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 (and modified examples 1 and 2) is set as the recommended meter. Also good.

  When the recommended meter is called, the images of the plurality of recommended meters called in the above process are displayed to the user in S65 or S135 as described above. An example of the display is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 15A, a plurality of recommended meter images 900 are displayed on the display unit 305 together with the priority order.

  In the example of FIG. 15B, a plurality of recommended meter images 910 are superimposed on the display unit 305 and superimposed on the currently running road or the next road on the map.

  The user selects one of a plurality of recommended meters displayed as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b). FIG. 15 shows an example of a touch panel. When the display unit 305 also serves as the input unit 306, the user selects one meter by touching a desired meter image 900 with a fingertip.

  As already described, the road on which the recommended meter is displayed is not limited to the road that is currently running, and may be the next road. Then, the optimum meter on the road may be obtained at the time before entering the next road, and the meter may be switched to the optimum meter on the road at the same time (or immediately before) entering the road. Further, when the user selects a meter, for example, when displaying a map on the display unit 305, not only the currently running road but also the next road is displayed, and a plurality of recommended meters are superimposed on each road. . The meter used on the road on which the user is currently traveling may be selected as well as the meter used on the next road.

  Next, the details of the meter display process in S85, S155, S260, and S320 will be described. Examples of display processing are shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 and FIGS. 16 to 19.

  8, 9 and 16 are display examples of a speedometer (emphasized speedometer) in which the speed limit (above) is emphasized. In the example of FIG. 8, first, in S500, speed limit information on the road (or the next road) on which the vehicle is currently traveling is acquired. For example, this information is stored in the map information DB 243 and may be called in S500.

  In step S510, the scale of the speed limit (or higher) is emphasized. And it displays at S520. For example, the emphasized speedometer image 700 illustrated in FIG. 16A includes a pointer portion 701 and a scale plate 702. The scale plate 702 has a scale number 703 for the speed limit (in the example of FIG. 16A, 60 km / The number h) is emphasized. In the emphasis method, only the scale number 703 is set to a large character, and the color is easily visible (red) different from other scale numbers.

  In the emphasized speedometer image 700 illustrated in FIG. 16B, the scale number 703 of the speed limit (in the example of FIG. 4B, a number of 100 km / h) and the scale number 704 exceeding the speed limit are highlighted. Yes. In the emphasis method, the speed limit scale number 703 is larger than the other characters, and the speed limit and the scale numbers 703 and 704 exceeding the speed limit are set in a different color (red) that is easy to see.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the arrangement of the scale numbers is adjusted so that the speed limit is always at the top. In FIG. 9, first, in S530, speed limit information of a road on which the vehicle is currently traveling (or the next road) is acquired. For example, this information is stored in the map information DB 243 and may be called in S500.

  Next, in S540, the arrangement of the scale numbers is adjusted so that the speed limit is at the top. In step S550, the scale numbers of the meter are displayed. FIGS. 16C and 16D show display examples. In FIG. 16C, the speed limit scale numeral 705 (60 km / h) is arranged at the top, and in FIG. 16D, the speed limit scale numeral 706 (100 km / h) is arranged at the top. Along with this, the speed limit scale number 707 is narrowed.

  Next, FIG. 10 and FIG. 17 are display examples of a speedometer (inclination speedometer) also used for displaying road inclination information.

  In the inclined speedometer 730 illustrated in FIG. 17, a spherical image 731 is displayed on the LCD 201. A part of the surface of the spherical image 731 is deleted in a circular shape, and the circular region 732 has a color different from that of the surface of the spherical image 731. In the circular area 732, the character image 732 of the vehicle speed value and the character image 734 of the vehicle speed unit are superimposed and displayed.

  This display process is shown in FIG. In the process of FIG. 10, first, the inclination angle of the vehicle body is calculated in S560. This may be detected by the acceleration sensor (tilt sensor) 225. In step S570, the spherical image 731 is tilted. As shown in FIG. 17, the inclination of the sphere 731 is such that the sphere 731 turns forward on the downhill and the sphere 731 turns backward on the uphill.

  Next, in S580, the image of the vehicle speed numeral 733 (and the unit character 734) is also tilted in accordance with the tilt of the spherical image 731. In S590, the spherical image 731 and the image of the vehicle speed number 733 (and the unit character 734) are combined (superimposed). In addition, although the spherical image 731 was used in the above-mentioned inclination speedometer 730, this shape is not limited to a spherical body. Any other solid such as a regular polyhedron such as a cube or an ellipsoid may be used.

  Next, FIG. 11 and FIG. 18 are display examples of a speedometer (drowsiness speedometer) that also displays the driver's sleepiness.

  In the example of the sleepiness level meter image 750 in FIG. 18, the coffee image 752 is synthesized and displayed in the coffee cup image 751. Then, the color and amount of coffee in the coffee image 752 are changed according to the sleepiness level. In the case of FIG. 18, the coffee cup image 751 is an image viewed from above, but may be an image viewed from the side. When viewed from the side, the coffee image 752 may be displayed in a form that transmits the coffee cup image 751.

  The higher the drowsiness level, the darker the coffee and the greater the amount of coffee. It is widely known that drinking coffee increases arousal and reduces drowsiness. Therefore, the darker the coffee color and the greater the amount of coffee, the more intuitively it is possible to inform the driver that the drowsiness level is higher. In addition, a numerical image 753 of the vehicle speed and a unit image 754 are displayed superimposed on the meter 750.

  The numerical image 753 of the vehicle speed displays the thickness of the numbers (characters, fonts) as the sleepiness level increases. Or you may display the magnitude | size of the numerical image 753 of a vehicle speed large, so that a sleepiness level becomes high. Alternatively, as the drowsiness level increases, the brightness of the color image 753 of the vehicle speed may be increased (a color close to white).

  The processing procedure of the sleepiness meter display in this embodiment is shown in FIG. In the process of FIG. 11, first, in step S900, the drowsiness level of the driver is detected by the drowsiness level detection unit 260. The sleepiness level may be, for example, a plurality of (multi-stage) levels expressed by discontinuous numerical values (integers), or may be a level expressed by continuous numerical values.

  In step S905, the coffee color is set according to the drowsiness level detected in step S900. The darker the color, the higher the drowsiness level. Specifically, the lower the drowsiness level is, the color that reminds you of coffee with a lot of cream or milk, or coffee with a relatively small amount of caffeine, that is, a tea system color with high lightness, and the drowsiness level The higher the color, the more the color of black coffee or coffee with a relatively high amount of caffeine, that is, dark brown or dark black. Then, the color is set so as to continuously change between these colors according to the change in sleepiness level.

  Next, in S910, the amount of coffee is set according to the drowsiness level detected in S900. Specifically, the higher the drowsiness level, the more coffee is set.

  In step S915, a coffee image 752 is created according to the color set in step S905 and the amount set in step S910. When creating the coffee image 752 in FIG. 18, shadows and highlights are formed in the coffee image 752. For example, a single coffee image is stored, and as the amount of coffee increases (smaller), the image If it is created by a method of changing the color of coffee after enlarging (reducing) the size, it is simple.

  In step S920, the coffee cup image 751 is called. That is, the coffee cup image 751 is stored in advance, for example, and is called in S920. A part of the coffee cup image 751 includes a handle portion image 755. Due to the presence of the handle portion image 755, the driver can immediately recognize that it is a coffee cup.

  Next, vehicle speed information is acquired in S925. This can be achieved by acquiring the measurement value from the vehicle speed sensor 221 through in-vehicle communication.

  In S930, a vehicle speed numeral image 753 is created from the numerical values acquired in S925. The vehicle speed numeric image 753 is created by, for example, storing a numeric font in advance in the meter ECU 200 and calling it. At that time, as shown in FIG. 18, the numbers may be shaded so that the numbers float up from the background and are visible. This improves the visibility of vehicle speed numbers.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the vehicle speed numerical image 753 is adjusted to be thicker as the drowsiness level is higher. Alternatively, as the drowsiness level increases, the size of the vehicle speed numerical image 753 may be increased, and the brightness of the color may be increased (closer to white). Such processing increases visibility and attractiveness, and is suitable for informing the driver of drowsiness.

  Further, a unit character image 754 that is a character image in a vehicle speed unit (for example, km / h) is added (superimposed) to the vehicle speed numeral image 753. The unit character image 754 has an effect of allowing the driver to reliably recognize that the number indicates the vehicle speed without erroneous recognition.

  Next, in S935, the coffee image 752 created in S915, the coffee cup image 751 called in S920, and the vehicle speed numeric image 753 created in S930 are combined (superimposed). Thus, the drowsiness speedometer image 750 shown in FIG. 18 is formed.

  In S940, the meter image is displayed at a predetermined location on the LCD 201. If the ignition is off (S945: YES), the display process is terminated. If not (S945: NO), the process returns to S900 and the above procedure is repeated. Thus, the driver's momentary sleepiness level is always displayed on the LCD 201 while driving. The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  FIG. 12 and FIG. 19 are display examples of a speedometer (eco speedometer) also used as an eco gauge.

  In the eco speedometer 770 illustrated in FIG. 19, a CO2 image 772, a plant image 773, and a hemisphere 774 are disposed inside a sphere 771 that is transparent (has translucency) and has a hollow inside. The hemisphere 774 is arranged so that the cross section is located above, and a CO2 image 772 and a plant image 773 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the cut. A numerical image 775 of vehicle speed and a unit character image 776 are superimposed on the image of the hemisphere 774.

  The display processing procedure of the eco speedometer 770 is shown in FIG. In the process of FIG. 12, first, fuel efficiency information of the vehicle is acquired in S600. The fuel consumption information may be acquired from another ECU (not shown) of the vehicle by in-vehicle communication.

  Next, in S610, the size of each of the CO2 image 772 and the plant image 773 (or the size ratio between the two) is calculated. In this process, the lower the fuel consumption, the smaller the size of the CO2 image 772 and the larger the size of the plant image 773.

  In step S620, the CO2 image 772 and the plant image 773 each have a weight, so that the viewer can recognize that the hemisphere 774 is tilted like a seesaw. The inclination angle of the hemisphere 774 image is calculated in accordance with the size of each plant image 773 (or the size ratio between the two). When the size of the CO2 image 772 is larger (smaller) than the plant image 773, the inclination angle is set such that the CO2 image 772 moves upward (downward) and the plant image 773 moves downward (upward).

  In step S630, a vehicle speed number image 775 (and a unit character image 776) is created based on the vehicle speed information. In S640, the CO2 image 772, the plant image 773, the hemispherical image 774, the vehicle speed numeral image 775, and the unit character image 776) obtained above are synthesized. In step S650, the image is displayed on the LCD 201.

  The meter display in the present invention is not limited to a speedometer. FIGS. 13, 14 and 20 show examples of displaying a tachometer with a larger deflection angle of the pointer part. The example of the tachometer 780 shown in FIG. 20 includes a scale plate 781 and a pointer portion 782 (pointer), and the scale plate 781 has a scale arranged so that the swing angle of the pointer 782 becomes large. This effectively expresses the acceleration feeling felt by the driver.

  In this display process, as shown in FIG. 13, it is first determined in S660 whether the road is a sporty road. If the road is a sporty road (S660: YES), the process proceeds to S670, and a tachometer with a large deflection angle is called. When it is not a sporty traveling direction (S660: NO), a normal tachometer is called.

  Specifically, in S670, as shown in FIG. 14, the scale plate 781 having a large deflection angle is first called in S700. Next, a pointer image is called and combined in S710, and displayed on the LCD 201 in S730.

  Although the mobile terminal 3 is used in the above embodiment, the mobile terminal 3 may be modified so as not to be used. In this case, for example, the functions of the display unit 305 and the input unit 306 may be replaced with the display unit 244 and the input unit 245 of the navigation unit 240. In this case, there is an effect that the map display for displaying the recommended meter can be shared with the map of the navigation.

  Further, the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 14 may be repeatedly executed during the operation of the vehicle 2. In the above description, the system is focused on the current road and the next road. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the recommended meters are superimposed on all the roads displayed on the display unit 305, and those roads are displayed. All (or some) meters may be selected. Moreover, although the emphasis speedometer, the inclination speedometer, etc. were illustrated in the said Example, this invention is not limited to these, If it is a meter display according to the characteristic of a road, it can change suitably.

1 Display system 2 Meter ECU
3 Body ECU
4 Sleepiness level detection unit

Claims (8)

An instrument display unit provided in the vehicle for displaying the instrument of the vehicle;
Controls one instrument from among a plurality of the instruments that display the same numerical value indicating the traveling state of the vehicle in different display forms and displays the instrument on the instrument display unit according to the traveling position of the vehicle First display control means for
The position information of the vehicle calculated by the navigation means for calculating the position, and information on which of the plurality of instruments is displayed on the instrument display unit by the first display control means at the position. Transmission means for transmitting display information;
A transmission device comprising: Which instrument out of a plurality of instruments that display the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle and the same numerical value indicating the running state of the vehicle at the position in different display forms is displayed on the instrument display of the vehicle Receiving means for receiving display information that is information on whether or not
Storage means for storing each display history of the plurality of instruments for each position on the map using the position information and display information received by the receiving means;
A receiving apparatus comprising: A map display section for displaying a map;
The information of the display history of each of the plurality of instruments for each position on the map stored by the storage means provided in the receiving device according to claim 2 is displayed on the map displayed on the map display unit. Second display control means for superimposing and displaying;
A display device comprising:   The second display control means is superimposed on the road on the map displayed on the map display section and is recorded in the storage means, and the number of display times on the road is within a predetermined number that is relatively large. The display device according to claim 3, further comprising third display control means for displaying an image of the instrument. An input for selecting one of the instruments is received from within a predetermined number of images of the instrument displayed superimposed on the road displayed on the map displayed on the map display unit by the third display control means. Input means;
A fourth display for displaying one of the instruments selected by the input means on an instrument display unit that displays the instrument in the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling on the road displayed with the instrument superimposed. Control means;
The display device according to claim 4, comprising: A computer-readable program provided in a vehicle and connected to an instrument display unit that displays an instrument of the vehicle,
The computer,
Controls one instrument from among a plurality of the instruments that display the same numerical value indicating the traveling state of the vehicle in different display forms and displays the instrument on the instrument display unit according to the traveling position of the vehicle First display control means for
The position information of the vehicle calculated by the navigation means for calculating the position, and information on which of the plurality of instruments is displayed on the instrument display unit by the first display control means at the position. Transmission means for transmitting display information;
A program characterized by making it function. A computer readable program,
The computer,
Which instrument out of a plurality of instruments that display the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle and the same numerical value indicating the running state of the vehicle at the position in different display forms is displayed on the instrument display of the vehicle Receiving means for receiving display information that is information on whether or not
Storage means for storing each display history of the plurality of instruments for each position on the map using the position information and display information received by the receiving means;
A program characterized by making it function. An instrument display unit provided in the vehicle for displaying the instrument of the vehicle;
A first control is performed so that one of the plurality of meters that display the same numerical value indicating the traveling state of the vehicle in different display forms is switched according to the traveling position and displayed on the meter display unit. Display control means;
The position information of the vehicle calculated by the navigation means for calculating the position, and information on which of the plurality of instruments is displayed on the instrument display unit by the first display control means at the position. Transmission means for transmitting display information;
A transmitter having
Receiving means for receiving the position information and display information transmitted from the transmitting means;
Storage means for storing each display history of the plurality of instruments for each position on the map using the position information and display information received by the receiving means;
A receiving device comprising:
A communication system comprising: