JP2012207974A - Means for displaying symbol - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide means for displaying symbols, capable of suppressing discomfort that the driving is disturbed as far as possible that might be caused by displaying and presenting additional information for driver.SOLUTION: The driving support system 10 is means for displaying symbols displaying a plurality of symbols for a driver, and includes MET_ECU4 which controls changing of a display state of the displayed infrastructure information reception icon D2 to notify the display of the accelerator OFF icon D1 before the display of the accelerator OFF icon D1. The additional display of the accelerator OFF icon D1 can be thus notified without additionally increasing the amount of information presented to the driver. As a result, discomfort that driving is disturbed can be suppressed as far as possible that might be caused by displaying and presenting additional information for a driver.

Description

  The present invention relates to a symbol display means for displaying a plurality of symbols on a driver.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicular display device that displays a warning to a driving driver is known. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a vehicle that displays a warning indicating the type of the measured value by blinking before the measured value determined to be in a warning state is displayed as a warning. A display device is disclosed.

JP 2004-251881 A

  In the vehicular display device described in Patent Document 1, the measurement value is additionally displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the character display indicating the type of the measurement value in which the state to be warned has occurred is additionally blinked. . However, if the character display is additionally flashed in order to notify the additional display of the measured value, the amount of information presented to the driver during driving increases, which causes the driver to feel uncomfortable. there is a possibility.

  In view of this, the present invention provides a symbol display means capable of suppressing as much as possible the discomfort that is impeded by driving, which may be given when additional information is displayed and presented to the driver. The task is to do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the symbol display means according to the present invention is a symbol display means for displaying a plurality of symbols on the driver, and notifies the display of the first symbol before displaying the first symbol. For this purpose, there is provided control means for performing control for changing the display state of the second symbol being displayed.

  Here, before displaying the first symbol, the symbol display means according to the present invention controls to change the display state of the second symbol being displayed in order to notify the display of the first symbol. . In this way, the display of the first symbol can be added by changing the display state of the second symbol that is already displayed, that is, already used, rather than by displaying the third symbol additionally. It will be noticed. For this reason, the additional display of the first symbol can be notified in advance without additionally increasing the amount of information presented to the driver. As a result, it is possible to suppress as much as possible an unpleasant feeling that the driving is inhibited, which may be given when information is additionally displayed and presented to the driver.

  The control means preferably performs control to return the display state of the changed second symbol to the display state before the change after the first symbol is displayed.

  Thereby, after the first symbol is displayed, the display state of the changed second symbol can be returned to the display state before the change.

  The first symbol is a driving instruction icon indicating information for instructing the driver to drive based on traffic information, and the second symbol is an information reception icon indicating that traffic information is being received. Is also preferable.

  Thus, the information indicating that the traffic information is being received in order to notify the display of the driving instruction icon before the driving instruction icon indicating information for instructing the driver to drive based on the traffic information is displayed. The display state of the reception icon changes. As described above, since the information reception icon whose display state changes to give a notice and the driving instruction icon displayed after the notice are both related to the traffic information, the driver can easily make the notice contents. It becomes possible to understand.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a symbol display means capable of suppressing as much as possible the unpleasant feeling of being disturbed in driving, which may be given when information is additionally displayed and presented to a driver. Can be provided.

It is a block block diagram of the driving assistance system containing MET_ECU. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example of the icon display in a meter. It is explanatory drawing of the detail of the control content by MET_ECU. It is explanatory drawing of the difference in the effect of the eco-support by the difference in the presence or absence of driving assistance system loading. It is a flowchart of the driving assistance process performed by a driving assistance system.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the drawings as much as possible, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

(1) Configuration of Driving Support System FIG. 1 shows a block configuration diagram of a driving support system including a MET_ECU according to the present invention. The driving support system 10 (symbol display means) is a system that is attached to a vehicle such as an automobile (hereinafter, the host vehicle C) and displays a plurality of icons (symbols) on the driver. The driving support system 10 presents additional information to the driver by changing the icon display method and display contents. As a result, driving by the driver is supported. The driving support system 10 includes an infrastructure receiver 1, HV_ECU 2, ITS_ECU 3, MET_ECU 4 (control means), and a meter 5.

  The infrastructure receiver 1 is a device that receives and acquires infrastructure information related to traffic conditions around the host vehicle C from outside the host vehicle C. The infrastructure receiver 1 transmits and receives information to and from infrastructures such as traffic lights installed at intersections, cameras installed on roads, and radars. For example, the infrastructure receiver 1 transmits signal cycle information relating to the lighting state of traffic lights, ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) information (traffic information) relating to traffic conditions, and temporary suspension transmitted from the infrastructure. Information such as temporary stop information indicating a necessary position and a distance to the position is received.

  The HV_ECU 2 is an ECU (electronic control unit) that acquires information related to the traveling state of the host vehicle C from various devices inside the host vehicle C. The HV_ECU 2 is communicatively connected to various devices. For example, the HV_ECU 2 is mounted on the host vehicle C, for example, current vehicle speed information regarding the current vehicle speed of the host vehicle C, accelerator opening information regarding the throttle valve opening of the host vehicle C, or the like. Information such as the SOC (Stage Of Charge) of the battery is acquired. Note that the ECU is a unit whose main component is a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

  The ITS_ECU 3 calculates necessary instructions regarding the travel of the host vehicle C, such as the timing at which the host vehicle C should decelerate, based on the information received by the infrastructure receiver 1 and the information received by the HV_ECU 2. This is an ECU for prefetching. For example, based on parameters such as the opening of the throttle valve and the lighting state of the traffic light based on the distance to a position where a temporary stop is required (for example, a stop line or a curve entrance) and the current vehicle speed of the host vehicle C. Thus, the optimum timing TA to be operated to stop the depression of the accelerator pedal is calculated. This ECU is also a unit whose main component is a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

  The MET_ECU 4 is an ECU that determines and controls a display method and display contents of a plurality of icons on the meter 5 based on an instruction related to traveling of the host vehicle C calculated by the ITS_ECU 3. The plurality of icons include an accelerator OFF icon (first symbol) that is a driving instruction icon for instructing the driver to stop the depression of the accelerator pedal based on the ITS information, and the infrastructure receiver 1 is receiving ITS information. There is an infrastructure information reception icon (second symbol) indicating. This ECU is also a unit whose main component is a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

  Note that the MET_ECU 4 can perform control to change the display state of the infrastructure information reception icon displayed on the meter 5 in order to notify the display of the accelerator OFF icon before displaying the accelerator OFF icon on the meter 5. It is. In addition, the MET_ECU 4 can return the display state of the changed infrastructure information reception icon to the display state before the change after the accelerator OFF icon is displayed. Details of changes in the icon display state will be described later.

  The meter 5 displays various icons including a current vehicle speed of the host vehicle C, a motor speed, etc., and a plurality of icons including an accelerator OFF icon and an infrastructure information reception icon based on control by the MET_ECU 4. It is a multi-information display device that displays. The meter 5 can function as an HMI (Human Machine Interface) for the driver.

(2) Specific Example of Icon Display on Meter 5 FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of icon display on the meter 5. As shown in FIG. 2A, the multi-information display D of the meter 5 has an accelerator OFF icon D1 at the upper left, an infrastructure information reception icon D2 at the upper right, and the SOC of the battery in the host vehicle C at the lower part. A charge icon D3 is shown.

  As another specific example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the multi-information display D of the meter 5 has an accelerator OFF icon D1 on the left, an infrastructure information reception icon D2 on the right, The signal icon D4 which shows the lighting state of the nearest traffic signal is shown.

(3) Details of Control Contents by MET_ECU 4 FIG. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of details of control contents by MET_ECU 4, and FIG. 4 shows eco-support (support for making fuel efficiency best) depending on the presence or absence of the driving support system. Explanatory drawing of the difference in effect is shown. Assume that there is an intersection where a traffic light S is installed in front of a roadway on which the host vehicle C in a state where the accelerator pedal is depressed, and a stop line L is in front of the intersection. Further, it is assumed that the traffic light S is lit in a red signal state.

  First, a case of a conventional technique that does not include a driving support system including a MET_ECU according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, there is a timing TR at which the reception of the ITS information by the infrastructure receiver 1 is started before the timing TL arriving at the stop line L, and the ITS information is being received from the timing TR to the timing TL. The infrastructure information reception icon D2 shown is lit.

  Here, the optimal timing TA that should be operated to stop the depression of the accelerator pedal is calculated by various ECUs in the own vehicle C, and the operation of stopping the depression of the accelerator pedal is performed from the timing TA to the timing TL. The accelerator OFF icon D1 for instructing the driver to light up lights up. In this case, since there is no advance notice of the accelerator OFF icon D1, the driver is unable to expect the accelerator OFF icon D1 to turn on, and the reaction is delayed until the driver actually depresses the accelerator pedal after the accelerator OFF icon D1 is turned on. A time lag occurs in the meantime, and the effect of eco support (driving support for improving fuel efficiency) is diminished. That is, as indicated by the broken line in the graph in FIG. 4, the start of deceleration of the vehicle speed V is delayed by this time lag.

  If a new icon (not shown) is additionally displayed in order to notify that the accelerator OFF icon D1 is lit, the amount of information presented to the driving driver increases, which hinders driving. It may cause discomfort. Further, if the accelerator TA icon D1 blinks before the timing TA, it becomes easier for the driver to depress the accelerator pedal earlier than the timing TA calculated as the best fuel economy, and the fuel efficiency deteriorates. End up.

  Next, the case where the driving support system including the MET_ECU according to the present invention is mounted will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this case, there is a timing TR at which the reception of the ITS information by the infrastructure receiver 1 is started before the timing TL that arrives at the stop line L, and the reception of the infrastructure information indicating that the ITS information is being received from the timing TR. Icon D2 lights up.

  Here, the optimal timing TA that should be operated to stop the depression of the accelerator pedal is calculated by various ECUs in the own vehicle C, and the operation of stopping the depression of the accelerator pedal is performed from the timing TA to the timing TL. The accelerator OFF icon D1 for instructing the driver to light up lights up. Note that the MET_ECU 4 changes the display state of the infrastructure information reception icon D2 that is lit and displayed at a timing TP that is a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) before the timing TA so that the accelerator OFF icon D1 is lit in advance. The flashing display state is changed only for the predetermined time. Then, after this predetermined time has elapsed, the MET_ECU 4 lights up the accelerator OFF icon D1, and returns the display state of the infrastructure information reception icon D2 to the lighting state before the change.

  In this case, since there is a lighting advance notice of the accelerator OFF icon D1, the driver can expect the accelerator OFF icon D1 to turn on, and guide the driver to execute the regeneration expansion control so as not to delay the reaction. Can do. For this reason, the time lag between when the accelerator OFF icon D1 is lit and when the accelerator pedal is actually depressed is eliminated as much as possible, and the effect of eco-support (driving support for the best fuel economy) is prevented from being reduced. can do. That is, as shown by the solid line in the graph in FIG. 4, it is possible to prevent the start of deceleration of the vehicle speed V from being delayed due to this time lag, and it is possible to suppress wasteful energy consumption.

  In addition, there is no need to add an additional icon for notifying that the accelerator OFF icon D1 is lit, and there is no increase in the amount of information presented to the driving driver. Can be suppressed as much as possible. In addition, since the advance notice such as the blinking of the accelerator OFF icon D1 is unnecessary before the timing TA, the driver does not stop pressing the accelerator pedal earlier than the timing TA at which the fuel consumption becomes the best. Can be prevented.

(4) Flow of Driving Support Process by Driving Support System 10 FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the driving support process executed by the driving support system 10. This process is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing during operation of the driving support system 10.

  First, the infrastructure receiver 1 receives and acquires ITS information related to traffic conditions from outside the host vehicle C (step S01). Then, the infrastructure receiver 1 receives and obtains information such as signal cycle information related to the lighting state of the traffic light and information on the position where the temporary stop is required and the temporary stop information indicating the distance to the position from the outside of the host vehicle C. (Step S02).

  Next, the HV_ECU 2 determines the current vehicle speed information regarding the current vehicle speed of the host vehicle C, the accelerator opening information regarding the throttle valve opening of the host vehicle C, and the SOC (Stage Of Charge) of the battery in the host vehicle C. Information) is acquired from the internal device of the host vehicle C (step S03). Then, the ITS_ECU 3 calculates the optimum accelerator OFF timing TA to be operated to stop the depression of the accelerator pedal based on the information received by the infrastructure receiver 1 and the information received by the HV_ECU 2 (step S04). .

  Next, in order for the MET_ECU 4 to notify the lighting display of the accelerator OFF icon D1 based on the instruction relating to the traveling of the host vehicle C calculated by the ITS_ECU 3, the infrastructure that is lighted and displayed at the timing TP before the timing TA. The display state of the information reception icon D2 is changed to a blinking display state for a predetermined time (step S05). Since there is an advance notice of the accelerator OFF icon D1, the driver can expect the accelerator OFF icon D1 to be turned on, and the reaction is not delayed. Then, after this predetermined time has elapsed, the MET_ECU 4 lights up the accelerator OFF icon D1 (step S06) and returns the display state of the infrastructure information reception icon D2 to the lighting state before the change. Then, this series of processes is temporarily terminated, and step S01 is performed again at a predetermined timing.

(5) Operation and effect by the driving support system 10 As described above, the display state of the infrastructure information reception icon D2 being displayed in order to notify the display of the accelerator OFF icon D1 in advance before displaying the accelerator OFF icon D1. Control is performed to change. In this way, by changing the display state of the infrastructure information reception icon D2 that is already displayed, that is, already used, an additional display of the accelerator OFF icon D1 is announced.

  For this reason, the additional display of the accelerator OFF icon D1 can be notified in advance without additionally increasing the amount of information presented to the driver. As a result, it is possible to suppress as much as possible an unpleasant feeling that the driving is inhibited, which may be given when information is additionally displayed and presented to the driver.

  Moreover, after the accelerator OFF icon D1 is displayed, the display state of the changed infrastructure information reception icon D2 can be returned to the lighting display state before the change.

  Further, before the accelerator OFF icon D1 indicating information for instructing the driver to drive based on the traffic information is displayed, the traffic information is being received in order to notify the display of the accelerator OFF icon D1. The display state of the infrastructure information reception icon D2 changes. As described above, since the infrastructure information reception icon D2 whose display state changes in order to give a notice and the accelerator OFF icon D1 displayed after the notice are both related to traffic information, the driver is responsible for the contents of the notice. It is possible to easily understand that is related to traffic information.

(6) Modification In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the MET_ECU 4 changes the display state of the infrastructure information reception icon D2 while lighting the accelerator OFF icon D1 at the timing TA. Although it was set as the structure which returns to the previous lighting state, the timing which returns the display state of the infrastructure information reception icon D2 to the lighting state before a change will not be specifically limited if it is after the lighting display of the accelerator OFF icon D1, Other timing It may be.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an icon such as an accelerator OFF icon is used. However, the driver is not particularly limited as long as it can recognize a change in display. For example, Instead of using icons, a configuration using color change may be used, or a configuration using codes may be used.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a symbol display means capable of suppressing as much as possible the unpleasant feeling of being disturbed in driving, which may be given when information is additionally displayed and presented to a driver. Can be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Infrastructure receiver, 2 ... HV_ECU, 3 ... ITS_ECU, 4 ... MET_ECU, 5 ... Meter, 10 ... Driving support system, C ... Own vehicle, D ... Multi-information display, D1 ... Icon, D2 ... Infrastructure information reception icon, D3 ... Charge icon, D4 ... Signal icon, L ... Stop line, S ... Traffic light, TA, TL, TP, TR ... Timing.

Claims (3)

Symbol display means for displaying a plurality of symbols on the driver,
Symbol display means comprising control means for performing control to change the display state of the second symbol being displayed in order to notify the display of the first symbol before displaying the first symbol.   The symbol display unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to return the changed display state of the second symbol to the display state before the change after the first symbol is displayed. The first symbol is a driving instruction icon indicating information for instructing the driver to drive based on traffic information;
The symbol display means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second symbol is an information reception icon indicating that the traffic information is being received.

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