JP2012224309A - Control apparatus for onboard equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control onboard equipment by showing functions assigned to steering switches to a driver, while ensuring safety traveling of a vehicle.SOLUTION: An apparatus includes: the steering switches 106L and 106R provided on a steering wheel of the vehicle and assigned a plurality of functions included in equipment mounted on the vehicle; a display 100 displaying an image on a position where the driver of the vehicle can sight; an equipment control part 202 for making the equipment mounted on the vehicle perform functions selected by the driver using the steering switches 106L and 106R; a traveling state determination part 207 for determining whether the vehicle travels in safety; and a display control part 206 for displaying images showing a plurality of functions assigned to the steering switches 106L and 106R on the display 100, only when the traveling state determination part 207 determines that the vehicle travels in safety.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted device control apparatus that controls a vehicle-mounted device, and more particularly to a vehicle-mounted device control device that controls a vehicle-mounted device using a steering switch.

  Conventionally, many in-vehicle devices such as audio devices, air conditioners, and car navigation systems are installed in vehicles such as automobiles. In order to efficiently control these in-vehicle devices during operation of the vehicle, a steering switch is provided in the spoke portion of the steering wheel. The driver can control the in-vehicle device without releasing the hand from the steering wheel by operating the steering switch while holding the steering wheel while the vehicle is operating. Thereby, the driver can perform safe driving.

  As such a steering switch, there has been proposed a steering switch that can freely assign each function of each in-vehicle device to the steering switch according to the preference of the driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, a vehicle switch device that displays on a screen a function assigned to a steering switch has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-10-308136 Japanese Patent No. 3125367

  By using the steering switch described in Patent Document 1, it is convenient that the functions of the in-vehicle device can be freely assigned to the steering switch, but the driver has to remember the function assigned to the steering switch. There is a problem to say.

  On the other hand, according to the vehicle switch device described in Patent Document 2, the driver can know the function assigned to the steering switch by looking at the screen.

  However, if the function assigned to the steering switch is displayed on the screen at all times, the driver feels bothered because the screen is anxious during driving and cannot concentrate on driving. For this reason, there exists a subject that safe driving | running | working of a vehicle cannot be ensured.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can provide functions assigned to a steering switch to a driver and control an in-vehicle device while ensuring safe traveling of the vehicle. An object is to provide an in-vehicle device control device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an in-vehicle device control apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is provided on a steering wheel of a vehicle, and a steering switch to which a plurality of functions provided in the device mounted on the vehicle is assigned, A display unit that displays an image at a position visible to the driver of the vehicle, a device control unit that causes the device mounted on the vehicle to execute a function selected by the driver using the steering switch, and the vehicle is safe A plurality of functions assigned to the steering switch only when the driving state determination unit determines whether or not the vehicle is in a safe driving state. A display control unit that displays an image indicating the above on the display unit.

  According to this configuration, the function assigned to the steering switch is not displayed on the display unit when the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state. For this reason, since the driver is not distracted by the screen of the display unit, the function assigned to the steering switch can be presented to the driver and the vehicle-mounted device can be controlled while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle. it can.

  Preferably, the number of the steering switches is one or more, and the display control unit is assigned to the steering switch only when the traveling state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a safe traveling state. A preview image that is an image showing the plurality of functions for each of the steering switches is displayed on the display unit.

  According to this configuration, when the vehicle is not in a safe driving state, the preview image is not displayed on the display unit. For this reason, since the driver is not distracted by the screen of the display unit, the function assigned to the steering switch can be presented to the driver and the vehicle-mounted device can be controlled while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle. it can.

  More preferably, in the state where the display image is displayed on the display unit, the display control unit further includes the traveling state determination unit configured to perform the operation on any one of the steering switches. Only when it is determined that the vehicle is in a safe driving state, an operation image that is an image showing the plurality of functions assigned to the operated steering switch is displayed on the display unit.

  According to this configuration, when the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state, the operation image is not displayed on the display unit even if the steering switch is operated. For this reason, since the driver is not distracted by the screen of the display unit, the function assigned to the steering switch can be presented to the driver and the vehicle-mounted device can be controlled while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle. it can.

  Specifically, the on-vehicle device control device further includes a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the vehicle, and the traveling state determination unit is configured such that the steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the predetermined steering angle threshold value. In this case, it is determined that the vehicle is not in a safe driving state.

  According to this configuration, the function assigned to the steering switch is not displayed on the display unit while the vehicle is traveling on a curve. For this reason, the driver will not be distracted by the screen of the display unit in such a dangerous driving state, so the function assigned to the steering switch is presented to the driver while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle. In-vehicle equipment can be controlled.

  The on-vehicle device control apparatus further includes an inter-vehicle distance sensor that detects an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle, and the traveling state determination unit is configured such that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is less than the predetermined inter-vehicle distance threshold. It may be determined that the vehicle is not in a safe driving state.

  According to this configuration, when the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is small, the function assigned to the steering switch is not displayed on the display unit. For this reason, the driver will not be distracted by the screen of the display unit in such a dangerous driving state, so the function assigned to the steering switch is presented to the driver while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle. In-vehicle equipment can be controlled.

  The on-vehicle device control apparatus further includes a lane departure sensor that detects a lane departure of the vehicle, and the traveling state determination unit detects the vehicle when the lane departure sensor detects a lane departure of the vehicle. May be determined not to be in a safe driving state.

  According to this configuration, when the vehicle deviates from the lane, the function assigned to the steering switch is not displayed on the display unit. For this reason, the driver will not be distracted by the screen of the display unit in such a dangerous driving state, so the function assigned to the steering switch is presented to the driver while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle. In-vehicle equipment can be controlled.

  In addition, the above-described in-vehicle device control apparatus further includes a traveling direction detection sensor that detects a traveling direction of the vehicle, and the traveling state determination unit is configured such that the traveling direction detection sensor is behind the traveling direction of the vehicle. If the vehicle is detected, it may be determined that the vehicle is not in a safe driving state.

  According to this configuration, when the vehicle is moving backward, the function assigned to the steering switch is not displayed on the display unit. For this reason, the driver will not be distracted by the screen of the display unit in such a dangerous driving state, so the function assigned to the steering switch is presented to the driver while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle. In-vehicle equipment can be controlled.

  The on-vehicle device control apparatus further includes a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the vehicle, an inter-vehicle distance sensor that detects an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle, and a lane departure sensor that detects a lane departure of the vehicle. And a traveling direction detection sensor that detects a traveling direction of the vehicle, wherein the traveling state determination unit has a steering angle of the vehicle that is less than the predetermined steering angle threshold, and an inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is When the vehicle distance is not less than a predetermined inter-vehicle distance threshold, the lane departure sensor does not detect the lane departure of the vehicle, and the traveling direction detection sensor does not detect that the traveling direction of the vehicle is backward In addition, it may be determined that the vehicle is in a safe traveling state.

  According to this configuration, the function assigned to the steering switch is displayed on the display unit when the vehicle is traveling in a substantially straight lane while ensuring a distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle. For this reason, since the said display is made | formed at the time of safe driving | running | working of a vehicle, the function allocated to the steering switch can be shown with respect to a driver, and the vehicle equipment can be controlled, ensuring the safe driving | running | working of a vehicle.

  The display control unit may not display an image on the display unit or display a predetermined image when the driving state determination unit determines that the vehicle is not in a safe driving state. good.

  Note that the present invention can be realized not only as an in-vehicle device control apparatus including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as an in-vehicle stepping process executed by the characteristic processing unit included in the in-vehicle device control apparatus. It can be realized as a device control method. Moreover, it can also be realized as a program for causing a computer to function as a characteristic processing unit included in the in-vehicle device control apparatus or a program for causing the computer to execute characteristic steps included in the in-vehicle device control method. Such a program can be distributed via a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or a communication network such as the Internet. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to present a function assigned to a steering switch to a driver and to control an in-vehicle device while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle.

It is an external view of the front part of the driver's seat of the car concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is an external view of a steering switch. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a vehicle equipment control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a vehicle equipment control apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the default image displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation image displayed on a display part when one button of a steering switch is pressed down. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation image displayed on a display part when one button of a steering switch is pressed down. 5 is a detailed flowchart of a traveling state determination process (S6 in FIG. 4).

  Hereinafter, an in-vehicle device control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a front portion of a driver's seat of an automobile (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle”) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  A steering wheel 104 for steering the vehicle, a display unit 100, a multimedia display device 108, an audio device 109, and an air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as “air conditioner”) 110 are disposed in the driver's seat. ing. Steering switches 106 </ b> L and 106 </ b> R are disposed on the left and right of the spoke portion 102 of the steering wheel 104.

  The display unit 100 displays an image at a position that is visible to the driver of the vehicle. For example, the display unit 100 is installed on the instrument panel, and an image showing a plurality of functions assigned to the steering switches 106L and 106R is displayed on the display unit 100 as described later. The display unit 100 may be a head-up display.

  The multimedia display device 108 displays an image of a car navigation system.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the steering switch 106L. The steering switch 106L has five buttons 107A to 107E. By pressing any button, a signal corresponding to the pressed button is output. Since the steering switch 106R has the same structure as the steering switch 106L, description thereof is omitted.

  The audio device 109 is associated with the steering switch 106L, and each function of the audio device 109 is assigned to each of the buttons 107A to 107E. Details of functions assigned to the buttons 107A to 107E of the steering switch 106L will be described later.

  The air conditioner 110 is associated with the steering switch 106R, and each function of the air conditioner 110 is assigned to each of the buttons 107A to 107E. Details of functions assigned to the buttons 107A to 107E of the steering switch 106R will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the in-vehicle device control apparatus 200.

  The in-vehicle device control device 200 includes a display unit 100, steering switches 106L and 106R, a device control unit 202, a steering angle sensor 204, a display control unit 206, a traveling state determination unit 207, and an inter-vehicle distance control device 208. A lane departure control device 210 and a shift position control device 212 are provided.

  The device control unit 202 causes the audio device 109 to execute a function corresponding to the pressed button when the button of the steering switch 106L is pressed, and the air conditioner when the button of the steering switch 106R is pressed. A function corresponding to the pressed button is executed at 110.

  The steering angle sensor 204 is a sensor that detects the steering angle of the vehicle from the steering of the steering wheel 104. Since the configuration of the steering angle sensor 204 is a well-known technique, description thereof is omitted.

  The inter-vehicle distance control device 208 includes an inter-vehicle distance sensor that detects the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, and controls the travel of the vehicle so that the inter-vehicle distance is constant. The inter-vehicle distance sensor is configured by, for example, a millimeter wave radar.

  The lane departure control device 210 includes a lane departure sensor that detects a lane departure of the vehicle, and controls the travel of the vehicle so that the vehicle does not depart from the lane. The lane departure sensor is, for example, a sensor that images a lane with a camera and determines that the vehicle has deviated from the lane when the vehicle exceeds the lane separation line. The lane departure control device 210 outputs a warning when the vehicle departs from the lane. For example, a warning sound is output.

  The shift position control device 212 is a device that controls the shift position of the transmission mounted on the vehicle in accordance with the operation of the shift lever or selector. The shift position control device 212 functions as a traveling direction detection sensor that detects the traveling direction of the vehicle.

  The traveling state determination unit 207 determines whether the vehicle is in a safe traveling state based on various detection results detected by the steering angle sensor 204, the inter-vehicle distance control device 208, the lane departure control device 210, and the shift position control device 212. Judge whether or not.

  The display control unit 206 causes the display unit 100 to display an image corresponding to the operation of the steering switch 106L or 106R. In addition, when the driving state determination unit 207 determines that the vehicle is in a safe driving state, the display control unit 206 displays an image corresponding to the above operation on the display unit 100, and the driving state determination unit 207 When it is determined that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state, an image corresponding to the above operation is not displayed on the display unit 100.

  Next, the operation of the in-vehicle device control apparatus 200 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device control apparatus 200.

  The display control unit 206 displays a default image on the display unit 100 at the start of driving of the vehicle (S2). FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a default image displayed on the display unit 100. The default image is an image showing the current state of the in-vehicle device that can be controlled by the steering switch 106L or 106R, the traveling state of the vehicle, and the like. For example, it is shown that the audio device 109 is reproducing FM broadcast of 80.2 MHz, the temperature of the air conditioner 110 is 24.0 ° C., and the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed of 100 km / h. .

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, when any button of steering switch 106L or 106R is not pressed (NO in S4), the display state of the default image is maintained (S2).

  When either button of the steering switch 106L or 106R is pressed by the driver (YES in S4), the traveling state determination unit 207 determines whether or not the vehicle is in a safe traveling state (S6). Details of the running state determination process (S6) will be described later.

  When it is determined that the vehicle is in a safe driving state (YES in S8), the display control unit 206 displays a preview image on the display unit 100 (S10). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview image displayed on the display unit 100. The preview image is an image showing a plurality of functions assigned to the steering switch for each steering switch. That is, the preview image includes an image 602 showing a plurality of functions assigned to the steering switch 106L and an image 604 showing a plurality of functions assigned to the steering switch 106R.

  In the image 602, icons indicating functions of the audio device 109 executed when each button of the steering switch 106L is pressed are shown in the same arrangement as the arrangement of the buttons. In the image 604, icons indicating functions of the air conditioner 110 executed when each button of the steering switch 106R is pressed are shown in the same arrangement as the arrangement of the buttons.

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, if it is determined that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state (NO in S8), display control unit 206 causes display unit 100 to display a default image (S12). Thereafter, a driving state determination process (S6) is executed, and when the driving state is returned to a safe driving state (YES in S8), the display control unit 206 displays a preview image on the display unit 100 (S10).

  Once the preview image is displayed, the process from S6 to S10 is repeatedly executed until either button of the steering switch 106L or 106R is pressed by the driver (NO in S14).

  After the preview image is displayed, when either button of steering switch 106L or 106R is pressed by the driver (YES in S14), traveling state determination unit 207 determines whether or not the vehicle is in a safe traveling state. Judgment is made (S16). Details of the running state determination process (S16) will be described later.

  If it is determined that the vehicle is in a safe traveling state (YES in S18), the display control unit 206 causes the display unit 100 to display an operation image corresponding to the steering switch whose button is pressed (S20).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation image displayed on the display unit 100 when any button of the steering switch 106L is pressed. In this operation image, icons indicating functions of the audio device 109 executed when each button of the steering switch 106L is pressed are shown in the same arrangement as the arrangement of the buttons. That is, the icons 702A to 702E are associated with the buttons 107A to 107E, respectively. The icon 702A indicates that the volume of the audio device 109 is lowered when the button 107A is pressed. The icon 702B indicates that the volume of the audio device 109 is increased when the button 107B is pressed. The icon 702C indicates that the mode (music source) of the audio device 109 is switched when the button 107C is pressed. The icon 702D indicates that the channel of the audio device 109 is switched in the reverse direction when the button 107D is pressed. The icon 702E indicates that the channel of the audio device 109 is switched in the forward direction when the button 107E is pressed. Note that the operation image includes an image 704 indicating the current state of the audio device 109.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation image displayed on the display unit 100 when any button of the steering switch 106R is pressed. In this operation image, icons indicating functions of the air conditioner 110 executed when each button of the steering switch 106R is pressed are shown in the same arrangement as the arrangement of the buttons. That is, the icons 802A to 802E are associated with the buttons 107A to 107E, respectively. Icon 802A indicates that the set temperature of air conditioner 110 is lowered when button 107A is pressed. Icon 802B indicates that the set temperature of air conditioner 110 is raised when button 107B is pressed. Icon 802C indicates that the mode (balloon) of air conditioner 110 is switched when button 107C is pressed. The icon 802D indicates that the air volume of the air conditioner 110 is lowered when the button 107D is pressed. An icon 802E indicates that the air volume of the air conditioner 110 is increased when the button 107E is pressed. The operation image includes an image 804 indicating the current state of the air conditioner 110.

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, if it is determined that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state (NO in S18), display control unit 206 causes display unit 100 to display a default image (S22). Thereafter, when the driving state determination process (S16) is executed and the vehicle returns to a safe driving state (YES in S18), the display control unit 206 determines that the button has been pressed in the process of S14. A corresponding operation image is displayed on the display unit 100 (S20).

  Once the operation image is displayed, the processes of S16 to S22 are repeatedly executed until the steering switch button corresponding to the operation image is pressed by the driver (NO in S24).

  When the steering switch button corresponding to the operation image is displayed by the driver after the operation image is displayed (YES in S24), the device control unit 202 executes a function corresponding to the pressed button (S26). ). For example, when the operation screen of FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 100 and the button 107A of the steering switch 106L is pressed, the device control unit 202 decreases the volume of the audio device 109. When the operation screen of FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 100 and the steering switch 106R 107A is pressed, the device control unit 202 lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner 110.

  Next, details of the running state determination process (S6 in FIG. 4) will be described. Note that the details of the traveling state determination process (S16 in FIG. 4) are the same as the details of the traveling state determination process (S6 in FIG. 4), and thus description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart of the running state determination process (S6 in FIG. 4).

  The traveling state determination unit 207 acquires the current shift position value of the transmission from the shift position control device 212, determines whether or not the shift position is R (reverse) (S32), and the shift position is R. In this case (YES in S32), the traveling state determination unit 207 determines that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state (S34).

  When the shift position is other than R (NO in S32), the vehicle is running straight or stopped. Therefore, the traveling state determination unit 207 acquires the steering angle of the vehicle from the steering angle sensor 204 and determines whether the steering angle of the vehicle is less than a predetermined steering angle threshold value of 20 degrees (S36). When the steering angle of the vehicle is 20 degrees or more (NO in S36), the traveling state determination unit 207 determines that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state (S34). The steering angle threshold value is not limited to 20 degrees, and can be set arbitrarily.

  When the steering angle of the vehicle is less than 20 degrees (YES in S36), the traveling state determination unit 207 determines whether or not the inter-vehicle distance control device 208 is being activated (S38). When the inter-vehicle distance control device 208 is activated (YES in S38), the traveling state determination unit 207 acquires the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle from the inter-vehicle distance sensor included in the inter-vehicle distance control device 208, and acquires the inter-vehicle distance. Is less than a predetermined inter-vehicle distance threshold DTH (S40). When the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle is less than the inter-vehicle distance threshold DTH (YES in S40), the traveling state determination unit 207 determines that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state (S34). The inter-vehicle distance threshold DTH can be set arbitrarily.

  When the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle is greater than or equal to the inter-vehicle distance threshold DTH (NO in S40), the traveling state determination unit 207 determines whether or not the lane departure control device 210 is being activated (S42). If the lane departure control device 210 is activated (YES in S42), the traveling state determination unit 207 determines whether the lane departure control device 210 is outputting a warning (S44). When the warning is being output (YES in S44), the vehicle has deviated from the lane, so the traveling state determination unit 207 determines that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state (S34).

  If no warning output is made (NO in S44), or if the lane departure control device 210 is not activated (NO in S42), the traveling state determination unit 207 determines that the vehicle is in a safe traveling state. Judgment is made (S46).

  As described above, according to the in-vehicle device control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the preview image or the operation image is not displayed on the display unit 100 when the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state. Specifically, a preview image or an operation image is displayed when the vehicle is driving a curve, when the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead is small, when the vehicle deviates from the lane, or when the vehicle is moving backward. The information is not displayed on the part 100. Further, when the vehicle is traveling in a substantially straight lane while securing a distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, a preview image or an operation image is displayed on the display unit 100. For this reason, the driver will not be distracted by the screen of the display unit 100 when the vehicle is not traveling safely. Therefore, the function assigned to the steering switch can be presented to the driver and the in-vehicle device can be controlled while ensuring safe driving of the vehicle.

  The on-vehicle device control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  For example, the configuration of the steering switches 106L and 106R is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2, and any configuration may be used as long as the function of the in-vehicle device can be selected.

  Further, the functions assigned to the steering switch 106L and the steering switch 106R are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment.

  Also, the number of steering switches may be one, or three or more.

  In the above-described embodiment, the traveling state determination unit 207 determines the traveling state at the timing when either button of the steering switch 106L or 106R is pressed (S6 and S16 in FIG. 4). The state determination unit 207 may always determine the traveling state, and the display control unit 206 may acquire the traveling state from the traveling state determination unit 207 when the button is pressed.

  In addition, the default image is displayed when the vehicle is not in a safe driving state (S12 and S22 in FIG. 4). Instead of displaying the default image, nothing is displayed on the display unit 100. Also good.

  In addition, when the vehicle is not in a safe driving state and returns to a safe driving state, a preview image or an operation image is displayed. At the time of return, the default image display process (S2 in FIG. 4) is performed. Returning, the default image may be displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, when a steering switch button is pressed when an operation image is displayed on the display unit 100, the function assigned to the button is executed (see FIG. 4). YES in S24, S26), the execution timing of the function is not limited to this. For example, even when the operation image is not displayed on the display unit 100, when the steering switch button is pressed, the device control unit 202 causes the in-vehicle device to execute the function assigned to the button. You may do it.

  Further, the default image shown in FIG. 5, the preview image shown in FIG. 6, and the operation images shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

  Further, the in-vehicle devices controlled by the device control unit 202 are not limited to the multimedia display device 108, the audio device 109, and the air conditioner 110.

  In the driving state determination process (S6, S16, and FIG. 9 in FIG. 4), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is in a safe driving state from the four detection results, but the number of detection results is one or more. If there is, it is not limited to four. For example, it may be determined whether or not the vehicle is in a safe traveling state from the three detection results of the steering angle of the vehicle, the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, and the lane departure state of the vehicle.

  Further, each of the above devices may be specifically configured as a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, hard disk drive, display unit, keyboard, mouse, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM or hard disk drive. Each device achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. Here, the computer program is configured by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions for the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

  Furthermore, some or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above-described devices may be configured by one system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on a single chip, and specifically, a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. . A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.

  Furthermore, some or all of the constituent elements constituting each of the above-described devices may be configured from an IC card that can be attached to and detached from each device or a single module. The IC card or module is a computer system that includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. The IC card or the module may include the super multifunctional LSI described above. The IC card or the module achieves its function by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. This IC card or this module may have tamper resistance.

  Further, the present invention may be the method described above. Further, the present invention may be a computer program that realizes these methods by a computer, or may be a digital signal composed of the computer program.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a non-transitory recording medium that can read the computer program or the digital signal, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD ( It may be recorded on a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark)), a semiconductor memory, or the like. The digital signal may be recorded on these non-temporary recording media.

  In the present invention, the computer program or the digital signal may be transmitted via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, a data broadcast, or the like.

  The present invention may be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory, wherein the memory stores the computer program, and the microprocessor operates according to the computer program.

  Further, by recording the program or the digital signal on the non-temporary recording medium and transferring it, or transferring the program or the digital signal via the network or the like, another independent computer It may be implemented by the system.

  Furthermore, the above embodiment and the above modification examples may be combined.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted device control apparatus that controls a vehicle-mounted device, and in particular, can be applied to a vehicle-mounted device control device that includes a display unit at a position where a driver can always view and controls a vehicle-mounted device using a steering switch.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Display part 102 Spoke part 104 Steering wheel 106L, 106R Steering switch 107A-107E Button 108 Multimedia display apparatus 109 Audio apparatus 110 Air-conditioner 200 In-vehicle apparatus control apparatus 202 Equipment control part 204 Steering angle sensor 206 Display control part 207 Traveling state judgment part 208 Inter-vehicle distance control device 210 Lane departure control device 212 Shift position control device 602, 604, 704, 804 Image 702A-702E, 802A-802E Icon

Claims (10)

A steering switch provided on a steering wheel of a vehicle, to which a plurality of functions of a device mounted on the vehicle are assigned;
A display unit that displays an image at a position where the driver of the vehicle can visually recognize;
A device control unit for causing the device mounted on the vehicle to execute the function selected by the driver using the steering switch;
A traveling state determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle is in a safe traveling state;
An on-vehicle vehicle comprising: a display control unit that displays on the display unit images indicating the plurality of functions assigned to the steering switch only when the driving state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a safe driving state. Equipment control device. The number of steering switches is one or more,
The display control unit is an image showing, for each steering switch, the plurality of functions assigned to the steering switch only when the driving state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a safe driving state. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 1, wherein a preview image is displayed on the display unit. In the state where the display image is displayed on the display unit, the display control unit further causes the traveling state determination unit to make the vehicle safe when an operation is performed on any of the steering switches. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 1, wherein an operation image that is an image indicating the plurality of functions assigned to the operated steering switch is displayed on the display unit only when it is determined that the vehicle is in a running state. . And a steering angle sensor for detecting the steering angle of the vehicle.
The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state when a steering angle of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the predetermined steering angle threshold. Control device. Furthermore, an inter-vehicle distance sensor for detecting the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle is provided.
The said driving | running | working state determination part determines that the said vehicle is not in a safe driving | running | working state, when the inter-vehicle distance with the said front vehicle is less than the said predetermined inter-vehicle distance threshold value. In-vehicle device control device. And a lane departure sensor for detecting a lane departure of the vehicle,
The in-vehicle device control according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the travel state determination unit determines that the vehicle is not in a safe travel state when the lane departure sensor detects a lane departure of the vehicle. apparatus. Furthermore, a traveling direction detection sensor for detecting the traveling direction of the vehicle is provided,
The traveling state determination unit determines that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state when the traveling direction detection sensor detects that the traveling direction of the vehicle is backward. The in-vehicle device control device according to item. further,
A steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of the vehicle;
An inter-vehicle distance sensor for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle;
A lane departure sensor for detecting a lane departure of the vehicle;
A traveling direction detection sensor for detecting the traveling direction of the vehicle,
The traveling state determination unit
The steering angle of the vehicle is less than the predetermined steering angle threshold, the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle is not less than the predetermined inter-vehicle distance threshold, and the lane departure sensor does not detect the lane departure of the vehicle. And when the said advancing direction detection sensor has not detected that the advancing direction of the said vehicle is back, it judges that the said vehicle is a safe driving | running | working state. The in-vehicle device control device described. The display control unit does not display an image on the display unit or displays a predetermined image when the traveling state determination unit determines that the vehicle is not in a safe traveling state. The vehicle-mounted apparatus control apparatus of any one of 8. Mounted on a vehicle provided with a steering switch provided on a steering wheel of the vehicle and assigned with a plurality of functions provided by the devices mounted on the vehicle, and a display unit displaying an image at a position where the driver of the vehicle can visually recognize An in-vehicle device control method for controlling a connected device,
A function control step for causing the device mounted on the vehicle to execute a function selected by the driver using the steering switch;
A driving state determination step for determining whether or not the vehicle is in a safe driving state;
A display control step of displaying on the display unit images indicating the plurality of functions assigned to the steering switch only when it is determined in the driving state determination step that the vehicle is in a safe driving state. In-vehicle device control method.

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