JP5692912B2 - Taximeter display switching device and display switching method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a taximeter display switching device and a display switching method used for controlling a navigation unit and a taximeter and displaying information generated by the navigation unit and taximeter on a common display unit screen.

  A taxi meter, which is a special instrument necessary for operating as a taxi, is mounted on the taxi vehicle. The taxi meter has a function of calculating and displaying the fare at each time point in real time based on a predetermined fee system, the travel distance for each passenger, the passage of time, and the like.

  In recent years, in addition to taximeters, various devices such as car navigation systems, ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) onboard devices, wireless devices, payment terminals, etc. are generally mounted on taxi vehicles. It's getting on.

  In addition, the various devices as described above are distributed on the instrument panel in front of the driver's seat so that the crew can easily refer to the display contents and perform input operations such as buttons. It is common. However, if a plurality of devices are distributed at various locations, inconvenience in input operation may occur, and it may be difficult to confirm the display contents. Furthermore, it may be difficult to secure a space necessary for arranging various devices on the instrument panel, or the number of wirings may increase and installation may be difficult.

  Therefore, it has been attempted to integrate a plurality of devices mounted on a vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a car navigation device suitable for a taxi vehicle. Specifically, it has been proposed to incorporate a taximeter function in the car navigation device and selectively display the taximeter screen on the display screen of the car navigation device. In addition, it is disclosed that the display screen is switched by a crew member's button operation and can be operated by a touch panel button provided on the screen.

  Further, although different from a taximeter mounted on a taxi vehicle, a system for calculating and displaying a taxi fare is disclosed in Patent Document 2. In Patent Document 2, a mobile terminal device and a route search server are connected via a network, and the route search server searches for a route according to the conditions input to the mobile terminal device and estimates a taxi fare. And the calculation result of a route search server is transmitted to a portable terminal device, and the information of the taxi fare estimated as a map is superimposed and displayed on the screen of a portable terminal device.

JP 2002-298165 A JP 2009-14080 A

  However, when the information on the car navigation device and the information on the taximeter are displayed on a common display screen as in Patent Document 1, the visibility of information when viewed from the crew or passengers may deteriorate. . For example, even if a passenger in a taxi vehicle that is traveling wants to know the current fare, if the map of the car navigation device is displayed on the screen, the area that displays the fare on the screen It becomes difficult to read the numerical value of the fare because the area of is small. On the other hand, when a large area is secured on the screen in advance for displaying taximeter information, the area of the map display area is small, and it becomes difficult to read the contents of the map.

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, the contents of the screen to be displayed can be switched. However, in order to switch the screen, the crew must manually operate the buttons. In addition, since the passenger cannot operate the buttons, when the passenger desires to switch the fare or the display state of the map, the passenger must request the crew to perform the switching operation, which is very troublesome. For example, when there is no passenger, there is no passenger and there is no need to display taximeter information on the screen, so it is possible to turn off the taximeter display and display a large map. You must switch by operating.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to display desired information on a screen when displaying navigation unit information and taximeter information on a common display unit screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a taximeter display switching device and a display switching method capable of reducing the number of button operations of a crew member required for switching for display.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a taximeter display switching device according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (6).
(1) A navigation unit that is mounted on a vehicle and includes at least a function of detecting the current position of the vehicle and a function of outputting map information including the current position, and a taximeter, and the navigation unit generates the navigation unit. A taximeter display switching device that displays information and information generated by the taximeter on a common display unit screen,
A vehicle state signal input unit for inputting at least one of a first signal indicating whether or not the vehicle is moving and a second signal related to the presence or absence of a passenger;
Based on the taxi meter state that changes according to a predetermined button operation on the taximeter and the first signal or the second signal input to the vehicle state signal input unit, a plurality of display modes prepared in advance are provided. Any one is automatically selected, and the display ratio between the information generated by the navigation unit and the information generated by the taximeter among the contents displayed on the screen of the display unit is adjusted according to the selected display mode. And a display mode automatic selection section.
(2) The taximeter display switching device according to (1) above,
The vehicle state signal input unit includes, as the second signal, a signal that changes according to the open / closed state of the door on the side of the rear seat, a signal that is output by a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person near the rear seat, Input at least one of signals output from a switch for detecting whether a person is seated in the seat.
(3) The taximeter display switching device according to (1) above,
When the taximeter state is an actual vehicle state, the display mode automatic selection unit determines whether the vehicle state detected based on the first signal is a running state or a stopped state. In the second display mode selected when the second display mode is selected and the vehicle is stopped, the area of the display area on the screen assigned to the information generated by the taximeter is made larger than that in the first display mode. about.
(4) The taximeter display switching device according to (3) above,
The display mode automatic selection unit has a display mode that suppresses display of information generated by the taximeter regardless of whether the vehicle is in a running state or a stopped state when the taxi meter is in an empty state. To choose.
(5) The taximeter display switching device according to (1) above,
The display mode automatic selection unit selects the first display mode or the second display mode according to whether the taximeter state is an empty vehicle state or an actual vehicle state when passenger getting on / off is detected by the second signal. In the second display mode selected when the vehicle is in the actual vehicle state, the area of the display area on the screen assigned to the information generated by the taximeter is set larger than that in the first display mode.
(6) The taximeter display switching device according to (5) above,
The display mode automatic selection unit automatically switches the taximeter state from the total state to the empty state when the taxi state is the total state when the passengers get on and off by the second signal. about.

According to the taximeter display switching device having the configuration (1), it is possible to reduce the number of times the crew member operates the buttons necessary to switch to a desired screen display. That is, the importance on display of the first information generated by the navigation unit and the second information generated by the taximeter varies depending on the actual operation state of the taxi vehicle. Therefore, the display ratio of the first information and the second information on the screen automatically depends on the actual operation state, for example, the state of an empty vehicle / actual vehicle (with or without passengers) or the state of traveling / stopping. By switching to, the number of times the crew operates the button can be reduced.
According to the taximeter display switching device having the configuration (2), it is possible to automatically grasp the presence / absence of passengers and the possibility of passengers getting on and off by monitoring the second signal. Become.
According to the taximeter display switching device having the configuration of (3) above, the taxi vehicle is in a state where the taxi vehicle is operating with a passenger (the taxi meter is in an actual vehicle state), and the screen is suitable for both running and stopping. It can be switched automatically.
According to the taximeter display switching device configured as described in (4) above, unnecessary taximeter information is automatically displayed when the taxi vehicle is operating without a passenger (the taxi meter is empty). Since it suppresses, display area, such as a map, can be expanded.
According to the taximeter display switching device having the configuration (5), it is possible to automatically switch to a display screen suitable for the current state of the taxi vehicle. For example, when opening / closing of the rear seat side door is detected when the taximeter is empty, it can be determined that a new passenger is about to enter, and when the taximeter is in the actual vehicle When the opening / closing of the door on the side of the rear seat is detected, it can be determined that the current passenger is about to get out of the taxi vehicle.
According to the taximeter display switching device having the above configuration (6), when the passenger pays and tries to get off the taxi vehicle, the taxi meter state is automatically switched to the empty state. No need to operate the “empty car” button.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the taximeter display switching method according to the present invention is characterized by the following (7).
(7) A navigation unit that is mounted on a vehicle and includes at least a function of detecting a current position of the vehicle and a function of outputting map information including the current position, and a taximeter, and the navigation unit generates the navigation unit. A taximeter display switching method for displaying information and information generated by the taximeter on a common display unit screen,
Inputting at least one of a first signal indicating whether or not the vehicle is moving and a second signal related to the presence or absence of a passenger;
Grasp the taximeter status that changes according to the predetermined button operation on the taximeter,
Based on the taximeter status and the input first signal or second signal, one of a plurality of display modes prepared in advance is automatically selected,
Of the contents displayed on the screen of the display unit, the display ratio of the information generated by the navigation unit and the information generated by the taximeter is adjusted according to the selected display mode.

  According to the taximeter display switching method configured as described in (7) above, it is possible to reduce the number of button operations of the crew members necessary for switching to a desired screen display. That is, the importance on display of the first information generated by the navigation unit and the second information generated by the taximeter varies depending on the actual operation state of the taxi vehicle. Therefore, the display ratio of the first information and the second information on the screen automatically depends on the actual operation state, for example, the state of an empty vehicle / actual vehicle (with or without passengers) or the state of traveling / stopping. By switching to, the number of times the crew operates the button can be reduced.

  According to the taximeter display switching device and the display switching method of the present invention, when displaying the information of the navigation unit and the information of the taximeter on the screen of the common display unit, the desired information is displayed on the screen. It is possible to reduce the number of button operations of the crew members required for switching.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the modes for carrying out the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a function of the taximeter display switching apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the main body of a navigation integrated taximeter, and the apparatus connected to it. It is a flowchart showing main operation | movement of a display mode automatic selection part. It is a display example (V1, V2, V3) of the multiple types of screen display switched by the process of FIG. It is a flowchart showing the modification regarding the main operations of a display mode automatic selection part. 6 is a display example (V21, V22) of a plurality of types of screen displays switched by the processing of FIG.

  Specific embodiments of the taximeter display switching device and the display switching method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  An example of the functional configuration of the taximeter display switching device in the present embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration example of the main body of the navigation-integrated taximeter and devices connected thereto. That is, the function of the taximeter display switching device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated in the navigation-integrated taximeter main body 50 shown in FIG.

  2 is mounted on a taxi vehicle and has a car navigation unit function and a taxi meter function. The functions of the car navigation unit include a function of detecting the current position of the vehicle and a function of outputting map information including the current position, as in the case of a general car navigation apparatus.

  The general functions of the taximeter included in the navigation-integrated taximeter main body 50 are as follows. That is, the current state of the taximeter and its changes are grasped according to the various button operations of the crew, and the current fare for each passenger is determined according to the predetermined fare system and the length of travel time and distance traveled. Calculate and display. Taxi meter status includes “empty car”, “actual car”, “total”, and the like. For example, when there are no passengers, it is in an “empty vehicle” state, and when a passenger is put on this taxi vehicle and starts business operation, if the crew presses the “actual vehicle” button provided on the taxi meter, the taxi meter state is “actual vehicle” The taxi meter starts measuring time and mileage and starts calculating and displaying fares.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, a microcomputer (CPU) 51, a temporary information storage unit (RAM) 52, a fixed information storage unit (ROM) 53, and a card interface 54 are installed in a navigation integrated taximeter main body 50 that is an on-vehicle device. , A display (LCD) 55, interfaces 56, 57 and 59, and a clock circuit (RTC) 58.

  The microcomputer 51 implements the functions of the navigation unit, the taximeter, and the function of the taximeter display switching device 10 shown in FIG. 1 by executing a program prepared in advance.

  The temporary information storage unit 52 is configured by a memory (RAM) that can freely read and write data. The temporary information storage unit 52 is used by the microcomputer 51 to temporarily hold data.

  The fixed information storage unit 53 is composed of a read-only memory (ROM). On the fixed information storage unit 53, various programs necessary for the operation of the microcomputer 51, predetermined constant data, and the like are written in advance. The constant data includes data related to the charge system necessary for calculating the fare and map data.

  The card interface 54 includes a predetermined card slot for mounting the memory card 64. The microcomputer 51 can access the memory card 64 via the card interface 54 and read / write data.

  The memory card 64 is composed of a nonvolatile memory. The memory card 64 attached to the taximeter is used to hold data necessary for crew member authentication, and to store business data and time-series data collected by the taximeter during taxi vehicle business.

  The display 55 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and has a two-dimensional display screen capable of displaying a map, a figure, a character string, etc. with a sufficient resolution. That is, information such as a map output from the above-described car navigation unit and information such as a fare output from a taximeter are displayed on the screen of the display 55.

  The clock circuit 58 is constituted by an integrated circuit having a real-time clock (RTC) function. The clock circuit 58 constantly counts clock pulses with a constant period, so that the current time and date can be grasped and the time can be measured.

  An external device 65 such as a printer is connected to the interface 56. This printer is used to print receipts issued by taximeters.

  A GPS receiver 61 is connected to the interface 57. The GPS receiver 61 can calculate latitude / longitude information representing the current position of the vehicle based on the time of radio waves respectively received from a plurality of GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. Note that the GPS receiver 61 is not necessarily indispensable because information on the current position can be acquired using a method other than GPS positioning.

  An ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) vehicle-mounted device 63 is connected to the interface 59. The ETC on-board device 63 is used for communicating with a communication device on the road side at the entrance or exit when exchanging information, exchanging information, or paying a toll.

  The operation unit 62 includes a plurality of buttons for the crew to give instructions to the taximeter and a plurality of buttons for giving instructions to the car navigation unit. The buttons for giving instructions to the taximeter include an “empty car” button, an “actual car” button, a “total” button, a “high speed” button, and the like. The taxi meter knows (taxi meter state) when the crew member presses the “actual vehicle” button to “actual vehicle” state, presses the “total” button to “total” state, and presses the “empty car” button Switch to “empty car” status. The taximeter can calculate the fare based on this change in state.

  In addition, two electric signals SG1 and SG2 output from sensors or switches (not shown) on the vehicle side are input to the microcomputer 51. One electrical signal SG1 is a pulsed vehicle speed signal. That is, one pulse appears each time the output shaft or wheel of the vehicle transmission rotates a predetermined amount. Therefore, by monitoring the pulse of the vehicle speed signal SG1, it is possible to grasp the vehicle speed and whether or not the vehicle is moving.

  The other electric signal SG2 is a binary signal representing the open / closed state of the rear seat side door of the vehicle. In taxi vehicles, passengers usually get on or get off with the rear seat side doors open. Therefore, by monitoring the electric signal SG2 indicating the open / closed state of the rear seat side door, it is possible to identify whether or not there is a possibility of passengers getting on or off.

  In addition, you may monitor the other signal which has the function equivalent to this instead of the electric signal SG2. For example, if a sensor such as a pressure sensitive switch is embedded in the seat cushion of the rear seat where the passenger is seated, whether or not the passenger is seated by monitoring the electrical signal output by this sensor It is possible to identify the possibility of passengers getting on and off. In addition, even when a sensor (for example, an electrostatic sensor) that is sensitive to the presence or absence of a human body is installed in the vicinity of the rear seat, whether or not a passenger is seated and whether passengers can get on and off are identified. It is possible.

  The taximeter display switching device 10 shown in FIG. 1 displays the information generated by the taximeter described above and the information generated by the car navigation unit on the display screen 24 of the display 55 which is a common display unit. It is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the functions of the taximeter display switching device 10 include a vehicle state signal input unit 11, a taximeter state holding unit 12, a display mode automatic selection unit 13, and a display control unit 14. These functions are realized by the processing of the microcomputer 51 shown in FIG.

  The vehicle state signal input unit 11 inputs these signals, for example, periodically in order to monitor the state of the electric signals SG1 and SG2. As will be described later, the function required for the taximeter display switching device 10 can be realized only by inputting one of the two electric signals SG1 and SG2.

  The taximeter state holding unit 12 monitors the input from the taximeter operation unit 21 which is a part of the operation unit 62 to grasp the taximeter state and holds information on the taximeter state. In other words, in response to input operations such as the “empty” button, “actual vehicle” button, “total” button, etc., the current taximeter status such as “empty” state, “actual vehicle” state, “total” state, etc. is grasped. , Keep this information.

  The display mode automatic selection unit 13 is based on at least one state of two electric signals SG1 and SG2 input by the vehicle state signal input unit 11 and a taximeter state input from the taximeter state holding unit 12. One display mode is automatically selected from a plurality of display modes.

  That is, when the display information 22 generated by the taximeter and the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit are simultaneously displayed on the common display screen 24, it is possible to select a display state that is more desirable for crew members and passengers who refer to this display. A plurality of display modes are prepared in advance. By switching the display mode, the ratio of the display area assigned to the display information 22 generated by the taximeter on the screen and the display area assigned to the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit can be adjusted. The specific operation of the display mode automatic selection unit 13 will be described later.

  In accordance with the display mode selected by the display mode automatic selection unit 13, the display control unit 14 displays the display information 22 generated by the taximeter and the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit on a common display screen 24, a map, a figure, and a numerical value. And displayed as information such as a character string.

  The main operation of the display mode automatic selection unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 4 shows a specific example of a plurality of types of screen displays that are switched by the processing shown in FIG. Note that the signal SG2 is not used in the operation shown in FIG. The contents of the operation shown in FIG. 3 will be described below.

  In step S11, the display mode automatic selection unit 13, that is, the microcomputer 51, identifies whether or not a change has occurred in the latest vehicle speed calculated based on the state of the input signal SG1. If a change in the vehicle speed is detected, the process proceeds to step S12. If there is no change, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S <b> 12, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 refers to the latest taximeter state grasped by the taximeter state holding unit 12, and identifies whether the taximeter state is an “empty” state. If the taxi meter is in the “empty vehicle” state, the process proceeds to step S13, and if not, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S13, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically selects a display mode in which only the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit is displayed on the display screen 24. In this case, according to the selected display mode, the display control unit 14 does not use the display information 22 generated by the taximeter, and displays only the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit using the entire screen of the display screen 24. To do.

  In other words, when the taxi meter is in the “empty” state, it is clear that no passengers are on this taxi vehicle. Only useful information such as the output map is displayed preferentially.

  In step S <b> 14, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 refers to the latest taximeter state ascertained by the taximeter state holding unit 12 and identifies whether the taximeter state is the “actual vehicle” state. If the taximeter state is the “actual vehicle” state, the process proceeds to step S15, and if not, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S15, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 monitors the state of the signal SG1 input over a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) and identifies whether or not a new pulse has appeared. If a new pulse is detected, the taxi vehicle is traveling, so the process proceeds to step S16. If no new pulse is detected, the vehicle is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S16, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically selects a predetermined first display mode. In this case, according to the selected first display mode, the display control unit 14 simultaneously displays the display information 22 generated by the taximeter and the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit on the common display screen 24.

  The display example of the display screen V1 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the first display mode. In this display screen V1, information such as a map output by the navigation unit is displayed using most of the area of the screen, but the display information generated by the taximeter is displayed at the lower display area or the narrow right display area. Information on “fare 710 yen” that is a part of 22 and a character string “actual vehicle” indicating a taxi meter state are displayed at the same time.

  In other words, even if the taxi vehicle is in the “actual vehicle” state where the passenger is on the vehicle, it is unlikely that the passenger will need the latest fare information if the taxi vehicle is running. Displays only minimum information such as fares using the minimum display area. Instead, information such as a map output by the navigation unit is displayed in an easy-to-see manner using a large area. During traveling, the information on the map has high utility value not only for the crew but also for the passengers, so that the information desired by the passengers can be displayed on the display screen V1.

  In step S17, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically selects a predetermined second display mode. In this case, according to the selected second display mode, the display control unit 14 simultaneously displays the display information 22 generated by the taximeter and the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit on the common display screen 24.

  The display example of the display screen V2 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the second display mode. In this display screen V2, the area for displaying the map is smaller than that for the display screen V1, and the area for displaying the taximeter information is correspondingly larger. In the display screen V2 of FIG. 4, information such as “reservation 400 yen”, travel distance, travel time, etc. is displayed in addition to “fare 710 yen” as taximeter information.

  In other words, if the taxi vehicle is in the “actual vehicle” state where the passenger is on and the taxi vehicle is stopped, the taxi vehicle will stop waiting for the traffic signal at the intersection or the passenger will arrive at the destination and pay the fare. A state of going is assumed. Therefore, in this case, the importance of the map information viewed from the passengers decreases, and the importance of the taximeter information increases. By reducing the display area of the map as in the display example of the display screen V2, the passengers and crew can easily check the fare, travel distance, travel time, and the like.

  In step S <b> 18, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 refers to the latest taximeter state grasped by the taximeter state holding unit 12 and identifies whether the taximeter state is the “total” state. If the taximeter state is the “total” state, the process proceeds to step S19; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S19, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically selects a predetermined third display mode. In this case, according to the selected third display mode, the display control unit 14 simultaneously displays the display information 22 generated by the taximeter and the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit on the common display screen 24.

  The display example of the display screen V3 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the third display mode. In this display screen V3, the area for displaying the map is smaller than that for the display screen V1, and the area for displaying the taximeter information is correspondingly larger. In the display screen V3 of FIG. 4, the total fare and its breakdown "fare", "reservation fee", and "consumption tax" are displayed as taximeter information.

  That is, when the taxi vehicle carries a passenger and makes a business run and arrives at the destination, when the crew member depresses the “total” button, a display screen V3 convenient for the passenger's fee payment is displayed. In this state, the importance of the map information viewed from the passengers and crew is reduced, and the importance of the taximeter information is increased. By reducing the display area of the map as in the display example of the display screen V3, the passengers and crew can easily confirm the total amount of the fare and its breakdown.

  In step S20, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 maintains the state of the display mode that has been selected so far in order to continue the current display state.

  Therefore, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 switches the display mode when a change in the vehicle speed is detected in step S11 and a change in the taximeter state is detected. In the “actual vehicle” state, the display mode is automatically switched depending on whether the taxi vehicle is running or stopped.

  Next, a modified example will be described. A modification regarding the main operation of the display mode automatic selection unit 13 is shown in FIG. In the operation shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the signal SG1 related to the vehicle speed is not used. A specific example of a plurality of types of screen displays that are switched by the processing of FIG. 5 is shown in FIG.

  In step S31, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically selects a display mode in which only the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit is displayed on the display screen 24. In this case, according to the selected display mode, the display control unit 14 does not use the display information 22 generated by the taximeter, and displays only the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit using the entire screen of the display screen 24. To do.

  In step S32, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 monitors the state of the signal SG2 input from the vehicle state signal input unit 11, and identifies whether or not the opening / closing state of the rear seat side door of the taxi vehicle has changed. . If this change is detected, the process proceeds to step S33, and if there is no change, the process proceeds to step S40.

  That is, when a new passenger tries to get on the rear seat of the taxi vehicle or when the passenger tries to get off the taxi vehicle, if the open / close state of the rear seat side door is changed, the processing after step S33 is executed. Is done.

  Note that the signal monitored in step S32 may be other than a signal indicating the open / closed state of the rear seat side door. For example, when a sensor such as a pressure sensitive switch is embedded in the seat cushion of the rear seat on which the passenger is seated, or a sensor (for example, an electrostatic sensor) that is sensitive to the presence or absence of a human body is installed in the vicinity of the rear seat. In some cases, an electrical signal output by any one of these sensors may be monitored. Thereby, it is possible to identify whether or not the passenger is seated and the possibility of passenger getting on and off.

  In step S <b> 33, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 refers to the latest taximeter state grasped by the taximeter state holding unit 12, and identifies whether the taximeter state is an “empty” state. If the taxi meter is in the “empty vehicle” state, the process proceeds to step S34, and if not, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S34, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically selects a predetermined first display mode. In this case, according to the selected first display mode, the display control unit 14 simultaneously displays the display information 22 generated by the taximeter and the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit on the common display screen 24.

  The display example of the display screen V21 illustrated in FIG. 6 corresponds to the first display mode. In this display screen V21, information such as a map output by the navigation unit is displayed using most of the area of the screen, but display information generated by the taximeter is displayed in the narrow display area at the lower end or the right end of the screen. A character string of “empty vehicle” representing information on the restraint time of the crew member, the total travel distance of the day, and the taxi meter status, which is a part of the vehicle, is displayed at the same time.

  That is, when the rear seat side door is opened and closed, the taxi meter state is `` empty '', so it is highly probable that the passenger who was riding so far got off and changed to `` empty '' The display mode suitable for the empty state is automatically selected. In other words, information on taximeters with low utility value in this state is suppressed, and information useful for crew members such as maps output from the navigation unit is preferentially displayed.

  In step S <b> 35, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 refers to the latest taximeter state grasped by the taximeter state holding unit 12 and identifies whether the taximeter state is the “actual vehicle” state. If the taxi meter is in the “actual vehicle” state, the process proceeds to step S36, and if not, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S36, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically selects a predetermined second display mode. In this case, according to the selected second display mode, the display control unit 14 simultaneously displays the display information 22 generated by the taximeter and the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit on the common display screen 24.

  The display example of the display screen V22 shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the second display mode. In this display screen V22, the area for displaying the map is smaller than that for the display screen V21, and the area for displaying the taximeter information is increased accordingly. In the display screen V22 of FIG. 6, information such as “fare 710 yen”, “reservation 400 yen”, travel distance, travel time, and the like are displayed as taximeter information.

  That is, when the rear seat side door is opened and closed, the state where the taxi meter state is “actual vehicle” is highly likely to be changed to the “actual vehicle” state when a new passenger gets on the taxi vehicle. Therefore, the display mode is automatically switched so as to display information that is highly convenient for passengers as well as passengers. In other words, in this case, the importance of the map information viewed from the passengers decreases, and the importance of taximeter information increases, so the map display area is reduced, and instead the area allocated for displaying taxi information is reduced. Expanding. As a result, the passenger can easily confirm the fare, travel distance, travel time, and the like.

  In step S <b> 37, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 refers to the latest taximeter state grasped by the taximeter state holding unit 12 and identifies whether the taximeter state is the “total” state. If the taximeter state is the “total” state, the process proceeds to step S38; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S <b> 38, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically switches the taximeter state held by the taximeter state holding unit 12 to the “empty vehicle” state. That is, the state where the taximeter state is “total” when the rear seat side door is opened and closed is likely to be a state in which a passenger who has been on the board has already paid and is about to get off. Therefore, it is switched to the “empty vehicle” state to prepare for the next passenger. This eliminates the need for the “empty” button operation of the crew member to switch to the “empty” state.

  In step S39, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 automatically selects a display mode for displaying only the display information 23 generated by the navigation unit. In other words, taxi meter information is less important for the crew in the “empty” state, so that display of the taxi meter is suppressed and information such as a map having high utility value is displayed using a large area.

  In step S40, the display mode automatic selection unit 13 maintains the state of the display mode that has been selected so far in order to continue the current display state.

  In addition, you may change so that the display mode automatic selection part 13 may perform control which combined both the operation | movement shown in FIG. 3, and the operation | movement shown in FIG. That is, when a change in the vehicle speed is detected, the optimum display mode is automatically selected according to the taximeter status at that time and the running / stopped category as shown in FIG. When a change is detected, the optimum display mode is automatically selected according to the taximeter state at that time as shown in FIG.

  In any case, when the information generated by the car navigation unit and the information generated by the taximeter are displayed on the screen of the common display unit, the display mode can be changed by using the taximeter display switching device 10 described above. Since switching is performed automatically, it is possible to appropriately display information desired by the passenger and the crew without increasing the number of operations of the crew.

  As described above, the taximeter display switching device and the display switching method of the present invention provide information generated by the navigation unit and information generated by the taximeter in a taxi vehicle equipped with the function of the navigation unit and the function of the taximeter. Is assumed to be applied to the screen of a common display unit. By adopting the present invention, since the display mode is automatically switched, it is possible to appropriately display information desired by the passenger and the crew without increasing the number of operations of the crew.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Taximeter display switching device 11 Vehicle state signal input part 12 Taximeter state holding part 13 Display mode automatic selection part 14 Display control part 22 Display information produced | generated by the taximeter 23 Display information produced | generated by the navigation unit 24 Display screen 50 One navigation Body taximeter body 51 Microcomputer (CPU)
52 Temporary Information Storage Unit (RAM)
53 Fixed information storage (ROM)
54 Card Interface 55 Display 56, 57, 59 Interface 58 Clock Circuit 61 GPS Receiver 62 Operation Unit 63 ETC On-board Unit 64 Memory Card 65 External Device

Claims (6)

A navigation unit mounted on a vehicle and including a function of detecting at least a current position of the vehicle and a function of outputting map information including the current position; a taximeter; and information generated by the navigation unit; A taximeter display switching device for displaying information generated by a taximeter on the screen of a common display unit,
A vehicle state signal input unit for inputting at least one of a first signal indicating whether or not the vehicle is moving and a second signal related to the presence or absence of a passenger;
Based on the taxi meter state that changes according to a predetermined button operation on the taximeter and the first signal or the second signal input to the vehicle state signal input unit, a plurality of display modes prepared in advance are provided. Any one is automatically selected, and the display ratio between the information generated by the navigation unit and the information generated by the taximeter among the contents displayed on the screen of the display unit is adjusted according to the selected display mode. A taximeter display switching device comprising: a display mode automatic selection unit. The vehicle state signal input unit includes, as the second signal, a signal that changes according to the open / closed state of the door on the side of the rear seat, a signal that is output by a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person near the rear seat, The taximeter display switching device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a signal output from a switch that detects whether a person is seated in the seat is input. When the taximeter state is an actual vehicle state, the display mode automatic selection unit determines whether the vehicle state detected based on the first signal is a running state or a stopped state. In the second display mode selected when the second display mode is selected and the vehicle is stopped, the area of the display area on the screen assigned to the information generated by the taximeter is made larger than that in the first display mode. The taximeter display switching device according to claim 1. The display mode automatic selection unit has a display mode that suppresses display of information generated by the taximeter regardless of whether the vehicle is in a running state or a stopped state when the taxi meter is in an empty state. The taximeter display switching device according to claim 3, wherein the taximeter display switching device is selected. The display mode automatic selection unit selects the first display mode or the second display mode according to whether the taximeter state is an empty vehicle state or an actual vehicle state when passenger getting on / off is detected by the second signal. In the second display mode selected when the vehicle is in an actual vehicle state, the area of the display area on the screen assigned to the information generated by the taximeter is made larger than that in the first display mode. 1. The taximeter display switching device according to 1. A navigation unit mounted on a vehicle and including a function of detecting at least a current position of the vehicle and a function of outputting map information including the current position; a taximeter; and information generated by the navigation unit; A taximeter display switching method for displaying information generated by a taximeter on a common display unit screen,
Inputting at least one of a first signal indicating whether or not the vehicle is moving and a second signal related to the presence or absence of a passenger;
Grasp the taximeter status that changes according to the predetermined button operation on the taximeter,
Based on the taximeter status and the input first signal or second signal, one of a plurality of display modes prepared in advance is automatically selected,
Taxi meter display switching characterized by adjusting the display ratio between the information generated by the navigation unit and the information generated by the taximeter among the contents displayed on the screen of the display unit according to the selected display mode. Method.

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