JP6087082B2 - In-vehicle device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device that performs an operation using a switch provided on a steering wheel.

  Conventionally, an operation switch is provided on the left and right of the steering of the vehicle, and the left switch image is arranged on the left side corresponding to the left operation switch, and the right switch image is arranged on the right side corresponding to the right operation switch. An apparatus is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this vehicle information display device, the operation state is easily grasped by associating the operation switch with the switch image.

  Conventionally, there has been known an operating device including a steering display provided with a plurality of steering switches and a guidance display unit in which function displays representing functions of the steering switches are arranged in the same arrangement as the steering switches ( For example, see Patent Document 2.) In this operation device, the driver can easily grasp the operation content using each steering switch by looking at the guidance display section.

JP 2007-106353 A JP 2007-290562 A

  By the way, in the vehicle information display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the left switch image is associated with the left switch, and the right switch image is associated with the right switch. When the image is arranged near the center, or when the image to be operated is arranged only on the left side, only the right side, or up and down, the switch arrangement and the switch image arrangement should be made to correspond. Therefore, there is a problem that the operability is poor because it is not easy to grasp which of the left and right switches is used for the operation. Note that this problem cannot be solved by the operation device of Patent Document 2 provided with a guidance display unit that arranges function displays representing the functions of the switches.

  The present invention was created in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an in-vehicle device that can improve operability when an operation is performed using an operation unit provided in a steering wheel. It is in.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the in-vehicle device of the present invention includes a plurality of operation units provided at a plurality of installation locations of a vehicle steering, and a plurality of operation target images corresponding to each of the plurality of operation units. An operation target image generating unit that generates together with an additional image indicating installation locations of a plurality of operation units corresponding to each of the plurality of operation target images, and the operation target image and the additional image generated by the operation target image generating unit Display processing means for displaying on the screen. Since an additional image showing the location of the operation unit is displayed together with the operation target image, it is easy to grasp the operation unit corresponding to each operation target image regardless of the position of the display means. The operability at the time of performing can be improved.

Further, the above-described operation target image generation means arranges the additional image with respect to the operation target image in the direction indicating the relative direction of each of the plurality of operation units . In particular, the additional image described above is an image showing a shadow of the operation target image . This makes it possible to easily grasp the position of the operation unit that performs the operation.

  In addition, it is desirable that the plurality of operation units described above are provided at two places on the left and right of the steering wheel. Thereby, the user (driver) can grasp which one of the left and right hands should operate the operation unit simply by looking at the display content of the display device.

  The display device described above is preferably a liquid crystal display device. Thereby, even if the operation target image in the liquid crystal display device is changed, the position of the operation unit corresponding to each operation target image can be reliably grasped by the additional image.

  The display device described above is preferably provided in a meter cluster. As a result, even if the display device is provided at the center position of the meter cluster, or even when the display device is provided with a bias toward either the left or right position, the operation target image is displayed regardless of the position of the display device. The position of the operation unit corresponding to each can be easily grasped.

  In addition, on the screen displayed by the above-described display device, an area for displaying instruments necessary for vehicle travel including a speedometer, an operation target image generated by the operation target image generation means, and an additional image are displayed. It is desirable to include the area. As a result, when displaying a screen containing various instruments, even if the display position of the operation target image is biased to the center or the left and right of the instrument due to the arrangement of the instruments, it corresponds to each operation target image This makes it easy to grasp the operation unit.

  Each of the plurality of operation target images described above further includes an operation direction specifying unit that specifies the direction of the operation unit that performs the operation, and the operation target image generation unit includes a plurality of operation target image generation units in the direction specified by the operation direction specifying unit. It is desirable to generate an additional image corresponding to each of the operation units. As a result, the additional image can be displayed in a direction corresponding to the position where the operation unit is attached, and the operation unit corresponding to each operation target image can be easily grasped regardless of the installation position of the operation unit.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted apparatus of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a sub display apparatus and a sub operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of an additional image. It is a figure which shows the other example of a sub display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display screen of the whole meter cluster.

  Hereinafter, an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a navigation processing unit 10, a TV tuner processing unit 14, a radio tuner processing unit 16, an AV processing unit 18, a main operation unit 20, sub operation units 22 and 24, and an input control unit 26. , Display processing unit 30, main display device 32, sub display device 34, digital-analog converter (D / A) 40, speaker 42, control unit 50, hard disk device (HDD) 70, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface unit (USB I / F) 80 and a communication interface unit (communication I / F) 82 are provided.

  The navigation processing unit 10 performs a navigation operation for guiding the traveling of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 1 is mounted, using the map data stored in the hard disk device 70. Used in conjunction with the GPS device 12 for detecting the position of the host vehicle, the navigation operation for guiding the running of the vehicle searches for and displays peripheral facilities and POIs (Point Of Interest) in addition to map display and route search / guidance. Etc. are included. The vehicle position detection may be performed using a combination of autonomous navigation sensors such as a gyro sensor and a vehicle speed sensor in addition to the GPS 12.

  The TV tuner processing unit 14 receives a broadcast signal such as terrestrial digital broadcast and performs processing for reproducing video and audio. The radio tuner processing unit 16 receives radio broadcast signals and performs processing for reproducing sound. The AV processing unit 18 performs a process of reading and reproducing music data and video data that are compressed and stored in the hard disk device 70. The music data and video data may be read from a CD or DVD using a disk reader (not shown), or may be acquired from a distribution server via a predetermined network.

  The main operation unit 20 is for accepting user operations on the in-vehicle device 1 and includes various operation keys, operation switches, operation knobs, and the like arranged around the main display device 32. . In addition, when various operation screens and input screens are displayed on the main display device 32, the operation screens and input screens are displayed by the user pointing directly at some of these operation screens and input screens with a finger or the like. An item can be selected, and a touch panel for detecting the position of a pointed finger or the like is provided on the main operation unit 20 in order to enable an operation using such an operation screen or an input screen. As part of it. Instead of using the touch panel, a part of the operation screen or the input screen may be selected according to a user instruction using a remote control unit or the like.

  The sub operation unit 22 includes one or a plurality of operation switches arranged on the left side of the steering. This operation switch is assumed to be operated with the thumb of the left hand when the driver holds the steering wheel with both hands. The sub operation unit 24 includes one or more operation switches arranged on the right side of the steering. This operation switch is assumed to be operated with the thumb of the right hand when the driver holds the steering wheel with both hands. The input control unit 26 monitors the main operation unit 20 and the sub operation units 22 and 24 and determines the operation contents.

  The display processing unit 30 outputs video signals for displaying various operation screens and input screens, displays these screens on the main display device 32 and the sub display device 34, and broadcasts received by the TV tuner processing unit 14. A video signal for displaying a video screen corresponding to the signal, a video screen reproduced by the AV processing unit 18 or the like is output and displayed on the main display device 32. The main display device 32 is installed in front of the center of the driver seat and the passenger seat, and is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD) having a larger screen than the sub display device 34. The sub display device 34 is installed in a meter cluster (an area in front of the steering wheel and provided with a speedometer, a tachometer, etc.). For example, a liquid crystal display device having a smaller screen than the main display device 32 is used. It has been. The sub display device 34 may be installed on a dashboard other than the meter cluster, for example, on a dashboard in front of the steering, or an image may be projected on a part of the windshield in front of the steering.

  The digital-analog converter 40 converts audio data and music data generated by the navigation processing unit 10, TV tuner processing unit 14, radio tuner processing unit 16, and AV processing unit 18 into analog audio signals. And output from the speaker 42. In practice, an amplifier for amplifying a signal is connected between the digital-analog converter 40 and the speaker 42, but this amplifier is omitted in FIG. Further, the combination of the digital-analog converter 40 and the speaker 42 is provided for the number of reproduction channels, but only one set is shown in FIG.

  The control unit 50 controls the entire vehicle-mounted device 1 and performs an operation of creating an operation screen to be displayed on the sub display device 34 when the operation using the sub operation units 22 and 24 is valid. The control unit 50 is realized by the CPU executing an operation program stored in a ROM or RAM. In FIG. 1, the navigation processing unit 10, the TV tuner processing unit 14, the radio tuner processing unit 16, the AV processing unit 18 and the like are provided separately from the control unit 50, but some of these functions are controlled. You may make it implement | achieve by the part 50. FIG. Details of the control unit 50 will be described later.

  The hard disk device 70 stores map data, peripheral facility / POI search data used for the navigation operation by the navigation processing unit 10, music data and video data to be played back by the AV processing unit 18, and the like. Instead of the hard disk 70, another storage medium such as a semiconductor memory may be used.

  The USB interface unit 80 is for inputting / outputting signals to / from the mobile terminal device 90 and other USB devices via a USB cable, and includes a USB port and a USB host controller. The communication interface unit 82 transmits / receives data to / from the vehicle control apparatus 100 connected via a predetermined communication cable according to a CAN (controller area network), a LIN (local interconnect network), or other communication protocol. . The configuration itself for processing the communication protocol may be outside the communication interface unit 82 (for example, the control unit 50 or other communication line IC).

  Next, details of the control unit 50 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control unit 50 includes an operation screen generation unit 51, an operation direction identification unit 52, and an additional image generation unit 53. Note that these configurations focus on a configuration for displaying an operation screen on the sub display device 34, and other configurations necessary for control are omitted. The operation screen creation unit 51 and the additional image generation unit 53 described above correspond to the operation target image generation unit, the operation direction specification unit 52 corresponds to the operation direction specification unit, and the display processing unit 30 corresponds to the display processing unit.

  The operation screen generation unit 51 generates an operation screen for the sub display device 34 including a plurality of operation target images corresponding to the sub operation units 22 and 24, respectively. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the sub display device 34 and the sub operation units 22 and 24. In FIG. 2, D indicates an operation screen of the sub display device 34. In this example, the operation screen D is arranged at the center of the meter cluster. The operation screen D includes three operation target images S1, S2, and S3. In this example, the operation target image S1 represents whether the reception target by the radio tuner processing unit 16 is FM broadcast or AM broadcast. The operation target image S2 shows an operation button for changing the reception frequency in a lower direction. The operation target image S3 shows an operation button for changing the reception frequency in a higher direction. The sub operation unit 22 provided on the left side of the steering is provided with one operation switch, and every time this operation switch is pressed, the reception target by the radio tuner processing unit 16 is between FM broadcast and AM broadcast. Switch. The sub operation unit 24 provided on the right side of the steering wheel has two left and right operation switches. Each time the left operation switch is pressed, the reception frequency changes in the lower direction, and on the contrary, the right operation switch is pressed. Every time the reception frequency changes in the higher direction. As described above, the operation target image S1 in the operation screen D corresponds to the sub-operation unit 22 provided on the left side of the steering, and the operation target images S2 and S3 in the operation screen D are sub-operations provided on the right side of the steering. This corresponds to the part 24.

  The operation direction specifying unit 52 specifies the directions of the sub operation units 22 and 24 that perform the operation for each of the plurality of operation target images. In the present embodiment, since the left sub-operation unit 22 corresponds to the operation target image S1, “left” is specified as the operation direction. Further, since the right sub-operation unit 24 corresponds to the operation target images S2 and S3, “right” is specified as the operation direction.

  The additional image generation unit 53 generates an additional image indicating the installation locations of the two sub operation units 22 and 24 in correspondence with each of the plurality of operation target images included in the operation screen created by the operation screen generation unit 51. To do. Specifically, the additional image generation unit 53 generates an additional image corresponding to each of the two sub operation units 22 and 24 in the direction specified by the operation direction specifying unit 52. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the additional image, and the additional image added to the operation screen D illustrated in FIG. 2 is illustrated. In FIG. 3, a1 indicates an additional image corresponding to the operation target image S1, and a2 and a3 indicate additional images corresponding to the operation target images S2 and S3, respectively. In this example, since the operation target image S1 corresponds to the left sub-operation unit 22, an additional image a1 imitating the shadow of the operation target image S1 is generated on the left side of the operation target image S1. Since the operation target image S2 corresponds to the right sub-operation unit 24, an additional image a2 imitating the shadow of the operation target image S2 is generated on the right side of the operation target image S2. Similarly, since the operation target image S3 corresponds to the right sub-operation unit 24, an additional image a3 imitating the shadow of the operation target image S3 is generated on the right side of the operation target image S3.

  The operation screen including these additional images a1, a2, and a3 is displayed on the sub display device 34 by the display processing unit 30. In the above-described example, the operation screen generation unit 51 and the additional image generation unit 53 are provided separately, but the operation of the additional image generation unit 53 may be performed by the operation screen generation unit 51.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the sub display device 34. This example is the same as the example shown in FIG. 3 in that the operation screen D includes three operation target images S1, S2, and S3, but the operation target image arranged on the right side in the operation screen D. The left sub-operation unit 22 corresponds to S1, and the right sub-operation unit 24 corresponds to the operation target images S2 and S3 arranged on the left side in the operation screen D. In the present embodiment, it is determined which of the sub-operation units 22 and 24 should be used by the additional images a1, a2, and a3 added corresponding to the operation target images S1, S2, and S3.

  As described above, in the in-vehicle device 1 of the present embodiment, the additional image indicating the installation location of the sub operation units 22 and 24 is displayed together with the operation target image, so that each operation target is displayed regardless of the position of the sub display device 34 or the like. It is easy to grasp the sub operation units 22 and 24 corresponding to the images, and the operability when performing operations using the sub operation units 22 and 24 can be improved.

  In particular, the operation is performed by arranging an additional image (specifically, a shadow image of the operation target image) with respect to the operation target image in the direction indicating the relative direction of each of the two sub operation units 22 and 24. It becomes possible to easily grasp the positions of the sub operation units 22 and 24.

  In addition, when the two sub operation units 22 and 24 are provided at two left and right positions of the steering wheel, the user (driver) determines whether the left or right hand should operate the sub operation units 22 and 24. It becomes possible to grasp only by looking at the display content of the display device 34.

  Further, even when the sub display device 34 is realized by a liquid crystal display device and the operation target image in the liquid crystal display device is changed, the sub operation unit 22 corresponding to each operation target image by the additional image. , 24 can be reliably grasped.

  Further, even when the sub display device 34 is provided at the center position of the meter cluster, or when the sub display device 34 is provided at a position biased to the left or right, the sub display device 34 is provided at the position of the sub display device 34 Regardless of the operation target image, it is possible to easily grasp the positions of the sub operation units 22 and 24 corresponding to each operation target image.

  Further, by generating additional images corresponding to each of the two sub operation units 22 and 24 in the direction specified by the operation direction specifying unit 52, the direction according to the position where the sub operation units 22 and 24 are attached is generated. An additional image can be displayed, and the sub operation units 22 and 24 corresponding to each operation target image can be easily grasped regardless of the installation positions of the sub operation units 22 and 24. For example, even when a sub operation unit is added below the steering wheel, it is possible to identify the lower direction and add an additional image below the operation target image.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the sub display device 34 is arranged in a part of the meter cluster. However, recently, all of the instruments necessary for traveling the vehicle including the speedometer and the tachometer in the meter cluster, or A case where a part is realized by a display screen by a liquid crystal display device can be considered. For example, it is assumed that a display device 110 having a display screen on the entire meter cluster is connected to the vehicle control device 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display device 110. In FIG. 5, D <b> 1 indicates a display screen of the display device 110. The display screen D1 includes a display area D2 having the same contents as the operation screen D shown in FIG. 3 together with the speedometer image E1 and the tachometer image E2. Even in such a case, the present invention can be applied. In this case, the screen itself displayed in the display area D2 is generated by the operation screen generation unit 51 and the additional image generation unit 53, and the display processing itself is displayed in the vehicle control device 100 instead of the display processing unit 30. Performed by the processing unit. When displaying a screen including various instruments, even if the display position of the display area D2 including the operation target image is biased to the center or the left and right of the screen due to the arrangement of the instruments, each operation target image is displayed. It becomes easy to grasp the sub operation units 22 and 24 corresponding to.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the additional image indicating the installation location of the operation unit is displayed together with the operation target image, the operation unit corresponding to each operation target image can be grasped regardless of the position of the display unit. It is easy and the operability at the time of operating using each operation part can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-vehicle apparatus 20 Main operation part 22, 24 Sub operation part 26 Input control part 30 Display processing part 32 Main display apparatus 34 Sub display apparatus 50 Control part 51 Operation screen generation part 52 Operation direction specification part 53 Additional image generation part 82 Communication interface Department (Communication I / F)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Vehicle control apparatus 110 Display apparatus

Claims (6)

A plurality of operation units provided at a plurality of installation locations of the steering of the vehicle;
An operation target image generating means for generating a plurality of operation target images corresponding to each of the plurality of operation units together with an additional image indicating an installation location of the plurality of operation units corresponding to each of the plurality of operation target images;
Display processing means for displaying the operation target image generated by the operation target image generation means and the additional image on a display device;
The operation target image generating means arranges the additional image with respect to the operation target image in a direction indicating a relative direction of each of the plurality of operation units,
The additional image in-vehicle apparatus, wherein an image der Rukoto showing the shadow of the operation target image. In claim 1 ,
The plurality of operation units are provided at two left and right positions of the steering. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The in-vehicle device, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The in-vehicle device, wherein the display device is provided in a meter cluster. In claim 4 ,
On the screen displayed by the display device, an area for displaying instruments necessary for vehicle travel including a speedometer, the operation target image generated by the operation target image generation means, and the additional image are displayed. The vehicle-mounted device characterized by including a region. In any one of Claims 1-5 ,
For each of a plurality of operation target images, further comprising an operation direction specifying means for specifying the direction of the operation unit that performs the operation
The in-vehicle device, wherein the operation target image generating unit generates the additional image corresponding to each of the plurality of operation units in a direction specified by the operation direction specifying unit.

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