JP6181949B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that can be used for, for example, a vehicle meter unit that displays instruments such as a speedometer and a tachometer, and more particularly to a display device that can perform graphic display.

  Conventionally, as a meter unit for a vehicle, an analog meter that displays information indicating a vehicle state such as a vehicle speed and an engine rotational speed by physically moving a pointer, or a digital meter that displays information by digital display of numerical values and characters. It has been known.

  In recent years, a liquid crystal display panel or the like that can display an arbitrary image graphically by combining a large number of pixels whose display modes can be individually controlled is available at a relatively low cost. For this reason, attempts have been made to realize display of instruments and the like in the meter unit using various graphic displays.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, various instruments can be displayed by displaying an image on the screen of a liquid crystal display panel.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle meter unit that displays a navigation image or an image acquired by a camera at the center of a display.

JP 2000-221915 A JP 2009-73431 A

  By the way, when the graphic display is adopted in the meter unit, the contents to be displayed can be freely expressed in various forms. However, even if a graphic display is adopted, it is required to display the same content as a conventional analog meter having a pointer on the display screen of the meter unit in order to emphasize visibility during driving. Tend to be.

  In this way, when using an expression method equivalent to that of an analog meter, the vehicle user recognizes that the display is the same as the old visual display, even though it employs a highly functional graphic display. There was a risk of it. In addition, as shown in Patent Document 2, simply displaying an image at the center of the display may result in lack of freshness for the user. That is, since the user cannot feel a novelty or a special high-class feeling, there is a possibility that a special added value corresponding to the graphic display cannot be generated even if the graphic display is adopted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device with improved display mode.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by a display device having the following configuration.
(1) A display provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle, including a display unit capable of displaying an arbitrary image by combining a plurality of pixels whose display modes can be individually controlled, and capable of presenting information on the state of the vehicle A device,
The display area of the display unit includes a first display element, a second display element , a substantially circular third display element for presenting information relating to the state of the vehicle, and the third display element. The third display element for presenting information relating to the state of the vehicle different from the information presented by the third display element, wherein the third display element is displayed in the overlapping part. A substantially circular fourth display element having a display area smaller than that of the display element , and the third display element and the fourth display element are in a normal state having the overlapping portion, The area of the overlapping portion can be displayed in a storage state larger than the normal state,
From the state in which the first display element and the third display element and the fourth display element in the normal state are displayed, the first display element being displayed is erased by sliding out or fading out. that when, in parallel with this transition the third display element and the fourth display element in the retracted state, in the display area vacated by these, the second display element is a slide-in or fade And display of the second display element is started.
about.
(2) The display device according to (1) above,
The second display element being displayed has a second overlapping portion that overlaps a portion other than the overlapping portion with the third display element in the fourth display element in the housed state. The fourth display element is displayed in an overlapping portion;
about.
(3) The display device according to (1) or (2) above,
The fourth display element is displayed so that the information presented by the fourth display element is readable in both the normal state and the storage state.
about.
(4) The display device according to any one of (1) to (3),
The second display element is a navigation image,
When the vehicle reaches a pre-registered point, the second display element slides in or fades in, and the display of the second display element is started.
about.
(5) The display device according to any one of (1) to (4),
When the first display element being displayed is erased by sliding out or fading out, the inclination angle of the second display element with respect to the display surface of the display unit gradually increases in the empty display area. The display of the second display element is started by fading in by being displayed.
about.
(6) The display device according to (5) above,
The second display element that has started to display after fading in by being displayed so that the tilt angle gradually increases, and then faded out by being displayed so that the tilt angle gradually decreases. The first display element is slid in or faded into the display area that is erased by this, and display of the first display element is started.
about.
(7) The display device according to any one of (1) to (6) above,
The second display element, when the display with full Edoin is started, the display size are displayed so as to gradually increase,
about.
(8) The display device according to (6) above,
When the second display element is faded out by being displayed so that the tilt angle is gradually decreased and displayed, the display size is gradually decreased.
about.

According to the display device having the configuration of (1) and (2) , when the first display element being displayed is erased by sliding out or fading out, the second display is displayed in the empty display area. The element slides in or fades in and starts displaying, and the display layout is changed. By appropriately changing the display layout in this way, it is possible to realize a display rich in a new sense, and to give a novel impression different from a general analog meter to the user. In addition, since the second display element slides in or fades in and the display is started, the user's line of sight can be guided to the second display element. In addition, since the second display element is newly displayed in the display area that is freed by deleting the first display element being displayed, the display area can be effectively used.
In addition, when the first display element being displayed is erased by sliding out or fading out, the third display element and the fourth display element transition to a storage state with a large overlapping portion in parallel with this, As a result, the second display element slides in or fades into the vacant display area and the display is started, so that it is possible to realize a novel display with a novel impression different from that of a general analog meter. Can be given to the user. In addition, since the second display element is newly displayed in the display area that is vacated by the transition of the third display element and the fourth display element to the storage state having a large overlapping portion, the display area is effectively used. be able to.
According to the display device having the configuration (3), the state quantity presented by the fourth display element can be read in both the normal state and the housed state, so that the user always presents the fourth display element. You can know the amount of state. That is, even in the storage state where the overlapping portion is large, the state amount presented by the fourth display element can be read, which is highly convenient. In addition, the display area can be effectively used.
According to the display device having the configuration (4), when the vehicle arrives at a pre-registered point, the second display element appears and the display is started, so that the use of the navigation image is promoted. In addition, since the display of the second display element is started without requiring an operation, a novel impression can be given to the user.
According to the display device having the configuration (5), since the second display element is displayed so that the inclination angle with respect to the display surface gradually increases and fades in, the second display element rises. Such an impression can be given to the user, and the novelty of the display mode can be enhanced.
According to the display device having the configuration (6), the second display element that is displayed so that the inclination angle with respect to the display surface gradually increases and fades in is gradually reduced with respect to the display surface. Display and fade out. For this reason, it is possible to give the user an impression that the second display element that is displayed so as to get up and started to be displayed falls when it is deleted. Furthermore, since the first display element slides in or fades into the display area that is vacated by the deletion of the second display element in this manner, a display rich in a new sense can be realized, and a general analog A novel impression different from the meter can be given to the user.
According to the display device having the configuration (7), the second display element is displayed so that the display size gradually increases when the display is started. It is possible to give the user an impression of approaching, and to enhance the novelness of the display mode.
According to the display device having the above configuration (8), when the second display element is erased, the display size is displayed so that the display size is gradually reduced. Therefore, the second display element moves away. Such an impression can be given to the user, and the novelty of the display mode can be enhanced.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the display apparatus which improved the novelness of the display mode can be provided.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through a mode for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the graphic meter 100A according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a graphic display area 111a displayed on the liquid crystal display 111 of the graphic meter 100A in a normal state. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a display operation procedure of the graphic meter 100A when the display layout is changed. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing transition of the graphic display area 111a of the graphic meter 100A when the display layout is changed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the rear seat display start processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the display image displayed in the graphic display area 111a and the tilt angle. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the rear seat display final processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display operation procedure of the graphic meter 100B according to the second embodiment when the display layout is changed. FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C are diagrams showing the transition of the graphic display area 111a of the graphic meter 100B when the display layout is changed. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a navigation display start procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a navigation display end procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a display device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The display device according to the embodiment is applied to a graphic meter installed on an instrument panel in a vehicle compartment. The display device of the embodiment has a function of changing the display layout between normal time and function image display (back seat image display and navigation image display) (see FIGS. 4 and 9 to be described later). .

(First embodiment)
<Configuration example of display device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the graphic meter 100A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the graphic meter 100A includes a microcomputer (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 101, a read-only memory (EEPROM) 102, an interface 103, an interface 104, a CPU power supply unit 105, a graphic A controller 106, a frame memory 107, an X driver 108, a Y driver 109, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) power supply unit 110, a liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) 111, and an interface 112 are provided.

  The microcomputer 101 is a control unit, executes a program prepared in advance, and performs various processes necessary for realizing the function of the graphic meter 100A. For example, the microcomputer 101 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The read-only memory 102 stores contents of a program executed by the microcomputer 101, image data such as each meter image (a speedometer 41, a fuel gauge 42, a tachometer 51, a water temperature gauge 52 described later), and a position contention described later. Holds various fixed data such as data.

  The interface 103 inputs a signal (IGN +) indicating the state of the ignition switch on the vehicle side to the microcomputer 101.

  The interface 104 is used to perform communication in accordance with a CAN (Controller Area Network) standard between the microcomputer 101 and various control devices (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) on the vehicle side. Specifically, data representing various current vehicle states such as the current vehicle running speed, engine rotation speed, cooling water temperature, fuel remaining amount, and whether or not the clutch is connected, is transmitted from the vehicle side to the interface 104 as almost real-time data. To the microcomputer 101.

  For example, the interface 104 receives a vehicle speed pulse signal output from a speed sensor mounted on the vehicle side every time the vehicle moves by a predetermined amount, and the microcomputer 101 as travel speed information indicating the current travel speed value of the vehicle. Output to.

  The interface 104 receives a pulse signal output from an engine speed sensor that detects the engine speed, and outputs the pulse signal to the microcomputer 101 as engine speed information. Further, the interface 104 receives information regarding the remaining amount of fuel detected by the fuel sensor and outputs the information to the microcomputer 101. The interface 104 receives a signal from a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cooling water in the radiator, and outputs the signal to the microcomputer 101 as cooling water information.

  The interface 112 is connected to a switch (for example, a steering switch (ST switch) or a rear seat switch disposed on the rear seat) that instructs an operation related to a graphic screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 111 and is operated by a user. An instruction is received and a signal corresponding to the operation instruction is output to the microcomputer 101. As will be described later, the ST switch and the rear seat switch can be used to determine the start point of the display layout change. The interface 112 is connected to a rear-seat camera (not shown) that is disposed in the vehicle interior and captures the rear seat in the vehicle interior, and image data captured by the rear-seat camera is converted to the microcomputer 101. Output to. That is, the rear seat camera is an external device as a video data acquisition unit. The interface 112 is connected to a navigation device (not shown), receives navigation image (video) data from the navigation device, and outputs it to the microcomputer 101. That is, the navigation device is also an external device as a video data acquisition unit, like the rear seat camera.

  The interface 112 is connected to a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver (not shown), and outputs position information obtained from the GPS receiver to the microcomputer 101.

  The CPU power supply unit 105 inputs DC power supplied from the vehicle-side plus-side power supply line (+ B) and generates a DC voltage (Vcc) necessary for the operation of the microcomputer 101. Further, a reset signal is generated as necessary, and an operation for suppressing power supply is performed in accordance with a sleep signal output from the microcomputer 101.

  The liquid crystal display 111 is a display unit, and has a color two-dimensional display screen in which a large number of minute display cells constituted by liquid crystal devices are arranged in the X direction and the Y direction. By individually controlling the display states of a large number of minute display cells for each cell, desired information such as graphics, characters, images, etc. can be displayed on the two-dimensional display screen.

  Thus, the liquid crystal display 111 displays the graphic display area 111a of the graphic meter 100A by two-dimensional screen display. The display content of the liquid crystal display 111 is controlled by the microcomputer 101 as will be described later.

  The scanning position in the Y direction on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 111 is sequentially switched by the output of the Y driver 109. The Y driver 109 sequentially switches the scanning position in the Y direction in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal output from the graphic controller 106.

  The X driver 108 sequentially switches the scanning position in the X direction on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 111 in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal output from the graphic controller 106. In addition, the X driver 108 gives RGB color image data output from the graphic controller 106 to the display cell at the scanning position to control the display contents on the screen.

  The graphic controller 106 displays various graphic elements on the screen of the liquid crystal display 111 according to various instructions input from the microcomputer 101. Actually, the microcomputer 101 or the graphic controller 106 writes the display data to the frame memory 107 that holds the display contents for each pixel and draws the graphic. In addition, a vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal for two-dimensionally scanning the screen of the liquid crystal display 111 are generated, and display data stored at a corresponding address on the frame memory 107 at a timing synchronized with these synchronizing signals. Is applied to the liquid crystal display 111.

  The LCD power supply unit 110 receives DC power supplied from the vehicle-side plus power supply line (+ B) and generates predetermined DC power required for display on the liquid crystal display 111.

<Specific examples of display screen>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a graphic display area 111a displayed on the liquid crystal display 111 of the graphic meter 100A in a normal state. A speedometer 41, a fuel gauge 42, a tachometer 51, a water temperature gauge 52, and a vehicle image 61 are displayed on the graphic display area 111a shown in FIG. Each of these display elements is realized as a graphic display element expressed by a set of a large number of display pixels.

  The speedometer 41 (third display element) is a circular display element for presenting the current traveling speed (vehicle speed: km / h) as information relating to the state of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the speedometer 41 is disposed in the vicinity of the annular speed scale 45 and the center of the speed scale 45 as in a general analog instrument, and indicates a part of the speed scale 45 to indicate the current vehicle speed. And a pointer 46 to be presented. As shown in FIG. 2, the speedometer 41 is arranged on one end side (left end side in the figure) in the graphic display area 111a.

  The fuel gauge 42 (fourth display element) is a circular display element for presenting the current remaining fuel amount of the vehicle as information relating to the state of the vehicle. That is, the fuel gauge 42 presents information related to the vehicle that is different from the speedometer 41. In this embodiment, the fuel gauge 42 is arranged in the vicinity of the center of the fuel scale 47 and the annular fuel scale 47 having a smaller diameter than the speed scale 45, as in a general analog instrument. And a pointer 48 indicating a part and presenting the current remaining fuel amount. As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel gauge 42 has a smaller display area than the speedometer 41. Further, the fuel gauge 42 is arranged closer to the tachometer 51 than the speedometer 41 (that is, at the center side and the other end side) so as to have a portion overlapping the speedometer 41 in the graphic display area 111a. ing. In addition, the fuel gauge 42 is not displayed in the overlapping portion, and the speedometer 41 is displayed.

The speedometer 41 (third display element) and the fuel gauge 42 (fourth display element) are stored in the normal state in the normal state shown in FIG. 2 and in the functional image display shown in FIG. It is possible to display the status. In the first embodiment, in the housed state, the fuel gauge 42 is arranged so that all of it is hidden behind the speedometer 41. That is, the fuel gauge 42 is not displayed in the stored state. In other words, in the housed state, the area of the overlapping portion between the speedometer 41 and the fuel gauge 42 is larger than that in the normal state.

The tachometer 51 ( third display element) is a circular display element for presenting the current engine speed (x1000 rpm) as information relating to the state of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, like a general analog instrument, the tachometer 51 is disposed in the vicinity of the center of the rotation speed scale 55 and the rotation speed scale 55 having the same shape as the speed scale 45 and the rotation speed scale 55. A pointer 56 indicating a part of the speed scale 55 and presenting the current rotation speed is included. As shown in FIG. 2, the tachometer 51 is opposed to the speedometer 41 on the other end side (right end side in the figure) opposite to the one end side where the speedometer 41 is arranged in the graphic display area 111a. Has been placed.

The water temperature gauge 52 ( fourth display element) is a circular display element for presenting the current coolant temperature of the vehicle as information relating to the state of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the water temperature gauge 52 is arranged in the vicinity of the center of the water temperature scale 57 and the annular water temperature scale 57 having substantially the same shape as the fuel scale 47 in the same manner as a general analog instrument. And a pointer 58 that indicates a part of the current temperature and presents the current temperature of the cooling water. As shown in FIG. 2, the water temperature meter 52 is closer to the speedometer 41 than the tachometer 51 (that is, on the center side and one end side) so as to have a portion overlapping the tachometer 51 in the graphic display area 111a. .) Is arranged. In addition, the water temperature meter 52 is not displayed in the overlapping portion, and the tachometer 51 is displayed.

The tachometer 51 (third display element) and the water temperature gauge 52 (fourth display element) are stored in the normal state in the normal state shown in FIG. 2 and in the functional image display shown in FIG. It is possible to display the status. In the first embodiment, in the housed state, the water temperature gauge 52 is arranged so that all of it is hidden behind the tachometer 51. That is, the water temperature gauge 52 is not displayed in the stored state. In other words, in the stored state, the area of the overlapping portion between the tachometer 51 and the water temperature gauge 52 is larger than that in the normal state.

  The vehicle image 61 (first display element) is a display element that simulates the overall shape of the vehicle, and is arranged at the center of the screen in the graphic display area 111a shown in FIG. That is, the vehicle image 61 is normally arranged between the speedometer 41 and the fuel gauge 42 arranged on one end side, and the tachometer 51 and the water temperature gauge 52 arranged on the other end side. The vehicle image 61 can be used, for example, to represent the current state of the vehicle graphically rather than displaying numerical values. For example, when the passenger seat door of the vehicle on which the graphic meter 100A is mounted is opened, the passenger seat door of the vehicle image 61 is displayed so that the passenger seat door is opened. Can be informed. That is, the vehicle image 61 is a decoration image for displaying information related to the state of the vehicle as an image simulating the vehicle. Further, as will be described later, the vehicle image 61 is displayed so as to be slid out and erased below the graphic display area 111a when the display layout is changed.

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, a rear seat image 71 (second display element) shown in FIG. 4C described later can be displayed in the graphic display area 111a. The rear seat image 71 is an image representing an image taken by the rear seat camera described above. That is, the rear seat image 71 is a functional image for displaying video data obtained from an external device (video data acquisition unit). As will be described later, when the display layout is changed, the rear seat image 71 fades into the graphic display area 111a and starts to be displayed.

<Operation of display device>
The operation at the time of changing the display layout of the graphic meter 100A having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a display operation procedure of the graphic meter 100A when the display layout is changed. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing transition of the graphic display area 111a when the display layout is changed. An operation program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the read-only memory 102 and executed by the microcomputer 101.

  First, the driver turns on the ignition switch. The microcomputer 101 supplied with the DC voltage (Vcc) starts display in the graphic display area 111a.

  First, the microcomputer 101 performs meter display processing (normal processing) at normal times (step S1). In the normal process, as shown in FIG. 4A, the microcomputer 101 performs display control so that the display content of the graphic display area 111a functions as a normal meter unit for automobiles. That is, the latest vehicle speed information is acquired via the interface 104, and the display content is updated so that this vehicle speed is reflected in the display position and orientation of the hands 46 of the speedometer 41. Further, the latest engine rotation speed information is acquired via the interface 104, and the display content is updated so that the engine rotation speed is reflected in the display position and orientation of the pointer 56 of the tachometer 51. The same applies to other display elements such as the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52.

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 101 determines whether or not there is a rear seat display request (step S2). More specifically, it is determined whether or not the ST switch is on. When it is determined that the ST switch is on, it is determined that there is a rear seat display request. When it is determined that the ST switch is off, the rear seat is determined. It is determined that there is no display request. When there is a rear seat display request, the microcomputer 101 performs a rear seat display start process (step S3, FIG. 5). After the rear seat display start process is performed, the microcomputer 101 returns to the process of step S1.

  On the other hand, if there is no rear seat display request in step S2, the microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the rear seat image 71 is currently displayed in the graphic display area 111a (step S4). If the rear seat image 71 is not displayed, the microcomputer 101 returns to the process of step S1. On the other hand, when the rear seat image 71 is displayed, the microcomputer 101 performs a rear seat display end process (step S5, FIG. 7). Thereafter, the microcomputer 101 returns to the process of step S1.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the rear seat display start processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. In the rear seat display start process, generally, the vehicle image 61 is slid out and erased, whereby the rear seat image 71 fades into a vacant display area and the display is started.

  First, the microcomputer 101 moves the vehicle image 61 displayed in the center to the outside of the graphic display area 111a by continuously moving the vehicle image 61 downward as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. Is started (step S11). Thereafter, the microcomputer 101 displays the vehicle image 61 so that it is erased by sliding out below the graphic display area 111a until step S15 described later.

  The microcomputer 101 continuously moves the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 displayed in the normal state so as to approach the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 as indicated by arrows b1 and b2 in FIG. Then, a process of moving the part so as to be partially hidden behind the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 is started (step S12). FIG. 4B shows a state where the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 are moving. Thus, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 continuously move so as to approach the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51, and the range overlapping with the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 gradually increases with time. Move to become bigger.

  The microcomputer 101 starts the process of displaying the rear seat image 71 in the central display area where the vacant area has expanded due to the movement of the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 (step S13). At the beginning of display, the rear seat image 71 is displayed slightly above the central portion of the display area with a small inclination angle in the depth direction and a small display size.

  Here, the relationship between the inclination angle in the depth direction and the display image of the rear seat image 71 displayed in the graphic display area 111a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the display image displayed in the graphic display area 111a and the tilt angle. As shown in FIG. 6, when the rear seat image 71 is inclined by the inclination angle θ with respect to the direction perpendicular to the display surface of the liquid crystal display 111, the rear seat image 71 is projected on the display surface from the user. It is visually recognized as a display image 71a. That is, the display image 71a is displayed in the graphic display area 111a. Therefore, at the beginning of the display, since the inclination angle θ is small, the rear seat image 71 is visually recognized as being tilted.

  The microcomputer 101 displays the rear seat image 71 after step S13 until step S15 described later so that the inclination angle of the rear seat image 71 gradually increases and the display size increases. Further, the microcomputer 101 displays the rear seat image 71 so that the display color gradually becomes darker.

  By being displayed in this way, the rear seat image 71 is displayed so as to fade into the graphic display area 111a as the inclination angle gradually increases. For this reason, according to the graphic meter 100A according to the first embodiment, an impression that the rear seat image 71 rises can be given to the user, and the novelty of the display mode can be enhanced. Further, since the rear seat image 71 is displayed so that the display size gradually increases during the fade-in, it is possible to give the user an impression that the rear seat image 71 is approaching while getting up, The novelty of the display mode can be further enhanced. Further, since the rear seat image 71 is displayed so that the display color gradually becomes deeper at the time of the fade-in, the display mode can also be made new by this.

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 101 performs a process of gradually thinning and deleting the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 (step S14). More specifically, the microcomputer 101 approaches the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51, and gradually reduces the display concentrations of the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 displayed so that almost all of them overlap. To erase. In other words, between step S12 and step S14, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 are displayed so as to slide in with respect to the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51, but the display density gradually decreases. Appears to fade out. As a result, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 transition to the storage state.

  The microcomputer 101 makes the rear seat image 71 upright by gradually increasing the inclination angle (step S15). FIG. 4C shows a state where the rear seat image 71 is upright. Thereafter, the microcomputer 101 returns to the normal process of step S1 in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the rear seat display end processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. In the rear seat display end process, the rear seat image 71 is basically erased by a procedure opposite to the rear seat display start process described above, and the vehicle image 61 is displayed in the empty display area.

  First, the microcomputer 101 starts processing for deleting the rear seat image 71 (step S21). This erasing process is performed in the reverse procedure to the display process of the rear seat image 71. That is, the microcomputer 101 performs a process of gradually reducing the inclination angle of the rear seat image 71 and reducing the display size of the rear seat image 71.

  The microcomputer 101 performs processing for starting display of the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 (step S22). That is, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 are displayed at the display start position which is the position immediately before being erased in step S14 of the rear seat display start process. Then, the microcomputer 101 moves the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 to the position at the normal time so as to be away from the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 (step S23). As a result, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 transition from the housed state to the normal state.

  After the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 move, the microcomputer 101 moves the vehicle image 61 in the direction opposite to the arrow a in FIG. 4A and slides it in from the lower side of the graphic display area 111a. The process of moving to the part is started (step S24). In the present embodiment, after the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 are moved, the vehicle image 61 is moved to the central portion of the graphic display area 111a. However, these are moved simultaneously (in parallel). It does not matter.

  The microcomputer 101 performs a process of erasing the rear-seat image 71 tilted so that the tilt angle is decreased and falls down (step S25). Thereafter, the microcomputer 101 returns to the normal process of step S1 in FIG.

Through the process described above, the rear seat display is started in accordance with the presence or absence of the rear seat display request. In the rear seat display start process, the vehicle image 61 being displayed is slid out and erased. The seat image 71 fades in and its display is started. Further, in the rear seat display end process, the rear seat image 71 is faded out and erased by a procedure reverse to the rear seat display start process, whereby the vehicle image 61 is displayed in a vacant display area by fading in. .
In this way, by appropriately changing the display layout in accordance with the presence / absence of the rear seat display request, it is possible to realize a display with a new sense, and to give the user a novel impression different from a general analog meter. Further, since the rear seat image 71 fades in and its display is started, the user's line of sight can be guided to the rear seat image 71. In addition, the display area can be used effectively.

In the rear seat display start process, the vehicle image 61 being displayed slides out from the state in which the vehicle image 61 and the speedometer 41, fuel meter 42, tachometer 51, and water temperature meter 52 in the normal state are displayed. In parallel with this, the speedometer 41, the fuel gauge 42, the tachometer 51, and the water temperature gauge 52 transition to the storage state, and the rear seat image 71 fades into the empty display area. Display is started. Further, in the rear seat display end process, the rear seat image 71 is changed from the state in which the speedometer 41, the fuel gauge 42, the tachometer 51, and the water temperature gauge 52 are in the retracted state by a procedure reverse to the rear seat display start process. When it is erased by fading out, the speedometer 41, the fuel gauge 42, the tachometer 51, and the water temperature gauge 52 transition to the normal state in parallel with this, and the vehicle image 61 is faded in and displayed.
Thus, since the rear seat image 71 is newly displayed in the display area vacated by the speedometer 41, the fuel gauge 42, the tachometer 51, and the water temperature gauge 52 being changed to the storage state, it is rich in a new sense. In addition to realizing display, the display area can be used more effectively.

Further, in the rear seat display start process, the vehicle image 61 being displayed is slid out and erased. As a result, the rear seat image 71 is displayed in the vacant display area while the inclination angle is gradually increased and the display size is increased. The display is gradually increased and faded in to start the display. Further, in the rear seat display end process, the rear seat image 71 is erased by being faded out by being displayed so that the inclination angle is gradually decreased and the display size is gradually decreased. The vehicle image 61 fades into the display area and its display is started.
For this reason, it is possible to give the user an impression that the rear seat image 71 gets up and approaches when the display is started, and falls away when the display is erased. Further, since the vehicle image 61 is displayed so as to replace the rear seat image 71 that is displayed and then erased in this way, a display rich in a new sense can be realized, which is different from a general analog meter. Can give the user a different impression.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the case where the rear seat image 71 is displayed as the functional image has been described. In the second embodiment, the case where the navigation image 91 is displayed instead of the rear seat image 71 is described. To do. The graphic meter 100B (not shown) according to the second embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the graphic meter 100A according to the first embodiment. That is, it has the same configuration as the hardware configuration shown in FIG. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component same as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Specific examples of display screen>
The graphic display area 111a displayed on the liquid crystal display 111 of the graphic meter 100B according to the second embodiment at the normal time is the same as that in the first embodiment. That is, the graphic display area 111a shown in FIG. 2 is displayed.

Speedometer 41 (third display element) and a fuel meter 42 (fourth display elements), a normal state at normal time, can be displayed in the housed state at the time of displaying the functional image shown in FIG. 9 (C) to be described later It is. In the second embodiment, in the housed state, the fuel gauge 42 is arranged so that a part thereof is hidden behind the speedometer 41. That is, the fuel gauge 42 is displayed even in the stored state. In the stored state, the area of the overlapping portion between the speedometer 41 and the fuel gauge 42 is larger than that in the normal state. Further, as shown in FIG. 9 (C), the fuel gauge 42, even in the accommodated state, the fuel quantity which the fuel meter 42 is presented is readable display.

Similarly, the tachometer 51 (third display element) and the water temperature gauge 52 (fourth display elements), a normal state at normal time, and the stored state at the time of displaying the functional image shown in FIG. 9 (C) to be described later Can be displayed. In the second embodiment, in the housed state, the water temperature meter 52 is arranged so that a part thereof is hidden behind the tachometer 51. That is, the water temperature gauge 52 is displayed even in the stored state. In the stored state, the area of the overlapping portion between the tachometer 51 and the water temperature gauge 52 is larger than that in the normal state. Further, as shown in FIG. 9 (C), the water temperature gauge 52 is also in the accommodated state, the temperature of the cooling water is readable displays the water temperature gauge 52 is presented.

Further, in the graphic display area 111a, described later navigation image 91 (second display element) shown in FIG. 9 (C) are possible display. The navigation image 91 is an image representing a video received from the navigation device described above. That is, the navigation image 91 is a functional image for displaying video data obtained from an external device (video data acquisition unit). As will be described later, when the display layout is changed, the navigation image 91 fades into the graphic display area 111a and starts to be displayed.

<Operation of display device>
The operation at the time of changing the display layout of the graphic meter 100B having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display operation procedure of the graphic meter 100B when the display layout is changed. FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C are diagrams showing the transition of the graphic display area 111a when the display layout is changed.

  First, the driver turns on the ignition switch. The microcomputer 101 supplied with the DC voltage (Vcc) starts display in the graphic display area 111a.

  First, the microcomputer 101 performs meter display processing (normal processing) at the normal time (step S31).

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 101 determines whether or not there is a navigation display request (step S32). More specifically, the microcomputer 101 refers to position contention data that is stored in the read-only memory 102 and is information for specifying a plurality of pre-registered points, and is obtained via the interface 112. It is determined whether or not the current location specified based on the position information matches the point registered as the position contention data. For example, it is determined whether or not the current location is located within a predetermined range (for example, 10 m) from a point registered as position contention data. When it is determined that the current location is located within the predetermined range, it is determined that there is a navigation display request, and when it is determined that the current location is not located, it is determined that there is no navigation display request. When there is a navigation display request, the microcomputer 101 performs a navigation display start process (step S33, FIG. 9). After the navigation display start process is performed, the microcomputer 101 returns to the process of step S31.

  On the other hand, if there is no navigation display request in step S32, the microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the navigation image 91 is currently displayed in the graphic display area 111a (step S34). If the navigation image 91 is not displayed, the microcomputer 101 returns to the process of step S31. On the other hand, when the navigation image 91 is displayed, the microcomputer 101 performs a navigation display end process (step S35). Thereafter, the microcomputer 101 returns to the process of step S31.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a navigation display start procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. In the navigation display start process, generally, the navigation image 91 is slid out and deleted, and the navigation image 91 is faded into a vacant display area and the display is started.

Microcomputer 101, first, the navigation image 91 is displayed at the center, by continuously moves downward as indicated by an arrow a in FIG. 9 (A), is moved to the outside of the graphic display area 111a process Is started (step S41). Thereafter, the microcomputer 101 displays the navigation image 91 so as to be erased by sliding out below the graphic display area 111a until step S45 described later.

  The microcomputer 101 continuously moves the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 displayed in the normal state so as to approach the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51, respectively, as indicated by arrows b1 and b2 in FIG. Then, a process of moving the part so as to be partially hidden behind the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 is started (step S42). FIG. 9B shows a state where the movement of the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 has been completed. Thus, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 continuously move so as to approach the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51, and the range overlapping with the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 gradually increases with time. Move to become bigger. As a result, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 transition to the storage state.

  The microcomputer 101 starts a process of displaying the navigation image 91 in the display area in the central portion where the empty area has expanded due to the movement of the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 (step S43). At the beginning of display, the navigation image 91 is displayed slightly above the center portion of the display area with a small inclination angle in the depth direction and a small display size.

  The microcomputer 101 displays the navigation image 91 so that the inclination angle of the navigation image 91 gradually increases and the display size increases after step S43 until step S45 described later. Further, the microcomputer 101 displays the navigation image 91 so that the display color gradually becomes darker.

  By displaying in this way, the navigation image 91 is displayed so as to fade into the graphic display area 111a as the inclination angle gradually increases.

  When the navigation image 91 transitions to a state where the navigation image 91 has a portion overlapping with the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52, the microcomputer 101 performs a process of displaying the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 on the overlapping portion (step S44).

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 101 makes the navigation image 91 upright by gradually increasing the inclination angle (step S45). FIG. 9C shows a state in which the navigation image 91 is upright. Thereafter, the microcomputer 101 returns to the normal process of step S31 in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a navigation display end procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. In the navigation display end process, the navigation image 91 is erased by a procedure basically reverse to the navigation display start process described above, and the vehicle image 61 is displayed in the empty display area.

  First, the microcomputer 101 starts processing for deleting the navigation image 91 (step S51). This erasure process is performed in the reverse procedure of the navigation image 91 display process. That is, the microcomputer 101 performs a process of gradually reducing the inclination angle of the navigation image 91 and reducing the display size of the navigation image 91.

  The microcomputer 101 moves the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 to their normal positions so as to be separated from the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 (step S53). As a result, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 transition from the housed state to the normal state.

  After the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 move, the microcomputer 101 moves the vehicle image 61 in the direction opposite to the arrow a in FIG. 9A and slides it in from the lower side of the graphic display area 111a. The process of moving to the first part is started (step S53). In the present embodiment, after the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 are moved, the vehicle image 61 is moved to the central portion of the graphic display area 111a. However, these are moved simultaneously (in parallel). It does not matter.

  The microcomputer 101 performs a process of erasing the navigation image 91 that is tilted so that the tilt angle is decreased and falls down (step S55). Thereafter, the microcomputer 101 returns to the normal process of step S31 in FIG.

By the processing described above, in the navigation display start processing, the vehicle image 61 being displayed is displayed from the state in which the vehicle image 61 and the speedometer 41, fuel meter 42, tachometer 51, and water temperature meter 52 in the normal state are displayed. When it is erased by sliding out, the speedometer 41, the fuel gauge 42, the tachometer 51, and the water temperature gauge 52 are shifted to the storage state in parallel with this, and the navigation image 91 is faded in the empty display area. And display is started. Further, in the navigation display end process, the navigation image 91 fades out from the state in which the speedometer 41, the fuel gauge 42, the tachometer 51, and the water temperature gauge 52 are in the retracted state by a procedure reverse to the navigation display start process. In parallel with this, the speedometer 41, fuel gauge 42, tachometer 51, and water temperature gauge 52 transition to the normal state, and the vehicle image 61 is faded in and displayed. At this time, in both the normal state and the storage state, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 are displayed so that the state quantities presented by them can be read.
For this reason, the user can always know the state quantities presented by the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52. That is, even in the storage state where the overlapping portion is large, the state quantity presented by the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 can be read, which is highly convenient. In addition, the display area can be effectively used.

Further, in the graphic meter 100B according to the second embodiment, the functional image is the navigation image 91, and when the vehicle reaches a pre-registered point, the navigation image 91 fades in and its display is started.
As described above, when the vehicle arrives at a pre-registered point, the navigation image 91 appears and its display is started, so that the use of the navigation function is promoted. In addition, since the display of the navigation image 91 is started without requiring an operation, a novel impression can be given to the user.

  Hereinafter, the graphic meters 100A and 100B according to the embodiment will be summarized.

(1) The graphic meters 100A and 100B according to the embodiment include a liquid crystal display 111 (display unit) capable of displaying an arbitrary image by a combination of a number of pixels whose display modes can be individually controlled, and relate to the state of the vehicle. It is a display device capable of presenting information. A vehicle image 61 (first display element) and a rear seat image 71 (or navigation image 91, second display element) can be displayed in the display area (graphic display area 111a) of the liquid crystal display 111. Then, when the vehicle image 61 being displayed is slid out and erased, the rear seat image 71 fades into the vacant display area, and the display of the rear seat image 71 is started.

(2) Further, in the graphic meters 100A and 100B according to the embodiment, in the display area of the liquid crystal display 111, the circular speedometer 41 for presenting the vehicle speed and the rotational speed of the engine (information on the state of the vehicle) and Remaining fuel and cooling, having a tachometer 51 (third display element) and a portion overlapping with the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 and displaying the speedometer 41 and tachometer 51 in the overlapping portion A circular fuel gauge 42 and a water temperature having a smaller display area than the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 for presenting the water temperature (information relating to the vehicle state different from the information presented by the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51). A total of 52 (fourth display element) can be further displayed. Further, the speedometer 41, the fuel gauge 42, the tachometer 51, and the water temperature gauge 52 can be displayed in a normal state and a storage state in which the area of the overlapping portion is larger than the normal state. Then, when the vehicle image 61 being displayed is slid out from the state in which the vehicle image 61 and the speedometer 41, fuel meter 42, tachometer 51, and water temperature meter 52 in the normal state are displayed, In parallel with this, the speedometer 41, the fuel gauge 42, the tachometer 51, and the water temperature gauge 52 are changed to the storage state, and the rear seat image 71 (or the navigation image 91) is slid in or faded in the empty display area. And the display of the rear seat image 71 is started.

(3) In the graphic meter 100B according to the second embodiment, the fuel gauge 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 can read the remaining fuel amount and the temperature of the cooling water in both the normal state and the storage state. Is displayed.

(4) In the graphic meter 100B according to the second embodiment, when the vehicle reaches a pre-registered point, the navigation image 91 fades in and the display of the navigation image 91 is started.

(5) Further, in the graphic meters 100A and 100B according to the embodiment, when the vehicle image 61 being displayed is slid out and deleted, the rear seat image 71 (or the navigation image 91) is displayed in the vacant display area. Is displayed so that the inclination angle with respect to the display surface of the liquid crystal display 111 gradually increases, and the display of the rear seat image 71 is started.

(6) Further, in the graphic meters 100A and 100B according to the embodiment, the rear seat image 71 (or the navigation image 91) that has started to be faded in by being displayed so that the inclination angle gradually increases is displayed. Thereafter, the image is faded out by being displayed so as to gradually decrease the inclination angle, and the vehicle image 61 is slid into the vacant display area, and the display of the vehicle image 61 is started.

(7) In the graphic meters 100A and 100B according to the embodiment, the rear seat image 71 (or the navigation image 91) is displayed so that the display size gradually increases when the display starts after fading in. Is done.

(8) Further, in the graphic meters 100A and 100B according to the embodiment, when the rear seat image 71 (or the navigation image 91) is displayed so as to gradually decrease the inclination angle, it is faded out and deleted. The display size is gradually reduced.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The above-described embodiments can be accompanied by various modifications and improvements within the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle image 61 is slid out and deleted, the rear seat image 71 (or the navigation image 91) is faded in, and the display thereof is started. Instead of fading out, the rear seat image 71 may slide in instead of fading in.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first display element is the vehicle image 61 and the second display element is the rear seat image 71 or the navigation image 91. However, the first display element and the second display element are It is not limited to this. For example, operation screens for various functions, television images, and the like may be displayed instead.

  In the above-described embodiment, the third display element, the speedometer 41, the tachometer 51, the fourth display element, the fuel gauge 42, and the water temperature gauge 52 are all configured in a circular shape. These may have a substantially circular shape, for example, an elliptical shape.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fuel indicator 42 and the water temperature gauge 52 that are the fourth display elements move so as to approach the speedometer 41 and the tachometer 51 that are the third display elements, so that the third Although the display element and the fourth display element are configured to transition to the storage state, the third display element moves so as to approach the fourth display element, or moves so as to approach each other. Accordingly, the third display element and the fourth display element may be configured to transition to the storage state.

  Moreover, in the said 1st Embodiment, although it was set as the structure which determines the presence or absence of a rear seat display request | requirement based on the state of ST switch, it replaces with this based on the state of the rear seat switch arrange | positioned at a rear seat. It may be configured to determine whether or not there is a rear seat display request. However, in this case, in order to ensure safety, it is conceivable that the rear seat display is started only when the vehicle is stopped. In addition, after the rear seat switch is pressed using both the ST switch and the rear seat switch, the rear seat display is displayed only when the user (driver) recognizes the request and presses the ST switch. It is conceivable that the configuration starts.

41 Speedometer (third display element)
42 Fuel gauge (fourth display element)
45 Speed scale 46, 48, 56, 58 Pointer 47 Fuel scale 51 Tachometer (third display element)
52 Thermometer (fourth display element)
55 Rotational speed scale 57 Water temperature scale 61 Vehicle image (first display element)
71 Rear seat image (second display element)
71a Display image 91 Navigation image (second display element)
100A, 100B Graphic meter (display device)
101 Microcomputer 102 Read Only Memory 103, 104, 112 Interface 105 CPU Power Supply Unit 106 Graphic Controller 107 Frame Memory 108 X Driver 109 Y Driver 110 LCD Power Supply Unit 111 Liquid Crystal Display (Display Unit)
111a Graphic display area

Claims (8)

A display device installed on an instrument panel of the vehicle, which includes a display unit capable of displaying an arbitrary image by a combination of a plurality of pixels whose display modes can be individually controlled, and can present information on the state of the vehicle. And
The display area of the display unit includes a first display element, a second display element , a substantially circular third display element for presenting information relating to the state of the vehicle, and the third display element. The third display element for presenting information relating to the state of the vehicle different from the information presented by the third display element, wherein the third display element is displayed in the overlapping part. A substantially circular fourth display element having a display area smaller than that of the display element , and the third display element and the fourth display element are in a normal state having the overlapping portion, The area of the overlapping portion can be displayed in a storage state larger than the normal state,
From the state in which the first display element and the third display element and the fourth display element in the normal state are displayed, the first display element being displayed is erased by sliding out or fading out. that when, in parallel with this transition the third display element and the fourth display element in the retracted state, in the display area vacated by these, the second display element is a slide-in or fade And display of the second display element is started.
A display device characterized by that. The second display element being displayed has a second overlapping portion that overlaps a portion other than the overlapping portion with the third display element in the fourth display element in the housed state. The fourth display element is displayed in an overlapping portion;
The display device according to claim 1. The fourth display element is displayed so that the information presented by the fourth display element is readable in both the normal state and the storage state.
The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the display device is a display device. The second display element is a navigation image,
When the vehicle reaches a pre-registered point, the second display element slides in or fades in, and the display of the second display element is started.
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a display device. When the first display element being displayed is erased by sliding out or fading out, the inclination angle of the second display element with respect to the display surface of the display unit gradually increases in the empty display area. The display of the second display element is started by fading in by being displayed.
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a display device. The second display element that has started to display after fading in by being displayed so that the tilt angle gradually increases, and then faded out by being displayed so that the tilt angle gradually decreases. The first display element is slid in or faded into the display area that is erased by this, and display of the first display element is started.
The display device according to claim 5. The second display element, when the display with full Edoin is started, the display size are displayed so as to gradually increase,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a display device. When the second display element is faded out by being displayed so that the tilt angle is gradually decreased and displayed, the display size is gradually decreased.
The display device according to claim 6.

Images