JP6220166B2 - 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 fuel meter, and more particularly to a display device that can perform graphic display.

  In recent years, an image display type graphic meter that displays an automobile meter on a screen using a display device such as a liquid crystal display is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-221915 A

  Since these meters are installed at positions that are easy to enter the driver's field of view during driving, it is preferable that the display has little discomfort given to the driver, and that the display content changes as smoothly as possible. It is preferable that it changes to.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a display device that can improve the smoothness of display.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a display device according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (4).
(1) a curved scale portion;
A pointer extending in a second linear direction orthogonal to the first linear direction, indicating a predetermined numerical information by moving the whole in the first linear direction while pointing at a part of the scale portion at the tip; ,
A display device comprising an image display type display unit for displaying
The pointer, as the interval in the second linear direction between the tip and the scale section is constant, the whole is moved in the first linear direction,
about.
(2) The display device according to (1) above,
A control unit connected to the display unit;
The control unit causes the display unit to display the pointer so that the tip passes on a trajectory identified based on a plurality of points on the scale unit.
about.
(3) The display device according to (2) above,
The trajectory is a trajectory identified using a Chebyshev polynomial based on a plurality of points on the scale portion.
about.
(4) The display device according to any one of (2) and (3) above,
The control unit moves the pointer over a predetermined delay time from the current position corresponding to the current instruction value to the target position when moving the pointer to the target position corresponding to the received instruction value, And at this time
An instruction value for each predetermined time interval is calculated based on the trajectory between the current instruction value and the currently accepted instruction value, and the position of the pointer corresponding to the instruction value for each time interval is calculated. Then, the pointer is displayed on the display unit so that the pointer is sequentially positioned at each calculated time interval from the current position to the target position over the delay time.
about.

By the way, some conventional display devices that display a meter on a display screen have a bar-shaped pointer extending in the left-right direction and movable in the up-down direction as a display element. Some include a side gauge that presents predetermined numerical information by pointing at the tip of the pointer. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 to be described later, there is a display that displays a boost gauge arranged adjacent to a circular speedometer as a side gauge. With regard to such a side gauge, in a conventional display device, the pointer generally moves only in the vertical direction.
In such a conventional display device, when the scale is curved (curved), the distance between the tip of the pointer and the scale in the left-right direction depends on the position of the pointer in the vertical direction when the pointer moves. Will be different. As a result, there is a possibility that the driver who visually recognizes the display device may feel uncomfortable.
On the other hand, in the display device having the configuration (1), the pointer has the second direction so that the distance between the tip and the scale portion in the second direction (for example, the left-right direction) is constant. Since the vehicle moves in the first vertical direction (for example, the vertical direction), it is possible to reduce a sense of discomfort given to the driver and improve the smoothness of the display.
In the display device having the configuration (2), the pointer is displayed so that the tip of the pointer passes on the trajectory specified based on a plurality of points on the scale portion. The interval in the second direction with respect to the portion can be made more reliably constant.
In the display device having the configuration (3), the trajectory is specified using Chebyshev's polynomial based on a plurality of points on the scale portion. The distance between the scale portion and the second direction in the second direction can be made more certain.
Further, according to the display device having the configuration (4), when the pointer is moved and displayed with a delay time (delay), the indication value for each predetermined time interval is based on the trajectory through which the pointer passes. And the tip of the pointer is positioned at the calculated time interval, so that the pointer can be moved so as to reliably pass on the track. For this reason, even if the indicated value changes suddenly, the pointer can be moved smoothly, and the display smoothness can be improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the display apparatus which can improve the smoothness of a display 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 block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the display device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a graphic display screen of the display unit. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a display operation procedure of the display device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the pointer with respect to the pressure value scale in the boost meter. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a display operation procedure of the display device according to the modification. FIG. 6 is a graph showing a change in the X coordinate of the pointer with respect to the elapsed time in the display device according to the modification. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of another pressure value scale.

  Hereinafter, the display device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The display device of this embodiment is applied to a graphic meter installed on an instrument panel in a vehicle compartment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a display device 100 that is a display device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a display device 100 includes a control unit (microcomputer, CPU: Central Processing Unit) 101, a read-only memory (EEPROM) 102, an interface 103, an interface 104, and a CPU power supply unit. 105, graphic controller 106, frame memory 107, X driver 108, Y driver 109, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) power supply unit 110, display unit (liquid crystal display, TFT-LCD: Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) 111, etc. I have.

  The control unit 101 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and executes various programs necessary for realizing the functions of the display device 100 by executing a program prepared in advance. For example, the control unit 101 performs the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The control unit 101 also includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 101a for temporarily storing various data, and a timer 101b for measuring an elapsed time T after an event such as input of an instruction value occurs. . The RAM 101a stores data such as instruction values to be described later.

  The read-only memory 102 holds the contents of the program executed by the control unit 101 and fixed data such as a preset delay time Td and time interval Ta.

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

  The interface 104 is used for communication according to a CAN (Controller Area Network) standard between the control unit 101 and various control devices (ECU: Electric Control Unit) on the vehicle side. Specifically, data representing the current values of various state quantities of the vehicle such as the traveling speed, the supercharging pressure value, and the remaining amount of fuel are input to the control unit 101 from the vehicle side via the interface 104 as almost real-time data. The

  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 controls the control unit 101 as travel speed information representing the current travel speed value of the vehicle. Output to.

  The interface 104 (input unit) represents a current value of a supercharging pressure value (boost value) output from a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of compressed air that is forcibly sent to the internal combustion engine by the supercharger. The signal is received and output to the control unit 101 as supercharging pressure information representing the current supercharging pressure value.

  The CPU power supply unit 105 receives the DC power supplied from the positive power supply line (+ B) on the vehicle side and generates a DC voltage (Vcc) necessary for the operation of the control unit 101. Further, a reset signal is generated as necessary, or an operation for suppressing power supply is performed according to a sleep signal output from the control unit 101.

  The display unit 111 is configured by a liquid crystal display such as a TFT-LCD, for example, and has a color two-dimensional display screen in which a large number of minute display cells configured by a liquid crystal device are arranged in the X direction and the Y direction. doing. The display unit 111 can display desired information such as graphics, characters, and images on a two-dimensional display screen by controlling the display state of a large number of micro display cells individually for each cell. It is an indicator.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a graphic display screen of the display unit 111. The graphic display screen includes a first display area 31, a second display area 32, and a third display area 33 that are displayed in different areas. In the following description, the horizontal direction in FIG.

  The first display area 31 is an area for displaying the current traveling speed of the vehicle. In the first display area 31, a speed scale 35 and a pointer 36 are displayed as the speedometer 25. The pointer 36 indicates a current traveling speed of the vehicle by pointing a part on the speed scale 35 with a tip.

  The second display area 32 is an area for displaying the current supercharging pressure value (boost value). In the second display area 32, a pressure value scale 37 and a pointer 38 are displayed as a boost meter 29. The boost value is presented as numerical information as a ratio (percentage) with respect to a preset maximum value, as shown in Equation (1).

  The pressure value scale 37 (scale part) is disposed at the left end of the region 32 as a part of the frame constituting the contour of the boost meter 29, and is in the Y direction (that is, the vertical direction in FIG. A curved shape extending along the direction.). In the present embodiment, the pressure value scale 37 is curved in a parabolic shape convex to the left side in FIG. The pressure value scale 37 is provided with a scale indicating each ratio of the values 0, 50, and 100. The pointer 38 has a bar shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the Y direction (that is, the left-right direction in FIG. 2 and the second direction). The pointer 38 is arranged on the right side of the pressure value scale 37 at a certain distance from the pressure value scale 37 and moves in the vertical direction along the pressure value scale 37. Details of the movement of the pointer 38 will be described later. The pointer 38 indicates a part of the pressure value scale 37 by the left end 38a and indicates a boost value.

  The third display area 33 is an area for displaying the current fuel remaining amount. In the third display area 33, the fuel scale 41 and the bar 40 are displayed as the fuel gauge 27. The bar 40 indicates a current remaining fuel amount by pointing a part on the fuel scale 41.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the scanning position in the Y direction on the display screen of display unit 111 is sequentially switched by the output of 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 display unit 111 in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal output from the graphic controller 106. The X driver 108 controls the display contents on the screen by giving the RGB color image data output from the graphic controller 106 to the display cell at the scanning position.

  The graphic controller 106 displays various graphic elements on the screen of the display unit 111 in accordance with various commands input from the control unit 101. Actually, the control unit 101 or the graphic controller 106 writes the display data to the frame memory 107 that holds the display content for each pixel and draws the graphic. Further, the graphic controller 106 generates a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal for two-dimensional scanning of the screen of the display unit 111, and is stored at a corresponding address on the frame memory 107 at a timing synchronized with these synchronization signals. Display data is given to the display unit 111.

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

  A display operation of the display device 100 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the display operation procedure of the display device 100, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the pointer with respect to the pressure value scale in the boost meter. This operation program is stored in the read-only memory 102 and is executed by the control unit 101.

  First, the driver turns on the ignition switch. The control unit 101 to which the DC voltage (Vcc) is supplied executes the process shown in FIG. 3 and starts graphic display on the display unit 111. Below, the display operation of the boost meter 29 which is a side gauge will be described. The boost meter 29 has the pressure value scale 37 and the pointer 38 as described above. In the display device 100 according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the pointer 38 moves so that the distance in the left-right direction from the pressure value scale 37 is constant.

  In step S <b> 1, the control unit 101 receives a boost value (instruction value) output from the pressure sensor via the interface 104.

  In step S <b> 2, the control unit 101 calculates the display position of the pointer 38 with respect to the pressure value scale 37 based on the instruction value received in step S <b> 1. Specific contents of the method for calculating the display position of the pointer 38 will be described later.

  In step S3, the control unit 101 displays the pointer 38 at the display position calculated in step S2. Thereafter, the control unit 101 returns to the process of step S1.

Specific contents of the calculation method of the display position of the pointer 38 will be described.
In step S2, the control unit 101 calculates an X coordinate and a Y coordinate indicating the position of the tip 38a of the pointer 38 in accordance with the following mathematical formulas (2) and (3) in which the instruction value is represented by a variable Vg.
X = a · Vg ² + b · Vg + c (2)
Y = d · Vg + e (3)

  Equations (2) and (3) are approximate equations of the trajectory 51 set so that the tip 38a of the pointer 38 passes on the trajectory 51 (see FIG. 5) at a certain distance from the pressure value scale 37. is there. As shown in Equations (2) and (3), in the present embodiment, the X coordinate component at the position of the tip 38a is approximated by a quadratic polynomial relating to the indicated value, and the Y coordinate component is expressed by a linear equation relating to the indicated value. Approximate. The reason why the X coordinate component is approximated by a second-order polynomial is that the pressure value scale 37 is parabolically curved. As will be described later, when the pressure value scale 37 has a plurality of extreme values, it may be approximated by a higher order polynomial, or may be approximated using an exponential function or the like.

  The coefficients d and e in Equation (3) for calculating the Y coordinate are obtained from the coordinate values of the upper end and the lower end of the pressure value scale 37.

  The coefficients a, b, and c in Equation (2) for calculating the X coordinate are specified based on a plurality of coordinate points (for example, several tens of points) on the pressure value scale 37. In the present embodiment, approximation by a quadratic expression using Chebyshev's polynomial is used in order to achieve high approximation accuracy. For details of the Chebyshev polynomial approximation, refer to known prior art documents (for example, JP-A-10-320379). If high approximation accuracy is not required, approximation methods used in other interpolation methods may be used for estimating each coefficient in Equation (2).

  Through the processing described above, the position of the tip 38a of the pointer 38 can be calculated, and the display position of the pointer 38 can be calculated. As a result, even when the pressure value scale 37 has a curved shape like the boost meter 29 according to the present embodiment, the tip 38a passes on the track 51 at a certain distance from the pressure value scale 37. As indicated, the pointer 38 moves.

  As described above, in the display device 100 according to the present embodiment, even when the pressure value scale 37 has a curved shape, the distance between the pressure value scale 37 in the left-right direction (X direction) remains constant, and the pointer 38 Since the front end 38a of the vehicle moves in the vertical direction (Y direction), the discomfort given to the driver can be reduced and the smoothness of the display can be improved.

  Further, in the display device 100 according to the present embodiment, the pointer 38 is displayed so that the tip 38a passes on the trajectory 51 specified based on a plurality of points on the pressure value scale 37. The interval with the pressure value scale 37 can be made more certain. In particular, in the display device 100 according to the present embodiment, since the trajectory 51 is specified using Chebyshev's polynomial, the trajectory can be specified with high accuracy.

(Modification)
A modification of the display device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a display operation procedure of the display device according to the modification, and FIG. 6 is a graph showing a change in the X coordinate of the pointer with respect to elapsed time in the display device according to the modification. The display device 100 according to the modification is schematically different from the display device 100 according to the above-described embodiment in the content of processing in the display operation. Since the other points are the same, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the display device 100 according to the modification, the pointer 38 is displayed by adding a delay time Td (delay). More specifically, when the pointer 38 moves to indicate the target position corresponding to the received boost value (instruction value), a predetermined delay time Td is set from the current position corresponding to the current instruction value to the target position. As a result, the pointer 38 moves.

Processing in the display operation will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step S <b> 11, the control unit 101 receives a boost value (instruction value) output from the pressure sensor via the interface 104.

  In step S12, the control unit 101 starts measuring the elapsed time T from when the instruction value is received in step S11.

  In step S13, the control unit 101 determines between the instruction value (current instruction value) when the instruction value is received in step S11 and the new instruction value (currently received instruction value) received in step S11. An indication value for each preset time interval Ta is calculated. For example, when the delay time Td is set to 500 msec and the time interval Ta is set to 100 msec, between the current instruction value (equivalent to the elapsed time of 0 msec) and the currently accepted instruction value (equivalent to the elapsed time of 500 msec) In this case, the instruction values of the elapsed time from the present at 100 msec, 200 msec, 300 msec, and 400 msec are calculated.

  In step S <b> 14, the control unit 101 uses the above-described mathematical expression that is an approximate expression of the trajectory 51 for the X coordinate and the Y coordinate indicating the position of the tip 38 a of the pointer 38 corresponding to the indicated value for each time interval Ta calculated in step S <b> 13. Calculations are made based on (2) and (3), respectively. As a result, the position of the tip 38a for each time interval Ta from the present to the time point ahead of the delay time Td is calculated.

  In step S15, the control unit 101 displays the pointer 38 at the display position calculated in step S14 based on the elapsed time T during measurement. That is, the control unit 101 takes the delay time Td and moves the pointer 38 so that the tip 38a is sequentially positioned at each calculated time interval Ta from the current instruction value to the new instruction value received this time. indicate. Thereafter, the control unit 101 returns to the process of step S11.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the change of the X coordinate of the tip 38a of the pointer 38 with respect to the elapsed time T will be described. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis represents the X coordinate difference in pixels, and the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time T in msec.

  As shown in FIG. 6, for example, in the pointer 38 moving with a delay time Td of 500 msec, even when the indicated value instantaneously changes from the value 0 to the value 50, the tip 38a of the pointer 38 is 100 msec. Later, it moves to a position where the indicated value is 10 and after 200 msec, it moves to a position where the indicated value is 20. Thereby, as shown by the solid line a in FIG. 6, the movement of the pointer 38 becomes smooth. In this regard, when the pointer 38 is moved simply by adding the delay time Td, when the indicated value fluctuates greatly, for example, when the indicated value instantaneously changes from the value 0 to the value 50, FIG. As indicated by the broken line b, the pointer 38 moves linearly to the target position. Further, if the pointer 38 is moved simply by adding the delay time Td, the movement of the pointer 38 cannot catch up when the indicated value fluctuates greatly, and the display position may be short-cut.

  On the other hand, according to the display device 100 according to the modified example, when the pointer 38 is moved and displayed by adding the delay time Td, the predetermined time interval Ta is set based on the trajectory 51 through which the pointer 38 passes. Since the tip 38a of the pointer 38 is positioned at the calculated time interval Ta, the pointer 38 can be moved so as to surely pass on the track 51. For this reason, even if the indicated value changes abruptly, the pointer 38 can be moved smoothly, and the display smoothness can be improved.

  Below, it summarizes about the display apparatus 100 which concerns on embodiment.

  The display device 100 according to the embodiment moves in the curved pressure value scale 37 (scale portion) extending along the Y direction and the Y direction (first direction), and a part of the pressure value scale 37 is moved to the tip 38a. An image display type display unit 111 that displays a pointer 38 that indicates a boost value (predetermined numerical information) and that extends in the X direction (second direction) perpendicular to the Y direction is provided. The pointer 38 moves in the Y direction so that the distance between the tip 38a and the pressure value scale 37 in the X direction is constant. Thereby, since the pointer 38 moves along the pressure value scale 37, it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver and improve the smoothness of the display.

  The display device 100 according to the embodiment further includes a control unit 101 connected to the display unit 111. The control unit 101 causes the display unit 111 to display the pointer 38 so that the tip 38a passes on the trajectory 51 specified based on a plurality of points on the pressure value scale 37. Thereby, the space | interval of the front-end | tip 38a and the pressure value scale 37 can be made constant reliably.

  Further, in the display device 100 according to the embodiment, the trajectory 51 is a trajectory specified using a Chebyshev polynomial based on a plurality of points on the pressure value scale 37. Thereby, the space | interval of the front-end | tip 38a and the pressure value scale 37 can be made constant more reliably.

  In the display device 100 according to the modification, the control unit 101 moves the display position of the pointer 38 so that the tip 38a points to the target position corresponding to the received instruction value. The pointer 38 is moved from the position to the target position with a predetermined delay time Td. At this time, the control unit 101 calculates an instruction value for each predetermined time interval Ta based on the trajectory 51 between the current instruction value and the instruction value received this time, and for each time interval Ta. The position of the tip 38a corresponding to the indicated value is calculated, and the delay time Td is multiplied so that the tip 38a is sequentially positioned at the calculated time interval Ta from the current indicated value to the currently accepted indicated value. Then, the pointer is displayed on the display unit 111. Thereby, even if the indicated value changes rapidly, the pointer 38 can be moved smoothly, and the display smoothness can be improved.

  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, although the case where it applied to the boost meter 29 was shown in the said embodiment, you may apply to other side gauges, such as the fuel meter 27. FIG.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the pressure value scale was set as the structure curved in the parabola shape, another shape may be sufficient as long as it is curvilinear. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of another pressure value scale. A pressure value scale 37A shown in FIG. 7A has a polygonal line shape. The pressure value scale 37B shown in FIG. 7B has a curved shape with unevenness. As described above, in such a case, an approximate expression of the X coordinate component of the tip 38a may be specified by a function that can take a plurality of extreme values.

  In the above embodiment, the pressure value scale 37 extends in the up-down direction as the first direction, and the pointer 38 extends in the left-right direction as the second direction. However, the extending direction of the pointer 38 is not limited to this, It may be configured to extend at a predetermined angle. Further, the shape of the pointer 38 may be a triangular shape or the like.

  In the above modification, the time interval Ta is described as being constant, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the delay time Td is set to 500 msec, the elapsed time from the present between the current instruction value (equivalent to the elapsed time of 0 msec) and the currently accepted instruction value (equivalent to the elapsed time of 500 msec) is 50 msec. , 100 msec, and 300 mse instruction values may be calculated.

25 Speedometer 27 Fuel gauge 29 Boost meter 31 First display area 32 Second display area 33 Third display area 35 Speed scale 37, 37A, 37B Pressure value scale (scale part)
38 Pointer 38a Tip 41 Fuel Scale 51 Orbit 100 Display Device 101 Control Unit 101a RAM
101b Timer 102 Read-only memory 103, 104 Interface 105 CPU power supply unit 106 Graphic controller 107 Frame memory 108 X driver 109 Y driver 110 LCD power supply unit 111 Display unit

Claims (4)

A curved scale,
A pointer extending in a second linear direction orthogonal to the first linear direction, indicating a predetermined numerical information by moving the whole in the first linear direction while pointing at a part of the scale portion at the tip; ,
A display device comprising an image display type display unit for displaying
The pointer, as the interval in the second linear direction between the tip and the scale section is constant, the whole is moved in the first linear direction,
A display device characterized by that. A control unit connected to the display unit;
The control unit causes the display unit to display the pointer so that the tip passes on a trajectory identified based on a plurality of points on the scale unit.
The display device according to claim 1. The trajectory is a trajectory identified using a Chebyshev polynomial based on a plurality of points on the scale portion.
The display device according to claim 2. The control unit moves the pointer over a predetermined delay time from the current position corresponding to the current instruction value to the target position when moving the pointer to the target position corresponding to the received instruction value, And at this time
An instruction value for each predetermined time interval is calculated based on the trajectory between the current instruction value and the currently accepted instruction value, and the position of the pointer corresponding to the instruction value for each time interval is calculated. Then, the pointer is displayed on the display unit so that the pointer is sequentially positioned at each calculated time interval from the current position to the target position over the delay time.
The display device according to any one of claims 2 and 3.

Images