JP6485310B2 - Information providing system, information providing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing system, an information providing method, and a computer program for providing information to an occupant of a vehicle using an image display device installed in the vehicle.

  Conventionally, there is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display installed in a vehicle as means for providing information to a user who gets on the vehicle. And it is comprised so that provision of various information to a user is possible by making a user visually recognize the information displayed on the image display apparatus. Here, as information provided by the image display device, for example, a map image around the vehicle, a guide route from the departure place to the destination, information on facilities around the vehicle position, obstacles such as other vehicles, etc. There are warnings.

  In recent years, the screen size of the image display device tends to be larger in order to improve user visibility and display more information at one time. However, since the distance from the screen of the image display device installed in the vehicle to the user is a short distance, when the size of the screen is increased, the screen size is particularly effective for information recognition near the center of the user's visual field area. In some cases, the size exceeds an excellent region (for example, an effective visual field, hereinafter referred to as a central visual field region). When the screen size exceeds the user's central visual field, when the user views the screen of the image display device, a lot of information is displayed outside the central visual field in addition to the user's central visual field. Therefore, there has been a problem that a user's visual burden for visually recognizing them increases. In view of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-235437 discloses that when displaying information on an image display device, information displayed in an area other than the periphery of the user's attention point in order to reduce the user's visual burden. A technique for blurring and displaying is proposed.

JP 2014-235437 A (page 5-6, FIG. 3)

  Here, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, an image is clearly displayed in a region around the user's attention point regardless of the type of information to be displayed, and in a region away from the user's attention point. The image was blurred. Therefore, information that is important to the user is displayed in a position that is distant from the user's attention point and is displayed so as not to be visually recognized by the user, and the user cannot grasp the contents, or There was a problem that it took time to grasp the contents. In addition, the ability to recognize information by human vision is limited as the distance from the point of interest becomes recognizable (for example, the character can be recognized near the point of interest, but the character cannot be recognized far away). There is also a problem that the user cannot recognize even if complicated information using sentences is displayed at a certain position.

  However, particularly when providing information to the user who gets on the vehicle, the user may be required to make an instantaneous determination. Therefore, important information can be promptly and accurately received regardless of the displayed position. It is hoped to provide.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and when providing information using an image display device, it is possible to reduce the burden of visual recognition on the user, while regarding important information to the user. An object is to provide an information providing system, an information providing method, and a computer program that can be provided quickly and accurately.

In order to achieve the above object, an information providing system according to the present invention includes information display means for displaying information on an image display surface of an image display device installed in a vehicle, and the line-of-sight start point and line-of-sight of the vehicle occupant. Line-of-sight detection means for detecting a direction, the occupant's line-of-sight start point and line-of-sight direction detected by the line-of-sight detection means, and a distance from the line-of-sight start point to the image display surface. Visual field region specifying means for specifying a central visual field region that is a part of the passenger's visual field region and includes the sight line position of the occupant; and importance level specifying means for specifying the importance level of information to be displayed by the information display means; And when the information is displayed outside the central visual field area of the image display surface, the information display means is information to be displayed rather than displaying the information within the central visual field area. Simplified in a manner that depends on the degree of importance to display information.
The “central visual field region” is a region having excellent information recognition ability near the center in the visual field region, for example, an effective visual field.

  The information providing method according to the present invention is a method of providing information to a vehicle occupant using an image display device. Specifically, the information display means displays information on the image display surface of the image display device installed in the vehicle, and the line-of-sight detection means displays the line-of-sight start point and line-of-sight direction of the vehicle occupant. The image display surface based on the step of detecting, and the sight line start point and the sight line direction of the occupant detected by the line of sight detection unit and the distance from the line of sight start point to the image display surface. A central visual field region that is a part of the visual field area of the occupant and includes the sight line position of the occupant, and an importance level specifying unit specifies an importance level of information to be displayed by the information display unit And when the information display means displays information outside the central visual field area of the image display surface, the information display means becomes a display target than when displaying the information in the central visual field area. Simplified in a manner that depends on the importance of information to display information.

  Furthermore, the computer program according to the present invention is a program that provides information to a vehicle occupant using an image display device. Specifically, information display means for displaying information on an image display surface of an image display device installed in the vehicle, and line-of-sight detection means for detecting the line-of-sight start point and line-of-sight direction of the vehicle occupant And a part of the occupant's visual field region with respect to the image display surface based on the sight line start point and the sight line direction of the occupant detected by the sight line detection means and the distance from the sight line start point to the image display surface And a visual field region specifying means for specifying a central visual field region including the sight line position of the occupant and an importance specifying means for specifying the importance of information to be displayed by the information display means. In the computer program, the information display means may display the information outside the central visual field on the image display surface than when displaying the information within the central visual field. Display information is simplified in a manner in accordance with the importance of the target information.

  According to the information providing system, the information providing method, and the computer program according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the image display surface of the image display device is a visual field region that is particularly excellent in information recognition ability of a user who is a vehicle occupant. When displaying information outside the central visual field area, the information is displayed in a simplified manner as compared with the case where the information is displayed within the central visual field area. For example, even when an image display apparatus having a large image display surface is used, Can be reduced. On the other hand, since simplification is performed in a manner according to the importance of information to be displayed, it is possible to make the user recognize the content of important information even when displaying it outside the central visual field region. It is possible to provide information quickly and accurately.

It is the block diagram which showed the information provision system which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the front display installed in the vehicle. It is a flowchart of the information provision process program which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the driving | running | working guidance screen displayed on a front display when a vehicle stops. It is the figure which showed the importance of the information about each information which can be displayed on a front display. It is a flowchart of the sub process program of a visual field area | region specific process. It is the figure which showed the visual field area of the passenger | crew of a vehicle It is a figure explaining the identification method of the center visual field area. It is the figure which showed the visual field area | region of the passenger | crew of the vehicle with respect to the image display surface in case a vehicle drive | works at low speed. It is the figure which showed the visual field area | region of the passenger | crew of the vehicle with respect to the image display surface in case a vehicle drive | works at high speed. It is a flowchart of the sub process program of a low importance information display process. It is the figure which showed the driving | running | working guidance screen displayed on a front display at the time of driving | running | working of a vehicle. It is a flowchart of the sub process program of a high importance information display process. The example of the driving guidance screen displayed when the display position of the information whose importance is higher than a threshold value is in the central visual field region is shown. The example of the driving | running | working guidance screen displayed when the display position of the information whose importance is higher than a threshold value is in the 1st visual field area is shown. The example of the driving guidance screen displayed when the display position of the information whose importance is higher than a threshold value is in the 2nd visual field area is shown. The example of the driving | running | working guidance screen displayed when the display position of the information whose importance is higher than a threshold value is in a 3rd visual field area | region or a passenger | crew's visual field area | region is shown.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment that embodies an information providing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the information provision system 1 which concerns on this embodiment is a system which provides various information with respect to the user who is installed in a vehicle and is a passenger | crew who rides in a vehicle.

  First, a schematic configuration of the information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information providing system 1 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control circuit unit 11 that is an electronic control unit that performs overall control of the information providing system 1, a front display 12, an in-vehicle camera 13, and an in-vehicle camera. 14 and a CAN interface 15.

  The control circuit unit 11 includes a CPU 21 as an arithmetic device and a control device, a RAM 22 used as a working memory when the CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processes, a control program, and an information provision processing program (see FIG. 3) and the like, and an internal storage device such as a flash memory 24 for storing a program read from the ROM 23. Further, a front display 12 is connected to the control circuit unit 11 and performs display control of the front display 12 as will be described later. The control circuit unit 11 may be a control circuit unit included in an in-vehicle device such as a navigation device, a control circuit unit for vehicle drive control, or a control circuit unit independent of them. May be. The control circuit unit 11 has various means as processing algorithms. For example, the information display means displays information on the image display surface of the front display 12 installed in the vehicle. The line-of-sight detection means detects the line-of-sight start point and the line-of-sight direction of the vehicle occupant. The visual field region specifying means is a part of the visual field area of the occupant with respect to the image display surface based on the occupant's gaze start point and gaze direction detected by the gaze detection unit and the distance from the gaze start point to the image display surface. The central visual field region including the occupant's line-of-sight position is identified. The importance level specifying unit specifies the importance level of information to be displayed on the front display 12.

  The front display 12 is an image display device installed in the vehicle, and for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display is used. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle is arranged in a region extending from a position facing the driver seat of the vehicle instrument panel 25 to a position facing the passenger seat, and an image is displayed on the surface facing the driver seat and the passenger seat. Is displayed. Various information to be provided to the vehicle occupant is displayed on the image display surface 26. Here, as information displayed on the image display surface 26, for example, a map image including a road, vehicle speed information, approach information of an obstacle (for example, another vehicle), traffic information, operation guidance, an operation menu, and a navigation device are set. There are guide routes from a departure point to a destination, guide information along the guide route, news, weather forecast, time, mail, TV program, and the like. Further, as will be described later, the information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to change the display mode of information depending on whether the information is displayed near the center of the occupant's visual field region or in other cases.

  The in-vehicle camera 13 uses a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD, for example, is attached to the upper surface of the instrument panel 25 of the vehicle or the ceiling of the vehicle, and is installed with the imaging direction facing the driver's seat. Then, the face of the passenger sitting in the driver's seat is imaged. Further, the control circuit unit 11 detects the position of the occupant's eyes (gaze start point) and the gaze direction from the captured image captured by the in-vehicle camera 13 as described later.

  Then, the control circuit unit 11, based on the line-of-sight start point and line-of-sight direction detected by the in-vehicle camera 13, particularly the occupant's line-of-sight position (gaze point) in the occupant's visual field area relative to the image display surface 26 of the front display 12 An area in the vicinity of the center including the following (hereinafter referred to as a central visual field area) is specified. Here, the central visual field region is a region that is particularly excellent in information recognition ability near the center in the visual field region of the occupant, for example, an effective visual field.

  On the other hand, the outside camera 14 is configured by a camera using a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD, for example, and is attached to a bumper of a vehicle, a rear side of a rearview mirror, a door mirror, etc. Direction is set. The number of cameras 14 outside the vehicle may be singular or plural. The outside camera 14 images the front, side, and rear of the vehicle in the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling. Note that it is not always necessary to set the imaging range in the front, side, and rear of the vehicle in the traveling direction.

  And the control circuit part 11 detects the obstruction (for example, other vehicle) located in the circumference | surroundings of the own vehicle by performing an image recognition process with respect to the captured image imaged with the camera 14 outside the vehicle. As a means for detecting other vehicles, a sensor such as a millimeter wave radar, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, or road-to-vehicle communication may be used instead of the camera.

  The CAN (controller area network) interface 15 is an interface for inputting / outputting data to / from CAN, which is an in-vehicle network standard that performs multiplex communication between various in-vehicle devices installed in a vehicle and control devices for vehicle equipment. It is. The information providing system 1 is connected to a control device (for example, the navigation device 16, the AV device 17, the vehicle control ECU 18, etc.) of various on-vehicle devices and vehicle equipment via the CAN so as to be capable of mutual communication. Thereby, the information providing system 1 is configured to be able to provide information (for example, a map image, a television image, vehicle speed information, etc.) acquired from the navigation device 16, the AV device 17, the vehicle control ECU 18, etc. to the vehicle occupant.

  Next, an information provision processing program executed by the CPU 21 of the control circuit unit 11 in the information provision system 1 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the information provision processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the information provision processing program is a program that is executed after the ACC power supply (accessory power supply) of the vehicle is turned on and provides various information to the vehicle occupant using the front display 12. 3, 6, 11, and 13 are stored in the RAM 22, ROM 23, and the like provided in the control circuit unit 11 and executed by the CPU 21.

  First, in the information provision processing program, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 21 acquires the current vehicle speed of the vehicle from a vehicle speed sensor or the like installed in the vehicle.

  Next, in S2, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the current vehicle speed acquired in S1 is 0 km / h, that is, whether or not the vehicle is stopped.

  And when it determines with a vehicle being in a stop state (S2: YES), it transfers to S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle is not stopped (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S4.

  Here, when the vehicle is stopped, it is extremely unlikely that an occupant of the vehicle will be required to make an instantaneous judgment. As described later, information is simplified outside the central visual field of the occupant. Low need to provide. Therefore, in S3, the CPU 21 performs normal clear and detailed display without simplifying the information in all areas of the front display 12 regardless of whether it is in the central visual field area or outside the central visual field area of the vehicle occupant. Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display image displayed on the image display surface 26 of the front display 12 in S3.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a travel guidance screen 30 displayed on the image display surface 26 of the front display 12 when the vehicle is stopped, for example. The travel guidance screen 30 includes a map image 31 around the current position of the vehicle, a guidance route 32 (only when a guidance route is set in the navigation device), and the vehicle that indicates the current location of the vehicle matched on the map. A position mark 33 and an information window 34 for displaying highly important information such as the current vehicle speed of the vehicle and approach information of obstacles are displayed. Further, when the user desires, the television screen 35, weather information, audio screen, mail text, and the like can be displayed. The vehicle occupant can refer to the travel guidance screen 30 to grasp necessary information such as the facility information around the current vehicle, the road shape, and the currently set guidance route.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle is not stopped, there is a possibility that the vehicle occupant will be required to make an instantaneous decision. As described later, information outside the central visual field of the vehicle occupant is provided in a simplified manner. Need to do. Therefore, first, in S4, the CPU 21 performs a visual field region specifying process (FIG. 6) described later. The visual field region specifying process specifies the central visual field region of the vehicle occupant and the first visual field region, the second visual field region, the third visual field region, and the like outside the vehicle based on the captured image captured by the in-vehicle camera 13. It is processing.

  Thereafter, the following processes of S5 to S8 are executed for every piece of information to be displayed on the front display 12. Here, as information that can be displayed on the front display 12, for example, a map image including a road, vehicle speed information, approach information of an obstacle (for example, another vehicle), traffic information, operation guidance, an operation menu, and a navigation device are set. There are guide routes from a departure point to a destination, guide information along the guide route, news, weather forecast, time, mail, TV program, and the like. Which of these pieces of information is to be displayed is determined by the current vehicle situation and user operation. And after performing the process of S5-S8 for all the information used as the display object on the front display 12, the said information provision process program is complete | finished.

  First, in S5, the CPU 21 specifies the importance of the information to be processed. Specifically, information used as a criterion for determining vehicle operation, highly urgent information, and the like are particularly important for the passenger of the vehicle to be provided, and thus the importance is identified as “high”. For example, there are vehicle speed information, approach information of obstacles (for example, other vehicles), and the like. On the other hand, information that is not used as a criterion for determining vehicle operation, information that is less urgent, and the like are not essential information for the occupant of the vehicle to be provided, so the importance is identified as “low”. For example, map image including road, operation guidance, operation menu, guidance route from departure point to destination set by navigation device, guidance information along the guidance route, traffic information, news, weather forecast, time, email, There are TV programs. In the present embodiment, the importance of information is specified in two stages of “low” and “high”, but may be specified in three or more stages.

  As a method for specifying the importance, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a table in which importance is set in advance for each type of information that can be displayed on the front display 12 is stored in the memory. As a result, the CPU 21 can specify the importance based on the type of information to be processed and the table.

  Next, in S6, the CPU 21 determines whether the importance of the information to be processed specified in S5 is less than a threshold value. In the present embodiment, the threshold value is “high”.

  When it is determined that the importance of the processing target information specified in S5 is less than the threshold (S6: YES), that is, when the importance of the processing target information is determined to be “low”. To S7. On the other hand, when it is determined that the importance of the information to be processed specified in S5 is equal to or higher than the threshold (S6: NO), that is, the importance of the information to be processed is determined to be “high”. If yes, the process proceeds to S8.

  In S7, the CPU 21 performs a low importance information display process (FIG. 11) described later. Note that the low importance level information display process is a process of displaying information on the front display 12 in a display mode that takes into account the positional relationship with the occupant's visual field area, particularly regarding the low importance level information.

  In S8, the CPU 21 performs a later-described high importance information display process (FIG. 13). The high importance level information display process is a process for displaying information on the front display 12 in a display mode in consideration of the positional relationship with the occupant's visual field area for information with particularly high importance level.

  Next, the sub-process of the visual field area specifying process executed in S4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a sub-processing program of the visual field area specifying process.

  First, in S <b> 11, the CPU 21 detects the driver's gaze start point (eye position) and gaze direction based on the captured image of the in-vehicle camera 13. The in-vehicle camera 13 is installed on the instrument panel or ceiling of the vehicle as described above, and is installed with the imaging direction facing the driver's seat, and the captured image includes the driver's face. As a method for detecting the line-of-sight start point and the line-of-sight direction, there is a method of detecting using the center position of the pupil or the Purkinje image measured by the corneal reflection method, for example. Since these methods are already known techniques, details are omitted.

  Next, in S12, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the current vehicle speed acquired in S1 is less than 40 km / h.

  And when it determines with the vehicle speed of the present vehicle being less than 40 km / h (S12: YES), it transfers to S13. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle speed of the current vehicle is 40 km / h or more (S12: NO), the process proceeds to S15.

  In S <b> 13, the CPU 21 specifies the central visual field region 41 that is a partial region near the center including the sight line position (gaze point) of the occupant among the occupant visual field regions with respect to the image display surface 26 of the front display 12. Here, it is known that the information recognition ability by human vision decreases as the distance from the line of sight increases. As shown in FIG. 7, the central visual field area 41 is an area in the occupant 40's visual field area that is particularly excellent in information recognition ability near the center, and is an area that the occupant 40 can instantly recognize even if a sentence is displayed. To do. In this embodiment, the effective visual field is the central visual field region 41. In S13, since the vehicle travels at a low speed, a region within the normal effective viewing angle θ1 is specified as the central viewing region 41.

  Subsequently, in S14, the CPU 21 determines that the first visual field area 42, the second visual field area 43, and the outer visual field area of the occupant with respect to the image display surface 26 of the front display 12 are outside the central visual field area 41 identified in S13. Each of the third visual field regions 44 is specified. Here, the first visual field area 42 has a lower information recognition ability than the effective visual field, and even if a sentence is displayed, it is difficult for the occupant 40 to recognize it instantaneously, but for characters, symbols, figures, colors, etc. The region is a recognizable region and is a region within the first viewing angle θ2 outside the central visual field region 41. In addition, the second visual field area 43 has lower information recognition ability than the first visual field area 42, and it is difficult for the occupant 40 to instantly recognize characters in addition to sentences, but for figures, symbols, colors, etc. The region is a recognizable region and is a region within the second viewing angle θ3 outside the first viewing region 42. In addition, the third visual field region 44 has a lower information recognition ability than the second visual field region 43, and it is difficult for the occupant 40 to instantly recognize not only sentences and characters but also figures and symbols. The region is a recognizable region, and is a region within the third viewing angle θ4 outside the second viewing region 43. The third viewing angle θ4 corresponds to the maximum viewing angle of the occupant 40.

Hereinafter, the method for specifying each visual field area in S13 and S14 will be described in more detail.
First, the CPU 21 detects the occupant's sight line start point, the sight line direction, the distance from the sight line start point to the image display surface 26 and the effective viewing angle of the occupant detected in S11. The effective visual field is specified and specified as the occupant's central visual field region 41 with respect to the image display surface 26. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the range of the effective viewing angle θ1 about the straight line extending from the viewing start point P in the viewing direction α as an axis is cut by the image display surface 26 (that is, the effective viewing angle). Is specified as the center visual field region 41 of the occupant for the image display surface 26. The effective viewing angle θ1 is about 30 degrees horizontally and 20 degrees vertically. Further, the central visual field region 41 is a region including a line-of-sight position Q (that is, a gazing point) where the line of sight of the occupant is located with respect to the image display surface 26 of the front display 12. Further, the position and size of the identified central visual field region 41 are defined by the coordinate system on the image display surface 26.

Next, the CPU 21 determines the central visual field among the cut surfaces in which the range of the first visual field angle θ2 (> θ1) about the straight line extending from the visual line start point P in the visual line direction α is cut by the image display surface 26. The area excluding the area 41 is specified as the first visual field area 42 for the occupant with respect to the image display surface 26. The first viewing angle θ2 is about 60 degrees horizontally and 40 degrees vertically.
Subsequently, the CPU 21 determines the central visual field among the cut surfaces in which the range of the second visual angle θ3 (> θ2) about the straight line extending from the visual line start point P in the visual line direction α is cut by the image display surface 26. An area excluding the area 41 and the first visual field area 42 is specified as the second visual field area 43 for the passenger on the image display surface 26. The second viewing angle θ3 is about 120 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically.
Finally, the CPU 21 determines the central visual field among the cut surfaces in which the range of the third visual field angle θ4 (> θ3) about the straight line extending from the visual line start point P in the visual line direction α is cut by the image display surface 26. A region excluding the region 41, the first visual field region 42, and the second visual field region 43 is specified as the third visual field region 44 for the occupant with respect to the image display surface 26. The third viewing angle θ4 is about 200 degrees horizontally and 120 degrees vertically. Further, the position and size of each identified visual field region are defined by the coordinate system on the image display surface 26.

  Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of each visual field area of the occupant with respect to the image display surface 26 set in S13 and S14 when the occupant visually recognizes the line-of-sight position Q of the image display surface 26 of the front display 12. It is. As shown in FIG. 9, when the size of the image display surface 26 of the front display 12 is large and the distance from the occupant to the image display surface 26 is a short distance, the entire area of the front display 12 becomes the central visual field area 41. Not included. Therefore, information displayed at a position away from the line-of-sight position Q may be displayed in the first visual field region 42, the second visual field region 43, and the third visual field region 44 outside the central visual field region 41. Each visual field area is set concentrically in the order of the first visual field area 42, the second visual field area 43, and the third visual field area 44 with the central visual field area 41 as the center. The shape of each visual field region is an elliptical shape that is long in the left-right direction, but may be a perfect circle shape or a rectangular shape.

  On the other hand, in S15, the CPU 21 specifies a central visual field area 41 that is a partial area near the center including the sight line position (gaze point) of the occupant among the occupant visual field areas with respect to the image display surface 26 of the front display 12. . Basically, the processing is the same as in S13, but since the vehicle is traveling at a high speed in S15, the effective viewing angle θ1 is set narrower than in S13. For example, the effective viewing angle θ1 is about 20 degrees horizontally and about 15 degrees vertically.

  Subsequently, in S16, the CPU 21 determines the first visual field area 42, the second visual field area 43, and the outer visual field area of the occupant with respect to the image display surface 26 of the front display 12 outside the central visual field area 41 identified in S13. Each of the third visual field regions 44 is specified. Basically, the processing is the same as in S14. However, in S16, since the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, the first viewing angle θ2 and the second viewing angle θ3 are set narrower than in S14. For example, the second viewing angle θ3 is about 40 degrees horizontal and about 30 degrees vertical, and the third viewing angle θ4 is about 90 degrees horizontal and about 60 degrees vertical. Note that the third viewing angle θ4 may be the same as S14 or may be narrowed.

  Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of each visual field area set in S15 and S16 when the occupant visually recognizes the point Q on the image display surface 26 of the front display 12. As shown in FIG. 10, when the vehicle travels at a high speed, the central visual field area 41 becomes narrower than when the vehicle travels at a low speed (FIG. 9). Similarly, the areas included in the first visual field area 42 and the second visual field area 43 outside the central visual field area 41 are also narrowed. That is, when the vehicle travels at a high speed, the range in which detailed information can be recognized by the vehicle occupant is narrower than when the vehicle travels at a low speed.

  Next, sub processing of the low importance information display processing executed in S7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a sub-processing program for low-importance information display processing.

  First, in S21, the CPU 21 acquires to which position on the image display surface 26 of the front display 12 the information to be processed is displayed. The display position is determined for each type of basic information. For example, the display position of the map image is the entire area of the image display surface 26, the display position of the vehicle speed information is the upper right area of the image display surface 26, About the display position of the approach information of an obstruction (for example, another vehicle), it becomes an edge part of the approaching direction.

  Next, in S22, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the display position of the information to be processed acquired in S21 is within the central visual field area 41 set in S4.

  And when it determines with the display position of the information of a process target being in the center visual field area | region 41 set by said S4 (S22: YES), it transfers to S23. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display position of the information to be processed is not within the central visual field area 41 set in S4 (S22: NO), the process proceeds to S24.

  Here, as described above, since the center visual field area 41 is an area where the information recognition ability of the vehicle occupant is particularly high, even if detailed information is displayed, it does not cause a burden of visual recognition for the vehicle occupant. That is, there is no need to provide simplified information. Therefore, in S23, the CPU 21 displays the information to be processed in a normal clear and detailed manner without simplifying.

  On the other hand, since the area other than the central visual field area 41 is an area having a lower information recognition capability than the central visual field area 41 as described above, the burden on the vehicle occupant to visually recognize the detailed information is displayed. growing. Therefore, in S24, the CPU 21 displays the information with a lower quality than that displayed in the central visual field region 41 in order to reduce the burden on the occupant's visual recognition. Specifically, the information is displayed on the image display surface 26 by blurring the image. Thereafter, the information to be processed is switched to other information to be displayed, and the processes after S5 are performed again.

  In S24, it is desirable to display information on the image display surface 26 with a lower quality of information as the distance from the central visual field region 41 to the information display position increases. Further, when displaying one piece of information across the inside and outside of the central visual field area 41, the portion included in the central visual field area 41 is displayed in a normal clear and detailed manner according to S23, and the central visual field area is displayed. The portion not included in 41 is displayed with the quality of information lowered according to S24. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, for the map image 31 displayed for the entire area of the image display surface 26 of the front display 12, the center visual field area 41 including the sight line position Q of the vehicle occupant is normal. The image is displayed in a clear and detailed manner, and the image outside the central visual field area 41 is displayed with a more blurred image as the distance from the central visual field area 41 increases. The third visual field region 44 that is particularly far from the central visual field region 41 may be displayed in blackout (information non-display).

  Next, the sub process of the high importance information display process executed in S8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a sub-processing program of the high importance level information display process.

  First, in S31, the CPU 21 acquires to which position on the image display surface 26 of the front display 12 the information to be processed is displayed. The display position is determined for each type of basic information. For example, the display position of the map image is the entire area of the image display surface 26, the display position of the vehicle speed information is the upper right area of the image display surface 26, About the display position of the approach information of an obstruction (for example, another vehicle), it becomes an edge part of the approaching direction.

  Next, in S32, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the display position of the information to be processed acquired in S31 is within the central visual field area 41 set in S4.

  When it is determined that the display position of the information to be processed is within the central visual field area 41 set in S4 (S32: YES), the process proceeds to S33. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display position of the information to be processed is not within the central visual field area 41 set in S4 (S32: NO), the process proceeds to S34. In the case where the information display position extends over a plurality of areas (for example, the central visual field area 41 and the first visual field area 42), the determination of S32 and S34 and S36 described later is performed with the area having the highest area ratio as the display position. Do.

  Here, since the central visual field area 41 is an area where the information recognition ability of the vehicle occupant is particularly high as described above, even if detailed information (for example, information including sentences) is displayed, the occupant of the vehicle instantly displays the contents. Recognizable. That is, there is no need to provide simplified information. Therefore, in S33, the CPU 21 displays the information to be processed in a normal detailed manner without simplifying. Thereafter, the information to be processed is switched to other information to be displayed, and the processes after S5 are performed again.

  Here, FIG. 14 shows the travel guide screen 30 displayed when the display position of the vehicle speed information and the approach information of an obstacle (for example, another vehicle) whose importance is higher than the threshold is within the central visual field area 41. An example is shown. As shown in FIG. 14, vehicle speed information and obstacle approach information are displayed in the information window 34, respectively. Moreover, the display mode of each information in the information window 34 displayed in the central visual field region 41 near the occupant's line-of-sight position Q is a detailed display mode including sentences. As a result, the vehicle occupant can recognize details of the current vehicle speed of the vehicle and the approach information of the obstacle.

  On the other hand, in S34, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the display position of the processing target information acquired in S31 is within the first visual field region 42 set in S4.

  If it is determined that the display position of the information to be processed is within the first visual field region 42 set in S4 (S34: YES), the process proceeds to S35. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display position of the information to be processed is not within the first visual field region 42 set in S4 (S34: NO), the process proceeds to S36.

  Here, as described above, the first visual field area 42 is an area where the information recognition ability of the vehicle occupant is lower than that of the central visual field area 41, and the vehicle occupant instantly recognizes the contents of detailed information including sentences. Can not. That is, there is a need to provide simplified information. Accordingly, in S35, the CPU 21 displays the information to be processed in a simplified manner that does not include at least a sentence. Note that there is no need to simplify the case where the information originally does not include a sentence. Thereafter, the information to be processed is switched to other information to be displayed, and the processes after S5 are performed again.

  Here, FIG. 15 shows the travel guide screen 30 displayed when the display position of the vehicle speed information and the approach information of the obstacle (for example, another vehicle) whose importance is higher than the threshold is within the first visual field area 42. An example of As shown in FIG. 15, vehicle speed information and obstacle approach information are displayed in the information window 34, respectively. Moreover, the display mode of each information in the information window 34 displayed in the 1st visual field area | region 42 turns into a display mode which does not contain a sentence at least. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 15, the sentence “the right vehicle is present” is excluded as compared to the example illustrated in FIG. 14. Further, the size of characters and figures may be increased. As a result, the vehicle occupant can recognize the current vehicle speed and obstacle approach information even if the vehicle's current vehicle speed and obstacle approach information are displayed at some distance from the line-of-sight position. It becomes.

  On the other hand, in S36, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the display position of the information to be processed acquired in S31 is within the second visual field region 43 set in S4.

  And when it determines with the display position of the information of a process target being in the 2nd visual field area | region 43 set by said S4 (S36: YES), it transfers to S37. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display position of the information to be processed is not within the second visual field area 43 set in S4 (S36: NO), that is, the display position of the information to be processed is the third visual field area 44. Alternatively, if it is outside the passenger's field of view, the process proceeds to S38.

  Here, as described above, the second visual field region 43 is a region in which the information recognition capability of the vehicle occupant is lower than that of the first visual field region 42. For information including characters in addition to sentences, the vehicle occupant instantaneously Cannot recognize the contents. That is, there is a need to provide information in a simplified form. Accordingly, in S37, the CPU 21 displays the information to be processed in a simplified manner that does not include at least characters. It should be noted that there is no need to simplify the case where the information originally does not include characters. Thereafter, the information to be processed is switched to other information to be displayed, and the processes after S5 are performed again.

  Here, FIG. 16 shows the travel guide screen 30 displayed when the display position of the vehicle speed information, which is information whose importance is higher than the threshold, and the approach information of obstacles (for example, other vehicles) are within the second visual field region 43. An example of As shown in FIG. 16, vehicle speed information and obstacle approach information are displayed in the information window 34, respectively. Moreover, the display mode of each information in the information window 34 displayed in the 2nd visual field area 43 turns into a display mode which does not contain a character at least in addition to a sentence. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, compared to the example shown in FIG. 15, the vehicle speed becomes a meter display that increases or decreases from a specific numerical value display, and the obstacle approach information is a figure that simply indicates the direction in which the obstacle is located. indicate. As a result, the vehicle occupant can recognize the current vehicle speed and obstacle approach information even if the vehicle's current vehicle speed and obstacle approach information are displayed at some distance from the line-of-sight position. It becomes.

  On the other hand, as described above, the third visual field region 44 is a region where the information recognition ability of the vehicle occupant is lower than that of the second visual field region 43, and the vehicle occupant cannot recognize the contents of symbols and figures instantaneously. That is, there is a need to provide information in a simplified form. Accordingly, in S38, the CPU 21 displays the information to be processed in a manner simplified to only the color. Thereafter, the information to be processed is switched to other information to be displayed, and the processes after S5 are performed again.

  Here, FIG. 17 shows the travel guide screen 30 displayed when the display position of the vehicle speed information and the approach information of the obstacle (for example, another vehicle) whose importance is higher than the threshold is within the third visual field region 44. An example of As shown in FIG. 17, the information display mode in the third visual field region 44 is also omitted for the information window 34 and is a display mode in which the position and color of the lit light 45 are displayed. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the information window 34 is not displayed as compared with the example shown in FIG. 16, and the position of the obstacle is the position where the light 45 is lit (for example, the light 45 is lit at the right edge in FIG. So that an obstacle is located on the right side). The color of the light 45 indicates the vehicle speed and the distance to the obstacle. For example, if the light 45 is red, it indicates that the vehicle speed is high and the distance from the obstacle is short, and if the light 45 is blue, the vehicle speed is slow and the distance from the obstacle is also low. Indicates a relatively distant state. As a result, even if the vehicle occupant's current vehicle speed or obstacle approach information is displayed at a position particularly away from the line-of-sight position, the vehicle occupant recognizes the outline of the current vehicle speed or obstacle approach information. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, by performing the processes of S32 to S38, when information whose importance is higher than the threshold value is displayed outside the central visual field area 41, the human being according to the distance from the central visual field area 41 is displayed. It will be displayed in a manner that matches the information recognition ability. That is, in a region where the distance to the central visual field region 41 is equal to or less than the first distance (first visual field region 42), since detailed information including a sentence cannot be recognized, the information is displayed in a form that does not include a sentence. Moreover, in the area | region (2nd visual field area | region 43) where the distance to the center visual field area | region 41 is longer than 1st distance and below 2nd distance, since it cannot recognize about the information containing a character in addition to a sentence, the aspect which does not contain a character, For example, information is displayed with symbols and figures. Further, in the area where the distance to the central visual field area 41 is longer than the second distance (third visual field area 44), information including symbols and figures in addition to sentences and characters cannot be recognized, so information is displayed only in color. . As a result, even when important information is displayed outside the central visual field area 41, the occupant of the vehicle can surely recognize the contents.

  As described in detail above, in the information providing system 1, the information providing method by the information providing system 1, and the computer program executed by the information providing system 1, the image display of the front display 12 installed in the vehicle is performed. When displaying information on the surface 26, the line of sight start point and the line of sight of the vehicle occupant are detected (S11), and from the detected line of sight start point and line of sight and the line of sight start point to the image display surface 26. Based on the distance, the central visual field area 41 that is a part of the occupant's visual field area with respect to the image display surface and includes the sight line position of the occupant is identified (S13, S15), and the importance of the information to be displayed is identified. (S5) When the information is displayed outside the central visual field area of the image display surface, the importance of the information to be displayed is higher than when the information is displayed within the central visual field area. Since the information is displayed in a simplified manner (S7, S8), for example, even when an image display device having a large image display surface is used, it is possible to reduce the visual burden on the passenger. . On the other hand, since simplification is performed in a manner according to the importance of the information to be displayed, important information can be recognized by the occupant even when displayed outside the central field of view. It is possible to provide information quickly and accurately.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle is stopped, normal clear and detailed display is performed without simplifying information in all areas of the front display 12 (S3). Even when the vehicle is stopped, a configuration in which the information in S5 to S8 is displayed in a simplified manner may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the central visual field area 41 that is particularly excellent in information recognition ability in the vicinity of the center among the visual field areas of the occupant is used as the effective visual field of the occupant. However, the central visual field area 41 and the effective visual field need not necessarily match. No. For example, 80% of the effective visual field may be used as the central visual field region 41.

  In the present embodiment, the width of the central visual field area 41 is changed in two steps depending on whether the vehicle speed is 40 km / h or more and less than 40 km / h. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the change is made in multiple stages. The faster the vehicle speed is, the narrower the central visual field region is.

  In the present embodiment, the front display 12 is a large image display device arranged on the instrument panel 25 of the vehicle. However, the installation location of the front display 12 may be any position that can be seen by the vehicle occupant. You may install in any position. Further, the front display 12 is not necessarily a vehicle-mounted device fixed to the vehicle, and may be configured to be portable by the user. The front display 12 may be an image display device provided in the navigation device.

  Moreover, although the embodiment which actualized the information providing system according to the present invention has been described above, the information providing system can also have the following configuration, and in this case, the following effects can be obtained.

For example, the first configuration is as follows.
Information display means (21) for displaying information on the image display surface (26) of the image display device (12) installed in the vehicle, and detecting the gaze start point and the gaze direction of the vehicle occupant (40) Based on the line-of-sight detection means (21), the line-of-sight start point and the line-of-sight direction of the occupant detected by the line-of-sight detection means, and the distance from the line-of-sight start point to the image display surface. A visual field region specifying means (21) for specifying a central visual field region (41) which is a part of the passenger's visual field region and includes the sight line position of the passenger, and the importance of information to be displayed is specified by the information display means Importance level specifying means (21) for displaying information outside the central visual field area of the image display surface than when displaying in the central visual field area. Target It becomes simplified in a manner that depends on the importance of information to display information.
According to the information providing system having the above configuration, when information is displayed outside the central visual field, which is a visual field that is excellent in the information recognition ability of the user who is a vehicle occupant, among the image display surfaces of the image display device. Since the display is simplified compared with the case of displaying in the central visual field region, for example, even when an image display device having a large image display surface is used, it is possible to reduce the user's visual burden. . On the other hand, since simplification is performed in a manner according to the importance of information to be displayed, it is possible to make the user recognize the content of important information even when displaying it outside the central visual field region. It is possible to provide information quickly and accurately.

The second configuration is as follows.
The information display means (21) is a case where the importance of information to be displayed is lower than a threshold value, and when displaying outside the central visual field region (41) of the image display surface (26), Information is displayed on the image display surface at a lower quality than when the image is displayed in the central visual field region.
According to the information providing system having the above configuration, when information is displayed outside the central visual field, which is a visual field that is excellent in the information recognition ability of the user who is a vehicle occupant, among the image display surfaces of the image display device. Since the information is displayed with a lower quality than when it is displayed in the central visual field region, the amount of information to be visually recognized by the user outside the central visual field region can be reduced, and the visual burden on the user can be reduced.

The third configuration is as follows.
The information display means (21) displays information on the image display surface (26) with a lower quality of information as the distance from the display position to the central visual field region (41) is longer.
According to the information providing system having the above-described configuration, by reducing the quality of information for an area where the user cannot recognize the information content without reducing the quality of the information for an area where the user can recognize the information content, It is possible to reduce the visual burden without reducing the amount of information that can be recognized by the user.

The fourth configuration is as follows.
The information display means (21) is a case where the importance of information to be displayed is lower than a threshold value, and when displaying outside the central visual field region (41) of the image display surface (26), The information quality is lowered by blurring the image and displaying the information on the image display surface.
According to the information providing system having the above configuration, when information is displayed outside the central visual field, which is a visual field that is excellent in the information recognition ability of the user who is a vehicle occupant, among the image display surfaces of the image display device. Since the image is displayed in a blurred manner, it is possible to reduce the amount of information to be visually recognized by the user outside the central visual field area without giving the user a sense of incongruity, and to reduce the user's visual burden.

The fifth configuration is as follows.
The information display means (21) is a case where the importance of information to be displayed is higher than a threshold value, and when displaying outside the central visual field region (41) of the image display surface (26), Information is displayed on the image display surface in a manner matching the human information recognition ability according to the distance from the central visual field region.
According to the information providing system having the above-described configuration, the user can display important information outside the central visual field by displaying information on the image display surface in a manner suited to human information recognition ability. Can recognize the contents.

The sixth configuration is as follows.
The information display means (21) is a case where the importance of the information to be displayed is higher than a threshold value, and when the distance to the central visual field region (41) is displayed at a position equal to or less than the first distance. , When the information is displayed in a form that does not include at least a sentence, and the importance of the information to be displayed is higher than a threshold, and the distance to the central visual field is longer than the first distance and equal to or less than the second distance When displaying at a position, the information is displayed in a form that does not include at least characters, and the importance of the information to be displayed is higher than a threshold, and the distance to the central visual field is the second distance When displaying in a longer position, information is displayed only in color.
According to the information providing system having the above-described configuration, when important information is displayed outside the central visual field area, the information display system is arranged on the image display surface in a manner matching the human information recognition ability corresponding to the distance from the central visual field area. Since the information is displayed, it is possible for the user to appropriately recognize the contents of important information even when the information is displayed outside the central visual field region.

The seventh configuration is as follows.
The visual field region specifying means (21) is included in the effective visual angle of the occupant about a straight line extending in the sight line direction from the sight line start point of the occupant (40) detected by the visual line detection means (21). An effective visual field is specified in the central visual field region (41).
According to the information providing system having the above configuration, the effective visual field that is particularly excellent in the information recognition ability in the vicinity of the center in the user's visual field area is set as the central visual field area, thereby achieving a positional relationship with the user's visual line area. Based on this, it is possible to appropriately simplify the display mode of information, and it is possible to appropriately provide important information to the user while reducing the user's burden of visual recognition.

The eighth configuration is as follows.
The vehicle has a vehicle speed acquisition means (21) for acquiring the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and the visual field area specifying means (21) specifies the central visual field area (41) in a narrower range as the vehicle speed of the vehicle is higher.
According to the information providing system having the above configuration, it is possible to appropriately specify the central visual field region by reflecting the change in the information recognition ability of the user accompanying the change in the vehicle speed. As a result, it is possible to display information on the image display surface in an appropriate manner in accordance with human information recognition ability.

The ninth configuration is as follows.
The image display device (12) is disposed in a region extending from a position facing the driver seat of the instrument panel (25) of the vehicle to a position facing the passenger seat.
According to the information providing system having the above configuration, when providing information using a large-sized image display device installed in a vehicle, the user is surely notified of important information while reducing the user's visual burden. The contents can be recognized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information provision system 11 Control circuit part 12 Front display 21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
26 Image display surface 30 Travel guidance screen 31 Map image 34 Information window 40 Crew 41 Central visual field area 42 First visual field area 43 Second visual field area 44 Third visual field area

Claims (11)

Information display means for displaying information on an image display surface of an image display device installed in the vehicle;
Line-of-sight detection means for detecting the line-of-sight start point and line-of-sight direction of the vehicle occupant;
Based on the sight line start point and the sight line direction of the occupant detected by the sight line detection means and the distance from the sight line start point to the image display surface, a part of the occupant's visual field area with respect to the image display surface. Visual field region specifying means for specifying a central visual field region including the sight line position of the occupant,
Importance level specifying means for specifying the importance level of information to be displayed by the information display means,
The information display means, when displaying information outside the central visual field area of the image display surface, is simplified in a mode according to the importance of information to be displayed than when displaying information in the central visual field area. An information provision system that displays information.   The information display means is a case where the importance of the information to be displayed is lower than a threshold value, and when the information is displayed outside the central visual field on the image display surface, the information is displayed within the central visual field The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein information is displayed on the image display surface with a lower quality of information.   The information providing system according to claim 2, wherein the information display unit displays information on the image display surface with a lower quality of information as the distance from the display position to the central visual field region increases.   The information display means blurs the image on the image display surface when the importance of the information to be displayed is lower than a threshold value and when the information is displayed outside the central visual field region of the image display surface. 4. The information providing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the information quality is lowered by displaying the information.   In the case where the importance of the information to be displayed is higher than a threshold value and the information display means displays the information outside the central visual field area of the image display surface, the information display means depends on the distance from the central visual field area. 5. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein information is displayed on the image display surface in a manner that matches the human information recognition ability. The information display means includes
When the importance of the information to be displayed is higher than a threshold value, and when the distance to the central visual field is displayed at a position equal to or less than the first distance, the information is displayed in a manner that does not include at least a sentence. ,
When the importance of the information to be displayed is higher than a threshold value and the distance to the central visual field region is displayed at a position longer than the first distance and equal to or less than the second distance, at least characters are not included. Display information in a manner,
The information is displayed only in color when the importance of the information to be displayed is higher than a threshold value and the distance to the central visual field is displayed at a position longer than the second distance. Information providing system described in 1.   The visual field region specifying means specifies an effective visual field included in the occupant's effective visual angle with a straight line extending in a visual line direction from the occupant's visual line start point detected by the visual line detection unit as the central visual field region. The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Vehicle speed acquisition means for acquiring the vehicle speed of the vehicle;
The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the visual field region specifying unit specifies the central visual field region in a narrower range as the vehicle speed of the vehicle is higher.   The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the image display device is disposed in a region extending from a position facing the driver seat of the instrument panel of the vehicle to a position facing the passenger seat. An information display means for displaying information on an image display surface of an image display device installed in the vehicle;
A step of detecting a line-of-sight start point and a line-of-sight direction of an occupant of the vehicle;
The field-of-view area specifying means is based on the occupant's line-of-sight start point and line-of-sight direction detected by the line-of-sight detection means and the distance from the line-of-sight start point to the image display surface. Identifying a central visual field region that is part of the region and includes the occupant's line of sight position;
An importance level specifying unit specifying the level of importance of information to be displayed by the information display unit, and
The information display means, when displaying information outside the central visual field area of the image display surface, is simplified in a mode according to the importance of information to be displayed than when displaying information in the central visual field area. Information provision method to display information. Computer
Information display means for displaying information on an image display surface of an image display device installed in the vehicle;
Line-of-sight detection means for detecting the line-of-sight start point and line-of-sight direction of the vehicle occupant;
Based on the sight line start point and the sight line direction of the occupant detected by the sight line detection means and the distance from the sight line start point to the image display surface, a part of the occupant's visual field area with respect to the image display surface. Visual field region specifying means for specifying a central visual field region including the sight line position of the occupant,
Importance level specifying means for specifying the importance level of information to be displayed by the information display means;
A computer program to make it function,
The information display means, when displaying information outside the central visual field area of the image display surface, is simplified in a mode according to the importance of information to be displayed than when displaying information in the central visual field area. A computer program that displays information.

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