JP6515676B2 - Vehicle information provision device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle information providing device connected to an external device through a connection means.

  As an information providing device for a vehicle such as an in-vehicle information system, for example, a portable information device (external device) and an in-vehicle multimedia computer with a liquid crystal display (vehicle-mounted device) mounted on the vehicle are connected to It is disclosed that they are mutually controllable. Thus, external information (audio player, navigation system, Internet browser) of the vehicle possessed by the portable information device is displayed to the user of the vehicle via the display (display unit) provided in the in-vehicle multimedia computer. Is possible.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-22482

  In the vehicular information providing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above, it is possible to easily use a portable information device in the vehicle, and an in-vehicle information system (vehicle having high convenience for the user of the vehicle) Information provision device). By the way, when presenting the external information (external information of the vehicle) held by the portable information device to the user of the vehicle using the existing display instead of the dedicated display, there is room for improvement in the display layout of the external information. there were.

  In particular, assuming that the existing display is an instrument display (display unit) provided in a vehicle instrument (vehicle-mounted device), the instrument display usually displays vehicle state information such as the traveling speed of the vehicle. In order to additionally display external information possessed by the portable information device on the instrument display on which the vehicle state information is displayed, various information displayed on the instrument display (various kinds of information here are given. With information, it is necessary to change the layout of the information including the vehicle state information and the external information.

However, if the layout of the various information displayed on the instrument display is changed as described above, the user of the vehicle driving the vehicle while visually recognizing the various information moves the sight line in viewing the various information. Because it is necessary to do so, it is expected to be confusing (feeling strange), which is not desirable from the human-machine interface (HMI) point of view. For example, in the case where the vehicle is a two-wheeled motor vehicle, it is assumed that the existing display (instrument display) is used since the location of the dedicated display is limited due to the structure of the vehicle.
Therefore, in the case of providing the external information of the external device to the user of the vehicle through the display unit, the present invention needs the gaze movement amount of the user who visually recognizes the display unit, focusing on the improvement points described above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular information providing device which can minimize and improve a human-machine interface.

The present invention provides a vehicle information providing device having a display unit for displaying vehicle state information to a user, and control means for operating the display unit, and connected to an external device through the connection means. The information providing apparatus for a vehicle can acquire the external information of the vehicle output from the external device, and the display unit is a touch type display including a touch panel on which a user can perform a touch operation, and the vehicle state information Of which the first display area for displaying predetermined information and the second display area for displaying other information of the vehicle state information different from the predetermined information; It has a function of determining the degree of margin, and when it is determined that the degree of driving margin is large, the display unit is operated to display an icon related to the operation of the external device in the second display area. The icon, a first icon for executing a predetermined function, said at least a second icon for executing another different function from the predetermined function, the second icon associated with the telephone function The control unit is configured to display a telephone function display unit related to the telephone function in the second display area when the control unit detects a touch operation on the second icon by the user. The display unit is operated, and the telephone function display unit is configured to include a telephone history icon and a telephone dial icon .

Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the control means has generated alerting information for alerting the user of the vehicle state information, the first and second control means may continue until a predetermined condition is satisfied . The display unit is operated to suppress the display of the icon.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the predetermined time has passed under the condition that the alert information is displayed in the second display area, and the alert information does not require an emergency. It is characterized in that it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

  Further, in the present invention, the control means determines that the driving margin is small when the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed, or when the bank angle of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined angle. It is characterized by

The present invention, before Symbol control unit detects that it has changed to a small state from the operating margin is large state, and characterized in that the disable the touch operation of the call history icon and the telephone dial icon Do.

Further, according to the present invention, when the touch operation of the telephone history icon and the telephone dial icon is invalid, the control means causes the display color of the telephone history icon and the display color of the telephone dial icon to change. And operating the unit.

  According to the present invention, when external information possessed by an external device is provided to a user of a vehicle via a display unit, the visual movement of the user viewing the display unit can be minimized to a minimum. It is possible to provide a vehicle information providing device with an improved interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The block diagram which shows the connection state of the information provision apparatus for vehicles by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and various electrical components. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicular information provision device according to the first embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The outline figure which shows an example of the instrument for vehicles by said 1st Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the display layout of the display part in a 1st display mode when a user's driving margin is small, (b) is a 1st display mode when a user's driving margin is large It is a figure which shows the display layout of the display part in. (A) is a figure which shows the display layout of the display part in the state where the navigation display part was displayed on the 2nd display area in the 2nd display mode, (b) is the 2nd display in the 2nd display mode It is a figure which shows the display layout of the display part of the state in which the audio display part was displayed on the area | region. FIG. 7 is a view showing a display layout of the display unit in a state in which the telephone function display unit is displayed in the second display area in the second display mode according to the first embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the display layout of a display part at the time of a touch operation of the telephone log icon, (b) is a figure which shows the display layout of a display part when a touch dial icon is touch-operated. (A) is a figure which shows the display layout of a display part when the 1st control means by 2nd Embodiment of this invention receives alerting information, (b) is the alerting information by the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display layout of the display part after predetermined time progress, after generation | occurrence | production of. It is a figure which shows the display layout of a display part when the 1st control means by said 2nd Embodiment receives the alerting information which requires emergency. The figure which shows the timing chart of alerting information and icon display when the 1st control means by the 2nd embodiment receives alerting information. (A) is a figure which shows the display layout of a display part when the driving margin degree of the user by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is large, (b) is the driving margin degree of the user by the 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display layout of a display part when it is small.

First Embodiment The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and 100 in FIG. 1 shows a vehicle. Reference numeral 101 denotes a vehicular communication system, and the vehicular communication system 101 includes a vehicular information providing device (here, a vehicular instrument) 102 and an external device (here, a smartphone) 103 which is a portable information device. And a connection means 104 for connecting the vehicle information provision device 102 and the external device 103.

  The vehicular information provision device 102 is connected to electrical components such as the audio 106, the air conditioner 107, the body control unit 108, the engine control unit 109 and the like via the in-vehicle LAN (multiple communication line) 105. In addition, the external device 103 connected to the vehicular information providing apparatus 102 through the connection means 104 can also connect to the Internet through the communication means 110.

  Next, the configuration of the vehicular communication system 101 mainly composed of the vehicular information provision device 102 and the external device 103 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The vehicle information provision device 102 connected to the external device 103 through the connection means 104 inputs and outputs vehicle information signals (vehicle state signals) related to various states of the vehicle (vehicle information means) 210 and multiplex communication An input / output terminal (multiplex communication input / output unit) 211, an operation information terminal 212 capable of inputting an operation input signal from a predetermined operation unit 213, a vehicle interface (vehicle I / F) unit 201, an information providing device for a vehicle A first control unit (control unit) 202 comprising a microcomputer, for example, for performing control of 102, and a first storage comprising a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or EEPROM in which the processing program of the first control unit 202 is stored Means (storage means) 203 and a liquid crystal display panel etc. for visually notifying various information (various states of the vehicle) to the user of the vehicle A first notification unit 206 including a first display unit (display unit) 204 and a first sound producing body 205 such as a speaker for aurally notifying various information (various states of the vehicle) to the user of the vehicle; The first drive unit 208 also serves as drive control for the display unit 204 and the first sound generating body 205 and various analog (pointer type) instruments 207, and the connection unit 104 for connecting to the external device 103. And a first communication unit (here, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) 209 as a wireless communication means.

  Here, the first display unit 204 in the present example is a touch-type display including a touch panel that allows a user of the vehicle to perform a touch operation. The first display unit 204 as the touch type display has a configuration in which a touch panel of resistance film type or capacitance type is overlapped on a display area of a liquid crystal display panel, for example. Functions as a switch by performing a touch operation on the touch panel portion corresponding to the display area.

  Also, although various analog-type meters 207 are not shown in detail here, a speedometer for analog instruction of the vehicle speed, a tachometer for analog instruction of the engine speed of the vehicle, and an analog instruction of the in-tank fuel amount And at least one of a thermometer for indicating the temperature of the engine coolant in an analog manner.

  The first communication unit 209 performs wireless communication with a later-described second communication unit 260 provided in the external device 103. That is, the first communication unit 209 can exchange data with the second communication unit 260 provided in the external device 103.

  When the vehicle is a motorcycle, the headset 214 comprising a wireless wireless headset shown in FIG. 2 transmits the information providing apparatus 102 for vehicle via the wireless communication means 215 as Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. It may be connected with the 1st communications department 209 with which it is equipped.

  The headset 214 is not shown in detail here but, for example, headphones and a microphone (microphone) stored in a helmet worn by a passenger (user) riding a motorcycle, and the first communication unit 209 And a third communication unit (not shown) capable of wireless communication. Thus, for example, in the case where incoming call information of a telephone to be described later is transmitted from the external device 103 to the vehicular information providing apparatus 102 via the communication units 260 and 209, the passenger (user) can receive the head With the headphones and microphone of the set 214, it is possible to make a call with the other party who has called the external device 103.

  In addition, the operation means 213 comprises an operation input unit for performing various operations of the information providing apparatus 102 for a vehicle, and for example, cursor buttons and decision buttons installed at appropriate places in the vehicle so that the user's hand can reach An operation input signal (remote operation input signal) to the external device 103 side which is output from the operation unit 213 when the user operates the operation unit 213 can be applied. The signal is input to the first control means 202 through the terminal 212 and the vehicle interface means 201, and further to the external device 103 side through the connection means 104. In addition, it is also possible to replace with the operation input part of the cross key type mentioned above, and to apply the operation input part of a touch-panel type | mold to the operation means 213. FIG.

  The external device 103 includes a second communication unit (here, referred to as Bluetooth (registered trademark)) 260 as a wireless communication unit constituting the connection unit 104 for connecting to the information providing apparatus 102 for vehicle, and various sensors (here, Stores the processing program of the second control means 252 comprising a GPS module), an interface (I / F) means 251, and a microcomputer for controlling the external device 103, and the second control means 252. And second display unit such as a display with a touch panel for visually notifying various information (various states of the vehicle) to the user of the vehicle. The second sound generation of a speaker etc. which aurally notifies various information (various states of the vehicle) to the user of the vehicle and the vehicle 254 And a second drive means 257 that doubles as a drive control for the second display unit 254 and the second sound generating body 255, and a communication means 110 for connecting to the Internet. And a communication module 258.

  In the present embodiment, the first and second communication units 209 and 260 including a wireless communication unit are applied to the connection unit 104 of the vehicular information providing apparatus 102 and the external device 103, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, it is also possible to connect the vehicular information providing device 102 and the external device 103 using the connection means 104 comprising a wired connection means such as USB.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first communication unit 209 is provided in the vehicular information providing apparatus 102, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a gateway (G / W) (not shown) connected to the in-vehicle LAN 105 By providing a means and incorporating the first communication unit 209 in the gateway means, it is also possible to connect the vehicular information providing apparatus 102 and the external device 103 via the gateway means.

  Next, the first display unit 204 when the first control unit 202 provided in the vehicular information providing apparatus 102 executes the first and second display modes described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. The display layout displayed in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicular information provision device 102 includes the first display unit 204 described above, and the first display unit 204 is an instrument that displays vehicle state information to the user of the vehicle. Consists of a touch-sensitive display.

  The first control means 202 receives the vehicle status signal via the multiplex communication input / output terminal 211 (or the vehicle information terminal 210), and based on the vehicle status signal, FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). In order to cause the first display unit 204 to display the vehicle state information corresponding to the first display mode M1 as shown in FIG.

  In the first display mode M1 in which only the vehicle state information is displayed on the first display unit 204 without any external information of the vehicle described later being displayed, the first control means 202 travels the vehicle as the vehicle state information. Vehicle speed display unit 300 for displaying speed, shift position display unit 310 for displaying shift position, fuel remaining amount display unit 320 for displaying remaining amount of fuel, direction indication display unit 330 for indicating traveling direction of vehicle, average fuel consumption of vehicle In order to display on the first display unit 204 the fuel consumption display unit 340 for displaying the fuel consumption display unit 340 and the outside air temperature display unit 350 for displaying the air temperature outside the vehicle, the control for displaying the first display unit 204 is performed.

  Further, in the first display mode M1, the first display unit 204 has the divided first display area R1 and the second display area R2. The first display area R1 is located on the upper side of the first display unit 204, and includes the vehicle speed display unit 300, the shift position display unit 310, and the remaining fuel amount display unit 320, which are predetermined information D1 in the vehicle state information. The direction indication display unit 330 is displayed.

  The vehicle speed display unit 300 is displayed at the center of the first display area R1, the shift position display unit 310 is located on the left side of the vehicle speed display unit 300 adjacent to the vehicle speed display unit 300, and the remaining fuel amount display unit 320 is a vehicle speed Positioned on the right side of the vehicle speed display unit 300 so as to be adjacent to the display unit 300, the direction indication display unit 330 is located on both ends of the first display area R1 so as to sandwich the shift position display unit 310 and the remaining fuel amount display unit 320. It is located in

  Further, the predetermined information D1 composed of the vehicle speed display unit 300, the shift position display unit 310, the remaining fuel amount display unit 320, and the direction indication display unit 330 here has a high priority, and the frequency with which the user of the vehicle visually recognizes The first display mode M1 has a display layout in which the predetermined information D1 is displayed in the first display area R1.

  On the other hand, the second display area R2 is located below the first display unit 204, and the fuel consumption display unit 340 and the outside air temperature display unit described above are other information D2 of vehicle state information different from the predetermined information D1. It displays 350. For example, in this case, the fuel consumption display unit 340 and the outside air temperature display unit 350 are displayed in the state vertically juxtaposed in the second display region R2, and the outside air temperature display unit 350 is displayed directly below the fuel consumption display unit 340. ing.

  And other information D2 which consists of fuel consumption indicator 340 and outside air temperature indicator 350 has become the vehicle state information where frequency which the user of the vehicle recognizes visually is low, in 1st indicatory mode M1, it is other The display layout is such that the information D2 is displayed in the second display area R2.

  Further, in the case of this example, in the vacant display area 400 (the dotted line portion in FIG. 4A) of the second display area R2 corresponding to the area excluding the fuel consumption display unit 340 and the outside air temperature display unit 350, An icon to be described later regarding the selection of the type of external information is displayed. For example, in this case, the vacant display area 400 is provided on the right side of the second display area R2.

  Here, the first control means 202 has a function of determining the driving margin of the user based on the vehicle state signal. For example, in the case of a motorcycle having a characteristic in which the vehicle is inclined at cornering, the first control means 202 determines the driving margin of the user depending on whether the bank angle (tilt angle) of the motorcycle is larger than a predetermined angle. Shall be judged.

  The bank angle is zero when the motorcycle is upright, and the bank angle increases as the motorcycle inclines from the upright state. Then, in this case, the first control means 202 determines that the driving margin of the user is large when the bank angle is 10 degrees or less, and the driving of the user when the bank angle exceeds 10 degrees. It is determined that the margin is small.

  Then, when the first control means 202 determines that the user's driving margin is small (that is, when it is determined that the bank angle exceeds 10 degrees), the empty display area 400 is in the non-display state. Control for displaying the first display unit 204 (see FIG. 4A). As described above, when the vacant display area 400 is in the non-display state, it is possible to notify the user that the function of the external information of the vehicle can not be used.

  On the other hand, when the first control means 202 determines that the driving margin of the user is large (that is, it determines that the bank angle is 10 degrees or less), the external device is set in the empty display area 400 in the second display area R2. In order to display the plurality of icons 410 related to the operation of 103, control is performed to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operation (see FIG. 4B).

  The icon 410 is, for example, a first icon 411 consisting of a navigation function icon related to a navigation function (predetermined function), and a telephone function icon related to a telephone function (other functions different from the predetermined function). And a third icon 413 consisting of an audio function icon associated with the audio function (another function different from the predetermined function).

  In this case, the first icon 411 for performing the navigation function is located above the second icon 412 for performing the telephone function and adjacent to the second icon 412, and is located below the second icon 412. A third icon 413 for performing the audio function is located adjacent to the second icon 412. By displaying the icons 411 to 413 side by side in the empty display area 400 in this manner, the user recognizes that the function of the external information of the vehicle can be used.

  Here, although the driving margin of the user is judged using the bank angle of the vehicle, the present invention is not limited to this, and the traveling speed of the vehicle is predetermined under the control of the first control means 202. The driving margin of the user may be determined based on whether or not the speed (threshold) is exceeded. For example, the first control means 202 determines that the driving margin is large when the traveling speed of the vehicle is 10 km / h or less, which is the threshold, and the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds 10 km / h, which is the threshold. It may be determined that the driving margin is in a small state.

  Next, a display layout displayed on the first display unit 204 when the first control unit 202 executes the second display mode M2 different from the first display mode M1 will be described.

  At the time of execution of the second display mode M2, the user may touch the icons 411 to 413 displayed on the first display unit 204 (second display area R2) which is a touch display. It is possible.

  For example, when the user touches the first icon 411, which is an icon for navigation function, the first control unit 202 receives the vehicle status signal via the multiple communication input / output terminal 211 (or the vehicle information terminal 210). At the same time, external information (here, navigation information) of the vehicle is received from the external device 103 via the communication units 260 and 209, as shown in FIG. 5 (a) based on the vehicle state signal and the navigation information. In order to display display information corresponding to the second display mode M2 on the first display unit 204, control is performed to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operation.

  That is, in the second display mode M2, the second control unit 252 provided in the external device 103 outputs the navigation information to the first control unit 202 via the connection unit 104 (the communication units 260 and 209). The first control unit 202 controls the display operation of the first display unit 204 so that the navigation display unit 360, which is external information (external device information) of the vehicle, is displayed in the second display area R2 Do.

  Therefore, the display information corresponding to the second display mode M2 includes the vehicle speed display unit 300, the shift position display unit 310, the fuel remaining amount display unit 320, the direction indication display unit 330, the navigation display unit 360, and the respective icons 411 to 413. And are included.

  Among them, the predetermined information D1 consisting of the vehicle speed display unit 300, the shift position display unit 310, the fuel remaining amount display unit 320 and the direction indication display unit 330 is the first as in the case of the first display mode M1. The display positions of the vehicle speed display unit 300, the shift position display unit 310, the fuel remaining amount display unit 320, and the direction indication display unit 330 in the second display mode M2 are displayed in the first display. The same position as in the case of mode M1.

  As described above, in the case of this example, the first display area R1 displays the vehicle speed display unit 300, the shift position display unit 310, the remaining fuel amount display unit 320, and the direction indication display unit 330 when both display modes M1 and M2 are performed. Is configured as a fixed display area capable of displaying the predetermined information D1 formed by the above in a predetermined display position.

  Then, in the second display mode M2, the navigation display unit 360 and each information other than the predetermined information D1 consisting of the vehicle speed display unit 300, the shift position display unit 310, the fuel remaining amount display unit 320 and the direction indication display unit 330. The icons 411 to 413 are displayed in the second display area R2.

  By the way, in the second display mode M2, the fuel consumption display 340 and the outside air temperature display 350 displayed in the second display area R2 in the first display mode M1 are in the non-display state. Then, in the second display area R2 except for the empty display area 400, a navigation display unit 360 including a turn-by-turn display is displayed. This turn-by-turn display includes an arrow display 361, an intersection name display 362, and a remaining distance display 363 to the intersection, as shown in FIG. 5 (a).

  That is, in the case of this example, the vehicular information provision device 102 can acquire external information (for example, the navigation information) of the vehicle output from the external device 103, and accordingly, the vehicular information provision device 102 is provided The above-described navigation display unit 360 is displayed on the first display unit 204 (second display area R2).

  In addition, when performing a turn-by-turn display as external information of a vehicle, the 2nd control means 252 outputs image information to the information providing apparatus 102 side for vehicles via the connection means 104 (each communication part 209, 260). You may output a command instead. For example, a plurality of types of turn-by-turn display information are stored in advance in the first storage unit 203, and the first control unit 202 converts the turn-by-turn display information corresponding to the command from the first storage unit 203. This can be coped with by reading out and displaying on the first display unit 204.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of information to be output from the second control means 252 to the on-vehicle information provision device 102 via the connection means 104 (the communication units 209 and 260). The navigation display unit 360 may apply map display instead of turn-by-turn display. At this time, the second control unit 252 outputs the image information through the connection unit 104 (the communication units 209 and 260).

  Next, from the state of FIG. 5 (a), the display transition of the second display area R2 when the user of the vehicle touches the third icon 413 which is the icon for audio function is shown in FIG. 5 (b) It explains based on.

  For example, when the display in the state of FIG. 5A is being performed, the user of the vehicle performs a touch operation on the third icon 413 to select the type of external information of the vehicle (here, audio). An input signal (type switching instruction signal) to be indicated is input to the first control means 202. Based on the input signal for audio display, the first control means 202 selects, from the navigation display unit 360, the type of external information of the vehicle displayed in the second display area R2 as shown in FIG. 5 (b). Control to display the first display unit 204 so as to switch to the audio display unit 370 is performed.

  That is, in this case, the first control unit 202 is configured such that the external information (the navigation display unit 360) related to the navigation function (the predetermined function) is second based on the touch operation of the first icon 411 by the user. Under the conditions displayed in the display area R2, when the user's touch operation on the third icon 413 is detected, external information (the navigation display unit 360) related to the navigation function is displayed as the audio function (the other function) Control for causing the first display unit 204 to perform display operation so as to switch to external information (audio display unit 370) related to.

  At this time, the second control unit 252 provided in the external device 103 outputs audio information to the first control unit 202 through the connection unit 104 (the communication units 260 and 209), and the first control unit 202 performs control of causing the first display unit 204 to perform display operation so that the audio display unit 370 which is external information of the vehicle is displayed in the second display region R2. The audio display portion 370 includes an artist name 371, a song name 372, and operation icons 373 such as a play / stop switch as shown in FIG. 5B.

  In the case of character display such as artist name and music title of music information, character font is stored in advance in the first storage unit 203, and the first control unit 202 instructs the display content of the external information of the vehicle. This character font shall be combined and displayed based on.

  Also, in this case, the first control unit 202 is configured to display external information (the navigation display unit 360) related to the navigation function (the predetermined function) as external information (audio) related to the audio function (the other function). When switching to the display unit 370), control is performed to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operation so as not to change the display position of the icons 410 (the respective icons 411 to 413).

  Next, from the state of FIG. 5A, the display transition of the second display region R2 when the user of the vehicle touches the second icon 412 which is the icon for the telephone function based on FIG. explain.

  For example, when the display in the state of FIG. 5A is being performed, the type of external information of the vehicle (here, a telephone) is set by the user of the vehicle touching the second icon 412. An input signal (type switching instruction signal) to be indicated is input to the first control means 202. Based on the input signal for displaying the telephone function, the first control means 202 performs, as shown in FIG. 6, the type of the external information of the vehicle displayed in the second display area R2 from the navigation display unit 360 to the telephone function. Control is performed to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operation so as to switch to the display unit 420.

  That is, in this case, the first control unit 202 is configured such that the external information (the navigation display unit 360) related to the navigation function (the predetermined function) is second based on the touch operation of the first icon 411 by the user. Under the conditions displayed in the display area R2, when a touch operation of the second icon 412 (telephone function icon) by the user is detected, external information (navigation display) related to the navigation function (the predetermined function) While switching the portion 360) to external information (the telephone function display portion 420) related to the telephone function (the other function) and displaying the icon 410, the display of the icon 410 is inhibited (not displayed). The display unit 204 is controlled to be displayed.

  As described above, in the case of this example, when the user performs a touch operation on any of the icons 411 to 413, the vehicle displayed in the second display area R2 under the control of the first control unit 202. The type of external information is switched.

  At this time, the second control unit 252 provided in the external device 103 outputs the telephone function information to the first control unit 202 through the connection unit 104 (the communication units 260 and 209), and performs the first control. The means 202 controls the display operation of the first display unit 204 so that the telephone function display unit 420 which is the external information of the vehicle is displayed in the second display area R2. The telephone function display unit 420 includes a telephone history icon 421 and a telephone dial icon (ten-key icon) 422 as shown in FIG.

  After that, for example, when the user performs a touch operation on the telephone history icon 421 from the state of FIG. 6, an input signal for telephone history display is input to the first control unit 202. The first control means 202 displays the call history display portion 430 in the second display area R2 of the first display portion 204 as shown in FIG. 7A based on the input signal for displaying the telephone history. Control is performed to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operations.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the call history display unit 430 displays the name 431 of the other party who has called the external device 103, the telephone number 432 of the portable terminal owned by the other party, and a call. A date and time display 433 indicating the date and time of the call.

  Further, for example, when the user performs a touch operation on the telephone dial icon 422 in the state of FIG. 6, an input signal for telephone dial display is input to the first control means 202. Based on the input signal for displaying the telephone dial, the first control means 202 can display a numeric keypad capable of inputting a number to the second display area R2 of the first display unit 204 as shown in FIG. 7 (b). Control is performed to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operations in order to display the unit 440. When the call history display unit 430 or the ten key display unit 440 described above is displayed in the second display area R2, the display of the icon 410 is in a non-display state.

  As described above, the present embodiment includes the first display unit 204 for displaying vehicle state information to the user, and the first control unit 202 for operating the first display unit 204, and the connection unit In the vehicular information providing apparatus 102 connected to the external apparatus 103 via 104, the vehicular information providing apparatus 102 can acquire external information (such as the navigation information) of the vehicle output from the external apparatus 103, The first display unit 204 displays a first display area R1 for displaying predetermined information D1 of the vehicle state information, and a second display area R2 for displaying other information D2 of vehicle state information different from the predetermined information D1. The first control unit 202 has a function of determining the driving margin of the user, and when it is determined that the driving margin is large, the second display area R2 of the external device 103 About operation In order to display each icon 411-413 (icon 410) that is intended in which to operate the first display unit 204.

  Therefore, the predetermined information D1 including the vehicle speed display unit 300 and the like displayed in the first display area R1 is displayed regardless of whether the icon 410 is displayed in the second display area R2 or not. Is the same as in the first display unit 204, which is advantageous in that the eye movement of the user viewing the first display unit 204 can be minimized. In addition, since the display method of the icon 410 is changed according to the user's driving margin, whether the user can use various functions (navigation function etc.) regarding the external information of the vehicle by visually recognizing the icon 410 It is possible to determine if the user's driving margin is small by suppressing the icon 410 to the minimum necessary operation amount (reducing the load on the user). And an information providing apparatus for vehicles with an improved human-machine interface.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first display unit 204 is a touch-type display including a touch panel that allows a user to perform a touch operation, and the icon 410 performs the first navigation function (the predetermined function). An icon 411 and at least a second icon 412 for executing the telephone function (the other function) different from the navigation function, and the first control means 202 is configured to touch the first icon 411 by the user. Under conditions where external information (the navigation display unit 360) related to the navigation function is displayed in the second display area R2 based on the operation, when the user detects a touch operation of the second icon 412, the navigation The external information related to the function (navigation display unit 360) By performing control to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operation so as to switch to the displayed external information (the telephone function display unit 420), the user simply performs touch operation on the icon 410, Since the type can be easily selected, it is possible to provide a vehicular information provision device with improved human-machine interface (operability).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first control unit 202 is configured to set external information (the navigation display unit 360) related to the navigation function (the predetermined function) to external information (the other function) related to the audio function (the other function). When switching to the audio display portion 370), the first display portion 204 is controlled to perform display operation so as not to change the display position of the icons 410 (the respective icons 411 to 413). Even when the icon 410 is displayed on the unit 204, there is an advantage that the eye movement amount of the user viewing the first display unit 204 can be minimized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, under the condition where the external information (the navigation display unit 360) related to the navigation function (the predetermined function) is displayed in the second display area R2, the first control unit 202 When a user's touch operation on the second icon 412 (telephone function icon) is detected, external information (navigation display unit 360) related to the navigation function is displayed as external information related to the telephone function (the other function). Provided to the user by performing control to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operation so as to switch and display (telephone function display unit 420) and to suppress (do not display) the display of the icon 410. Information for the vehicle with improved human-machine interface (visibility), with the amount of information being It is possible to provide a.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, but the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or corresponding parts as those of the first embodiment described above. Description is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a first control that can receive various warning signals via the multiple communication input / output terminal 211 (or the vehicle information terminal 210) while the second display mode M2 shown in FIG. 5A is being executed. The means 202 shows the display layout of the first display unit 204 when the various warning signals are received.

  The first control means 202 has a function of determining the presence or absence of the generation of a warning signal when executing the second display mode M2, and determines that the warning signal is generated (here, FIG. 10). During the warning signal is generated at time t1, the navigation display unit 360 displayed in the second display area R2 excluding the empty display area 400 is switched to the warning display unit 380 and displayed Control is performed to cause the first display unit 204 to perform a display operation.

  Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the first display unit 204, the navigation display unit 360 which has been displayed in the second display area R2 except for the vacant display area 400 is not displayed. In the second display area R2 except for the empty display area 400, the warning display unit 380 as warning information for warning the user of the vehicle that the fuel remaining amount is small is displayed as an interrupt. Ru. For example, in the second display area R2 except for the empty display area 400, the warning display unit 380 as the fuel level warning information "Please refuel" is displayed instead of the navigation display unit 360 (interrupt display) .

  At this time, since the first control unit 202 detects (receives) the warning signal, it causes the first display unit 204 to perform display operation so as to make the icon 410 non-displayed. As a result, the amount of information displayed on the first display unit 204 can be reduced as much as possible, and the visibility of the remaining fuel amount warning information can be improved.

  Then, the first control means 202 waits for a predetermined time T1 (first time) to elapse from time t1 (in this case, the user of the vehicle recognizes the remaining fuel amount warning information for the predetermined time T1). Control for causing the first display unit 204 to display the above-mentioned icons 410 (the respective icons 411 to 413) again in the vacant display area 400 which has been hidden until then. (See FIG. 8 (b)).

  That is, in the case of the second embodiment, it is determined that the first control means 202 has generated warning information (the above-mentioned remaining fuel amount warning information) for calling the user of the vehicle state information. The first display unit 204 performs display operation so as to inhibit (prohibit) the display of the icons 410 (the respective icons 411 to 413) until a predetermined time T1 elapses from time t1 (a predetermined condition is satisfied). Under the condition that the warning information (the fuel remaining amount warning information) is displayed in the second display area R2, the predetermined time T1 has elapsed and the warning information (the fuel remaining amount warning information) is urgent If the above condition is not required, a process of judging that the predetermined condition is satisfied is executed.

  After that, when the first control means 202 receives a warning cancellation signal indicating that the remaining amount of fuel has increased due to fueling at time t2 in FIG. 10, the first display unit based on the warning cancellation signal For example, to return the display layout 204 of FIG. 5A to the display layout of FIG. 5A (that is, to hide the warning display section 380 and redisplay the navigation display section 360), the control for displaying the first display section 204 is performed. Do.

  Thereafter, at time t3 in FIG. 10, the first control means 202 warns the user that another warning signal different from the warning signal (here, the own vehicle is likely to collide with the preceding vehicle). The navigation display unit 360 displayed in the second display area R2 except for the vacant display area 400 is switched to another warning display unit 381 so as to be displayed on the other display unit R1). The display unit 204 is controlled to be displayed.

  That is, at this time, in the first display unit 204, the navigation display unit 360, which has been displayed in the second display area R2 except for the vacant display area 400, becomes non-displayed, and the second display area Another warning display unit 381 as the rear-collision warning information requiring the emergency of "braking" at the R2 location is displayed as an interrupt (see FIG. 9).

  At this time, since the first control unit 202 detects (receives) the other warning signal, the first control unit 202 causes the first display unit 204 to perform a display operation so as to hide the icon 410. As a result, the amount of information displayed on the first display unit 204 can be reduced as much as possible, and the visibility of the rear-collision warning information can be improved.

  Then, even if the predetermined time T1 (second time) has passed from time t3, the first control means 202 determines that the other warning signal is continuously generated, and the non-display state of the icon 410 is continued. Control (that is, the display in the state of FIG. 9 is maintained as it is) to perform the display operation of the first display unit 204.

  After that, the first control unit 202 determines that the rear-collision warning information has been canceled at time t4 in FIG. 10, and returns the first display unit 204 to, for example, the display layout of FIG. That is, in order to hide the other warning display unit 381 and to display the navigation display unit 360 and the icon 410 again, control is performed to cause the first display unit 204 to perform display operation.

  That is, in this case, when the first control means 202 determines that the warning information (the above-mentioned collision warning information) for raising the user's attention in the vehicle state information is generated, the rear collision warning information is canceled. A process of causing the first display unit 204 to perform a display operation is performed so as to inhibit (prohibit) the display of the icons 410 (the respective icons 411 to 413) until a predetermined condition is satisfied. In addition, that the predetermined condition here is satisfied means that the said rear collision warning information is cancelled | released.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment described above, when warning information such as the remaining fuel amount warning information or the rear-collision warning information is generated, the first display unit 204 responds to the content of the warning information. By changing the notification method of the icon 410 (from switching whether to display the icon 410), it is possible to present warning information improved in safety and convenience to the user of the vehicle. There is an advantage.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The same reference numerals as in the first and second embodiments described above are used for the same or corresponding parts. Description is omitted.

  FIG. 11A shows a display layout of the first display unit 204 when the user of the vehicle touches the second icon 412, which is an icon for a telephone function, from the state of FIG. 5A. There is.

  Although the display layout of the first display unit 204 shown in FIG. 11A is basically the same as the display layout of the first display unit 204 shown in FIG. In FIG. 11A, it is determined that the user's driving margin is large under the control of the first control means 202, and the first character display portion "History" displayed on the telephone history icon 421. It is assumed that 451 and the second character display unit 452 "dial" displayed on the telephone dial icon 422 are both displayed in blue.

  Further, in the following description, the blue first character display unit 451 may be referred to as a first character display unit 451 b, and the blue second character display unit 452 may be referred to as a second character display unit 452 b.

  Then, for example, when the display in the state of FIG. 11A is being performed on the first display unit 204, the first control unit 202 changes the state of the user's driving margin from a large state to a small state. When it is detected that the traveling speed of the vehicle changes from a state of 10 kilometers per hour or less to a state exceeding 10 kilometers per hour, the first and second character display portions 451 are detected. , 452 is controlled so that the display operation of the first display unit 204 is performed (see FIG. 11B).

  In the following description, the first character display unit 451 in red may be referred to as a first character display unit 451 r, and the second character display unit 452 in red may be referred to as a second character display unit 452 r.

  Then, under the condition that the display color of the character display portions 451 and 452 is switched from blue to red and the red character display portions 451 r and 452 r are displayed in the first display portion 204 (second display area R2), When the user touches the call history icon 421 or the phone dial icon 422, the touch operation is set to be invalid (cannot be operated).

  Further, in the case of the third embodiment, in order to notify the user that the touch operation of the telephone history icon 421 and the telephone dial icon 422 can not be operated as described above, the first control means 202 In the first display area R 2, the first message display unit 460 is displayed above the telephone history icon 421 and the telephone dial icon 422 as a message “Please stop at a safe place and then perform the operation”. It is assumed that control to display the display unit 204 is performed.

  After that, the first control means 202 detects that the traveling speed of the vehicle has become 10 kilometers per hour or less (that the user has a large driving margin), as shown in FIG. 11 (a). In order to return the display color of the first and second character display units 451 and 452 to blue, the control for causing the first display unit 204 to perform display operation is performed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the first control unit 202 detects that the user's driving margin has changed from a large state to a small state, the telephone history icon 421 and the telephone dial icon 422 are detected. The touch operation of the icon consisting of In addition, when the touch operation on the icon (that is, the call history icon 421 or the telephone dial icon 422) is invalid, the first control unit 202 causes the first character display unit 451 displayed on the call history icon 421 or the like. Control for causing the first display unit 204 to perform display operation so that the display color of the second character display unit 452 displayed on the telephone dial icon 422 changes (for example, the display color changes from blue to red) It is something to do.

  Therefore, the user can determine whether or not various functions (for example, the telephone function) related to the external information of the vehicle can be used by visually recognizing the telephone history icon 421 and the telephone dial icon 422, and When the driver's driving margin is small, it is possible to minimize the amount of operation (reduce the load on the user) and provide an information providing device for vehicles with improved human-machine interface. can do.

  In the third embodiment, the first and second character display portions 451 and 452 are colored in blue and red, but in the first and second character display portions 451 and 452, for example, Alternatively, the background color forming the background of the first and second character display portions 451 and 452 may be colored in blue, red or the like. For example, taking the telephone history icon 421 shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) as an example, the display color of the first character display portion 451 itself “history” is black, and the black color The background color forming the background of the character display portion 451 of 1 (the background color here refers to the frame area illustrated by reference numeral 421 in FIGS. 11A and 11B) is blue or It becomes a structure colored in red. It goes without saying that the background color is included in the display color of the icon (for example, the telephone history icon 421) described in claim 9 in the claims to be described later.

101 Vehicle communication system 102 Vehicle instrument (vehicle information providing device)
103 external device 104 connection means 202 first control means 203 first storage means (storage means)
204 First Display Unit (Display Unit)
209 first communication unit 213 operation means 252 second control means 260 second communication unit 360 navigation display unit (external information of vehicle)
370 audio display (external information of the vehicle)
380 Warning display area (notice information)
381 Other warning display area (reminder information)
410 icon 411 first icon 412 second icon 413 third icon D1 predetermined information D2 other information M1 first display mode M2 second display mode R1 first display area R2 second display area

Claims (6)

In a vehicle information provision device having a display unit for displaying vehicle state information to a user, and control means for operating the display unit, and connected to an external device through the connection means,
The vehicle information provision device can acquire external information of the vehicle output from the external device,
The display unit is a touch-type display including a touch panel that allows a user to perform a touch operation, and the vehicle state information different from the first display area for displaying predetermined information of the vehicle state information and the predetermined information And a second display area for displaying other information of
The control means has a function of determining the driving margin of the user, and when it is determined that the driving margin is large, an icon related to the operation of the external device is displayed in the second display area. , Operating the display unit ,
The icon includes at least a first icon for performing a predetermined function and a second icon for performing another function different from the predetermined function.
The second icon comprises an icon for a telephone function associated with the telephone function,
The control means operates the display unit to display a telephone function display unit related to the telephone function in the second display area when the touch operation of the second icon by the user is detected.
The said telephone function display part is comprised so that a telephone log | history icon and a telephone dial icon may be included , The information provision apparatus for vehicles characterized by the above-mentioned. The control means suppresses display of the first and second icons until a predetermined condition is satisfied, when it is determined that alerting information for alerting the user of the vehicle state information has occurred. The apparatus for providing information for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the display section is operated in order to do so. The control means is configured to establish the predetermined condition when a predetermined time elapses under the condition that the alert information is displayed in the second display area and the alert information does not require an emergency. The information providing apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 2 , characterized in that it is determined. The control means determines that the driving margin is small when the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed or when the bank angle of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined angle. The information providing apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1. Before SL control unit detects that it has changed to a small state from the operating margin is large state, according to claim 4, characterized in that the disable the touch operation of the call history icon and the telephone dial icon Information provision device for vehicles. The control means operates the display unit so that a display color of the telephone history icon and a display color of the telephone dial icon change when touch operations of the telephone history icon and the telephone dial icon are invalid. The information providing apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 5 , characterized in that:

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