JPH10297318A - Instrument panel image selection device and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select an instrument panel image freely in response to a user's liking by having an instrument panel image data output means for outputting an instrument panel image data selected in response to a selection signal to an instrument panel image indication means. SOLUTION: An operation signal S2 in response to the operation of a steering switch 3 by a user is outputted to a center cluster PC 21 and instrument panel meter PC 22 through a vehicle I/F 23. For example, the center cluster PC 21 selects or produces the image data of a picture image indicated on a center cluster display 6 in response to the operation signal from operation switch group 8 and the image data S21a is outputted to the center cluster display 6. The center cluster display 6 indicates a picture image in response to the image data S21a from the center cluster PC 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an instrument panel image selecting apparatus and a method thereof, which enable a user to select an instrument panel image of a vehicle such as an automobile as desired.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle such as an automobile is provided with an instrument panel incorporating a speed meter or the like in front of a driver's seat steering wheel.
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the progress of computerization in vehicles, vehicles that display an instrument panel image on a display such as a liquid crystal display and use it as an instrument panel are increasing. On such a display, an instrument panel image including an image of a speedometer, a tachometer, a fuel remaining amount, and the like is displayed. The conventional instrument panel image is a fixed image determined in advance and cannot be changed by the user. By the way, the preference of the instrument panel image varies depending on the user, and there is a demand that the same user wants to use various instrument panel images according to the situation. Specifically, for example, there is a request that an elderly person wants to use an instrument panel image in which a speed meter is displayed larger than usual. In addition, some users want to use a digital display speed meter and an analog display speed meter depending on their mood. However, the conventional instrument panel image has a problem that the user cannot change the instrument panel image, and thus cannot meet the above-described user request.

[0003] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide an instrument panel image selection apparatus and a method thereof that allow a user to freely select an instrument panel image according to his / her preference.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and achieve the above-mentioned object, an instrument panel image selecting apparatus according to the present invention is provided in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle, and is used for driving a vehicle. Instrument panel image display means for performing display in accordance with instrument panel image data graphically representing information required by the driver at times, storage means for storing a plurality of instrument panel image data, and selecting operation from the plurality of instrument panel image data Selection means for selecting instrument panel image data corresponding to the selected instrument panel data and generating a selection signal; and displaying the instrument panel image data selected according to the selection signal among the plurality of stored instrument panel image data on the instrument panel image display. Means for outputting instrument panel image data to the means

In the instrument panel image selection device of the present invention, a selection signal corresponding to the operation of the selection means by the user is output to the instrument panel image data output means, and the selection signal is output from the plurality of instrument panel image data stored in the storage means. Is output to the instrument panel image display means. Therefore, the user can select an instrument panel image according to his preference.

[0006] Further, the instrument panel image selecting apparatus of the present invention comprises:
Preferably, the storage means, at least instrument panel image data to display an instrument panel image of the analog display system,
Instrument panel image data for displaying a digital display type instrument panel image is stored.

[0007] The instrument panel image selecting apparatus of the present invention comprises:
Preferably, the storage means stores instrument panel image data for displaying at least the speedometer near the center of the image as compared to other display components.

Further, according to the instrument panel image selecting method of the present invention, according to the instrument panel image data selected by the selecting operation from the plurality of stored instrument panel image data,
An instrument panel image graphically representing information required by the driver when the vehicle is running is displayed on an instrument panel display provided in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vehicle-mounted system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an external view of a vehicle in which a vehicle mounting system 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted. As shown in FIG. 1, steering switches 3 and 4 are disposed at symmetrical positions on the steering wheel 2 of the driver's seat in a vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted system 1 is mounted. The steering switch groups 3 and 4 are arranged, for example, at positions where the driver can hold down the steering wheel 2 and press a button with a thumb or the like. Each of the steering switch groups 3 and 4 has a unique function, and as described later, the user can set those functions in advance. Steering switch group 3,
For example, there is a possibility of changing the frequency, such as the temperature of the air conditioner, the air volume, the wind direction, or the volume of the speaker, while the vehicle is running, and which does not impair the safety of the vehicle. Adjustment function is assigned.

An instrument panel display 5 which is a liquid crystal display is provided in front of the steering 2.
A center cluster display 6, which is also a liquid crystal display, is provided in front of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat. In the vicinity of the center cluster display 6,
An operation switch group 8 is provided. A liquid crystal display 7 for a rear seat is disposed behind the center cluster display 6.

The glove box 11 in front of the passenger seat
Inside, a connector to which the portable personal computer 12 can be attached is provided. In addition, an infrared light receiving unit 10 for infrared communication is provided on the ceiling, and receives infrared light according to the operation of the wireless keyboard 9 by the user. The windshield in front of the driver's seat has a head-up display (HU
A combiner 13 for D) is formed. Further, between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, a mobile phone holder 15 having a connector for connecting to a connector of the mobile phone 14 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a partial configuration diagram of a signal processing system of the vehicle-mounted system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, in this signal processing system, the steering switch groups 3 and 4, the center cluster PC21, the instrument panel PC22, and the signal generator / signal processor on the body side are electrically connected via the vehicle I / F23. It is connected to the. The vehicle I / F 23, the center cluster PC21, the instrument panel PC22, and the signal generator / signal processor on the body side are connected via a multiplex communication line. For example, PALMNET (trademark) is used as the multiplex communication line.

[0013] The steering switch 3a,
The operation signal S2 corresponding to the operation of 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c is transmitted to the center cluster P via the vehicle I / F23.
It is output to C21 and the instrument panel PC22. The center cluster PC 21 is, for example, an operation switch group 8
In response to the operation signal S8, the CPU 11 selects or creates image data of an image to be displayed on the center cluster display 6, and outputs the image data S21a to the center cluster display 6. The center cluster display 6 displays image data S2 from the center cluster PC 21.
An image corresponding to 1a is displayed.

Here, the center cluster display 6
Has a menu image displayed as an initial image.
In response to the selection operation of the operation switch group 8 by the user, for example, a navigation image, an image from a predetermined information center, an image related to FM / AM radio broadcasting, a TV image,
An image related to the CD / TAPE operation, an image related to the air conditioner process, an image related to a change in the function of the steering switch groups 3 and 4, and the like are displayed.

The center cluster PC 21 has steering switch allocation software 25. The steering switch assignment software 25 has a plurality of different assignment code tables. In each of the assignment code tables, the steering switches 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b,
4c is specified. Which allocation code table to use from among the plurality of allocation code tables is determined, for example, by operating the operation switch group 8 by the user. As the allocation code table, for example, a table relating to adjustment of the temperature of the air conditioner, the air volume, the wind direction, the volume of the speaker, and the like is prepared.

For example, when the user operates the operation switch group 8 to switch to the function change mode of the steering switch groups 3 and 4, the center cluster display 6 displays a function assignment change screen shown in FIG. . Next, the user operates the operation switch group 8 to select one of the assignment changes 30 and 31 shown in FIG. Here, the assignment change 30 indicates a function change of the steering switch group 3, and the assignment change 31 indicates a function change of the steering switch group 4. The user changes the assignment 3 shown in FIG.
When 1, the function change of the steering switch group 4 is selected, a function selection screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed according to the type of the allocation code table. As shown in FIG. 4, on this function selection screen, the temperature adjustment 4
Adjustment functions such as 0, air volume 41, wind direction 42, and speaker volume 43 can be selected.

After the function is assigned, the center cluster PC 21 transmits an operation signal S23a corresponding to the operation signal S2 from the steering switch groups 3 and 4 to the vehicle I / F 23.
, The function of the steering switch pressed by the user is specified from the allocation code table of the steering switch allocation software 25, and a control signal S21b corresponding to the function is output to the control target via the vehicle I / F23.

The instrument panel PC 22 inputs an operation signal S23b corresponding to the operation of the operation switch 8 by the user via the center cluster PC 21 and the vehicle I / F 23, and sends the operation signal S23b to the instrument panel display 5 or the head-up display (HUD) 24. Select or create image data of the screen to be displayed, and select the image data S22
a and S22b are output to the instrument panel display 5 or the head-up display 24, respectively. The instrument panel display 5 and the head-up display 24 display image data S22a and S22b, respectively.
The image corresponding to is displayed.

When the vehicle is running, for example, as shown in FIG.
In accordance with 22a, information such as a speedometer, a fuel remaining amount, and an engine temperature, which graphically represent information required by the driver when the vehicle is running, is displayed. The speed, fuel, engine temperature, and the like are detected by on-vehicle devices such as sensors provided at various positions of the vehicle, and the detection results are output to the instrument panel PC22 via the vehicle I / F 23, and are output from the instrument panel PC22. Image data S22
a.

The head-up display 24 displays information on a speed meter and a depressed steering switch in accordance with the image data S22b. FIG.
3 is a configuration diagram of the head-up display 24. As shown in FIG. 6, the head-up display 24 includes an optical combiner 13 provided on a front window shield glass 50, an imaging lens 51, a reflecting mirror 52, and a collimator lens system / CRT 53. In the head-up display 24, the instrument panel PC2
2 from the collimator lens system C
The display light image is converted at RT53 into a display light image, and this display light image S
The light 53 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 52, condensed on the combiner 13 by the imaging lens 51, and displays a virtual image of the display light image in front of the vehicle as viewed from the driver.

The instrument panel PC 22 is a steering switch assignment software 2 for the center cluster PC 21.
5 and inputs the operation signal S23b corresponding to the operation signal S2 from the steering switch groups 3 and 4, the pressed steering switch is specified from the allocation code table, and the pressed steering switch is identified. The image data S22b of the image related to the functions of the steering switch groups 3, 4 including the display highlighted by coloring or the like is selected or generated. At this time, the image shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the head-up display 24 according to the image data S22b.

Hereinafter, the function setting of the steering switch groups 3 and 4 will be described with a specific example. [Calling of Pre-registered Settings by Driver] For example, the steering switch allocation software 25 includes an allocation code table 71 shown in FIG.
An allocation code table 72 shown in (B) is provided. Here, for example, when the user A is a driver, for example, the user A operates the operation switch group 8 to specify the user A, and the operation signal S6 is output to the center cluster PC 21. Center cluster PC2
In step 1, the allocation code table 71 shown in FIG. 8A is selected based on the operation signal S6. When the allocation code table 71 is thus selected, the steering switches 3a, 3b, 3c of the steering switch group 3 are selected.
The functions of “Temperature UP” and “A / C ON
/ OFF "and" Temperature DOWN ". The functions of the steering switches 4a, 4b, and 4c of the steering switch group 4 include “air volume U
"P", "R / F" and "air volume DOWN" are assigned.

When the driver's instep pushes down the steering switch 3c while the vehicle is running, for example, 8 shown in FIG.
The bit operation signal S2 is output to the center cluster PC 21 via the vehicle I / F 23 as an operation signal S23a. When this operation signal S23a is input, the center cluster PC 21 refers to the allocation code table 71 shown in FIG.
Is pressed to detect that this switch indicates "temperature DOWN". Then, the center cluster PC 21
A control signal S23c indicating that the temperature is to be reduced is output to the air conditioner via the vehicle I / F23. As a result, the air conditioner performs an operation of lowering the temperature.

When the driver's instep pushes the steering switch 3c, the 8-bit operation signal S shown in FIG.
2 is output to the instrument panel PC22 as an operation signal S23b via the vehicle I / F23. In the instrument panel PC22, when the operation signal S23b is input, the allocation code table 71 shown in FIG. 8A of the center cluster PC21 is input from the vehicle I / F23, the steering switch 3c is pressed, and this switch is set to “temperature D”.
"OWN" is detected. Then, the instrument panel PC 22 outputs the image data S22b to the head-up display 24, and as shown in FIG.
An image 75 indicating the function of the steering switch groups 3 and 4 is displayed in which a portion corresponding to “OWN” is colored in a predetermined manner.

On the other hand, when the user B is a driver, for example, the user B operates the operation switch group 8 to specify the user B, and the operation signal S6 is output to the center cluster PC 21. Center cluster P
In C21, based on the operation signal S21a, FIG.
Is selected. Hereinafter, the same processing as when the above-described allocation code 71 is selected is performed. In this case, when the driver B presses the steering switch 3c while the vehicle is running, for example, the 8-bit operation signal S2 shown in FIG. 9 is transmitted to the center cluster PC 21 via the vehicle I / F 23 as the operation signal S23a.
Is output to When the operation signal S23a is input, the center cluster PC 21 refers to the allocation code 72 shown in FIG. 8B, depresses the steering switch 3c, and determines that the switch indicates the "wind direction".
The center cluster PC 21 is connected to the vehicle I / F 23
, A control signal S23c indicating that the wind direction is to be changed is output to the drive unit that drives the wind direction of the air conditioner. Thereby, the drive unit changes the wind direction of the air conditioner. In addition, the head-up display 24 includes
An image indicating the function of the steering switch groups 3 and 4, in which a portion corresponding to the "wind direction" is colored in a predetermined manner, is displayed.

[Change in Function of Steering Switch] For example, the driver operates the operation switch group 8 shown in FIGS.
Is operated to switch the processing of the center cluster PC 21 to the function assignment change mode of the steering switch groups 3 and 4, the center cluster display 6 displays FIG.
The function assignment change screen shown in is displayed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the functions of the steering switches 3a, 3b, 3c of the steering switch group 3 are "temperature UP", "A / CON / OFF", and "temperature DO", respectively.
WN "is assigned. The functions of the steering switches 4a, 4b, 4c of the steering switch group 4 include "front", "circulating outside air",
"Wind direction" is assigned. Next, when the driver selects, for example, the allocation change 31, that is, the function change of the steering switch group 4, a function selection screen corresponding to the type of the allocation code table shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.
Then, when the driver operates the operation switch group 8 and selects the function 43, the functions of the steering switches 4a, 4b, and 4c of the steering switch group 4 are changed from “front”, “circulating outside air”, and “wind direction” respectively. Volume U
P ”,“ FM → AM → CD ”, and“ volume DOWN ”.

As described above, the vehicle mounted system 1
According to this, the functions of the steering switch groups 3 and 4 can be freely set by the user. Therefore, the user can assign a favorite function to the steering switch groups 3 and 4, and the convenience of the steering switch groups 3 and 4 can be further improved. According to the vehicle-mounted system 1, an image indicating the function of the pressed switch is displayed on the head-up display 24 for a certain period of time after the steering switch is pressed, as shown in FIG. This is convenient for the user to check the functions when the functions assigned to the steering switch groups 3 and 4 are forgotten. Furthermore, since the head-up display 24 is located in the vicinity of the visibility range of the driver while the vehicle is running, it does not hinder driving safety.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the positions of the steering switch groups 3 and 4 on the steering 2 are not limited to the positions shown in FIG. However, it is preferable to dispose it at a position where the driver can operate it while holding the steering wheel 2. Further, the number of steering switch groups 3 and 4 and the number of steering switches are also arbitrary. This number is preferably determined in consideration of the number of functions required to be provided and operability.

The type of the allocation code table provided in the steering switch allocation software 25 is also arbitrary. The display screens of the center cluster display 6, the instrument panel display 5, and the head-up display 24 are not limited to those described above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the driver operates the steering switch groups 3 and 4, the image shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the head-up display 24 for a while, but the example shown in FIG. As described above, an image in which the pressed steering switch is highlighted by coloring or the like may be displayed on the instrument panel display 5. Note that at least one of the image of the head-up display 24 shown in FIG. 7 and the instrument panel display 5 shown in FIG. 11 may be always displayed.

The setting screen displayed on the center cluster display 6 when the functions of the steering switch groups 3 and 4 are set is not limited to those shown in FIGS.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the center cluster PC 21 and the instrument panel PC 22 are separately provided has been described as an example. However, the present invention may be configured such that a single PC has both functions. Good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a liquid crystal display is exemplified as the instrument panel display 5 and the center cluster display 6, but the CRT is used.
(Cathode Ray Tube) may be used.

Second Embodiment In addition to the functions of the vehicle-mounted system 1 of the first embodiment described above, the vehicle-mounted system of the present embodiment further includes a
The customization function of the instrument panel display 5 and the head-up display 24 shown in FIG.
Therefore, the vehicle-mounted system according to the present embodiment is similarly provided with the in-vehicle equipment shown in FIG. 1 and the signal processing system shown in FIG.

The instrument panel PC 22 is provided with a plurality of different instrument panel image data.
To determine. The instrument panel image data includes, for example, standard instrument panel image data for displaying the standard instrument panel image 45 shown in FIG. 5, switch function display instrument panel image data for displaying the steering switch function display instrument panel image 76 shown in FIG. 11, and digital data shown in FIG. Digital instrument panel image data for displaying the instrument panel image 80 and instrument panel image data for the elderly displaying the instrument panel image 81 for the elderly are prepared.

In the standard instrument panel image 45, as shown in FIG. 5, a speed meter and a tachometer in an analog display format are symmetrically arranged, and a fuel remaining amount and an engine temperature are displayed in an analog display format below the speed meter and the tachometer. In addition, right and left turn signal indicators are arranged at the upper right end and the upper left end of the image.

As shown in FIG. 11, the steering switch function display instrument panel image 76 has an image of the steering switch function displayed on the right side of the image. For example, the image of the steering switch function may be always displayed irrespective of the depression of the steering switch, or may be displayed only for a certain time after the depression of the steering switch.

As shown in FIG. 12, the digital instrument panel image 80 has a digital display type speed meter disposed at the right end of the image, and changes the color in the center of the image according to the increase in speed and engine speed. The speedometer and the tachometer are arranged such that the colored area increases rightward. Further, a fuel warning display and an engine temperature warning display are arranged at the left end of the image.

In the instrument panel image 81 for the elderly, FIG.
As shown in (1), a speed meter in an analog display format is displayed large in the center of the image, and right and left blinkers are displayed large in the upper right end and the upper left end of the image. Further, the remaining fuel amount and the engine temperature are displayed in an analog display format at the left end of the image.

The instrument panel PC 22 normally outputs the standard instrument panel image data S22a to the instrument panel display 5 to display the standard instrument panel image 45. For example, when the instrument panel PC 22 receives the instrument panel image change signal S23b in response to the operation of the operation switch group 8 by the user, the instrument panel image change signal S23b.
Selecting the instrument panel image data indicated by 23b,
Output to the instrument panel display 5.

The instrument panel PC 22 has a plurality of different HUD image data, and the user operates the operation switch group 8 to determine which HUD image data to use, for example. As the HUD image data, for example, the first H that displays the HUD image 75 shown in FIG.
The UD image data and the second HUD image data for displaying the HUD image 82 shown in FIG. 14 are prepared.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the HUD image 75 is a steering switch in which a portion corresponding to the steering switch pressed by the driver (here, the switch of "temperature DOWN") is colored in a predetermined manner. It is an image which displays the functions of groups 3 and 4. Also, HUD
The image 82 is an image in which the traveling speed is digitally displayed in addition to the display of the functions of the steering switch groups 3 and 4.

For example, when the driver presses the switches of the steering switch groups 3 and 4 by the driver, the instrument panel PC 22 operates for a certain period of time from when the switches are pressed.
The first HUD image data is transferred to the head-up display 2
4 and the HUD image 75 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.

The procedure for changing the display screen of the instrument panel display 5 will be described below. In the instrument panel PC22, as instrument panel image data, for example,
The standard instrument panel image data for displaying the standard instrument panel image 45 shown in FIG. 5, the steering switch function display instrument panel image data for displaying the steering switch function display image 76 shown in FIG. 11, and the digital instrument panel for displaying the digital instrument panel image 80 shown in FIG. An instrument panel image data for the elderly which displays the image data and the instrument panel image 81 for the elderly is prepared. Here, for example, when the elderly person is a driver, the driver operates the operation switch group 8 to select the instrument panel image data for the elderly person, and the operation signal S23b is output to the instrument panel PC22. The center cluster PC 21 selects instrument panel image data for the elderly based on the operation signal S21a. As described above, when the instrument panel image data for the elderly is selected in the instrument panel PC 22, FIG.
Is displayed on the instrument panel display 5.

The display screen of the head-up display 24 is selected similarly to the case of the instrument panel display 5. That is, for example, the driver performs the HUD image change operation using the operation switch group 8. The instrument panel PC2 outputs H according to the driver's HUD image change operation.
When the UD image change signal S23b is input, the HUD image 75 or the HUD image 82 indicated by the HUD image change signal S23b is selected, and when the steering switch groups 3 and 4 are pressed, the selected HUD image data is displayed on the instrument panel. Output to the meter display 5.

As described above, according to the vehicle-mounted system of this embodiment, the display contents of the instrument panel display 5 and the head-up display 24 can be changed according to the driver's preference. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, for an elderly person or the like, it is also possible to display a large speed meter to increase attention to speed and enhance driving safety.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as the display image of the instrument panel display 5, FIGS.
7 and FIG. 14 as the display images of the head-up display 24, various contents can be prepared according to the needs of the driver.

When the driver operates the operation switch group 8 to identify itself, the instrument panel PC 22 displays the instrument panel image and the HUD corresponding to the driver.
The image may be displayed automatically.

Further, according to the present invention, for example, instrument panel image data corresponding to each of a plurality of drivers is prepared in the instrument panel PC 22 and the driver operates the operation switch 8.
May be operated to output the instrument panel image data linked to the driver name to the instrument panel display 5.

[0049]

As described above, according to the instrument panel image selection apparatus and method of the present invention, an instrument panel image according to the driver's preference can be selected and displayed on the instrument panel image display means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a vehicle in which a vehicle mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a partial configuration diagram of a signal processing system of the vehicle-mounted system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an image on the center cluster display shown in FIG. 1 when a steering switch function assignment is changed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an image on the center cluster display shown in FIG. 1 when a steering switch function assignment is changed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a standard instrument panel image.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a head-up display.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display image on a head-up display.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of an allocation code table.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation signal from an operation switch group.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an image on a head-up display when a steering switch is pressed for a “temperature DOWN” function.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an image on the instrument panel display when the steering switch is pressed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a digital instrument panel image displayed on the instrument panel display.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an instrument panel image for the elderly displayed on the instrument panel display.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining another image displayed on the head-up display.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle mounting system, 2 ... Steering, 3, 4 ... Steering switch group, 5 ... Instrument panel display, 6 ... Center cluster display, 7 ... Display, 8 ... Operation switch group, 9 ... Wireless keyboard, 10
... Infrared ray receiving section, 11 ... Glove box, 12 ... Portable personal computer, 13 ... Combiner, 14 ... Mobile phone, 15
... Mobile phone holder, 21 ... Center cluster PC, 22
... Impanemeter PC, 23 ... Vehicle I / F, 24 ... Head-up display, 50 ... Front window shield glass, 51 ... Imaging lens, 52 ... Reflector, 53 ...
Collimator lens system / CRT

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An instrument panel image display means provided in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle for displaying information required by a driver when the vehicle travels in accordance with instrument panel image data, and a plurality of instrument panel image data. Storage means for storing the instrument panel image data according to the selection operation from among the plurality of instrument panel image data, and selecting means for generating a selection signal therefor; and among the stored plurality of instrument panel image data, An instrument panel image selecting device comprising: an instrument panel image data output unit that outputs instrument panel image data selected according to a selection signal to the instrument panel image display unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means includes at least an instrument panel image data for displaying an instrument panel image of an analog display system.
The instrument panel image selection device according to claim 1, which stores instrument panel image data for displaying a digital display type instrument panel image. 3. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said storage means stores instrument panel image data for displaying at least a speed meter near the center of the image as compared with other display components.
6. The instrument panel image selection device according to claim 1. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selection means generates a selection signal according to an operation for specifying a driver, and said storage means stores a plurality of instrument panel image data respectively used by a plurality of drivers. ~ 3
The instrument panel image selection device according to any one of the above. 5. A method of driving a vehicle, comprising: displaying an instrument panel image graphically representing information required by a driver when the vehicle is running, in accordance with the instrument panel image data selected by a selection operation from a plurality of stored instrument panel image data. An instrument panel image selection method to be displayed on an instrument panel display means provided in front of a seat.