JP7126072B2 - VEHICLE DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, VEHICLE EQUIPMENT OPERATING SYSTEM AND GUI PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a vehicle display control device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, an on-vehicle device operating system, a GUI program, and the like.

A user (driver) holding the steering wheel and driving the vehicle intuitively operates the pointing device for the vehicle by blind touch, displays menu images, and selects items in an extremely short period of time while looking ahead. You have to choose. Therefore, it is inevitable that the precision or operating speed of the pointing device is inferior to that of selecting a menu image using a pointing device such as a mouse on a desktop personal computer or the like. Therefore, it is desired to avoid redundant operations as much as possible when operating the vehicle-mounted equipment.

For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle device in which a user can select a radial operation menu showing items of the in-vehicle device displayed on a display device such as a head-up display (HUD) by blind operation using a pointing device. An operating system is proposed.

JP 2015-93550 A

Here, the radial operation menu is a menu format in which a plurality of selection icons are arranged on a circular orbit centered on a predetermined point. Circularly arranged contact sensors are provided at a position where a user holding a handle (steering wheel) can operate with a thumb, and a single item in the radial operation menu is selected based on the position of the contact sensor touched by the thumb. .

Since the user (driver) operates the vehicle using the contact sensor while driving the vehicle, the operation accuracy is lower than when operating the pointing device of the personal computer while directing visual attention to the display as described above. Therefore, the intended item is overdone, and careful re-operation is required, and redundant operations are required to reach the desired item, making it impossible to quickly reach the desired item. , there was an inconvenience.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a display control device for a vehicle, an on-vehicle device operation system, and a GUI program that can eliminate redundant operations and quickly reach a target item. intended to provide

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to the following exemplary aspects and best mode, as well as the accompanying drawings.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the general outline of the invention, the following illustrates embodiments in accordance with the invention.

In a first aspect, the vehicle display control device (21) includes:
A vehicle display control device (20) for controlling display of a menu (500) and a pointer (520), a display device (10) for displaying the menu (500) and the pointer (520), a selection device (200) for generating a position signal designating the position of the pointer (520) and a selection signal for selecting one item (510) included in the menu (500); Said vehicle display control used in an in-vehicle device operation system (100) having an operation execution device (26) for executing operation processing of an in-vehicle device (400) corresponding to the finally selected item (510) a device (21),
an information processing section (22) for controlling generation of an image of the menu (500) including the plurality of items (510); and an image of the menu (500) is generated under the control of the information processing section (22). and an image generator (23) for
The information processing section (22)
After the position signal input from the selection device (200) designates the n-th (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) item (510) of the menu (500), the adjacent n+1-th item (510) is selected. ) is specified, causing the pointer (520) to specify the n-th item (510) ,
The position signal input from the selection device (200) specifies the n-th item (510) of the menu (500), specifies the adjacent n+1-th item (510), and the n-th item (510) is specified. When the position to designate the item (510) is separated by a predetermined value, the pointer (520) is caused to designate the n+1th item (510) .

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the illustrated embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be further modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an in-vehicle device operating system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 1A and 1B are external views of a selection device used in an in-vehicle device operating system, FIG. 1A being a front view and FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a radial operation menu; FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle display control device according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the radial operation menu, and also shows the correspondence with the operation position by a selection device. It is a figure which shows an example of the radial operation menu, and also shows the correspondence with the operation position by a selection device. It is a figure which shows an example of the radial operation menu, and also shows the correspondence with the operation position by a selection device. It is a figure which shows an example of the radial operation menu, and also shows the correspondence with the operation position by a selection device.

The best mode described below is used for easy understanding of the invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art should note that the present invention is not unduly limited by the embodiments described below.

(Configuration of embodiment)
Please refer to FIG. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an in-vehicle device operating system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as this embodiment).

As shown in FIG. 1, an in-vehicle device operating system 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a display device 10, a control device 20, and, for example, a steering wheel 3, and a user (here, a driver) uses a finger (hand). ), and a selection device 200 operable with. It also has on-board equipment 400 such as a vehicle ECU 401, a navigation ECU 402, an audio ECU 403, an air-conditioning ECU 404, and an external communication unit 405 consisting of communication equipment. is connected to an input/output I/F (not shown).

The display device 10 can display at least one of a real image and a virtual image. Here, for example, a HUD (Head Up Display) device that displays a virtual image is installed. A virtual image is displayed in a virtual image display area (virtual image displayable area 101 indicated by a broken-line square in the figure) of glass or the like) 2 .

In FIG. 1, a radial operation menu 500(V) is displayed as a virtual image. In addition, "(V)" of the code|symbol 500 (V) has shown that it is a virtual image. Here, the radial operation menu is divided into partial circles (sector areas) surrounded by two lines extending in the radial direction from the center of the circle and an arc between these two lines. , refers to a menu format in which items are assigned to each item. However, the radial operation menu may also include a menu format in which multiple items (including icons, etc.) are arranged on a circular orbit, an elliptical orbit, or a polygonal orbit such as a rectangle centered on a predetermined point. good.

A reference numeral 520 denotes a pointer 520 (here, moving clockwise or counterclockwise like a clock hand) whose position changes according to the movement of the user's finger (hand) (detected by the selection device 200). do). This pointer 520 has a function of designating one of a plurality of items included in the radial operation menu 500(V).

FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of a HUD device used as the display device 10 in the vehicle-mounted device operating system 100 of this embodiment. A HUD device is mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle such as an automobile. A HUD device is a display device that irradiates a windshield with display light and allows a user to visually recognize the display light by superimposing the display light on the actual scene in front of the vehicle.

The display device 10 may be a display device such as a display panel provided in or on an instrument panel, or a HUD device and a display device may be used together.

Returning to FIG. In-vehicle equipment 400 (vehicle ECU 401, navigation ECU 402, audio ECU 403, air conditioning ECU 404, external communication unit (communication equipment) 405) sends in-vehicle equipment information to in-vehicle equipment operation system 100 via a bus (BUS).

Here, the vehicle ECU 401 can output the running mode (ECO mode, SPORT mode) of the vehicle 1, average fuel consumption, travelable distance (cruising distance), water temperature, oil temperature, and the like. Based on the above-described information, the control device 20 displays an image (selection image) that indicates the driving mode of the vehicle 1, or that allows the driving mode to be changed by being selected (selection image), average fuel consumption, travelable distance (cruising range possible distance), water temperature, oil temperature, etc. When one menu item 510 is selected, further menu items 510 relating to detailed information about the vehicle 1 may be displayed within the radial operation menu 500(V).

The navigation ECU 402 provides information on the direction of the next branch road and the distance to the branch road, facility information on recommended waypoints located near the route of the vehicle 1, and information such as lost time when going through these places. Output is possible. Based on the above information, the display control device (reference numeral 201 in FIG. 6) included in the control device 20 displays, for example, the direction of the next fork and the distance to the fork, an image for switching route guidance on/off, a recommended It is possible to display at least one of the facility information related to the waypoints and the image for setting the waypoints as a menu.

The audio ECU 403 can output information about recommended music and the like. Based on the above information, the control device 20 can display information on recommended music (audio) and images for selecting music as a menu.

The air conditioning ECU 404 can output information and the like regarding the current air conditioning state. Based on the information described above, the control device 20 can display information about the current air-conditioning state and an image showing that the air-conditioning state can be changed.

The external communication unit 405 can output information from outside the vehicle 1, such as incoming call status and mail reception information. Based on the information described above, the control device 20 can display, as a menu, information indicating that there is an incoming call, that an email has been received, an image that can receive a call or read an email by voice, and the like. .

Next, the configuration of the selection device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing the appearance of the selection device 200, and FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line bb in FIG. 2(a). Here, it is assumed that the selection device 200 is used for selecting items in the radial operation menu 500(V) shown in FIG.

The selection device 200 is a touch sensor that detects the position (operation position C) where the user's thumb or the like touches the operation surface. As shown in FIG. 213; When the user performs an operation of touching the operation surface with a thumb or the like (hereinafter referred to as a touch operation) or an operation of tracing a predetermined trajectory (hereinafter referred to as a gesture operation), the selection device 200 responds to the user's Detects the position (operation position C) where the thumb or the like touches the operation surface, outputs a signal (position signal) indicating the operation position C, and when the user makes a selection (decision), the selection (decision). is detected and, for example, a signal (selection signal, in other words, selection (decision) detection signal) indicating that a selection (decision) has been made is output.

The surface cover 211 in the selection device 200 is formed in a sheet shape from a light-shielding insulating material such as synthetic resin, and the three-dimensional shape of the convex cross section is continuously formed along the circumference of the circle centered on the center point Q. Formed convex portions (convex regions) 211a (regions marked with radial patterns in FIG. 2A) and relatively flat flat portions (flat regions) 211b connected to the convex portions (convex regions) 211a and have The convex portion (convex region) 211a has a mountain-shaped cross section (convex cross section), and the mountain (convex shape) is long in the direction toward the center point Q (inward) and short in the opposite direction, outward. It has an outline (edge). The peaks (convex shape) are intermittently provided along the circumference of a circle with the center point Q as the center to form a convex portion (convex region) 211a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, a sensor sheet 212 is provided under the convex portion (convex area) 211a of the surface cover 211, and the above operation position detection is performed by the portion including these. A unit 210 is configured. The user, for example, recognizes the slope of the convex portion (convex region) 211a in the longitudinal direction (the direction toward the center point Q, in other words, the inner direction) by tactile sensation of the finger. The approximate position of the finger on the top can be recognized, and the selection device 200 can be operated without looking at the selection device 200 . In other words, blind operation becomes possible. It should be noted that it is conceivable that the convex portion (convex region) 211a is not provided. When moved, the user can perceive the trajectory of the hand (fingers) moved by the user (the trace of the temporal change in the position where the finger or the like touches the operation surface of the touch sensor). It is possible to get an idea of where the position of is roughly on the circumference of the circle. Therefore, even in this case, blind operation is possible.

The sensor sheet 212 is disposed along the circumference of a circle centered on the center point Q at least on the back surface side of the front cover 211 corresponding to the convex portion (convex area) 211a, and is arranged along the circumference of the circle centered on the center point Q. It detects it and outputs information (operation position information or a signal indicating the operation position) on the operation position C of the user's finger or the like to the control device 20 (vehicle display control device 21). The sensor sheet 212 is formed integrally with the surface cover 211 by drawing, for example, so that the sensor sheet 212 is processed into the same shape as the surface cover 211 (see FIG. 2B). By integrally molding the surface cover 211 and the sensor sheet 212 in this manner, the surface cover 211 and the sensor sheet 212 become like a single sheet, and the stepped shape of the convex portion (projected region) 211a is the curved shape of the sheet. It will be composed of a part (a raised part). Further, by integrally molding in this manner, the rear surface of the surface cover 211 and the surface of the sensor sheet 212 are in contact with each other. As a result, the detection portions of the sensor sheet 212 are arranged corresponding to the stepped shape of the surface cover 211 . Since the detection portions of the sensor sheet 212 are arranged corresponding to the stepped shape of the surface cover 211 in this way, the movement of the user's finger or the like can be applied to the operation surface having the stepped shape such as the convex portion (projected area) 211a. For example, the vehicular display control device 21 can detect the position of the user's finger.

The spacer 213 is located on the back side of the sensor sheet 212 and is formed in accordance with the shape of the front cover 211 and the sensor sheet 212 integrally formed. , is a member that retains the above shape.

A plurality of determination operation detection units 220 (five in the example of FIG. 2B) are provided on the back side of the operation position detection unit 210 . The determination operation detection unit 220 is electrically connected to the control device 20 (including the vehicle display control device 21), and the user operates the operation surface of the operation position detection unit 210 (projection (projection area) of the surface cover 211). )) 211a (hereinafter referred to as a pressing operation), the determination operation detection unit 220 is pressed, thereby detecting that the user has made a selection (decision), and the selection (decision) is made. A signal (selection signal, in other words, a selection (decision) detection signal) is output. The output selection (decision) detection signal is sent to the control device 20 (including the vehicle display control device 21). The vehicular display control device 21 determines, for example, which menu item 510 among the plurality of menu items 510 included in the radial operation menu 500 is selected based on the sent selection (decision) detection signal, An operation menu image corresponding to the selection is generated and displayed on the display device 10 . Thereby, the display of the operation menu is switched according to the contents of the selected menu item 510 .

The return switch 230 is a switch located away from the operation position detection section 210 and the decision operation detection section 220 . When the user presses the operation surface of the return switch 230 (in other words, a pressing operation is performed), a return signal is transmitted to the vehicle display control device 21 in the control device 20 . Based on the return signal from the return switch 230, the vehicle display control device 21 returns the display of the radial operation menu 500 to the most recent past operation menu image. In other words, switching to the previous display is performed.

Next, details of the radial operation menu 500 displayed on the display device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the radial operation menu 500 of the present embodiment consists of two lines that extend radially from the center of the circle and an arc between the two lines that divides the circle. It is a menu format in which items are assigned to partial circles (sector areas). In the following description, the control device 20 acquires or searches for information related to the control state of the in-vehicle device 400, and uses the acquired or searched information as an image in a partial circle (sector region) forming the radial operation menu 500. The assigned icon image will be referred to as a menu item 510, and the designated image 520 whose position changes according to the movement of the user's finger (hand) (detected by the selection device 200) will be referred to as a pointer.

The menu item 510 is an image having a display area divided into sector areas, and as an initial display mode, for example, as shown in FIG. In the in-vehicle device operating system 100 of the present embodiment, hierarchical items 511, processing items 512, and display items 513 are displayed as menu items 510 indicating icon images.

The hierarchical item 511 is a display area (partial circle or sector area) in which the type of on-vehicle device 400 to be operated (eg, "AIR CONTROL") and information indicating the control state (eg, set temperature "28°C") are partitioned. By selecting this hierarchical item 511 by operating the selection device 200, a new menu related to the specified hierarchical item 511 such as air volume, wind direction, temperature setting, etc. of an air conditioner is displayed. It is possible to shift to a hierarchical display mode in which a new radial operation menu 500 image including items 510 is displayed.

For example, when the hierarchical item 511 related to the air conditioning ECU 404 is specified by operating the selection device 200, the display of the display device 10 shifts to the hierarchical display mode. As the menu items 510 displayed in the hierarchical display mode, processing items related to the air volume and wind direction of the air conditioner related to the air conditioning ECU 404 are displayed (hierarchical display mode). By selecting a processing item 512 related to air volume and wind direction, the air volume and wind direction of the air conditioner can be changed, and by selecting a hierarchical item 511 related to temperature setting, it is possible to shift to a hierarchical display mode related to temperature setting.

The processing item 512 is an image displaying an item (for example, "ABS") for controlling the in-vehicle device 400 and setting values. It is possible to cause the in-vehicle device 400 to execute various processes according to the items and set values. Specifically, for example, by selecting "TCS" or the like with the selection device 200, the vehicle ECU 401 can be caused to perform ON/OFF processing of the TCS function.

Note that the selected processing item 512 is displayed in a display mode J2a in which the color and shape are changed to indicate that it has been selected, so that the user can recognize that it has been selected.

The display item 513 is an image displaying vehicle information (for example, water temperature, oil temperature) input from the vehicle ECU 401 in a partitioned display area, and is an image for transmitting information to the user. By selecting this display item 513 by operating the selection device 200, detailed information of the displayed information can be displayed.

The information displayed in the display area (partial circle or sector area) divided by the display item 513 includes information related to various sensor information (for example, water temperature, oil temperature, etc.) output from the vehicle ECU 401 and various information of the vehicle 1 . Information related to settings (for example, function ON/OFF such as ABS, TCS, ECS, driving modes such as ECO mode and SPORT mode), navigation information output from the navigation ECU 402 (for example, arrival time, distance to target point, turn-by-turn information related to the turn, etc.), information indicating the playback time of the audio ECU 403, song title, etc., information indicating settings of the air conditioning ECU 404 (for example, temperature setting, air volume, wind direction, etc.) It is information acquired/searched from the in-vehicle device 400 by the control device 20 , such as information indicating the control state (for example, presence/absence of an incoming call, mail contents). The display in the menu item 510 is updated by the information that the control device 20 continuously or intermittently obtains/searches from the in-vehicle device 400 .

In addition, the menu item 510 may be an image based on information generated by the control device 20 itself, as well as an image related to information acquired/searched by the control device 20 from the in-vehicle device 400 . Specifically, for example, if the control device 20 has a timekeeping function, a stopwatch image may be displayed as the menu item 510 . Further, when the display device 10 has a timekeeping function, the control device 20 may execute the timekeeping function of the display device 10 to display a stopwatch image as the menu item 510 on the display device 10 .

Note that the pointer 520 is an image indicating a guideline for designating the menu item 510 by extending toward the menu item 510 with the center P of the circle as a base point, and is smoothly moved according to the movement of the operation position C of the selection device 200. By changing the indicated position D, the menu item 510 to be specified is switched. A user (driver or the like) can confirm the menu item 510 designated by operating the selection device 200 by visually recognizing the pointer 520 . Note that the pointer 520 may be a cursor designation image 521 that highlights the outline of the menu item 510 designated by the operation of the selection device 200, or a pointer designation image that designates the operation position C of the selection device 200 from outside the menu item 510. 522 or the like, or a combination of these indication methods.

Next, a more specific configuration of the control device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the control device 20 refers to a configuration including a vehicle display control device 21 and an operation execution device 25 . In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are used for the parts common to those in FIG.

Controller 20 may include at least one processor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU)), at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or at least It includes at least one semiconductor integrated circuit, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). At least one processor reads one or a plurality of programs (including GUI programs) from at least one computer-readable tangible recording medium, and functions as the information processing unit 22, the image generation unit 23, and the operation execution device 25. can perform all or part of the functions of Such recording media include any type of magnetic media such as hard disks, any type of optical media such as CDs and DVDs, any type of semiconductor memory such as volatile memory, and non-volatile memory. . Volatile memory includes DRAM and SRAM, and nonvolatile memory includes ROM and NVROM. A semiconductor memory is also a semiconductor circuit that is part of a circuit with at least one processor. An ASIC is an integrated circuit customized to perform all or part of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 4, and an FPGA is designed to perform all or part of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 4 after manufacturing. integrated circuit.

In order to specify one item included in the radial operation menu 500, the control device 20 is generated in response to a touch operation in which the user touches the operation surface of the selection device 200 or a gesture operation in which the user traces a predetermined trajectory. or a selection (decision) signal (selection decision information) generated according to a user operation to be pressed is acquired via an input/output I/F (not shown), and the information processing unit 22 and the action execution device 25 Output to each.

The image generator 23 in the display control device (vehicle display control device) 21 generates an image of the radial operation menu 500 . For example, by extracting (reading) usable files from a plurality of menu files 24 prepared in advance and incorporating necessary information by image synthesis, an image of a menu (operation menu) including a plurality of menu items 510 can be obtained. to generate However, it is not limited to this, and a plurality of items are arranged according to an arrangement previously stored in a storage unit (not shown) or an arrangement determined by a program stored in a storage unit (not shown) ( An image of a menu (operation menu) may be generated by synthesizing images of items, or an image may be generated by rendering. The generated image is temporarily stored in an image RAM (not shown) or the like.

The display control device (vehicle display control device) 21 generates an image using information from the in-vehicle device 400 (vehicle ECU 401, navigation ECU 402, audio ECU 403, air conditioning ECU 404, external communication unit (communication device) 405). Alternatively, an image may be generated based only on image data pre-stored in a storage unit (not shown) without using the information. As a result, for example, an image (original image) that is the basis of the radial operation menu 500 (V) shown in FIG. 1 can be generated.

Specifically, the display control device (vehicle display control device) 21 controls, for example, display of a menu having a hierarchical structure and including a plurality of items in an image of one layer. As shown, it has an image generating section 23 for generating menu images, and an information processing section 22 for processing input information and instructing the image generating section 23 to generate a predetermined image.

The image generation unit 23 reads out the generated image (image data) from an image RAM (not shown) or the like, adjusts the data format, adds information necessary for display, and produces an image obtained as a result. Send the data to the display device 10 .

The displayed vehicular menu has a hierarchical structure, and if there is a lower hierarchical menu associated with one selected item, the lower hierarchical menu is displayed in sequence. When an item (processing item 512) that does not have a lower hierarchy is selected, for example, information indicating the content of the finally selected item is sent from the image generation unit 23 to the action execution device 25. FIG. The operation execution device 25, for example, refers to the device operation file 26, acquires data indicating the specific content of the process to be executed (however, this operation may not be necessary in some cases), and stores the acquired data. , an input/output I/F (not shown) and a bus BUS to the vehicle-mounted device (vehicle-mounted device) 400 . This causes the processing associated with the item selected by the user to be executed.

Reference is now made to FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram (left diagram) that virtually shows the correspondence relationship between items included in the menu and selection positions on the selection device, and a diagram (right diagram) that shows the image of the menu. (B) and (C) are diagrams (left diagrams) that virtually show the correspondence relationship between items included in the menu and selection positions on the selection device when the operation position on the selection device is changed, and the menu. It is a figure (right figure) which shows an image. Here, it is assumed that the menu is displayed as a virtual image using a HUD device, and that the menu is a radial operation menu (these points are shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7). , and the examples in Fig. 8. However, these are only examples, and the present invention is not limited to these examples).

In the example on the left side of FIG. 5(A), the menu image consists of four partial rings of the same shape and size (circles centered on point Q) inside the outline of the entire menu (in this case, a circle centered on point Q). (obtained by dividing the center ring into four equal parts), and "ItemA (first)" is provided in the upper area, "ItemB (second)" is in the right area, and "ItemB (second)" is provided in the lower area. "Item C (3rd)" is arranged in the left area, and "Item D (4th)" is arranged in the left area.

In the left diagram of FIG. 5A, reference numeral 211a denotes an annular projection (projection area) corresponding to the annular operation position detection unit 210 in the selection device 200, as described above with reference to FIG. is shown. Symbol α indicates a position (selected position by the user) on the annular projection (projection area). In the left diagram of FIG. 5A, the operation position α corresponds to "ItemA" of the radial operation menu. In this case, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5A, a pointer 520 (cursor designation image 521 emphasizing the outline) is displayed to indicate that the menu item 510 of "ItemA" is selected.

Here, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 5B, when the operation position α changes from the position corresponding to "ItemA (first)" to the position corresponding to "ItemC (third)", As shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5B, a cursor designation image 521 indicating that the "ItemC (third)" menu item 510 has been selected is displayed.

Next, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 5(C), when the operation position α changes from the position corresponding to "ItemC (third)" to the position corresponding to "ItemD (fourth)" However, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5C, the menu item 510 of "ItemC" remains selected. To explain this process, the information processing unit 22 determines that the position signal input from the selection device 200 designates the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 5) “ItemC” menu item 510 of the menu item 510 . Then, when the adjacent n+1 (n+1=4 in the example of FIG. 5) menu item 510 is designated, the pointer 520 is made to designate the n (n=3 in the example of FIG. 5) menu item 510. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operation from the menu item 510 of "ItemC (nth)" to the menu item 510 of "ItemD (n+1st)" from being overdone.

Next, refer to FIG. In the example of FIG. 6, even when the operation position α changes from the menu item 510 of "ItemC (nth)" to the menu item 510 of "ItemD (n+1st)", when the distance is greater than or equal to the predetermined value Lt, , “ItemD (n+1th)” is selected.

As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 6A, the operation position α corresponds to "ItemD (fourth)" from the position corresponding to "ItemC (nth)", and from "ItemC (nth)" When the position changes within the value Lt, the menu item 510 of "ItemC" remains selected as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 6A. To explain this process, the information processing unit 22 causes the position signal input from the selection device 200 to specify the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 6) menu item 510 of “ItemC” and When the n+1 (n+1=4 in the example of FIG. 6)-th menu item 510 is specified, the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 6) menu item 510 of “ItemC” and the operation position α is greater than or equal to a predetermined value Lt, and if it is less than the predetermined value Lt, the pointer 520 is caused to designate the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 6) menu item 510 .

On the other hand, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 6B, the operation position α corresponds to "ItemD (n+1th)" from the position corresponding to "ItemC (nth)", and "ItemC (nth)" to a position equal to or greater than a predetermined value Lt, the menu item 510 of "ItemD (n+1th)" is selected as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 6B. To explain this process, the information processing unit 22 causes the position signal input from the selection device 200 to specify the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 6) menu item 510 of “ItemC” and When the n+1 (n+1=4 in the example of FIG. 6)-th menu item 510 is specified, the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 6) menu item 510 of “ItemC” and the operation position α is greater than or equal to a predetermined value Lt, and if it is greater than or equal to the predetermined value Lt, the pointer 520 is made to designate the n-th (n+1=4 in the example of FIG. 6) menu item 510 .

Next, refer to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. In the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8, the dead end position of the pointer 520 is changed based on the operation position α when the operation of the selection device 200 is started.

In the example of FIG. 7, the operation position α when the operation of the selection device 200 is started corresponds to the "ItemA" menu item 510. In this case, the operation position α is changed from "ItemB" to "ItemC". Even if moved, the pointer 520 does not move from "ItemB" to "ItemC", but stops at "ItemB". To explain this process, the information processing unit 22 determines that the operation position α input when the operation of the selection device 200 is started corresponds to the k-th (k=1 in the example of FIG. 7) “ItemA”. n = k + m (n = 1 + 1 = 2 if m = 1 in advance), and the n (n = 2 in the example in Fig. 7)-th menu item 510 is set (Fig. 7 (A) ). After that, the position signal input from the selection device 200 designates the n-th (in the example of FIG. 7, n=2) menu item 510 of "ItemB" (FIG. 7B), and then the adjacent n+1 (FIG. 7, when the n+1=3)-th menu item 510 of "ItemC" is specified (FIG. 7C), the pointer 520 points to the n-th (n=2 in the example of FIG. 7) menu item 510 continues to be specified.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 8, the operation position α when the operation of the selection device 200 is started corresponds to the menu item 510 of "ItemB". ”, the pointer 520 moves from “ItemB” to “ItemC”, and when the operation position α moves from “ItemC” to “ItemD”, the pointer 520 does not move from “ItemC” to “ItemD”. , and stops at "ItemC". To explain this process, the information processing unit 22 determines that the operation position α input when the operation of the selection device 200 is started corresponds to the k-th (k=2 in the example of FIG. 8) “ItemB”. n=k+m (n=2+1=3 if m=1 in advance), and the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 8) menu item 510 is set (FIG. 8A). ). After that, the position signal input from the selection device 200 designates the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 8) menu item 510 of "Item C" (FIG. 8B), and then the adjacent n+1 (n+1 8, when the n+1=4)-th menu item 510 of "ItemD" is specified (FIG. 8C), the pointer 520 points to the n-th (n=3 in the example of FIG. 8) menu item 510 continues to be specified.

The information processing section 22 may allow the user to arbitrarily set a hit (a position where the pointer 520 stops) for a single or a plurality of menu items 510 . By allowing the user to arbitrarily set the hit rate, the operability of frequently used icon images can be improved, and the user's annoyance can be reduced.

The information processing section 22 may set the number of hits for a single or a plurality of menu items 510 in descending order according to the frequency of use. By automatically setting the hit according to the frequency of use, the operability of frequently used icon images can be improved without the user's intervention, and the annoyance felt by the user can be reduced.

The information processing section 22 may mark or add an effect to the menu item 510 for which the per-time setting is set. By adding markings or effects to each hit, the user can see at a glance on which icon image the designated image will be paused, so that it is possible to reduce the annoyance caused by sudden pauses.

In this specification, the term "vehicle" is broadly interpreted as a term indicating a "vehicle" such as an automobile, a train, an airplane, a ship, etc., and the term "menu" is also used to refer to, for example, a "display containing a plurality of options". shall be interpreted broadly.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and the person skilled in the art can easily modify the exemplary embodiments described above to the extent that they fall within the scope of the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle 3 steering wheel 10 display device 20 control device 21 vehicle display control device 22 information processing unit 23 image generation unit 24 menu file 25 operation execution device 26... Device operation file 100... In-vehicle device operation system 101... Virtual image displayable area 200... Selection device 210... Operation position detection unit 211... Surface cover 212... Sensor sheet 213... Spacer 220... Decision operation Detector 230 Return switch 400 In-vehicle device 401 Vehicle ECU 402 Navigation ECU 403 Audio ECU 404 Air conditioning ECU 405 External communication unit 500 Radial operation menu 510 Menu items 511 Hierarchical items 512 Processing items 513 Display items 520 Pointer (designated image) 521 Cursor designated image 522 Pointer designated image

Claims (4)

A vehicle display control device (20) for controlling display of a menu (500) and a pointer (520), a display device (10) for displaying the menu (500) and the pointer (520), a selection device (200) for generating a position signal designating the position of the pointer (520) and a selection signal for selecting one item (510) included in the menu (500); Said vehicle display control used in an in-vehicle device operation system (100) having an operation execution device (26) for executing operation processing of an in-vehicle device (400) corresponding to the finally selected item (510) a device (21),
an information processing section (22) for controlling generation of an image of the menu (500) including the plurality of items (510); and an image of the menu (500) is generated under the control of the information processing section (22). and an image generator (23) for
The information processing section (22)
After the position signal input from the selection device (200) designates the n-th (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) item (510) of the menu (500), the adjacent n+1-th item (510) is selected. ) is specified, causing the pointer (520) to specify the n-th item (510) ,
The position signal input from the selection device (200) specifies the n-th item (510) of the menu (500), specifies the adjacent n+1-th item (510), and the n-th item (510) is specified. A display control device for a vehicle, characterized in that, when a predetermined value is separated from a position designating the item (510), the pointer (520) is made to designate the n+1th item (510) . n=k+m when the position signal input when the operation of the selection device (200) is started specifies the k-th (k is a natural number) item (510) of the menu (500) 2. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, wherein (m is a natural number and 1≦m<k) or/and n=km. A vehicle display control device (20) for controlling display of a menu (500) and a pointer (520), a display device (10) for displaying the menu (500) and the pointer (520), a selection device (200) for generating a position signal designating the position of the pointer (520) and a selection signal for selecting one item (510) included in the menu (500); An in-vehicle device operating system comprising: an operation execution device (26) for executing an operation process for an in-vehicle device (400) corresponding to a finally selected item (510),
an information processing section (22) for controlling generation of an image of the menu (500) including the plurality of items (510); and an image of the menu (500) is generated under the control of the information processing section (22). and an image generator (23) for
The information processing section (22)
After the position signal input from the selection device (200) designates the n-th (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) item (510) of the menu (500), the adjacent n+1-th item (510) is selected. ) is specified, causing the pointer (520) to specify the n-th item (510) ,
The position signal input from the selection device (200) specifies the n-th item (510) of the menu (500), specifies the adjacent n+1-th item (510), and the n-th item (510) is specified. An in-vehicle device operation system , wherein when the position where the item (510) is specified is separated by a predetermined value, the pointer (520) is made to specify the n+1th item (510) . A vehicle display control device (20) for controlling display of a menu (500) and a pointer (520), a display device (10) for displaying the menu (500) and the pointer (520), a selection device (200) for generating a position signal designating the position of the pointer (520) and a selection signal for selecting one item (510) included in the menu (500); Said vehicle display control used in an in-vehicle device operation system (100) having an operation execution device (26) for executing operation processing of an in-vehicle device (400) corresponding to the finally selected item (510) A GUI program executed by a device (21), comprising:
In the vehicle display control device (21),
a first process of generating an image of said menu (500) including a plurality of said items (510);
a second process of generating an image of the pointer (520) indicating that the single item (510) of the menu (500) is specified;
The second processing is
After the position signal input from the selection device (200) designates the n-th (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) item (510) of the menu (500), the adjacent n+1-th item (510) is selected. ) is specified, a process of causing the pointer (520) to specify the n-th item (510);
The position signal input from the selection device (200) specifies the n-th item (510) of the menu (500), specifies the adjacent n+1-th item (510), and the n-th item (510) is specified. and a process of causing the pointer (520) to designate the n+1-th item (510) when the position where the item (510) is designated is separated by a predetermined value .

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