JP7727479B2 - Vehicle meter design support system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle meter design support system.

Meters installed in automobiles and other vehicles are interfaces that provide drivers with information necessary for driving, and are therefore expected to have a design that is easy for drivers to see and understand. In recent years, meters have been shifting from analog to digital meters and are being replaced by LCD meter panels, making it easier to customize meter designs.

For example, Patent Documents 1 and 3 propose highly convenient information provision devices for vehicles that enable customization of visual information provision means that notify visual information, including vehicle information, thereby improving the usability of the visual information provision means.

Patent document 2 also proposes a display control device that evaluates combinations of content and areas to place content in more appropriate areas and display information that is easy for users to understand.

Patent Document 4 also proposes a vehicle display device and vehicle display system that, when multiple display contents are displayed on a display screen, changes the display layout of the content to make the display content that the user wants to focus on easier to see.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-149806 JP 2013-137643 A JP 2014-113831 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-084021

In recent years, systems have been proposed that generate meter designs tailored to user preferences. However, when a user-specific meter design is generated to suit a user's preferences, the user-specific meter design may not necessarily take into consideration the user's own visibility, leaving room for improvement in providing a meter design that meets the user's preferences while ensuring visibility.

The present invention aims to provide a vehicle meter design support system that can assist in creating meter designs that meet user preferences while ensuring visibility.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle meter design support system of the present invention includes a driving simulator having a meter panel that displays a meter design, and allowing a user to experience simulated driving of a vehicle with a reference meter design displayed on the meter panel; a server that is communicably connected to the driving simulator and generates a user meter design based on at least simulator information obtained from the driving simulator; and a manufacturing factory that applies the user meter design provided by the server to the meter panel and installs the meter panel in a user vehicle to be delivered to the user, and the driving simulator includes gaze information of the user during the simulated driving, among the simulator information, and a communication unit that transmits the user's gaze information and layout information of the reference meter design to the server, wherein the server generates the user's meter design based on the user's gaze information and the layout information, and the user's meter design is generated by arranging elements of the user's meter design in a first display area that is closest to the area with the highest density of the user's gaze distribution and that does not obstruct the user's gaze, and in a plurality of display areas arranged around the first display area, on the meter panel where the reference meter design is displayed, according to a predetermined importance of the elements when the user is driving a vehicle and the density of the gaze distribution .

The vehicle meter design support system of the present invention has the effect of supporting the creation of meter designs that meet user preferences while ensuring visibility.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle meter design support system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of meter design generation in the vehicle meter design support system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of meter design rewriting in the vehicle meter design support system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of meter design generation when replacing a vehicle in the vehicle meter design support system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the distribution density of user's viewpoints in a vehicle and the layout of the meter design, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the relationship between the level of the distribution density of user's viewpoints when driving a vehicle and the level of importance.

A vehicle meter design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The components in the following embodiments include those that would be easily conceivable to a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments can be variously omitted, replaced, or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Embodiment]
1 includes a driving simulator 10, a server 20, a manufacturing factory 30, and a user vehicle 50. The vehicle here is, for example, an automobile.

The driving simulator 10 allows a user to experience simulated driving of a vehicle. The driving simulator 10 of this embodiment is installed, for example, in an automobile dealership 3 (a so-called car dealer). The driving simulator 10 includes a camera 11, a control unit 12, a meter panel 13, and a communication unit 14.

Camera 11 detects the line of sight of a user using driving simulator 10. Camera 11 is an example of a line of sight information acquisition unit, and captures a facial image of the user by photographing the user. Camera 11 is, for example, a digital camera equipped with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. Camera 11 is installed, for example, on the top of the column cover in front of the driver's seat to capture an image of the face of a user seated in the driver's seat of driving simulator 10. Camera 11 is electrically connected to control unit 12, and outputs video data (or still image data) corresponding to the captured facial image to control unit 12, along with various image information pertaining to the facial image.

The control unit 12 has a processing circuit (not shown) that realizes various processing functions in the driving simulator 10. The processing circuit is realized, for example, by a processor. A processor refers to circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 12 realizes various processing functions, for example, by executing programs read from a memory circuit (memory unit) not shown.

The control unit 12 performs image processing on the face image input from the camera 11, detects the user's face area from the face image, and detects an eye area including both of the user's eyes within the face area. Here, the eye area includes, for example, the black part of the eye (pupil or iris). The control unit 12 detects the user's gaze based on the detected eye area, generates user gaze information, and outputs it to the communication unit 14. The user gaze information includes, for example, the gaze position and gaze angle corresponding to the user's gaze.

The control unit 12 also sends design data corresponding to the reference meter design received from the server 20 via the communication unit 14 to the meter panel 13, causing the meter panel 13 to display the reference meter design. The reference meter design corresponds to the user vehicle 50 and serves as the basis for the user meter design provided to the user. The user meter design is generated in the server 20 based on, for example, user attribute information, the user's line of sight information described above, and layout information of the reference meter design, and is displayed on the meter panel 33, 53 installed in the user vehicle 50. In this embodiment, the user attribute information and user line of sight information are included in the simulator information acquired by the driving simulator 10. In other words, the control unit 12 is an example of an attribute information acquisition unit, and acquires user attribute information from the simulator information. The layout information includes the positions of images of various instruments that make up the meter design, such as the speedometer, tachometer, water temperature gauge, and fuel gauge.

User attribute information includes, for example, the user's age, gender, address, hobbies, preferences, characteristics, etc. User attribute information may be obtained, for example, from responses to a questionnaire administered to the user at a dealership, but is not limited to this. User attribute information may be obtained, for example, based on information entered by the user on an input screen displayed on the meter panel 13 of the driving simulator 10 or on an input screen displayed on a smartphone, tablet, etc., or may be obtained in some other way.

The meter panel 13 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The meter panel 13 is also called a digital meter, graphic meter, display meter, etc. The meter panel 13 displays various instruments such as a speedometer, tachometer, water temperature gauge, and fuel gauge as meter design images. The meter panel 13 is, for example, closest to the steering wheel (not shown) mounted on the driving simulator 10 and is incorporated and integrated into the instrument panel (not shown).

The communication unit 14 is connected to the network 6 via a wired connection and transmits and receives information, signals, etc. to and from the network 6. The communication unit 14 is, for example, a network I/F. In this embodiment, the communication unit 14 transmits and receives information, signals, etc. to and from the communication unit 22 of the server 20 via the network 6. Specifically, the communication unit 14 transmits the above-mentioned simulator information to the communication unit 22. The communication unit 14 also receives data corresponding to the reference meter design from the communication unit 22.

The server 20 is installed, for example, in the data center 3. In this embodiment, the server 20 generates a user meter design based on the user's line of sight information, the user's attribute information, and the meter design layout information. The server 20 provides the generated user meter design to the manufacturing factory 30. The server 20 may provide the user meter design to the manufacturing factory 30 by, for example, transmitting data corresponding to the user meter design from the server 20 to a PC (personal computer) in the manufacturing factory 30 via the network 6, or by some other method. The server 20 has a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a database 23.

The control unit 21 has, for example, a processing circuit (not shown) that realizes various processing functions in the server 20. The processing circuit is realized, for example, by a processor. A processor refers to circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 21 realizes each processing function, for example, by executing a program read from a memory circuit (memory unit) not shown.

The control unit 21 generates a meter design for the user based on the user's line of sight information, user attribute information, and meter design layout information. The control unit 21 also stores simulator information and reference meter design layout information obtained from the driving simulator 10 in the database 23 for each user. This simulator information includes the user's line of sight information and user attribute information.

The control unit 21 also stores the user's line of sight information and user meter design layout information obtained from the user's vehicle 50 in the database 23 for each user. The control unit 21 also changes the layout information of the user's meter design based on the difference between the user's line of sight information and reference meter design layout information stored in the database 23 and the user's line of sight information and user meter design layout information obtained from the user's vehicle 50, and stores the changed user meter design layout information in the database 23.

In addition, when a request is made to change the layout of the meter design of the user vehicle 50, the control unit 21 stores the layout information of the new user meter design received from the user vehicle 50 in the database 23.

In addition, when a user replaces their user vehicle 50, the control unit 21 generates a new user meter design based on the information stored in the database 23 and the vehicle information of the new user vehicle 50. The control unit 21 provides the new user meter design that has been generated to the manufacturing factory 30. The vehicle information is the specifications of the user vehicle, particularly the specifications around the meter panel.

The control unit 21 detects the user's gaze distribution and the order in which the gaze moves while driving from the user's gaze information, and uses this information to generate a meter design for the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 21 designates as display area A (102a) the area on the instrument panel 102 where the meter panel 53 is arranged that is closest to the area 101a with the highest gaze distribution density on the windshield 101 and that does not obstruct the user's line of sight with the steering wheel 103. Furthermore, the control unit 21 designates as display area B the area on the driver's side of display area A (102a) on the instrument panel 102, and as display area C the area on the passenger side of display area A (102a). Furthermore, the control unit 21 designates as display area D the area below display area A (102a), as display area E the area on one side outside display area B, and as display area F the area on the other side outside display area C on the instrument panel 102.

After setting display areas A to F, the control unit 21 determines the layout of the user meter design by referring to the table shown in FIG. 5B. For example, the control unit 21 places element a, which has high importance and high gaze density, in display area A. Element a in the user meter design is, for example, a speedometer. The control unit 21 also places element b, which has high importance but low gaze density, in display area B. Element b in the user meter design is, for example, a warning. The control unit 21 also places element c, which has low importance but high gaze density, in display area C. Element c in the user meter design is, for example, a car navigation screen. The control unit 21 also places element d, which has low importance and low gaze density, in display areas D to F. Element d in the user meter design is, for example, multimedia. Here, the control unit 21 refers to the order of gaze movement and places elements d that are often viewed after element a in display area D. On the other hand, the control unit 21 refers to the order of movement of the viewpoint and places elements that are often seen after element b in display area E, and elements that are often seen after element c in display area F. The control unit 21 determines the layout of the meter design for the user according to the above method.

The communication unit 22 is connected to the network 6 via a wired connection and transmits and receives information, signals, etc. to and from the network 6. The communication unit 22 is, for example, a network I/F. In this embodiment, the communication unit 22 transmits and receives information, signals, etc. to and from the communication unit 14 of the driving simulator 10 via the network 6. Specifically, the communication unit 22 receives simulator information transmitted by the communication unit 14. The communication unit 22 also transmits data corresponding to the reference meter design to the communication unit 14. The communication unit 22 also transmits and receives information, signals, etc. to and from the communication unit 54 of the user vehicle 50 via the network 6.

The database 23 stores, for example, simulator information obtained from the driving simulator 10, user vehicle information obtained from the user vehicle 50, and meter design layout information for each user. The database 23 stores user attribute information, user line of sight information, and reference meter design layout information obtained from the driving simulator 10. The database 23 also stores user line of sight information and user meter design layout information obtained from the user vehicle 50.

The manufacturing factory 30 applies the user meter design provided by the server 20 to the meter panel 33 and installs the meter panel 33 in the user vehicle 50 to be delivered to the user. The user vehicle 50 manufactured at the manufacturing factory 30 is shipped, for example, to the dealership 2 and delivered to the user via the dealership 2. The meter panel 33 is assembled in the user vehicle 50, for example, at the manufacturing factory 30. The meter panel 33 may be manufactured at the manufacturing factory 30, or may be manufactured outside the manufacturing factory 30 and delivered to the manufacturing factory 30. When the user vehicle is replaced, the manufacturing factory 30 applies the new user meter design provided by the server 20 to the meter panel 33 and installs the meter panel 33 in the new user vehicle 50.

Like the meter panel 13, the meter panel 33 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an EL element, etc. The meter panel 33 is also sometimes referred to as a digital meter, graphic meter, display meter, etc.

The user vehicle 50 is, for example, an automobile purchased or owned by a user. In this embodiment, the user vehicle 50 includes a camera 51, a control unit 52, a meter panel 53, and a communication unit 54.

Camera 51 detects the line of sight of the user, who is the driver of user vehicle 50. Camera 51 is an example of a vehicle-side line-of-sight information acquisition unit, and captures a facial image including the user's face by photographing the user driving user vehicle 50. Like camera 11, camera 51 is composed of a digital camera having, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. Camera 51 is installed, for example, on the top of the column cover in front of the driver's seat to capture an image of the face of the user sitting in the driver's seat of user vehicle 50. Camera 51 is electrically connected to control unit 52, and outputs video data (or still image data) corresponding to the captured facial image to control unit 52, along with various image information pertaining to the facial image.

The control unit 52 has a processing circuit (not shown) that realizes various processing functions in the user vehicle 50. The processing circuit is realized, for example, by the processor described above. The control unit 52 realizes various processing functions, for example, by executing programs read from a memory circuit (memory unit) (not shown).

The control unit 52 performs image processing on the face image input from the camera 51, detects the user's face area from the face image, and detects an eye area including both of the user's eyes within the face area. As described above, the eye area includes, for example, the black part of the eye (pupil or iris). The control unit 52 detects the user's line of sight based on the detected eye area, generates the above-mentioned user's line of sight information, and outputs it to the communication unit 54.

The control unit 52 also sends data corresponding to the meter design received from the server 20 via the communication unit 54 to the meter panel 53, causing the meter panel 53 to display the meter design. The meter designs displayed on the meter panel 53 include the user's meter design, the standard meter design, etc. The control unit 52 also controls the communication unit 54 to send layout information of the user's meter design in the user's vehicle 50 to the server 20. The control unit 52 is an example of a meter design editing unit, and accepts layout changes to the user's meter design in the user's vehicle 50. When the control unit 52 accepts a layout change to the user's meter design, it controls the communication unit 54 to send layout information of the new user's meter design to the server 20.

Like the meter panels 13 and 33, the meter panel 53 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display (LCD). The meter panel 53 is also sometimes referred to as a digital meter, graphic meter, display meter, etc. The meter panel 53 displays various instruments such as a speedometer, tachometer, water temperature gauge, and fuel gauge as meter design images. The meter panel 53 is closest to the steering wheel 103 (see Figure 5(A)) of the user's vehicle 50, and is incorporated into and integrated with the instrument panel 102.

The communication unit 54 is wirelessly connected to the network 6 and transmits and receives information, signals, etc. to and from the network 6. The communication unit 54 is, for example, a network I/F. In this embodiment, the communication unit 54 transmits and receives information, signals, etc. to and from the communication unit 22 of the server 20 via the network 6. Specifically, the communication unit 54 transmits user vehicle information to the communication unit 22. The user vehicle information includes user line-of-sight information. The communication unit 54 also receives data corresponding to the reference meter design from the communication unit 22.

Next, the processing procedures for generating and rewriting meter designs in the vehicle meter design support system 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a chart showing the flow of meter design generation in the vehicle meter design support system. Figure 3 is a chart showing the flow of meter design rewriting in the vehicle meter design support system. Figure 4 is a chart showing the flow of meter design generation when replacing a vehicle in the vehicle meter design support system.

In FIG. 2, in step S1, the driving simulator 10 acquires the user's line of sight information, attribute information, and layout information of the reference meter design using the method described above. The driving simulator 10 transmits the acquired user's line of sight information, attribute information, and layout information of the reference meter design to the server 20.

In step S2, the server 20 receives the user's line of sight information, attribute information, and layout information of the reference meter design from the driving simulator 10, and stores the user's line of sight information, attribute information, and layout information of the reference meter design for each user in the database 23.

In step S3, the server 20 generates a user meter design based on the information stored in the database 23. The server 20 provides the generated user meter design to the manufacturing factory 30.

In step S4, the manufacturing factory 30 applies the user meter design to the meter panel 33, and the meter panel 33 is installed in the user vehicle 50 to be delivered to the user.

In step S5, after the user vehicle 50 is delivered to the user, it acquires gaze information of the user (driver) and layout information of the user meter design applied to the meter panel 53 installed in the user vehicle 50. The user vehicle 50 transmits the acquired user gaze information and layout information of the user meter design to the server 20.

In step S6, the server 20 stores the user's gaze information and user meter design layout information received from the user vehicle 50 in the database 23.

In FIG. 3, in step S10, the user vehicle 50 acquires the user's line of sight information and the layout information of the user's meter design. The user vehicle 50 transmits the acquired user's line of sight information and the layout information of the user's meter design to the server 20.

In step S11, the user vehicle 50 accepts a request from the user to change the meter design and makes a request to the server 20 to change the user meter design. The user vehicle 50 may be configured to send the acquired user's line of sight information and user meter design layout information to the server 20 along with the request to change the user meter design. Furthermore, if a new user meter design is generated by editing in the user vehicle 50, the new user meter design is sent to the server 20.

In step S12, the server 20 stores the user's gaze information and user meter design layout information obtained from the user's vehicle 50 in the database 23.

In step S13, the server 20 generates a new user meter design based on the information stored in the database 23. The server 20 transmits the generated new user meter design to the user vehicle 50.

In step S14, the user vehicle 50 receives the new user meter design from the server 20 and applies the new user meter design to the meter panel 53, rewriting it as the user meter design.

In FIG. 4, in step S20, the user vehicle 50 acquires the user's line of sight information and the layout information of the user's meter design. The user vehicle 50 transmits the acquired user's line of sight information and the layout information of the user's meter design to the server 20.

In step S21, the user replaces the user vehicle 50.

In step S22, the server 20 stores the user's line of sight information and user meter design layout information obtained from the user's vehicle 50 in the database 23. The server 20 also acquires vehicle information for the replaced user's vehicle 50 and stores it in the database 23.

In step S23, the server 20 generates a new user meter design based on the information stored in the database 23 and the vehicle information. The server 20 provides the generated new user meter design to the manufacturing factory 30.

In step S24, the manufacturing factory 30 applies the user meter design to the meter panel 33, and the meter panel 33 is installed in the user vehicle 50 to be delivered to the user.

In the vehicle meter design support system 1 described above, the driving simulator 10 acquires user gaze information while driving, acquires user attribute information, and layout information of the reference meter design, and transmits the user gaze information, attribute information, and layout information to the server 20. The server 20 generates a user meter design based on the user gaze information, attribute information, and layout information.

The above configuration allows for a design that is tailored to the user's preferences based on the user's attribute information, and also allows for the generation of a user-specific meter design based on the user's line of sight information while using the driving simulator 10, making it easier to design the meter panel 33. As a result, the visibility and design of the meter design on the meter panel 33 can be improved, increasing user satisfaction.

In addition, the vehicle meter design support system 1 allows the user vehicle 50 to acquire user gaze information while driving the vehicle, and transmits the user gaze information and user meter design layout information for the user vehicle 50 to the server 20 as user vehicle information. The server 20 has a database 23 that stores, for each user, simulator information and reference meter design layout information obtained from the driving simulator 10, as well as user vehicle information and user meter design layout information obtained from the user vehicle 50. Based on the difference between the user gaze information and reference meter design layout information stored in the database 23 and the user gaze information and user meter design layout information obtained from the user vehicle 50, the server 20 modifies the user meter design layout information, and stores the modified user meter design layout information in the database 23.

The above configuration makes it possible to generate a user meter design based on gaze information obtained from the user vehicle 50 that the user is actually using, rather than gaze information obtained in virtual reality, making it possible to provide a meter design that is more suited to the user. It also makes it possible to provide feedback on the gaze information obtained by the driving simulator 10.

In addition, the vehicle meter design support system 1 accepts layout changes to the user meter design for the user vehicle 50 from the user vehicle 50 and transmits the changed layout information to the server 20. The server 20 stores the layout information received from the user vehicle 50 in the database 23. The user vehicle 50 applies the new user meter design to the meter panel 53 and rewrites it as the user meter design. This allows the user to use the new user meter design, thereby improving user convenience.

In addition, when a user replaces their vehicle, the server 20 of the vehicle meter design support system 1 generates a new user meter design based on the information stored in the database 23 and the vehicle information of the new user vehicle 50 after the replacement. The manufacturing factory 30 applies the new user meter design provided by the server 20 to the meter panel 33 and installs the meter panel 33 in the user vehicle 50 to be delivered to the user. As a result, when a user replaces their vehicle, a new user meter design can be generated using the post-replacement vehicle information and the big data stored in the database 23, making it possible to provide meter designs that are not only unique but also take into account the trends of the times and are tailored to the user's preferences.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, a driving simulator 10 is used as a device for acquiring gaze information of the user during simulated driving, but this is not limited to this, and any device capable of acquiring gaze information during simulated driving may be used, such as a PC equipped with a camera 11 for acquiring gaze information of the user.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the driving simulator 10 may have a function that allows the user or dealership staff to edit the reference meter design displayed on the meter panel 13. In this case, the control unit 12 displays sample images for editing the reference meter design on the meter panel 13 and allows the user to select one. This makes it possible to generate a user-specific meter design that suits the user's preferences in the driving simulator 10.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the server 20 generates the user's meter design based on the user's line of sight information, the user's attribute information, and the meter design layout information, but this is not limited to this, and the user's meter design may also be generated based on the user's line of sight information and the meter design layout information. In addition, the control unit 21 may generate the user's meter design based on the user's line of sight information and the meter design layout information.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the user's attribute information may be collected by any method, such as by the user directly inputting their preferences into the device, or by answering a questionnaire.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the meter panel 13, 33, 53 displays various instruments, but is not limited to this and may display various information such as driving information, hazard warning information, navigation information, and entertainment information. Furthermore, the meter panel 13, 33, 53 may also be a head-up display.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the meter design displayed on the meter panel 13 of the driving simulator 10 is described as being provided from the server 20, but this is not limited to this, and the meter design may be stored in advance in the driving simulator 10 as data corresponding to the meter design. For example, the data corresponding to the meter design may be stored in the meter panel 13 or in the control unit 12.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the user vehicle 50 has a function for accepting layout changes to the user meter design in the user vehicle 50, but this is not limited to this. For example, the driving simulator 10 may have a function for accepting layout changes to the reference meter design in the user vehicle 50. When the driving simulator 10 accepts a layout change to the reference meter design, it transmits the edited new user meter design and layout information for the new user meter design to the server 20.

In the above embodiment, the control units 12, 21, and 52 are described as each having its processing functions realized by a single processor, but this is not limited to this. The control units 12, 21, and 52 may be configured as a combination of multiple independent processors, with each processor executing a program to realize its processing functions. The processing functions of the control units 12, 21, and 52 may also be realized by being appropriately distributed or integrated into a single or multiple processing circuits. All or any part of the processing functions of the control units 12, 21, and 52 may be realized by a program, or may be realized as hardware using wired logic or the like.

The program executed by the processor described above is provided as a pre-installed program in a storage circuit or the like. The program may also be provided as a file recorded on a computer-readable storage medium in a format that can be installed on these devices or in an executable format. The program may also be provided or distributed by being stored on a computer connected to a network 6 such as the Internet and downloaded via the network 6.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Vehicle meter design support system 2 Dealer 3 Data center 10 Driving simulator 11, 51 Camera 12, 21, 52 Control unit 13, 33, 53 Meter panel 14, 22, 54 Communication unit 20 Server 23 Database 30 Manufacturing factory 50 User vehicle 101 Windshield 101a Area 102 Instrument panel 103 Steering wheel

Claims (5)

a driving simulator having a meter panel that displays a meter design, and allowing a user to experience simulated driving of a vehicle in a display state in which a reference meter design is displayed on the meter panel;
a server communicably connected to the driving simulator and configured to generate a meter design for a user based on at least simulator information obtained from the driving simulator;
a manufacturing factory that applies the user meter design provided from the server to the meter panel and installs the meter panel in a user vehicle to be delivered to the user,
The driving simulator includes:
a gaze information acquisition unit that acquires gaze information of the user during simulated driving from among the simulator information;
a communication unit that transmits the user's line of sight information and the layout information of the reference meter design to the server,
The server
generating the user meter design based on the user's line of sight information and the layout information;
The user meter design is:
In the meter panel on which the reference meter design is displayed, elements constituting the user's meter design are arranged in a first display area that is closest to the area with the highest density of the user's gaze distribution and that does not block the user's line of sight, and in a plurality of display areas arranged around the first display area, according to the predetermined importance of the elements when the user is driving the vehicle and the level of the density of the gaze distribution.
A vehicle meter design support system characterized by: The server
The elements having high importance and high density of the viewpoint distribution are arranged in the first display area;
The elements having high importance but low density of the viewpoint distribution are arranged in a second display area located closer to the driver's seat than the first display area;
The elements having low importance but a high density of the viewpoint distribution are arranged in a third display area located closer to the passenger seat than the first display area;
The user meter design is generated by arranging the elements with low importance and low density of the viewpoint distribution in any one of a fourth display area below the first display area, a fifth display area on one side of the second display area, and a sixth display area on the other side of the third display area.
The vehicle meter design support system according to claim 1. The user vehicle is
a vehicle-side communication unit that is communicably connected to the server and that transmits at least user vehicle information obtained from the user vehicle to the server;
a vehicle-side gaze information acquisition unit that acquires gaze information of the user while driving the user vehicle from the user vehicle information,
The vehicle-side communication unit
Transmitting layout information of the user meter design in the user vehicle to the server;
The server
a database that stores, for each user, the simulator information and layout information of the reference meter design obtained from the driving simulator, and the user vehicle information and layout information of the user meter design obtained from the user vehicle;
changing the layout information of the user's meter design based on a difference between the user's line of sight information and the layout information of the reference meter design stored in the database and the user's line of sight information and the layout information of the user's meter design obtained from the user's vehicle;
Storing the layout information of the changed user meter design in the database;
The vehicle meter design support system according to claim 1. The user vehicle is
a meter design editing department that accepts layout changes for a user's meter design in the user vehicle;
The vehicle-side communication unit
The layout information of the new user meter design changed by the meter design editing unit is transmitted to the server;
The server
Storing layout information of the new user meter design received from the user vehicle in the database;
The user vehicle is
Applying the new user meter design to the meter panel to rewrite it into the user meter design;
The vehicle meter design support system according to claim 3 . The server
When the user replaces the user vehicle, a new user meter design is generated based on the information stored in the database and vehicle information of the user vehicle after the replacement;
The manufacturing plant comprises:
Applying the new user meter design provided from the server to the meter panel, and installing the meter panel in a user vehicle to be delivered to the user.
The vehicle meter design support system according to claim 3 .