JP7784068B2 - Vehicle display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle display device.

Some car navigation devices installed in vehicles store the route to a destination as a driving trajectory. The car navigation device shown in Patent Document 1 is connected to various devices within the vehicle so that it can communicate with them. For example, a known technology divides the driving trajectory into predetermined driving sections, detects the fuel efficiency of each section, and displays the information on a map in a color-coded manner according to the fuel efficiency value.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-180185

However, the car navigation device described in Patent Document 1 above does not allow the user to know whether their fuel economy is good or bad while driving, and even if the user could know whether their fuel economy is good or bad while driving, it was unclear what specific actions the user should take to improve fuel economy.

The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an in-vehicle display device that displays instructions for improving fuel efficiency to the user while driving, enabling the user to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency through their driving efforts.

An in-vehicle display device that displays data related to a vehicle's fuel economy includes an environmental data acquisition unit that acquires driving environment data for a route along which the vehicle is scheduled to travel, a past driving data acquisition unit that acquires average fuel economy for the route as past average fuel economy data based on the vehicle's driving history and the driving environment data, a predicted driving data acquisition unit that acquires average fuel economy for the route as predicted average fuel economy data based on the vehicle's driving conditions and the driving environment data, an average fuel economy comparison unit that compares the past average fuel economy data with the predicted average fuel economy data to determine whether the fuel economy is good or bad, and a display unit that displays the driving conditions for the route, displays whether the fuel economy of the predicted average fuel economy data is good or bad compared to the past average fuel economy data, and, if the fuel economy of the predicted average fuel economy data is poor compared to the past average fuel economy data, provides operational displays to improve the fuel economy of the predicted average fuel economy data for the route.

This invention provides an in-vehicle display device that displays operation instructions for improving fuel efficiency to a user while driving, enabling the user to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency through their driving efforts.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle display device according to an embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the in-vehicle display device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image in which a driving situation and an operation pop-up are simultaneously displayed on a map. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image in which pass/fail is displayed on an in-vehicle meter.

This embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding, identical components in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals whenever possible, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle equipped with an on-board display device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 1 is equipped with a detection device 2, a receiving device 3, and an on-board display device 4, which are used to display information related to improving fuel efficiency to the user of vehicle 1. Each device within vehicle 1 may be configured to be able to communicate using a communication method such as CAN (Controller Area Network). Note that displaying information related to improving fuel efficiency refers to displaying information to the user on how to reduce exhaust gas emissions and energy consumption, for example.

The detection device 2 detects information from inside the vehicle 1. The detection device 2 is configured to be able to communicate with the in-vehicle display device 4. The detection device 2 includes, for example, a fuel sensor, and detects fuel efficiency, which is the amount of fuel consumed per unit time by the vehicle 1. The detection device 2 may also include, for example, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a distance sensor, a speed sensor, etc., and may detect various information such as the rotational behavior, direction, distance, and speed of the vehicle 1.

The receiving device 3 receives information from outside the vehicle 1. The receiving device 3 is configured to be able to communicate with a server outside the vehicle 1 and the in-vehicle display device 4. The receiving device 3 receives information about the current location of the vehicle 1, for example, from latitude and longitude positioning data from multiple GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. The receiving device 3 may also receive traffic congestion information, weather information, etc. distributed from a VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information Communication System) center outside the vehicle 1. Note that a tablet device such as a smartphone carried by the user may be used as an alternative device to the receiving device 3.

The in-vehicle display device 4 displays data related to fuel efficiency to the user. The in-vehicle notification device 4 includes an environmental data acquisition unit 41, a fuel efficiency calculation unit 42, a memory 43, a fuel efficiency prediction unit 44, a fuel efficiency comparison unit 45, a display unit 46, and a speaker 47. The in-vehicle display device 4 displays data related to fuel efficiency to the user based on various data acquired from the detection device 2 and the receiving device 3.

The environmental data acquisition unit 41 acquires driving environment data for the route along which the vehicle 1 is scheduled to travel. For example, the environmental data acquisition unit 41 references a route to a destination previously input by the user and acquires driving environment data from the receiving device 3 that may affect vehicle driving, such as traffic congestion information and weather information.

The past fuel consumption calculation unit 42 calculates the average fuel consumption for a route based on the driving history and driving environment data. For example, the past fuel consumption calculation unit 42 acquires driving environment data from the environmental data acquisition unit 41 and driving history corresponding to the route to the destination of the vehicle 1 from the memory 43, and calculates the average fuel consumption for the route to the destination based on these as past average fuel consumption data.

Memory 43 stores data related to the fuel economy display of vehicle 1 in advance. Memory 43 stores, for example, map data containing information on roads, shops, facilities, etc. for searching routes to a destination; driving history such as average fuel economy data for each road type (national highways, prefectural roads, expressways, etc.); operation notification pop-up data to be displayed on the display to improve predicted average fuel economy data; and color data linked to the fuel economy rating displayed on the meter. The driving history stored in memory 43 may also include average fuel economy data calculated by linking road information for each road type (national highways, prefectural roads, expressways, etc.) with traffic congestion, road gradient, and number of occupants. Memory 43 may also be a hard disk, non-volatile memory, etc.

The fuel efficiency prediction unit 44 calculates the average fuel efficiency for the route based on the driving conditions and driving environment data. For example, the fuel efficiency prediction unit 44 acquires road congestion information, weather information, etc. from the environmental data acquisition unit 41, and acquires information such as the fuel efficiency and speed of the vehicle 1 from the detection device 2, and calculates the average fuel efficiency for the route to the destination as predicted average fuel efficiency data based on this information.

The fuel efficiency comparison unit 45 compares the past average fuel efficiency data with the predicted average fuel efficiency data to determine whether the fuel efficiency is good or bad. For example, the fuel efficiency comparison unit 45 compares the past average fuel efficiency data obtained from the past fuel efficiency calculation unit 42 with the predicted average fuel efficiency data obtained from the fuel efficiency prediction unit 44, and determines that the fuel efficiency is low (good fuel efficiency) if the fuel efficiency, which is the amount of fuel consumed per unit time, of the predicted average fuel efficiency data is lower than the past average fuel efficiency data, and determines that the fuel efficiency is high (poor fuel efficiency) if the fuel efficiency is higher.

The display unit 46 displays data related to fuel efficiency to the user. The display unit 46 includes a display 46a and a meter 46b. The display unit 46 uses the display 46a to display the driving status of the vehicle 1 and data related to fuel efficiency improvements, and uses the meter 46b to display a fuel efficiency evaluation based on the driving history. For example, the display 46a displays the driving status of the vehicle 1 on a map in real time while the user is driving, and if the comparison between the past average fuel efficiency data and the predicted average fuel efficiency data performed by the fuel efficiency comparison unit 45 shows that the predicted average fuel efficiency data is poor compared to the past average fuel efficiency data, it displays an operation notification pop-up to improve the predicted average fuel efficiency data for the route. Furthermore, the meter 46b displays a color that allows the user to intuitively understand the quality of the comparison between the past average fuel efficiency data and the predicted average fuel efficiency data performed by the fuel efficiency comparison unit 45 while the user is driving. Note that a tablet device such as a smartphone carried by the user may be used as an alternative device to the display unit 46.

The speaker 47 provides audio notifications to the user regarding improvements in fuel efficiency. For example, if the comparison between past average fuel efficiency data and predicted average fuel efficiency data performed by the fuel efficiency comparison unit 45 shows poor fuel efficiency, the speaker 47 may display an operation notification pop-up to improve the predicted average fuel efficiency data for the route and simultaneously provide an audio notification to the user. Furthermore, for example, if the comparison between past average fuel efficiency data and predicted average fuel efficiency data performed by the fuel efficiency comparison unit 45 shows good fuel efficiency, the speaker 47 may provide an audio notification to the user that the predicted average fuel efficiency data for the route is good.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the in-vehicle display device according to the embodiment. In Figure 2, data display related to fuel economy to the user of vehicle 1 proceeds according to steps S10 to S17a or steps S10 to S16b. Note that while the steps of Figure 2 are proceeding, Figures 3 and 4 are displayed as examples of fuel economy data displayed on the display unit 46 of the in-vehicle display device 4. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image in which driving conditions and an operation pop-up are simultaneously displayed on a map. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image in which a pass/fail result is displayed on the in-vehicle meter.

In Figure 2, we will assume that data related to fuel economy is displayed on the display 46a and meter 46b while the user is driving. Below, we will explain in detail the operation and display for improving fuel economy that is performed on the user of vehicle 1, with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.

In step S10, the environmental data acquisition unit 41 acquires driving environment data. The environmental data acquisition unit 41 references the route to the destination previously input by the user and acquires driving environment data, such as traffic congestion information and weather information, from the receiving device 3 that may affect vehicle driving.

In step S11, the past fuel efficiency calculation unit 42 calculates past average fuel efficiency data. The past fuel efficiency calculation unit 42 acquires driving environment data and driving history from the environmental data acquisition unit 41 and memory 43, respectively, and calculates past average fuel efficiency data, which is the average fuel efficiency for the route, based on these.

In step S12, the fuel efficiency prediction unit 44 calculates predicted average fuel efficiency data. The fuel efficiency prediction unit 44 acquires driving conditions and driving environment data from the detection device 2 and the environmental data acquisition unit 41, respectively, and calculates predicted average fuel efficiency data, which is the average fuel efficiency for the route, based on this.

In step S13, the fuel efficiency comparison unit 45 compares the past average fuel efficiency data with the predicted average fuel efficiency data. The fuel efficiency comparison unit 45 obtains the past average fuel efficiency data and the predicted average fuel efficiency data from the past fuel efficiency calculation unit 42 and the fuel efficiency prediction unit 44, respectively, and compares the magnitudes of the data.

In step S14, a determination is made as to whether the predicted average fuel consumption data is high compared to the historical average fuel consumption data. If the predicted average fuel consumption data, which is the amount of fuel consumed per unit time, is higher than the historical average fuel consumption data, the fuel consumption is determined to be high (poor) and the process proceeds to step S15a. If the predicted average fuel consumption data, which is the amount of fuel consumed per unit time, is lower than the historical average fuel consumption data, the fuel consumption is determined to be low (good) and the process proceeds to step S15b.

In step S15a, the driving status is displayed on the display 46a. The display 46a is part of a car navigation device installed in the vehicle 1 and may be a touch panel display that allows the user to input a route to the destination. While the vehicle 1 is traveling, the display 46a displays the route to the destination and the current location of the vehicle 1 on a map. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the driving status of the vehicle 1 may be displayed in real time on the map on the display 46a, showing both the route R to the destination and a vehicle icon VI indicating the current location of the vehicle 1.

In step S16a, a red light is displayed on the meter 46b. The meter 46b displays the fuel economy along with the vehicle 1 speed, engine revolutions per unit time, remaining fuel, etc. detected by the detection device 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the meter 46b may be a HUD (Head Up Display), where the degree of fuel economy is displayed as a gauge that expands or contracts below the speed display, and the color changes as the gauge expands or contracts. If the vehicle 1 has high fuel economy (poor fuel economy), the gauge may be displayed in red, indicating a red light. By displaying colors in this way, the user can intuitively understand the fuel economy while driving without having to visually estimate the length of the gauge.

In step S17a, an operation display for improving fuel economy is displayed on the display 46a. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation display for improving fuel economy to the user of vehicle 1 displays specific actions to be taken by the user while driving, such as operation notification pop-ups P1 to P3 ("Slow down vehicle speed to XX km/h," "Speed limit," "Apply brakes").

In step S15b, the driving status is displayed on the display 46a. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the driving status of vehicle 1 may be displayed in real time on a map on the display 46a, including both a route R to the destination and a vehicle icon VI indicating the current location of vehicle 1.

In step S16b, a green/yellow signal is displayed on meter 46b. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the degree of fuel economy is displayed as an expandable gauge, and the color changes as the gauge expands or contracts. If vehicle 1 has low fuel economy (good fuel economy), the color gauge CG may be displayed in blue as a green signal. Also, for example, if vehicle 1 has neither high fuel economy (poor fuel economy) nor low fuel economy (good fuel economy), the color gauge CG may be displayed in yellow as a yellow signal. By displaying colors in this manner, the user can intuitively understand the quality of fuel economy while driving without having to visually estimate the length of the color gauge CG.

By using the in-vehicle display device 4 according to the present invention as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4, an in-vehicle display device can be provided that can improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency through the user's driving efforts by displaying operation instructions related to improving fuel efficiency to the user while driving.

The present embodiment has been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Design modifications to these specific examples made by a person skilled in the art as appropriate are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they comprise the features of the present disclosure. The elements of the above-mentioned specific examples, as well as their arrangement, conditions, shape, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of the above-mentioned specific examples can be combined in different ways as appropriate, as long as no technical contradictions arise.

1: Vehicle 2: Detector 3: Receiver 4: In-vehicle display device 41: Environmental data acquisition unit 42: Past fuel consumption calculation unit 43: Memory 44: Fuel consumption prediction unit 45: Fuel consumption comparison unit 46: Display unit 46a: Display 46b: Meter 47: Speaker R: Route VI: Vehicle icon P1 to P3: Operation notification pop-up CG: Color gauge

Claims (1)

An in-vehicle display device that displays data related to fuel efficiency of a vehicle,
an environmental data acquisition unit that acquires driving environment data of a route along which the vehicle is scheduled to travel;
a past travel data acquisition means for acquiring an average fuel consumption rate for the route as past average fuel consumption rate data based on the travel history of the vehicle and the travel environment data;
a predicted travel data acquisition means for acquiring an average fuel consumption rate for the route as predicted average fuel consumption rate data based on the travel status of the vehicle and the travel environment data;
an average fuel consumption comparison means for comparing the past average fuel consumption data with the predicted average fuel consumption data to determine whether the fuel consumption is good or bad;
a display means for displaying the driving conditions for the route, displaying whether the fuel efficiency of the predicted average fuel efficiency data is good or bad compared to the past average fuel efficiency data, and, when the fuel efficiency of the predicted average fuel efficiency data is bad compared to the past average fuel efficiency data, for performing an operation display so as to improve the fuel efficiency of the predicted average fuel efficiency data for the route;
An in-vehicle display device comprising: