Image display device and image display method

• US 20070008189A1
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Hara, Kengo, Saitoh, Tatsuki, Amari, Takeyuki
• Application Number:
  US11/482,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20070008189A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/995.190
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0968 Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096894 where input is assisted by the navigation device, i.e. the user does not type the complete name of the destination, e.g. using zip codes, telephone numbers, progressively selecting from initial letters

Abstract

An image display device and an image display method are provided that can be adopted easily by the user. The image display device has a processor and display for displaying a picture. The processor classifies items as first items that can be operated in the stopped state of the vehicle and second items that can be operated in both the stopped state and running state of the vehicle, and displays the items on the display based on the operating state of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An image display device for a navigation system of a vehicle, comprising:

a display unit having a screen for displaying a picture; and

a processor connected to the display unit, the processor operable to classify display items as first display items that can be operated in only a stopped state of the vehicle and second display items that can be operated in both the stopped state and a running state of the vehicle, and the processor operable to simultaneously display the first and second display items on the display unit.

2. The image display device according to claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to display the second display items in a same display state and at a same location in both the stopped state of the vehicle and the running state of the vehicle.

3. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a touch input device for operating the second display items through contact with the screen of the display unit.

4. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a remote control input device for operating the second display items, the remote control input device remote from the display unit.

5. The image display device according to claim 4 wherein the remote control input device is attached to a steering wheel of the vehicle and the remote control input device being operable in two directions;

and wherein the processor is further operable to select one of the second display items for operation based on operation of the remote control input device.

6. The image display device according to claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to transition from a simultaneous display of the first and second display items to a simultaneous display the first display items and additional display items operable in both the stopped state and the running state of the vehicle when one of the second display items is operated.

7. The image display device according to claim 6 wherein the processor is further operable to display the additional display items in a same relative location with respect to the first display items as the second display items with respect to the first display items.

8. An image display device for a navigation system of a vehicle, comprising:

image display means for displaying a picture;

processing means, connected to the image display means, for displaying on the image display means display items operable in both a stopped state and a running state of the vehicle; and

transitioning means for transitioning the display items to next display items operable in both the stopped state and the running state of the vehicle based on operation of one of the display items.

9. The image display device according to claim 8 wherein the processing means further comprises means for displaying the display items in a same screen location on the image display means in both the stopped state and the running state of the vehicle.

10. The image display device according to claim 9 wherein the processing means further comprises means for displaying the next display items in the same screen location as the display items in both the stopped state and the running state of the vehicle.

11. The image display device according to claim 8 wherein the processing means further comprises means for displaying the next display items in the same screen location as the display items in both the stopped state and the running state of the vehicle.

12. The image display device according to claim 8, further comprising:

touch input means for receiving input to operate the display items through contact with the image display means.

13. The image display device according to claim 8, further comprising:

input means, remote from the image display means, for receiving input to operate the display items.

14. The image display device according to claim 13 wherein the input means is attached to a steering wheel of the vehicle and the input means is operable in two directions, image display device further comprising:

means for selecting one of the display items for operation based on operation of the input means.

15. The image display device according to claim 8 wherein the processing means further comprises means for simultaneously displaying second display items with the display items, the second display items operable in only one of the stopped state and the running state of the vehicle.

16. A method for operating an image display device of a vehicle, comprising:

classifying items to be displayed on a screen of the image display device as first items that can be operated in a stopped state of the vehicle and second items that can be operated in both the stopped state and a running state of the vehicle; and

displaying an image including both the first items and the second items on the screen of the display device during the stopped state of the vehicle.

17. An image display method for displaying images on a display screen of an image display device attached to a vehicle, comprising:

associating two or more operating functions of the image display device with a corresponding image icon that is displayable on the display screen;

grouping the image icons into at least a first group and a second group;

monitoring the speed of the vehicle;

displaying the first group of image icons with a map on the display screen when the vehicle is at or above a selected speed; and

simultaneously displaying the first group of image icons and the second group of image icons on the display screen when the vehicle is below the selected speed.

18. The image display method according to claim 17, further comprising:

displaying the first group of image icons in a same display state and at a same location when the vehicle is at or above a selected speed as when the vehicle is below the selected speed.

19. The image display method according to claim 17, further comprising:

triggering operation of an operating function associated with an image icon through manipulation of an input device remote from the display screen.

20. The image display method according to claim 17, further comprising:

transitioning from display including the first group of image icons to a third group of image icons when one of the first group of image icons is manipulated; and

displaying the third group of image icons in a same relative position as the first group of image icons.