DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM, AND PROJECTING DEVICE

• US 20150367779A1
• Filed: 06/03/2015
• Published: 12/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CO., LTD. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: OHDACHI, ERIKO, EMURA, KOICHI, MOCHIZUKI, MAKOTO
• Granted Patent: US 9,418,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/80 characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0967 Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/04 for presentation of a single character by selection from a plurality of characters, or by composing the character by combination of individual elements, e.g. segments using a combination of such display devices for composing words, rows or the like, in a frame with fixed character positions

Abstract

A display control device includes a controller that, if an obtainer obtains first-segment speed limit information, controls a displayer so that it creates a first predetermined image, indicating a first-segment speed limit, and displays the first predetermined image on a display medium, and includes a determiner that, if second-segment length information is obtained after the first-segment speed limit information has been obtained, determines whether the second-segment length is shorter than a threshold. The controller makes a switchover from control under which the displayer creates the first predetermined image and displays it on the display medium to control under which the displayer creates a second predetermined image, indicating a second-segment speed limit, and displays the second predetermined image on the display medium in different control ways depending on whether the second-segment length is shorter than the threshold.

Claims

1. A display control device in a display system that includes an obtainer that obtains information about a segment length of a road on which a vehicle travels and information about a speed limit of the segment and also includes a displayer which creates a predetermined image according to the obtained information, and which displays the predetermined image on a display medium, the device comprising:

a controller that controls the displayer so that the displayer creates a first predetermined image indicating the speed limit of a first segment and displays the first predetermined image on the display medium, based on the obtained information; and

a determiner that, after the information about the speed limit of the first segment has been obtained, determines whether a segment length of a second segment is shorter than a pre-defined length, and determines whether the speed limit of a second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment based on the obtained information, wherein

if the determiner determines that a second-segment length, which is a segment length of a second segment, is not shorter than the pre-defined segment length and that the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment, the controller makes a switchover, in first switching method, from a first control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image and display the first predetermined image on the display medium to a second control under which the displayer is caused to create a second predetermined image, and display the second predetermined image on the display medium, and

if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is shorter than the pre-defined length, the controller makes a switchover from the first predetermined image to the second predetermined image, in second switching method, which differs from the first switching method, from the first control to the second control.

2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and that the speed limit of the second segment matches the speed limit of the first segment, the controller makes a switchover from the first control to the second control, in the second switching method.

3. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein:

if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and that the speed limit of the second segment matches the speed limit of the first segment, the controller makes a switchover, in third switching method, from the first control to the second control; and

in the third switching method, a visual image displayed on the display medium remains unchanged before and after control is switched.

4. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein:

if information about a third-segment length, which is a segment length of a third segment, and information about a speed limit of the third segment are obtained after a switchover has been made in the second switching method, the determiner determines whether the third-segment length is shorter than the pre-defined length;

if the determiner determines that the third-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length, then the determiner determines whether the speed limit of the third segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment; and

if the determiner determines that the third-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and that the speed limit of the third segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment, the controller makes a switchover, in the first switching method, from the second control to a third control under which the displayer is caused to create a third predetermined image, which represents a visual image indicating the speed limit of the third segment when the third predetermined image is displayed on the display medium, and display the third predetermined image on the display medium.

5. The display control device according to claim 4, wherein if the determiner determines that the third-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and that the speed limit of the third segment does not differ from the speed limit of the first segment, the controller makes a switchover, in the second switching method, from the second control to the third control.

6. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein:

in the first switching method performed by the controller, after an elapse of a first time from when the controller has stopped the first control, the controller starts the second control;

in the second switching method performed by the controller, after an elapse of a second time from when the controller has stopped the first control, the controller starts the second control; and

the second time is zero or more but less than the first time.

7. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein:

in the first switching method performed by the controller, after the controller has stopped control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image with a first brightness and display the first predetermined image on the display medium, the controller starts control under which the displayer is caused to create the second predetermined image with a second brightness, which differs from the first brightness, and display the second predetermined image on the display medium;

in the second switching method performed by the controller, after the controller has stopped control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image with the first brightness and display the first predetermined image on the display medium, the controller starts control under which the displayer is caused to create the second predetermined image with a third brightness, which differs from the second brightness, and display the second predetermined image on the display medium; and

a difference between the first brightness and the second brightness is larger than a difference between the first brightness and the third brightness.

8. The display control device according to claim 7, wherein the first brightness and the third brightness match.

9. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein:

in the first switching method performed by the controller, after the controller has stopped control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image with a first brightness and display the first predetermined image on the display medium, the controller causes the displayer to create the second predetermined image so that a brightness of the second predetermined image is gradually increased to a second brightness, which is higher than the first brightness, in a third time and to display the second predetermined image on the display medium;

in the second switching method performed by the controller, after the controller has stopped control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image with the first brightness and display the first predetermined image on the display medium, the controller causes the displayer to create the second predetermined image so that the brightness of the second predetermined image is gradually increased to the second brightness in a fourth time and to display the second predetermined image on the display medium; and

the fourth time is longer than the third time.

10. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein:

in the first switching method performed by the controller, after the controller has stopped control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image with a first brightness and display the first predetermined image on the display medium, the controller causes the displayer to create the second predetermined image so that a brightness of the second predetermined image is gradually increased to the first brightness in a fifth time and to display the second predetermined image on the display medium;

in the second switching method performed by the controller, after the controller has stopped control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image with the first brightness and display the first predetermined image on the display medium, the controller causes the displayer to create the second predetermined image so that the brightness of the second predetermined image is gradually increased to the first brightness in a sixth time and to display the second predetermined image on the display medium;

the fifth time is a predetermined time longer than 20 ms; and

the sixth time is longer than the fifth time.

11. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein:

in the first switching method performed by the controller, when the controller stops control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image with a first brightness and display the first predetermined image on the display medium, the controller controls the displayer so that a brightness of the first predetermined image is gradually reduced to a predetermined brightness, which is lower than the first brightness, in a seventh time, after which the controller causes the displayer to create the second predetermined image with the first brightness and display the second predetermined image on the display medium;

in the second switching method performed by the controller, when the controller stops control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image with the first brightness and display the first predetermined image on the display medium, the controller controls the displayer so that the brightness of the first predetermined image is gradually reduced to the predetermined brightness, which is lower than the first brightness, in an eighth time, after which the controller causes the displayer to create the second predetermined image with the first brightness and display the second predetermined image on the display medium;

the seventh time is a predetermined time longer than 20 ms; and

the eighth time is longer than the seventh time.

12. A display control device in a display system that includes a detector that detects positional information about a vehicle and includes a displayer which creates a predetermined image according to information about a segment length of a segment of a road and information about a speed limit of the segment and which displays the predetermined image on a display medium, the device comprising:

a controller that, if the detector detects that the vehicle is present on a first segment and information about a speed limit of the first segment is obtained, controls the displayer so that the displayer creates a first predetermined image, indicating the speed limit of the first segment when the first predetermined image is displayed on the display medium, and displays the first predetermined image on the display medium; and

a determiner that, if the detector detects a travel of the vehicle from the first segment to a second segment and information about a second-segment length, which is a segment length of the second segment, and information about a speed limit of the second segment are obtained, determines whether the second-segment length is shorter than a pre-defined length, and determines whether the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment, wherein

if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and that the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment, the controller makes a switchover, in first switching method, from a first control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image and display the first predetermined image on the display medium to a second control under which the displayer is caused to create a second predetermined image, and display the second predetermined image on the display medium, and

if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is shorter than the pre-defined length, the controller makes a switchover, in second switching method, which differs from the first switching method, from the first control to the second control.

13. The display control device according to claim 12, wherein if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is shorter than the pre-defined length, the controller makes the switchover when the vehicles enters the second segment from the first segment.

14. The display control device according to claim 12, wherein after an elapse of a predetermined time from when the vehicle has entered the second segment from the first segment, the controller makes the switchover to be made in a case in which the determiner determines that the second-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and the switchover to be made in a case in which the determiner determines that the second-segment length is shorter than the pre-defined length.

15. A display control method in a display system that includes an obtainer that obtains information about a segment length of a segment of a road on which a vehicle travels and information about a speed limit of the segment and includes a displayer which creates a predetermined image according to the obtained information, and which displays the predetermined image on a display medium, the method comprising:

controlling, if information about a speed limit of a first segment is obtained, the displayer so that the displayer creates a first predetermined image, which represents a visual image indicating the speed limit of the first segment when the first predetermined image is displayed on the display medium, and displays the first predetermined image on the display medium; and

determining, if information about a second-segment length, which is a segment length of a second segment, and information about a speed limit of the second segment are obtained after the information about the speed limit of the first segment has been obtained, whether the second-segment length is shorter than a pre-defined length, which has been pre-defined, and determining whether the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment, wherein

if a determination is made that the second-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and a determination is made that the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment, a switchover is made, in first switching method, from a first control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image and display the first predetermined image on the display medium to a second control under which the displayer is caused to create a second predetermined image, and display the second predetermined image on the display medium, and

if a determination is made that that the second-segment length is shorter than the pre-defined length, a switchover is made, in second switching method, which differs from the first switching method, from the first control to the second control.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a display control program executed by a computer in a display system that includes an obtainer that obtains information about a segment length of a segment of a road on which a vehicle travels and information about a speed limit of the segment and also includes a displayer which creates a predetermined image according to the obtained information, and which displays the predetermined image on a display medium, wherein the display control program causes the computer to perform processing in which if information about a speed limit of a first segment is obtained, the displayer is controlled so that the displayer creates a first predetermined image, indicating the speed limit of the first segment and displays the first predetermined image on the display medium based on the obtained information,

processing in which if information about a second-segment length, which is a segment length of a second segment, and information about a speed limit of the second segment are obtained after the information about the speed limit of the first segment has been obtained, a first determination is made as to whether the second-segment length is shorter than a pre-defined length, which has been pre-defined, and a second determination is made as to whether the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment,

processing in which if the first determination indicates that the second-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and the second determination indicates that the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment, a switchover is made, in first switching method, from a first control under which the first predetermined image is created and displayed on the display medium to a second control under which a second predetermined image, and displayed on the display medium, and

if the first determination indicates that that the second-segment length is shorter than the pre-defined length, a switchover is made, in second switching method, which differs from the first switching method, from the first control to the second control.

17. A projecting device in a display system that includes an obtainer that obtains information about a segment length of a segment of a road on which a vehicle travels and information about a speed limit of the segment, the device comprising:

a displayer which creates a predetermined image according to the information about the segment length and the obtained information, and which displays the predetermined image on a display medium;

a controller that, if information about a speed limit of a first segment is obtained, controls the displayer so that the displayer creates a first predetermined image, indicating the speed limit of the first segment when the first predetermined image is displayed on the display medium, and displays the first predetermined image on the display medium; and

a determiner that, if information about a second-segment length, which is a segment length of a second segment, and information about a speed limit of the second segment are obtained after the information about the speed limit of the first segment has been obtained by the obtainer, determines whether the second-segment length is shorter than a pre-defined length, which has been pre-defined, and determines whether the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment;

wherein

if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is not shorter than the pre-defined length and that the speed limit of the second segment differs from the speed limit of the first segment, the controller makes a switchover, in first switching method, from a first control under which the displayer is caused to create the first predetermined image and display the first predetermined image on the display medium to a second control under which the displayer is caused to create a second predetermined image, and display the second predetermined image on the display medium, and

if the determiner determines that the second-segment length is shorter than the pre-defined length, the controller makes a switchover, in second switching method, which differs from the first switching method, from the first control to the second control.