Vehicular information display system

• US 5,757,359 A
• Filed: 12/27/1994
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin AW Company Limited (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Maekawa, Kazuteru, Nanba, Akimasa, Morimoto, Kyomi
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SURACI, JOHN F
• Application Number:
  US08/364,245
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 345/199, 345/156, 345/168, 345/173, 342/457, 342/357, 364/449
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers

Abstract

A vehicular navigation system includes a display screen mounted on a vehicle, a run/stop detector for detecting whether the vehicle is running or stopped, a display color controller for changing the colors of the individual picture elements of the displayed picture in accordance with whether the vehicle is running or stopped; an input device for inputting the selection of and instructions for the picture; a picture transition controller for controlling the transition of the picture in accordance with the input instructions and a picture drawing processor for drawing the picture, which is controlled by the picture transition controller, in the colors of the picture elements dictated by the display color controller. The colors of the pictured elements on the display are selectively chosen in accordance with either a detected stop or detected running. A daytime/nighttime decider distinguishes between daytime and nighttime. The display color controller includes a plurality of pallets adapted to be changed in accordance with the detection of either stop or running to control the colors of the individual picture elements of the picture of the display.

Claims

1. A vehicular information display system comprising:

display means mounted on a vehicle and having a display screen for presenting a picture of a plurality of input keys inclusive of a first group of running-inoperable input keys which are operable only when the vehicle is stopped and a second group of running operable keys;

run/stop deciding means for deciding whether the vehicle is running or stopped and for generating a first decision signal;

display color control means, responsive to the first decision signal of said run/stop deciding means, for selecting and changing colors of predetermined picture elements including said first group of keys of the picture of said display means between one color for running and a different color for stop such that, during running of the vehicle, said first and second groups of keys are displayed in different colors to distinguish the keys of the first group from the keys of the second group;

input means for inputting selection of one of said plurality of keys and corresponding instructions for the picture;

picture transition control means for controlling a change of the picture in accordance with the selection and instructions from said input means; and

picture drawing means for drawing the picture, which is controlled by said picture transition control means, in the colors of the picture elements as selected and changed by said display color control means.

2. A vehicular information display system according to claim 1, further comprising:

daytime/nighttime deciding means for distinguishing between daytime and nighttime and for generating a second decision signal;

wherein said display color control means changes the colors of the individual picture elements in accordance with said first and second decision signals.

3. A vehicular information display system according to claim 1, wherein said display color control means includes a plurality of color pallets which are selected and changed in accordance with the first decision signal of said run/stop deciding means.

4. A vehicular information display system according to claim 1, wherein said input means includes a touch panel combined with the display screen of said display means.

5. A vehicular information display system according to claim 1, wherein said picture transition control means decides whether or not the instruction of said input means is permitted in the case the vehicle is running and displays an input-inoperable message in the case where the input is not permitted.

6. A vehicular information display system according to claim 1 wherein said display color control means causes said display means to display all input keys of said plurality of input keys in the same color responsive to a decision that the vehicle is stopped.