Vehicular display device

• US 6,995,661 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2004
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Amari, Takeyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bugg, George A.
• Application Number:
  US10/870,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20050001714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/195 Blocking or enabling display functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/195 Blocking or enabling display functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/736 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver

Abstract

A vehicular display device of the present invention contains a center display mounted on an instrument panel and displaying information, a meter display mounted on an instrument cluster and displaying the information, and a changeover unit switching a display mode of the information between the center display and the meter display in dependence on the degree of secrecy of the information. The vehicular display device can display the information in accordance with the degree of secrecy of the information by taking a matter of protection for personal data into consideration.

Claims

1. A vehicular display device, comprising:

a center display mounted on an instrument panel, the center display displaying information;

a meter display mounted on an instrument cluster, the meter display displaying the information; and

a changeover unit switching a display mode of the information between the center display and the meter display in dependence on the degree of secrecy of the information.

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

an occupant detection unit detecting an occupant;

wherein the changeover unit includes an automatic changeover unit that causes secrete data to be automatically displayed over the meter display upon detection of the occupant other than a driver with the occupant detection unit.

3. A vehicular display device according to claim 1,

wherein the changeover unit includes a manual changeover unit by which the display mode of the information is manually switched over between the center display and the meter display.

4. A vehicular display device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a manual changeover unit by which the display mode of the information is switched over between the meter display and the center display.

5. A vehicular display device according to claim 2,

wherein the occupant detection unit includes a pressure sensitive sensor located beneath a seat portion of a seat.

6. A vehicular display device according to claim 1,

wherein the information includes at least one information selected from audio information, navigating information, a telephone number, a mail, a code number and a user ID.

7. A vehicular display device according to claim 2,

wherein the secrete data includes at least one data selected from a telephone number, a mail, a code number and a user ID.

8. A vehicular display device, comprising:

a center display mounted on an instrument panel, the center display displaying information;

a meter display mounted on an instrument cluster, the meter display displaying the information; and

changeover means for switching a display mode of the information between the center display and the meter display in dependence on the degree of secrecy of the information.