JP2002240641A - Device for adjusting direction of monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for automatically adjusting direction of a monitor provided inside of an automobile to a direction easy to be seen from an occupant. SOLUTION: This device for adjusting direction of the monitor has monitors 1 and 3 provided inside of the automobile, a motor for changing direction of the monitors 1 and 3, occupant sensor switches 11-17 for detecting whether each seat is occupied or not, and a control circuit 35 for controlling the motor to direct a monitor display in a direction to be seen from the occupant.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a monitor orientation adjusting device, and more particularly, to a monitor orientation adjusting device for adjusting the orientation of a monitor display mounted in a vehicle cabin.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of information technology such as a car navigation system and the Internet, a monitor display (hereinafter simply referred to as a monitor) as information display means has been increasingly installed in a vehicle cabin.

[0003] As a monitor in such a vehicle cabin, a liquid crystal display is often used because of its limited spatial size.

[0004]

However, as is well known, a liquid crystal display has a limitation in an angle at which an image can be clearly viewed (referred to as a viewing angle). If the angle exceeds the limit, the image cannot be accurately viewed. In color images, color reproducibility is extremely poor.

[0005] In the passenger compartment, the occupant is protected and restrained by the seat belt, cannot make a large movement, and cannot easily reach the monitor. Was.

[0006] In particular, it has been often used as a display means of a car navigation system, and it has been sufficient to use it in a driver or a passenger seat. Since the car has been given the comprehensive function of a so-called multimedia information terminal, and the monitor is often used as a means of providing information to people sitting in the back seat,
Demand for monitors is also increasing for those sitting in the back seats.
For this reason, it is desired that the direction of the monitor is automatically adjusted in a more easily viewable direction with respect to the seating position of the occupant in the vehicle compartment.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
An object of the present invention is to provide a monitor direction adjusting device in which the direction of a monitor mounted in a vehicle cabin is automatically adjusted to a direction more easily viewable for an occupant.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a monitor display mounted in a vehicle interior, a driving unit for changing the direction of the monitor display, and a seat for each seat in the vehicle interior. An occupant detection unit that detects whether or not an occupant is present in each seat; and controls the driving unit to adjust the direction of the monitor display in a direction that is easy for the occupant to see, according to a detection result of the occupant detection unit. The gist is to provide a control means.

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the automobile is provided with a plurality of seat rows in which seats are arranged side by side, and the monitor display is provided diagonally above and in front of each seat row.

[0010] The gist of the present invention is that a manual switch for angle adjustment connected to the control means via a network is provided on the seat side.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote controller which communicates with the control means, and the remote controller transmits the angle adjustment signal to the control means by operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means has a matrix table in which the direction of the monitor display is determined in advance in accordance with the presence or absence of an occupant of each seat, and the occupant detection means detects the occupant of each seat. The gist is to adjust the direction of the monitor display to an angle determined by the matrix table according to the detection result.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the plurality of occupants are present, the matrix table is determined so that the monitor display is oriented in a predetermined direction of a specific occupant.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the plurality of occupants are present, the matrix table is determined so that the monitor display is directed toward the midpoint of the plurality of occupants.

[0015]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a monitor direction adjusting apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

This monitor orientation adjusting device is a device for adjusting the orientation of a monitor mounted in an automobile by changing the orientation of an occupant in accordance with a seating position and a command from the occupant.

In the present embodiment, the monitor is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a first monitor 1 (not shown in FIG. 2B) is provided in front of front seats of a seven-seater one-box car including two front rows, two middle rows, and three rear rows. The monitor 3 is mounted, and the monitor orientation adjusting device
Adjust the orientation of the two monitors.

The first monitor 1 is suspended from the ceiling in front of the front row seats, and the second monitor 3 is suspended from the ceiling between the front row seats as shown in FIG. 2C. ing. Also, the first and second monitors 1 and 3
As shown in FIG. 2A, two motors are provided so that their directions can be changed in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

The two motors are a motor 41 for rotating the monitor in the horizontal direction and a motor 43 for rotating the monitor in the vertical direction. Two motors 41 and 43
Are DC motors that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. The direction of rotation can be controlled by changing the sign of the input power. In addition, these two monitors 41 and 43 are provided with an encoder (not shown) so that the rotation angle can be detected.

Referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the monitor orientation adjusting device includes occupant sensor switches 11 to 17 for detecting the presence of an occupant in each seat, monitor orientation change switches 21 and 23, and first and second monitor orientation switches. In order to arbitrarily change the orientation of the two monitors 1 and 3, a remote controller 31 for an occupant to give an instruction, a receiver 33 for receiving a signal from the remote controller 31, a first and a second monitor 1 and 3, And a control circuit 35 for controlling the direction of the camera.

The occupant sensor switches 11 to 17 are provided on the seat belts in each seat, and are turned on by the occupant wearing the seat belt, and a signal is sent to the control circuit 35 to detect the presence or absence of the occupant. Is done. The occupant sensor switches 11 to 17 are provided in each seat. The occupant sensor switch 11 is for the front right seat (driver seat), the occupant sensor switch 12 is for the front left seat (passenger seat), and the middle right seat is For the occupant sensor switch 13,
The occupant sensor switch 14 is for the middle row left seat, the occupant sensor switch 15 is for the rear row right seat, the occupant sensor switch 16 is for the rear middle seat, and the occupant sensor switch 17 is for the rear left seat.

Monitor direction change switches 21 and 23
Are X-direction switches 21X for turning the direction of the first monitor 1 in the horizontal direction and Y-direction switches 21Y for turning the direction of the first monitor 1 in the vertical direction.
And an X-direction switch 23X for turning the direction of the second monitor 3 in the horizontal direction, and a Y-direction switch 23Y for turning the direction of the second monitor 3 in the vertical direction.
Under the control of the control circuit 35, the power supplied to the two motors 41 and 43 provided in each monitor is switched between positive and negative.

The remote controller 31 is used for giving an instruction when the occupant arbitrarily changes the direction of the monitor 1, and is provided with at least a horizontal / vertical direction change instruction button. When various information terminal functions such as a car stereo, a television, the Internet, e-mail, and car navigation are mounted, the remote controller 31 is used as a remote controller for issuing an instruction to these functions. Each function is switched and used.

When the remote controller 31 is not provided, a manual switch (not shown) for adjusting the monitor angle is connected to the control circuit 35 via a network so that each seat has the monitor switch.

The receiver 33 is connected to the control circuit 35 and receives a signal from the remote controller 31. The communication between the remote controller 31 and the receiver uses infrared communication or communication using radio waves.

The control circuit 35 includes first and second
In order to adjust the orientation of the monitors 1 and 3, it is detected from the signals from the occupant sensor switches 11 to 17 whether or not there is an occupant in each seat. Change switch 2
By controlling 1 and 23, the direction of the monitor is adjusted so that the occupant can easily see the monitor. At this time, the encoder output value of the motor provided in each monitor is detected, and the monitor direction change switches 21 and 23 are controlled so that the monitor is directed in the direction specified by the matrix table.

As shown in FIG. 3, the matrix table stores the occupant sensor switches 11 to 17 in advance.
The direction in which each monitor should be turned in accordance with the off state is determined. A storage device (not shown) provided in the control circuit 35, preferably NVRA
It is stored in a non-volatile memory such as M.

As shown in the matrix table, the angles at which the first monitor 1 and the second monitor 3 are directed are determined according to the on / off states of the occupant sensor switches 11 to 17.

Regarding the first monitor 1, when the occupant sensor switch 11 (driver seat) is on and the occupant sensor switch 12 (passenger seat) is off irrespective of the state of the occupant sensor switches 13 to 17, the horizontal angle is not changed. The vertical angle is determined to be 45 degrees downward and the vertical angle is directed downward 40 degrees, so that the visibility from the driver's seat side is improved.

Conversely, when the occupant sensor switch 11 (driver's seat) is off and the occupant sensor switch 12 (passenger seat) is on, the horizontal angle is 45 degrees left and the vertical angle is 40 degrees lower.
It is designed to be oriented in the right direction, making it easier to see from the passenger seat side.

Further, when the occupant sensor switch 11 (driver seat) and the occupant sensor switch 12 (passenger seat) are both on, the horizontal angle is set to the right 45 degrees and the vertical angle is set to the lower 40 degrees. It has been decided that it will be preferentially oriented toward the driver's seat. This is to give higher priority to the visibility of the driver.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, regardless of the state of the occupant sensor switches 11 and 12, the occupant sensor switch 13 (middle row right seat) is turned on and the occupant sensor switch 14 is turned on regardless of the state of the occupant sensor switches 11 and 12. When １７17 is off, the horizontal angle is determined to be 45 degrees to the right and the vertical angle is determined to be 40 degrees below, so that the visibility from the right seat in the middle row is improved.

The occupant sensor switch 14 (middle row left seat) is turned on, and the occupant sensor switches 13 and 15 to
When 17 is off, the horizontal angle is determined to be 40 degrees to the left and the vertical angle is determined to be 40 degrees downward, so that visibility from the left seat in the middle row is improved.

When the occupant sensor switch 15 (the right seat in the rear row) is turned on, the occupant sensor switches 13, 14, 16,
When and 17 are off, the horizontal angle is determined to be 30 degrees to the right and the vertical angle is determined to be 30 degrees downward, so that visibility from the right seat in the rear row is improved.

When the occupant sensor switch 16 (rear row center seat) is on and the occupant sensor switches 13 to 15 and 17 are off, the horizontal angle is determined to be 0 degrees and the vertical angle is determined to be downward 30 degrees. It is designed to improve visibility from the rear center seat.

When the occupant sensor switch 17 (rear row left seat) is on and the occupant sensor switches 13 to 16 are off, the horizontal angle is oriented at 30 degrees to the left and the vertical angle is oriented at 30 degrees downward.
It is designed to be oriented in the right direction, improving visibility from the left seat in the back row.

The occupant sensor switches 13 and 14
Is on and the occupant sensor switches 15 to 17 are off, the horizontal angle is 0 degree, the vertical angle is determined to be downward 40 degrees, and it faces between two middle row seats, Some visibility is obtained from both middle row seats.

When the occupant sensor switches 15 to 17 are on and the occupant sensor switches 13 and 14 are off, the horizontal angle is determined to be 0 degrees and the vertical angle is determined to be downward 30 degrees. To provide a certain degree of visibility.

The occupant sensor switches 13 and 15
Is on and the occupant sensor switches 14, 16, and 17 are off, the horizontal angle is 40 degrees to the right and the vertical angle is
The orientation is set to 5 degrees, and a certain degree of visibility can be obtained from the right seat in the middle row and the right seat in the back row.

The occupant sensor switches 14 and 17
Is on and the occupant sensor switches 13, 15, and 16 are off, the horizontal angle is 40 degrees to the left and the vertical angle is
The orientation is set to 5 degrees, and a certain degree of visibility can be obtained from the left seat in the middle row and the left seat in the rear row.

Further, when all of the occupant sensor switches 13 to 17 are on, and when the occupant sensor switches 13 to 17 are in a state other than the combination described above, for example, when at least one of the occupant sensor switches 13 and 14 is on. If the occupant sensor switches 15 and 17 are both on or the occupant sensor switch 16 is on, or if the occupant sensor switches 13 and 14 are both on and at least one of the occupant sensor switches 15 to 17 is on, the horizontal angle is At 0 degrees, the vertical angle is determined to be downward 35 degrees, so that a certain degree of visibility can be obtained from both middle row and rear row seats.

As described above, in the matrix table, when the occupant sensor switches 11 to 17 are individually turned on, the direction of the monitor is determined in advance so as to direct the monitor in the direction of the seat. When a plurality of switches among the switches 11 to 17 are turned on, the first monitor 1 is determined to be preferentially directed to the driver's seat direction, and the second monitor 3 is determined by a plurality of occupants. It is determined so as to face the midpoint direction of the seat where the sensor switch is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the angle stored in the matrix table is 0 degrees in the center direction of the monitor as shown in FIG. 2B, the horizontal direction is the horizontal direction, and FIG. As shown, the direction below the horizontal line is the vertical direction. The angle stored in the matrix table can be adjusted as appropriate, and can be changed and stored according to the size of the vehicle compartment, the installation position of the monitor, and the like.

The control circuit 35 also includes a receiver 33
Has the function of moving the first and second monitors 1 and 3 in accordance with the signal received from the remote controller 31. In the case of a command from the remote controller 31, a signal for driving the respective motors 41 and 43 of the first or second monitor 1 or 2 is output according to the signal from the remote controller 31.

Next, the operation of the monitor direction adjusting device configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 4A is a schematic flowchart showing the operation procedure of the monitor direction adjusting device.

First, when power is supplied to the control circuit 35 and other components by turning on the vehicle key (or accessory position), the control circuit 35 is turned on (S1). Next, the control circuit 35
Determines the mode based on whether the manual switch or the remote controller 31 is operated (S2).

When the manual switch or the remote controller 31 is operated in step S2, it is determined that the mode is the manual setting mode, and it is determined whether or not the angle setting is to continue the operation (S3).

If it is determined in step S3 that the angle has been set, the state of the occupant sensor switches 11 to 17 is checked to determine the seat position of the occupant, and the angle set amount (X, Y) is determined based on the seat position. Move the monitor accordingly (S
4).

If it is determined in step S2 that the mode is the automatic setting mode, the control circuit 35 determines whether or not the occupant position is detected (S5). If the occupant position is detected, the monitor is automatically moved (S6). ).

The processing in steps S5 and S6 described above is the same as that in FIG.
As shown in B, the control circuit 35 checks the state of the occupant sensor switches 11 to 17 (S7).

Subsequently, the control circuit 35 refers to the matrix table (S8), and according to the on / off state of the occupant sensor switches 11 to 17, the first and second control circuits 35.
The directions of the monitors 1 and 3 are changed (S9).

Thereafter, steps S7 to S9 are repeatedly executed until the key of the automobile is turned off. Therefore, the directions of the first and second monitors 1 and 3 are automatically adjusted according to the presence or absence of an occupant in each seat.

This operation will be described using the second monitor 3 as an example. First, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when the second monitor 3 faces the middle seat in the rear row and a person gets on a seat on the right side of the middle row (there is no occupant in the other seats). ), The occupant sensor switch 13 is turned on when the occupant puts on the seat belt. Then, the control circuit 35 sets the occupant sensor switch 13
Is turned on, the second monitor 3 is rotated right 40 degrees in the horizontal direction and 40 degrees downward in the vertical direction with reference to the matrix table. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, the second monitor 3 faces the middle row right seat direction,
You will be facing the front of the person riding here.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the direction of the monitor is automatically adjusted in the direction where the occupant is.

(Other Embodiments) The embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described above. However, the description and drawings which constitute a part of the disclosure of the above-described embodiments do not limit the present invention, but rather limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and modes of operation are possible.

In the above-described embodiment, when there are a plurality of occupants, the first monitor 1 is preferentially oriented toward the driver's seat, and the second monitor 3 is oriented toward the midpoint of the occupant's seat. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, of a plurality of occupants, the occupant may be turned in the direction in which the occupant sensor switch is turned on first. In this case, the matrix table may be omitted, and the direction of the monitor may be changed each time the occupant sensor switch is turned on or off, or the occupant sensor switch is turned on first within a certain period of time. Various modes are possible, such as changing the direction of the monitor only to the direction of the seat that has been changed, and not changing the direction of the monitor during that time even if there is an ON signal from another seat.

In the above-described embodiment, two monitors are provided in one car room. Of course, one monitor is installed in one car room or one monitor is provided. Needless to say, the present invention can be suitably implemented even in a case where a plurality of monitors are further installed in the vehicle interior.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Provided is a monitor direction adjusting device that automatically adjusts the direction of a monitor mounted in a vehicle cabin to a direction that is easier for an occupant to see.

Also, when the occupant is seated on the seat,
If the user is automatically turned to the predetermined direction of the seat, the monitor can be viewed from the optimum direction simply by sitting on the seat.

Further, since the angle can be adjusted by a manual switch or a remote controller, it is possible to cope with individual differences in the viewing direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a monitor direction adjustment device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a monitor drive system and monitor angle adjustment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a matrix table.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the monitor direction adjustment device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 first monitor 3 second monitor 11 occupant sensor switch 12 occupant sensor switch 13 occupant sensor switch 14 occupant sensor switch 15 occupant sensor switch 16 occupant sensor switch 17 occupant sensor switch 21, 23 monitor direction change switch 21X, 23X horizontal direction switch 21Y, 23Y Vertical direction switch 31 Remote controller 33 Receiver 35 Control circuit 41, 43 Motor

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A monitor display mounted in a vehicle interior; a driving unit for changing an orientation of the monitor display; and a drive unit provided for each seat in the vehicle interior to detect whether or not there is an occupant in each seat. Occupant detection means, and control means for controlling the drive means to adjust the direction of the monitor display in a direction that is easy for an occupant to see, according to the detection result of the occupant detection means, comprising: Adjustment device. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is provided with a plurality of seat rows in which seats are arranged side by side, and the monitor display is provided diagonally above and in front of each seat row. Monitor orientation adjustment device. 3. The monitor direction adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein a manual switch for angle adjustment connected to the control means via a network is provided on a seat side. 4. The monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a remote controller configured to communicate with the control unit, wherein the remote controller transmits the angle adjustment signal to the control unit by an operation. Orientation adjustment device. 5. The control means has a matrix table in which the orientation of the monitor display is determined in advance in accordance with the presence or absence of an occupant in each seat, and the detection result of the occupant of each seat by the occupant detection means. 5. The monitor direction adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the monitor display is adjusted to an angle determined by the matrix table accordingly. 6. The matrix table according to claim 1, wherein, when there are a plurality of occupants, a monitor display is oriented in a predetermined direction of a specific occupant. 5. The monitor orientation adjusting device according to 5. 7. The matrix table according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of occupants are present, the monitor display is oriented in a direction toward a midpoint between the plurality of occupants. 7. The monitor direction adjusting device according to 4, 5, or 6.