Watanabe, Shinji (Kobe, JP)
Yasuda, Katsuhiro (Kobe, JP)
Miyazawa, Eiji (Kobe, JP)
Kajimoto, Nobuaki (Kobe, JP)
Koujimoto, Kenichi (Kobe, JP)
Hamatani, Kiyoshi (Kobe, JP)
Enomoto, Daisuke (Kobe, JP)
Nishida, Yuusuke (Kobe, JP)
Komatsu, Kazuhiro (Kobe, JP)
Yokoyama, Masaho (Kobe, JP)
Fujimoto, Hiroyuki (Kobe, JP)
Hashimoto, Yoshiyuki (Kobe, JP)
Kamoto, Mitsuhiro (Kobe, JP)
Yokawa, Taku (Kobe, JP)
Ueta, Yoshikazu (Kobe, JP)
Saitou, Tomoki (Kobe, JP)
Eguti, Takashi (Kobe, JP)
Tanaka, Shougo (Kobe, JP)

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11/664525

03/20/2008

10/27/2005

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FUJITSU TEN LIMITED (Kobe-shi, JP)

715/728

345/156, 345/1.100

G09G5/00; G06F3/041

OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC (P.O. BOX 320850, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22320-4850, US)

1. A display device, comprising: a display unit for displaying individual information in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen; an operation input unit for receiving operation inputs; a limiting unit for limiting the reception of operation inputs to reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in a particular viewing direction; and a switching unit for switching the particular viewing direction.

2. A display device according to claim 1, comprising: a prohibition unit for prohibiting reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction.

3. A display device according to claim 1, wherein a certain viewing direction has been set to the particular viewing direction under normal conditions.

4. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches a viewing direction in which information of more importance is displayed to the particular viewing direction based on the importance of individual information displayed in each viewing direction.

5. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the limiting unit erases individual information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction from a screen.

6. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the limiting unit erases operation-related pictures for operation inputs individually displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction from a screen.

7. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches a certain viewing direction to the particular viewing direction for a predetermined period of time when it is judged that a condition for setting the certain viewing direction to the particular viewing direction was satisfied.

8. A display device according to claim 1, comprising: a notification unit for notifying a user of the particular viewing direction.

9. A display device according to claim 1, comprising: a notification unit for notifying a user of switching of the particular viewing direction.

10. A display device according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit notifies the particular viewing direction by changing at least either of at least a part of a display mode of information individually displayed in the particular viewing direction and at least a part of a display mode of information individually displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction.

11. A display device according to claim 10, wherein information whose display mode is changed includes each operation-related picture for operation inputs to be individually displayed.

12. A display device according to claim 1, comprising: a priority setting unit for setting information displayed in any one of the plurality of directions to have priority, wherein the switching unit switches a viewing direction in which information with the priority is displayed to the particular viewing direction if it is judged that a condition for keeping a situation where a viewing direction in which information without the priority is displayed has been switched to the particular viewing direction became unsatisfied in the situation where the viewing direction in which the information without the priority is displayed has been switched to the particular viewing direction.

13. A display device according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit displays individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction.

14. A display device according to claim 13, wherein the information displayed in the viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction is an operation-related picture for operation inputs among the individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction.

15. A display device, comprising: a display unit for displaying individual information in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen; and a control unit for controlling at least one of display of information displayed in a particular viewing direction of the plurality of viewing directions, reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in the particular viewing direction and display of an operation input picture for operation inputs displayed in the particular viewing direction.

16. A display device according to claim 15, further comprising: a moving state detection unit for detecting a moving state of a movable body on which the display device is mounted, wherein the control unit conducts the control based on a detection result by the moving state detection unit.

17. A display device according to claim 16, further comprising: a source selection unit whereby a source corresponding to the information can be selected, wherein the control unit conducts the control based on a detection result by the moving state detection unit when the source corresponding to the information displayed in the particular viewing direction is a source to be restricted.

18. A display device according to claim 15, comprising: an operation input unit which can determine from which direction of the plurality of viewing directions an operation input is being performed.

19. A display device according to claim 15, further comprising: a voice recognition unit for receiving operation inputs by voice.

20. A display device according to claim 19, wherein the voice recognition unit has an identification unit for detecting a direction of the voice and determining from which direction of the plurality of viewing directions the voice came.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display device and, more particularly, to a display device for simultaneously providing a plurality of observers (users) with separate and different pieces of information, respectively, on a common screen.

BACKGROUND ART

A driver is prohibited from watching TV programs or movies in driving, and current display devices cannot display TV programs or movies in driving. Therefore, a passenger other than the driver (e.g. a passenger in a passenger seat beside the driver) cannot watch TV programs or movies in driving even though the one is not prohibited from watching TV programs or movies.

On the other hand, in recent years, concerning display devices to be mounted on a vehicle, various kinds of techniques have been proposed, whereby contents displayed to a driver and contents displayed to a passenger other than the driver are differentiated. For example, a technique has been disclosed in the below-mentioned patent document 1, wherein as shown in FIG. 34, by arranging masking stripes 302 and 303 on a transparent cover 301, light emitted from a strip display 304 for displaying an image G_DR for driver's seat comes into the eyes of a driver DR, but light emitted from a strip display 305 for displaying an image G_PA for passenger seat is prevented from coming into the eyes of the driver DR, while the light emitted from the strip display 305 for displaying the image G_PA for passenger seat comes into the eyes of a passenger PA in a passenger seat, but the light emitted from the strip display 304 for displaying the image G_DR for driver's seat is prevented from coming into the eyes of the passenger PA in the passenger seat.

In the below-mentioned patent documents 2 and 3, display devices have been disclosed, wherein two images are simultaneously displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) and each of the different images can be seen from a driver's seat and a passenger seat, respectively. In the below-mentioned patent documents 4 and 5, double-screen display devices wherein two kinds of images are simultaneously displayed on a common screen, have been disclosed.

By adopting the above-described techniques, as shown in FIG. 35, a map image 307 by a navigation system can be displayed on a display 306 in a manner that can be seen by the driver DR (cannot be seen by the passenger PA in the passenger seat), while a DVD image 308 can be displayed on the display 306 in a manner that can be seen by the passenger PA in the passenger seat (cannot be seen by the driver DR). Thus, the passenger PA in the passenger seat can watch TV programs or movies even in driving.

By the way, a touch panel is adopted in the recent display devices, wherein operating switches are formed on a display screen. Therefore, when contents displayed to a driver and contents displayed to a passenger other than the driver are differentiated, as shown in FIG. 36, on a display picture to the driver and a display picture to the passenger other than the driver, operating switches B_D1-B_D6 and B_A1-B_A6 related to each of the display contents may be displayed, respectively.

The operating switches B_D1-B_D6 can be seen only by the driver, while the operating switches B_A1-B_A6 can be seen only by the passenger in the passenger seat. As shown in FIG. 37, the operating switches B_D1-B_D6 are arranged in areas P₁-P₆ which are also operation areas of the operating switches B_A1-B_A6 on the display screen, respectively. It is called ‘the same’ or ‘overlapping’ that, as described above, operating switches are arranged in areas where operation areas thereof are the same in each image on a display screen.

As a result, for example, when the area P₅ on the display screen was pressed, it is necessary to properly decide whether control to be conducted when the operating switch B_D5 of “Detail” was pressed (control for making a map image detailed one) should be performed or control to be conducted when the operating switch B_A5 of “Stop” was pressed (control for stopping reproducing a DVD image) should be performed. In other words, if this decision cannot be properly made, appropriate operation control desired by a user cannot be performed.

In addition, since the image G_PA for passenger seat cannot be seen from the driver's seat, the driver DR must move and look into the image G_PA for passenger seat from the passenger seat side when the driver DR wants to know what kind of operations the passenger PA in the passenger seat is doing. Therefore, it is inconvenient, for example, when the passenger PA in the passenger seat is a small child or an elderly person, or a person who is machine illiterate.

And switches other than the touch panel, for example, operating switches arranged around a display unit also have a problem similar to the above-described problem.

Here, as described later in detail, it is called ‘the same’ or ‘overlapping’ that operating switches are arranged in areas where operation areas thereof are the same in each image on a display screen, while it is called ‘not overlapping’ that operating switches are arranged in locations where operation areas thereof are different in each image on a display screen, like setting switches 41_DR and 41_PA, cancel switches 42_DR and 42_PA, and operating switches 49_DR and 49_PA shown in FIG. 11.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-137005

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 06-186526

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-137443

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 11-331876

[Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 0946622

[Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-244591

[Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-308032

[Patent Document 8] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-206089

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention was developed in order to solve the above problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a display device whereby appropriate operation control desired by a user is conducted even if individual information is displayed in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen, for example, even if an image for driver's seat which can be seen from a direction in which a driver is present but cannot be seen from a direction in which a passenger in a passenger seat is present and an image for passenger seat which can be seen from the direction in which the passenger in the passenger seat is present but cannot be seen from the direction in which the driver is present are displayed on a common screen.

In order to achieve the above object, a display device according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a display unit for displaying individual information in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen, an operation input unit for receiving operation inputs, a limiting unit for limiting the reception of operation inputs to reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in a particular viewing direction and a switching unit for switching the particular viewing direction.

When the display device according to the first aspect of the present invention is used, individual information is displayed in the plurality of viewing directions on the common screen. For example, as shown in below-described FIGS. 11 and 12, it is possible to allow a driver DR to see an image G_DR for driver's seat (e.g. a map image by a navigation system) and to allow a passenger PA in a passenger seat to see an image G_PA for passenger seat (e.g. a DVD image).

However, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when an operation is performed to operating switches 43_DR-48_DR or 43_PA-48_PA arranged in the same areas E₇-E₁₂ where operation areas thereof for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and operation areas thereof for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other, there is a possibility that operation control the user does not desire may be conducted if some constraint is not added to the operation.

When the display device according to the first aspect of the present invention is used, the reception of operation inputs is limited to reception of operation inputs associated with information (an image) displayed in the particular viewing direction (e.g. a direction in which the driver DR is present). As a result, the operation inputs associated with the information (image) displayed in the particular viewing direction are received, but operation inputs associated with information (an image) displayed in a viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction are not received.

For example, in a case where operations were performed to the operating switches arranged in such a manner that the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other when the viewing direction of the driver DR has been set to the particular viewing direction, only operation inputs associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are valid and operation inputs associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat are invalid. That is, the image G_DR for driver's seat becomes a priority image. Therefore, by grasping which has been set to the priority image, it is possible to prevent operation control the user does not desire from being conducted.

And since it is possible to realize appropriate operation control by receiving operation inputs associated with the priority image even when operations are performed to the operating switches arranged in such a manner that the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other, it is possible to effectively use the display screen by arranging operating switches which have different functions in the same areas E₇-E₁₂ like the operating switches 43_DR-48_DR and 43_PA-48_PA shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Furthermore, when the display device according to the first aspect of the present invention is used, the particular viewing direction is switched and the priority image is not fixed. Therefore, for example, operation inputs through the operating switches arranged in such a manner that the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other can be switched between operation inputs associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat and operation inputs associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat. As a result, the user can realize desired operation control by properly conducting setting of the priority image or switching thereof, or exactly recognizing which has been set to the priority image.

A display device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

When operating switches are arranged in the same areas E₇-E₁₂ like the operating switches 43_DR-48_DR and 43_PA-48_PA shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, there is a possibility that operation control the user does not desire may be conducted if some constraint is not added to operations. However, differently from this case, when each operating switch is arranged in different areas which do not overlap each other, it is possible to avoid operation control the user does not desire from being conducted without placing constraints on operations.

However, the driver DR cannot see the image G_PA for passenger seat, while the passenger PA in the passenger seat cannot see the image G_DR for driver's seat. As a result, since the driver DR cannot recognize where on the image G_PA for passenger seat operating switches are arranged, the driver DR might touch the operating switches arranged on the image G_PA for passenger seat though the driver DR thinks that he/she is touching a portion where no operating switch is arranged. Therefore, even if the operating switches which receive only operation inputs associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat and the operating switches which receive only operation inputs associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat are arranged in different areas so as not to overlap each other, it is desired that some constraint should be added to the operations.

When the display device according to the second aspect of the present invention is used, the reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction is prohibited. That is, operation control according to operations associated with images other than the priority image is not conducted. For example, in a case where an operation was performed to the operating switch 49_PA related to the image G_PA for passenger seat when the image G_DR for driver's seat has been set to the priority image, the operation becomes invalid. Thus, it is possible to certainly prevent wrong operations.

A display device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized by a certain viewing direction which has been set to the particular viewing direction under normal conditions in the display device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the third aspect of the present invention is used, the certain viewing direction has been set to the particular viewing direction under normal conditions. That is, an image (information) displayed in the certain viewing direction has been set to the priority image under normal conditions. Therefore, the user can easily grasp which has been set to the priority image (information) under normal conditions.

A display device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the switching unit which switches a viewing direction in which information of more importance is displayed to the particular viewing direction based on the importance of individual information displayed in each viewing direction in the display device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is used, a viewing direction in which information of more importance is displayed is set to the particular viewing direction. That is, it is possible to make operations of more importance valid and make operations of less importance invalid.

For example, in a case where operations are conducted to the operating switches arranged in such a manner that the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other when the degree of importance of the image G_PA for passenger seat is higher than that of the image G_DR for driver's seat, only operation inputs associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat are valid and operation inputs associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are invalid. Therefore, it is possible to make operation control on the image which more needs operations by the user valid.

A display device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the limiting unit which erases individual information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction from a screen in any one of the display devices according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is used, individual information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction (i.e. viewing directions from which the operation inputs are not received) are not displayed on the screen. As a result, the user can easily grasp whether information (an image) displayed to oneself is priority information (a priority image) or not. Thus, since wrong operations can be certainly prevented, operation control desired by the user can be realized.

A display device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the limiting unit which erases operation-related pictures for operation inputs individually displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction from a screen in any one of the display devices according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is used, operation-related pictures for individual operation inputs displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction (i.e. viewing directions from which the operation inputs are not received) are not displayed on the screen. As a result, the user can easily grasp whether information (an image) displayed to oneself is priority information (a priority image) or not. Thus, since wrong operations can be certainly prevented, operation control desired by the user can be realized. Here, as the operation-related pictures, the operating switches 43_DR-49_DR and 43_PA-49_PA shown in FIG. 12, or key display pictures 211a-211g and 212a-212g for describing functions of operating switches 15a-15g arranged around the display unit 4 shown in FIG. 32 are exemplified.

A display device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by the switching unit which switches a certain viewing direction to the particular viewing direction for a predetermined period of time when it is judged that a condition for setting the certain viewing direction to the particular viewing direction was satisfied in any one of the display devices according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is used, the certain viewing direction is switched to the particular viewing direction for the predetermined period of time if a condition for setting the certain viewing direction to the particular viewing direction was satisfied. For example, if the condition is satisfied by an indication of the user's intention, the user can freely set an image (information) displayed to the user to the priority image (information) when the user wants to perform operations. If the condition is satisfied depending on use environments, the image G_PA for passenger seat can be set to the priority image so as to form a situation where the driver DR cannot operate when greater attention should be given to driving, for example.

As a method of the indication of one's intention, the below-described options a-f are exemplified.

a) Operating switches for setting the image G_DR for driver's seat and the image G_PA for passenger seat to the priority image are separately arranged.

b) A toggle switch for switching the priority image is arranged.

c) The priority image is set by the user's voice.

• • i) Voice recognition is adopted. For example, when the user says “Right”, “First” or “Driver”, the image G_DR for driver's seat is set to the priority image, and when the user says “Left” or “Second”, the image G_PA for passenger seat is set to the priority image.
  • ii) The priority image is set based on the direction that the voice came from. For example, when a voice of “Action” came from the driver's seat side, the image G_DR for driver's seat is set to the priority image, and when the voice of “Action” came from the passenger seat side, the image G_PA for passenger seat is set to the priority image.

d) The priority image is set by an operating switch arranged on a power steering.

e) The priority image is set based on a time lag between a release of a hand from the power steering and a touch or an approach of an object (such as a finger) on or to a touch panel. For example, since the possibility that the operation was performed by the driver DR is high when said time lag is short, the image G_DR for driver's seat is set to the priority image.

f) The priority image is set based on operations of operating switches arranged separately around the driver's seat and the passenger seat.

• • i) When a prescribed operation is conducted by using an operating switch for operating a power window of the driver's seat, the image G_DR for driver's seat is set to the priority image. On the other hand, when a prescribed operation is conducted by using an operating switch for operating a power window of the passenger seat, the image G_PA for passenger seat is set to the priority image.
  • ii) An operating switch for operating not the power window but a door lock, a dome light or the like is utilized.

As the use environments, the below-described options a-c are exemplified.

a) In cases where further attention to driving is required, the image G_PA for passenger seat is set to the priority image.

• • i) High-speed running. It can be judged from a speed pulse or the like.
  • ii) A situation where a parking brake is in the off position.
  • iii) A situation where the vehicle is running on an expressway. It can be judged from a GPS signal or the like.
  • iv) A situation where the vehicle is widely vibrating. It can be judged from a signal obtained from a G sensor or the like.
  • v) Night driving. It can be judged from a state of an illumination lamp or the like.

b) In cases where there is no problem even if the driver DR operates, the image G_DR for driver's seat is set to the priority image.

• • i) A situation where the parking brake is in the on position.

c) In cases where there is no passenger in one seat, an image displayed to a person in the other seat is set to the priority image.

• • i) When the passenger PA in the passenger seat is not present, the image G_DR for driver's seat is set to the priority image.
  • ii) When the driver DR is not present, the image G_PA for passenger seat is set to the priority image.

Here, as the predetermined period of time, the below-described options a-d are exemplified.

a) A period of time before the next operation is performed

b) A period of time before the next operation is performed or a period of time before a prescribed time (e.g. 10 seconds) elapses

c) A period of time before a time during which no operation is performed exceeds a prescribed time (e.g. 10 seconds)

d) A period of time before the priority image is newly set

A display device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the switching unit which switches the particular viewing direction every time a predetermined period of time elapses in any one of the display devices according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is used, the particular viewing direction is switched every time the predetermined period of time elapses. That is, the priority image is automatically switched. For example, every time the predetermined period of time elapses, the priority image is automatically alternated between the image G_DR for driver's seat and the image G_PA for passenger seat. As a result, this makes it possible that the user does not have to set the priority image or conduct the switching operation.

Here, as the predetermined period of time, the below-described options a-c are exemplified.

a) A period of time before a predetermined period of time (e.g. 20 seconds) elapses

b) A period of time before a time during which no operation is performed exceeds a prescribed time (e.g. 10 seconds)

c) A period of time before an instruction to switch the priority image is provided by another trigger (e.g. an operation by the user)

A display device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a notification unit for notifying a user of the particular viewing direction in any one of the display devices according to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is used, the user is notified of the particular viewing direction. For example, the user is informed which of the image G_DR for driver's seat and the image G_PA for passenger seat is the priority image. As a result, since said user can easily recognize which of the both images has been set to the priority image, it is possible to prevent wrong operations.

Here, as the notification method, the below-described options a and b are exemplified.

a) Lighting, flashing, a change of the color or a change of the thickness of outlines of operating switches

• • i) Only switches which can be operated are displayed (switches which cannot be operated are not displayed).
  • ii) Switches which can be operated are displayed with flashing.
  • iii) Switches which can be operated are displayed with black letters, while switches which cannot be operated are displayed with hollow letters.
  • iv) The outlines of switches which can be operated are made thick.

b) Display and erase marks

• • i) Display of an arrow showing a viewing direction corresponding to the priority image. When the image G_DR for driver's seat is the priority image in a right-hand drive car, a right-pointing arrow is displayed. When the image G_PA for passenger seat is the priority image, a left-pointing arrow is displayed.
  • ii) When the image G_DR for driver's seat is the priority image, a picture of a steering wheel is displayed. When the image G_PA for passenger seat is the priority image, a mark ‘X’ is overlaid on the picture of a steering wheel.

A display device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a notification unit for notifying a user of switching of the particular viewing direction in any one of the display devices according to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is used, the user is notified of switching of the particular viewing direction. That is, the user is informed that a change of the priority image was caused. As a result, since said user can easily recognize which of the both images has been set to the priority image, wrong operations can be prevented. Here, as the notification method, briefly flashing a screen of a touch panel, providing a voice message and producing a beeping sound are exemplified.

A display device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a display unit for displaying individual information in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen, an operation input unit for receiving operation inputs, a limiting unit for limiting the reception of operation inputs to reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in a particular viewing direction, a switching unit for switching the particular viewing direction and a notification unit for notifying the particular viewing direction.

When the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is used, individual information is displayed in the plurality of viewing directions on the common screen. For example, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 described below, it is possible to allow a driver DR to see an image G_DR for driver's seat (e.g. a map image by a navigation system), and allow a passenger PA in a passenger seat to see an image G_PA for passenger seat (e.g. a DVD image).

However, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, when an operation is performed to operating switches 43_DR-48_DR or 43_PA-48_PA arranged in the same areas E₇-E₁₂ where operation areas thereof for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and operation areas thereof for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other, there is a possibility that operation control the user does not desire may be conducted if some constraint is not added to the operation.

When the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is used, the reception of operation inputs is limited to reception of operation inputs associated with information (e.g. the image G_DR for driver's seat) displayed in the particular viewing direction. As a result, the operation inputs associated with the information displayed in the particular viewing direction are received, but operation inputs associated with information displayed in a viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction are not received.

For example, in a case where operations were performed to the operating switches arranged in such a manner that the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other when the viewing direction of the driver DR has been set to the particular viewing direction, only operation inputs associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are valid and operation inputs associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat are invalid. That is, the image G_DR for driver's seat becomes a priority image. Therefore, by grasping which has been set to the priority image, it is possible to prevent operation control the user does not desire from being conducted.

And since it is possible to realize appropriate operation control by receiving operation inputs associated with the priority image even when operations are performed to the operating switches arranged in such a manner that the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other, it is possible to effectively use the display screen by arranging operating switches which have different functions in the same areas E₇-E₁₂ like the operating switches 43_DR-48_DR and 43_PA-48_PA shown in FIGS. 39 and 40.

Moreover, when the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is used, the particular viewing direction is switched and the priority image is not fixed. Therefore, for example, operation inputs through the operating switches arranged in such a manner that the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other can be performed not from either of the driver's seat direction and the passenger seat direction but from both of them. As a result, the user can realize desired operation control by properly conducting setting of the priority image or switching thereof, or exactly recognizing which has been set to the priority image.

Furthermore, when the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is used, the particular viewing direction (i.e. information associated with which the operation inputs can be received) is notified. For example, when the image G_DR for driver's seat has been set to the priority image, the driver DR is notified that the information displayed to the driver DR is the priority image while the passenger PA in the passenger seat is notified that the information displayed to the passenger PA is not the priority image. As a result, the user can correctly grasp whether it is in a situation where operations to the image the user can watch are practicable. Thus, wrong operations by the user can be prevented.

A display device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which notifies the particular viewing direction by individually notifying whether operation inputs associated with information displayed in each viewing direction can be received or not in the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is used, whether the operation inputs can be received or not is notified individually in each viewing direction. For example, when the image G_DR for driver's seat has been set to the priority image, the driver DR is notified that the information displayed to the driver DR is the priority image while the passenger PA in the passenger seat is notified that the information displayed to the passenger PA is not the priority image. Thus, the user can more certainly grasp whether it is in a situation where operations to the image the user can watch are practicable.

A display device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which notifies the particular viewing direction by notifying which viewing direction has been set to the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is used, which viewing direction has been set to the particular viewing direction is notified. For example, when the image G_DR for driver's seat has been set to the priority image, the user is notified of that. As a result, the driver DR can know that the information displayed to the driver DR is the priority image, while the passenger PA in the passenger seat can know that the image G_DR for driver's seat is the priority image and that the information displayed to the passenger PA is not the priority image.

Here, as a method of notifying which viewing direction has been set to the particular viewing direction, a method of notification by voice is exemplified. In the method, for example, when operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable (i.e. when the image G_DR for driver's seat is the priority image), a piece of music A is played. On the other hand, when operations to the image G_PA for passenger seat are practicable (i.e. when the image G_PA for passenger seat is the priority image), a piece of music B different from the piece of music A is played.

A display device according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which notifies the particular viewing direction by changing at least either of at least a part of a display mode of information individually displayed in the particular viewing direction and at least a part of a display mode of information individually displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention is used, at least either of at least a part of a display mode of information individually displayed in the particular viewing direction and at least a part of a display mode of information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction is changed. Thus, the user can recognize whether it is in a situation where operations to the image the user can see are practicable by seeing the information individually displayed to the user.

As a method of changing a display mode of information individually displayed, the below-described options a-c are exemplified.

a) Only the display mode of the image to which operations can be conducted is changed.

• • i) When operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable:
  • A word of ‘Practicable’, a word of ‘DR SEAT’, a mark ‘◯’, a mark of ‘a steering wheel’ which is an image of the driver DR or the like is additionally displayed on the image G_DR for driver's seat. Due to the additional display showing ‘practicable’, the driver DR can know that operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable.
  • The above-described additional display is not given to the image G_PA for passenger seat. Since there is no additional display showing ‘practicable’, the passenger PA in the passenger seat can know that operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat which the driver DR, a person on the other side, can see are practicable.

b) Only the display mode of the image to which operations cannot be conducted is changed.

• • i) When operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable:
  • A word of ‘Impracticable’, a mark ‘X’ or the like is additionally displayed on the image G_PA for passenger seat. Due to the additional display showing ‘impracticable’, the passenger PA in the passenger seat can know that operations associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat which the passenger PA can see are impracticable.
  • The above-described additional display is not given to the image G_DR for driver's seat. Since there is no additional display showing ‘impracticable’, the driver DR can know that operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat which the driver DR can see are practicable.
  • ii) When operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable:
  • A word of ‘DR SEAT’, a mark of ‘a steering wheel’ or the like is additionally displayed on the image G_PA for passenger seat. Since there is an additional display such as the word of ‘DR SEAT’ or the mark of ‘a steering wheel’, the passenger PA in the passenger seat can know that operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat which the driver DR can see are practicable.
  • The above-described additional display is not given to the image G_DR for driver's seat. Since there is no additional display, the driver DR can know that operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat which the driver DR can see are practicable.

c) Both of the display mode of the image to which operations can be conducted and that of the image to which operations cannot be conducted are changed.

• • i) When operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable:
  • A word of ‘Practicable’, a mark ‘◯’ or the like is additionally displayed on the image G_DR for driver's seat.
  • A word of ‘Impracticable’, a mark ‘X’ or the like is additionally displayed on the image G_PA for passenger seat.
  • ii) When operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable:
  • A word of ‘DR SEAT’, a mark of ‘a steering wheel’ or the like is additionally displayed on the image G_DR for driver's seat and the image G_PA for passenger seat.

Here, as a method of changing the display mode, not only the additional display of those words or marks, but also deformation, coloring, composition and the like are exemplified. A change of the display mode is concretely described in the below-described options a-g.

a) A change in size

b) A change in shape

• • i) A change from a rectangle to a round
  • ii) To make an image look angled

c) A change in lightness, hue, chroma or the like

d) A change in transmittance when a plurality of images are overlaid

e) To limit usable colors

• • i) To make an image a monochrome picture
  • ii) To make the overall image whitish

f) A change in display time

• • i) To make flashing display

g) To add a picture such as a word or a mark

• • i) A word of ‘Practicable’, a mark ‘◯’ or the like is additionally displayed.

A display device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by information whose display mode is changed, which includes each operation-related picture for operation inputs to be individually displayed in the display device according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention is used, information whose display mode is changed includes each operation-related picture for operation inputs to be individually displayed. As a result, the user can recognize whether it is in a situation where operations associated with the image the user can see are practicable by seeing the display mode of the operation-related picture.

Here, as the operation-related picture, operating switches 43_DR-49_DR and 43_PA-49_PA shown in FIG. 40, and key display pictures 211a-211g and 212a-212g for describing functions of operating switches 15a-15g arranged around a display unit 4 shown in FIG. 46 are exemplified.

A display device according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which notifies the particular viewing direction by changing a placement of the display unit or the device body in the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is used, the placement of the display unit or the device body is changed. For example, when it is possible to conduct operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat, the display unit or the device body is angled in such a manner that the driver DR can easily watch. On the other hand, when it is possible to conduct operations associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat, the display unit or the device body is angled in such a manner that the passenger PA in the passenger seat can easily watch. Thus, the user can recognize operations associated with which image can be conducted from the placement of the display unit or the device body without watching the screen.

A display device according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which notifies the particular viewing direction by changing a lighting state of light-emitting members in the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention is used, the lighting state of light-emitting members is changed. For example, a red LED (light-emitting diode) and a green LED are arranged around the display unit. When it is possible to conduct operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat, the red LED is lit up. On the other hand, when it is possible to conduct operations associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat, the green LED is lit up. Thus, the user can recognize operations associated with which image can be conducted from the lighting state of the LEDs without watching the screen. Here, light-emitting members dedicated to the notification may not be necessarily arranged. For example, light-emitting members which light hard switches arranged on a frame of the display unit may be adopted.

A display device according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which notifies the particular viewing direction by differentiating between voice outputs associated with information displayed in the particular viewing direction and voice outputs associated with information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention is used, voice outputs associated with information displayed in the particular viewing direction and voice outputs associated with information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction are differentiated. For example, when it is possible to conduct operations associated with the image G_DR for driver's seat in a case where a map image by a navigation system is displayed as the image G_DR for driver's seat and a DVD image is displayed as the image G_PA for passenger seat, the volume of voice guidance of navigation is enhanced. On the other hand, when it is possible to conduct operations associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat, the volume of the DVD sound is enhanced. Thus, the user can recognize operations associated with which image can be conducted without watching the screen.

A display device according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which starts to provide a notification to the particular viewing direction with the operation input in any one of the display devices according to the eleventh to eighteenth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention is used, providing the notification to the particular viewing direction is started with the operation input to the operation input unit. For example, when a finger touches the touch panel or approaches the touch panel, the notification is provided. As a result, the notification can be provided when it is highly required.

A display device according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which finishes the notification when a period of time in which the operation input is not conducted continued for a prescribed time in the display device according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twentieth aspect of the present invention is used, the notification is finished when a period of time in which the operation input to the operation input unit is not conducted continued for the prescribed time. For example, when 10 seconds or so elapsed after the finger left away from the touch panel, the notification is finished. Thus, it is possible to prevent the display mode of individually displayed information from remaining changed more than necessary.

A display device according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which notifies the particular viewing direction by notifying switching of the particular viewing direction when the particular viewing direction was switched by the switching unit in the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention is used, the switching is notified when the particular viewing direction was switched. For example, when an image to which operations can be conducted is switched from the image G_DR for driver's seat to the image G_PA for passenger seat, the user is informed of that. Thus, the user can easily recognize that the image to which operations can be conducted was switched, and therefore, wrong operations by the user can be prevented. If the notification is provided by voice, the user can recognize the change of the image to which operations can be conducted without watching the screen.

A display device according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a priority setting unit for setting information displayed in any one of the plurality of viewing directions to have priority, wherein the switching unit switches a viewing direction in which information with the priority is displayed to the particular viewing direction if it is judged that a condition for keeping a situation where a viewing direction in which information without the priority is displayed has been switched to the particular viewing direction became unsatisfied in the situation where the viewing direction in which information without the priority is displayed has been switched to the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention is used, the viewing direction in which information with the priority is displayed is switched to the particular viewing direction if it is judged that a condition for keeping a situation where the viewing direction in which information without the priority is displayed has been switched to the particular viewing direction became unsatisfied in the situation where the viewing direction in which information without the priority is displayed has been switched to the particular viewing direction.

For example, when no operation to the image G_PA for passenger seat was conducted for 10 seconds in a case where the priority has been given to the image G_DR for driver's seat and operations to the image G_PA for passenger seat are practicable, it is decided that a condition for keeping the operations to the image G_PA for passenger seat practicable became unsatisfied, and the situation is changed to a situation where operations to the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable. Thus, the operations to the image G_DR for driver's seat are practicable under normal conditions. As a result, it is possible to take some of the load of operating off the driver DR.

A display device according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention is characterized by the display device to be mounted on a vehicle for use, wherein the priority setting unit sets the priority according to a load state of the vehicle in the display device according to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention is used, the priority is set according to the load state of the vehicle. For example, when the driver DR is not in the vehicle, the priority is given to the image G_PA for passenger seat. When the passenger PA in the passenger seat is not in the vehicle, the priority is given to the image G_DR for driver's seat. Thus, it is possible to achieve a higher level of user satisfaction. Here, the load state of the vehicle can be judged based on information obtained from a passenger detection sensor arranged within the vehicle, for example.

A display device according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the display device to be mounted on a vehicle for use, wherein the priority setting unit sets the priority according to a running state of the vehicle in the display device according to the twenty-second or twenty-third aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is used, the priority is set according to the running state of the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle is at a stop, the priority is given to the image G_DR for driver's seat. When the vehicle is running, the priority is given to the image G_PA for passenger seat. Thus, it is possible to improve safety of driving and achieve a higher level of user satisfaction.

A display device according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a display unit for displaying individual information in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen, an operation input unit for receiving operation inputs, a limiting unit for limiting the reception of operation inputs to reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in a particular viewing direction, a notification unit for switching the particular viewing direction among the plurality of viewing directions in turn based on the operation inputs and notifying the particular viewing direction, and a decision unit for deciding the particular viewing direction based on timing of the notification by the notification unit and timing of a prescribed operation input.

When the display device according to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention is used, based on the operation inputs to the operation input unit, the particular viewing direction is switched among the plurality of viewing directions in turn, the particular viewing direction is notified, and the particular viewing direction is decided based on timing of this notification and timing of a prescribed operation input to the operation input unit. The flow of these controls is concretely described below with an example.

Step 1: An operation to an operating switch by the user

Step 2: Recognizably notify each viewing direction in turn

• • e.g. Notify the kind of a displayed image
    • Voice announcement of ‘NAVI’→A blank of 1 second→Voice announcement of ‘DVD’→A blank of 1 second→Voice announcement of ‘NAVI’→ . . . .

Step 3: A prescribed operation by the user

• • e.g. Operate the same operating switch again

Step 4: Decide an image to which operations become practicable

• • e.g. When the prescribed operation was conducted between the voice announcement of ‘NAVI’ and the next voice announcement of ‘DVD’, an image of ‘NAVI’ is decided to be an image to which operations become practicable. Thus, without switching an image to which operations can be conducted, the user can conduct operations to an image which the user can see.

A display device according to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a display unit for displaying individual information in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen, an operation input unit for receiving operation inputs, a limiting unit for limiting the reception of operation inputs to reception of operation inputs associated with information displayed in a particular viewing direction, a switching unit for switching the particular viewing direction and a notification unit for notifying the particular viewing direction by controlling display of separately displayed information.

When the display device according to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention is used, individual information is displayed in the plurality of viewing directions on the common screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 48, it is possible to allow a driver DR to see an image G_DR for driver's seat (e.g. a map image by a navigation system) and allow a passenger PA in a passenger seat to see an image G_PA for passenger seat (e.g. a DVD image).

However, as shown in FIG. 49, when an operation was conducted to the operating switches B_D1-B_D6 or B_A1-B_A6 arranged within the same areas in which the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other, there is a possibility that operation control which the user does not desire may be conducted if no constraint is added to the operations.

When the display device according to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention is used, the reception of the operation inputs is limited to that of operation inputs associated with information (e.g. the image G_DR for driver's seat) displayed in the particular viewing direction. As a result, operation inputs associated with information displayed in the particular viewing direction are received, but operation inputs associated with information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction are not received.

For example, when operations are conducted to an operating switch arranged in such a manner that the operation area for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation area for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other in a case where the viewing direction from the driver DR has been set to the particular viewing direction, only operations to the image G_DR for driver's seat become valid, while operations to the image G_PA for passenger seat become invalid. That is, the image G_DR for driver's seat becomes an image to which operations can be conducted. As a result, the user can prevent undesired operation control from being carried out by grasping which has been set to the image to which operations can be conducted.

Even when operations are conducted to an operating switch arranged in such a manner that the operation area for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation area for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other, appropriate operation control can be realized by receiving operation inputs associated with the image to which operations can be conducted. Therefore, by arranging operating switches having different functions within the same areas, like the operating switches B_D1-B_D6 and B_A1-B_A6 shown in FIG. 49, the display screen can be effectively utilized.

When the display device according to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention is used, the particular viewing direction can be switched and the image to which operations can be conducted is not fixed. As a result, operations to operating switches arranged in such a manner that the operation areas for the image G_DR for driver's seat on the display screen and the operation areas for the image G_PA for passenger seat on the display screen overlap each other can be conducted not by either of the driver DR and the passenger PA in the passenger seat, but by both of them. Therefore, the user can realize desired operation control by properly setting or switching the image to which operations can be conducted or by precisely recognizing which has been set to the image to which operations can be conducted.

Furthermore, when the display device according to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention is used, by controlling display of information individually displayed in the plurality of viewing directions, the particular viewing direction (i.e. information associated with which operation inputs can be received) is notified. For example, when the viewing direction from the driver DR is the particular viewing direction, as shown in the below-described options a-c, it is notified that the image G_DR for driver's seat is the image to which operations can be conducted by controlling display of information.

a) The image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed, but the image G_PA for passenger seat is not displayed.

b) An operation-related picture for operation inputs to the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed on the image G_DR for driver's seat, but an operation-related picture for operation inputs to the image G_PA for passenger seat is not displayed on the image G_PA for passenger seat.

c) An operation-related picture for operation inputs to the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed on the image G_DR for driver's seat, but an operation-related picture for operation inputs to the image G_PA for passenger seat is not displayed on the image G_PA for passenger seat and instead of that, the operation-related picture for operation inputs to the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed on the image G_PA for passenger seat.

Thus, it is possible to inform the driver DR that the information (the image G_DR for driver's seat) displayed to the driver DR is an image to which operations can be conducted, and to inform the passenger PA in the passenger seat that not the information (the image G_PA for passenger seat) displayed to the passenger PA but the information (the image G_DR for driver's seat) displayed to the other (driver DR) is an image to which operations can be conducted. As a result, the user can correctly grasp whether operations to an image which the user can see are practicable or not.

A display device according to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which erases individual information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction from a screen in the display device according to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention is used, individual information displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction is erased from the screen. For example, when the viewing direction from the driver DR has been set to the particular viewing direction, the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed, but the image G_PA for passenger seat is not displayed. As a result, it is possible to allow the driver DR to know that the information (the image G_DR for driver's seat) displayed to the driver DR is an image to which operations can be conducted, and to allow the passenger PA in the passenger seat to know that the information displayed to the other person is an image to which operations can be conducted.

A display device according to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized by information erased from the screen by the notification unit, which is an operation-related picture for operation inputs among individual information displayed in the viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention is used, the information erased from the screen by the notification unit is an operation-related picture for operation inputs among individual information displayed in the viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction. For example, when the viewing direction from the driver DR has been set to the particular viewing direction, an operation-related picture for operation inputs to the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed on the image G_DR for driver's seat, but an operation-related picture for operation inputs to the image G_PA for passenger seat is not displayed on the image G_PA for passenger seat.

Thus, it is possible to allow the driver DR to know that the image G_DR for driver's seat displayed to the driver DR is an image to which operations can be conducted, and to allow the passenger PA in the passenger seat to know that the image G_PA for passenger seat displayed to the passenger PA is not an image to which operations can be conducted. At this time, if the image G_PA for passenger seat which the passenger PA in the passenger seat originally wants to see is not erased from the screen to be left, the passenger PA in the passenger seat can capture required information without interruption.

A display device according to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which displays individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention is used, individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction is displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction. For example, when the viewing direction from the driver DR has been set to the particular viewing direction, the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed to the driver DR as usual, while not the image G_PA for passenger seat but the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed to the passenger PA in the passenger seat. Thus, it is possible to allow the driver DR and the passenger PA in the passenger seat to know that the image G_DR for driver's seat is an image to which operations can be conducted.

A display device according to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention is characterized by information displayed in the viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction by the notification unit, which is an operation-related picture for operation inputs among individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirtieth aspect of the present invention is used, the information displayed in the viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction by the notification unit is an operation-related picture for operation inputs among individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction. For example, when the viewing direction from the driver DR has been set to the particular viewing direction, both the image G_DR for driver's seat and an operation-related picture for operation inputs to said image G_DR are displayed in the driver's seat direction, while the image G_PA for passenger seat and the operation-related picture for operation inputs to the image G_DR for driver's seat in place of said image G_PA are displayed in the passenger seat direction. Thus, it is possible to allow the driver DR and the passenger PA in the passenger seat to know that the image G_DR for driver's seat is an image to which operations can be conducted.

At this time, if the image G_PA for passenger seat which the passenger PA in the passenger seat originally wants to know is not erased from the screen to be left, the passenger PA in the passenger seat can capture required information without interruption. Conversely, if the image G_PA for passenger seat is erased from the screen, a needless image which has nothing to do with operations is erased, and therefore, the passenger PA in the passenger seat can easily monitor operations by the driver DR.

A display device according to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention is characterized by the notification unit which changes a display mode based on at least one of the particular viewing direction, a running state of a vehicle on which the device body is mounted, a load sate of the vehicle and a kind of information displayed in the particular viewing direction, and in the changed display mode, displays individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction in the display device according to the twenty-ninth or thirtieth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirty-first aspect of the present invention is used, the display mode is changed based on at least one of the particular viewing direction, a running state of a vehicle on which the device body is mounted, a load sate of the vehicle and a kind of information displayed in the particular viewing direction, and in the changed display mode, individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction is displayed in viewing directions other than the particular viewing direction. As a result, a balance between convenience and safety can be kept.

As a method of changing the display mode, the below-described options a-d are exemplified.

a) The display mode is changed depending on whether the particular viewing direction is the driver's seat direction or the passenger seat direction.

b) The display mode is changed depending on whether the vehicle is during running or at a stop.

c) The display mode is changed depending on whether the driver DR is in the vehicle or not, or whether the passenger PA in the passenger seat is in the vehicle or not.

d) The display mode is changed depending on whether an image displayed in the particular viewing direction is a moving image such as a DVD image or a TV image, or a still image.

e) By combining the conditions for change shown in the above-described options a-d, the display mode may be changed.

• • i) When the passenger seat direction has been set to the particular viewing direction:
  • 1) In the case of the vehicle being running

When the image G_PA for passenger seat is not a moving image such as a DVD image or a TV image, the image G_PA for passenger seat is displayed in the driver's seat direction, and on the other hand,

when the image G_PA for passenger seat is a moving image such as a DVD image or a TV image, the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed in the driver's seat direction.

• • 2) In the case of the vehicle being at a stop

Without regard to kind of the image, the image G_PA for passenger seat is displayed in the driver's seat direction.

• • ii) When the driver's seat direction has been set to the particular viewing direction, the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed in the passenger seat direction without regard to the running state of the vehicle or kind of the image.

A display device according to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a return unit for returning the display state to the state before notification by the notification unit if a certain return condition was satisfied in any one of the display devices according to the twenty-sixth to thirty-first aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirty-second aspect of the present invention is used, the display state is returned to the state before notification by the notification unit if the certain return condition was satisfied. For example, an operation-related picture for operation inputs associated with the image G_PA for passenger seat is erased from the image G_DR for driver's seat, and as shown in the below-described FIG. 75(a), the state is returned to a state where an operation-related picture (operating switches) for operation inputs to the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed on said image G_DR. Thus, the driver DR can clearly see again the image (e.g. map image) which the driver DR originally wants to see.

A display device according to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention is characterized by the certain return condition which is that an operation input of return instruction for instructing a return to the state before the notification is conducted, or that no operation input to individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction is conducted for a prescribed time in the display device according to the thirty-second aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirty-third aspect of the present invention is used, in cases where the user gave an instruction, or in cases where no operation input to individual information displayed in the particular viewing direction is conducted for the prescribed time (i.e. in cases where it is possible to judge that there became no need to conduct an operation to the individual information), the display state is returned to the usual state where individual information is displayed in a plurality of viewing directions. Therefore, it is possible to return the display state to the usual one with appropriate timing.

A display device according to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized by a priority setting unit for giving priority to information displayed in one viewing direction among the plurality of viewing directions, wherein the switching unit preferentially sets a viewing direction in which the information with the priority is displayed to the particular viewing direction in any one of the display devices according to the twenty-sixth to thirty-third aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention is used, the viewing direction in which the information with the priority is displayed is preferentially set to the particular viewing direction. For example, when the priority has been given to the image G_DR for driver's seat which can be seen from the driver's seat direction, the driver's seat direction in which the image G_DR for driver's seat is displayed is preferentially set to the particular viewing direction than the passenger seat direction in which the image G_PA for passenger seat is displayed. Thus, it is possible to reduce a frequency of switching operations for setting an image to an image to which operations can be conducted, resulting in taking some of the load of operating off the user.

A display device according to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the switching unit which preferentially sets a viewing direction in which information with the priority is displayed to the particular viewing direction at a start of display of individual information in the plurality of viewing directions in the display device according to the thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention is used, at a start of display of individual information in the plurality of viewing directions (i.e. multiview display), a viewing direction in which information with the priority is displayed is preferentially set to the particular viewing direction. For example, when the priority has been given to the image G_DR for driver's seat which can be seen from the driver's seat direction, operations to the image G_DR for driver's seat become practicable at a start of multiview display. Thus, it is possible to take some of the load of operating off the user.

A display device according to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the priority setting unit which decides information to which the priority should be given based on at least one of a kind of information individually displayed in the plurality of viewing directions, a running state of a vehicle on which the device body is mounted and a load state of the vehicle in the display device according to the thirty-fourth or thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention is used, information to which the priority should be given is decided based on at least one of a kind of information individually displayed in the plurality of viewing directions, a running state of a vehicle on which the device body is mounted and a load state of the vehicle, and therefore, the convenience can be enhanced.

As a method of deciding the priority, the below-described options a-c are exemplified.

a) When a map image (by the navigation system) which guides a vehicle to a destination is displayed as the image G_DR for driver's seat while a movie is displayed as the image G_PA for passenger seat, it is judged that the frequency of operations to the map image (the image G_DR for driver's seat) is relatively high and the image G_DR for driver's seat is decided to be information to which the priority should be given.

b) When the vehicle is at a stop, the image G_DR for driver's seat which can be seen from the driver's seat direction is decided to be information to which the priority should be given. When the vehicle is running, the image G_PA for passenger seat which can be seen from the passenger seat direction is decided to be information to which the priority should be given.

c) When the driver DR is not in the vehicle, the image G_PA for passenger seat which can be seen from the passenger seat direction is decided to be information to which the priority should be given. When the passenger PA in the passenger seat is not in the vehicle, the image G_DR for driver's seat which can be seen from the driver's seat direction is decided to be information to which the priority should be given. Here, the load state of the vehicle can be judged based on information obtained from a passenger detection sensor installed in the vehicle.

A display device according to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising an operation frequency estimating unit for estimating frequencies of operations conducted from each viewing direction, wherein the priority setting unit decides information to which the priority should be given based on the frequencies of operations estimated by the operation frequency estimating unit in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-fourth to thirty-sixth aspects of the present invention.

The frequency of operations to each image varies depending on the image or situations at different times. For example, in the case of a map image by the navigation system which guides a vehicle to a destination, the operation frequency is high between turning-on of an engine and an end of destination setting, but the operation frequency becomes lower after the destination setting was ended and guidance was actually started. About the same is also true for a movie.

When the display device according to the thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention is used, the frequencies of operations from each viewing direction are estimated based on conditions of each kind, and information to which the priority should be given is decided according to the estimated operation frequencies. For example, a map image is decided to be information to which the priority should be given until a start of guidance to a destination (or until a prescribed time after turning-on of an engine), and another image is decided to be information to which the priority should be given after the guidance to the destination was started (or after the prescribed time elapsed from the turning-on of the engine). Thus, the convenience can be further improved.

A display device according to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the switching unit which switches a viewing direction in which information with the priority has been displayed to the particular viewing direction if it is judged that no operation input to information displayed in the particular viewing direction has been conducted for a prescribed time in a situation where a viewing direction in which information without the priority has been displayed remains switched to the particular viewing direction in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-fourth to thirty-seventh aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention is used, a viewing direction in which information with the priority has been displayed is switched to the particular viewing direction if it is judged that no operation input to information displayed in the particular viewing direction has been conducted for a prescribed time in a situation where a viewing direction in which information without the priority has been displayed remains switched to the particular viewing direction.

For example, if it is judged that no operation input to the image G_PA for passenger seat has been conducted for the prescribed time (e.g. 6 seconds) in a situation where the priority has been given to the image G_DR for driver's seat which can be seen from the driver's seat direction but the image G_PA for passenger seat to which the priority has not been given remains switched to an image to which operations can be conducted (i.e. when operations to the image G_PA for passenger seat can be received), operation inputs to the image G_PA for passenger seat are regarded as being unnecessary, and the image G_DR for driver's seat is switched to an image to which operations can be conducted. Thus, a viewing direction in which information with the priority has been displayed can be set to the particular viewing direction under normal conditions, resulting in taking some of the load of operating off the user.

A display device according to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a display unit for displaying individual pictures in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen and a control unit for controlling at least one of display of a picture displayed in a particular viewing direction of the plurality of viewing directions, reception of operation inputs from the particular viewing direction and display of an operation input picture for operation inputs from the particular viewing direction.

When the display device according to the thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention is used, at least one of display of a picture displayed in a particular viewing direction of the plurality of viewing directions, reception of operation inputs from the particular viewing direction and display of an operation input picture for operation inputs from the particular viewing direction is controlled in the case of displaying individual pictures in the plurality of viewing directions on the common screen. Therefore, it is possible to conduct appropriate input/output control in the plurality of viewing directions, respectively.

A display device according to a fortieth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a moving state detection unit for detecting a moving state of a movable body on which the display device is mounted, wherein the control unit conducts the control based on a detection result by the moving state detection unit in the display device according to the thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fortieth aspect of the present invention is used, in cases where the display device is mounted on a movable body such as a vehicle and individual pictures are displayed in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen, at least one of display of a picture displayed in a particular viewing direction of the plurality of viewing directions, reception of operation inputs from the particular viewing direction and display of an operation input picture for operation inputs from the particular viewing direction is controlled based on a moving state, and therefore, a display device which conducts control adapted to the moving state can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a source selection unit which can select a source corresponding to the picture, wherein the control unit conducts the control based on a detection result by the moving state detection unit when the source corresponding to the picture displayed in the particular viewing direction is a source to be restricted in the display device according to the fortieth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the forty-first aspect of the present invention is used, the display device is mounted on a movable body such as a vehicle, and based on a moving state thereof, display of a picture, reception of operation inputs or display of an operation input picture is controlled when a source corresponding to a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction is a source to be restricted, and therefore, a display device in which a restriction is added according to a running state can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-second aspect of the present invention is characterized by the moving state detection unit which detects a moving state based on at least one of a running speed of a vehicle on which the display device is mounted, a state of a transmission, a state of a brake and a state of a steering in the display device according to the fortieth or forty-first aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the forty-second aspect of the present invention is used, the display device is mounted on a vehicle and a moving state is detected based on a running speed of the vehicle, a state of a transmission, a state of a brake or a state of a steering. And display of a picture, reception of operation inputs or display of an operation input picture is controlled based on the detected moving state. Therefore, a display device which correctly decides the running state of the vehicle and conducts control adapted to the running state can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-third aspect of the present invention is characterized by a range of the control which can be selected through the control unit in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-ninth to forty-second aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the forty-third aspect of the present invention is used, the control range of display of a picture, reception of operation inputs or display of an operation input picture is selectable, and therefore, a display device wherein each control range conducted in plurality of viewing directions is selectable can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the control unit which can change the control range based on a detection result by the moving state detection unit in the display device according to the forty-third aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the forty-fourth aspect of the present invention is used, the display device is mounted on a movable body such as a vehicle, and the control range of display of a picture, reception of operation inputs or display of an operation input picture is selected based on the moving state thereof. And therefore, a display device which conducts control adapted to the running state of the vehicle can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising an operation input unit which can determine from which direction of the plurality of viewing directions an operation input is being performed in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-ninth to forty-fourth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the forty-fifth aspect of the present invention is used, from which direction of the plurality of viewing directions an operation input is being conducted is determined, and therefore, a compact display device which identifies an operator and conducts optimum operation control for each operator can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized by a reception notice control unit for having the display unit display a reception notice of an operation input in at least one viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction when said operation input from the particular viewing direction was received in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-ninth to forty-fifth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the forty-sixth aspect of the present invention is used, a reception notice of an operation input is displayed in at least one viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction when said operation input from the particular viewing direction was received, and therefore, a display device which supports operations performed by a plurality of operators in cooperation with one another can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a confirmation unit for confirming an operation input from the particular viewing direction by a confirmation operation from at least one viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction when the operation input from said particular viewing direction was received in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-ninth to forty-sixth aspects of the present invention.

When the device according to the forty-seventh aspect of the present invention is used, an operation input from the particular viewing direction is confirmed by a confirmation operation from at least one viewing direction other than said particular viewing direction when the operation input from said particular viewing direction was received, and therefore, a display device which supports operations performed by a plurality of operators in cooperation with one another can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the particular viewing direction which is a direction of the driver's seat side in the display device according to the forty-second aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the forty-eighth aspect of the present invention is used, a moving state is detected based on a running speed of a vehicle, a state of a transmission, a state of a brake or a state of a steering, and display of a picture in the driver's seat direction, reception of operation inputs or display of an operation input picture is controlled based on the detected moving state. Therefore, a display device which restricts operations by a driver during running and can receive operations by non-drivers can be obtained.

A display device according to a forty-ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the particular viewing direction which is a direction other than a direction of the driver's seat side in the display device according to the forty-second aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the forty-ninth aspect of the present invention is used, a moving state is detected based on a running speed of a vehicle, a state of a transmission, a state of a brake or a state of a steering, and display of pictures in directions other than the driver's seat direction, reception of operation inputs or display of an operation input picture is controlled based on the detected moving state. Therefore, a display device which correctly decides the running state to restrict operations by a driver and can receive operations by non-drivers can be obtained.

A display device according to a fiftieth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the control unit which imposes a partial restriction on the reception of operation inputs to a navigation system based on a moving state detection result by the moving state detection unit when a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction is a picture from the navigation system in the display device according to the forty-eighth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fiftieth aspect of the present invention is used, a partial restriction is imposed on the reception of operation inputs to the navigation system based on a moving state detection result by the moving state detection unit when a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction is a picture from said navigation system. Therefore, a display device which can restrict operations to said navigation system during running can be obtained.

A display device according to a fifty-first aspect of the present invention is characterized by the control unit which imposes a restriction on the reception of an operation input for a change of name of contents data based on a moving state detection result by the moving state detection unit when a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction is a picture by a contents data output device for outputting said contents data in the display device according to the forty-eighth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifty-first aspect of the present invention is used, a restriction is imposed on the reception of an operation input for a change of name of contents data based on a moving state detection result by the moving state detection unit when a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction is a picture by a contents data output device for outputting said contents data. Therefore, a display device which inhibits performance of complicated operations during running can be obtained.

A display device according to a fifty-second aspect of the present invention is characterized by the control unit which outputs information concerning running of a vehicle on which the display device is mounted in the particular viewing direction in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-ninth to fifty-first aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifty-second aspect of the present invention is used, information concerning running of a vehicle on which the display device is mounted is output in the particular viewing direction. Therefore, a display device with improved convenience of both a driver and non-drivers can be obtained.

A display device according to a fifty-third aspect of the present invention is characterized by the information concerning running of the vehicle which is at least one of traffic information, a route guidance picture and information about the surroundings of the vehicle in the display device according to the fifty-second aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifty-third aspect of the present invention is used, traffic information, a route guidance picture, information about the surroundings of the vehicle and the like are output in the particular viewing direction. Therefore, a display device which selectively provides the driver with information required for driving can be obtained.

A display device according to a fifty-fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a voice recognition unit for receiving operation inputs by voice in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-ninth to fifty-third aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifty-fourth aspect of the present invention is used, operation inputs by voice are received. Therefore, a display device which a driver and non-drivers can operate by means of voice can be obtained.

A display device according to a fifty-fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the voice recognition unit which has an identification unit to detect a direction of the voice and determine from which direction of the plurality of viewing directions the voice came in the display device according to the fifty-fourth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifty-fifth aspect of the present invention is used, a direction of the voice is detected and from which direction of the plurality of viewing directions the voice came is determined. Therefore, a display device which conducts appropriate input/output control to a driver and non-drivers, respectively, according to the voice direction can be obtained.

A display device according to a fifty-sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the control unit which comprises a display control unit for displaying a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction or a reception notice of an operation input from the particular viewing direction in at least one viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction, and a timing control unit for controlling timing of displaying the same in at least one viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-ninth to fifty-fifth aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifty-sixth aspect of the present invention is used, the timing with which a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction or a reception notice of an operation input from the particular viewing direction is displayed in at least one viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction is controlled. Therefore, a display device which coordinates input/output control to a driver and to a non-driver without inhibiting display to the driver can be obtained.

A display device according to a fifty-seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by the timing control unit which controls the timing based on at least one of an operational state of the display unit, an operation input state from at least one viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction and a state of a vehicle on which the display device is mounted in the display device according to the fifty-sixth aspect of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifty-seventh aspect of the present invention is used, the timing with which a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction or a reception notice of an operation input from the particular viewing direction is displayed in at least one viewing direction other than the particular viewing direction is controlled based on an operational state of the display unit, an operation input state, a state of a vehicle and the like. Therefore, a display device which coordinates input/output control to a driver and to a non-driver according to the running state of the vehicle without inhibiting display to the driver can be obtained.

A display device according to a fifty-eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a setting change unit for changing a setting to a source corresponding to a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction based on operation inputs from at least one direction other than the particular viewing direction in any one of the display devices according to the thirty-ninth to fifty-seventh aspects of the present invention.

When the display device according to the fifty-eighth aspect of the present invention is used, a setting to a source corresponding to a picture displayed in the particular viewing direction is changed based on operation inputs from at least one direction other than the particular viewing direction. Therefore, a display device wherein the display setting for a driver can be changed by a non-driver can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration to describe a function of displaying individual images in a plurality of viewing directions on a common screen that a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention has;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a case where the display device according to the first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle;

FIG. 3(a) is a diagram schematically showing a display state of a display unit when viewed from the front, and FIG. 3(b) is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 3(a);

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an outline of a TFT substrate constituting the display unit;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the principal part of an AV navigation system to be mounted on a vehicle, wherein the display device according to the first embodiment is adopted;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic construction of a picture output unit; </