Display control device and display control program

Abstract

To obtain a display control device and a display control program that enable the vehicle occupant to understand the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function. [Solution] When the crawl control function installed in the vehicle changes from an inactive state to an active state, the display control device performs control to transition the display from a first screen to a second screen indicating that the crawl control function has become active, and displays the second screen on the display unit for a predetermined period of time. After the display of the second screen ends, the display control device performs control to add the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function to the first screen and display it on the display unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control device and a display control program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a crawl control function as a driving support function of a vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in terms of allowing the vehicle occupants to grasp the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function when the crawl control function is operating.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a display control device and a display control program that allow vehicle occupants to grasp the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The display control device according to the first aspect performs control to transition the display from a first screen to a second screen indicating that the crawl control function has become active when the crawl control function mounted on the vehicle changes from an inactive state to an active state, and displays the second screen on the display unit for a predetermined period. After the display of the second screen ends, the display control unit performs control to add the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function to the first screen and display it on the display unit.

[0007] According to the display control device of the first embodiment, when the crawl control function changes from a non-operating state to an operating state, a second screen is displayed for a predetermined period of time, and after the display of the second screen ends, the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function is added to the first screen and displayed. This allows the vehicle occupants to understand the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function.

[0008] In the second embodiment of the display control device, the display control unit, when the crawl control function changes from a non-operating state to an operating state, performs control to display the second screen on the display unit by superimposing a display layer of the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function and a display layer of the second screen on the display layer of the first screen, and after a predetermined period has elapsed since the control to display the second screen, performs control to display the first screen on the display unit by deleting the display layer of the second screen, thereby adding the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function to the first screen.

[0009] According to the display control device of the second embodiment, the display layer of the second screen is deleted, and the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function is added to and displayed on the first screen. This allows the vehicle occupant to understand the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function through a simple drawing process.

[0010] In the third embodiment of the display control device, in the display control device of the second embodiment, when the display control unit receives an input that deactivates the crawl control function by switch operation, it deletes the display layer for the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function.

[0011] According to the display control device of the third embodiment, when an input is received to deactivate the crawl control function by switch operation, the display layer for the vehicle's set speed in the crawl control function is deleted. This allows the vehicle occupant to return to the normal screen display with a simple operation.

[0012] The display control program of the fourth embodiment causes the computer to perform a process in which, when the crawl control function installed in the vehicle changes from an inactive state to an active state, the display transitions from the first screen to a second screen indicating that the crawl control function has become active, and the second screen is displayed on the display unit for a predetermined period of time, and after the display of the second screen has finished, the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function is added to the first screen and displayed on the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the occupants of a vehicle can understand the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows the front of the vehicle's passenger compartment as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a display control device. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of a display control device. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of the first screen. [Figure 5] This is a diagram to explain how to display the second screen. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the second screen. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the third screen. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of display control processing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] The driving support functions included in the vehicle 12 of the present embodiment include various driving support functions. In the present embodiment, the following driving support functions will be described as examples. (1) Crawl Control. This function supports the vehicle to maintain a very low speed and drive on rough off-road, slippery road surfaces, and steep slopes with large bumps and depressions, etc., by only operating the steering wheel without the driver operating the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal. In this specification, this function is referred to as the "crawl control function".

[0017] First, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the vehicle 12 to which the display control device 10 according to the present embodiment is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an instrument panel 14 is provided at the front part of the vehicle interior in the vehicle 12. The instrument panel 14 extends in the vehicle width direction, and a steering wheel 16 is provided on the right side of the vehicle of the instrument panel 14. That is, in the present embodiment, as an example, it is a right-hand drive vehicle with the steering wheel 16 provided on the right side, and the driver's seat is set on the right side of the vehicle.

[0018] A windshield glass 18 is provided at the front end of the instrument panel 14. The windshield glass 18 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction and partitions the interior of the vehicle compartment from the exterior of the vehicle compartment.

[0019] The right end of the windshield glass 18 in the vehicle is fixed to the front pillar 20 on the right side of the vehicle. The front pillar 20 extends in the vehicle vertical direction, and the windshield glass 18 is fixed to the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the front pillar 20. Also, the front end of the front side glass 22 is fixed to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front pillar 20. In addition, the left end of the windshield glass 18 in the vehicle is fixed to a front pillar on the left side of the vehicle not shown.

[0020] A first display section 24 is provided on the windshield glass 18. The first display section 24 is composed of a projection surface projected by a head-up display device 23 (see Figure 2; in Figure 2, it is labeled "HUD" (Head Up Display)). Specifically, the head-up display device 23 is located in front of the instrument panel 14, and is configured to project an image from the head-up display device 23 toward the first display section 24 on the windshield glass 18.

[0021] A second display unit 26 is provided below the first display unit 24 in the vehicle. The second display unit 26 is a display unit displayed on the meter 25 (see Figure 2), which is located in front of the driver's seat in the instrument panel 14. The first display unit 24 and the second display unit 26 are provided in positions visible to the driver. The second display unit 26 is an example of a display unit relating to the disclosed technology.

[0022] Referring to Figure 2, the hardware configuration of the display control device 10 will be described. The display control device 10 is a device that controls the display on the second display unit 26. As shown in Figure 2, the display control device 10 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 28. The ECU 28 is an example of a computer.

[0023] The ECU28 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30, ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, RAM (Random Access Memory) 34, storage 36, and an I / F (Interface) 38. The CPU 30, ROM 32, RAM 34, storage 36, and I / F 38 are interconnected via an internal bus 39 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0024] The CPU 30 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 30 reads programs from the ROM 32 or storage 36 and executes them using the RAM 34 as a working area. The CPU 30 also controls the above-mentioned components and performs various calculations according to the programs recorded in the ROM 32 or storage 36.

[0025] ROM32 stores various programs and data. RAM34 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage36 is a non-temporary recording medium consisting of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory, and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data. In this embodiment, ROM32 or storage36 stores display control programs and the like for performing display control processing. Various input / output devices are connected to the input / output I / F38.

[0026] ECU28 is electrically connected to the autonomous driving ECU40. The autonomous driving ECU40, like ECU28, includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage, and input / output interfaces, etc. (not shown).

[0027] The autonomous driving ECU 40 is connected to a group of sensors 42 that detect the current status of the vehicle 12 and a group of actuators 44 that control the movement of the vehicle 12. The group of sensors 42 includes various sensors such as a camera, radar, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), and GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor. The camera takes pictures of the area around the vehicle 12. The radar detects the distance and direction of objects around the vehicle 12 using radio waves. The LIDAR detects the distance and direction of objects around the vehicle 12 using laser light. The GPS sensor detects the current position of the vehicle 12.

[0028] The actuator group 44 includes an acceleration / deceleration actuator that adjusts the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 12, and a steering actuator that drives the steering device of the vehicle 12. The autonomous driving ECU 40 controls the operation of the actuator group 44 according to the current status of the vehicle 12 detected by the sensor group 42, thereby enabling autonomous driving of the vehicle 12. The memory unit of the autonomous driving ECU 40 stores a planned route representing the path that the vehicle 12 is scheduled to travel, and the autonomous driving ECU 40 drives the vehicle 12 along the planned route stored in the memory unit.

[0029] The ECU28 is connected to an accelerator position sensor 46 and a steering sensor 48. The accelerator position sensor 46 is a sensor that detects the position of an accelerator pedal (not shown) located under the driver's seat. The steering sensor 48 is a sensor that detects the load applied to the steering wheel 16 by the occupant.

[0030] By the way, the vehicle 12 according to this embodiment is equipped with the crawl control function described above. The crawl control function becomes operational when, for example, all of the following conditions (1) to (5) are met. However, the conditions under which the crawl control function becomes operational are not limited to conditions (1) to (5). (1) The switch that toggles the crawl control function on and off is in the ON position. (2) The engine is running. (3) The shift lever is not in the parking position or the neutral position. (4) The transfer switch is set to the low-speed position. (5) The driver's side door is closed.

[0031] In the vehicle 12 according to this embodiment, when the crawl control function is activated, the set speed of the vehicle 12 can be set within a predetermined range. When the crawl control function is activated, the vehicle 12 drives while maintaining the set speed.

[0032] In the vehicle 12 according to this embodiment, when the crawl control function changes from a non-operating state to an operating state, information indicating that the crawl control function has become operational (hereinafter referred to as "operation information") is output from the automatic driving ECU 40 to the ECU 28. Also, in the vehicle 12 according to this embodiment, when the crawl control function is operational, if the switch that switches the crawl control function on and off is switched to the off state, the crawl control function becomes non-operating. In this case, information indicating that the crawl control function has become non-operating (hereinafter referred to as "non-operation information") is output from the automatic driving ECU 40 to the ECU 28. In other words, when an input is received to deactivate the crawl control function by operating a switch by the occupant of the vehicle 12, non-operation information is output from the automatic driving ECU 40 to the ECU 28.

[0033] Referring to Figure 3, the functional configuration of the display control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the display control device 10 includes a reception unit 60 and a display control unit 62. The CPU 30 functions as the reception unit 60 and the display control unit 62 by executing a display control program stored in the ROM 32 or storage 36.

[0034] The reception unit 60 receives operational information output from the autonomous driving ECU 40. The reception unit 60 also receives non-operational information output from the autonomous driving ECU 40.

[0035] The display control unit 62 controls the display of the first screen on the second display unit 26, which is an example of a display unit, when the crawl control function is not in operation. An example of the first screen is shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the first screen includes a display area 70 that displays the current speed of the vehicle 12. The first screen also includes a display area 72 that displays the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 12, such as an image of the vehicle 12, an image of the road surface of the driving lane in which the vehicle 12 is traveling, an image of a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle 12, and an image of a vehicle traveling in an adjacent lane adjacent to the driving lane. The first screen is the normal display screen that is shown when the driver of the vehicle 12 is driving manually.

[0036] When the reception unit 60 receives operation information, the display control unit 62 transitions the display from the first screen to a second screen indicating that the crawl control function has become operational, and displays the second screen on the second display unit 26 for a predetermined period (for example, 6 seconds). After the display of the second screen ends, the display control unit 62 adds the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function to the first screen and displays it on the second display unit 26. When the reception unit 60 receives operation information, it means that the crawl control function has changed from an inoperable state to an operational state.

[0037] As an example, as shown in Figure 5, the display control unit 62 controls the display of the second screen on the second display unit 26 by overlaying the display layer 76, which displays the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function, and the display layer 78 of the second screen on top of the display layer 74 of the first screen. As shown in Figure 5, the display layer 76 displays a string indicating that crawl control is in place and the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function. In this embodiment, the display control unit 62 controls the display of the second screen by overlaying the display layer 76 on top of the display layer 74, and then overlaying the display layer 78 on top of the display layer 76. As a result, the display layers 74 and 76 are hidden behind the display layer 78, so the second screen is displayed on the second display unit 26.

[0038] Figure 6 shows an example of the second screen. As shown in Figure 6, the second screen includes a display area 80 that displays an effect indicating that the vehicle 12 is driving off-road, and a display area 82 that displays the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function. Display area 82 also displays an image indicating that the set speed can be increased or decreased by turning a dial for adjusting the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function.

[0039] Then, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the control unit 62 performed the control to display the second screen, the display layer 78 of the second screen is deleted, thereby adding the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function to the first screen and displaying it on the second display unit 26. In other words, the second screen is a screen that is temporarily displayed on the second display unit 26 as a visual effect indicating that the crawl control function has been activated.

[0040] Figure 7 shows an example of a third screen in which the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function is added to the first screen. As shown in Figure 7, in the third screen according to this embodiment, a display layer 76 is superimposed on the display layer 74, so that the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function is displayed in addition to the first screen. For example, if the display layer 76 does not exist and the system temporarily transitions from the first screen to the second screen and then returns to the first screen, the occupants of the vehicle 12 can only know the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function during the display period of the second screen. In this case, if the crawl control function remains in operation for a period of time and then becomes inactive, the occupants of the vehicle 12 will not know the set speed, and therefore will not know the degree of change in the vehicle 12's speed when the crawl control function is deactivated, such as how much deceleration will occur. In contrast, in this embodiment, the occupants of the vehicle 12 can continue to know the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function even while the crawl control function is in operation.

[0041] Furthermore, the display control unit 62 deletes the display layer 76 when the reception unit 60 receives non-operation information. As a result, the screen displayed on the second display unit 26 returns to the first screen. When the reception unit 60 receives non-operation information, it means that it receives an input that disables the crawl control function by operating a switch.

[0042] The operation of the display control device 10 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 8. The CPU 30 executes the display control program stored in the ROM 32 or storage 36, thereby executing the display control process shown in Figure 8. The display control process is executed when the ignition switch of the vehicle 12 is turned on, etc. In this embodiment, the case in which the crawl control function is inactive at the start of the display control process will be explained as an example.

[0043] In step S10 of Figure 8, the display control unit 62 controls the display of the first screen on the second display unit 26. In step S12, the reception unit 60 waits until it receives operation information output from the automatic driving ECU 40. When the crawl control function changes from a non-operating state to an operating state, the determination in step S12 becomes a positive determination, and the process moves to step S14.

[0044] In step S14, the display control unit 62, as described above, performs control to transition the display from the first screen to the second screen, which indicates that the crawl control function has been activated, and displays the second screen on the second display unit 26. In step S16, the display control unit 62 waits for a predetermined period of time. After the predetermined period has elapsed since the second screen was displayed in step S14, the process moves to step S18. In step S18, the display control unit 62 performs control to add the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function to the first screen and display it on the second display unit 26 by deleting the display layer 78 of the second screen.

[0045] In step S20, the reception unit 60 waits until it receives non-operation information output from the automatic driving ECU 40. When an input is made to deactivate the crawl control function by switching, the judgment in step S20 becomes a positive judgment, and the process moves to step S22. In step S22, the display control unit 62 deletes the display layer 76. When the processing in step S22 is completed, the process returns to step S12.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function is displayed even after the second screen is temporarily displayed. Therefore, even when the crawl control function continues to operate, the occupants of the vehicle 12 can understand the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the display control unit 62 may overlay a display layer 76 on top of the display layer 74 when the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function is changed by dial operation. In this way, the display control unit 62 may perform control to display the set speed of the vehicle 12 in the crawl control function on the first screen.

[0048] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case in which the display control unit 62 controls the display of the first screen, the second screen, and the third screen on the second display unit 26, the disclosed technology is not limited to this embodiment. The display control unit 62 may also control the display of each screen on the first display unit 24, or it may control the display of each screen on both the first display unit 24 and the second display unit 26.

[0049] Furthermore, the processing performed by the CPU after reading the software (program) in the above embodiment may be performed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) which have a circuit configuration specifically designed to perform a particular process. In addition, each process may be performed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0050] Furthermore, while the above embodiment uses a configuration in which various data is stored in ROM or storage, it is not limited to this. For example, recording media such as CD (Compact Disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory may be used as storage units. In this case, various programs and data will be stored in these recording media.

[0051] Furthermore, the program described herein can be provided as a program product. A program product includes any form of product for providing a program. For example, a program product includes a program provided via a network such as the Internet, and non-temporary computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs on which the program is stored.

[0052] Although the vehicle 12 according to the embodiment has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 Display control device 12 vehicles 26 Second display section 30 CPU 60 Reception Department 62 Display Control Unit

Claims

1. When the crawl control function installed in the vehicle changes from a non-operating state to an operating state, the display transitions from the first screen to a second screen indicating that the crawl control function has become operational, and the second screen is displayed on the display unit for a predetermined period of time. After the display of the second screen has finished, the display control unit performs control to add the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function to the first screen and display it on the display unit. A display control device that includes a display control device.

2. When the crawl control function changes from a non-operating state to an operating state, the display control unit performs the following control to display the second screen on the display unit: the display layer of the vehicle's set speed in the crawl control function and the display layer of the second screen are superimposed on the display layer of the first screen. After the control to display the second screen has been performed and the predetermined period has elapsed, the display layer of the second screen is deleted, thereby adding the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function to the first screen and displaying it on the display unit. The display control device according to claim 1.

3. When the display control unit receives an input to deactivate the crawl control function via a switch operation, it deletes the display layer for the vehicle's set speed in the crawl control function. The display control device according to claim 2.

4. On the computer, When the crawl control function installed in the vehicle changes from a non-operating state to an operating state, the display transitions from the first screen to a second screen indicating that the crawl control function has become operational, and the second screen is displayed on the display unit for a predetermined period of time. After the display of the second screen has finished, the control is performed to add the set speed of the vehicle in the crawl control function to the first screen and display it on the display unit. A display control program for executing a process.

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