Automobile

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes: a traffic information acquisition device that acquires information on a traveling vehicle and traffic information from a traffic information management center that manages traffic obstacle information related to obstacles on a road; a display device that displays, together with a marker indicating a current position of the host vehicle, surrounding environment map information of the host vehicle; and a control device. The control device reflects a decorative image based on surrounding environment traffic obstacle information in the surrounding environment map information and displays the decorative image on the display device, associates a vehicle number image related to the number of vehicles with the decorative image, and displays the vehicle number image on the display device. The number of vehicles is the number of vehicles in the traveling vehicle information involved in the traffic information related to the decorative image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automobile. Background Art

[0002] An information providing server has been proposed which classifies the degree of congestion around the current position of a member vehicle into a plurality of levels and transmits a predicted congestion area together with its probability to the member vehicle (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-233191). Further, the information providing server generates display data to be displayed on a display of the member vehicle based on the prediction data and transmits it to the member vehicle. Map information, the current position of the member vehicle, and the congestion area are overlapped with each other and displayed on the display of the member vehicle. Further, at a boundary portion where the degrees of congestion are different from each other, the degrees of congestion are displayed in a form that gradually changes along the road based on the probability of occurrence of each degree of congestion. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, in the technology described above, the driver of the member vehicle can identify the congestion area or the probability of congestion occurring, but does not know which data is the basis for the congestion or its probability of occurrence. Therefore, it is difficult to respond more appropriately to the congestion or its probability of occurrence.

[0004] The automobile of the present invention notifies the driver of at least a part of the basis of information related to an obstacle that has occurred on the driving route or in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle and hinders traffic.

[0005] The automobile of the present invention has adopted the following elements.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle. The vehicle includes: a traffic information acquisition device configured to acquire driving vehicle information obtained by communicating with a vehicle in motion and traffic information from a traffic information management center that manages information including traffic obstacle information related to an obstacle impeding traffic on a road; a display device configured to display surrounding environment map information including a map of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle together with a marker indicating the current position of the host vehicle; and a control device. The traffic obstacle information is obtained using the driving vehicle information, the driving vehicle information includes the current position and speed of the vehicle, the traffic information includes surrounding environment traffic obstacle information, and the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information is traffic obstacle information of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle. The control device is configured to reflect a decorative image based on the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information in the surrounding environment map information and display the decorative image on the display device, and associate a vehicle number image related to the number of vehicles with the decorative image and display the vehicle number image on the display device. The number of vehicles is the number of vehicles in the driving vehicle information involved in the traffic information related to the decorative image.

[0007] In the vehicle of the present invention, the traffic information acquisition device acquires driving vehicle information including the current position and speed of the vehicle obtained by communicating with a vehicle in motion, and acquires traffic information including surrounding environment traffic obstacle information, which is traffic obstacle information of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle, from the traffic information management center by communicating with the traffic information management center that manages information including traffic obstacle information obtained using the driving vehicle information related to an obstacle impeding traffic on a road. Further, when the surrounding environment map information including a map of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle is displayed on the display device together with a marker indicating the current position of the host vehicle, the decorative image is reflected in the surrounding environment map information based on the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information and is displayed on the display device. In this way, the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information can be reflected as a decorative image in the surrounding environment map information and displayed on the display device. Then, a vehicle number image related to the number of vehicles in the driving vehicle information involved in the traffic information related to the decorative image is associated with the decorative image and displayed on the display device. In this way, at least a part of the basis of the information related to the obstacle occurring in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle and impeding traffic can be notified to the driver, and the driver can know the number of vehicles (number of vehicles involved) in the driving vehicle information involved in the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information related to the decorative image.

[0008] In the above aspect, the image related to the number of vehicles may be an image indicating a numerical value related to the number of vehicles or an image according to an index related to the number of vehicles. For example, the image may be an image in which the number of extended bar graphs increases as the number of related vehicles becomes larger.

[0009] In the above aspect, the control device may be configured to display, on the display device, a margin image of a distance according to the number of related vehicles involved in the surrounding traffic obstacle information from the end of the decorative image based on the surrounding traffic obstacle information toward the host vehicle side, where the end is closest to the host vehicle. In this way, the driver can be notified of the appropriateness (certainty) of the surrounding traffic obstacle information with the margin image.

[0010] In the above aspect, the margin image may be an image in which the distance tends to become shorter as the number of related vehicles becomes larger.

[0011] In the above aspect, the control device may be configured to set, as the deceleration control start position, a position that is closer to the host vehicle side by a deceleration control distance from the end on the host vehicle side of the margin image, and start deceleration control when the host vehicle reaches the deceleration control start position. The deceleration control distance may be the distance required to set the host vehicle to a state in which the host vehicle decelerates at an appropriate deceleration and travels slowly. In this way, it is possible to decelerate more appropriately in response to traffic congestion caused by obstacles obstructing traffic. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of an automobile as an embodiment of the present invention as a block centered on a main electronic control unit;

[0014] Figure 2 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of traffic obstacle display processing executed by the main electronic control unit;

[0015] Figure 3 is a descriptive diagram schematically showing an example of a screen in which a margin α and information related to the number of related vehicles are displayed together with navigation map information on a central display; and

[0016] Figure 4 is a descriptive diagram schematically showing examples of traffic congestion, margin α, and margin β as traffic obstacles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Next, aspects for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 An example of the configuration of the vehicle 20 as an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown as a block diagram centered on the main electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as the main ECU) 30. As schematically shown, the vehicle 20 of this embodiment includes a driving device 62 that outputs driving force to driving wheels (not shown) and a driving electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as the driving ECU) 60 that performs driving control of the driving device 62.

[0019] As the driving device 62, a system having an engine and an automatic transmission; a hybrid system having an engine, a motor, and a battery; a fuel cell drive system having a fuel cell, a battery, and a motor; an electric system having a battery and a motor, etc. can be used.

[0020] Although not shown, the driving ECU 60 is composed of a microcomputer using a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it also includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input port, an output port, a communication port, etc. The driving ECU 60 performs driving control of the driving device 62 based on a driving control signal from the main ECU 30.

[0021] In addition to the driving device 62 or the driving ECU 60, the vehicle 20 according to this embodiment further includes an ignition switch 32, a gear position sensor 34, an accelerator position sensor 36, a brake position sensor 38, a vehicle speed sensor 40, an acceleration sensor 42, a slope sensor 44, a yaw rate sensor 46, an autonomous driving switch 48, an adaptive cruise control switch (hereinafter referred to as the ACC switch) 50, an electronic control unit for surrounding recognition (hereinafter referred to as the surrounding recognition ECU) 52, a surrounding recognition device 54, an in-vehicle camera 55, an electronic control unit for an air conditioning device (hereinafter referred to as the air conditioning ECU) 56, an air conditioning device 58, a brake electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as the brake ECU) 64, a brake device 66, a steering electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as the steering ECU) 68, a steering device 70, a center display 72, a head-up display 74, an instrument 76, a global positioning system (global positioning satellite, GPS) 78, a navigation system 80, a data communication module (DCM) 86, etc.

[0022] The gear position sensor 34 detects the position of the shift lever. The accelerator position sensor 36 detects the accelerator opening degree, etc. according to the amount by which the driver depresses the accelerator pedal. The brake position sensor 38 detects the brake position, etc. as the amount by which the driver depresses the brake pedal.

[0023] The vehicle speed sensor 40 detects the vehicle speed based on the wheel speed and the like. The acceleration sensor 42 detects, for example, the acceleration of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction. The slope sensor 44 detects the road surface slope. The yaw rate sensor 46 detects the lateral acceleration (yaw rate) in the left - right direction caused by the rotational movement.

[0024] The autonomous driving switch 48 is a switch for selecting whether to perform autonomous driving which is one of the driving assistance controls. The ACC switch 50 is a switch for selecting whether to perform active cruise control which is one of the driving assistance controls. The autonomous driving switch 48 or the ACC switch 50 is attached on or near the mounting panel in front of the steering wheel or the driver's seat. The autonomous driving switch 48 and the ACC switch 50 also serve as switches for performing various settings, such as setting the inter - vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead or setting the vehicle speed.

[0025] Although not shown, the surrounding recognition ECU 52 is composed of a microprocessor using a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it includes a ROM for storing processing programs, a RAM for temporarily storing data, an input / output port, or a communication port. Information on the host vehicle or its surrounding environment from the surrounding recognition device 54 (for example, the inter - vehicle distances D1, D2 from other vehicles in front of or behind the host vehicle, the vehicle speeds of other vehicles, the driving position of the host vehicle in the lane on the road surface, etc.) is input to the surrounding recognition ECU 52 via the input port. Examples of the surrounding recognition device 54 can include a front camera, a rear camera, a millimeter - wave radar, a quasi - millimeter - wave radar, an infrared lidar, or a sonar. The in - vehicle camera 55 is arranged in front of the driver's seat and photographs the driver and the passenger compartment.

[0026] Although not shown, the air - conditioning ECU 56 is composed of a microcomputer using a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input port, an output port, a communication port, and so on. The air - conditioning ECU 56 is embedded in the air - conditioning device 58 that adjusts the air in the passenger compartment, and performs drive control of the air - conditioning compressor and the like in the air - conditioning device 58 so that the temperature of the passenger compartment becomes the set temperature.

[0027] Although not shown, the brake ECU 64 is composed of a microcomputer using a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input port, an output port, a communication port, and so on. The brake ECU 64 performs drive control of the well - known hydraulic drive brake device 66. The brake device 66 is configured to be able to perform the braking force caused by the brake pedal force by stepping on the brake pedal and the braking force caused by hydraulic regulation.

[0028] Although not shown, the steering ECU 68 is composed of a microcomputer using a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it also includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input port, an output port, a communication port, and the like. The steering ECU 68 performs drive control of an actuator of a steering device 70 in which a steering wheel and drive wheels (both not shown) are mechanically connected via a steering shaft. The steering device 70 steers the drive wheels based on the driver's operation of the steering wheel, and the drive wheels are steered by driving the actuator by the steering ECU 68 based on a steering control signal from the main ECU 30.

[0029] The center display 72 is arranged at the center in front of the driver's seat and the passenger seat, and also functions as a touch panel. The center display 72 executes applications for various vehicle settings or for audio or various media, or executes map navigation by functioning as a display unit 84 of the navigation system 80. Speakers and the like are attached to the center display 72.

[0030] The head-up display 74 provides an image of information for the driver on the windshield (for example, by forming an image at a point at infinity), and displays, for example, the speed or navigation guidance. The instrument 76 is embedded in a mounting panel in front of the driver's seat, for example.

[0031] The GPS 78 detects the position of the vehicle based on signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites.

[0032] The navigation system 80 guides the host vehicle to a set destination, and includes map information 82 and a display unit 84. The navigation system 80 communicates with the traffic information management center 100 via the DCM 86, acquires road traffic information or acquires map information to update the map information 82 when necessary. When a destination is set, the navigation system 80 sets a route based on information about the destination, information about the current position (the current position of the host vehicle) acquired by the GPS 78, and the map information 82.

[0033] The DCM 86 transmits the information of the host vehicle to the traffic information management center 100, or receives the information of other vehicles or road traffic information from the traffic information management center 100. Examples of the information of the host vehicle can include the specifications of the host vehicle, the current location, the vehicle speed, the driving power, or the driving mode. In the same way as the information of the host vehicle, examples of the information of other vehicles can include the specifications of other vehicles, the current location, the vehicle speed, the driving power, or the driving mode. Examples of the specifications of the host vehicle or other vehicles can include the type of vehicle (electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle, fuel cell electric vehicle, etc.) or the size (the length, width, and height of the vehicle). Examples of the road traffic information can include information about current or future congestion (including information about the starting or ending points of congestion), information about accidents, information about falling objects, information about the road surface condition (including information about whether the road surface is slippery), information about traffic regulations, information about the weather, information about maps, and the information of other vehicles between the location where traffic-impeding obstacles such as congestion, accidents, or falling objects have occurred and the host vehicle. The traffic information management center 100 does not obtain information from all the vehicles running on the road, but only from the vehicles having devices capable of communicating with the traffic information management center 100 and the vehicles of users who have signed contracts with the traffic information management center 100 for transmitting and receiving the information of the vehicles or road traffic information. The road traffic information is generated based on the information obtained from various sensors, cameras, etc. installed on the road, weather information, past traffic information, or the information obtained from the running vehicles. The DCM 86 communicates with the traffic information management center 100 according to the demand or at a predetermined interval (for example, every 30 seconds, every minute, or every 2 minutes).

[0034] Although not shown, the main ECU 30 is constituted by a microcomputer using a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it also includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an input port, an output port, a communication port, and so on. Various signals are input to the main ECU 30 via the input port. Examples of the information input via the input port can include an ignition switch signal from the ignition switch 32, a gear position from the gear position sensor 34, an accelerator opening from the accelerator position sensor 36, or a brake position from the brake position sensor 38. In addition, the examples can also include a vehicle speed V from the vehicle speed sensor 40, an acceleration from the acceleration sensor 42, a slope from the slope sensor 44, or a yaw rate from the yaw rate sensor 46. In addition, the examples can also include an autonomous driving command signal from the autonomous driving switch 48 or an ACC command signal from the ACC switch 50. Various signals are output from the main ECU 30 via the output port. Examples of the information output via the output port can include a display control signal for the center display 72, a display control signal for the head-up display 74, or a display signal for the instrument 76.

[0035] The main ECU 30 communicates with the surrounding recognition ECU 52, the air conditioning ECU 56, the drive ECU 60, the brake ECU 64, the steering ECU 68, or the navigation system 80, and exchanges various information.

[0036] The main ECU 30 sets a required driving force or a required power based on the accelerator opening from the accelerator position sensor 36 or the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 40, and transmits a drive control signal to the drive ECU 60 so that the required driving force or the required power is output from the drive device 62 to the vehicle.

[0037] When the autonomous driving switch 48 gives an instruction regarding the execution of autonomous driving, the main ECU 30 selects a driver preference mode and performs autonomous driving based on the set inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead, the acceleration / deceleration level, the lane change frequency, and the driving lane. For example, when the surrounding recognition device 54 confirms that the vehicle ahead is not within a first predetermined distance (e.g., 200 meters (m) or 300 m), the main ECU 30 transmits a control signal to the drive ECU 60, the brake ECU 64, and the steering ECU 68 so that the vehicle travels at a vehicle speed within the legal speed. On the other hand, when the surrounding recognition device 54 confirms that the vehicle ahead is within the first predetermined distance, the main ECU 30 transmits a control signal to the drive ECU 60, the brake ECU 64, and the steering ECU 68 so that the vehicle travels within the range of the set vehicle speed with the set inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead, or the vehicle changes lanes and overtakes the vehicle ahead.

[0038] When the ACC switch 50 gives an instruction to execute active cruise control, the main ECU 30 executes active cruise control based on the set vehicle speed, the set inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead, etc. For example, when the surrounding recognition device 54 confirms that the vehicle ahead is not within a first predetermined distance (e.g., 200 m or 300 m), the main ECU 30 transmits a control signal to the drive ECU 60 and the brake ECU 64 so that the vehicle travels at the vehicle speed set by the ACC switch 50. On the other hand, when the surrounding recognition device 54 confirms that the vehicle ahead is within the first predetermined distance, the main ECU 30 transmits a control signal to the drive ECU 60 and the brake ECU 64 so that the vehicle follows the vehicle ahead within the range of the set inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead at the vehicle speed set by the ACC switch 50.

[0039] Next, the operation of the vehicle 20 configured in this way will be described, and particularly the operation when an obstacle impeding traffic has occurred on the driving route or in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle. As the driving route, when a destination is set, the route from the current position to the destination corresponds to the driving route, and when a destination is not set, a route including a right turn / left turn in the driving direction of the vehicle up to a specific range (e.g., 5 kilometers (km) or 10 km) also corresponds to the driving route. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of traffic obstacle display processing executed by the main ECU 30.

[0040] When executing the traffic obstacle display processing, the main ECU 30 first receives the driving route or road traffic information and information on other vehicles in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle from the traffic information management center 100 via the DCM 86 (step S100). Subsequently, the main ECU 30 determines whether an obstacle impeding traffic has occurred on the driving route or in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle based on the received road traffic information (step S110). Examples of obstacles impeding traffic can include congestion, accidents, falling objects, traffic regulations, or a slippery road condition. When it is determined that no obstacle impeding traffic has occurred on the driving route or in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle, the display of the obstacle, etc. is unnecessary, and thus this processing ends.

[0041] On the other hand, in step S110, when it is determined that an obstacle obstructing traffic has occurred on the driving route or in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle, the main ECU 30 obtains the number of other vehicles (involved vehicle number) based on the road traffic information (traffic obstacle information) regarding the occurrence of the obstacle and the information of other vehicles according to the information of other vehicles involved in the generation of the traffic obstacle information (step S120). Subsequently, the main ECU 30 sets a margin α based on the involved vehicle number with respect to the end position of the congestion caused by the traffic obstacle (step S130). The margin α indicates the appropriateness (certainty) as a distance from the end position of the congestion based on the involved vehicle number, and gives a certain range as the actual end position of the congestion, which is within the range obtained by adding a certain value (the distance of the margin α) to the end position of the congestion according to the traffic obstacle information. Therefore, the margin α is set such that it becomes a shorter distance as the involved vehicle number is larger, and conversely, it becomes a longer distance as the involved vehicle number is smaller. In other words, when the involved vehicle number is large, the information of a large number of other vehicles is used in the generation of the traffic obstacle information, and thus it is determined that the appropriateness of the traffic obstacle information is high and the appropriateness of the end position of the congestion caused by the traffic obstacle is also high. Therefore, the margin α is set to a short distance. On the other hand, when the involved vehicle number is small, the information of a small number of other vehicles is used in the generation of the traffic obstacle information, and thus it is determined that the appropriateness of the traffic obstacle information is low and the appropriateness of the end position of the congestion caused by the traffic obstacle is also low. Therefore, the margin α is set to a long distance.

[0042] When the margin α is set in this way, the main ECU 30 displays, on the center display 72, as a decorative image different from the decorative image of the congestion (for example, an image of a thick red solid line), the distance of the margin α (the distance from the end position of the congestion caused by the traffic obstacle to the position that is at a distance of the margin α from the end position) from the end position of the congestion caused by the traffic obstacle, and displays information regarding the involved vehicle number (involved vehicle number image) near the decorative image of the congestion caused by the traffic obstacle on the center display 72 (step S140). Figure 3It is a descriptive diagram showing an example of a screen that displays an image showing navigation map information, a decorative image of congestion, a decorative image of a margin α, and an image related to the number of vehicles on a central display 72. In the drawing, the marker surrounded by a dashed circle is the host vehicle marker 110, and the thick solid line (e.g., thick red solid line) on the road in front of the host vehicle marker 110 in the forward direction is the decorative image of congestion 120. The thick short dashed line (e.g., thick red short dashed line) extending from the end of the decorative image of congestion 120 to the side of the host vehicle marker 110 is the decorative image of the margin α 122, and the numerical value displayed near the decorative image 120 and the decorative image 122 is the image related to the number of vehicles 124. In this way, by displaying the decorative image of congestion 120, the decorative image of the margin α 122, and the image related to the number of vehicles 124 on the image showing navigation map information, the number of other vehicles involved in the generation of information (traffic obstacle information) regarding obstacles that impede traffic on the driving route or in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle can be notified to the driver as part of the basis of the information, and the driver can know the number of other vehicles involved in the traffic obstacle information (number of vehicles involved).

[0043] Subsequently, as the margin β calculation, the distance required for the host vehicle to be set in a state where it decelerates at an appropriate deceleration and slows down to a degree where it can immediately stop (deceleration control distance) is obtained (step S150), and the position obtained by adding the distance of the margin α and the distance of the margin β to the host vehicle side at the end position of the congestion is set as the deceleration control start position (step S160), and this process ends. The margin β can be set according to the legal speed of the road, or can be set to be longer as the vehicle speed of the host vehicle is higher. Figure 4It is a descriptive diagram schematically showing an example of congestion as a traffic obstacle, a margin α, and a margin β. In the drawing, the vehicle 20 of the host vehicle and two other vehicles 112 are vehicles that transmit and receive information of the host vehicle or information of other vehicles by communicating with the traffic information management center 100, and a plurality of other vehicles 114 are vehicles that do not communicate with the traffic information management center 100 regarding information of the host vehicle and information of other vehicles. In this case, the number of involved vehicles is two, and the margin α is set according to the number of involved vehicles. In addition, the margin β is set from the vehicle speed, legal speed, etc. of the host vehicle, and the position obtained by adding the distance of the margin α and the distance of the margin β to the host vehicle side at the end position of the congestion is set as the deceleration control start position. In step S160, when the deceleration control start position is set, when the host vehicle reaches the deceleration control start position, the deceleration control starts. The deceleration control can be achieved by the drive control of the drive ECU 62 for the drive device 62 and the drive control of the brake ECU 64 for the brake device 66 so that the vehicle 20 decelerates with an appropriate deceleration force.

[0044] In the vehicle 20 according to the embodiment described above, when an obstacle obstructing traffic has occurred on the driving route or in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle, an image of the number of other vehicles (involved vehicle number image 124) involved in the generation of traffic obstacle information based on traffic obstacle information regarding the occurrence of the obstacle and information of other vehicles is displayed on the center display 72 together with the decorative image 120 of the congestion, so that it is placed near the decorative image 120 of the congestion on the image showing the navigation map information. Thus, the number of other vehicles involved in the generation of information (traffic obstacle information) regarding an obstacle obstructing traffic that has occurred on the driving route or in the surrounding environment of the host vehicle can be notified to the driver as part of the basis of the information.

[0045] In the vehicle 20 of this embodiment, the margin α is set according to the number of other vehicles (involved vehicle number) involved in the generation of the traffic obstacle information, and the distance of the margin α from the end position of the congestion caused by the traffic obstacle is displayed on the center display 72 using, for example, a dotted line as a decorative image 122 different from the decorative image 120 of the congestion. Thus, the driver can be notified of the appropriateness (certainty) of the end position of the congestion by the decorative image 122 of the margin α.

[0046] In the vehicle 20 of this embodiment, as the margin β is calculated, the distance (deceleration control distance) required to set the host vehicle to a state where the host vehicle decelerates at an appropriate deceleration and slows down to a degree where the host vehicle can stop immediately is obtained. The position obtained by adding the distance of the margin α and the distance of the margin β to the host vehicle side at the end position of the congestion is set as the deceleration control start position, and when the vehicle 20 reaches the deceleration control start position, the deceleration control starts. In this way, the host vehicle can be set to a state where the host vehicle decelerates at an appropriate deceleration and slows down to a degree where the host vehicle can stop immediately between the end position of the congestion and the distance of the margin α. As a result, it is possible to decelerate more appropriately in response to congestion caused by obstacles obstructing traffic and the like.

[0047] In the vehicle 20 according to this embodiment, as the vehicle number-related image, the vehicle number (its numerical value) is displayed so that it is placed near the decorative image 120 of the congestion. However, the vehicle number-related image may be an indication image according to the vehicle number, and for example, it may be an image in which the number of extended bar graphs increases as the vehicle number is larger.

[0048] In the vehicle 20 according to this embodiment, each device is controlled by a plurality of ECUs such as the main ECU 30, the peripheral recognition ECU 52, the drive ECU 60, the brake ECU 64, or the steering ECU 68, but each device may be controlled by a single ECU, or each device may be controlled using a plurality of ECUs that also serve as part of these devices.

[0049] The correspondence between the main elements in this embodiment and those of the present invention described in the Summary of the Invention has been described. In this embodiment, the traffic information management center 100 is an example of the "traffic information management center", the main ECU 30, the navigation system 80, or the DCM 86 is an example of the "traffic information acquisition device", the central display 72 is an example of the "display device", and the main ECU 30 is an example of the "control device".

[0050] The correspondence between the main elements in this embodiment and those of the present invention described in the Summary of the Invention is intended to be an example of the form for specifically describing the implementation of the present invention in the Summary of the Invention, and thus is not limited to the elements of the present invention described in the Summary of the Invention. In other words, the invention described in the Summary of the Invention should be interpreted based on the description therein, and the embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the Summary of the Invention.

[0051] Although the form for implementing the present invention has been described above using the embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its scope.

[0052] The present invention can be used in the automotive manufacturing industry and the like.

Claims

1. A vehicle, It is characterized by including: A traffic information acquisition device configured to acquire traveling vehicle information obtained by communicating with a traveling vehicle and traffic information from a traffic information management center. The traffic information management center manages information including traffic obstacle information related to obstacles impeding traffic on a road. The traffic obstacle information is obtained using the traveling vehicle information, which includes the current position and speed of the vehicle. The traffic information includes surrounding environment traffic obstacle information, and the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information is traffic obstacle information of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle; A display device configured to display surrounding environment map information including a map of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle together with a marker indicating the current position of the host vehicle; And A control device configured to: Reflect a decorative image based on the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information in the surrounding environment map information and display the decorative image on the display device; and Associate a vehicle number-related image related to the number of vehicles with the decorative image and display the vehicle number-related image on the display device. The number of vehicles involved is the number of vehicles in the traveling vehicle information involved in the generation of traffic information related to the decorative image.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle number-related image is an image indicating the value of the number of vehicles involved or an image according to the index of the number of vehicles involved.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device is configured to display a margin image of a distance according to the number of vehicles involved in the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information on the display device from the end of the decorative image based on the surrounding environment traffic obstacle information toward the host vehicle side, and the end is closest to the host vehicle.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The margin image is an image in which the distance tends to become shorter as the number of vehicles involved becomes larger.

5. The automobile according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control device is configured to: Set a position approaching the host vehicle side by a deceleration control distance from the end on the host vehicle side of the margin image as a deceleration control start position. The deceleration control distance is the distance required to set the host vehicle in a state where the host vehicle decelerates at an appropriate deceleration and travels slowly; and Start deceleration control when the host vehicle reaches the deceleration control start position.

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