Display control device, method, and program product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a display control device, a display control method, a program product, and a non-transitory storage medium for displaying a control program. When a display position of a following mark corresponding to a preceding vehicle detected by a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in a display area of a display device, the display control unit performs a first display that causes the following mark to be displayed at the display position. When the display position is outside the display setting area, the display control unit performs a second display indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control device, a display control method, a program product, and a non-transitory storage medium of a display control program. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2015-011666 describes a technology that gradually reduces the brightness of a guide image (following mark) superimposed on a display object, or changes the guide image to a smaller, simpler image, when the display object moves from the position of the display object observed by the driver to outside a preset display setting area within the display area of ​​a head-up display (HUD).

[0003] For example, when the distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is too close or the preceding vehicle is in an area where the following mark (guidance image) cannot be displayed, if nothing is displayed on the display device, even if the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle, the user will not be able to determine whether the preceding vehicle has been detected, which may cause the user to feel uneasy. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure is made in consideration of the above facts, and provides a display control apparatus, a display control method, a program product, and a non-transitory storage medium of a display control program that can suppress the feeling of uneasiness given to a user when a follow-up mark cannot be displayed on a display device.

[0005] The display control device involved in the first form includes a display control unit, which performs a first display to display the following mark at the display position when the display position of the following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in the display area of ​​the display device, and performs a second display to indicate that the preceding vehicle is detected when the display position is outside the display setting area.

[0006] In the first aspect, when the display position of the following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in the display area of ​​the display device, the first display is performed to display the following mark at the display position of the following mark. On the other hand, when the display position of the following mark is outside the display setting area, the second display is performed to indicate that the preceding vehicle is detected. Thus, the user can recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected based on the second display, and thus, when the following mark cannot be displayed on the display device, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling uneasy.

[0007] In a second aspect, in addition to the first aspect, the display position of the following mark is a position overlapping or adjacent to the preceding vehicle.

[0008] According to the second aspect, compared with the case where the follow mark is displayed at a position spaced apart from the preceding vehicle, the user can intuitively recognize that the follow mark is a mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle.

[0009] A third aspect is configured as follows: in addition to the first aspect, the display setting area is an area excluding a meter display area on a lower side in a vehicle vertical direction of the display area from the display area where at least a meter display portion is displayed.

[0010] According to the third aspect, the following mark is displayed in the instrument display area below the vehicle vertical direction, which is not in the display area. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the following mark from obstructing visibility of the instrument display portion and the like displayed in the instrument display area.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect, in addition to the first aspect, the display control unit performs a display in which a display outside the display setting area is changed as the second display.

[0012] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to suppress the display in the display setting area from becoming complicated due to the second display.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect, in addition to the first aspect, the display control unit performs, as the second display, a display in which a meter display unit displayed outside the display setting area is enhanced.

[0014] According to the fifth aspect, by enhancing the display on the existing meter display unit, it is possible to prevent the display of the range outside the display setting area from becoming complicated and allow the user to recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0015] A sixth aspect is configured as follows: in addition to the first aspect, the display control unit performs a display in which a member indicating an upper edge of the meter display portion displayed outside the display setting area is highlighted as the second display.

[0016] According to the sixth aspect, by highlighting the member indicating the upper edge of the conventional meter display unit, it is possible to prevent the display of the range outside the display setting area from becoming complicated and allow the user to recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0017] According to a seventh aspect, in addition to the first aspect, the display control unit performs a display in which a frame indicating an outer edge of the display area is highlighted as the second display.

[0018] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to prevent the display in the display area from becoming complicated and enable the user to recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0019] According to an eighth aspect, in addition to the first aspect, the display control unit performs a display as the second display in which a predetermined icon indicating that the preceding vehicle has been detected is displayed outside the display setting area.

[0020] According to the eighth aspect, the user can intuitively recognize that the preceding vehicle has been detected.

[0021] A ninth aspect is configured as follows: in any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, the display control unit displays the object displayed as the second display in the same color as the follow-up mark.

[0022] According to the ninth aspect, the user can intuitively recognize that the object displayed as the second display indicates that the preceding vehicle has been detected. In addition, when the display position of the following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle returns from outside the display setting area to within the display setting area, the following mark is displayed in the same color as the object displayed as the second display, thereby achieving seamless expression and suppressing the user from feeling strange.

[0023] According to a tenth aspect, in addition to the fifth to eighth aspects, the display control unit causes the object displayed as the second display to flash.

[0024] According to the tenth aspect, the object displayed as the second display can be made more conspicuous, and the visibility of the object displayed as the second display can be improved.

[0025] An eleventh aspect is configured as follows: based on the first aspect, the display device is a head-up display.

[0026] According to the eleventh aspect, when the follow-up mark cannot be displayed on the head-up display, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling uneasy.

[0027] The display control method involved in the 12th form is processed by a computer, and the processing includes: when the display position of the following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in the display area of ​​the display device, a first display is performed to display the preceding mark at the above display position; when the above display position is outside the above display setting area, a second display is performed to indicate that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0028] According to the twelfth aspect, similar to the first aspect, when the follow-up mark cannot be displayed on the display device, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling uneasy.

[0029] The 13th form is a non-temporary storage medium storing a program that enables a computer to execute a display control process, wherein the display control process includes: when the display position of a following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in the display area of ​​a display device, a first display is performed to display the following mark at the above display position; when the above display position is outside the above display setting area, a second display is performed to indicate that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0030] According to the thirteenth aspect, similar to the first aspect, when the follow-up mark cannot be displayed on the display device, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling uneasy.

[0031] The 14th aspect is a program product including a program that causes a computer to execute a display control process, wherein the display control process includes: when a display position of a following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in a display area of ​​a display device, performing a first display to display the following mark at the above display position; and when the above display position is outside the above display setting area, performing a second display indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0032] The present disclosure can suppress a feeling of uneasiness given to a user when a follow-up mark cannot be displayed on a display device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle system according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of the camera unit and display control ECU.

[0035] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram showing a brief structure of AR-HUD, etc.

[0036] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a display control process executed by the display control ECU.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of display on AR-HUD.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of display on AR-HUD.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of display on AR-HUD.

[0040] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram showing an example of display on AR-HUD. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle-mounted system 10 involved in this embodiment has a communication bus 12, and the communication bus 12 is respectively connected to a peripheral condition acquisition device group 14, a vehicle driving state detection sensor group 26, an ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems)-ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 34 and a display control ECU 42. In addition, Figure 1 Only a part of the vehicle-mounted system 10 is shown. In addition, hereinafter, a vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted system 10 is referred to as a host vehicle.

[0042] The peripheral situation acquisition device group 14 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) device 16 , an on-vehicle communication device 18 , a navigation system 20 , a radar device 22 , a camera unit 24 , and the like as devices for acquiring information indicating the situation of the surrounding environment of the host vehicle.

[0043] The GNSS device 16 receives GNSS signals from a plurality of GNSS satellites to locate the position of the vehicle. The onboard communication device 18 performs at least one of vehicle-to-vehicle communication with other vehicles and road-to-vehicle communication with roadside equipment. The navigation system 20 includes a map information storage unit 20A that stores map information, and performs processing to display the position of the vehicle on a map, determine and guide a route to a destination based on the position information obtained from the GNSS device 16 and the map information stored in the map information storage unit 20A.

[0044] The radar device 22 detects objects such as pedestrians and other vehicles around the vehicle as point group information, and obtains the relative position and relative speed of the detected objects and the vehicle. In addition, the radar device 22 removes noise, roadside objects such as guide rails, etc. from the monitored objects based on the changes in the relative position and relative speed with each object, and outputs information such as the relative position and relative speed with the monitored objects such as pedestrians and other vehicles.

[0045] The camera unit 24 uses a plurality of cameras to capture images of the surroundings of the vehicle and outputs the captured images. Although not shown in the figure, the camera unit 24 has built-in memories such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory), as well as non-volatile storage units such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit stores information for the CPU of the camera unit 24 to function as the preceding vehicle detection unit 70 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 ) is a predetermined program for the function to be performed. The preceding vehicle detection unit 70 identifies the preceding vehicle of the vehicle captured in the image in front of the vehicle captured by the plurality of cameras, and detects and outputs the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle. Alternatively, the detection and output is performed by combining the depth to the preceding vehicle with the direction of the preceding vehicle detected by the camera and calculated by the radar device 22.

[0046] The vehicle driving state detection sensor group 26 includes a steering angle sensor 28 for detecting the steering angle of the vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor 30 for detecting the driving speed of the vehicle, and an acceleration sensor 32 for detecting the acceleration applied to the vehicle as a plurality of sensors for acquiring the driving state of the vehicle.

[0047] The ADAS-ECU 34 is connected to a throttle ACT 36 for changing the throttle opening of the host vehicle, a brake ACT 38 for changing the braking force generated by a brake device of the host vehicle, and a steering ACT 40 for changing the steering amount by a steering device of the host vehicle.

[0048] ADAS-ECU 34 includes a CPU, a memory such as ROM and RAM, a non-volatile storage unit such as HDD and SSD, and a communication I / F (Interface). ADAS software is stored in the storage unit. When the CPU executes the automatic driving software and the automatic driving mode is selected, ADAS-ECU 34 performs automatic driving processing to automatically drive the vehicle without the driving operation performed by the occupant of the vehicle.

[0049] The automatic driving process is a process of judging the conditions of the vehicle and its surroundings based on information obtained from the peripheral condition acquisition device group 14 and the vehicle driving state detection sensor group 26, and controlling the throttle ACT 36, the brake ACT 38, and the steering ACT 40. An example of the automatic driving process is ACC (Adaptive cruise control) for driving the vehicle to follow the preceding vehicle recognized by the camera unit 24.

[0050] The display control ECU 42 includes a CPU 44, a memory 46 such as a ROM or RAM, a nonvolatile storage unit 48 such as a HDD or SSD, and a communication I / F 50. The CPU 44, the memory 46, the storage unit 48, and the communication I / F 50 are connected to each other so as to be communicable via an internal bus 52. The storage unit 48 stores a display control program 54. The display control ECU 42 reads the display control program 54 from the storage unit 48 and expands it in the memory 46, and the CPU 44 executes the display control program 54 expanded in the memory 46, thereby serving as a display control unit. Figure 2 The display control unit 72 shown functions to perform a display control process described later.

[0051] The display control ECU 42 is connected to an AR (Augmented Reality)-head-up display (hereinafter referred to as AR-HUD) 56 and a meter display 68. Figure 5 As shown in the figure 74 to indicate the display area, the AR-HUD 56 involved in this embodiment is a small HUD that uses a part of the front field of the user who is an occupant of the vehicle as a display area (imaged in the lower part of the foreground) by reflection on the windshield, etc. In addition, the instrument display 68 is a display provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle. The display control ECU 42 controls the display of information on the AR-HUD 56 and the instrument display 68.

[0052] like Figure 3As shown, AR-HUD56 has a light source unit 58 composed of LED (Light Emitting Diode) and the like, and a transmissive display unit 60 composed of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like is arranged on the light emitting side of the light source unit 58. Convex mirrors 62 and concave mirrors 64 are arranged in sequence on the light emitting side of the display unit 60, and the light that has passed through the display unit 60 is reflected in the convex mirrors 62 and concave mirrors 64 in sequence and irradiated to the windshield of the vehicle. AR-HUD56 is designed with an optical system in such a way that the image displayed on the display unit 60 (following marks, etc. described later) is imaged on a virtual image plane 66 that is inclined relative to the vertical direction of the vehicle and floats in the air at a distance L1 to L2 from the user. As a result, the user can have an illusion in such a way that the image imaged on the virtual image plane 66 overlaps with the road surface.

[0053] In the AR-HUD 56, when the preceding vehicle of the host vehicle exists in the range of 0 m to L1+α from the host vehicle, the display position of the follow-up mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle is excluded from the display setting area 78 described later, thereby preventing the follow-up mark from being displayed in the display setting area 78. In addition, α is an increase in the display limit distance for not displaying the follow-up mark in the instrument display area 76.

[0054] The display control ECU 42 is an example of a display control device according to the present disclosure, and the display control program 54 is an example of a display control program according to the present disclosure. The AR-HUD 56 is an example of a display device.

[0055] Next, as the effect of this embodiment, refer to Figure 4 Next, a display control process executed by the display control ECU 42 (display control unit 72) while the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on will be described.

[0056] In step 150 of the display control process, the display control unit 72 controls the AR-HUD 56 as an example so that Figure 5 As shown, the meter display section 80 and the like are displayed in the meter display area 76 located at the lower side in the vehicle vertical direction in the display area 74 of the AR-HUD 56. Figure 5 As shown, the meter display portion 80 includes a character display portion 82 that displays the vehicle speed and the like in characters, and a member 84 that indicates the upper edge of the meter display portion 80. The member 84 is normally displayed in white.

[0057] In addition, the information displayed in the meter display area 76 is not limited to the meter display unit 80. By switching the display mode of the AR-HUD 56, for example, a mark indicating that overtaking is prohibited, a text indicating a speed limit, and other information can also be displayed. In addition, the area after the meter display area 76 is removed from the display area 74 of the AR-HUD 56 (in Figure 5 The area denoted by reference numeral 78 in the figure is an example of a display setting area in the present disclosure and is hereinafter referred to as display setting area 78.

[0058] In step 152, the display control unit 72 determines whether the AR display condition is satisfied. In the present embodiment, when the ADAS-ECU 34 is executing ACC, the display control unit 72 determines that the AR display condition is satisfied. When the ADAS-ECU 34 is not executing ACC, the determination of step 152 is denied and the process returns to step 150. In addition, when the ADAS-ECU 34 is executing ACC, the determination of step 152 is affirmed and the process moves to step 154.

[0059] In step 154, the display control unit 72 obtains the distance L from the preceding vehicle that is the following target of the host vehicle in the ACC executed by the ADAS-ECU 34 from the preceding vehicle detection unit 70 (camera unit 24). In step 156, the display control unit 72 determines whether the following mark 92 can be displayed in the display setting area 78 based on the obtained distance L from the preceding vehicle. Figure 5 As shown, it is displayed adjacent to an image 90 of a preceding vehicle visually recognized by the user through the windshield.

[0060] Furthermore, the display control unit 72 obtains the distance L from the preceding vehicle from the camera unit 24, converts the obtained distance L from the preceding vehicle into a depression angle φ in the AR-HUD 56, and recognizes the display position of the following mark 92 in the AR-HUD 56 based on the converted depression angle φ. Therefore, the determination of step 156 by the display control unit 72 may be performed by comparing the distance L from the preceding vehicle with the threshold value Lth and determining whether L>Lth, or by comparing the depression angle φ with the threshold value φth and determining whether φ<φth.

[0061] If the follow-up mark 92 can be displayed in the display setting area 78, the determination of step 156 is affirmed and the process moves to step 158. Figure 5As shown, the display control unit 72 displays the follow-up mark 92 at a position corresponding to (adjacent to) the image 90 of the preceding vehicle in the display setting area 78, and returns to step 150. In addition, an example of the display color of the follow-up mark 92 is light blue or green. By displaying the follow-up mark 92 at a position corresponding to the image 90 of the preceding vehicle, the user can recognize that the preceding vehicle is normally detected.

[0062] In addition, the display in step 158 ( Figure 5 The display shown in FIG. 1 is an example of the first display in the present disclosure. Figure 5 In the example, the following mark 92 is shown to be displayed at a position adjacent to the image 90 of the preceding vehicle, but the following mark 92 may be displayed at a position partially overlapping with the image 90 of the preceding vehicle (overlapping position), or may be displayed at a position separated from the image 90 of the preceding vehicle.

[0063] In addition, when the display position of the follower mark 92 is outside the display setting area 78 due to the distance to the preceding vehicle becoming smaller and the distance L ≤ Lth (or the depression angle φ ≥ φth), the determination of step 156 is denied and the process moves to step 160. In addition, when a vehicle traveling in a lane adjacent to the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling suddenly cuts in front of the host vehicle, the determination of step 156 is also denied and the process moves to step 160. In step 160, if Figure 6 As shown, the display control unit 72 displays the member 84 indicating the upper edge of the meter display unit 80 in the same color as the following mark 92 instead of displaying the following mark 92, and returns to step 150. The same color as the following mark 92 mentioned here also includes a color whose difference in at least one of hue, lightness, and chroma from the display color of the following mark 92 is within a specified value.

[0064] Thus, by making the member 84 of the instrument display unit 80 flash in the same color as the following mark 92, the user can recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected even when the following mark 92 is not displayed, thereby suppressing the user's sense of uneasiness. Figure 6 The display shown) is an example of the second display in the present disclosure.

[0065] In addition, when the display position of the follow-up mark 92 corresponding to the image 90 of the preceding vehicle returns from outside the display setting area 78 to inside the display setting area 78 because the distance to the preceding vehicle increases and the distance L to the preceding vehicle is greater than Lth (or the depression angle φ is less than φth), the determination of step 156 is affirmed and the process moves to step 158. Therefore, since the follow-up mark 92 of the same color as the member 84 of the meter display unit 80 is displayed in the display setting area 78, a seamless expression is achieved, and the user is prevented from feeling strange.

[0066] As described above, the display control ECU 42 according to the present embodiment includes the display control unit 72, which performs the first display to display the following mark 92 at the display position of the following mark 92 when the display position of the following mark 92 corresponding to the image 90 of the preceding vehicle detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit 70 is within the preset display setting area 78 in the display area 74 of the AR-HUD 56, and performs the second display to indicate that the preceding vehicle is detected when the display position of the following mark 92 is outside the display setting area 78. Thus, the user can recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected based on the second display, and when the following mark 92 cannot be displayed on the AR-HUD 56, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling uneasy.

[0067] In addition, in the present embodiment, the display position of the follow-up mark 92 is a position overlapping or adjacent to the image 90 of the preceding vehicle. Thus, compared with the case where the follow-up mark 92 is displayed at a position spaced apart from the image 90 of the preceding vehicle, the user can intuitively recognize that the follow-up mark 92 is a mark corresponding to the image 90 of the preceding vehicle.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the display setting area 78 is an area excluding the instrument display area 76 on the lower side in the vehicle vertical direction of the display area 74, where at least the instrument display unit 80 is displayed, from the display area 74. Thus, the follow-up mark 92 is not displayed in the instrument display area 76 on the lower side in the vehicle vertical direction of the display area 74, so that the visibility of the instrument display unit 80 and the like displayed in the instrument display area 76 can be prevented from being obstructed by the follow-up mark 92.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the display control unit 72 performs a display in which the display outside the display setting area 78 is changed as the second display. This can prevent the display in the display setting area 78 from becoming complicated due to the second display.

[0070] In addition, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 72 performs a display as the second display in which the member 84 indicating the upper edge of the meter display unit 80 displayed on the meter display unit 80 outside the display setting area 78 is highlighted. This can prevent the display of the range outside the display setting area 78 from becoming complicated, and can allow the user to recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0071] In addition, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 72 displays the object (the component 84 in the present embodiment) displayed as the second display in the same color as the following mark 92. Thus, the user can intuitively recognize that the object (component 84) displayed as the second display indicates that the preceding vehicle has been detected. In addition, when the display position of the following mark 92 corresponding to the image 90 of the preceding vehicle returns from outside the display setting area 78 to inside the display setting area 78, the following mark 92 of the same color as the object (component 84) displayed as the second display is displayed, so that seamless expression is achieved and the user is prevented from feeling strange.

[0072] In addition, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 72 flashes the object (component 84) displayed as the second display. Thus, the object (component 84) displayed as the second display can be made more conspicuous, and the visibility of the object (component 84) displayed as the second display can be improved.

[0073] In addition, in the present embodiment, the display device is the AR-HUD 56. Thus, when the follow-up mark cannot be displayed on the AR-HUD 56, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling uneasy.

[0074] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the display position of the follow-up mark 92 is outside the display setting area 78, the member 84 indicating the upper edge of the meter display unit 80 is flashed and displayed in the same color as the follow-up mark 92, thereby enhancing the display of the member 84. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as the enhanced display of the member 84, the member 84 may be displayed in the same color as the follow-up mark 92 and at a constant brightness, or the member 84 may be flashed and displayed in a color different from the follow-up mark 92.

[0075] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the display position of the follow-up mark 92 is outside the display setting area 78, the form of enhanced display of the member 84 representing the upper edge of the instrument display unit 80 is described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the entire instrument display unit 80 may be taken as an object for enhanced display (for example, at least one of the same color display and the flashing display). In this case, it is also possible to avoid the display of the range outside the display setting area 78 from becoming cumbersome, and the user can recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected. In addition, for example, the frame 94 (refer to Figure 7 ) is used as an object for enhanced display. In this case, it is also possible to avoid the display in the display area 74 becoming complicated, and the user can recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0076] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the display position of the follow-up mark 92 is outside the display setting area 78, the mode of enhancing the display of the displayed object (for example, the component 84) is described as the second display, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the display position of the follow-up mark 92 is outside the display setting area 78, a predetermined icon (in the display setting area 78) indicating that a preceding vehicle is detected may be displayed. Figure 8 An example is shown as an icon 96 in FIG. 1 , and is displayed outside the display setting area 78. In this case, the user can intuitively recognize that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the application of AR-HUD 56 as the form of the display device in the present disclosure is described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the display device in the present disclosure may also be, for example, a meter display 68, or a display arranged in the center of the instrument panel, etc. In AR-HUD 56, the image 90 of the preceding vehicle is visually recognized by the user through the windshield, but in the display device such as the meter display 68, an image simulating the preceding vehicle is also displayed on the display device. The present disclosure also includes such a form within the scope of the rights.

[0078] In addition, in the above, the display control program 54 involved in the present disclosure is described as being pre-stored (installed) in the storage unit 48, but the display control program involved in the present disclosure can also be provided in the form of being recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc.

[0079] Regarding the above-mentioned embodiments, the following supplementary notes are also disclosed.

[0080] (Note 1)

[0081] A display control device, wherein the display control device includes a control unit, and when the display position of a following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in a display area of ​​a display device, the control unit performs a first display to display the following mark at the above display position, and when the above display position is outside the above display setting area, the control unit performs a second display indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0082] (Note 2)

[0083] According to the display control device described in Supplementary Note 1, the display position of the following mark is a position overlapping or adjacent to the preceding vehicle.

[0084] (Note 3)

[0085] The display control device according to note 1 or note 2, wherein the display setting area is an area excluding the instrument display area on the lower side of the display area in the vehicle vertical direction from the display area at least displaying the instrument display unit.

[0086] (Note 4)

[0087] The display control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit performs a display in which a display outside the display setting area is changed as the second display.

[0088] (Note 5)

[0089] The display control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit performs, as the second display, a display in which an instrument display unit displayed outside the display setting area is enhanced.

[0090] (Note 6)

[0091] The display control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit performs a display of emphasizing a member indicating an upper edge of the meter display portion in the meter display portion displayed outside the display setting area as the second display.

[0092] (Note 7)

[0093] The display control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit performs a display in which a frame indicating an outer edge of the display area is highlighted as the second display.

[0094] (Note 8)

[0095] The display control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit performs a display that displays a predetermined icon indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected outside the display setting area as the second display.

[0096] (Note 9)

[0097] The display control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 5 to 8, wherein the display control unit displays the object displayed as the second display in the same color as the follow-up mark.

[0098] (Note 10)

[0099] The display control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 5 to 8, wherein the display control unit causes the object displayed as the second display to flash.

[0100] (Note 11)

[0101] The display control apparatus according to any one of appendix notes 1 to 10, wherein the display device is a head-up display.

[0102] (Note 12)

[0103] A display control method, wherein the display control method is executed by a computer, the processing comprising: when the display position of a following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in a display area of ​​a display device, performing a first display to display the following mark at the above display position; when the above display position is outside the above display setting area, performing a second display indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0104] (Note 13)

[0105] According to the display control method described in Supplementary Note 12, the display position of the following mark is a position overlapping or adjacent to the preceding vehicle.

[0106] (Note 14)

[0107] The display control method according to note 12 or 13, wherein the display setting area is an area excluding an instrument display area on a lower side in a vehicle vertical direction of the display area where at least an instrument display portion is displayed from the display area.

[0108] (Note 15)

[0109] The display control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 12 to 14, wherein the second display is a display in which a display outside the display setting area is changed.

[0110] (Note 16)

[0111] The display control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 12 to 14, wherein the second display is a display in which a meter display portion displayed outside the display setting area is enhanced.

[0112] (Note 17)

[0113] The display control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 12 to 14, wherein as the second display, a member indicating an upper edge of the meter display portion displayed outside the display setting area is displayed with enhanced display.

[0114] (Note 18)

[0115] The display control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 12 to 14, wherein the second display includes a display in which a frame indicating an outer edge of the display area is displayed in an enhanced manner.

[0116] (Note 19)

[0117] The display control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 12 to 14, wherein as the second display, a predetermined icon indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected is displayed outside the display setting area.

[0118] (Note 20)

[0119] The display control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 16 to 19, wherein the object displayed as the second display is displayed in the same color as the follow-up mark.

[0120] (Note 21)

[0121] The display control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 16 to 19, wherein the object displayed as the second display is displayed in a blinking manner.

[0122] (Note 22)

[0123] The display control apparatus according to any one of Notes 12 to 21, wherein the display device is a head-up display.

[0124] (Note 23)

[0125] A display control program, wherein the display control program is used to cause a computer to execute processing, the processing comprising: when the display position of a following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in a display area of ​​a display device, performing a first display to display the following mark at the above display position; when the above display position is outside the above display setting area, performing a second display indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected.

[0126] (Note 24)

[0127] According to the display control program described in Supplementary Note 23, the display position of the following mark is a position overlapping or adjacent to the preceding vehicle.

[0128] (Note 25)

[0129] The display control program according to note 23 or 24, wherein the display setting area is an area excluding an instrument display area on a lower side in a vehicle up-down direction of the display area from the display area at least displaying an instrument display unit.

[0130] (Note 26)

[0131] The display control program according to any one of appendix notes 23 to 25, wherein as the second display, a display is performed in which a display outside the display setting area is changed.

[0132] (Note 27)

[0133] The display control program according to any one of appendixes 23 to 25, wherein as the second display, a display is performed in which a meter display portion displayed outside the display setting area is enhanced.

[0134] (Note 28)

[0135] The display control program according to any one of appendices 23 to 25, wherein as the second display, a member indicating an upper edge of the meter display portion displayed outside the display setting area is displayed in an enhanced manner.

[0136] (Note 29)

[0137] The display control program according to any one of appendix notes 23 to 25, wherein as the second display, a frame indicating an outer edge of the display area is displayed in an enhanced manner.

[0138] (Note 30)

[0139] The display control program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 23 to 25, wherein a predetermined icon indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected is displayed outside the display setting area as the second display.

[0140] (Note 31)

[0141] The display control program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 27 to 30, wherein the object displayed as the second display is displayed in the same color as the follow-up mark.

[0142] (Note 32)

[0143] A display control program according to any one of appendix notes 27 to 30, wherein the object displayed as the second display is displayed in a blinking manner.

[0144] (Note 33)

[0145] The display control program according to any one of Notes 23 to 32, wherein the display device is a head-up display.

Claims

1. A display control device, wherein: The display control device includes a display control unit. When the display position of a following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit that detects the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in the display area of ​​the display device, the display control unit performs a first display to display the following mark at the display position. When the display position is outside the display setting area, the display control unit performs a second display indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected.

2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display position of the following mark is a position overlapping or adjacent to the preceding vehicle.

3. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display setting region is a region excluding a meter display region from the display region. The meter display region displays at least a meter display portion and is located on a lower side in a vehicle up-down direction in the display region.

4. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display control unit performs a display in which a display outside the display setting area is changed as the second display.

5. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display control unit performs, as the second display, a display in which a meter display unit displayed outside the display setting area is highlighted.

6. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display control unit performs, as the second display, a display in which a member indicating an upper edge of the meter display portion, which is displayed on the outside of the display setting area, is highlighted.

7. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display control unit performs a display in which a frame indicating an outer edge of the display area is highlighted as the second display.

8. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display control unit performs a display as the second display, in which a predetermined icon indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected is displayed outside the display setting area.

9. The display control device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: The display control unit displays the object displayed as the second display in the same color as the follow-up mark.

10. The display control device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: The display control unit causes the object displayed as the second display to be displayed in a blinking manner.

11. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display device is a head-up display.

12. A display control method, wherein: The display control method is executed by a computer, and the process includes: When a display position of a following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit for detecting the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in the display area of ​​the display device, performing a first display in which the following mark is displayed at the display position, When the display position is outside the display setting area, a second display indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected is performed.

13. A program product comprising a program causing a computer to execute a display control process, wherein: The display control process includes: When a display position of a following mark corresponding to the preceding vehicle detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit for detecting the preceding vehicle is within a preset display setting area in the display area of ​​the display device, performing a first display in which the following mark is displayed at the display position, When the display position is outside the display setting area, a second display indicating that the preceding vehicle is detected is performed.

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