Display control device, display control method, and program product

Abstract

The invention provides a display control apparatus, a display control method, and a program product. A display control device of the present disclosure includes: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire mode information including a driving assistance mode of a vehicle and information related to deceleration assistance for decelerating the vehicle; and a display controller configured to display a driving mode image corresponding to the acquired mode information on a display device, and designate a display format of a deceleration assist image to be displayed in association with the deceleration assist in a manner corresponding to a display format of the driving mode image, and displaying the deceleration assist image on the display device in the specified display format.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control device, a display control method, and a program product. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, drivers can not only drive the vehicle by manual operation alone, but also drive the vehicle while receiving assistance for various operations through advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), etc. There are various types of driving assistance, and the content of the driving assistance to be performed is usually communicated to the driver via a display device such as a monitor in the vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-139186 (JP 2022-139186 A) describes displaying behavior information indicating the temporal behavior of a vehicle on a display device based on operation history information of driving assistance performed by a driving assistance system and driving history information of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Meanwhile, various types of driving assistance are known. Specifically, there are deceleration assistance that only assists in deceleration operations when predetermined conditions are met, adaptive cruise control (ACC) that includes acceleration and deceleration operations for following the vehicle in front while maintaining a predetermined inter-vehicle distance, and the like. Here, the above-mentioned deceleration assistance and ACC have different assistance ranges. On the other hand, although there are differences in detailed conditions and the like between the above-mentioned deceleration assistance and the deceleration assistance to be performed during the operation of ACC, both are auxiliary operations that are recognized by the driver as basically the same control behavior. Therefore, when displaying a function, it is recommended to inform the occupants of the vehicle, especially the driver, of the function including the assistance content in a clear and concise manner, thereby preventing the driver from misunderstanding the assistance content, etc.

[0005] The present disclosure can provide a display control device, a display control method, and a program product that can notify an occupant of information related to deceleration assistance in an easily understandable manner.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a display control device including a data acquisition unit and a display controller. The data acquisition unit is configured to acquire mode information including a driving assist mode of a vehicle and information related to deceleration assistance for decelerating the vehicle. The display controller is configured to display a driving mode image corresponding to the acquired mode information on a display device, specify a display format of a deceleration assistance image to be displayed in association with the deceleration assistance in a manner corresponding to the display format of the driving mode image, and display the deceleration assistance image on the display device in the specified display format.

[0007] In the display control device according to the described aspect, since the display format of the deceleration assist image corresponds to the display format of the driving mode image, the driving assist mode in operation can be understood only by viewing the deceleration assist image.

[0008] In the display control device according to the aspect, the display format of the deceleration assistance image may include at least one of a color of the deceleration assistance image, a thickness of a line in the deceleration assistance image, and a size of the deceleration assistance image.

[0009] In the display control device according to the aspect, since the deceleration assist image itself does not change, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of deceleration assist images depending on the driving assist mode in operation.

[0010] In the display control device according to the aspect, the driving assistance mode may include a deceleration assistance mode for performing only deceleration assistance, and an adaptive cruise control mode including acceleration and deceleration assistance for following a preceding vehicle at a constant interval.

[0011] In the display control device according to the above aspect, the deceleration assistance images representing the deceleration assistance in different modes can be distinguished at a glance.

[0012] In the display control device according to the aspect, the driving assistance mode may further include a traffic jam following mode including acceleration / deceleration assistance for following the leading vehicle at a constant interval when a traffic jam occurs.

[0013] In the display control device according to the above aspect, the deceleration assistance images representing the deceleration assistance in different modes can be distinguished at a glance.

[0014] In the display control device according to the aspect, the deceleration assistance image may be an icon representing an event requiring the deceleration assistance.

[0015] In the display control device according to the aspect, icons are used as images, making it easier for the user to immediately understand the meaning of the images.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a display control method. The method includes displaying a driving mode image corresponding to a driving assist mode of a vehicle on a display device provided in the vehicle, adjusting a display format of the deceleration assist image to a display format corresponding to the display format of the driving mode image when deceleration assist is performed, and displaying the deceleration assist image in the adjusted display format together with the driving mode image.

[0017] In the display control method according to the aspect, since the display format of the deceleration assist image is adjusted to correspond to the display format of the driving mode image and then displayed, the driving assist mode in operation can be understood only by viewing the deceleration assist image.

[0018] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a program product. The program product includes a program that causes a processor of a computer to execute processing, the processing comprising: displaying a driving mode image corresponding to a driving assist mode of a vehicle on a display device provided in the vehicle; adjusting the display format of the deceleration assist image to a display format corresponding to the display format of the driving mode image when deceleration assist is performed; and displaying the deceleration assist image in the adjusted display format together with the driving mode image.

[0019] In the program product according to the described aspect, since the display format of the deceleration assist image is adjusted to correspond to the display format of the driving mode image and then displayed, the driving assist mode in operation can be understood only by viewing the deceleration assist image.

[0020] The display control device, display control method, and program product of the present disclosure can inform an occupant of information related to deceleration assistance in an easily understandable manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, and wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a display control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 To show Figure 1 A functional block diagram showing an example of a software configuration of a display control device shown;

[0024] Figure 3A is a diagram showing an example of a deceleration assist image;

[0025] Figure 3B is a diagram showing an example of a deceleration assist image;

[0026] Figure 3C is a diagram showing an example of a deceleration assist image;

[0027] Figure 3D is a diagram showing an example of a deceleration assist image;

[0028] Figure 3E is a diagram showing an example of a deceleration assist image;

[0029] Figure 3F is a diagram showing an example of a deceleration assist image;

[0030] Figure 3G is a diagram showing an example of a deceleration assist image;

[0031] Figure 3H is a diagram showing an example of a deceleration assist image;

[0032] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in the deceleration assist mode;

[0033] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in the ACC mode;

[0034] Figure 6 A diagram showing an example of a display image in a traffic jam following mode;

[0035] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a display control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, various embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the scope that needs to be described in order to achieve the purpose of the present disclosure will be schematically shown, and the scope that needs to be described for the corresponding parts of the present disclosure will be mainly described. Any part that is omitted from the description will be based on known technology. In addition, the same or corresponding components in the drawings will be given the same or similar reference numerals, and their repeated description will be omitted. In addition, in the case where a plurality of the same or corresponding components are included in the drawings, in order to make it easier to understand the drawings, only some of the components may be given reference numerals.

[0037] Figure 1 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a display control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The display control device 10 according to this embodiment is installed in a vehicle 1 and used. Furthermore, the display control device 10 can be configured as part of a driving assistance electronic control unit (ECU) constituting a driving assistance system, such as an ADAS.

[0038] The display control device 10 can be configured by a computer including a microcontroller, etc. The computer may include a processor 11, a read-only memory (ROM) 12 and a random access memory (RAM) 13 as examples of memory, a storage device 14, a communication interface 15, and an input and output interface 16. In addition, the configurations may be communicatively connected to each other via an internal bus.

[0039] The processor 11 may be configured, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU), and may execute various programs or control various units. Specifically, the processor 11 may read various programs stored in the ROM 12 or the storage device 14 and execute the programs using the RAM 13 as a work area. The processor 11 may control various components constituting the display control device 10 or perform various arithmetic operations according to the programs.

[0040] ROM 12 can store various programs and various data. In addition, RAM 13 can temporarily store programs or data as a work area.

[0041] The storage device 14 can be configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory, and can store various programs including an operating system and various data required to operate the display control device 10. In the present embodiment, the ROM 12 or the storage device 14 can store programs or various data for displaying desired information on the display 30. In addition, the storage device 14 can also store map data for ACC.

[0042] Furthermore, the storage device 14 according to this embodiment can store data related to a driving mode image 71 to be displayed on the display 30, an example of a display device, according to driving assistance modes. The driving assistance modes described herein may include at least a deceleration assist mode for performing only deceleration assistance and an adaptive cruise control (ACC) mode, wherein the deceleration assist mode includes acceleration / deceleration assistance for following a preceding vehicle at a constant interval. In this embodiment, in addition to the two aforementioned modes, a traffic jam following mode is also described as an example. This mode is selected when a traffic jam has occurred and includes acceleration / deceleration assistance for following a preceding vehicle at a constant interval (e.g., hands-off). Furthermore, the storage device 14 can store data related to a deceleration assist image 61 displayed on the display 30 when deceleration assistance is being performed. The deceleration assist image of this embodiment can, for example, be configured as an icon (or symbol) representing an event requiring deceleration assistance. Specific examples of the driving mode image 71 and the deceleration assist image 61 are described below.

[0043] The communication interface (I / F) 15 may be a wireless communication interface for the display control device 10 to communicate with a server computer, various databases, a terminal device of a user (e.g., an occupant of the vehicle 1), or the like (not shown) via a network, etc. A communication standard such as a controller area network (CAN), Ethernet (registered trademark), long term evolution (LTE), fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may be used in the communication interface 15 .

[0044] The input and output interface (I / F) 16 may be an interface for transmitting and receiving data, etc., between various components installed in the vehicle 1, which are mainly required for display control. Components electrically connected to the input and output interface 16 may be appropriately selected. Figure 1 As shown, the input / output interface 16 of this embodiment can acquire desired data from, for example, the radar 21, the camera 22, the sensor 23, and the input unit 24. Furthermore, the input / output interface 16 of this embodiment can output specific data to the display 30 and the actuator 40. The components from which the input / output interface 16 acquires data can be various components related to driving assistance and are not limited to those described above. Furthermore, the components from which the input / output interface 16 outputs data are not limited to those described above.

[0045] The radar 21 can be used to identify three-dimensional objects around the vehicle 1. Specifically, for example, the radar 21 includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter transmits millimeter-wave radar waves (hereinafter referred to as "millimeter waves") around the vehicle 1, and the receiver receives the reflected waves. The radar 21 then identifies three-dimensional objects within the range of the transmitted millimeter waves based on factors such as the time it takes to receive the reflected waves and the degree of attenuation. The radar 21's identification results are transmitted to the display control device 10.

[0046] The camera 22 may be an imaging device capable of capturing images primarily in front of the vehicle 1. The camera 22 may be configured, for example, as a two-dimensional camera including a well-known image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The image captured by the camera 22 is transmitted to the display control device 10.

[0047] The sensors 23 may include various sensors installed on the vehicle 1. Specifically, they may include a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an accelerator pedal sensor, a brake pedal sensor, a steering angle sensor, a shift lever sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and the like. Furthermore, a positioning device such as a global positioning system (GPS) may also be provided. The detection results of the sensors 23 are transmitted to the display control device 10.

[0048] The input unit 24 is capable of receiving user input. It can include various switches, a touch screen, a joystick, and the like installed in the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, the input unit 24 includes a switch capable of switching between driving assistance modes. Inputs entered via the input unit 24 are transmitted to the display control device 10.

[0049] The display 30 is a device for displaying information transmitted from the display control device 10. The display 30 can be configured using a well-known display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescent display (OELD). In addition, the display 30 may include a display driver (not shown). The display 30 only needs to be arranged in a position visible from the driver's seat in the vehicle cabin and can be arranged in any position, such as in front of the driver's seat or in the center of the front of the vehicle cabin.

[0050] The actuator 40 is a device that operates to control the vehicle 1 (e.g., for driving assistance). The actuator 40 may include at least an actuator of the driving system (such as an engine) and an actuator of the braking system (such as a brake device). The type of actuator is not limited to the above-mentioned actuators and may include various actuators, such as an actuator of the steering system.

[0051] Figure 2 To show Figure 1 The functional block diagram of an example of the software configuration of the display control device shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the display control device 10 of this embodiment includes a data acquisition unit 51 and a display controller 52, wherein the data acquisition unit 51 acquires mode information including the driving assistance mode of the vehicle 1 and information related to the deceleration assistance for decelerating the vehicle 1, and the display controller 52 displays a driving mode image 71 corresponding to the acquired mode information on the display 30, and specifies the display format of the deceleration assistance image 61 to be displayed in association with the deceleration assistance in a manner corresponding to the display format of the driving mode image 71, and displays the deceleration assistance image 61 on the display 30 in the specified display format.

[0052] The data acquisition unit 51 can be primarily implemented by the input / output interface 16 and has at least the function of acquiring mode information and information related to deceleration assistance. As described above, the mode information includes information regarding any of the deceleration assistance mode, ACC mode, or traffic jam following mode. The ACC mode in this embodiment can be a map-based ACC mode, which implements driving assistance linked to map information based on map data stored in the storage device 14 and positioning results from a positioning device. Furthermore, for example, the deceleration assistance information includes information about situations requiring deceleration assistance that can be acquired during driving. The deceleration assistance information can be specified based on road signs imaged by the camera 22, route information that can be specified by reference to map information, and the like.

[0053] The display controller 52 can be mainly realized by the processor 11 and has a function of controlling the display content to be displayed on the display 30. The display controller 52 may include an image designation unit 53 and a display format designation unit 54, wherein the image designation unit 53 designates the image to be displayed on the display 30 and the display format designation unit 54 designates the display format of the image, in particular, the deceleration auxiliary image 61 (see Figure 4 etc.) display format.

[0054] The image specifying unit 53 has a function of specifying a driving mode image 71 (see FIG. 7 ) that matches the selected driving assist mode from the mode information acquired by the data acquiring unit 51. Figure 4 etc.) for display on the display 30. In addition, the image specifying unit 53 also has a function of specifying the deceleration assist image 61 to be displayed on the display 30 from the information on the deceleration assist acquired by the data acquiring unit 51.

[0055] Figures 3A to 3H The figure shows an example of a deceleration assist image. As the deceleration assist image 61 specified by the image specifying unit 53, an icon image that graphically expresses an event that the vehicle 1 encounters while traveling and requires deceleration assistance can be included. Specifically, Figures 3A to 3H That is, examples of images can include a deceleration assist image 61 showing a curve (refer to Figure 3A ), showing the deceleration support image 61 of the signal lane (refer to Figure 3B ), showing the deceleration assistance image 61 approaching the preceding vehicle (refer to Figure 3C ), a deceleration assisting image 61 showing a temporary stop (refer to Figure 3D ), showing the deceleration auxiliary image 61 of the level (refer to Figure 3E ), showing the deceleration assistance image 61 of the roundabout (roundabout) (refer to Figure 3F ), showing the deceleration auxiliary image 61 (refer to Figure 3G ) and a deceleration assistance image 61 showing a T-junction (see Figure 3H ). In this way, when an icon image that graphically expresses the above-mentioned event requiring deceleration assistance (the above-mentioned curve, signal lane, etc.) is adopted as the deceleration assistance image 61, it is better that the user can infer the event at a glance. The deceleration assistance image 61 is not limited to the above-mentioned image, as long as the image is related to the event requiring deceleration assistance. In addition, among the deceleration assistance images 61, the deceleration assistance image 61 showing a temporary stop, the deceleration assistance image 61 showing a checkpoint, the deceleration assistance image 61 showing a roundabout (roundabout), the deceleration assistance image 61 showing yield (YIELD), or the deceleration assistance image 61 showing a T-junction corresponds to a landmark that can be recognized in advance in the map-associated ACC mode.

[0056] At the same time, even in the case where the event requiring deceleration assistance is the same, when the driving assistance mode of the vehicle 1 is different, the control behavior (for example, the trigger for starting the deceleration assistance) may be different in a strict sense. In such a case, when the same image is displayed as the deceleration assistance image 61 to be displayed on the display 30 regardless of the driving assistance mode, the driver who views the image cannot specify at a glance in which driving assistance mode the deceleration assistance is being performed. Therefore, even when the same deceleration assistance image 61 is displayed, a difference in control behavior may occur, and the driver may feel uncomfortable with the behavior of the vehicle 1. According to the display control device 10 of the present embodiment, taking the above-mentioned points into consideration, while adopting an image that the user can understand at a glance, the deceleration assistance image 61 is provided to which information about the driving assistance mode in operation is also added, thereby eliminating the discomfort that the driver may feel.

[0057] Taking the above points into consideration, the display controller 52 of the display control device 10 according to this embodiment includes the aforementioned display format designation unit 54. The display format designation unit 54 is used to designate the display format of the image to be displayed on the display 30, particularly the display format of the deceleration assist image 61. Here, the display format may include at least one of the color of the deceleration assist image 61, the thickness of the lines within the deceleration assist image 61, and the size of the deceleration assist image 61. The following description will describe an example in which the display format designation unit 54 designates the color of the deceleration assist image 61.

[0058] Will refer to Figures 4 to 6 A display image to be displayed on the display 30 by the display controller 52 is described.

[0059] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in the deceleration assist mode. The display 30 of the vehicle 1 may display the driving mode image 71 or the driving mode image 71 and the deceleration assist image 61 during the deceleration assist mode. Figure 4 As shown, the driving mode image 71 may include, for example, a vehicle image 72 corresponding to the vehicle 1, a lane image 73 corresponding to the lane in which the vehicle 1 is traveling, and a white line image 74 corresponding to white lines such as a center line and a shoulder line extending along the lane. In addition, for example, the deceleration assist image 61 can be configured as an icon indicating that the lane on the route is a curve. Figure 4 In the illustrated display image, the deceleration assist image 61 is arranged to be continuous with the end of the lane image 73 in the driving mode image 71 , but the position of the deceleration assist image 61 can be changed as appropriate.

[0060] At the same time, the driving mode image 71 is displayed in a state where each part is colored in any color. Specifically, as Figure 4 As shown, the driving mode image 71 in the display image displayed during deceleration assist mode is displayed with a portion of the lane image 73, or a portion of the lane image 73 and a portion of the white line image 74, colored in any color (e.g., gray). In the display control device 10 according to this embodiment, the display format designation unit 54 specifies the color of the deceleration assist image 61 displayed along with the driving mode image 71 to correspond to the color of the driving mode image 71, namely, gray. When the color to be colored is specified, the deceleration assist image 61 is displayed on the display 30 along with the driving mode image 71 after any area within the deceleration assist image 61 (e.g., the icon portion 62 and the frame portion 63 surrounding the icon portion 62) is colored gray. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the icon portion 62 and the frame portion 63 surrounding the icon portion 62 of the deceleration assist image 61 are colored gray. However, the colored portions are not limited to this. For example, the area within the frame portion 63 excluding the icon portion 62 can be colored, or only the icon portion 62 or the frame portion 63 can be colored. In addition, the color of the deceleration assist image 61 only needs to correspond to the color of the driving mode image 71, and the depth and lightness of the color may be different.

[0061] Watch Figure 4 The user of the displayed image shown, particularly the driver, can immediately understand from the deceleration assist image 61 displayed in the display format corresponding to the driving mode image 71 that deceleration assist due to a curve on the route is performed in the deceleration assist mode.

[0062] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in the ACC mode. During the ACC mode, a driving mode image 71 or a driving mode image 71 and a deceleration assist image 61 may be displayed on the display 30 of the vehicle 1. Figure 5 As shown, the driving mode image 71 may include, for example, a vehicle image 72, a lane image 73, a white line image 74, and a preceding vehicle image 75 showing a preceding vehicle that is traveling in front of the vehicle 1 and is a following vehicle. Figure 4 As in FIG, the deceleration assistance image 61 can be configured as an icon indicating a curve, for example. Figure 5 , there is shown an example in which the deceleration assist image 61 is arranged on the side of the driving mode image 71. In addition, the own vehicle image 72 and the preceding vehicle image 75 may be colored in any color.

[0063] like Figure 5As shown, driving mode image 71 in the display image displayed during ACC mode is displayed with a portion of lane image 73, or a portion of lane image 73 and a portion of white line image 74, colored in a color different from that of driving mode image 71 (e.g., green). Changing the color of the display image for each mode in this manner is effective in quickly conveying the current mode to the user viewing the display image. In the display control device 10 according to this embodiment, the display format designation unit 54 designates the color of deceleration assist image 61 displayed along with driving mode image 71 to a color corresponding to the color of driving mode image 71, namely, green. When the color to be colored is designated, after any area in deceleration assist image 61 (e.g., icon portion 62 and frame portion 63 surrounding icon portion 62) is colored green, deceleration assist image 61 is displayed on the display 30 along with driving mode image 71.

[0064] Watch Figure 5 The user of the displayed image shown, particularly the driver, can immediately understand from the deceleration assist image 61 displayed in the display format corresponding to the driving mode image 71 that deceleration assist due to the curve on the route is performed in the ACC mode.

[0065] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in the traffic jam following mode. During the traffic jam following mode, the driving mode image 71, or the driving mode image 71 and the deceleration assist image 61 may be displayed on the display 30 of the vehicle 1. Figure 6 As shown, the driving mode image 71 may include, for example, a vehicle image 72, a lane image 73, a white line image 74, a preceding vehicle image 75, and a predicted driving trajectory image 76. The predicted driving trajectory image 76 connects the vehicle image 72 and the preceding vehicle image 75 and shows the predicted driving trajectory of the vehicle. Figure 5 As in FIG, the deceleration assist image 61 may be configured as an icon indicating a curve, for example, and may be arranged on the side of the driving mode image 71.

[0066] like Figure 6As shown, the driving mode image 71 in the display image displayed during traffic jam following mode is displayed with a portion of the lane image 73, or a portion of the lane image 73 and a portion of the white line image 74, colored in a color (e.g., blue) different from that of the driving mode image 71. In the display control device 10 according to this embodiment, the display format designation unit 54 designates the color of the deceleration assist image 61 displayed together with the driving mode image 71 to a color corresponding to the color of the driving mode image 71, i.e., blue. When the color to be colored is designated, the deceleration assist image 61 is displayed together with the driving mode image 71 after any area in the deceleration assist image 61 (e.g., the icon portion 62 and the frame portion 63 surrounding the icon portion 62) is colored blue.

[0067] Watch Figure 6 The user of the shown display image, particularly the driver, can immediately understand from the deceleration assist image 61 displayed in the display format corresponding to the driving mode image 71 that deceleration assist due to a curve on the route is performed in the traffic jam following mode.

[0068] As described above, the display control device 10 according to this embodiment adopts a display format corresponding to the selected driving assistance mode as the display format of the deceleration assistance image 61 to be displayed on the display 30. In other words, the display control device 10 according to this embodiment adds information about the driving assistance mode in operation to the deceleration assistance image by simply changing the display format without changing the shape of the icon displayed as the deceleration assistance image. As a result, a user viewing the image displayed on the display 30 can immediately and accurately understand both the selected driving assistance mode and the content of the deceleration assistance.

[0069] Next, the display control method according to this embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the display control method according to this embodiment is implemented in a vehicle 1 including a display control device 10 will be described. Furthermore, the display control method described below can be implemented by executing a program that causes at least one processor 11 of a computer comprising the display control device 10 to perform predetermined operations. The program may be stored in a storage unit such as the ROM 12 or the storage device 14, or may be provided in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0070] The display control method according to this embodiment includes at least: a step of displaying a driving mode image 71 corresponding to the driving assist mode of the vehicle 1 on the display 30 provided in the vehicle 1 (corresponding to step S02 to be described below), a step of adjusting the display format of the deceleration assist image 61 to a display format corresponding to the display format of the driving mode image 71 when deceleration assist is performed (corresponding to step S05 to be described below), and a step of displaying the adjusted deceleration assist image 61 together with the driving mode image 71 (corresponding to step S06 to be described below). A specific example will be described below.

[0071] Figure 7 The flowchart of an example of a display control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The display control method according to the present embodiment begins when the power of the vehicle 1 is turned on and the user performs a driving assist mode selection operation via the input unit 24. When a predetermined driving assist mode is selected by the user, the display control device 10 acquires mode information via the data acquisition unit 51 (step S01). Next, the display controller 52 specifies a driving mode image 71 that matches the acquired mode information so that the user can understand the driving assist mode in operation, and begins displaying the driving mode image 71 on the display 30 (step S02).

[0072] After the display of the driving mode image begins, if the camera 22 of the vehicle 1 detects an event requiring deceleration assistance (e.g., a curve ahead) ("Yes" in step S03), the display process of the deceleration assistance image 61 begins. Specifically, the display controller 52 first specifies the deceleration assistance image 61 corresponding to the detected event requiring deceleration assistance (step S04). Next, the display controller 52 adjusts the display format of the specified deceleration assistance image 61 according to the display format of the driving mode image 71 already displayed on the display 30 (step S05). In this embodiment, the display format is adjusted by adjusting the color of the deceleration assistance image 61 to the same color as the driving mode image 71. Subsequently, after adjusting the display format, the display controller 52 displays the deceleration assistance image 61 on the display 30 together with the driving mode image 71 (step S06). Through the above processing, the display controller 52 completes the display of the deceleration assistance image 61. When the event requiring deceleration assistance is eliminated (e.g., when the curve has been passed), the display of the deceleration assistance image 61 is terminated. In addition, when the driving assist mode is changed, the display content of the driving mode image 71 is switched.

[0073] As described above, in the display control method and program according to the present embodiment, the display format of the deceleration assist image is also adjusted to be the same as the display format of the driving mode image 71 being displayed on the display 30. Therefore, both the event causing the deceleration assist and the driving assist mode on which the deceleration assist is based can be immediately and accurately conveyed to the user.

[0074] In addition, in each embodiment, the processor 11 indicates a processor in a broad sense and includes a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, etc.).

[0075] In addition, the operations of the processor in each embodiment can be performed not only by one processor, but also by multiple processors that exist in multiple physically isolated locations and cooperate with each other. In addition, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each embodiment and can be changed as appropriate.

[0076] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and can be implemented by various modifications within the scope of the present disclosure. All of these are included in the technical concept of the present disclosure. In addition, unless otherwise specified in the specification, each component of the present disclosure is not limited to one, and multiple components may exist.

Claims

1. A display control device, characterized in that include: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire mode information including a driving assist mode of a vehicle and information related to deceleration assist for decelerating the vehicle; as well as A display controller is configured to display a driving mode image corresponding to the acquired mode information on a display device, specify a display format of a deceleration assist image to be displayed in association with the deceleration assist in a manner corresponding to the display format of the driving mode image, and display the deceleration assist image on the display device in the specified display format.

2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display format of the deceleration assist image includes at least one of a color of the deceleration assist image, a thickness of a line in the deceleration assist image, and a size of the deceleration assist image.

3. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The driving assist mode includes a deceleration assist mode for performing only deceleration assist, and an adaptive cruise control mode including acceleration and deceleration assist for following a preceding vehicle at a constant interval.

4. The display control device according to claim 3, wherein: The driving assistance mode further includes a traffic jam following mode including acceleration / deceleration assistance for following the leading vehicle at a constant interval when a traffic jam occurs.

5. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The deceleration assistance image is an icon representing an event requiring the deceleration assistance.

6. A display control method, characterized in that include: displaying a driving mode image corresponding to a driving assist mode of a vehicle on a display device provided in the vehicle; when deceleration assistance is executed, adjusting a display format of the deceleration assistance image to a display format corresponding to a display format of the driving mode image; as well as The deceleration assist image in the adjusted display format is displayed together with the driving mode image.

7. A program product, characterized in that A program is included that causes a processor constituting a computer to execute a process including: displaying a driving mode image corresponding to a driving assist mode of a vehicle on a display device provided in the vehicle; When deceleration assistance is performed, adjusting the display format of the deceleration assistance image to a display format corresponding to the display format of the driving mode image; and The deceleration assist image in the adjusted display format is displayed together with the driving mode image.

Images