Display control device, display control method and program

Abstract

To provide a display control device capable of displaying an appropriate driving support image to an operator of a moving object when the operator performs an operation to avoid an obstacle.SOLUTION: A display control device comprises: obstacle indication image generating means for generating an obstacle indication image indicating a width of an obstacle on a path of a moving object in a direction perpendicular to the path of the moving object and extending along the path of the moving object; and vehicle width indication image generating means for generating a vehicle width indication image indicating a width of the moving object on the path of the moving object and extending along the path of the moving body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control device, a display control method, and a program mounted on a moving body.

Background Art

[0002] In order to avoid obstacles existing on the driving route of an automobile, a display device that displays a recommended driving route along which the automobile travels is known.

[0003] As such a device, Patent Document 1 discloses a display control device that detects the position of an obstacle, calculates a recommended driving route for avoiding the obstacle, and displays the recommended driving route on a head-up display.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, when the display control device of Patent Document 1 detects an obstacle in front of the automobile, it displays a recommended driving route for avoiding the obstacle on the head-up display. However, driving the automobile so as to trace the recommended driving route is difficult, for example, for a driver with low driving skills, and rather imposes unnecessary stress, which is an example of the problems.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and one of the objects is to provide a display control device capable of displaying an appropriate driving support image for a driver when the driver of a moving body performs an operation to avoid an obstacle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The display control device according to claim 1 of the present application has an obstacle indication image generation means for generating an obstacle indication image that indicates the width of an obstacle on the travel path of the moving body and extends along the travel path of the moving body, and a vehicle width indication image generation means for generating a vehicle width indication image that indicates the width of the moving body on the travel path of the moving body and extends along the travel path of the moving body.

[0008] The display control method according to claim 10 of the present application includes a step of generating an obstacle indication image that indicates the width of an obstacle on the travel path of the moving body and extends along the travel path of the moving body. And a step of generating an obstacle indication image that indicates the width of an obstacle on the travel path of the moving body and extends along the travel path of the moving body. The display control method according to claim 10 of the present application has a step of generating a vehicle width indication image that indicates the width of the moving body on the travel path of the moving body and extends along the travel path of the moving body.

[0009] The program according to claim 11 of the present application causes a computer to execute a step of generating an obstacle indication image that indicates the width of an obstacle on the travel path of the moving body and extends along the travel path of the moving body, and a step of generating a vehicle width indication image that indicates the width of the moving body on the travel path of the moving body and extends along the travel path of the moving body.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 9C

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Examples

[0011] The display control device is mounted on a moving body such as an automobile. The moving body may be a moving body other than an automobile, such as a bicycle, a motorcycle, or an airplane. In this embodiment, a case where the display control device is mounted on an automobile, which is an example of a moving body, will be described.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows the functional blocks of the display control device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0013] The input unit 20 is an interface unit that is connected so as to be able to acquire data from the obstacle sensor OS. The display control device 10 receives data from the obstacle sensor OS via the input unit 20. Note that an input device such as a keyboard may be connected to the input unit 20.

[0014] The obstacle sensor OS is a sensor that acquires the position and size of obstacles existing around the vehicle. As the obstacle sensor OS, for example, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), millimeter-wave radar, stereo camera, etc. can be adopted.

[0015] The position information acquisition unit PI is a device that acquires the position information of the vehicle. As the position information acquisition unit PI, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) can be used. The display control device 10 receives position data from the position information acquisition unit PI.

[0016] The display unit 21 is an interface unit connected to the display device DS that displays images. As the display device DS, for example, a head-up display that uses a projection device PJ to display an image on the front glass of the vehicle, a liquid crystal monitor, etc. can be adopted. In this embodiment, an example using a head-up display will be described. Incidentally, when a liquid crystal monitor is adopted as the display device DS, it is preferable to display the video captured by a camera (not shown) as a background image on the display device DS.

[0017] The output unit 22 is an interface unit connected to the speaker SP. The display control device 10 can output sound from the speaker SP.

[0018] The storage device 23 is composed of, for example, a hard disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, etc. The storage device 23 stores various programs such as BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and software. Further, the storage device 23 can store information for generating an obstacle indication image indicating the width of an obstacle in the vertical direction with respect to the route of the vehicle among the obstacles existing on the route of the vehicle, a vehicle width indication image indicating the width of the vehicle in the vertical direction with respect to the route of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle width, and a wheel width indication image indicating the width of the wheels of the vehicle on the route of the vehicle.

[0019] Specifically, the storage device 23 can store a map DB (Data Base) storing map information, vehicle body information including information about the vehicle such as the vehicle width, the minimum ground clearance, and the minimum wheelbase in the vehicle width direction of the automobile. Note that the map information includes information on road shapes such as road width, the number of traffic lanes, and undulations.

[0020] The control unit 24 is realized by a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24a as an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24b as a main storage device, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24c. The CPU 24a reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 24b or the storage device 23 and expands it in the RAM 24c, and realizes various functions in cooperation with the expanded program.

[0021] Each of the input unit 20, the display unit 21, the output unit 22, the storage device 23, the control unit 24, and the position information acquisition unit PI is connected to each other via a system bus 25.

[0022] The control unit 24 can acquire the height of an obstacle on the driving route of the automobile based on each data received via the input unit 20.

[0023] The control unit 24 can generate an obstacle indication image, a vehicle width indication image, and a wheel width indication image based on each data received via the input unit 20, the position information acquired from the position information acquisition unit PI, and each data stored in the storage device 23.

[0024] The control unit 24 can determine whether the vehicle contacts an obstacle. For example, the control unit 24 can determine whether the vehicle contacts an obstacle based on an obstacle indication image and a vehicle width indication image. Also, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle contacts an obstacle based on the obstacle sensor OS. Furthermore, it is also possible to determine whether the obstacle can be an obstacle to the progress of the vehicle based on the height of the obstacle. Note that the determination of whether it can be an obstacle to the progress of the vehicle may be made based on whether there is a possibility that the vehicle contacts the obstacle.

[0025] The control unit 24 can acquire information on the predicted travel route of the vehicle, that is, route information, based on each data stored in the storage device 23.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows an example in which a head-up display is adopted as the display device DS. As shown in FIG. 2, the head-up display includes a projection device PJ that emits light and a reflecting mirror RF that reflects the light emitted from the projection device PJ. The projection device PJ and the reflecting mirror RF are stored in the dashboard DB of the vehicle.

[0027] The light LT emitted from the projection device PJ is reflected by the reflecting mirror RF toward the windshield FG of the vehicle. The light LT reflected by the reflecting mirror RF is irradiated onto the windshield FG of the vehicle through the opening window OP of the dashboard DB. Therefore, the driver DV sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle can recognize information by viewing the image or video projected on the windshield FG.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows the processing flow of the control unit 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 24 determines whether an obstacle has been detected based on the data acquired from the obstacle sensor OS (step S11).

[0029] In the determination of step S11, when it is determined that an obstacle is detected (step S11Y), the control unit 24 generates an obstacle indication image and a vehicle width indication image (step S12). Here, the obstacle indication image is an image that shows the vertical width of the obstacle with respect to the travel path of the automobile and extends along the travel path of the automobile. Also, the vehicle width indication image is an image that shows the width of the automobile on the travel path of the automobile and extends along the travel path of the automobile.

[0030] The control unit 24 causes the display device DS to display the vehicle width indication image generated in step S12 (step S13). The control unit 24 determines whether the obstacle indication image and the vehicle width indication image overlap (step S14). In other words, the control unit 24 determines whether at least a part of the obstacle indication image is included in the display position of the vehicle width indication image. That is, in step S14, it is determined whether the automobile contacts the obstacle.

[0031] In the determination of step S14, when it is determined that the obstacle indication image and the vehicle width indication image overlap (step S14Y), the control unit 24 generates the obstacle indication image in the first mode and causes the display device DS to display it (step S15), and outputs a warning sound from the speaker SP (step S16).

[0032] In the determination of step S14, when it is determined that the obstacle indication image and the vehicle width indication image do not overlap (step S14:N), the control unit 24 generates the obstacle indication image in the second mode and causes the display device DS to display it (step S17).

[0033] In step S13, when the control unit 24 determines that no obstacle is detected (step S11:N), the process ends.

[0034] FIG. 4A shows the vehicle width indication image displayed on the display device DS in step S13 of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4A, the mode on the travel path of the automobile as seen from the interior side of the automobile is shown. On the road RD in the travel path of the automobile, an obstacle OB exists on the left side thereof.

[0035] On the front glass FG, a vehicle width indication image CI indicated by a dashed-dotted line in the figure is superimposed and displayed on the road RD. Specifically, the vehicle width indication image CI has a strip shape that extends along the shape of the road RD from the vehicle, that is, along the driving route of the vehicle. Therefore, since the vehicle width indication image CI indicates the width of the vehicle on the driving route of the vehicle and is an image that extends along the driving route of the vehicle, it indicates the occupied width of the vehicle on the road RD.

[0036] FIG. 4B shows a first aspect of the obstacle indication image displayed on the display device DS in step S15 of FIG. 3.

[0037] On the front glass FG, an obstacle indication image OI indicated by a dotted line in the figure is superimposed and displayed on the road RD.

[0038] Specifically, the obstacle indication image OI has a strip shape that extends along the shape of the road RD from the obstacle OB, that is, along the driving route of the vehicle. Therefore, since the obstacle indication image OI indicates the width of the obstacle OB in the direction perpendicular to the driving route of the vehicle and is an image that extends along the driving route of the vehicle, it indicates the occupied width of the obstacle OB on the road RD.

[0039] In this figure, at least a part of the obstacle indication image OI is included in the display position of the vehicle width indication image CI. In other words, the obstacle indication image OI is superimposed and displayed at the display position of the vehicle width indication image CI. Therefore, if the vehicle continues to travel along this driving route, there is a possibility of contacting the obstacle OB. In this case, the obstacle indication image OI may be displayed in red that evokes danger.

[0040] The obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI are displayed in a visually distinguishable manner from each other. For example, the vehicle width indication image CI is displayed in blue with respect to the obstacle indication image OI displayed in red. Note that the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI are virtual images projected by a head-up display.

[0041] Furthermore, the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI may be generated so as to be displayed with a margin from the actual dimensions. For example, the obstacle indication image OI may be generated to be displayed 1 m longer than the width of the obstacle OB, and the vehicle width indication image CI may be generated to be displayed 0.5 m longer than the width of the automobile. The obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI are displayed with a dimensional width considering perspective when displayed on the windshield FG.

[0042] Also, the vehicle width indication image CI may be shown along the route information which is the predicted route of the automobile. For example, when there is an obstacle OB on one side of a Y-shaped fork and the other side of the fork is the predicted route, the control unit 24 may end the process without determining whether the automobile contacts the obstacle OB, or may not generate the obstacle indication image OI.

[0043] Also, the display of the first aspect such as the obstacle indication image OI may be performed together with additional information. Specifically, in the figure, at the upper part on the left side of the windshield FG, it is shown as "70 m left to the obstacle" as additional information indicating the distance to the obstacle OB. Therefore, the driver DV can visually recognize the distance to the obstacle OB.

[0044] Furthermore, the obstacle indication image OI may blink according to the distance from the automobile to the obstacle OB. For example, by increasing the blinking speed or the like according to the distance from the automobile to the obstacle OB, the driver DV can recognize the distance to the obstacle OB.

[0045] FIG. 4C shows a second aspect of the obstacle indication image OI and the like displayed in step S17 of FIG. 3. In this figure, a part of the obstacle indication image OI is not included in the display position of the vehicle width indication image CI. In other words, the obstacle indication image OI is displayed without overlapping the display position of the vehicle width indication image CI. Therefore, if the automobile continues to take this route, it will not contact the obstacle OB.

[0046] Therefore, in the second display mode, since a case where the vehicle does not come into contact with the obstacle OB is assumed, it is preferable to display the obstacle indication image OI in green, which is associated with safety. That is, different obstacle indication images OI are generated in the first mode and the second mode.

[0047] Incidentally, the obstacle indication image OI only needs to be formed so as to extend along the traveling direction of the vehicle, and it does not necessarily have to be formed so as to extend from the obstacle OB. Similarly, the vehicle width indication image CI only needs to be formed so as to extend along the traveling path of the vehicle, and it does not necessarily have to be formed so as to extend from the vehicle. Further, the obstacle indication image OI only needs to be able to visually recognize at least the width of the obstacle OB, and it does not necessarily have to be band-shaped. Similarly, the vehicle width indication image CI only needs to be able to visually recognize at least the vehicle width, and it does not necessarily have to be band-shaped.

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the vehicle contacts the obstacle OB based on the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI. However, it is not necessary to use the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI to determine whether or not the vehicle contacts the obstacle OB. For example, the size of the obstacle OB may be acquired based on the data input from the obstacle line sensor OS, and the contact with the obstacle OB may be determined from the vehicle width of the vehicle stored in the storage device 23.

[0049] Also, in step S16 of FIG. 3, a warning sound is output from the speaker SP. However, for example, a vibrator (not shown) may be provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle to vibrate the vibrator. The vibration of the vibrator may be performed together with the output of the warning sound, or may be performed instead of the output of the warning sound. By doing so, it becomes possible to intuitively convey to the driver DV the possibility that the vehicle contacts the obstacle OB.

[0050] Also, in step S13 of FIG. 3, it is described that the process of displaying the vehicle width indication image CI is performed. The process of step S13 may be performed at any time as long as it is after step S12. For example, the process of step S13 may be displayed together with the obstacle indication image OI in step S15.

[0051] In this embodiment, the control unit 24 generates an obstacle indication image OI according to the determination in step S14. However, the control unit 24 may change the display mode by processing the obstacle indication image OI generated in step S12, so as to display the first mode of the obstacle indication image OI in step S15 and the second mode of the obstacle indication image OI in step S17.

[0052] As described above, according to the display control device 10 of this embodiment, by superimposing and displaying the relationship between the size of the obstacle OB and its position on the road RD and the size of the automobile and its driving position on the road on the front view, it is possible to intuitively let the driver DV recognize how much the automobile needs to move in the vehicle width direction to avoid the obstacle OB, or whether it is necessary to move. As a result, the driver DV can avoid the obstacle OB with the freedom of operation. Therefore, it is possible to display an appropriate driving assistance image for the operator.

Embodiment

[0053] Figures 5 to 7 are flowchart diagrams showing the processing flow of the display device according to Embodiment 2. The display control device 10 according to Embodiment 2 has the same configuration as that of Embodiment 1, and the processing flow by the control unit 24 is different.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 24 determines whether an obstacle OB has been detected based on the data acquired from the obstacle sensor OS (step S201).

[0055] In the determination of step S201, if it is determined that the obstacle OB has been detected (step S201: Y), the control unit 24 determines whether the height of the obstacle OB is higher than the height obtained by subtracting a predetermined specified height (α cm) from the lowest ground height of the automobile (hereinafter referred to as the reference height) (step S202).

[0056] The reference height can be freely set. For example, it may be only the minimum ground clearance of the vehicle or only a specified height (α cm). Also, the minimum ground clearance may be the minimum ground clearance for each vehicle type or the legal minimum ground clearance.

[0057] In the determination of step S202, when it is determined that the height of the obstacle OB is higher than the reference height (step S202: Y), the control unit 24 generates an obstacle indication image OI and a wheel width indication image WI (step S203). Here, the wheel width indication image WI is an image that indicates the width of the wheels of the vehicle on the traveling path of the vehicle and extends along the traveling path of the vehicle. The wheel width indication image WI is generated with reference to vehicle body information including, for example, the size of the tires mounted on the wheels of the vehicle and the minimum wheel distance in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of wheel width indication images WI may be generated according to the type of the moving body. For example, for a vehicle, a pair of wheel width indication images WI may be generated, and for a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, one wheel width indication image WI may be generated.

[0058] The control unit 24 causes the display device DS to display the wheel width indication image WI generated in step S203 (step S204). The control unit 24 determines whether the obstacle indication image OI and the wheel width indication image WI overlap (step S205). That is, the control unit 24 determines whether at least a part of the obstacle indication image OI is included in the display position of the wheel width indication image WI. Based on this determination, it is determined whether the vehicle contacts the obstacle OB.

[0059] In the determination of step S205, when it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the wheel width indication image WI overlap (step S205: Y), the control unit 24 generates the obstacle indication image OI, etc. in a third mode and causes the display device DS to display them (step S206). The control unit 24 causes the speaker SP to output a warning sound (step S207).

[0060] In step S201, when the control unit 24 determines that no obstacle is detected (step S201: N), the process ends. Incidentally, in the determination of step S201, for example, even if an obstacle OB is detected, if an obstacle OB such as a pebble that is clearly not large enough to obstruct the running of the vehicle is detected, it may be determined that no obstacle OB is detected.

[0061] In the determination of step S202, when it is determined that the height of the obstacle OB is lower than the reference height (step S202: N), as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 24 generates an obstacle indication image OI and a vehicle width indication image CI (step S208). The control unit 24 displays the vehicle width indication image CI generated in step S208 on the display device DS (step S209). The control unit 24 determines whether the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI overlap (step S210).

[0062] In the determination of step S210, when it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI overlap (step S210: Y), the control unit 24 generates the obstacle indication image OI, etc. in the fourth mode and causes it to be displayed on the display device DS (step S211). The control unit 24 causes a warning sound to be output from the speaker SP (step S212).

[0063] In the determination of step S210, when it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI do not overlap (step S210: N), the control unit 24 generates the obstacle indication image OI, etc. in the fifth mode and causes it to be displayed on the display device DS (step S213).

[0064] In the determination of step S205, when it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the wheel width indication image WI do not overlap (step S205: N), as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 24 determines whether the obstacle indication image OI exists inside the wheel width image WI (step S214).

[0065] In the determination of step S214, when it is determined that there is an obstacle indication image OI inside the wheel width indication image WI (step S214: Y), the obstacle indication image OI is generated in the sixth mode and displayed on the display device DS (step S215).

[0066] In the determination of step S217, when it is determined that there is no obstacle indication image OI inside the wheel width indication image WI (step S214: N), the obstacle indication image OI etc. are generated in the seventh mode and displayed on the display device DS (step S216).

[0067] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show the display modes of the obstacle indication image OI when it is determined in step S202 that the height of the obstacle OB is higher than the reference height.

[0068] FIG. 8A shows the fourth mode of the obstacle indication image OI etc. displayed in step S211 of FIG. 6. That is, it is a case where the height of the obstacle OB is higher than the reference height and it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI overlap.

[0069] In this figure, the entire obstacle indication image OI is included in the display position of the vehicle width indication image CI. In other words, the entire obstacle indication image OI is displayed overlapping the display position of the vehicle width indication image CI. Therefore, if the automobile continues to take this route, there is a possibility of contacting the obstacle OB. In this case, the obstacle indication image OI may be displayed in red that associates danger.

[0070] FIG. 8B shows the fifth mode of the obstacle indication image OI etc. displayed in step S213 of FIG. 6. That is, it is a case where the height of the obstacle OB is higher than the reference height and it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI do not overlap.

[0071] In this figure, a part of the obstacle indication image OI is not included in the display position of the vehicle width indication image CI. In other words, the obstacle indication image OI is displayed without overlapping the display position of the vehicle width indication image CI. Therefore, if the vehicle continues on this route, it will not come into contact with the obstacle OB. In this case, the obstacle indication image OI may be displayed in green, which is associated with safety.

[0072] Figures 9A to 9C show the display mode of the obstacle indication image OI when it is determined in step S202 that the height of the obstacle OB is lower than the reference height.

[0073] Figure 9A shows a third mode such as the obstacle indication image OI displayed in step S206 of Figure 5. That is, it is a case where the height of the obstacle OB is lower than the reference height and it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the wheel width indication image WI overlap.

[0074] In this figure, on the front glass FG, the wheel width indication image WI shown by a dashed line in the figure and are superimposed and displayed with respect to the road RD. Specifically, the wheel width indication image WI has a strip shape that extends along the shape of the road RD from the vehicle, that is, along the driving route of the vehicle. Therefore, since the wheel width indication image WI indicates the width of the vehicle wheels on the driving route of the vehicle and is an image that extends along the driving route of the vehicle, it indicates the occupied width of the vehicle wheels on the road RD.

[0075] Also, in the figure, a part of the obstacle indication image OI is included in the display position of the wheel width indication image WI. In other words, a part of the obstacle indication image OI is displayed overlapping the display position of the wheel width indication image WI. Therefore, if the vehicle continues on this route, there is a possibility of coming into contact with the obstacle OB. In other words, if the vehicle continues on this route, its wheels will ride over the obstacle OB. In this case, the obstacle indication image OI may be displayed in red, which is associated with danger.

[0076] Furthermore, the wheel width indication image WI only needs to be formed along the path of the vehicle and does not necessarily need to be formed extending from the vehicle. Also, the wheel width indication image WI only needs to be able to visually recognize at least the wheel width and does not necessarily need to be in a strip shape.

[0077] Also, the wheel width indication image WI may be displayed with a margin compared to the actual dimensions. For example, the differential wheel width indication image WI may be displayed 0.3 m longer than the width of the vehicle. The wheel width indication image WI is displayed with a dimensional width considering perspective when displayed on the front glass FG.

[0078] FIG. 9B shows a seventh aspect such as the obstacle indication image OI displayed in step S216 of FIG. 7. This is a case where the height of the obstacle OB is lower than the reference height and it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the wheel width indication image WI do not overlap.

[0079] In this figure, a part of the obstacle indication image OI is not included in the display position of the wheel width indication image WI. In other words, a part of the obstacle indication image OI is displayed without overlapping the display position of the wheel width indication image WI. Therefore, the vehicle will not contact the obstacle OB if it continues on this path. In this case, the obstacle indication image OI may be displayed in green, which is associated with safety.

[0080] FIG. 9C shows a sixth aspect such as the obstacle indication image OI displayed in step S215 of FIG. 7. This is a case where the height of the obstacle is lower than the reference height and it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the wheel width indication image WI overlap.

[0081] In this figure, a part of the obstacle indication image OI is not included in the display position of the wheel width indication image WI. In other words, a part of the obstacle indication image OI is displayed without overlapping the display position of the wheel width indication image WI.

[0082] However, an obstacle indication image OI is displayed between a pair of wheel width indication images WI. Therefore, if the vehicle continues on this route, it will straddle the obstacle OB and pass over the obstacle OB without running over it. In this case, the obstacle indication image OI may be displayed in yellow, which is associated with caution.

[0083] In addition, the manner in which the obstacle indication image OI is displayed may be changed according to the height of the obstacle OB. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when an obstacle OB higher than the reference height exists on the road RD, the obstacle indication image OI may be displayed in a solid color. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, when an obstacle OB lower than the reference height exists on the road RD, the obstacle indication image OI may be shown by hatching. By making such a display distinction, the driver DV can instantaneously determine whether the vehicle's progress will be obstructed. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the obstacle indication image OI may be displayed in a blinking manner according to the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle OB.

[0084] Also, when the vehicle cannot straddle the obstacle OB, that is, when an obstacle OB higher than the reference height exists on the road RD, additional information may be displayed together with the obstacle indication image OI and the like.

[0085] FIG. 10 shows a fourth aspect of the obstacle indication image OI and the like displayed in step S214 of FIG. 7. That is, it is a case where the height of the obstacle OB is higher than the reference height and it is determined that the obstacle indication image OI and the vehicle width indication image CI overlap.

[0086] In FIG. 10, above the front glass FG, the characters "cannot straddle" are shown as additional information indicating that the vehicle cannot straddle the obstacle OB. Therefore, the driver DV can instantaneously recognize that the vehicle cannot visually straddle the obstacle OB.

[0087] Also, in step S204 of FIG. 5, it was explained that the process of displaying the wheel width indication image WI is to be performed. The process of step S204 may be performed at any time as long as it is after step S203. For example, the process of step S204 may be displayed together with the obstacle indication image OI in step S206.

[0088] In this embodiment, the control unit 24 is configured to generate the obstacle indication image OI according to the determinations in step S205, step S210, and step S214. However, the control unit 24 may process the obstacle indication image OI generated in step S203 or step S209 to change the display mode, so as to display the third to seventh modes of the obstacle indication image OI.

[0089] As described above, according to the display control device 10 of this embodiment, by superimposing the relationship between the size of the obstacle OB and its position on the road RD and the size of the automobile and its running position on the road RD on the forward view, it is possible to intuitively let the driver DV recognize how much the automobile needs to be moved in the vehicle width direction or whether there is no need to move it in order to avoid or straddle the obstacle OB.

[0090] The configuration or routine of the display control device 10 in the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and can be appropriately selected or changed according to the application and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 10 Display control device OI Obstacle indication image CI Vehicle width indication image WI Wheel width indication image

Claims

1. an obstacle information acquiring means for acquiring information indicating a size of an obstacle on a path of the moving object; a first image generating means for generating an obstacle indication image indicating a width of an obstacle on a path of the moving body and extending along the path of the moving body; a second image generating means for generating a moving body indication image that indicates a width of the moving body on the course of the moving body or a width of a wheel of the moving body and extends along the course of the moving body; A display control device comprising:

2. a determination means for determining whether or not the moving object comes into contact with the obstacle, 2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the first image generating means generates the obstacle indication image in a different manner depending on the determination by the determining means.

3. the second image generating means generates, as the moving object indication image, a vehicle width indication image indicating a width of the moving object on the path of the moving object, 3. The display control device according to claim 2, wherein the determining means determines whether or not the moving object will come into contact with the obstacle based on the obstacle indication image and the vehicle width indication image.

4. The display control device according to claim 3 , wherein the determining means determines whether or not the moving object will come into contact with the obstacle based on whether or not at least a portion of the obstacle indicating image is included in a display position of the vehicle width indicating image.

5. a predicted course acquisition means for acquiring information on a predicted course of the moving object, 5. The display control device according to claim 3, wherein the second image generating means generates the vehicle width indication image extending along the predicted course.

6. a vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring a minimum ground clearance of the vehicle; 3. The display control device according to claim 2, wherein the determining means determines whether or not the moving object will come into contact with the obstacle based on a height of the obstacle and the minimum ground clearance.

7. the second image generating means generates, as the moving object indication image, a pair of wheel width indication images that indicate a width of a wheel of the moving object on the course of the moving object and are arranged side by side in a width direction of the moving object; 7. The display control device according to claim 6, wherein the determining means determines whether or not the moving object will come into contact with the obstacle based on the height of the obstacle, the minimum ground clearance, the wheel width indication image, and the obstacle indication image.

8. a predicted course acquisition means for acquiring information on a predicted course of the moving object, 8. The display control device according to claim 7, wherein the second image generating means generates a wheel width indication image extending along the predicted course.

9. A display control method executed by a display control device, comprising: an obstacle information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating a size of an obstacle on a path of the moving object; a first image generating step of generating an obstacle indication image indicating a width of an obstacle on a path of the moving body and extending along the path of the moving body; a second image generating step of generating a moving body indication image indicating a width of the moving body on the course of the moving body or a width of a wheel of the moving body and extending along the course of the moving body; A display control method comprising:

10. A computer included in the display control device an obstacle information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating a size of an obstacle on a path of the moving object; a first image generating step of generating an obstacle indication image indicating a width of an obstacle on a path of the moving body and extending along the path of the moving body; a second image generating step of generating a moving body indication image indicating a width of the moving body on the course of the moving body or a width of a wheel of the moving body and extending along the course of the moving body; A program for executing the above.

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