Information processing device

Abstract

To improve a technique for supporting a parking operation of a vehicle.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11 and a display unit 14. The control unit determines a reference distance based on a maximum protruding length to a vehicle rear side during an opening / closing operation of a back door, and when a rear obstacle is detected when parking of a vehicle is started, causes the display unit to display, on a screen of a back view, a guide image indicating a position away from the rear obstacle by the reference distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique related to a back monitor that displays a predicted path line and a distance reference line on a rear image of a vehicle to assist in the parking operation of the vehicle has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in order to use the trunk at the rear of the vehicle, the user may open and close the back door after parking. Depending on the structure of the back door, the back door may protrude toward the rear side of the vehicle during the opening and closing operation. In such a case, it is desirable to park at a certain distance from an obstacle (such as a wall) on the rear side of the vehicle. However, in a conventional back monitor, since the protruding length of the back door is not considered, it is not always possible to assist in parking at an appropriate distance from an obstacle on the rear side of the vehicle. Thus, there has been room for improvement in the technology for assisting the parking operation of a vehicle.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for assisting the parking operation of a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit and a display unit, and the control unit determines a reference distance based on a maximum protruding length toward the rear side of the vehicle during the opening and closing operation of the back door, When a rear obstacle is detected at the start of parking of the vehicle, a guide image indicating a position separated from the rear obstacle by the reference distance is displayed on the back view screen by the display unit.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support technology for the parking operation of the vehicle is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0010] (Overview of the Embodiment) With reference to FIG. 1, an overview of the technology according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The technology according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a vehicle 1 and an information processing apparatus 10 mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0011] The vehicle 1 is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited thereto and may be any vehicle. The automobile is, for example, a gasoline automobile, an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle (HV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), etc., but is not limited to these. The vehicle 1 has a back door 2, and the back door 2 protrudes to the rear side of the vehicle during the opening and closing operation of the back door 2.

[0012] The information processing device 10 is an arbitrary device used by the occupant of the vehicle 1. For example, a dedicated in-vehicle device such as a rear monitor device can be adopted as the information processing device 10.

[0013] First, the outline of this embodiment will be described, and the details will be described later. The information processing device 10 determines a reference distance based on the maximum protrusion length to the rear side of the vehicle during the opening and closing operation of the back door 2. When a rear obstacle is detected at the start of vehicle parking, the information processing device 10 displays a guide image indicating a position separated from the rear obstacle by the reference distance on the back view screen.

[0014] Thus, according to this embodiment, when a rear obstacle is detected at the start of vehicle parking, the information processing device 10 displays a guide image indicating a position separated from the rear obstacle by the reference distance on the back view screen. The reference distance is determined based on the maximum protrusion length to the rear side of the vehicle during the opening and closing operation of the back door. Therefore, the vehicle parking operation support technology is improved in that it can support parking considering the relationship with the rear obstacle when the user opens and closes the back door after parking.

[0015] (Configuration of Information Processing Device) Next, each configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail. The information processing device 10 is an arbitrary device used by the user.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, a communication unit 15, a positioning unit 16, and an imaging unit 17.

[0017] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). While controlling each part of the information processing apparatus 10, the control unit 11 executes processing related to the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0018] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (static random access memory) or a DRAM (dynamic random access memory). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0019] The input unit 13 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen provided integrally with the display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that receives voice input, or a camera that receives gesture input. The input unit 13 receives an operation for inputting data used in the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. Instead of being provided in the information processing apparatus 10, the input unit 13 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10 as an external input device. As a connection method, for example, any method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (Registered Trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) can be used.

[0020] The display unit 14 includes at least one display output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that displays a rear view or the like. The rear view is image information indicating the out-of-vehicle scenery behind the vehicle. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The display unit 14 displays and outputs data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. Instead of being provided in the information processing apparatus 10, the display unit 14 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10 as an external output device. As a connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (Registered Trademark), or Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) can be used.

[0021] The communication unit 15 is provided with a communication interface for connecting to a network. For example, the communication unit 15 may be provided with a communication interface for connecting to a CAN. The communication interface for connecting to a network conforms to mobile communication standards and the like, but is not limited thereto, and may conform to any communication standard. In the present embodiment, an information processing apparatus 10 of a certain mobile body is wirelessly connected to an information processing apparatus of another mobile body via the communication unit 15 and the network. The communication unit 15 receives data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0022] The positioning unit 16 includes one or more devices for acquiring the position information of the information processing apparatus 10 (that is, the position information of the vehicle 1). Specifically, the positioning unit 16 includes, for example, a receiver corresponding to GPS, but is not limited thereto, and may include a receiver corresponding to any satellite positioning system.

[0023] The imaging unit 17 includes an in-vehicle camera that generates an image of the out-of-vehicle scenery behind the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the "image" may be a still image or a moving image. The in-vehicle camera included in the imaging unit 17 may be a monocular camera or a stereo camera. The imaging unit 17 is provided on the vehicle 1 so as to be able to image the out-of-vehicle scenery behind the vehicle 1. By the imaging unit 17 imaging the out-of-vehicle scenery behind the vehicle 1, the above-described back view can be displayed on the display unit 14.

[0024] The functions of the information processing apparatus 10 are realized by executing a program according to the present embodiment by a processor corresponding to the information processing apparatus 10. That is, the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operation of the information processing apparatus 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing apparatus 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing apparatus 10 by executing the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the program.

[0025] In this embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes non-transitory computer-readable media, such as a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The distribution of the program can be performed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) on which the program is recorded. Also, the distribution of the program can be performed by storing the program in the storage of an external server and transmitting the program from the external server to another computer. Also, the program may be provided as a program product.

[0026] Some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 11. That is, some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0027] (Operation of the information processing apparatus) With reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0028] Step S100: The control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10 determines a reference distance based on the maximum protruding length toward the rear side of the vehicle during the opening and closing operation of the back door. For example, the control unit 23 determines the reference distance within a range that is equal to or greater than the protruding length when the opening degree of the back door is the minimum opening degree required for loading and unloading the trunk luggage, and equal to or less than the maximum protruding length.

[0029] Step S200: When a rear obstacle is detected at the start of parking of the vehicle, the control unit 11 displays a guide image indicating a position separated from the rear obstacle by the reference distance on the back view screen by the display unit 14. Any method can be adopted for the detection of the rear obstacle. For example, the detection of the rear obstacle may be performed by image recognition of the rear image captured by the imaging unit 17. Also, for example, the detection of the rear obstacle may be performed by a sensor or the like.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an example of a user interface 100 including the above guide image. The user interface 100 includes a rear obstacle 200 (here, a wall), a first line image 310, a second line image 320, and a guide image 330. The first line image 310 is a guide indicating a position a predetermined distance ahead from the rear of the vehicle. For example, the first line image 310 is displayed at a position 0.5 m ahead from the rear of the vehicle. The second line image 320 is a guide indicating a predicted travel route. For example, the second line image 320 is displayed at a position 3 m ahead from the rear of the vehicle according to the state of the steering. The guide image 330 indicates a position separated from the rear obstacle 200 by a reference distance. Based on the guide image 330, it becomes easy for the driver to park at a distance of the reference distance from the rear obstacle 200.

[0031] As described above, when a rear obstacle is detected at the start of parking of the vehicle, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment displays a guide image indicating a position separated from the rear obstacle by a reference distance on the back view screen. The reference distance is determined based on the maximum protrusion length to the rear side of the vehicle during the opening and closing operation of the back door. Therefore, the parking support technology of the vehicle is improved in that it is possible to support parking in consideration of the relationship with the rear obstacle when the user opens and closes the back door after parking.

[0032] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions etc. included in each component or each step etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and it is possible to combine or divide a plurality of components or steps etc. into one.

[0033] For example, the control unit 11 may determine the reference distance based on further information about the luggage loaded in the trunk of the vehicle 1. The luggage information includes, for example, information such as the size, weight, and contents of the luggage. For example, the larger or heavier the luggage, the longer the reference distance may be set. Thereby, an appropriate reference distance corresponding to the luggage information can be determined.

[0034] Also, for example, the control unit 11 may cause the display unit 14 to display a guide image according to the position information when the vehicle 1 is parked. The control unit 11 acquires such position information by means of the positioning unit 16. For example, when the position information when the vehicle 1 is parked substantially coincides with a predetermined reference position, the control unit 11 may cause the display unit 14 to display a guide image. The reference position may include the position of a facility (such as a shopping mall) where there is a high possibility of using the trunk.

[0035] Also, for example, the control unit 11 may store performance information indicating the number of times the back door is opened and closed for each past parking position of the vehicle 1. In such a case, the reference position may include any of the parking positions where the number of times of opening and closing in the performance information is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

Explanation of Signs

[0036] 1 Vehicle 10 Information Processing Device 11 Control Unit 12 Storage Unit 13 Input Unit 14 Display Unit 15 Communication Unit 16 Positioning Unit 17 Imaging Unit 100 User Interface 200 Rear Obstacle 310 First Line Image 320 Second Line Image 330 Guide Image

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit and a display unit, wherein the control unit determines a reference distance based on a maximum protrusion length toward the rear side of the vehicle during the opening and closing operation of the back door, and when a rear obstacle is detected at the start of parking of the vehicle, causes the display unit to display a guide image indicating a position separated from the rear obstacle by the reference distance on a back view screen.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the reference distance within a range that is equal to or greater than a protrusion length when the opening degree of the back door reaches a minimum opening degree necessary for loading and unloading luggage in the trunk and equal to or less than the maximum protrusion length.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further determines the reference distance based on information on luggage loaded in the trunk of the vehicle.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the guide image according to position information of the vehicle during parking.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the guide image when the position information of the vehicle during parking substantially coincides with a predetermined reference position. ​

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