Display control apparatus

Abstract

To provide a display control apparatus capable of suppressing frequent switching of an economy level image.SOLUTION: When an environmental parameter value changes from a value equal to or smaller than a predetermined switching threshold to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of follow-up travel control, a display control apparatus causes a display device to display an economy level image indicating an economy level acquired on the basis of a first evaluation value until the environmental parameter value reaches an increase-side threshold greater than the predetermined switching threshold. When the environmental parameter value changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to a value equal to or smaller than the predetermined switching threshold during the execution of the follow-up travel control, the display control apparatus causes the display device to display the economy level image indicating the economy level acquired on the basis of a second evaluation value until the environmental parameter value reaches a decrease-side threshold smaller than the predetermined switching threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control device. [Background technology]

[0002] A display control device is known that displays an eco-friendliness image on a meter display, which indicates the eco-friendliness level (i.e., the degree to which the energy consumption associated with the vehicle's travel is low). Another display control device is known that switches between different eco-friendliness images depending on whether the eco-friendliness level is relatively high or relatively low. In a case where such a display control device is configured to determine that the eco-friendliness level is relatively high when detection data detected by a sensor is equal to or less than a threshold value and to determine that the eco-friendliness level is relatively low when the inter-vehicle distance is greater than the threshold value, if the detection data frequently increases and decreases across the threshold value, the eco-friendliness level image will be frequently switched, which may be annoying to the driver of the vehicle. One known technique for absorbing such frequent increases and decreases in detection data is to apply Kalman filtering to the detection data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3380497 Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, when Kalman filter processing is applied to the detection data, frequent switching of the eco-friendliness image can be suppressed to a certain extent, but when the detection data actually crosses the threshold and frequently increases and decreases, frequent switching of the eco-friendliness image will still occur.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a display control device that can suppress frequent switching of eco level images.

[0006] A display control device according to the present invention includes a control device that, during execution of follow-up cruise control in which the host vehicle autonomously drives while allowing the distance between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle to vary within a set inter-vehicle distance range, displays, on a display device, an eco-friendliness image representing an eco-friendliness level indicating a degree of low energy consumption associated with the driving of the host vehicle. The control device is configured, during execution of the follow-up cruise control, to acquire values ​​of environmental parameters that define the eco-friendliness level and indicate the driving environment of the host vehicle, acquire evaluation values ​​corresponding to the acquired environmental parameter values, acquire the eco-friendliness level based on the acquired evaluation values, and display, on the display device, the eco-friendliness image representing the acquired eco-friendliness level. A first evaluation value, which is the evaluation value corresponding to a value of the environmental parameter that is equal to or less than a predetermined switching threshold, and a second evaluation value, which is the evaluation value corresponding to a value of the environmental parameter that is greater than the predetermined switching threshold, are different values. The control device is configured to, when the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the follow-up driving control, display on the display device the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the first evaluation value until the value of the environmental parameter reaches an increasing threshold greater than the predetermined switching threshold, and to, when the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the follow-up driving control, display on the display device the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the second evaluation value until the value of the environmental parameter reaches a decreasing threshold less than the predetermined switching threshold.

[0007] According to the display control device of the present invention, even if the value of an environmental parameter frequently increases or decreases across a predetermined switching threshold while adaptive cruise control is being performed, an eco-friendliness level is obtained based on the evaluation value before the value of the environmental parameter first crosses the predetermined switching threshold, and an eco-friendliness level image representing the obtained eco-friendliness level is displayed. This makes it possible to suppress frequent switching of the eco-friendliness level image.

[0008] In addition, in the display control device of the present invention, the control device can be configured to display, on the display device, the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the second evaluation value when the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value below the predetermined switching threshold to exceed the predetermined switching threshold and reach the increasing threshold during execution of the following driving control, and to display, on the display device, the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the first evaluation value when the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to exceed the predetermined switching threshold and reach the decreasing threshold during execution of the following driving control.

[0009] According to the display control device of the present invention, when the value of an environmental parameter exceeds the predetermined switching threshold and reaches the increasing threshold, an eco degree image representing the eco degree acquired based on the second evaluation value is displayed. On the other hand, when the value of an environmental parameter exceeds the predetermined switching threshold and reaches the decreasing threshold, an eco degree image representing the eco degree acquired based on the first evaluation value is displayed. Therefore, when the value of an environmental parameter reaches the increasing threshold and when the value of an environmental parameter reaches the decreasing threshold, an eco degree image representing a more accurate eco degree is displayed.

[0010] Furthermore, in the display control device according to the present invention, the control device may be configured such that, when the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the follow-up driving control, the control device corrects the value of the environmental parameter to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the increasing threshold, and displays on the display device the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the evaluation value corresponding to the corrected environmental parameter value; and, when the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the follow-up driving control, the control device corrects the value of the environmental parameter to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the decreasing threshold, and displays on the display device the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the evaluation value corresponding to the corrected environmental parameter value.

[0011] According to the display control device of the present invention, frequent switching of eco level images can be suppressed by using a technique for correcting the values ​​of environmental parameters.

[0012] In the display control device according to the present invention, the control device may be configured to store a first map and a second map for acquiring the evaluation value using the value of the environmental parameter as an argument. In this case, the first map is a map in which the evaluation value corresponding to the value of the environmental parameter that is equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold is set to be the same as the evaluation value corresponding to the value of the environmental parameter that is greater than the predetermined switching threshold, and the second map is a map in which the evaluation value corresponding to the value of the environmental parameter that is equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold is set to be different from the evaluation value corresponding to the value of the environmental parameter that is greater than the predetermined switching threshold. The control device may be configured to, when the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the follow-up driving control, display on the display device the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the evaluation value obtained from the first map using the value of the environmental parameter as an argument, until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the increasing threshold; and to, when the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the follow-up driving control, display on the display device the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the evaluation value obtained from the first map using the value of the environmental parameter as an argument, until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the decreasing threshold.

[0013] According to the display control device of the present invention, when the value of an environmental parameter changes from a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of follow-up driving control, the eco degree image does not change until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the increasing threshold. Similarly, when the value of an environmental parameter changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of follow-up driving control, the eco degree image does not change until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the decreasing threshold. This makes it possible to suppress frequent changes in the eco degree image.

[0014] The components of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the drawings. Other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will be easily understood from the description of the embodiments of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle driving assistance device including a display control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a scene in which a preceding vehicle is present. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a routine executed by the vehicle driving assistance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing evaluation values ​​relating to the air resistance reduction effect. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a comprehensive evaluation image. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an overall evaluation image corresponding to the first rating (lowest rating), an overall evaluation image corresponding to the second rating, an overall evaluation image corresponding to the third rating, an overall evaluation image corresponding to the fourth rating, and an overall evaluation image corresponding to the fifth rating (highest rating). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the backlash process. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the inter-vehicle distance after backlash processing. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing evaluation values ​​relating to the air resistance reduction effect according to the modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A display control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a vehicle driving assistance device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is included in the vehicle driving assistance device 10. However, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 and the display control device may be configured separately, and some of the functions of the vehicle driving assistance device 10 described below (particularly, the function of controlling the operation of a display device, which will be described later) may be performed by the display control device, and the remaining functions may be performed by the vehicle driving assistance device 10.

[0017] The vehicle driving assistance device 10 is mounted on the host vehicle 100. Hereinafter, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 will be described using as an example a case where the operator of the host vehicle 100 is a person who gets into the host vehicle 100 and drives the host vehicle 100 (i.e., the driver of the host vehicle 100). However, the operator of the host vehicle 100 may also be a person who drives the host vehicle 100 remotely without getting into the host vehicle 100 (i.e., a remote operator of the host vehicle 100).

[0018] The present invention is also applicable to vehicles that run by automatic driving without the need for driving by a driver or a remote operator. Therefore, when the vehicle 100 is a vehicle that runs by automatic driving, the display device described below displays the results of the comprehensive evaluation to a passenger on board the vehicle 100 or a remote monitor who monitors the running of the vehicle 100 using remote control equipment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 includes an ECU (electronic control unit) 90 as a control device. The ECU 90 includes a microcomputer as a main component. The microcomputer includes a CPU, storage media such as a ROM, a RAM, and a non-volatile memory, as well as an interface. The CPU executes instructions, programs, or routines stored in the storage media to realize various functions. In particular, in this example, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 stores programs in the storage media that realize various controls executed by the vehicle driving assistance device 10.

[0020] In this example, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 includes only one ECU 90, but may include multiple ECUs, each of which performs a part of the functions of the vehicle driving assistance device 10 described below. The vehicle driving assistance device 10 may also be configured to be able to update a program stored in a storage medium via wireless communication with an external device (for example, via the Internet).

[0021] The host vehicle 100 is equipped with a power unit 20, a braking unit 30, a display unit 40, a surrounding information detection unit 50, and a support switch 60.

[0022] The power unit 20 is a device that generates power to be applied to the host vehicle 100 (particularly, the drive wheels of the host vehicle 100), and in this example, includes an internal combustion engine 21 and an electric motor 22. The power unit 20 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The vehicle driving assistance device 10 can control the power applied to the host vehicle 100 by controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine 21 and the electric motor 22.

[0023] The braking device 30 is a device that applies braking force to the host vehicle 100 (particularly, the wheels of the host vehicle 100), and in this example, is equipped with a hydraulic brake device 31. The braking device 30 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The vehicle driving assistance device 10 can control the braking force applied to the host vehicle 100 by controlling the operation of the hydraulic brake device 31.

[0024] The display device 40 is a device that displays various images to the driver of the vehicle 100, and in this example, includes a display 41. The display device 40 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The vehicle driving assistance device 10 can display various images on the display 41 using the display device 40.

[0025] The surrounding information detection device 50 is a device that detects information about the surroundings of the host vehicle 100, and in this example, includes an electromagnetic wave sensor 51 and an image sensor 52. The surrounding information detection device 50 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The electromagnetic wave sensor 51 is, for example, a radar sensor such as a millimeter-wave radar. The vehicle driving assistance device 10 acquires information about objects present in the surroundings of the host vehicle 100 as surrounding detection information IS using the electromagnetic wave sensor 51. Furthermore, the image sensor 52 is, for example, a camera sensor. The vehicle driving assistance device 10 acquires image information about the surroundings of the host vehicle 100 as surrounding detection information IS using the image sensor 52.

[0026] The support switch 60 is a device that is operated by the driver of the vehicle 100 to request the execution or stop of eco-driving control, which will be described later. The support switch 60 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. By operating the support switch 60, the driver can request the vehicle driving support device 10 to execute eco-driving control or to stop it.

[0027] <Operation of vehicle driving assistance device> Next, a description will be given of the operation of the vehicle driving support device 10. The vehicle driving support device 10 is configured to execute eco-friendly driving control when execution of the eco-friendly driving control is requested. The vehicle driving support device 10 is also configured to stop the eco-friendly driving control when stop of the eco-friendly driving control is requested.

[0028] Eco-friendly driving control is one type of automatic driving control, and as shown in Fig. 2, is a type of follow-up driving control in which, when a preceding vehicle 200 is present, the host vehicle 100 is caused to autonomously accelerate or decelerate so as to follow the preceding vehicle 200. In this example, the eco-friendly driving control has a coasting mode and a powering mode as control modes.

[0029] The coasting mode is a mode in which the host vehicle 100 is decelerated by coasting the host vehicle 100 by disconnecting the power unit 20 from the drive wheels of the host vehicle 100. The powering mode is a mode in which the host vehicle 100 is accelerated. In particular, the powering mode is an optimal powering mode in which the host vehicle 100 is powered by operating the power unit 20 with optimal energy efficiency.

[0030] When the eco-friendly cruise control is being executed in powering mode, if the inter-vehicle distance D (the distance between the preceding vehicle 200 and the host vehicle 100) shortens and reaches the lower limit value Dlower of the set inter-vehicle distance range Rdset, the control mode is switched from powering mode to coasting mode. On the other hand, when the eco-friendly cruise control is operating in coasting mode, if the inter-vehicle distance D lengthens and reaches the upper limit value Dupper of the set inter-vehicle distance range Rdset, the control mode is switched from coasting mode to powering mode.

[0031] The set inter-vehicle distance range Rdset is a range of inter-vehicle distance D having a lower limit value Dlower for the set inter-vehicle distance Dset and an upper limit value Dupper that is a distance that is longer than the set inter-vehicle distance Dset by a predetermined distance ΔD. The set inter-vehicle distance Dset is set in advance by the driver of the host vehicle 100. The preceding vehicle 200 is another vehicle traveling in the host vehicle's driving lane (the lane in which the host vehicle 100 is traveling) within a certain distance D200 ahead of the host vehicle 100. The preceding vehicle 200 is detected based on surroundings detection information IS. The inter-vehicle distance D is acquired based on the surroundings detection information IS.

[0032] 3 at predetermined calculation intervals, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 is configured to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the eco-friendliness achieved by the eco-following driving control when predetermined conditions are met, and to display the results of the comprehensive evaluation on the display device 40. In other words, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 is configured to display on the display device 40 a comprehensive evaluation image T (eco-friendliness image) that represents the eco-friendliness, which indicates the degree of reduction in energy consumption related to the driving of the host vehicle 100, while the eco-following driving control is being executed. The eco-friendliness corresponds to an evaluation value E, which will be described later. The larger the evaluation value E, the higher the eco-friendliness.

[0033] At a predetermined timing, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 starts the processing from step S300 of the routine shown in FIG. 3, and proceeds to step S305 to determine whether eco-friendly driving control is being executed.

[0034] If the vehicle driving assistance device 10 determines "Yes" in step S305, the process proceeds to step S310, where it acquires environmental parameters related to the driving environment of the host vehicle 100. In this example, the environmental parameters are the inter-vehicle distance D and the projected area A. The projected area A is the area of ​​the preceding vehicle 200 when the preceding vehicle 200 is projected onto a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal line between the front and rear of the preceding vehicle 200 (a line extending horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the preceding vehicle 200). The projected area A is acquired based on the surrounding detection information IS.

[0035] Next, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 proceeds to step S315 and acquires an evaluation value E (environmental evaluation value Ee) related to the air resistance reduction effect based on the inter-vehicle distance D and the projected area A. The air resistance reduction effect is the effect of reducing the air resistance experienced by the host vehicle 100 by executing eco-friendly driving control. The air resistance reduction effect varies depending on the inter-vehicle distance D and the projected area A. That is, when the host vehicle 100 is traveling following the preceding vehicle 200, the shorter the inter-vehicle distance D, the smaller the air resistance experienced by the host vehicle 100. Furthermore, when the host vehicle 100 is traveling following the preceding vehicle 200, the larger the projected area A of the preceding vehicle 200, the smaller the air resistance experienced by the host vehicle 100. Therefore, for the same projected area A, the shorter the inter-vehicle distance D, the larger the environmental evaluation value Ee tends to be. Furthermore, for the same inter-vehicle distance D, the larger the projected area A, the larger the environmental evaluation value Ee tends to be. It should be noted that the smaller the air resistance experienced by the vehicle 100, the less energy the vehicle 100 consumes, and the higher the eco-friendliness level.

[0036] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the environmental evaluation value Ee is set for each combination of the inter-vehicle distance D and the projected area A.

[0037] In Fig. 4, symbols Rd1 to Rd4 each indicate a range of inter-vehicle distance D. The inter-vehicle distance D within range Rd1 is shorter than the inter-vehicle distance D within range Rd2. The inter-vehicle distance D within range Rd2 is shorter than the inter-vehicle distance D within range Rd3. The inter-vehicle distance D within range Rd3 is shorter than the inter-vehicle distance D within range Rd4. Ranges Rd1 and Rd2, ranges Rd2 and Rd3, and ranges Rd3 and Rd4 are all continuous ranges.

[0038] In this example, when the inter-vehicle distance D is equal to or less than the upper limit value DU of range Rd1, the inter-vehicle distance D is within range Rd1. Also, when the inter-vehicle distance D is greater than the upper limit value DU of range Rd1 (i.e., equal to or greater than the lower limit value DL of range Rd2) and equal to or less than the upper limit value DU of range Rd2, the inter-vehicle distance D is within range Rd2. Also, when the inter-vehicle distance D is greater than the upper limit value DU of range Rd2 (i.e., equal to or greater than the lower limit value DL of range Rd3) and equal to or less than the upper limit value DU of range Rd3, the inter-vehicle distance D is within range Rd2. Also, when the inter-vehicle distance D is greater than the upper limit value DU of range Rd3 (i.e., equal to or greater than the lower limit value DL of range Rd4), the inter-vehicle distance D is within range Rd2.

[0039] 4, symbols Ra1 to Ra4 each indicate the range of the projection area A. The projection area A within the range Ra1 is smaller than the projection area A within the range Ra2. The projection area A within the range Ra2 is smaller than the projection area A within the range Ra3. The projection area A within the range Ra3 is smaller than the projection area A within the range Ra4. The ranges Ra1 and Ra2, the ranges Ra2 and Ra3, and the ranges Ra3 and Ra4 are all continuous ranges.

[0040] In this example, when the projected area A is equal to or smaller than the upper limit AU of the range Ra1, the projected area A is within the range Ra1. When the projected area A is greater than the upper limit AU of the range Ra1 (i.e., equal to or larger than the lower limit AL of the range Ra2) and equal to or smaller than the upper limit AU of the range Ra2, the projected area A is within the range Ra2. When the projected area A is greater than the upper limit AU of the range Ra2 (i.e., equal to or larger than the lower limit AL of the range Ra3) and equal to or smaller than the upper limit AU of the range Ra3, the projected area A is within the range Ra2. When the projected area A is greater than the upper limit AU of the range Ra3 (i.e., equal to or larger than the lower limit AL of the range Ra4), the projected area A is within the range Ra2.

[0041] In the example shown in Fig. 4, when the projected area A is a value within the same range, the environmental evaluation value Ee tends to increase as the inter-vehicle distance D becomes shorter. Also, when the inter-vehicle distance D is a value within the same range, the environmental evaluation value Ee tends to increase as the projected area A becomes larger. For example, when the inter-vehicle distance D is a value within range Rd1 and the projected area A is a value within range Ra1, the environmental evaluation value Ee is set to "1". In this way, the environmental evaluation value Ee is set to a larger value as the degree to which it contributes to reducing the energy consumption related to the traveling of the host vehicle 100 becomes greater.

[0042] Next, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 proceeds to step S320 to acquire an evaluation value E (mode evaluation value Em) related to the control mode. The mode evaluation value Em is set to a larger value when the eco-friendly driving control is being executed in the coasting mode than when the eco-friendly driving control is being executed in the powering mode.

[0043] When the eco-friendly driving control is executed in the coasting mode, the amount of energy consumed by the vehicle 100 during driving is very small. Therefore, in this example, the mode evaluation value Em is set to "3" when the eco-friendly driving control is executed in the coasting mode.

[0044] Furthermore, when eco-friendly cruise control is being executed in powering mode, energy is consumed for the running of the host vehicle 100. However, the execution of eco-friendly cruise control in powering mode is essential for the subsequent execution of eco-friendly cruise control in coasting mode, and it is precisely because eco-friendly cruise control is executed in powering mode that eco-friendly cruise control can be subsequently executed in coasting mode. In other words, eco-friendly cruise control in powering mode contributes to reducing the amount of energy consumed for the running of the host vehicle 100. Therefore, in this example, the mode evaluation value Em is set to "1" when eco-friendly cruise control is being executed in powering mode.

[0045] In this way, the mode evaluation value Em is set to a larger value as the degree of contribution to reducing the amount of energy consumption related to the running of the host vehicle 100 increases.

[0046] Next, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 proceeds to step S325, and acquires the sum of the environment evaluation value Ee acquired in step S315 and the mode evaluation value Em acquired in step S320 as a total evaluation value Et.

[0047] Next, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 proceeds to step S330, where it determines an overall evaluation (overall evaluation) of the eco-friendliness achieved by the eco-following driving control based on the total evaluation value Et. In this example, the overall evaluation is a four-level evaluation (i.e., first evaluation, second evaluation, third evaluation, and fourth evaluation) ranging from the lowest overall evaluation (lowest evaluation) to the highest overall evaluation (highest evaluation). When the total evaluation value Et is "1," the overall evaluation is the first evaluation (lowest evaluation). When the total evaluation value Et is "2," the overall evaluation is the second evaluation. When the total evaluation value Et is "3," the overall evaluation is the third evaluation. When the total evaluation value Et is "4" or greater, the overall evaluation is the fourth evaluation (highest evaluation).

[0048] Next, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 proceeds to step S335, where an image representing the overall evaluation (overall evaluation image T) is displayed on the display device 40. Next, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 proceeds to step S395, where the processing of this routine is temporarily terminated. In this example, the overall evaluation image T is the image shown in FIG.

[0049] The comprehensive evaluation image T shown in Figure 5 includes a main image M and four sub-images S (i.e., a first sub-image S1, a second sub-image S2, a third sub-image S3, and a fourth sub-image S4). The main image M is an image that resembles a single leaf. The sub-images S are rod-shaped images, and the first sub-image S1, the second sub-image S2, the third sub-image S3, and the fourth sub-image S4 are arranged in a row from left to right.

[0050] 6, the overall evaluation image T1 corresponding to the first evaluation is displayed with the main image M and the first sub-image S1 lit and the second sub-image S2, the third sub-image S3, and the fourth sub-image S4 unlit. The overall evaluation image T2 corresponding to the second evaluation is displayed with the main image M, the first sub-image S1, and the second sub-image S2 lit and the third sub-image S3 and the fourth sub-image S4 unlit. The overall evaluation image T3 corresponding to the third evaluation is displayed with the main image M, the first sub-image S1, the second sub-image S2, and the third sub-image S3 lit and the fourth sub-image S4 unlit. The overall evaluation image T4 corresponding to the fourth evaluation is displayed with the main image M, the first sub-image S1, the second sub-image S2, the third sub-image S3, and the fourth sub-image S4 all lit.

[0051] If the determination in step S305 is "No," the vehicle driving assistance device 10 proceeds to step S325, and if the display device 40 is currently displaying the overall evaluation image T, stops the display. Next, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 proceeds to step S395, and temporarily ends the processing of this routine.

[0052] In this way, while performing eco-following driving control, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 acquires the inter-vehicle distance D and the projection area A (values ​​of environmental parameters which are parameters that define the eco-degree and indicate the driving environment of the vehicle 100), acquires an evaluation value E corresponding to the acquired inter-vehicle distance D and projection area A, acquires a total evaluation value Et (eco-degree) based on the acquired evaluation value E, and displays an overall evaluation image T (eco-degree image) representing the acquired total evaluation value Et on the display device 40.

[0053] According to this, the overall evaluation image T is displayed by the display device 40, and the driver of the vehicle 100 can know the eco-friendliness of the driving of the vehicle 100 by looking at the overall evaluation image T.

[0054] Meanwhile, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 acquires the environmental evaluation value Ee according to the inter-vehicle distance D and the projection area A. For example, when the projection area A is within the range Ra3, if the inter-vehicle distance D repeatedly increases and decreases across the boundary between the range Rd1 and the range Rd2, the environmental evaluation value Ee repeatedly fluctuates between "3" and "2." As a result, the overall evaluation also repeatedly changes, and the overall evaluation image T also repeatedly changes, which may cause the driver to feel annoyed.

[0055] Therefore, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 is configured to use, in order to acquire the environmental evaluation value Ee, the inter-vehicle distance D obtained by performing backlash processing on the inter-vehicle distance D obtained based on the periphery detection information IS when the inter-vehicle distance D increases and exceeds the upper limit value DU of each of the ranges Rd1 to Rd3, and when the inter-vehicle distance D decreases and exceeds the lower limit value DL of each of the ranges Rd2 to Rd4. Similarly, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 is configured to use, in order to acquire the environmental evaluation value Ee, the projected area A obtained by performing backlash processing on the projected area A obtained based on the periphery detection information IS when the projected area A increases and exceeds the upper limit value AU of each of the ranges Ra1 to Ra3, and when the projected area A decreases and exceeds the lower limit value AL of each of the ranges Ra2 to Ra4.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 7, backlash processing is a process in which a value input to the backlash processing (input value Vi) is corrected and the corrected value is output as output value Vo. That is, when backlash processing for input value Vi is initiated when input value Vi increases and reaches third value V3 (time t70), output value Vo is maintained at third value V3 until input value Vi increases and reaches fourth value V4 (time t71). Then, when input value Vi reaches fourth value V4, output value Vo begins to increase, and thereafter, as input value Vi increases, output value Vo increases. At this time, output value Vo is smaller than input value Vi by the difference between fourth value V4 and third value V3 (Vo = Vi - (V4 - V3)).

[0057] Thereafter, when the input value Vi reaches the fifth value V5 and the output value Vo reaches the fourth value V4 (time t72), the input value Vi begins to decrease, and the output value Vo is maintained at the fourth value V4 until the input value Vi reaches the third value V3 (time t73). After that, when the input value Vi reaches the third value V3, the output value Vo begins to decrease, and thereafter, as the input value Vi decreases, the output value Vo decreases. At this time, the output value Vo is smaller than the input value Vi by the difference between the fourth value V4 and the third value V3 (Vo = Vi - (V4 - V3)).

[0058] Thereafter, when the input value Vi reaches the first value V1 and the output value Vo reaches the second value V2 (time t74), the input value Vi begins to increase, and the output value Vo is maintained at the second value V2 until the input value Vi reaches the third value V3 (time t75). After that, when the input value Vi reaches the third value V3, the output value Vo begins to increase, and thereafter, as the input value Vi increases, the output value Vo increases. At this time, the output value Vo is smaller than the input value Vi by the difference between the fourth value V4 and the third value V3 (Vo=Vi-(V4-V3)).

[0059] Thus, when the backlash process is initiated when the input value Vi increases and reaches the third value V3, the output value Vo is maintained at the third value V3 as long as the input value Vi fluctuates between the fourth value V4 and the second value V2.

[0060] Furthermore, when the backlash process for the input value Vi is initiated when the input value Vi decreases and reaches the third value V3, the input value Vi is corrected and the corrected value is output as the output value Vo by the backlash process so that the output value Vo is maintained at the third value V3 as long as the input value Vi fluctuates between the fourth value V4 and the second value V2.

[0061] 8, when the input inter-vehicle distance Di fluctuates, the output inter-vehicle distance Do is maintained at the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1. The input inter-vehicle distance Di is the inter-vehicle distance D acquired by the vehicle driving assistance device 10 based on the surrounding detection information IS. The output inter-vehicle distance Do is the inter-vehicle distance D output by backlash processing.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows an example in which the input inter-vehicle distance Di fluctuates as follows when the projected area A is within the range Ra3. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the input inter-vehicle distance Di increases and reaches the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 (time t80). Thereafter, the input inter-vehicle distance Di continues to increase and begins to decrease before exceeding the increased inter-vehicle distance Dth_U (time t81). The increased inter-vehicle distance Dth_U corresponds to the fourth value V4 in the example shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, the input inter-vehicle distance Di reaches the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 (time t82), and then continues to decrease and begins to increase before exceeding the decreased inter-vehicle distance Dth_L (time t83). Furthermore, the decreased inter-vehicle distance Dth_L corresponds to the second value V2 in the example shown in FIG. 7. These increases and decreases are repeated. In the example shown in FIG. 8, when the input inter-vehicle distance Di increases and reaches the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 (time t80), the backlash process for the input inter-vehicle distance Di is started.

[0063] According to this, while the input inter-vehicle distance Di increases or decreases across the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1, the output inter-vehicle distance Do is maintained at the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1. Therefore, the environmental evaluation value Ee is maintained at the evaluation value E when the inter-vehicle distance D is a value within the range Rd1. In other words, the range between the increasing inter-vehicle distance Dth_U and the decreasing inter-vehicle distance Dth_L is a dead zone for the input inter-vehicle distance Di.

[0064] That is, in this example, for example, when the inter-vehicle distance D (value of the environmental parameter) changes from a value equal to or less than the upper limit value DU (predetermined switching threshold) of the range Rd1 to a value greater than the upper limit value DU during execution of the eco-following driving control, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 corrects the inter-vehicle distance D to the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 until the inter-vehicle distance D reaches the increased inter-vehicle distance Dth_U (increasing threshold), and displays a comprehensive evaluation image T The display device 40 displays an eco-degree image (eco-degree image), and when the following distance D changes from a value greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 to a value equal to or less than the upper limit value DU during execution of the following driving control, the display device 40 corrects the following distance D to a value greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 until the following distance D reaches the decreasing following distance Dth_L (decreasing threshold), and displays a comprehensive evaluation image T representing a total evaluation value Et obtained based on the evaluation value E corresponding to the corrected following distance D.

[0065] The backlash processing may be configured to correct the inter-vehicle distance D to a value within the range Rd1 that is smaller than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 until the inter-vehicle distance D reaches the increased inter-vehicle distance Dth_U, for example, when the inter-vehicle distance D changes from a value equal to or smaller than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 to a value greater than the upper limit value DU during the execution of the eco-friendly follow-up cruise control. Similarly, the backlash processing may be configured to correct the inter-vehicle distance D to a value greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 until the inter-vehicle distance D reaches the decreased inter-vehicle distance Dth_L (decreasing threshold value).

[0066] Thus, in this example, for example, the evaluation value E (first evaluation value) corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance D (value of the environmental parameter) that is less than the upper limit value UD of the range Rd1 (predetermined switching threshold) and the evaluation value E (second evaluation value) corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance D that is greater than the upper limit value UD of the range Rd1 are different values. The vehicle driving assistance device 10 is configured to, when the following distance D changes from a value equal to or less than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 to a value greater than the upper limit value DU during execution of the follow-up drive control, display on the display device 40 an overall evaluation image T (eco-degree image) representing the eco-degree obtained based on the evaluation value E (first evaluation value) corresponding to the following distance D that is equal to or less than the upper limit value UD of the range Rd1, until the following distance D reaches an increasing inter-vehicle distance Dth_U (increasing threshold) greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1; and, when the following distance D changes from a value greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 to a value equal to or less than the upper limit value DU during execution of the follow-up drive control, display on the display device 40 an overall evaluation image T representing the eco-degree obtained based on the evaluation value E (second evaluation value) corresponding to the following distance D that is greater than the upper limit value UD of the range Rd1, until the following distance D reaches a decreasing inter-vehicle distance Dth_L (decreasing threshold) that is smaller than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1.

[0067] According to this, even if the inter-vehicle distance D frequently increases or decreases across the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 while the eco-friendly driving control is being executed, the total evaluation value Et is obtained based on the evaluation value E before the inter-vehicle distance D first crosses the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1, and the overall evaluation image T representing the obtained total evaluation value Et is displayed. Therefore, frequent switching of the overall evaluation image T can be suppressed.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0069] <Modification> For example, instead of obtaining the environmental evaluation value Ee based on the inter-vehicle distance D and the projection area A that have undergone backlash processing, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 may be configured to obtain the environmental evaluation value Ee based on two maps (an increase direction map MapU and a decrease direction map MapD) for obtaining the environmental evaluation value Ee using the inter-vehicle distance D and the projection area A (values ​​of the environmental parameters) as arguments, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0070] When the projected area A is within the range Ra3 and the inter-vehicle distance D increases beyond the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1 and becomes within the range Rd2, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 acquires the environmental evaluation value Ee from each of the increase direction map MapU and the decrease direction map MapD. At this time, the environmental evaluation value Ee acquired from the increase direction map MapU is "3," and the environmental evaluation value Ee acquired from the decrease direction map MapD is "2." Here, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 adopts, as the current environmental evaluation value Ee, the environmental evaluation value Ee that has a smaller difference from the environmental evaluation value Ee when the inter-vehicle distance D is within the range Rd1. In this example, the environmental evaluation value Ee when the inter-vehicle distance D is within the range Rd1 is "3." Therefore, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 adopts the environmental evaluation value Ee ("3") acquired from the increase direction map MapU as the current environmental evaluation value Ee.

[0071] On the other hand, when the projected area A is within the range Ra3 and the inter-vehicle distance D decreases beyond the lower limit DL of the range Rd3 and becomes within the range Rd2, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 acquires the environmental evaluation value Ee from each of the increase direction map MapU and the decrease direction map MapD. At this time, the environmental evaluation value Ee acquired from the increase direction map MapU is “3,” and the environmental evaluation value Ee acquired from the decrease direction map MapD is “2.” As described above, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 adopts, as the current environmental evaluation value Ee, the environmental evaluation value Ee that has a smaller difference from the environmental evaluation value Ee when the inter-vehicle distance D is within the range Rd1. In this example, the environmental evaluation value Ee when the inter-vehicle distance D is within the range Rd3 is “2.” Therefore, the vehicle driving assistance device 10 adopts the environmental evaluation value Ee (“2”) acquired from the decrease direction map MapD as the current environmental evaluation value Ee.

[0072] In this way, the increase direction map MapU is a map (first map) in which, in a situation where the projected area A is a value within the range Ra3, the evaluation value E corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance D (value of the environmental parameter) that is equal to or less than the upper limit value DU (predetermined switching threshold) of the range Rd1 is set to the same degree as the evaluation value E corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance D that is greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1. Also, the decrease direction map MapD is a map (first map) in which, in a situation where the projected area A is a value within the range Ra3, the evaluation value E corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance D that is equal to or less than the upper limit value DU (predetermined switching threshold) of the range Rd2 is set to the same degree as the evaluation value E corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance D that is greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd2.

[0073] On the other hand, the increase direction map MapU is a map (second map) that is set so that, in a situation where the projected area A is a value within the range Ra3, the evaluation value E corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance D (value of the environmental parameter) that is equal to or less than the upper limit value DU (predetermined switching threshold) of the range Rd2 differs from the evaluation value E corresponding to the value of the inter-vehicle distance D that is greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd2. Also, the decrease direction map MapD is a map (second map) that is set so that, in a situation where the projected area A is a value within the range Ra3, the evaluation value E corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance D that is equal to or less than the upper limit value DU (predetermined switching threshold) of the range Rd1 differs from the evaluation value E corresponding to the value of the inter-vehicle distance D that is greater than the upper limit value DU of the range Rd1.

[0074] This also makes it possible to prevent the comprehensive evaluation image T from being frequently switched. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10...vehicle driving assistance device, 20...power unit, 30...braking device, 40...display device, 50...surrounding information detection device, 90...ECU, 100...host vehicle, 200...preceding vehicle

Claims

1. a control device that displays, on a display device, an eco-friendliness image that indicates an eco-friendliness level indicating a degree of low energy consumption related to the traveling of the host vehicle while performing follow-up traveling control that causes the host vehicle to travel autonomously while allowing the distance between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle to vary within a set inter-vehicle distance range; The control device is configured to, during execution of the following running control, acquire a value of an environmental parameter which is a parameter that defines the eco-friendliness level and indicates a running environment of the host vehicle, acquire an evaluation value corresponding to the acquired value of the environmental parameter, acquire the eco-friendliness level based on the acquired evaluation value, and display the eco-friendliness level image representing the acquired eco-friendliness level on the display device. In the display control device, a first evaluation value, which is the evaluation value corresponding to the value of the environmental parameter that is equal to or less than a predetermined switching threshold, and a second evaluation value, which is the evaluation value corresponding to the value of the environmental parameter that is greater than the predetermined switching threshold, are different values; The control device When the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the following cruise control, the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the first evaluation value is displayed on the display device until the value of the environmental parameter reaches an increasing threshold greater than the predetermined switching threshold; When the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the following cruise control, the eco degree image representing the eco degree acquired based on the second evaluation value is displayed on the display device until the value of the environmental parameter reaches a decreasing threshold that is smaller than the predetermined switching threshold. It is configured as follows: Display control device.

2. 2. The display control device according to claim 1, The control device When the value of the environmental parameter exceeds the predetermined switching threshold from a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold and reaches the increasing threshold during execution of the following cruise control, the eco degree image representing the eco degree acquired based on the second evaluation value is displayed on the display device, and when the value of the environmental parameter exceeds the predetermined switching threshold from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to reach the decreasing threshold during execution of the following cruise control, the eco degree image representing the eco degree acquired based on the first evaluation value is displayed by the display device. It is configured as follows: Display control device.

3. 2. The display control device according to claim 1, The control device When the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the following cruise control, the value of the environmental parameter is corrected to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the increasing threshold, and the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the evaluation value corresponding to the corrected value of the environmental parameter is displayed on the display device. When the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the following cruise control, the value of the environmental parameter is corrected to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the decreasing threshold, and the eco degree image representing the eco degree obtained based on the evaluation value corresponding to the corrected value of the environmental parameter is displayed on the display device. It is configured as follows: Display control device.

4. 2. The display control device according to claim 1, the control device stores a first map and a second map for acquiring the evaluation value using the value of the environmental parameter as an argument; the first map is a map in which the evaluation value corresponding to the environmental parameter value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold and the evaluation value corresponding to the environmental parameter value greater than the predetermined switching threshold are set to the same degree, the second map is a map in which the evaluation value corresponding to the environmental parameter value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold and the evaluation value corresponding to the environmental parameter value greater than the predetermined switching threshold are set to different degrees, The control device When the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold to a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the following cruise control, the display device displays the eco degree image, which indicates the eco degree obtained based on the evaluation value obtained from the first map using the value of the environmental parameter as an argument, until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the increasing threshold; When the value of the environmental parameter changes from a value greater than the predetermined switching threshold to a value equal to or less than the predetermined switching threshold during execution of the following cruise control, the display device displays the eco degree image, which indicates the eco degree obtained based on the evaluation value obtained from the first map using the value of the environmental parameter as an argument, until the value of the environmental parameter reaches the decreasing threshold. It is configured as follows: Display control device.

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