Information processor

Abstract

To allow an occupant of one's own vehicle to grasp presence of the other specific vehicle on a display part.SOLUTION: An information processor comprises a control part for, when detecting a registered vehicle that is registered beforehand, causing a display part to display an image showing the registered vehicle in a mode different from that of an image showing the other vehicle which is different from the registered vehicle, while causing the display part to display images showing one's own vehicle and a peripheral situation viewed from a virtual viewpoint based on peripheral information about the peripheral situation of the one's own vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which an image showing a plurality of other vehicles is displayed on a display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7048398 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, images showing multiple other vehicles are displayed in the same manner on the display unit, making it impossible for the occupants of the vehicle to recognize the presence of a specific other vehicle on the display unit.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device that allows an occupant of the vehicle to be aware of the presence of a specific other vehicle on a display unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of claim 1 has a control unit that displays on a display unit an image showing the vehicle and the surrounding conditions as seen from a virtual viewpoint based on surrounding information regarding the surrounding conditions of the vehicle, and when a pre-registered registered vehicle is detected, displays on the display unit an image showing the registered vehicle in a manner different from images showing other vehicles that are different from the registered vehicle.

[0007] In the information processing device according to claim 1, the control unit causes the display unit to display an image showing the host vehicle and its surroundings as seen from a virtual viewpoint based on the surrounding information. When the control unit detects a registered vehicle based on the surrounding information, the control unit causes the display unit to display an image showing the registered vehicle in a manner different from images showing other vehicles that are different from the registered vehicle. Thus, according to the information processing device, by displaying an image showing the registered vehicle in a manner different from images showing other vehicles on the display unit, the presence of the registered vehicle can be made known to the occupant of the host vehicle on the display unit.

[0008] The information processing device of claim 2 is in claim 1, wherein when the control unit is no longer able to display an image showing the registered vehicle on the display unit based on the surrounding information, the control unit erases the image showing the registered vehicle from the display unit and displays location information regarding the current location of the registered vehicle obtained by a communication function that communicates between the registered vehicle and the vehicle itself on the display unit.

[0009] In the information processing device according to claim 2, when the control unit is unable to display an image of the registered vehicle on the display unit based on the surrounding information, the control unit erases the image of the registered vehicle from the display unit and causes the display unit to display location information relating to the current location of the registered vehicle obtained through the communication function. As a result, according to the information processing device, even if the image of the registered vehicle cannot be displayed on the display unit, the occupant of the vehicle can continue to know the current location of the registered vehicle on the display unit.

[0010] The information processing device of claim 3 is in claim 1 or 2, wherein when the control unit is unable to display an image showing the registered vehicle on the display unit based on the surrounding information, the control unit erases the image showing the registered vehicle from the display unit and displays trajectory information regarding the movement trajectory of the registered vehicle obtained by a communication function that communicates between the registered vehicle and the vehicle itself on the display unit.

[0011] In the information processing device according to claim 3, when the control unit is unable to display an image of the registered vehicle on the display unit based on the surrounding information, the control unit erases the image of the registered vehicle from the display unit and causes the display unit to display trajectory information relating to the movement trajectory of the registered vehicle acquired through the communication function. As a result, according to the information processing device, it is possible to track the registered vehicle even when the image of the registered vehicle cannot be displayed on the display unit.

[0012] The information processing device of claim 4 is in any one of claims 1 to 3 and is provided with a communication unit that executes a predetermined communication means to an occupant of the registered vehicle based on an operation on an image showing the registered vehicle displayed on the display unit that also serves as an operation unit.

[0013] In the information processing device according to claim 4, the communication unit executes a predetermined communication means for the occupant of the registered vehicle based on an operation on an image showing the registered vehicle displayed on the display unit that also serves as the operation unit. As a result, according to the information processing device, it is possible to easily contact the occupant of the registered vehicle from the display unit.

[0014] The information processing device of claim 5 is, in any one of claims 1 to 4, provided with a communication unit that transmits other vehicle information indicating the other vehicle specified based on an operation on the display unit that also serves as an operation unit to the registered vehicle using a communication function that communicates between the registered vehicle and the vehicle itself.

[0015] In the information processing device according to claim 5, the communication unit transmits other vehicle information indicating other vehicles designated based on operations on the display unit that also serves as the operation unit to the registered vehicle by the communication function, thereby enabling the information processing device to make the occupants of the registered vehicle aware of the presence of the specific other vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the information processing device according to the present disclosure can allow the occupants of the vehicle to be aware of the presence of a specific other vehicle on the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a specification process. [Figure 3] 10 is a first display example displayed on the monitor. [Figure 4] 10 is a second display example displayed on the monitor. [Figure 5] 10 is a third example of a display displayed on the monitor. [Figure 6] 10 is a fourth example of a display displayed on the monitor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The vehicle 10 according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a vehicle 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a meter ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20. The vehicle 10 is an example of a "host vehicle," and the meter ECU 20 is an example of an "information processing device."

[0019] The meter ECU 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a storage 24, an in-vehicle communication I / F (Interface) 25, an input / output I / F 26, and a wireless communication I / F 27. The CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, the storage 24, the in-vehicle communication I / F 25, the input / output I / F 26, and the wireless communication I / F 27 are connected to each other via an internal bus 28 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0020] The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 21 reads programs from the ROM 22 or the storage 24 and executes the programs using the RAM 23 as a work area. The CPU 21 controls each of the above components and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 22 or the storage 24.

[0021] The ROM 22 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 23 serves as a working area for temporarily storing programs or data.

[0022] The storage 24 is configured with a storage device such as an eMMC (embedded multi media card) or a UFS (universal flash storage), and stores various programs and various data. An information processing program 24A is stored in the storage 24. The information processing program 24A is a program for causing the CPU 21 to execute specific processing (see FIG. 2), which will be described later.

[0023] The in-vehicle communication I / F 25 is an interface for connecting to other ECUs 30. The interface uses a communication standard based on the CAN protocol. The in-vehicle communication I / F 25 is connected to an external bus 29. Although not shown, in addition to the ECU 30, multiple ECUs are provided for each function of the vehicle 10.

[0024] The input / output I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with an in-vehicle device 40 mounted on the vehicle 10 .

[0025] The on-vehicle devices 40 are various devices mounted on the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a sensor group 42 and a monitor 44 as examples of the on-vehicle devices 40.

[0026] The sensor group 42 includes sensors for detecting the state of the vehicle 10 and the surrounding circumstances, such as a 3D-LiDAR, a millimeter wave sensor, an infrared sensor, a blinker sensor, an accelerator position sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a steering angle sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, an illuminance sensor, a gyro sensor, and an acceleration sensor, as well as a plurality of cameras for capturing images of the surroundings of the vehicle 10. The sensor group 42 outputs the detection results of the respective sensors and the images captured by the respective cameras to the meter ECU 20, the ECU 30, etc.

[0027] The monitor 44 is provided on an instrument panel located in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle 10, and is a liquid crystal monitor for displaying operation suggestions related to the functions of the vehicle 10 and images explaining the functions. The monitor 44 has an integrated touch panel, and also serves as an operation unit that can be operated by the occupants of the vehicle 10. The monitor 44 is an example of a "display unit."

[0028] The wireless communication I / F 27 is a wireless communication module for communicating with external devices, and uses communication standards such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0029] The CPU 21 of the meter ECU 20 has, as functional components, an acquisition unit 21A, a control unit 21B, a communication unit 21C, and a communication unit 21D. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 21 reading and executing an information processing program 24A stored in the storage 24.

[0030] The acquisition unit 21A acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 21A acquires, as the various types of information, surrounding information related to the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 10. The surrounding information includes detection results by each sensor constituting the sensor group 42, images captured by each camera, and the like.

[0031] The control unit 21B performs display control related to the display on the monitor 44. For example, as the display control, the control unit 21B causes the monitor 44 to display a host vehicle image 10A (see FIG. 3, etc.), which is an image showing the vehicle 10 as seen from a virtual viewpoint, and a surrounding situation image, which is an image showing the surrounding situation of the vehicle 10, based on the surrounding information acquired by the acquisition unit 21A. The virtual viewpoint is set in a three-dimensional virtual space with the position of the host vehicle image 10A as the origin, and is defined by viewpoint coordinates and a viewpoint angle (orientation) in the virtual space. As an example, the virtual viewpoint is a viewpoint seen at a specific viewpoint angle from specific viewpoint coordinates above the host vehicle image 10A in the virtual space.

[0032] The surrounding situation image also includes a road image showing the road including the roadway and sidewalk on which the vehicle 10 is traveling, and a target image showing targets other than the vehicle 10, such as other vehicles and pedestrians. The roads shown in the road image include public roads, private roads, vacant lots, squares, parking lots, etc.

[0033] The communication unit 21C realizes a function of communicating with other vehicles using the wireless communication I / F 27. This communication function realizes an inter-vehicle communication system in which the vehicle 10 and other vehicles communicate with each other and directly exchange information about the state of each vehicle and surrounding circumstances. For example, the inter-vehicle communication system allows the vehicle 10 to obtain information about the current location and movement trajectory of other vehicles. Furthermore, the inter-vehicle communication system allows the vehicle 10 to notify other vehicles of the presence of a specific other vehicle (e.g., an emergency vehicle).

[0034] The communication unit 21D executes a predetermined communication means for the occupant of a registered vehicle that has been registered in advance. The occupant of the vehicle 10 registers the registered vehicle in advance by inputting registered vehicle information such as the vehicle name, model, dimensions, shape, color, vehicle registration number, and contact information of the occupant of the registered vehicle through an input operation using an input interface (not shown). The registered vehicle information is stored in the storage 24. The predetermined communication means includes telephone calls, emails, messages, etc. In this embodiment, the communication unit 21D executes a hands-free call to the telephone number of the occupant of the registered vehicle indicated in the registered vehicle information as the predetermined communication means.

[0035] 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the identification process executed by the meter ECU 20. The CPU 21 reads the information processing program 24A from the storage 24, loads it into the RAM 23, and executes it, thereby performing the identification process. As an example, the identification process is automatically and repeatedly performed at regular intervals.

[0036] 2, the CPU 21 acquires surrounding information relating to the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 10. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S11.

[0037] In step S11, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a registered vehicle has been detected based on the surrounding information acquired in step S10. If the CPU 21 determines that a registered vehicle has been detected (step S11: YES), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that a registered vehicle has not been detected (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S13. As an example, the CPU 21 determines that a registered vehicle has been detected when it can recognize, from an image captured by a camera constituting the sensor group 42, a number that is the same as the automobile registration number indicated in the registered vehicle information stored in the storage 24.

[0038] In step S12, the CPU 21 displays the registered vehicle image 10B (see FIG. 3, etc.), which is an image showing the registered vehicle, on the monitor 44 in a specific manner. The specific manner is a dedicated design set for the registered vehicle. The specific manner may be set by the occupant of the vehicle 10, or may be prepared in advance. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S13.

[0039] In step S13, the CPU 21 updates the display content of the monitor 44 based on the surrounding information acquired in step S10. For example, when the vehicle 10 approaches a registered vehicle ahead, the CPU 21 narrows the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle image 10A and the registered vehicle image 10B on the monitor 44. Then, the CPU 21 ends the identification process.

[0040] Next, examples of displaying the subject vehicle image 10A and the surrounding situation image on the monitor 44 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0041] 3 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of a display displayed in the display area X of the monitor 44. The display area X is a partial area of ​​the monitor 44, and is visible to a passenger seated in the driver's seat through an opening in the steering wheel.

[0042] Display area X shown in FIG. 3 displays a host vehicle image 10A, and surrounding situation images, including a registered vehicle image 10B, another vehicle image 10C, and a road image 10D. These images are displayed in display area X from the viewpoint of the virtual viewpoint. The registered vehicle image 10B is an image showing a registered vehicle located ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 in the same lane as the vehicle 10. The other vehicle image 10C is an image showing another vehicle, different from the registered vehicle, located ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 in the right lane. In other words, the other vehicle image 10C is an image showing another vehicle that is not registered as a registered vehicle in the vehicle 10. The road image 10D is an image showing the road on which the vehicle 10 is traveling.

[0043] Here, the CPU 21 of the meter ECU 20 displays the host vehicle image 10A, the registered vehicle image 10B, and the other vehicle image 10C on the road image 10D in an arrangement that takes into account their actual positional relationships, based on the acquired surrounding information. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the CPU 21 displays the registered vehicle image 10B on the same lane as the host vehicle image 10A on the road image 10D, and the other vehicle image 10C on the lane to the right of the host vehicle image 10A on the road image 10D.

[0044] Furthermore, as the specific aspect, the CPU 21 applies a special pattern to the registered vehicle image 10B. In contrast, the CPU 21 does not apply any pattern to the other vehicle image 10C, but instead displays it in white. As shown in Fig. 3, the visibility of the registered vehicle image 10B is improved by displaying the registered vehicle image 10B on the monitor 44 in a different aspect from the other vehicle image 10C. Note that the different aspect is not limited to changing the pattern of the image, and may be, for example, changing the color of the image or displaying the image in a special shape.

[0045] Furthermore, the CPU 21 executes a hands-free call to the occupant of the registered vehicle based on an operation on the registered vehicle image 10B displayed on the monitor 44, for example, a touch operation with the finger of the occupant of the vehicle 10.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of a display displayed in the display area X of the monitor 44. 4, the registered vehicle image 10B has been erased because the vehicle 10 can no longer display the registered vehicle image 10B on the monitor 44 based on the surrounding information. Cases where the vehicle 10 can no longer detect the registered vehicle from the surrounding information, and cases where the position of the registered vehicle detected based on the surrounding information is outside the display range of the monitor 44, etc.

[0047] Here, vehicle 10 and registered vehicles communicate with each other at regular intervals using a communication function, transmitting information about the status of each vehicle and surrounding circumstances to each other. As a result, in the display area X, location information 10E relating to the current location of the registered vehicle obtained through the communication function is displayed in place of the registered vehicle image 10B. The location information 10E shows the current location of the registered vehicle in a balloon with the words "It is about 2 km away."

[0048] FIG. 5 is a third explanatory diagram showing an example of a display displayed in the display area X of the monitor 44. In the display area X shown in FIG. 5, the registered vehicle image 10B has been erased because the vehicle 10 is no longer able to display the registered vehicle image 10B on the monitor 44 based on the surrounding information. As described above, the vehicle 10 and the registered vehicle communicate with each other at regular intervals using the communication function, transmitting information regarding the status of each vehicle and surrounding circumstances to each other. As a result, in the display area X, trajectory information 10F relating to the movement trajectory of the registered vehicle acquired through the communication function is displayed in place of the registered vehicle image 10B. The trajectory information 10F indicates the movement trajectory of the registered vehicle with an arrow on the road image 10D. For example, the trajectory information 10F allows the occupant of the vehicle 10 to understand that the registered vehicle changed lanes from the center lane in which the vehicle 10 was traveling to the left lane and continued straight ahead.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing an example of a display displayed in the display area X of the monitor 44. In the display area X shown in Fig. 6, another vehicle image 10G is additionally displayed in addition to the display area X shown in Fig. 3. The other vehicle image 10G is an image showing another vehicle that is different from a registered vehicle and is located ahead in the traveling direction of the left lane of the vehicle 10. In other words, the other vehicle image 10G is an image showing another vehicle that is not registered as a registered vehicle in the vehicle 10.

[0050] Here, the other vehicle image 10G shown in FIG. 6 is given a pattern different from that of the registered vehicle image 10B. At this time, the CPU 21 adds the pattern shown in FIG. 6 to the other vehicle image 10G, which was previously depicted as an outline, based on an operation on the other vehicle image 10G displayed on the monitor 44, for example, a touch operation by the finger of an occupant of the vehicle 10. Then, the CPU 21 transmits other vehicle information indicating the other vehicle indicated by the other vehicle image 10G specified based on the touch operation to the registered vehicle via the communication function. The other vehicle information includes various information of the other vehicle, such as the vehicle name, model, dimensions, shape, color, and vehicle registration number. At this time, a control device that controls the on-board equipment of the registered vehicle may change the display mode of the image indicating the other vehicle identified by the other vehicle information based on the acquired other vehicle information. For example, the control device may add a pattern similar to the other vehicle image 10G shown in FIG. 6 to the image indicating the other vehicle currently displayed on the monitor of the registered vehicle. Furthermore, based on the acquisition of the other vehicle information, the control device may output a voice from a speaker as an in-vehicle device indicating that a specific other vehicle indicated in the other vehicle information is approaching. In this way, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment allows an occupant of vehicle 10 to notify an occupant of a registered vehicle of the presence of a specific other vehicle (e.g., an emergency vehicle).

[0051] As described above, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21, based on the peripheral information, causes the monitor 44 to display the host vehicle image 10A and the peripheral situation image as viewed from a virtual viewpoint. Then, when the CPU 21 detects a registered vehicle based on the peripheral information, the CPU 21 causes the monitor 44 to display the registered vehicle image 10B in a format different from that of an image showing another vehicle that is different from the registered vehicle. In this way, the meter ECU 20 allows the occupant of the vehicle 10 to recognize the presence of the registered vehicle on the monitor 44 by displaying the registered vehicle image 10B in a format different from that of an image showing another vehicle.

[0052] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, when the CPU 21 is unable to display the registered vehicle image 10B on the monitor 44 based on the surrounding information, it erases the registered vehicle image 10B from the monitor 44 and causes the monitor 44 to display location information 10E relating to the current location of the registered vehicle, which is acquired through the communication function. As a result, the meter ECU 20 allows the occupant of the vehicle 10 to continue to be aware of the current location of the registered vehicle on the monitor 44, even if the registered vehicle image 10B cannot be displayed on the monitor 44.

[0053] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, when the CPU 21 is unable to display the registered vehicle image 10B on the monitor 44 based on the surrounding information, the CPU 21 erases the registered vehicle image 10B from the monitor 44 and causes the monitor 44 to display trajectory information 10F relating to the movement trajectory of the registered vehicle, which is acquired via the communication function. As a result, the meter ECU 20 makes it possible to track the registered vehicle even when the registered vehicle image 10B cannot be displayed on the monitor 44.

[0054] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 executes a hands-free call to the occupant of the registered vehicle based on an operation on the registered vehicle image 10B displayed on the monitor 44. As a result, the meter ECU 20 allows the occupant of the registered vehicle to be easily contacted from the monitor 44.

[0055] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 transmits, to the registered vehicle, other vehicle information indicating the other vehicle specified based on an operation on the monitor 44, using the communication function. As a result, the meter ECU 20 allows the occupant of the registered vehicle to be aware of the presence of the specific other vehicle.

[0056] (others) In the above embodiment, the registered vehicle may be another vehicle that matches various information indicated in the registered vehicle information stored in the storage 24 and that has the same destination acquired through vehicle-to-vehicle communication as the destination of the vehicle 10. In this case, the vehicle 10 may be configured to track the registered vehicle as a navigation route. With this configuration, even if the registered vehicle being tracked disappears due to, for example, turning right or left at an intersection and becomes undetectable from the information about the surroundings of the vehicle 10, the occupant of the vehicle 10 can track the registered vehicle based on information about the movement trajectory of the registered vehicle acquired through vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[0057] In the above embodiment, vehicle 10 and registered vehicles perform vehicle-to-vehicle communication at regular intervals, but this is not limited thereto, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication does not have to be performed. In this case, CPU 21 of meter ECU 20 continues to display registered vehicle image 10B on monitor 44 as long as it is possible to display registered vehicle image 10B on monitor 44 based on surrounding information, and erases registered vehicle image 10B from monitor 44 when it is no longer possible to display registered vehicle image 10B on monitor 44 based on surrounding information. In this case, unlike the above embodiment, CPU 21 does not display position information 10E or trajectory information 10F on monitor 44 in place of registered vehicle image 10B that has been erased from monitor 44.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the CPU 21 of the meter ECU 20 displays only targets present ahead of the vehicle 10 in the traveling direction as target images on the monitor 44. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 21 may display, on the monitor 44 as target images, images showing other vehicles present behind and to the sides of the vehicle 10 in the traveling direction, based on surrounding information.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the registered vehicle image 10B is an image showing another vehicle traveling in the same direction as the vehicle 10, but is not limited to this. The registered vehicle image 10B may also be an image showing another vehicle traveling in a different direction from the vehicle 10, for example, another vehicle traveling in an oncoming lane. In this case, the CPU 21 of the meter ECU 20, based on detecting a registered vehicle from the surrounding information, applies the patterns shown in Figs. 3 and 6 to the image showing the registered vehicle displayed in white on the monitor 44. This allows the occupant of the vehicle 10 to know that they have passed a registered vehicle based on the change in the display mode of the image showing the registered vehicle.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the monitor 44 is an example of the "display unit," but the example of the "display unit" is not limited to this. For example, the "display unit" may be a multimedia display provided above the center console or a head-up display (HUD). When the "display unit" is a display other than the monitor 44, an example of the information processing device is an ECU that controls the other display.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the meter ECU 20 executes the identification process shown in Fig. 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the identification process may be executed by the meter ECU 20 in cooperation with another ECU. For example, the acquisition of surrounding information in step S10 and the detection and determination of a registered vehicle in step S11 may be executed by another ECU, and the display control of the monitor 44 in steps S12 and S13 may be executed by the meter ECU 20.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the specific process executed by the CPU 21 after reading the software (program) may be executed by various processors other than a CPU. Examples of such processors include programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)) whose circuit configuration can be changed after fabrication, and dedicated electrical circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processes. The specific process may be executed by one of these processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). The hardware structure of these processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the information processing program 24A is pre-stored (installed) in the storage 24, but the present invention is not limited to this. The information processing program 24A may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The information processing program 24A may also be downloaded from an external device via a network. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10 Vehicle (own vehicle) 10E Location information 10F trajectory information 20 Meter ECU (information processing unit) 21B Control section 21C Communication Department 21D Liaison Department 44 Monitor (display)

Claims

1. a control unit that displays, on a display unit, an image showing the host vehicle and the surrounding situation as seen from a virtual viewpoint based on surrounding information relating to the surrounding situation of the host vehicle, and, when a pre-registered vehicle is detected, displays, on the display unit, an image showing the pre-registered vehicle in a manner different from images showing other vehicles different from the pre-registered vehicle; Information processing device.

2. When the control unit is unable to display an image of the registered vehicle on the display unit based on the surrounding information, the control unit erases the image of the registered vehicle from the display unit and causes the display unit to display location information regarding the current location of the registered vehicle obtained by a communication function that communicates between the registered vehicle and the host vehicle. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. When the control unit is unable to display an image of the registered vehicle on the display unit based on the surrounding information, the control unit erases the image of the registered vehicle from the display unit and causes the display unit to display trajectory information regarding the movement trajectory of the registered vehicle obtained by a communication function that communicates between the registered vehicle and the host vehicle. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. a communication unit that executes a predetermined communication means for an occupant of the registered vehicle based on an operation performed on an image showing the registered vehicle displayed on the display unit that also serves as an operation unit; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. a communication unit that transmits other vehicle information indicating the other vehicle designated based on an operation on the display unit that also serves as an operation unit to the registered vehicle using a communication function that communicates between the registered vehicle and the host vehicle; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

Images