In-vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide an in-vehicle display device for performing display of set inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle in inter-vehicle distance control while suppressing discomfort felt by a driver.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle display device 100 performs set inter-vehicle display indicating set inter-vehicle distance of inter-vehicle distance control between a preceding vehicle and an own vehicle on a display 2. The in-vehicle display device 100 includes: a motion determination part 12 for determining the presence or absence of lane change motions of the own vehicle; and a display control part 14 for making the display 2 display an own vehicle icon VA, and a set inter-vehicle display W and lane lines KA in front of the own vehicle icon VA. The display control part 14 makes the set inter-vehicle display W not displayed until a lane change is completed, when the lane change motion of the own vehicle is determined to exist.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle display device that displays a set distance in inter-vehicle distance control on a display of a host vehicle capable of controlling the distance to a preceding vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a device capable of performing inter-vehicle distance control, which controls the speed of a host vehicle so as to maintain a set inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle. In this device, a set inter-vehicle distance indicator showing the set inter-vehicle distance in the inter-vehicle distance control is displayed on a display in front of an icon of the host vehicle. This allows the driver of the host vehicle to understand the set inter-vehicle distance set between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle based on the set inter-vehicle distance indicator displayed in front of the icon of the host vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-028777 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described device, a set inter-vehicle distance display, lane markings, and a host vehicle icon may be displayed on the display. In this case, when the host vehicle changes lanes, the host vehicle icon also moves to cross the lane markings. Here, the inter-vehicle distance control for the preceding vehicle is performed while the host vehicle is traveling within the lane. Therefore, if the set inter-vehicle distance display for inter-vehicle distance control is displayed on the display in front of the host vehicle icon even though the host vehicle icon is crossing the lane markings, the occupants of the host vehicle may feel uncomfortable.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure describes an in-vehicle display device that can display a set distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle in inter-vehicle distance control while suppressing any discomfort felt by the occupants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is [1] "An in-vehicle display device for a host vehicle capable of performing inter-vehicle distance control, which controls vehicle speed so that the inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle becomes a set inter-vehicle distance, that displays a set inter-vehicle distance display indicating the set inter-vehicle distance on an in-vehicle display, the in-vehicle display comprising: an operation determination unit that determines whether or not a lane change operation has occurred, which is an operation by which the host vehicle changes lanes from its own lane to an adjacent lane; and a display control unit that has a function of displaying a host vehicle icon representing the host vehicle, the set inter-vehicle distance display and a lane marking in front of the host vehicle icon on the display, and that changes the relative display positions of the host vehicle icon and the lane marking as the host vehicle changes lanes; and when the operation determination unit determines that the lane change operation has occurred, the display control unit does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display until the lane change is completed."

[0007] When the in-vehicle display device determines that the vehicle is changing lanes, it does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display on the display until the lane change is complete. In other words, when the vehicle icon on the display is straddling the lane markings of the driving lane, the set inter-vehicle distance display is not displayed in front of the vehicle icon. Then, when the vehicle has completed changing lanes, the in-vehicle display device displays the set inter-vehicle distance display in front of the vehicle icon. This allows the in-vehicle display device to display the set inter-vehicle distance display from the leading vehicle during inter-vehicle distance control while minimizing any discomfort felt by the occupants.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure may be [2] "The in-vehicle display device described in [1] above, wherein, when the operation determination unit determines that the lane change operation is occurring, the display control unit does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display until the lane change is completed, even if the inter-vehicle distance control is being executed."

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure may be [3] "The in-vehicle display device described in [1] or [2] above, wherein the lane change action includes at least one of the action of the vehicle crossing a dividing line, the operation of the turn signal lever of the vehicle, and the start of execution of lane change control that automatically changes lanes."

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure may be [4] "The in-vehicle display device according to any one of the above [1] to [3], further comprising a change prohibition unit that prohibits a change of the set inter-vehicle distance until the lane change is completed, when the operation determination unit determines that the lane change operation is occurring."

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure may be [5] "The in-vehicle display device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the display control unit displays an unchangeable display indicating that the set inter-vehicle distance cannot be changed when the operation determination unit determines that the lane change operation is occurring." [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to display a set distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle in inter-vehicle distance control while suppressing any sense of discomfort felt by the occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an in-vehicle display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display image such as a set inter-vehicle distance display on a display. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display image on the display when the vehicle is changing lanes. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of display processing for displaying the set inter-vehicle distance, which is performed by the in-vehicle display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0015] The in-vehicle display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car or a freight vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the host vehicle) and displays images according to the surrounding conditions of the host vehicle. The host vehicle has a function of controlling the vehicle speed so that the distance between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle traveling immediately ahead of the host vehicle in the host vehicle's driving lane becomes a set distance (target vehicle distance). The vehicle distance control may be realized by a driving assistance function such as ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) or by an automatic driving function including the vehicle distance control. The set vehicle distance in the vehicle distance control is a set value that serves as a reference for controlling the vehicle speed of the host vehicle relative to the preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle. The in-vehicle display device 100 displays a set vehicle distance display indicating the set vehicle distance on an in-vehicle display 2 in the host vehicle capable of performing the vehicle distance control.

[0016] The in-vehicle display device 100 includes a display control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10 that performs overall management of the device. The display control ECU 10 is an electronic control unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit. The storage unit is configured, for example, from a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The display control ECU 10 realizes various functions by, for example, executing programs stored in the storage unit with the CPU. The display control ECU 10 may be configured from multiple electronic units.

[0017] The display control ECU 10 is connected to an external sensor 1, a display 2, and a vehicle control ECU 20. The external sensor 1 includes at least one of a camera and a radar sensor. The camera is an imaging device that captures images of the external conditions of the vehicle. The camera is provided, for example, behind the windshield of the vehicle and captures images of the area ahead of the vehicle. The camera transmits captured images relating to the external conditions of the vehicle to the display control ECU 10.

[0018] A radar sensor is a detection device that uses radio waves (e.g., millimeter waves) or light to detect objects around the vehicle. Examples of radar sensors include millimeter-wave radar and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). The radar sensor transmits information about the detected objects to the display control ECU 10.

[0019] The display 2 is a display device provided in the cabin of the vehicle. The display 2 may be a center display, a multi-information display (MID), or a head-up display (HUD). The display 2 displays various information in response to control signals from the display control ECU 10.

[0020] The vehicle control ECU 20 is an electronic unit that controls the driving assistance function or the automatic driving function of the host vehicle. A detailed description of the driving assistance function and the automatic driving function will be omitted here. The vehicle control ECU 20 stores a set inter-vehicle distance set by the user of the host vehicle. The user is, for example, the driver. If the host vehicle is a fully automatic driving vehicle, the user does not have to be the driver but may be a passenger. The vehicle control ECU 20 can perform inter-vehicle distance control, which controls the vehicle speed so that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle becomes the set inter-vehicle distance.

[0021] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the display control ECU 10. The display control ECU 10 functionally includes a recognition unit 11, an operation determination unit 12, a change prohibition unit 13, and a display control unit .

[0022] The recognition unit 11 recognizes other vehicles around the host vehicle and lane markings of the road on which the host vehicle is traveling, based on the detection results of the external sensor 1. Here, the recognition unit 11 detects a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle as another vehicle around the host vehicle. The recognition unit 11 can detect other vehicles based on the detection results of a millimeter-wave radar or LIDAR provided in the external sensor 1, for example. The recognition unit 11 can also recognize lane markings using well-known image processing techniques based on images captured by a camera provided in the external sensor 1. The lane markings of the road on which the recognition unit 1 recognizes include the lane markings of the host vehicle's lane and the lane markings of adjacent lanes adjacent to the host lane.

[0023] The operation determination unit 12 determines whether or not the host vehicle is performing a lane change operation. A lane change operation is an operation in which the host vehicle changes the lane in which it is traveling from its own lane to an adjacent lane. The lane change operation includes at least one of an operation in which the host vehicle crosses a dividing line, an operation of the turn signal lever of the host vehicle, and the start of execution of lane change control that automatically performs a lane change.

[0024] The operation determination unit 12 can determine, for example, whether or not the host vehicle has crossed a lane marking based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 11. The operation determination unit 12 can determine, for example, that the turn signal lever of the host vehicle has been operated based on the detection result of a turn signal switch that detects the operation of the turn signal lever. The operation determination unit 12 can obtain, for example, a signal related to the execution of lane change control from the vehicle control ECU 20, and determine, based on the obtained signal, that the execution of lane change control, which automatically performs a lane change, has started.

[0025] When the operation determination unit 12 determines that a lane change operation is being performed, the change prohibition unit 13 prohibits a change of the set inter-vehicle distance in the inter-vehicle distance control until the host vehicle has completed the lane change. Note that the change prohibition unit 13 can determine whether the lane change has been completed based on the position of the host vehicle relative to the lane markings, etc.

[0026] Here, the set inter-vehicle distance in the inter-vehicle distance control can be changed by an occupant of the host vehicle while the host vehicle is traveling and the inter-vehicle distance control is being executed by the vehicle control ECU 20. The change prohibition unit 13 prohibits the change of the set inter-vehicle distance by issuing an instruction to the vehicle control ECU 20 to prohibit the change of the set inter-vehicle distance until the host vehicle has completed changing lanes. Upon receiving this instruction from the change prohibition unit 13, the vehicle control ECU 20 prohibits the change of the set inter-vehicle distance until the host vehicle has completed changing lanes.

[0027] The display control unit 14 has a function of displaying a host vehicle icon representing the host vehicle and lane markings of the driving lane on the display 2. The lane markings of the driving lane displayed by the display control unit 14 are markings recognized by the recognition unit 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the display control unit 14 displays a marking line KA on the display 2 and a host vehicle icon VA representing the host vehicle. The display control unit 14 displays the host vehicle icon VA and the lane markings KA so as to present an image of the host vehicle and the lane markings as viewed from behind and diagonally above the host vehicle.

[0028] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the display 2 displays the demarcation lines K1A corresponding to the demarcation line on the right side of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, and the demarcation line K2A corresponding to the demarcation line on the left side of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. The vehicle's lane is represented by the area between the demarcation lines K1A and K2A. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the display 2 also displays the demarcation line K10A of the adjacent lane adjacent to the right side of the vehicle's lane. The adjacent lane is represented by the area between the demarcation lines K1A and K10A.

[0029] There are cases where the host vehicle changes lanes. In this case, the display control unit 14 changes the relative display positions of the host vehicle icon VA and the lane markings KA (particularly the lane markings K1A and K2A of the host vehicle here) as the host vehicle changes lanes, as shown in Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 3 shows an example of the display screen of the display 2 when the host vehicle changes lanes from the state shown in Fig. 2 to the adjacent lane on the right.

[0030] In Fig. 3, the lane marking KA is fixed on the screen of the display 2, and the host vehicle icon VA is moved to the right on the screen of the display 2. However, this is not limiting, and it is sufficient if the host vehicle icon VA and the lane marking KA move relative to each other to show that the host vehicle is changing lanes.

[0031] When the recognition unit 11 detects another vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle, the display control unit 14 displays an icon corresponding to this vehicle on the display 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a leading vehicle traveling in the host vehicle's lane is recognized ahead of the host vehicle, the display control unit 14 displays a leading vehicle icon VB corresponding to the leading vehicle on the display 2.

[0032] The display control unit 14 displays a set inter-vehicle distance display W in front of the host vehicle icon VA on the display 2. The set inter-vehicle distance display W is a display corresponding to the set inter-vehicle distance used when the vehicle control ECU 20 performs inter-vehicle distance control. The display control unit 14 can acquire information on the set inter-vehicle distance in inter-vehicle distance control from the vehicle control ECU 20. The set inter-vehicle distance display W displays a length corresponding to the set inter-vehicle distance in front of the host vehicle icon VA. The display control unit 14 displays the set inter-vehicle distance display W when inter-vehicle distance control is being performed by the vehicle control ECU 20. Alternatively, the display control unit 14 may display the set inter-vehicle distance display W when inter-vehicle distance control is being performed by the vehicle control ECU 20 and a leading vehicle is recognized ahead of the host vehicle.

[0033] In FIG. 2, as an example, multiple horizontal bars Wa constituting the set inter-vehicle distance display W are displayed in front of the preceding vehicle icon VB. The greater the number of horizontal bars Wa, the longer the set inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle in inter-vehicle distance control. Note that inter-vehicle distance control for the preceding vehicle is performed for the preceding vehicle traveling ahead in the subject vehicle's own lane. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the set inter-vehicle distance display W is displayed on the display 2 between the lane markings K1A and K2A corresponding to the subject vehicle's own lane. Also, while the set inter-vehicle distance display has been described here using multiple horizontal bars as an example, the set inter-vehicle distance display is not limited to being displayed using multiple horizontal bars (rectangles). The set inter-vehicle distance display may be displayed using a shape other than multiple horizontal bars.

[0034] When the operation determination unit 12 determines that a lane change operation is occurring, the display control unit 14 does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display until the lane change is complete, even if inter-vehicle distance control is being executed by the vehicle control ECU 20. In other words, even when the host vehicle is changing lanes, the vehicle control ECU 20 can continue to perform inter-vehicle distance control before and after the lane change.

[0035] 3, even if the host vehicle icon VA crosses a marking line KA as a result of the host vehicle changing lanes while the vehicle distance control is being performed, the set vehicle distance display W is not displayed on the display 2 until the lane change is completed. Note that the display control unit 14 can determine whether the lane change is completed based on the position of the host vehicle relative to the marking line, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, when the operation determination unit 12 determines that a lane change operation has occurred, the display control unit 14 displays a change-prohibited display indicating that the set following distance in the following distance control cannot be changed on the display 2. Displaying the change-prohibited display on the display 2 may be, for example, displaying characters or an icon on the display 2 indicating that the set following distance cannot be changed.

[0037] Note that when the set inter-vehicle distance display is not being displayed because it has been determined that a lane change operation has occurred, if an occupant of the vehicle performs an operation to change the set inter-vehicle distance, the display control unit 14 may display a change-prohibited display on the display 2. Furthermore, the display control unit 14 may display the change-prohibited display and output a voice or an alarm sound from a speaker or the like.

[0038] Next, the flow of the display process of the set vehicle distance display performed by the in-vehicle display device 100 will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. Note that the process shown in Fig. 4 is restarted from the start after a predetermined time has elapsed after the process reaches an end. The display control unit 14 also displays the host vehicle icon VA and the lane marking KA on the display 2. If a leading vehicle is detected, the display control unit 14 displays the leading vehicle icon VB on the display 2. The following description will focus on the display process of the set vehicle distance display W.

[0039] 4, the display control unit 14 determines whether inter-vehicle distance control is being executed by the vehicle control ECU 20 (S101). If inter-vehicle distance control is not being executed (S101: NO), the display control unit 14 does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display W on the display 2 (S108). In this case, the display control unit 14 displays the host vehicle icon VA, the lane markings KA, etc. Then, the process proceeds to END.

[0040] If inter-vehicle distance control is being performed (S101: YES), the operation determination unit 12 determines whether or not the host vehicle is performing a lane change operation (S102). If a lane change operation is not being performed (S102: NO), the display control unit 14 displays a set inter-vehicle distance display W in front of the host vehicle icon VA on the display 2 (S109). Note that, as described above, the display control unit 14 may be configured to display the set inter-vehicle distance display W when the vehicle control ECU 20 is performing inter-vehicle distance control and a leading vehicle is detected. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to END.

[0041] If a lane change operation is being performed (S102: YES), the display control unit 14 does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display W on the display 2 (S103). The change prohibition unit 13 instructs the vehicle control ECU 20 to prohibit changes to the set inter-vehicle distance in the inter-vehicle distance control (S104). This prohibits, for example, a passenger from changing the set inter-vehicle distance. The display control unit 14 causes the display 2 to display a change-prohibited display indicating that the set inter-vehicle distance cannot be changed (S105).

[0042] The display control unit 14 changes the relative display positions of the host vehicle icon VA and the lane marking KA on the display 2 in accordance with the host vehicle's lane change (S106). The display control unit 14 determines whether the host vehicle has completed the lane change (S107). If the lane change has not been completed (S107: NO), the in-vehicle display device 100 performs processing from S103. If the lane change has been completed (S107: YES), the processing proceeds to END.

[0043] As described above, when it is determined that the host vehicle is changing lanes, the in-vehicle display device 100 does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display W on the display 2 until the lane change is completed. In other words, when the host vehicle icon VA is straddling the lane marking KA on the display 2, the set inter-vehicle distance display W is not displayed in front of the host vehicle icon VA. Then, when the host vehicle has completed changing lanes, the in-vehicle display device 100 displays the set inter-vehicle distance display W in front of the host vehicle icon VA. In this way, the in-vehicle display device 100 can display the set inter-vehicle distance display W from the leading vehicle in inter-vehicle distance control while minimizing any discomfort felt by the occupants.

[0044] When it is determined that the host vehicle is changing lanes, the display control unit 14 does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display until the lane change is completed, even if the vehicle control ECU 20 is currently performing inter-vehicle distance control. In this case, even if the set inter-vehicle distance display related to inter-vehicle distance control is not displayed on the display 2, the vehicle control ECU 20 continues to perform inter-vehicle distance control.

[0045] The operation determination unit 12 determines whether or not at least one of the following has occurred as a lane change operation: the host vehicle crossing a dividing line, the host vehicle's turn signal lever being operated, and the host vehicle's execution of lane change control being started. This allows the operation determination unit 12 to more appropriately determine whether or not the host vehicle is performing a lane change operation.

[0046] When the set inter-vehicle distance display W is not displayed on the display 2, the occupant of the host vehicle cannot change the set inter-vehicle distance while looking at the set inter-vehicle distance display W. Therefore, when it is determined that the host vehicle is changing lanes and the set inter-vehicle distance display W is not being displayed, the change prohibition unit 13 prohibits changes to the set inter-vehicle distance until the lane change is completed and the set inter-vehicle distance display is displayed. This allows the in-vehicle display device 100 to prevent the occupant of the host vehicle from changing the set inter-vehicle distance while the set inter-vehicle distance display W is not being displayed, resulting in the set inter-vehicle distance being set to an unintended value.

[0047] When it is determined that the host vehicle is changing lanes, the display control unit 14 displays a change-prohibited display indicating that the set inter-vehicle distance cannot be changed on the display 2. In this case, the occupants of the host vehicle can recognize that the set inter-vehicle distance cannot be changed when the set inter-vehicle distance display is not displayed.

[0048] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the display of the host vehicle icon and lane markings on the display 2 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is an example and is not limited to a view of the host vehicle and lane markings viewed from behind and diagonally above the host vehicle. For example, a view (plan view) of the host vehicle and lane markings viewed from above may be displayed on the display 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 2...display, 12...operation determination unit, 13...change prohibition unit, 14...display control unit, 100...in-vehicle display device, KA, K1A, K2A...marking lines, VA...own vehicle icon, W...set vehicle distance display.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle display device that displays a set inter-vehicle distance display on an in-vehicle display in a host vehicle capable of controlling a vehicle speed so that a distance between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle becomes a set inter-vehicle distance, the in-vehicle display comprising: an operation determination unit that determines whether or not the host vehicle is performing a lane change operation, which is an operation of changing lanes from the host vehicle's own lane to an adjacent lane; a display control unit that has a function of displaying a host vehicle icon representing the host vehicle, the set vehicle distance display and a lane marking in front of the host vehicle icon on the display, and that changes the relative display positions of the host vehicle icon and the lane marking as the host vehicle changes lanes; Equipped with When the operation determination unit determines that the lane change operation is being performed, the display control unit does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display until the lane change is completed.

2. 2. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein, when the operation determination unit determines that the lane change operation is occurring, the display control unit does not display the set inter-vehicle distance display until the lane change is completed, even if the inter-vehicle distance control is being performed.

3. 2. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the lane change operation includes at least one of an operation of the vehicle crossing a dividing line, an operation of a turn signal lever of the vehicle, and a start of execution of lane change control that automatically changes lanes.

4. 2. The in-vehicle display device according to claim 1, further comprising a change prohibition unit that, when the operation determination unit determines that a lane change operation is being performed, prohibits a change of the set inter-vehicle distance until the lane change is completed.

5. The in-vehicle display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display control unit displays a change-prohibited display indicating that the set inter-vehicle distance cannot be changed when the operation determination unit determines that the lane change operation is occurring.

Images