Display control device

Abstract

It is an object of the present disclosure to allow an occupant of a vehicle to recognize a change in a detection state of surroundings information around the vehicle in accordance with the presence or absence of an object to be towed.SOLUTION: The display control device includes a control unit that causes a display unit to display a vehicle image showing a vehicle as viewed from a virtual viewpoint and a detection state of peripheral information on a periphery of the vehicle based on the peripheral information detectable by the vehicle, and changes a display mode of the detection state when the vehicle is in a towing state in which the vehicle tows an object to be towed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle control device that can perform automatic driving that gives a sense of security to the occupants. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] Incidentally, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, an image of the vehicle itself and an image of the surroundings of the vehicle are displayed on the display unit (see FIG. 8 of Patent Document 1). However, this technology does not take into consideration changing the display mode of the display unit depending on whether the vehicle is towing an object, and there is still room for improvement in the display method of the display unit when the vehicle is towing an object.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a display control device that allows a vehicle occupant to understand changes in the detection status of peripheral information around the vehicle depending on the presence or absence of a towed object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The display control device of claim 1 displays on a display unit a vehicle image showing the vehicle as seen from a virtual viewpoint and the detection status of the surrounding information based on peripheral information about the vehicle's surroundings that can be detected by the vehicle, and includes a control unit that changes the display mode of the detection status when the vehicle is in a towing state in which it is towing a towed object.

[0007] In the display control device according to claim 1, the control unit causes the display unit to display a vehicle image and a detection status of the surrounding information based on surrounding information around the vehicle. When the vehicle is in a towing state, the control unit changes the display mode of the detection status. This allows the display control device to allow the vehicle occupants to understand the change in the detection status depending on whether or not there is a towed object.

[0008] A display control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the display control device according to the first aspect, wherein when the vehicle is in the towing state, the control unit displays a towing object image showing the towing object linked to the vehicle image.

[0009] In the display control device according to claim 2, when the vehicle is in a towing state, the control unit displays the towing object image linked to the vehicle image, thereby enabling the occupant to recognize the towing object being towed by the vehicle from the display content of the display unit.

[0010] A display control device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the device according to the second aspect, wherein when the control unit displays the towing object image, the control unit shifts the position of the vehicle image on the display unit toward the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0011] In the display control device according to claim 3, when the control unit displays the towing object image, the control unit shifts the position of the vehicle image on the display unit toward the vehicle's traveling direction. This makes it possible to prevent the towing object image from being cut off, compared to a configuration in which the position of the vehicle image is not adjusted when the towing object image is displayed.

[0012] The display control device of claim 4 is any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating that a specific driving assistance function will not be executed when the vehicle is in the towing state.

[0013] In the display control device according to claim 4, the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating that the specific driving support function will not be executed when the vehicle is in a towing state. This allows the display control device to allow the occupant to understand from the display content on the display unit that the specific driving support function will not be executed when the vehicle is in a towing state.

[0014] The display control device of claim 5 is any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating that the acceleration performance of the vehicle has changed when the vehicle is in the towing state.

[0015] In the display control device according to claim 5, the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating that the acceleration performance of the vehicle has changed when the vehicle is in a towing state. This allows the display control device to allow the occupant to understand from the display content on the display unit that the acceleration performance of the vehicle has changed when in a towing state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the display control device according to the present disclosure allows the vehicle occupant to understand changes in the detection status of surrounding information around the vehicle depending on the presence or absence of a towed object. [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. (First embodiment) First, a vehicle 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a vehicle 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a meter ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20. The vehicle 10 is an example of a "vehicle" in the present disclosure, and the meter ECU 20 is an example of a "display control device" in the present disclosure.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The ROM 22 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 23 serves as a working area for temporarily storing programs or data.

[0023] 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. A display control program 24A is stored in the storage 24. The display control program 24A is a program for causing the CPU 21 to execute specific processing (see FIG. 2), which will be described later.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The input / output I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with an in-vehicle device 40 mounted on the vehicle 10 .

[0026] 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.

[0027] The sensor group 42 includes sensors for detecting the state of the vehicle 10 and the situation around the vehicle 10, 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 around the vehicle 10. The sensor group 42 outputs the detection results of each sensor and the captured images by each camera to the meter ECU 20, the ECU 30, etc.

[0028] The monitor 44 is provided on a meter panel located in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle 10, and is a meter display for displaying operation suggestions related to functions of the vehicle 10 and images explaining the functions, etc. The monitor 44 is an example of a "display unit" in the present disclosure.

[0029] 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).

[0030] The CPU 21 of the meter ECU 20 has, as functional components, an acquisition unit 21A and a control unit 21B. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 21 reading and executing a display control program 24A stored in the storage 24.

[0031] The acquisition unit 21A acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 21A acquires, as the various types of information, peripheral information about the periphery of the vehicle 10 that can be detected by the vehicle 10. The peripheral information includes detection results by each sensor constituting the sensor group 42, captured images by each camera, and the like.

[0032] 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 vehicle image 10A (see FIG. 3, etc.) showing the vehicle 10 as seen from a virtual viewpoint, 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 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 vehicle image 10A in the virtual space.

[0033] 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the identification process executed by the meter ECU 20. The CPU 21 reads the display control 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.

[0034] 2, the CPU 21 acquires surrounding information about the periphery of the vehicle 10. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S11.

[0035] In step S11, the CPU 21 displays various images on the monitor 44 based on the surrounding information acquired in step S10. The various images include a vehicle image 10A, a road image 74 (see FIG. 3, etc.) showing the road on which the vehicle 10 is traveling, and a range image 76 (see FIG. 3, etc.) showing the detection status of the surrounding information. Specific examples of the various images will be described later. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S12.

[0036] In step S12, the CPU 21 determines whether the vehicle 10 is in a towing state in which it is towing an object. Examples of towed objects include camper trailers, boat trailers, and motorcycle trailers. If the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle 10 is in a towing state (step S12: YES), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle 10 is not in a towing state (step S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S14. As an example, the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle 10 is in a towing state when a predetermined button (not shown) on the in-vehicle device 40 is operated by the driver, who is an occupant of the vehicle 10.

[0037] In step S13, the CPU 21 executes display control for the towing state. A specific example of this display control will be described later. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S14.

[0038] In step S14, the CPU 21 updates the display content of the monitor 44 based on the surrounding information acquired in step S10. For example, if the speed of the vehicle 10 increases or decreases, the CPU 21 changes the numerical value indicated in vehicle speed information 72 (see FIG. 3, etc.) described later that is displayed on the monitor 44, or if the vehicle 10 approaches another vehicle, the CPU 21 narrows the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle image 10A on the monitor 44 and the image showing the other vehicle. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S15.

[0039] In step S15, the CPU 21 determines whether a predetermined termination condition is met. If the CPU 21 determines that the termination condition is met (step S15: YES), the CPU 21 terminates the specific processing. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the termination condition is not met (step S15: NO), the CPU 21 returns to step S10. As an example, the CPU 21 determines that the termination condition is met when the ignition switch of the vehicle 10 is turned off.

[0040] Next, examples of displays on the monitor 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 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 the driver seated in the driver's seat through an opening in the steering wheel. As an example, FIG. 3 shows the display content when the vehicle 10 is not in a towing state.

[0041] Shift information 70 and vehicle speed information 72 are displayed in the upper part of the display area X shown in FIG.

[0042] The shift information 70 indicates the shift position of the vehicle 10. In Fig. 3, the shift information 70 is displayed as "D", indicating that the shift position is in the D range.

[0043] The vehicle speed information 72 indicates the speed of the vehicle 10. In Fig. 3, "54 km / h" is displayed as the vehicle speed information 72, indicating that the vehicle speed is 54 km / h.

[0044] 3, a road image 74 is displayed below the shift information 70 and the vehicle speed information 72. The road image 74 is an image showing the roads around the vehicle 10 shown in map data stored in an external server, the storage 24, or the like.

[0045] In FIG. 3, a vehicle image 10A and a range image 76 are displayed on a road image 74.

[0046] Vehicle image 10A is an image generated based on an illustration design of vehicle 10 shown in illustration data stored in storage 24. As an example, vehicle 10 is traveling in the center lane of a road with three lanes in each direction. Therefore, in FIG. 3, vehicle image 10A is displayed in the center lane of the road shown in road image 74 from the viewpoint seen from the virtual viewpoint.

[0047] The range image 76 is a graphic image showing the detection status of the surrounding information. As an example, the range image 76 is composed of a front range image 76A showing the detection status of the surrounding information ahead of the vehicle 10 in the same lane as the vehicle 10, and a rear range image 76B showing the detection status of the surrounding information behind the vehicle 10 in the same lane.

[0048] The forward range image 76A is displayed above the vehicle image 10A in the drawing, corresponding to the front side of the vehicle 10. As an example, the forward range image 76A is trapezoidal, and a dot pattern is applied within the trapezoid.

[0049] The rear range image 76B is displayed below the vehicle image 10A in the drawing, corresponding to the rear side of the vehicle 10. As an example, the rear range image 76B is trapezoidal, and the same dot pattern as the front range image 76A is applied within the trapezoid.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of a display displayed in the display area X of the monitor 44. As an example, Fig. 4 shows the display content when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state.

[0051] 4 displays a vehicle image 10A, shift information 70, vehicle speed information 72, a road image 74, a forward range image 76A, and a rear range image 76B. Note that the display modes of the above information other than the rear range image 76B are the same as those in FIG. 3, and therefore will not be described.

[0052] Here, as the display control for the towing state in step S13, CPU 21 changes the display mode of rear range image 76B in the towing state from that in the non-towing state. For example, rear range image 76B shown in Fig. 4 differs from Fig. 3 in which a dot pattern is applied within a trapezoid, in that the inside of the trapezoid is colored gray.

[0053] Here, the range image 76 has a plurality of display modes according to the detection status of the peripheral information. In this embodiment, the plurality of display modes include a normal mode indicating that the detection status is normal and a special mode indicating that the detection status is special. The normal mode is a mode in which a dot pattern is applied within the trapezoid shown in the forward range image 76A and the rear range image 76B of FIG. 3 and the forward range image 76A of FIG. 4. The special mode is a mode in which the trapezoid shown in the rear range image 76B of FIG. 4 is colored gray.

[0054] As described above, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 displays the vehicle image 10A and the range image 76 showing the detection status of the surrounding information on the monitor 44 based on the surrounding information around the vehicle 10. Then, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the CPU 21 changes the display mode of the range image 76. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the CPU 21 changes the display mode of the rear range image 76B showing the detection status on the rear side of the vehicle 10 from the normal mode to the special mode.

[0055] Here, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the presence of a towed object coupled to the rear of the vehicle 10 narrows the detection range of the sensors included in the sensor group 42 that detect surrounding information behind the vehicle 10. Furthermore, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the towed object appears in an image captured by a camera included in the sensor group 42 that captures an image of the area behind the vehicle 10, thereby narrowing the range behind the vehicle 10 that can be recognized based on the captured image. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the display mode of the rear range image 76B, which indicates the detection status of the surrounding information behind the vehicle 10, is changed to notify the driver that the detection ranges of the sensors and the like are narrowing. With the above configuration, the meter ECU 20 allows the driver of the vehicle 10 to recognize changes in the detection status of the surrounding information depending on the presence or absence of a towed object.

[0056] (Second embodiment) Next, a vehicle 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with the above embodiment.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a third explanatory diagram showing an example of a display displayed in the display area X of the monitor 44. As an example, Fig. 5 shows the display content when the vehicle 10 is towing a camper trailer as a towed object.

[0058] 4, the display area X shown in Fig. 5 displays a towing object image 80, warning information 82, and acceleration performance information 84. In this case, as the display control for the towing state in step S13, the CPU 21 changes the display mode of the rear range image 76B from the normal mode to the special mode while displaying the towing object image 80, warning information 82, and acceleration performance information 84 on the monitor 44.

[0059] The towed object image 80 is an image generated based on the illustrated design of the camper trailer shown in the illustration data stored in the storage 24. The CPU 21 identifies the type of towed object from an image captured by a camera included in the sensor group 42 that captures an image of the area behind the vehicle 10, and draws on the monitor 44 an illustration design corresponding to the identified towed object in the illustration data.

[0060] Furthermore, when displaying the towing object image 80, the CPU 21 shifts the position of the vehicle image 10A on the monitor 44 toward the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 by the amount of the display area of ​​the towing object image 80. For example, the CPU 21 directly or indirectly shifts the position of the vehicle image 10A by changing the coordinates of the vehicle image 10A in a three-dimensional virtual space or by changing the viewpoint angle (direction) in the virtual space. As a result, the vehicle image 10A shown in FIG. 5 is positioned higher in the display area X than the vehicle image 10A shown in FIG. 3.

[0061] The warning information 82 is information indicating that a specific driving assistance function will not be executed. In this embodiment, as an example, the specific driving assistance function is LCA (Lane Change Assist). Therefore, in FIG. 5, "LCA → ×" is displayed as the warning information 82, indicating that LCA will not be executed when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state.

[0062] The acceleration performance information 84 is information that indicates a change in the acceleration performance of the vehicle 10. When the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the acceleration performance decreases because the vehicle 10 is traveling while towing an object, and therefore it is necessary to increase the accelerator opening amount more than when the vehicle 10 is not in a towing state. For this reason, in FIG. 5, an icon instructing the driver to depress the accelerator pedal is displayed as the acceleration performance information 84, indicating that when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the acceleration performance of the vehicle 10 has changed and it is therefore necessary to increase the accelerator opening amount.

[0063] In Figure 5, a towing object image 80 showing a camper trailer as the towing object is shown as an example, but if the CPU 21 identifies a towing object of a type other than a camper trailer from the image captured by the camera, an image showing the different type of towing object will be displayed in the display area X.

[0064] Fig. 6 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing an example of a display displayed in the display area X of the monitor 44. As an example, Fig. 6 shows the display content when the vehicle 10 is towing a boat trailer as a towed object.

[0065] 6 displays a vehicle image 10A, shift information 70, vehicle speed information 72, a road image 74, a forward range image 76A, a rear range image 76B, warning information 82, acceleration performance information 84, and a towing object image 90. Note that the display modes of the above information other than the towing object image 90 are the same as those in FIG. 5, and therefore will not be described.

[0066] The towed object image 90 is an image generated based on the illustration design of a boat trailer shown in the illustration data stored in the storage 24. The CPU 21 identifies the type of towed object as a boat trailer from the image captured by the camera, and draws on the monitor 44 the illustration design corresponding to the boat trailer in the illustration data.

[0067] As described above, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21, as a function of the control unit 21B, displays the towed object images 80, 90 linked to the vehicle image 10A when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state. This allows the meter ECU 20 to allow the driver to know the towed object being towed by the vehicle 10 from the display content on the monitor 44.

[0068] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21, as a function of the control unit 21B, shifts the position of the vehicle image 10A on the monitor 44 toward the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 when displaying the towing object images 80, 90. This makes it possible to prevent the towing object images 80, 90 from being cut off, compared to a configuration in which the position of the vehicle image 10A is not adjusted when displaying the towing object images 80, 90.

[0069] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21, as a function of the control unit 21B, displays on the monitor 44 warning information 82 indicating that LCA will not be executed as a specific driving assistance function when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state. This allows the driver to understand from the display content on the monitor 44 that LCA will not be executed in the towing state in the meter ECU 20.

[0070] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, as a function of the control unit 21B, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the CPU 21 displays acceleration performance information 84 indicating a change in the acceleration performance of the vehicle 10 on the monitor 44. This allows the meter ECU 20 to make the driver understand from the display content of the monitor 44 that the acceleration performance of the vehicle 10 has changed when in a towing state.

[0071] (others) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these modifications or alterations also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0072] Furthermore, the effects described in the above embodiments are explanatory or exemplary and are not limited to those described in the above embodiments. In other words, the technology according to the present disclosure may achieve other effects that are obvious to a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure from the description in the above embodiments, in addition to or instead of the effects described in the above embodiments.

[0073] The processes described in the above embodiments can also be realized by dedicated hardware circuits, in which case they may be executed by a single piece of hardware or by multiple pieces of hardware.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the display control program 24A is stored in the storage 24. However, this is not limitative, and the display control program 24A may be stored in the ROM 22.

[0075] In the above embodiments, as an example of changing the display mode of the peripheral information detection status, the first embodiment changes the display mode of the rear range image 76B, and the second embodiment changes the display mode of the rear range image 76B and additionally displays the towing object images 80 and 90. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as an example of changing the display mode of the detection status, in the towing state, only the towing object images 80 and 90 may be displayed without changing the display mode of the rear range image 76B.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the display mode of the detection status of the surrounding information is changed uniformly when the vehicle is in a towing state, regardless of the type of towed object. However, this is not limited to this. For example, if the towed object is a type with a narrow width, such as a motorcycle trailer, the display mode of the detection status may not be changed even when the vehicle is in a towing state. Similarly, if the towed object is a type with a narrow width, the execution of a specific driving assistance function may not be restricted even when the vehicle is in a towing state. Furthermore, if the towed object is equipped with a sensor that can detect information about the area around the towed object, the vehicle 10 can acquire the detection results of the sensor, so that the display mode of the detection status may not be changed even when the vehicle is in a towing state, and the execution of a specific driving assistance function may not be restricted.

[0077] The manner in which the information indicating that a specific driving assistance function will not be executed when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state is displayed is not limited to that shown by the warning information 82. For example, the content of the information may be directly displayed in text, such as "LCA cannot be used."

[0078] The display manner of the information indicating a change in the acceleration performance of the vehicle 10 when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state is not limited to that indicated by the acceleration performance information 84. For example, the rear of the vehicle body of the vehicle image 10A may be sunken, or a sweat mark indicating sweat and an exclamation mark may be displayed around the vehicle image 10A.

[0079] The normal and special aspects of the range image 76 are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment. It goes without saying that the normal or special aspect may have a different pattern, color, or the like from those in the above embodiment.

[0080] In the above embodiment, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the CPU 21 may display auxiliary information on the monitor 44 to assist in driving the vehicle 10 in the towing state. For example, the CPU 21 may display, as auxiliary information, the timing and amount of steering wheel operation when turning, as well as a captured image of the rear side of the vehicle 10 when turning or an overhead image of the vehicle 10. This makes it possible to support the driving operation of the vehicle 10 in a towing state, which makes driving when turning more difficult than when not in a towing state.

[0081] In the above embodiment, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the CPU 21 may adjust at least one of the activation intensity and activation timing of a predetermined driving assistance function. For example, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the CPU 21 may adjust the activation intensity by increasing the accelerator opening or reducing the braking force while executing ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) as a predetermined driving assistance function, compared to when the vehicle 10 is not in a towing state. Furthermore, when the vehicle 10 is in a towing state, the CPU 21 may adjust the activation intensity and activation timing by reducing the braking force compared to when the vehicle 10 is not in a towing state and accelerating the timing at which the brakes start to activate, when executing PCS (Pre-Collision System) as a predetermined driving assistance function.

[0082] In the above embodiment, there is no particular limitation on the portion of the towed object images 80, 90 displayed in the display area X of the monitor 44. For example, as in the above embodiment, the towed object images 80, 90 may be displayed in the display area X so that the entire image of the towed object, the camper trailer or boat trailer, can be grasped. Alternatively, the towed object images 80, 90 may be displayed in the display area X so that only a portion of the towed object, the camper trailer or boat trailer, is displayed.

[0083] In the above embodiment, when displaying the towing object images 80, 90, the CPU 21 shifts the position of the vehicle image 10A on the monitor 44 toward the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 by the amount of the display area of ​​the towing object images 80, 90. However, this is not limiting, and in the above case, the CPU 21 may shift the position of the vehicle image 10A on the monitor 44 toward the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 by the amount of the display area of ​​the towing object images 80, 90 or more. In this case, a space will be generated below the towing object images 80, 90 on the monitor 44.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the monitor 44, which is a meter display, is an example of a "display unit" of the present disclosure, but the "display unit" is not limited to a meter display. For example, the "display unit" may be another display such as a center display or a head-up display (HUD). Furthermore, the "display unit" may be a combination of multiple displays such as a meter display and a center display.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the meter ECU 20 executes the specific processing shown in Fig. 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the specific processing may be executed by the meter ECU 20 in cooperation with another ECU.

[0086] 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.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the display control program 24A is pre-stored (installed) in the storage 24, but this is not limiting. The display control 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 display control program 24A may also be downloaded from an external device via a network. The technology disclosed herein may also be applied to programs and program products. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 vehicles 10A vehicle image 20 Meter ECU (display control unit) 21B Control section 44 Monitor (display) 80,90 Towed object image

Claims

1. a control unit that displays on a display unit a vehicle image showing the vehicle as seen from a virtual viewpoint and a detection status of the peripheral information based on peripheral information about the vehicle's surroundings that can be detected by the vehicle, and that changes a display mode of the detection status when the vehicle is in a towing state in which it is towing a towed object; Display control device.

2. When the vehicle is in the towing state, the control unit displays a towing object image indicating the towing object in conjunction with the vehicle image. The display control device according to claim 1 .

3. When the control unit displays the towing object image, the control unit shifts the position of the vehicle image on the display unit toward a traveling direction of the vehicle. The display control device according to claim 2 .

4. the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating that a specific driving assistance function will not be executed when the vehicle is in the towing state. The display control device according to claim 1 .

5. the control unit, when the vehicle is in the towing state, causes the display unit to display information indicating a change in acceleration performance of the vehicle. The display control device according to claim 1 .

Images