Vehicular information output control device, vehicular information output control method, and vehicular information output control program

Abstract

To provide an information output control device for a vehicle, an information output control method for the vehicle, and an information output control program for the vehicle capable of intuitively grasping a lane change direction by operation of a driving system.SOLUTION: An information output control device 10 for a vehicle includes an acquisition part for acquiring direction information on a lane change direction by an operation of a driving system, and an output control part capable of outputting an image expressing the lane change direction to a display part provided in a cabin based on the acquired direction information. The output control unit is configured to cause the display unit to display a steering wheel image indicating a steering wheel, and display a rightward direction image indicating a lane change in a rightward direction and disposed on a right side of the steering wheel image, and a leftward direction image indicating a lane change in a leftward direction and disposed on a left side of the steering wheel image, corresponding to a lane change direction by an operation of the driving system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle information output control device, a vehicle information output control method, and a vehicle information output control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a lane change assist (LCA) system that assists steering operations for lane changes has been known as one of the ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistant Systems) installed in vehicles. Patent Document 1 proposes displaying a predetermined indicator in the projection area of ​​a HUD device to indicate that the lane change assist system is functioning effectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-167094 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement because it is not possible to intuitively grasp the direction of lane changes due to the operation of the driving system.

[0005] In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle information output control device, a vehicle information output control method, and a vehicle information output control program that allow a driver to intuitively grasp the direction of a lane change due to the operation of a driving system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information output control device for a vehicle according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an acquisition unit that acquires direction information regarding the direction of a lane change due to operation of a driving system, and an output control unit that is capable of outputting an image representing the direction of a lane change to a display unit provided in the vehicle cabin based on the acquired direction information, wherein the output control unit is configured to display a steering image indicating steering on the display unit, and to display a right-direction image indicating a lane change to the right and positioned to the right of the steering image, and a left-direction image indicating a lane change to the left and positioned to the left of the steering image, corresponding to the direction of a lane change due to operation of the driving system.

[0007] In a vehicle information output control device according to a first aspect, an image indicating the direction of a lane change due to operation of the driving system is output to a display unit provided in the vehicle cabin. Specifically, a steering image showing a steering wheel is displayed on the display unit, and a right-direction image indicating a lane change to the right and a left-direction image indicating a lane change to the left are displayed corresponding to the lane change direction due to operation of the driving system. Here, the right-direction image is positioned to the right of the steering image, and the left-direction image is positioned to the left of the steering image. This allows the direction of lane change to the left and right to be shown with the steering image, which gives a sense of steering operation of the vehicle, at the center, so that a user looking at the display unit can intuitively grasp the direction of lane change due to operation of the driving system.

[0008] In the vehicle information output control device according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration described in the first aspect, the right direction image and the left direction image are displayed so as not to protrude forward from the steering image.

[0009] In the vehicle information output control device according to the second aspect, the right-hand image and the left-hand image representing the direction of a lane change due to the operation of the driving system are displayed so as not to protrude forward from the steering image, which makes it possible to display them in a manner that is less likely to be confused with other images displayed on the display unit, such as route displays and lane markings provided by a navigation function, and to display the direction of a lane change due to the operation of the driving system in a manner that is easier for the user to recognize.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle information output control device having the configuration described in the first or second aspect, in which the right-direction image and the left-direction image are displayed so as to be positioned at approximately equal distances in the left-right direction relative to the steering image.

[0011] In the vehicle information output control device according to the third aspect, the right-hand image and the left-hand image, which represent the direction of a lane change due to the operation of the driving system, are displayed at approximately equal distances to the left and right of the steering image. As a result, the display of the right-hand image and the left-hand image centered on the steering image has a more unified appearance, and the direction of a lane change due to the operation of the driving system can be displayed in a manner that is easier for the user to recognize.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an information output control device for a vehicle having a configuration described in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the right-direction image and the left-direction image are displayed so as to be adjacent to the steering image in the left-right direction.

[0013] In the vehicle information output control device according to the fourth aspect, the right-hand image and the left-hand image, which represent the direction of a lane change due to the operation of the driving system, are displayed adjacent to the steering image in the left-right direction. In other words, no other images are interposed between the steering image and the left-hand image. This enhances the sense of unity in the display manner of the right-hand image and the left-hand image centered on the steering image, and makes it possible to display the direction of a lane change due to the operation of the driving system in a manner that is easier for the user to recognize.

[0014] An information output control device for a vehicle according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a configuration described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, expresses a non-lane change direction by not displaying the right-direction image or the left-direction image corresponding to a non-lane change direction different from the lane change direction due to operation of the driving system.

[0015] In the vehicle information output control device according to the fifth aspect, the non-lane change direction is represented by hiding the right-direction image or the left-direction image corresponding to the non-lane change direction different from the lane change direction caused by the operation of the driving system. As a result, the lane change direction caused by the operation of the driving system is represented by displaying one of the right-direction image or the left-direction image, and the non-lane change direction is represented by hiding the other image. In this way, the vehicle behavior caused by the operation of the driving system can be conveyed to the user in more detail and intuitively.

[0016] The sixth aspect of the present invention is an information output control method for a vehicle that causes a computer to acquire direction information regarding the direction of a lane change due to operation of a driving system and execute a process of outputting an image representing the direction of a lane change to a display unit provided in the vehicle cabin based on the acquired direction information, wherein the computer executes a process of displaying a steering image indicating steering on the display unit and displaying a right-direction image indicating a lane change to the right and positioned to the right of the steering image, and a left-direction image indicating a lane change to the left and positioned to the left of the steering image, corresponding to the direction of the lane change due to operation of the driving system.

[0017] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides an information output control program for a vehicle that causes a computer to acquire direction information regarding the direction of a lane change due to operation of a driving system, and executes a process of outputting an image representing the direction of the lane change to a display unit provided in the vehicle cabin based on the acquired direction information. The computer executes a process of displaying a steering image showing steering on the display unit, and displaying a right-direction image indicating a lane change to the right and positioned to the right of the steering image, and a left-direction image indicating a lane change to the left and positioned to the left of the steering image, corresponding to the direction of the lane change due to operation of the driving system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, the vehicle information output control device, vehicle information output control method, and vehicle information output control program according to the present invention enable a driver to intuitively grasp the direction of a lane change due to the operation of the driving system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view of a front portion of a vehicle interior of a vehicle to which a vehicle information output control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a vehicle information output control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a vehicle information output control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 10 is an example of a direction image showing directions in which lane changes are possible using a lane tracing assist system. [Figure 5] 10 is an example of a directional image showing a lane change being performed by the lane tracing assist system. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an output process in the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an information output control device for a vehicle 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] 1, an instrument panel 14 is provided in the front of the cabin of a vehicle 12. The instrument panel 14 extends in the vehicle width direction, and a steering wheel 16 (hereinafter referred to as "steering wheel 16") is provided on the right side of the instrument panel 14. That is, in this embodiment, as an example, the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle in which the steering wheel 16 is provided on the right side, and a driver's seat 28 is located on the right side of the vehicle.

[0022] A windshield glass 18 is provided at the front end of the instrument panel 14. The windshield glass 18 extends in the vertical direction and the width direction of the vehicle, and separates the interior of the vehicle from the exterior of the vehicle.

[0023] The right end of the windshield glass 18 is fixed to a front pillar 20 on the right side of the vehicle. Specifically, the front pillar 20 extends substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the windshield glass 18 is fixed to the inner end of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the front ends of front side windows 22 are fixed to the outer end of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. The left end of the windshield glass 18 is fixed to a front pillar on the left side of the vehicle (not shown).

[0024] Here, the instrument panel 14 is provided with a first display unit 24 as a display unit. The first display unit 24 is a display provided on the right side of the instrument panel 14, in front of the driver's seat 28. A predetermined image is displayed on the first display unit 24 by a meter display device 44 (see FIG. 2) as a vehicle display device. The first display unit 24 is connected to various meter devices mounted on the vehicle 12, and is provided at a position within the field of view of the driver when the driver is looking forward.

[0025] A second display unit 26 is provided on the windshield glass 18. The second display unit 26 is set above the first display unit 24 and forms a projection surface for a head-up display device 48 (see FIG. 2) that serves as a vehicle display device. Specifically, the head-up display device 48 is provided on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel 14, and an image is projected from the head-up display device 48 onto the second display unit 26, which is made up of a predetermined area on the windshield glass 18.

[0026] Here, a vehicle 12 is provided with a vehicle information output control device 10. The vehicle information output control device 10 of this embodiment is configured with, for example, one or more ECUs (Electronic Control Units). The vehicle information output control device 10 of this embodiment is configured to control a meter, Various images are displayed on the first display unit 24 constituting the display of the display device 44. The vehicle information output control device 10 displays a predetermined direction image on the first display unit 24, thereby displaying to the driver the directions in which the LCA (Lane Change Assist) system can change lanes.

[0027] (Hardware configuration of the vehicle information output control device 10) 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle information output control device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle information output control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 30, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 34, a storage 36, a communication I / F (communication interface) 38, and an input / output I / F ( The components are connected to each other via a bus 42 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0028] The CPU 30 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 30 reads programs from the ROM 32 or storage 36 and executes the programs using the RAM 34 as a work area. The CPU 30 controls each of the above components and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 32 or storage 36.

[0029] The ROM 32 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 34 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 36 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. In this embodiment, the ROM 32 or the storage 36 stores programs and various data for performing output processing, which will be described later.

[0030] The communication I / F 38 is an interface for the vehicle information output control device 10 to communicate with an external server and other devices, and may be, for example, a CAN (Controller Area Network), an Ethernet (Ethernet), or the like. Net Standards used include LTE (Long Term Evolution), FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0031] The input / output I / F 40 is electrically connected to a meter display device 44, a head-up display device 48, an audio output unit 50, and a driving assistance system control unit 52. The meter display device 44 displays predetermined information on the first display unit 24. The head-up display device 48 displays predetermined information on the second display unit 26. The audio output unit 50 is formed, for example, by a speaker provided in the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, predetermined audio data is output in response to a command from the vehicle information output control device 10.

[0032] The driving assistance system control unit 52 can control various driving systems installed in the vehicle 12. The driving assistance system control unit 52 acquires surrounding information of the vehicle 12 from the surrounding information sensor 54, and acquires status information of the vehicle 12 from the vehicle status sensor 56. The surrounding information of the vehicle 12 includes information about the lane the vehicle 12 is traveling in, detection information about nearby objects, map data of the current position, etc. The status information of the vehicle 12 includes the traveling speed and acceleration of the vehicle 12, operation information of operations performed by the driver on the operating unit of the vehicle 12, etc.

[0033] The surrounding information sensor 54 is configured by combining known sensors such as a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a millimeter wave radar, a lidar, a GPS receiving sensor, etc. The vehicle state sensor 56 is configured by including, for example, a wheel speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a yaw rate sensor, a steering angle sensor, an operation information detection sensor, etc.

[0034] The driving assistance system control unit 52 can control various driving systems based on the above-mentioned surrounding information and state information.

[0035] The various driving systems installed in the vehicle 12 include an automatic driving system and various ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistant Systems). By controlling various actuators mounted on both vehicles 12, the system automatically performs some or all of the vehicle's 12 accelerator, brake, turn signal, steering, etc. operations, thereby activating various driving systems.

[0036] The driving system installed in the vehicle 12 includes, as ADAS, a stop system for avoiding contact between a detected object and the vehicle 12, an ACC (adaptive cruise control) system, an LTA (lane tracing assist) system, an LCA (lane change assist) system, and the like. These stop systems, ACC systems, LTA systems, and LCA systems are well known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-103766, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-103768, etc.). Therefore, the ACC system, LTA system, and LCA system related to the gist of the present invention will be briefly described below.

[0037] (ACC system) The ACC system is a system that acquires information about the vehicle's surroundings using a surrounding information sensor 54 (see FIG. 2) mounted on the vehicle, and controls accelerator and brake operations based on the acquired surrounding information to assist driving.

[0038] More specifically, the ACC system, based on surrounding information, makes the host vehicle follow the preceding vehicle while maintaining a predetermined distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle if there is a preceding vehicle traveling immediately in the driving lane.If there is no preceding vehicle in the driving lane, the ACC system makes the host vehicle travel at a constant speed at a set vehicle speed.

[0039] The ACC system is activated when a follow-up distance support request is received by the driving assistance system control unit 52 based on an operation by the driver on an operation unit (not shown). The driving assistance system control unit 52 determines whether or not predetermined ACC system execution conditions are met, and activates the ACC system if the ACC system execution conditions are met.

[0040] (LTA system) The LTA system is a system that assists the driver in steering by applying steering torque to the steering mechanism so that the position of the host vehicle is maintained near a target driving line within the driving lane. Specifically, the LTA system recognizes the lane markings from captured images of the vehicle's surroundings acquired by the surrounding information sensor 54, and recognizes a target driving line within the driving lane. Then, the system applies the necessary steering torque to the steering mechanism depending on the position of the host vehicle relative to the target driving line.

[0041] The LTA system is activated when a steering assistance request is received by the driving assistance system control unit 52 based on an operation by the driver on an operation unit (not shown). The driving assistance system control unit 52 determines whether or not predetermined LTA system execution conditions are met, and activates the LTA system when the LTA system execution conditions are met.

[0042] The conditions for executing the LTA system include, for example, the following: (1) A steering assistance request is accepted; (2) The ACC system is operating; (3) The vehicle speed is within a specified range; (4) The lane in which the vehicle is traveling is recognized; and (5) The turn signal operating unit indicating a right or left turn is not operated. Note that the conditions for starting the LTA are not limited to these conditions. Instead, it can be set arbitrarily.

[0043] (LCA system) The LCA system is a system that, after determining that a lane change is possible safely based on information about the surroundings of the vehicle, monitors the surroundings of the vehicle and applies steering torque to the steering mechanism to move the vehicle from the lane it is currently traveling in to an adjacent lane, thereby assisting the driver in steering (lane change operation). Therefore, lane changes using the LCA system allow the vehicle to change lanes without the driver having to perform steering operations.

[0044] Specifically, the LCA system calculates a target trajectory for the vehicle based on lane information ahead of the vehicle supplied from a camera sensor included in the surrounding information sensor 54, the current position of the vehicle identified by a GPS receiving sensor, and the vehicle's traveling speed. The target trajectory is a trajectory for moving the vehicle from the center line of the current traveling lane to the center line of the lane after the lane change. The LCA system calculates the steering angle required to move from the current position to a final destination position on the target trajectory based on the target trajectory, and executes the lane change by applying the required steering torque to the steering mechanism.

[0045] The LCA system is activated when a lane change assistance request is received by the driving assistance system control unit 52 based on an operation by the driver on an operation unit (not shown). The driving assistance system control unit 52 determines whether or not predetermined LCA system execution conditions are met, and activates the LCA system if the LCA system execution conditions are met.

[0046] In this embodiment, the driving assistance system control unit 52 determines whether the LCA acceptance condition is satisfied before accepting a lane change assistance request from the driver. When the LCA acceptance condition is satisfied, the vehicle 12 can accept the lane change assistance request from the driver.

[0047] The LCA system, like the LTA system, is a control system for the lateral position of the vehicle relative to the driving lane, and is implemented in place of the LTA when a lane change assistance request is received while the ACC and LTA are being implemented. Therefore, the LCA acceptance conditions include the ACC system being in operation and the LTA system being in operation. In this embodiment, the following conditions (1) to (6) are set as the LCA acceptance conditions, as an example. Note that the LCA start conditions are not limited to these conditions and can be set arbitrarily. (1) The ACC system is operating. (2) The LTA system is operational. (3) Map data for the vehicle's current location has been acquired. (4) The steering wheel is not operated with a steering force greater than the specified value. (5) No approaching objects are detected around the vehicle. (6) The target trajectory can be set to the right or left lane.

[0048] When the driving assistance system control unit 52 determines that the LCA acceptance condition is met, the driving assistance system control unit 52 puts the vehicle 12 into an LCA standby state in which a lane change assistance request from the driver can be accepted.

[0049] After the vehicle 12 enters the LCA standby state, when a lane change assistance request is received from the driver, the driving assistance system control unit 52 determines whether the LCA execution condition is met. In this embodiment, the lane change assistance request can be made based on a predetermined operation of a turn signal operation unit (not shown).

[0050] The LCA execution conditions include, for example, the following condition (7) in addition to the above LCA acceptance conditions (1) to (6). (7) A request for lane change assistance in a direction in which a lane change is possible through the activation of the LCA system is accepted.

[0051] In this embodiment, a lane change assistance request to the right lane and a lane change request to the left lane can be made based on a predetermined operation of the turn signal operation unit. Therefore, for example, when only a target trajectory to the right lane is set in the determination of the LCA acceptance condition, if a lane change assistance request to the right lane by the driver is accepted, the above condition (7) is met. On the other hand, if a lane change assistance request to the left lane by the driver is accepted, the above condition (7) is not met, and therefore the driving assistance system control unit 52 does not execute a lane change by operating the LCA system.

[0052] (Functional configuration of the vehicle information output control device 10) The above hardware resources are used to realize various functions in the vehicle information output control device 10. The functional configuration realized by the vehicle information output control device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0053] 3, the vehicle information output control device 10 is configured to include, as functional components, an acquisition unit 60 and an output control unit 64. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 30 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 32 or the storage 36.

[0054] The acquisition unit 60 acquires, from the driving assistance system control unit 52, information relating to the operation of various driving systems and operation information relating to operations performed on an operation unit provided in the vehicle 12. In particular, in this embodiment, the acquisition unit 60 acquires the determination result of the LCA acceptance condition, the determination result of the LCA execution condition, and information relating to a lane change assistance request based on the driver's operation.

[0055] The output control unit 64 controls the image data to be output to the first display unit 24 provided in the vehicle cabin and the audio data to be output to the audio output unit 50 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 60. Specifically, when the operation of the ACC system and the LTA system of the vehicle 12 is detected by the function of the acquisition unit 60, the output control unit 64 selects and outputs a predetermined directional image from the plurality of image data stored in advance in the storage 36.

[0056] Here, the direction image is an icon image that notifies the driver of the presence of the LCA system, and is displayed to indicate the direction in which a lane change is possible due to the operation of the LCA system.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the direction image 70 of this embodiment includes a steering image 70A indicating steering, a right direction image 70B indicating a lane change to the right, and a left direction image 70C indicating a lane change to the left.

[0058] The steering image 70A forms the center of the direction image 70. The right direction image 70B can be displayed on the right side of the steering image 70A and is composed of an image of an arrow indicating the right direction of the steering image 70A. The left direction image 70C can be displayed on the left side of the steering image 70A and is composed of an image of an arrow indicating the left direction of the steering image 70A.

[0059] The direction image 70 starts to be displayed in response to the operation of the ACC system and the LTA system of the vehicle 12. The direction image 70 also changes at least one of the brightness and color of the steering image 70A, the right direction image 70B, and the left direction image 70C to highlight them, thereby informing the driver of the operating status of the LCA system.

[0060] The steering image 70A shows the ACC system and LT system regardless of whether the LCA acceptance conditions are met. When the LCA system is activated, the steering image 70A is always displayed in an emphasized manner. Therefore, by displaying the steering image 70A in an emphasized manner, the driver can be informed that the LCA system is operating in the vehicle 12 and detecting a direction in which a lane change is possible. As shown in Fig. 4, the steering image 70A is emphasized by being displayed in, for example, a bright "green".

[0061] Furthermore, when the LCA execution condition is met, the steering image 70A is emphasized by being displayed as an animation rotating in a direction in which a lane change is possible due to the operation of the LCA system. That is, when a lane change is to be performed due to the operation of the LCA system, the steering image 70A can indicate the execution of the lane change by rotating the steering image in the direction of the lane change. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the steering image 70A is rotated left to notify the driver that a lane change to the left lane will be performed.

[0062] The right-direction image 70B and the left-direction image 70C are displayed in an emphasized manner when they correspond to directions in which a lane change is possible. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, when it is detected that a lane change is possible to the left lane in the vehicle 12, the left-direction image 70C is displayed in a bright "white" color to be emphasized.

[0063] On the other hand, if the right-direction image 70B and the left-direction image 70C do not correspond to a direction in which a lane change is possible, they are displayed in a low-luminance color so as to be less conspicuous. Note that "displaying in an inconspicuous manner" also includes a state in which they are not displayed.

[0064] Furthermore, when the LCA execution condition is met, the right-direction image 70B and the left-direction image 70C are highlighted by changing their color from "white" to "green." That is, when a lane change is performed due to the activation of the LCA system, the right-direction image 70B and the left-direction image 70C can indicate that a lane change is being performed by changing the color of the image corresponding to the direction of the lane change to the same color as the steering image 70A. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the left-direction image 70C is displayed in the same color as the steering image 70A to notify the driver that a lane change to the left lane is being performed.

[0065] If the LCA acceptance condition is met and a lane change is not executed for some reason after a lane change assistance request based on a driver's operation is accepted, the output control unit 64 outputs audio data informing the driver that a lane change will not be executed. A lane change not being executed for some reason means, for example, that at least one of the LCA execution conditions (1) to (6) is no longer satisfied after a lane change assistance request is accepted. Or, that a lane change assistance request for a direction different from the direction in which a lane change is possible as determined by the LCA system is accepted, causing condition (7) to no longer be satisfied.

[0066] The output control unit 64 selects and outputs predetermined voice data from a plurality of voice data stored in advance in the storage 36 depending on the reason why a lane change is not executed. For example, if a lane change is not executed because the vehicle 12 is traveling above a specified traveling speed, the voice output unit 50 outputs voice data stating, "Lane change assistance cannot be performed because the traveling speed exceeds the specified speed."

[0067] (action) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0068] (Output processing) An example of the output process in the vehicle information output control device 10 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. The output process will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 1. The output process is executed by the CPU 30 reading a program from the ROM 32 or storage 36 and loading it into the RAM 34. This output process is executed when the ACC system and the LTA system are activated. At this time, the first display unit 24 provided in the vehicle cabin displays the direction image 70 with the steering image 70A highlighted.

[0069] In step S10, the CPU 30 determines whether the LCA acceptance conditions are met. Specifically, the acquisition unit 60 acquires the determination result of the LCA acceptance conditions determined by the driving assistance system control unit 52 using the function of the acquisition unit 60. If it is determined that the LCA acceptance conditions are met, the determination in step S10 is affirmative, and the CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S11. On the other hand, if the determination in step S10 is negative, the process returns to step S10. If the determination in step S10 is negative, only the steering image 70A is highlighted, and the right-direction image 70B and the left-direction image 70C are displayed in a low-brightness color.

[0070] In step S11, the CPU 30 uses the function of the acquisition unit 60 to acquire direction information regarding the direction in which a lane change is possible due to the operation of the LCA system.

[0071] In step S12, the CPU 30 displays possible lane change directions based on the acquired direction information using the function of the output control unit 64. Specifically, the right direction image 70B or the left direction image 70C, which corresponds to the possible lane change direction, is highlighted in the direction image 70. Note that if the driving assistance system control unit 52 determines that lane changes are possible in both the left and right directions, both the right direction image 70B and the left direction image 70C are highlighted and displayed.

[0072] In step S13, the CPU 30 determines whether a lane change assist request based on a driver's operation has been accepted. Specifically, the acquisition unit 60 acquires operation information performed on an operation unit in the vehicle cabin from the driving assistance system control unit 52, and determines whether operation information corresponding to the lane change assist request has been detected. If it is determined that a lane change assist request has been accepted, the determination in step S13 is made, and the CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that a lane change assist request has not been accepted, the determination in step S13 is negative, and the CPU 30 returns to processing in step S10.

[0073] In step S14, the CPU 30 determines whether the LCA execution condition is met. Specifically, the acquisition unit 60 acquires the determination result of the LCA execution condition determined by the driving assistance system control unit 52 using the function of the acquisition unit 60. If the LCA execution condition is met and a lane change is to be executed, the determination in step S14 is affirmative, and the CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S15. On the other hand, if the LCA execution condition is not met and a lane change is not to be executed, and the determination in step S14 is negative, the CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S16.

[0074] In step S15, the CPU 30 uses the function of the output control unit 64 to rotate the steering image 70A in the direction of the lane change, thereby indicating that the lane change will be performed.

[0075] In step S16, the CPU 30 causes the output control unit 64 to function to cause the audio output unit 50 to output audio data informing the driver that a lane change will not be executed.

[0076] As described above, the vehicle information output control device 10 according to this embodiment outputs a direction image indicating possible lane change directions to the first display unit 24 provided in the vehicle cabin. This allows a user looking at the first display unit 24 to understand the possible lane change directions using the LCA system.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4, the direction image 70 includes a steering image The steering image 70A includes a right-direction image 70B indicating a lane change to the right, and a left-direction image 70C indicating a lane change to the left. Therefore, the display of the right-direction image 70B indicates that a lane change to the right is possible. Furthermore, the display of the left-direction image 70C indicates that a lane change to the left is possible. Furthermore, because the right-direction image 70B and the left-direction image 70C are displayed on the right and left sides of the steering image 70A, the directions in which a lane change is possible can be intuitively grasped from their positional relationship with the steering image 70A.

[0078] In this embodiment, the brightness and / or color of the right direction image 70B or the left direction image 70C is changed to highlight the image corresponding to the direction in which a lane change is possible. This allows the direction image 70 to indicate the direction in which a lane change is possible without changing the shape of the right direction image 70B or the left direction image 70C. As a result, the consistency of the display of the direction image 70 can be maintained, and the annoyance felt by the user by the display can be reduced.

[0079] 5, when a lane change is performed due to the operation of the LCA assist system, the steering image 70A is rotated in the direction of the lane change. This allows the driver to intuitively grasp the direction in which the vehicle will move in synchronization with the steering operation. Furthermore, the right-direction image 70B or the left-direction image 70C, which corresponds to the direction of the lane change, is displayed in the same color as the steering image 70A, further emphasizing the direction of the lane change.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, if a lane change is not executed after a lane change assistance request is received, audio data is output to inform the driver that a lane change will not be executed. This reduces the driver's anxiety when a lane change operation is not executed at the expected timing after the driver requests lane change assistance. Furthermore, by providing audio information, frequent changes in the display on the display unit can be suppressed, reducing the annoyance felt by the user.

[0081] Although the vehicle display device according to the embodiment has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the directional image 70 is displayed on the first display unit 24 of the meter display device 44, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the directional image 70 may be displayed on the second display unit 26 of the head-up display device 48.

[0082] Furthermore, the processing that the CPU 30 reads and executes in the above embodiment may be executed by various processors other than the CPU 30. In this case, the processor may be a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Examples include dedicated electrical circuits, which are processors having circuit configurations designed specifically for executing specific processes such as the above. Furthermore, the virtual item display process may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types, such as by multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA. Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors is more specifically an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, various data is stored in the storage 36, but this is not limiting. For example, a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory may be used as the storage unit. In this case, various programs, data, etc. are stored in these recording media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10 Vehicle information output control device 24 First display section (display section) 60 Acquisition Department 64 Output control section 70A steering image 70B Right image 70C Left direction image

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires direction information regarding a lane change direction due to operation of a driving system; an output control unit that is capable of outputting an image representing the lane change direction to a display unit provided in the vehicle cabin based on the acquired direction information; the output control unit causes the display unit to display a steering image showing a steering wheel; The display is configured to display a rightward image indicating a lane change to the right and disposed on the right side of the steering image, and a leftward image indicating a lane change to the left and disposed on the left side of the steering image, in accordance with the lane change direction resulting from the operation of the driving system. Vehicle information output control device.

2. the right-direction image and the left-direction image are displayed so as not to protrude forward from the steering image; The vehicle information output control device according to claim 1.

3. the right-direction image and the left-direction image are displayed so as to be disposed at approximately equal distances in the left-right direction relative to the steering image. The vehicle information output control device according to claim 1.

4. the right-direction image and the left-direction image are displayed so as to be adjacent to the steering image in the left-right direction. The vehicle information output control device according to claim 1.

5. the output control unit expresses the non-lane change direction by hiding the right direction image or the left direction image corresponding to the non-lane change direction different from the lane change direction due to the operation of the driving system. The vehicle information output control device according to claim 1.

6. Obtaining direction information regarding the direction of lane change due to operation of the driving system; A vehicle information output control method for causing a computer to execute a process of outputting an image representing a lane change direction to a display unit provided in a vehicle cabin based on the acquired direction information, The computer displaying a steering image showing a steering wheel on the display unit; Execute a process to display a rightward image indicating a lane change to the right and disposed on the right side of the steering image, and a leftward image indicating a lane change to the left and disposed on the left side of the steering image, in accordance with the lane change direction resulting from the operation of the driving system. Vehicle information output control method.

7. Obtaining direction information regarding the direction of lane change due to operation of the driving system; a vehicle information output control program that causes a computer to execute a process of outputting an image representing a lane change direction to a display unit provided in a vehicle cabin based on the acquired direction information, The computer displaying a steering image showing a steering wheel on the display unit; Execute a process to display a rightward image indicating a lane change to the right and disposed on the right side of the steering image, and a leftward image indicating a lane change to the left and disposed on the left side of the steering image, in accordance with the lane change direction resulting from the operation of the driving system. Vehicle information output control program.

Images