Information processing method and information processing apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing method and information processing device that can satisfy the desire of the first occupant of the first vehicle to make a strong impression on the second occupant of the second vehicle regarding the appearance of the first vehicle. [Solution] The information processing method and information processing device acquire external information set by the first occupant of the first vehicle, generate a vehicle image representing the first vehicle based on the external information, and display the vehicle image to the second occupant of the second vehicle via a display unit.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] There has been proposed a display device that communicates between a host vehicle and other vehicles and superimposes a message received from the other vehicles and three-dimensional model data of the other vehicles on the field of view of the driver of the host vehicle and displays them at the vehicle position of the other vehicles as seen from the viewpoint of the driver of the host vehicle (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing method and information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention acquires appearance information set by the first occupant of the first vehicle, generates a vehicle image representing the first vehicle based on the appearance information, and displays the vehicle image to the second occupant of the second vehicle via a display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when the first occupant of the first vehicle has a desire to make a strong impression on the second occupant of the second vehicle regarding the appearance of the first vehicle, this desire of the first occupant can be satisfied. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first vehicle-side information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second vehicle-side information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] [Configuration of the information processing device on the first vehicle side] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first vehicle-side information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the first vehicle-side information processing device 1 comprises an operation unit 10, a display unit 20, a first controller 30, and a communication unit 40. The first controller 30 is connected to the operation unit 10, the display unit 20, and the communication unit 40 by a wired or wireless communication path. The communication unit 40 is connected to the second vehicle-side information processing device 2 by a wireless communication path.

[0011] The operation unit 10 receives user operations corresponding to various instructions from the user to the information processing device 1, and transmits information identifying the various instructions to the first controller 30, which will be described later. For example, the operation unit 10 may be an input interface with multiple buttons, or a touch panel with a touch interface.

[0012] More specifically, the display unit 20 may display icons represented by pictures or symbols so that the user can operate them, and the operation unit 10 may accept user input by touching, dragging, etc., the displayed icons.

[0013] The display unit 20 presents various types of information received from the first controller 30 (described later) to the user of the information processing device 1. For example, the display unit 20 is a display that shows shapes and characters using a combination of multiple display pixels. In particular, the display unit 20 includes a display area for displaying images generated by the first controller 30.

[0014] Furthermore, the display unit 20 is not limited to one that presents various types of information visually. The display unit 20 may also present information to the user through auditory information, or it may present information to the user through vibrations and vibrational stimuli.

[0015] The communication unit 40 transmits various information received from the first controller 30 (described later) to the information processing device 2 on the second vehicle side. Conversely, the communication unit 40 transmits various information received from the information processing device 2 on the second vehicle side to the first controller 30. The communication unit 40 may be an in-vehicle device equipped with 4G / LTE mobile communication functionality or an in-vehicle device equipped with Wi-Fi communication functionality.

[0016] The first controller 30 (an example of a control unit or processing unit) is a general-purpose microcomputer equipped with a CPU (central processing unit), memory, and an input / output unit. The first controller 30 has a computer program (information processing program) installed on it to function as part of the information processing device. By executing the computer program, the first controller 30 functions as one of the multiple information processing circuits (31, 33, 35, 37) provided by the information processing device.

[0017] Here, we show an example in which multiple information processing circuits (31, 33, 35, 37) provided by the information processing device are implemented using software. However, it is also possible to configure the information processing circuits (31, 33, 35, 37) by preparing dedicated hardware to perform each of the information processing operations shown below. Furthermore, multiple information processing circuits (31, 33, 35, 37) may be configured using separate hardware. In addition, the information processing circuits (31, 33, 35, 37) may also be used in conjunction with an electronic control unit (ECU) used for other control operations related to the first vehicle.

[0018] The first controller 30 includes a plurality of information processing circuits (31, 33, 35, 37), namely an appearance information setting unit 31, a vehicle information setting unit 33, an avatar information setting unit 35, and a scene information setting unit 37.

[0019] The appearance information setting unit 31 sets the appearance information of the first vehicle based on user instructions obtained via the operation unit 10. In other words, the appearance information setting unit 31 obtains the appearance information set by the user (first occupant) of the first vehicle. Here, "appearance information" refers to information about a model that represents a three-dimensional object in computer graphics in three-dimensional space, and is information about a model associated with the first vehicle. The model (vehicle model) identified by the appearance information does not necessarily have to match the actual appearance of the first vehicle, and can be set arbitrarily by the user.

[0020] More specifically, the appearance information setting unit 31 selects one model from the pre-registered model candidates and sets the information regarding the selected model as the appearance information. Additionally, the appearance information setting unit 31 may set the information regarding the model edited by the user as the appearance information. Further, the appearance information setting unit 31 may generate a model based on the image data registered by the user (such as a photo taken with a camera or an image edited with drawing software) and set the appearance information.

[0021] Additionally, the appearance information setting unit 31 may acquire the vehicle identification information for identifying the first vehicle and acquire the appearance information based on the vehicle identification information. More specifically, the appearance information setting unit 31 may refer to a database (not shown) and acquire the appearance information by reading the appearance information registered in association with the vehicle identification information in the database.

[0022] Note that the vehicle identification information is unique identification information for each vehicle. The appearance information setting unit 31 may acquire the vehicle identification information by reading the vehicle identification information for identifying the first vehicle stored in a memory, database, etc. mounted on the first vehicle.

[0023] The appearance information acquired by the appearance information setting unit 31 is transmitted to the information processing device 2 on the second vehicle side via the communication unit 40.

[0024] The vehicle information setting unit 33 acquires the motion information of the first vehicle based on the information acquired by sensors (not shown) mounted on the first vehicle. Here, the "motion information" of the vehicle includes information regarding the vehicle's attitude (yaw angle, pitch angle, etc.), the vehicle's moving speed (moving speed in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, turning speed), the steering angle of the wheels provided on the vehicle, and the change speed of the steering angle. Additionally, the motion information may include information regarding the absolute position of the vehicle, that is, the position, attitude, and speed of the vehicle with respect to a predetermined reference point.

[0025] The motion information acquired by the vehicle information setting unit 33 is transmitted to the information processing device 2 on the second vehicle side via the communication unit 40.

[0026] The avatar information setting unit 35 sets the avatar information of the user of the first vehicle based on the user's instructions obtained via the operation unit 10. In other words, the avatar information setting unit 35 obtains the avatar information set by the user of the first vehicle. Here, "avatar information" refers to information about a model (surface model) that represents a three-dimensional object in computer graphics in three-dimensional space, and is information about a model associated with the user of the first vehicle. The model (avatar) identified by the avatar information does not necessarily have to match the appearance of the user of the first vehicle, and can be set arbitrarily by the user.

[0027] More specifically, the avatar information setting unit 35 selects a model from among the pre-registered model candidates and sets the information related to the selected model as avatar information. In addition, the avatar information setting unit 35 may also set information related to a model edited by the user as avatar information. Furthermore, the avatar information setting unit 35 may generate a model based on image data registered by the user (such as a photograph taken with a camera or an image edited with drawing software) and set the avatar information accordingly.

[0028] In addition, the avatar information setting unit 35 may acquire occupant identification information that identifies the user on the first vehicle side and acquire avatar information based on the occupant identification information. More specifically, the avatar information setting unit 35 may acquire avatar information by referring to a database (not shown) and reading avatar information registered in the database in association with occupant identification information.

[0029] Furthermore, the avatar information setting unit 35 may acquire crew identification information based on user instructions obtained via the operation unit 10. Alternatively, the avatar information setting unit 35 may acquire crew identification information by using personal identification technologies such as facial recognition, iris recognition, or voice recognition.

[0030] The avatar information acquired by the avatar information setting unit 35 is transmitted to the information processing device 2 on the second vehicle side via the communication unit 40.

[0031] The scene information setting unit 37 sets scene information that identifies the interior scene of the first vehicle. In other words, the scene information setting unit 37 acquires scene information for the first vehicle.

[0032] For example, the scene information setting unit 37 acquires environmental data such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, and color temperature inside the first vehicle from a sensor (not shown) installed inside the first vehicle. The scene information set by the scene information setting unit 37 may include environmental data.

[0033] Furthermore, the scene information setting unit 37 may acquire images of the user's facial expressions, etc., using a camera (not shown) that captures images of the user inside the first vehicle. The scene information setting unit 37 may acquire emotion data that quantifies the emotions of the user in the first vehicle based on the acquired images. The scene information setting unit 37 may use a facial expression detection method based on machine learning, such as deep learning, when acquiring emotion data. The acquisition of emotion data is not limited to the examples given herein. The scene information set by the scene information setting unit 37 may include emotion data.

[0034] Furthermore, the scene information setting unit 37 may acquire atmosphere data that quantifies the atmosphere of the first vehicle based on the environmental data and emotion data described above. The scene information setting unit 37 may use machine learning estimation methods such as deep learning when acquiring atmosphere data. The scene information set by the scene information setting unit 37 may include atmosphere data.

[0035] The scene information acquired by the scene information setting unit 37 is transmitted to the information processing device 2 on the second vehicle side via the communication unit 40.

[0036] [Configuration of the information processing device on the second vehicle side] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second vehicle-side information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the second vehicle-side information processing device 2 comprises a display unit 50, a second controller 60, and a communication unit 70. The second controller 60 is connected to the display unit 50 and the communication unit 70 by a wired or wireless communication path. The communication unit 70 is connected to the first vehicle-side information processing device 1 by a wireless communication path.

[0037] The display unit 50 presents various types of information received from the second controller 60 (described later) to the user of the information processing device 2. For example, the display unit 50 is a display that shows shapes and characters using a combination of multiple display pixels. In particular, the display unit 50 includes a display area for displaying images generated by the second controller 60.

[0038] For example, the display unit 50 may be connected to the second controller 60 and have a display area that is transparent to the surroundings of the vehicle so that it can be seen from the driver's seat of the vehicle. The display area may display an image such as an AR guide (Augmented Reality guide) generated by the second controller 60. Therefore, the display area may display the AR guide superimposed on the scenery around the vehicle.

[0039] For example, the display unit 50 may be a head-up display device, a head-mounted display, smart glasses, or a teleprompter.

[0040] Furthermore, the display area may be the vehicle's windshield, and the AR guide may be projected onto the display area from a projector (not shown) to present the AR guide to the user. As a result, the user will see the AR guide superimposed on the scenery around the vehicle as seen through the windshield.

[0041] The AR guide presented by the display unit 50 shows a vehicle image representing the first vehicle, the guidance route for the second vehicle to its destination, a road map, the vehicle's current location, and Points of Interest (POIs) that are places of interest to the user, scattered between the vehicle and the destination.

[0042] The display unit 50 may display the AR guide superimposed on the image captured by a camera (not shown) mounted on the second vehicle. In this case, the display area may be a display capable of showing both the captured image and the AR guide, instead of being transparent to the area around the vehicle so that it can be seen from the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0043] Furthermore, the display unit 50 is not limited to one that presents various types of information visually. The display unit 50 may also present information to the user through auditory information, or it may present information to the user through vibrations and vibrational stimuli.

[0044] The communication unit 70 transmits various information received from the second controller 60 (described later) to the information processing device 1 on the first vehicle side. Conversely, the communication unit 70 transmits various information received from the information processing device 1 on the first vehicle side to the second controller 60. The communication unit 70 may be an in-vehicle device equipped with 4G / LTE mobile communication functionality or an in-vehicle device equipped with Wi-Fi communication functionality.

[0045] The second controller 60 (an example of a control unit or processing unit) is a general-purpose microcomputer equipped with a CPU (central processing unit), memory, and an input / output unit. The second controller 60 has a computer program (information processing program) installed on it to function as part of the information processing device. By executing the computer program, the second controller 60 functions as one of the multiple information processing circuits (61, 63, 65, 67) provided by the information processing device.

[0046] Here, we show an example of implementing multiple information processing circuits (61, 63, 65, 67) in an information processing device using software. However, it is also possible to configure the information processing circuits (61, 63, 65, 67) by preparing dedicated hardware to perform each of the information processing operations shown below. Furthermore, multiple information processing circuits (61, 63, 65, 67) may be configured using separate hardware. In addition, the information processing circuits (61, 63, 65, 67) may also be used in conjunction with an electronic control unit (ECU) used for other control operations related to the second vehicle.

[0047] The second controller 60 comprises multiple information processing circuits (61, 63, 65, 67), including a vehicle image generation unit 61, a relative position calculation unit 63, a display position setting unit 65, and an image synthesis unit 67.

[0048] The vehicle image generation unit 61 acquires appearance information transmitted from the appearance information setting unit 31 and generates a vehicle image representing the first vehicle based on the appearance information. More specifically, the vehicle image generation unit 61 generates a vehicle image of the vehicle model as seen from a predetermined direction.

[0049] Here, the "predetermined direction" may be determined based on the relative positions of the first and second vehicles. For example, the predetermined direction may be determined to correspond to the direction in which the user (second occupant) of the second vehicle actually sees the first vehicle.

[0050] The vehicle image generation unit 61 may align the orientation of the vehicle model with the orientation of the actual first vehicle and virtually position the vehicle model at the location where the actual first vehicle is located. The vehicle image generation unit 61 may then generate a vehicle image of the image that the user of the second vehicle would see when viewing the virtually positioned vehicle model. When aligning the orientation of the vehicle model with the orientation of the actual first vehicle, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may extract information on the attitude of the first vehicle (yaw angle, pitch angle, etc.) from the motion information of the first vehicle received from the first vehicle, and determine the orientation of the vehicle model based on the attitude of the first vehicle.

[0051] Furthermore, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may acquire motion information that identifies the movement of the first vehicle and set the movement of the vehicle image based on the motion information. In other words, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may change the vehicle image over time based on the motion information. For example, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may change the orientation of the vehicle model in accordance with the change in the attitude of the first vehicle and change the vehicle image over time.

[0052] For example, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may determine the orientation of the vehicle model based on the attitude of the first vehicle and the attitude of the second vehicle. The vehicle image generation unit 61 may also acquire motion information of the second vehicle based on information acquired by sensors (not shown) mounted on the second vehicle.

[0053] For example, when the vehicle image generation unit 61 displays a vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle and a vehicle model corresponding to the second vehicle on the screen, it may change the orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle from the orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the second vehicle displayed on the screen, according to the difference between the orientation of the first vehicle and the orientation of the second vehicle. In particular, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may change the orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle from the orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the second vehicle by a larger amount as the difference increases. The orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the second vehicle displayed on the screen may be fixed. For example, the orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the second vehicle displayed on the screen may be fixed to facing upwards on the screen.

[0054] When the direction of travel of the first vehicle changes, the difference between the direction of travel of the second vehicle and the direction of travel of the first vehicle increases or decreases. As a result, the orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle is changed according to the difference, and the change in the orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle matches the change in the orientation of the first vehicle as seen by the user of the second vehicle. Therefore, the user of the second vehicle can more easily recognize the change in the direction of travel of the first vehicle.

[0055] In addition, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may represent the speed and acceleration of the first vehicle by changing the orientation of the vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle. For example, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may display the vehicle model with a pitch-up when the first vehicle accelerates in the direction of travel, and display the vehicle model with a pitch-down when the first vehicle decelerates in the direction of travel. Furthermore, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may make the vehicle model roll and yaw to the right when the first vehicle turns to the right, and roll and yaw to the left when the first vehicle turns to the left.

[0056] Furthermore, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may change the size of the vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle based on the actual relative distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle. Specifically, the larger the actual relative distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, the smaller the vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle may be made.

[0057] Furthermore, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may acquire avatar information transmitted from the avatar information setting unit 35 and generate an occupant image representing the user of the first vehicle based on the avatar information. More specifically, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may generate an image of the avatar as seen from a predetermined direction as the occupant image.

[0058] The vehicle image generation unit 61 may generate an occupant image so that the avatar appears to be riding in the vehicle model. For example, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may virtually place the avatar on the top of the vehicle model, or on a surface of the vehicle model that is visible to the user of the second vehicle (for example, the rear of the vehicle model). Then, it may generate an occupant image based on the vehicle model and the placed avatar.

[0059] Alternatively, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may embed an avatar inside the vehicle model, calculate the portion of the avatar's overall appearance that is not hidden by the vehicle model, and generate an image of the occupant.

[0060] In addition, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may acquire scene information transmitted from the scene information setting unit 37 and generate a vehicle image and an occupant image based on the scene information. More specifically, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may change the characteristics of the vehicle image and occupant image in accordance with environmental data, emotion data, atmosphere data, etc., included in the scene information.

[0061] For example, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may change the colors of the vehicle image and occupant image to warm colors when the temperature inside the first vehicle is high, and change the colors of the vehicle image and occupant image to cool colors when the temperature inside the first vehicle is low.

[0062] Furthermore, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may add water droplet images to the vehicle image and occupant image when the humidity inside the first vehicle is high, and remove the water droplet images from the vehicle image and occupant image when the humidity inside the first vehicle is low.

[0063] In addition, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may perform processing to change the color of the vehicle image and the occupant image in accordance with the illumination and color temperature inside the first vehicle.

[0064] Furthermore, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may perform processing to add icons or facial expression images that evoke each of the emotions of joy, anger, sadness, and pleasure to the vehicle image and occupant image based on emotion data. In addition, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may perform processing to add images that evoke the atmosphere of the first vehicle to the vehicle image and occupant image based on atmosphere data.

[0065] The relative position calculation unit 63 calculates relative position information indicating the relative positional relationship between the first vehicle and the second vehicle. More specifically, the relative position calculation unit 63 may acquire motion information of the second vehicle based on information acquired by sensors etc. (not shown) mounted on the second vehicle, and calculate relative position information based on the motion information of the first vehicle and the motion information of the second vehicle. In addition, the motion information of the first vehicle may be acquired by sensors etc. mounted on the second vehicle instead of by sensors etc. mounted on the first vehicle.

[0066] The display position setting unit 65 sets the display position of the vehicle image or occupant image in the display area of ​​the display unit 50 based on the relative position information calculated by the relative position calculation unit 63. For example, the display position may be determined to correspond to the direction in which the user (second occupant) of the second vehicle actually views the first vehicle.

[0067] The image synthesis unit 67 synthesizes the vehicle image and occupant image generated by the vehicle image generation unit 61 together with other AR guides, captured images, etc., to generate an image to be presented to the user via the display unit 50.

[0068] [Processing Procedure of Information Processing Device] Next, the processing procedure of the information processing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3. The processing of the information processing device shown in Figure 3 may be executed repeatedly at a predetermined cycle.

[0069] In step S101, the exterior information setting unit 31 acquires the exterior information set by the user of the first vehicle.

[0070] In step S103, the vehicle information setting unit 33 acquires motion information of the first vehicle.

[0071] In step S105, the avatar information setting unit 35 acquires the avatar information set by the user of the first vehicle.

[0072] In step S107, the scene information setting unit 37 acquires scene information for the first vehicle.

[0073] Note that the steps S101, S103, S105, and S107 (the multiple steps enclosed by dotted lines in Figure 3) do not necessarily have to be executed in the order listed here; the execution order of the steps is not fixed. Furthermore, some of steps S101, S103, S105, and S107 may be omitted.

[0074] In step S109, the aforementioned appearance information, motion information, avatar information, and scene information are transmitted from the information processing device 1 on the first vehicle side and received by the information processing device 2 on the second vehicle side.

[0075] In step S111, the relative position calculation unit 63 calculates relative position information that indicates the relative positional relationship between the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

[0076] In step S113, the vehicle image generation unit 61 generates a vehicle image representing the first vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle image generation unit 61 may also generate an occupant image representing the user of the first vehicle based on avatar information.

[0077] In step S115, the display position setting unit 65 sets the display position of the vehicle image in the display area of ​​the display unit 50 based on the relative position information.

[0078] In step S117, the image synthesis unit 67 synthesizes the vehicle image together with other AR guides, captured images, etc., to generate a synthesized image. The image synthesis unit 67 may also synthesize the occupant image together with other images to generate a synthesized image.

[0079] In step S119, the display unit 50 displays the image synthesized by the image synthesis unit 67. After that, the processing of the information processing device shown in Figure 3 is terminated.

[0080] [Effects of the Embodiment] As described in detail above, the information processing method and information processing device according to this embodiment acquire appearance information set by the user (first occupant) of the first vehicle, generate a vehicle image representing the first vehicle based on the appearance information, and display the vehicle image to the user (second occupant) of the second vehicle via a display unit. This makes it possible to satisfy the desire of the user of the first vehicle to make a strong impression on the user of the second vehicle regarding the appearance of the first vehicle.

[0081] Furthermore, the gap between the actual appearance of the first vehicle and its image can create a strong impression on users of the second vehicle. For example, if the first vehicle is actually a tame kei car, while the designated vehicle model is a wild, reckless, gang-like vehicle, the gap between the actual appearance of the first vehicle and its image will be larger. As a result, it can create a stronger impression on users of the second vehicle. It can also draw the attention of users of the second vehicle towards the first vehicle.

[0082] Furthermore, instead of altering the actual appearance of the first vehicle, the user of the first vehicle can arbitrarily set the vehicle model, creating a strong impression on the user of the second vehicle. This allows for the adoption of unconventional vehicle models while still complying with traffic regulations. As a result, the gap between the actual appearance of the first vehicle and the perceived image of the vehicle can be significantly reduced.

[0083] Furthermore, the information processing method and information processing device according to this embodiment may acquire vehicle identification information that identifies the first vehicle and acquire appearance information based on the vehicle identification information. This allows, for example, the amount of communication between the first vehicle and the second vehicle to be reduced by storing the appearance information linked to the vehicle identification information in a database prepared separately from the first vehicle. Moreover, it eliminates the need to store appearance information in the first vehicle, thus reducing the storage capacity of the first vehicle. As a result, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0084] Furthermore, the information processing method and information processing device according to this embodiment may calculate relative position information indicating the relative positional relationship between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, set a display position on the display unit based on the relative position information, and display a vehicle image at the display position. This allows the user of the second vehicle to easily grasp the correspondence between the first vehicle as actually seen by the user of the second vehicle and the vehicle image corresponding to the first vehicle.

[0085] Furthermore, the information processing method and information processing device according to this embodiment may acquire motion information that identifies the movement of the first vehicle and set the movement of the vehicle image displayed on the display unit based on the motion information. This allows the user of the second vehicle to easily grasp the correspondence between the first vehicle as actually seen by the user of the second vehicle and the vehicle image corresponding to the first vehicle. Moreover, the movement of the vehicle image can be set to emphasize the movement of the first vehicle, giving a stronger impression to the user of the second vehicle. In addition, the user of the second vehicle's attention can be directed towards the first vehicle.

[0086] Furthermore, the information processing method and information processing device according to this embodiment may acquire avatar information set by the first occupant, generate an occupant image representing the first occupant based on the avatar information, and display the occupant image together with the vehicle image via a display unit. This makes it possible to display the avatar of the user of the first vehicle simultaneously with the vehicle model corresponding to the first vehicle. Moreover, by integrating the vehicle model and the avatar, the preferences of the user of the first vehicle can be conveyed to the user of the second vehicle. As a result, a stronger impression can be made on the user of the second vehicle. In addition, the user of the second vehicle's attention can be directed towards the first vehicle.

[0087] Furthermore, the information processing method and information processing device according to this embodiment may acquire crew identification information that identifies the first crew member and acquire avatar information based on the crew identification information. This allows, for example, the amount of communication between the first and second vehicles to be reduced by storing the avatar information linked to the crew identification information in a database prepared separately from the first vehicle. Moreover, it eliminates the need to store avatar information in the first vehicle, thus reducing the storage capacity of the first vehicle. As a result, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0088] Furthermore, the information processing method and information processing device according to this embodiment may acquire scene information that identifies the interior scene of the first vehicle and generate a vehicle image based on the scene information. This makes it possible to convey the atmosphere of the first vehicle's interior to the user of the second vehicle. As a result, a stronger impression can be made on the user of the second vehicle. In addition, the user of the second vehicle's attention can be directed towards the first vehicle.

[0089] Each of the functions described in the embodiments above may be implemented by one or more processing circuits. These processing circuits may include programmed processors, electrical circuits, and even devices such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and circuit components arranged to perform the described functions.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described above in accordance with the embodiments, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and that various modifications and improvements are possible. The discussion and drawings that constitute part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0091] Of course, the present invention includes various embodiments and the like that are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is determined solely by the inventive features of the claims that are reasonable based on the above description. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 1,2 Information Processing Devices 10 Control section 20 Display section 30. First Controller (Controller) 31. Appearance Information Setting Unit 33 Vehicle Information Setting Unit 35 Avatar Information Settings Section 37 Scene Information Setting Section 40 Communications Department 50 Display section 60. Second Controller (Controller) 61 Vehicle Image Generation Unit 63 Relative position calculation unit 65 Display position setting section 67 Image Synthesis Unit 70 Communications Department

Claims

1. The first occupant of the first vehicle acquires the exterior information set by the first occupant. Obtain scene information that identifies the interior scene of the first vehicle, Based on the aforementioned appearance information and scene information, a vehicle image representing the first vehicle is generated. The avatar information set by the aforementioned first crew member is obtained, Based on the avatar information, a crew image representing the first crew member is generated. The occupant image is displayed along with the vehicle image via the display unit. An information processing method characterized by the following.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the scene information includes at least one of temperature, humidity, illuminance, and color temperature.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it generates the crew image based on the scene information.

4. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it generates an image of the avatar based on the avatar information as the crew image when viewed from a predetermined direction.

5. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it generates the occupant image so that the avatar based on the avatar information is riding in the vehicle model based on the appearance information.

6. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it generates the occupant image by embedding the avatar based on the avatar information inside the vehicle model based on the exterior information.

7. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the avatar information is represented as a three-dimensional object in three-dimensional space.

8. Vehicle identification information that identifies the first vehicle is obtained, The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the appearance information is acquired based on the vehicle identification information.

9. Motion information is acquired to identify the movement of the first vehicle. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the movement of the vehicle image displayed on the display unit is set based on the motion information.

10. Obtain crew identification information to identify the aforementioned first crew member, The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the avatar information is acquired based on the crew identification information.

11. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the display unit displays the vehicle image to the second occupant of the second vehicle.

12. Relative position information indicating the relative positional relationship between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is calculated, Based on the relative position information, the display position in the display unit is set. The information processing method according to claim 11, characterized in that the vehicle image is displayed at the aforementioned display position.

13. An information processing device comprising a controller and a display unit, The aforementioned controller, The first occupant of the first vehicle acquires the exterior information set by the first occupant. Obtain scene information that identifies the interior scene of the first vehicle, Based on the aforementioned appearance information and scene information, a vehicle image representing the first vehicle is generated. The avatar information set by the aforementioned first crew member is obtained, Based on the avatar information, a crew image representing the first crew member is generated. The aforementioned display unit is Display the occupant image along with the vehicle image. An information processing device characterized by the following.

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