Information processing device

Abstract

This disclosure aims to notify those around the vehicle of its reversing speed based on the content drawn on the road surface where the vehicle is reversing. [Solution] The information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information including information indicating the vehicle's shift position and vehicle speed, and a control unit that, when the shift position indicated by the vehicle information acquired by the acquisition unit is in the R range, controls a drawing device capable of drawing a notification display with light on the road surface where the vehicle is reversing, to display the notification display on the road surface in a manner corresponding to the vehicle speed indicated by the vehicle information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique capable of suppressing confusion between a mark or line on a road surface and a projected image even when an image is projected behind a vehicle during a reverse operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the vehicle is reversing, in addition to notifying pedestrians and the like around that the vehicle is reversing with a back lamp, it is desirable as a consideration for the surroundings to also notify the reverse speed. However, the technique according to Patent Document 1 does not disclose notifying information indicating the reverse speed to the surroundings during reverse, and there is room for improvement in the content of the notification to the surroundings during reverse.

[0005] Therefore, an object of this disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of notifying the reverse speed to the surroundings based on the drawing content on the road surface at the reverse destination of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 includes an acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information including information indicating the shift position and vehicle speed of the vehicle, and when the shift position indicated by the vehicle information acquired by the acquisition unit is in the R range, controls a drawing device capable of drawing a notification display with light on the road surface at the reverse destination of the vehicle, and causes the notification display in a mode corresponding to the vehicle speed indicated by the vehicle information to be displayed on the road surface, and a control unit.

[0007] In the information processing device according to claim 1, the acquisition unit acquires vehicle information including information indicating the vehicle's shift position and vehicle speed. The control unit then controls the drawing device to display a notification on the road surface in a manner corresponding to the vehicle speed indicated by the vehicle information, if the shift position indicated by the vehicle information acquired by the acquisition unit is in the R range. As a result, the information processing device can notify the surroundings of the vehicle's reversing speed based on the content drawn on the road surface where the vehicle is reversing.

[0008] The information processing device according to claim 2, in claim 1, the control unit, when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed is 0, causes the control unit to display a first notification display on the road surface, in which light of a predetermined shape is continuously drawn, as the notification display in a manner corresponding to the first state.

[0009] In the information processing device according to claim 2, when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed is 0, the control unit displays a first notification display on the road surface, which consists of lights of a predetermined shape drawn continuously. As a result, the information processing device can notify those around that the vehicle is stopped based on the first notification display.

[0010] The information processing device according to claim 3, in claim 2, wherein when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed is greater than 0 and less than or equal to a threshold, the control unit causes the control unit to display a second notification display on the road surface as the notification display in a manner corresponding to the second state, in which the shape of the light is drawn by switching at first time intervals.

[0011] In the information processing device according to claim 3, the control unit displays a second notification display on the road surface, in which the shape of the light switches and is drawn at first intervals, when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed is greater than 0 and below a threshold, which is a second state. As a result, the information processing device can notify those around that the vehicle is reversing at a vehicle speed below a threshold based on the second notification display.

[0012] The information processing device according to claim 4, in claim 3, the control unit, when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold, causes the control unit to display a third notification display on the road surface as a notification display in a manner corresponding to the third state, wherein the shape of the light is drawn by switching at second time intervals shorter than the first time interval.

[0013] In the information processing device according to claim 4, when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed exceeds a threshold, the control unit causes a third notification display to be displayed on the road surface, in which the shape of the light is drawn at second time intervals shorter than the first time interval. As a result, the information processing device can notify the surroundings that the vehicle is reversing at a speed exceeding a threshold based on the third notification display.

[0014] The information processing device according to claim 5, in claim 4, wherein the control unit causes at least one of the brightness and color of the light drawn by the drawing device on the road surface to be different depending on whether the device is in the first state, the second state, or the third state.

[0015] In the information processing device according to claim 5, the control unit makes at least one of the brightness and color of the light drawn on the road surface by the drawing device different depending on whether it is in the first state, the second state, or the third state. As a result, the information processing device can notify the surroundings whether the vehicle is not reversing or is reversing, based on at least one of the brightness and color of the light drawn on the road surface where the vehicle is reversing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As explained above, the information processing device relating to this disclosure can notify the surroundings of the reversing speed based on the content drawn on the road surface where the vehicle is reversing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the vehicle's hardware configuration. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing the flow of a specific process. [Figure 3] It is a first explanatory diagram showing the drawing content on the road surface at the reverse destination of the vehicle. [Figure 4] It is a second explanatory diagram showing the drawing content on the road surface at the reverse destination of the vehicle. [Figure 5] It is a third explanatory diagram showing the drawing content on the road surface at the reverse destination of the vehicle. [Figure 6] It is a fourth explanatory diagram showing the drawing content on the road surface at the reverse destination of the vehicle.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a lamp ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20. The vehicle 10 is an example of the "vehicle" in the present disclosure, and the lamp ECU 20 is an example of the "information processing device" in the present disclosure.

[0019] The lamp ECU 20 is configured to include 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 communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 28.

[0020] The CPU 21 is a central processing unit, which executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 21 reads a program from the ROM 22 or the storage 24 and executes the program using the RAM 23 as a working area. The CPU 21 performs the control of each of the above configurations and various arithmetic processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 22 or the storage 24.

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

[0022] The storage 24 is composed of a storage device such as an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) or UFS (Universal Flash Storage), and stores various programs and various data. An information processing program 24A is stored in the storage 24. The information processing program 24A is a program for causing the CPU 21 to execute specific processing (see FIG. 2) described later.

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

[0024] The input / output I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with a drawing device 40 mounted on the vehicle 10. The drawing device 40 is an example of the "drawing device" of the present disclosure.

[0025] The drawing device 40 is a device capable of optically drawing a notification display 50 (see FIG. 3 etc.) on the road surface at the reverse destination of the vehicle 10. The drawing device 40 includes a light source 42 and a light deflection device 44, and draws the notification display 50 on the road surface by irradiating the road surface with light from the light source 42. The drawing device 40 can change the brightness, color, shape, irradiation position, and irradiation range of the irradiated light.

[0026] As the light source 42, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), LD (Laser Diode), or EL (Electro Luminescence) element, a light bulb, a halogen lamp, or an incandescent lamp is used.

[0027] The light deflection device 44 emits light from the light source 42 to the outside. As the light deflection device 44, for example, a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) or DLP (registered trademark), which are examples of micromirror devices, can be used. For example, the light deflection device 44 has a micromirror array in which a plurality of tiny mirror elements having reflective surfaces on their surfaces are arranged in a matrix. By controlling the on and off states of each mirror element arranged in the matrix, the micromirror array can form various light distribution patterns.

[0028] As the light source 42, a light source unit with three or more colors, such as red, green, and blue, may be used to irradiate the light deflection device 44 in a time-division manner, and the desired color of light may be achieved by switching the mirror element on and off. Furthermore, a notification display 50 having a desired brightness and color, and having a desired shape, can be drawn on the road surface by a collection of light emitted in a matrix.

[0029] In addition, instead of a DMD, optical MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) or polygon mirrors may be used as the optical deflection device 44.

[0030] The drawing device 40 is configured to swing using a motor or the like. The drawing device 40 of the rear combination lamp 46 (see Figure 3, etc.) is controlled by the control unit 21B, which will be described later, and can tilt up, down, left, and right, allowing the direction of light illumination onto the road surface to be switched to the rear or diagonally rear of the vehicle 10.

[0031] The wireless communication interface (I / F27) is a wireless communication module for communicating with external devices. This wireless communication module utilizes communication standards such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0032] Furthermore, the CPU 21 of the lighting ECU 20 has an acquisition unit 21A and a control unit 21B as its functional configuration. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 21 reading and executing an information processing program 24A stored in the storage 24.

[0033] The acquisition unit 21A acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 21A acquires vehicle information from the ECU 30 regarding the state of the vehicle 10 as various types of information. The vehicle information includes information indicating the shift position, vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position, and brake pedal depression amount of the vehicle 10. The ECU 30 outputs the accelerator pedal position, which is the amount of accelerator pedal operation detected by an accelerator pedal position sensor (not shown), the brake pedal depression amount, which is the amount of brake pedal operation detected by a brake pedal position sensor (not shown), the shift position, which is detected by a shift sensor (not shown), and the vehicle speed, which is detected by a vehicle speed sensor (not shown), as vehicle information to the lighting ECU 20.

[0034] The control unit 21B controls the drawing device 40 to display a notification display 50 on the road surface where the vehicle 10 is reversing. Specifically, if the control unit 21B detects that the shift position is in the R range based on the vehicle information acquired by the acquisition unit 21A, it controls the drawing device 40 to display a notification display 50 on the road surface in a manner corresponding to the vehicle speed.

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

[0036] In step S10 shown in Figure 2, the CPU 21 obtains vehicle information from the ECU 30. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S11.

[0037] In step S11, the CPU 21 determines whether the shift position is in the R range based on the vehicle information acquired in step S10. If the CPU 21 determines that the shift position is in the R range (step S11: YES), it proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the shift position is not in the R range (step S11: NO), it terminates the specific processing.

[0038] In step S12, the CPU 21 determines whether the vehicle 10 is in a braking state based on the vehicle information acquired in step S10. The braking state is a state in which the brake pedal is depressed and the vehicle speed is 0. The braking state is an example of the "first state" in this disclosure. If the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle is in a braking state (step S12: YES), it proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle is not in a braking state (step S12: NO), it proceeds to step S14.

[0039] In step S13, the CPU 21 controls the drawing device 40 to display a notification display 50 on the road surface in a manner corresponding to the braking state. Then, the CPU 21 terminates the specific processing.

[0040] In step S14, the CPU 21 determines whether the vehicle 10 is in a creep state based on the vehicle information acquired in step S10. The creep state is a state in which the brake pedal is not pressed and the vehicle speed is greater than 0 and below a threshold. In other words, the creep state is a state in which the vehicle 10 moves slowly due to the creep phenomenon. The creep state is an example of the "second state" of this disclosure. If the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle is in a creep state (step S14: YES), it proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle is not in a creep state (step S14: NO), it proceeds to step S16.

[0041] In step S15, the CPU 21 controls the drawing device 40 to display a notification display 50 on the road surface in a manner corresponding to the creep state. Then, the CPU 21 terminates the specific processing.

[0042] In step S16, the CPU 21 determines whether the vehicle 10 is in the accelerator state based on the vehicle information acquired in step S10. The accelerator state is a state in which the accelerator pedal is pressed down and the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold mentioned above. The accelerator state is a transition from the creep state when the accelerator pedal is pressed down. The accelerator state is an example of the "third state" in this disclosure. If the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle is in the accelerator state (step S16: YES), it proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the vehicle is not in the accelerator state (step S16: NO), it terminates the specific processing.

[0043] In step S17, the CPU 21 controls the drawing device 40 to display a notification display 50 on the road surface in a manner corresponding to the accelerator state. Then, the CPU 21 terminates the specific processing.

[0044] Next, using Figures 3 to 5, we will explain the contents of the drawing on the road surface where the vehicle 10 will reverse, as drawn by the drawing device 40.

[0045] Figure 3 is the first explanatory diagram showing the drawing on the road surface where vehicle 10 is reversing. In the following explanation from Figure 3 onward, this road surface will be referred to as "Road Surface R". In the situations shown in Figures 3 onward, the shift position of vehicle 10 is assumed to be in the R range.

[0046] Figure 3 shows the rear section of the vehicle 10, including the rear combination lamp 46, and the road surface R.

[0047] Here, Figure 3 shows the content drawn on the road surface R when the vehicle 10 is in a braking state. In this case, the CPU 21 controls the drawing device 40 to display a first notification display 52 on the road surface R as a notification display 50 in a manner corresponding to the braking state, in which lights of a predetermined shape are drawn continuously. In this embodiment, as an example, the predetermined shape is a rectangle, but the shape is not particularly limited. For example, the first notification display 52 consists of three rectangular lights, lights 52A, 52B, and 52C, drawn towards the left rear of the vehicle 10, and three rectangular lights, lights 52D, 52E, and 52F, drawn towards the right rear of the vehicle 10. The first notification display 52 remains displayed on the road surface R until the vehicle 10 is no longer in a braking state. In response to this, when the vehicle 10 changes from a braking state to a creep state or an accelerator state, the CPU 21 switches the notification display 50 from the first notification display 52 to the second notification display 54 or the third notification display 56, which will be described later, according to the state of the vehicle 10.

[0048] Figure 4 is a second explanatory diagram showing the content to be drawn on the road surface R. Here, Figure 4 shows the first drawing content on the road surface R when the vehicle 10 is in a creep state. In this case, the CPU 21 controls the drawing device 40 to display a second notification display 54 on the road surface R as a notification display 50 in a manner corresponding to the creep state, in which the shape of the light switches and is drawn every X seconds. X seconds is an example of the "first time" in this disclosure.

[0049] As an example, in the initial state shown in the left part of Figure 4, the second notification display 54 consists of one rectangular light, light 54A, drawn towards the left rear of the vehicle 10, and one rectangular light, light 54D, drawn towards the right rear of the vehicle 10. In the intermediate state shown in the central part of Figure 4, after X seconds have elapsed from the initial state, the second notification display 54 consists of two rectangular lights, light 54A and light 54B, drawn towards the left rear of the vehicle 10, and two rectangular lights, light 54D and light 54E, drawn towards the right rear of the vehicle 10. In the final state shown in the right portion of Figure 4, which occurs after X seconds have elapsed from the intermediate state, the second notification display 54 consists of three rectangular lights, lights 54A, 54B, and 54C, drawn towards the left rear of the vehicle 10, and three rectangular lights, lights 54D, 54E, and 54F, drawn towards the right rear of the vehicle 10. In this way, the lights of the second notification display 54 are drawn sequentially, moving gradually away from the vehicle 10. Note that if X seconds have elapsed from the final state, the second notification display 54 transitions to the initial state.

[0050] Figure 5 is a third explanatory diagram showing the contents to be drawn on the road surface R. Here, Figure 5 shows the content drawn on the road surface R when the vehicle 10 is in the accelerator state. In this case, the CPU 21 controls the drawing device 40 to display a third notification display 56 on the road surface R as a notification display 50 in a manner corresponding to the accelerator state, in which the shape of the light switches and is drawn every Y seconds, which is shorter than X seconds. Y seconds is an example of the "second time" in this disclosure.

[0051] As an example, in the initial state shown in the left part of Figure 5, the third notification display 56 consists of one rectangular light, light 56A, drawn towards the left rear of the vehicle 10, and one rectangular light, light 56D, drawn towards the right rear of the vehicle 10. In the intermediate state shown in the central part of Figure 5, after Y seconds have elapsed from the initial state, the third notification display 56 consists of two rectangular lights, light 56A and light 56B, drawn towards the left rear of the vehicle 10, and two rectangular lights, light 56D and light 56E, drawn towards the right rear of the vehicle 10. In the final state shown in the right portion of Figure 5, which occurs after Y seconds have elapsed from the intermediate state, the third notification display 56 consists of three rectangular lights, lights 56A, 56B, and 56C, drawn towards the left rear of the vehicle 10, and three rectangular lights, lights 56D, 56E, and 56F, drawn towards the right rear of the vehicle 10. In this way, the third notification display 56 is drawn sequentially, with lights moving gradually away from the vehicle 10. Note that the third notification display 56 transitions to the initial state after Y seconds have elapsed from the final state.

[0052] As explained above, in the lighting ECU 20, the CPU 21 acquires vehicle information, including information indicating the shift position and vehicle speed of the vehicle 10. Then, if the shift position indicated by the acquired vehicle information is in the R range, the CPU 21 controls the drawing device 40 to display a notification display 50 on the road surface R in a manner corresponding to the vehicle speed indicated by the vehicle information. As a result, the lighting ECU 20 can notify the surroundings of the reverse speed based on the content drawn on the road surface R.

[0053] Furthermore, in the lighting ECU 20, the CPU 21 displays a first notification display 52 on the road surface R, which consists of lights of a predetermined shape that are continuously drawn, when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed is 0 (in a braking state). As a result, the lighting ECU 20 can notify those around that the vehicle 10 is stopped based on the first notification display 52.

[0054] Furthermore, in the lighting ECU 20, the CPU 21 displays a second notification display 54 on the road surface R, in which the shape of the light changes and is drawn every X seconds, when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed is greater than 0 and below a threshold in a creep state. As a result, the lighting ECU 20 can notify those around that the vehicle 10 is reversing at a vehicle speed below a threshold based on the second notification display 54.

[0055] Furthermore, in the lighting ECU 20, the CPU 21 displays a third notification display 56 on the road surface R when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed exceeds a threshold (in an accelerator state). The shape of the light switches and is drawn every Y seconds, which is shorter than X seconds. As a result, the lighting ECU 20 can notify those around that the vehicle 10 is reversing at a speed exceeding a threshold based on the third notification display 56.

[0056] Furthermore, in the lighting ECU 20, the CPU 21 adjusts the brightness and color of the light drawn by the drawing device 40 on the road surface R depending on whether the vehicle is in a braking state, a creep state, or an accelerator state. As a result, the lighting ECU 20 can notify those around it whether the vehicle 10 is not moving backward or is moving backward, based on the brightness and color of the light drawn on the road surface R.

[0057] (others) While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person with ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure may conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical idea set forth in the claims, and these modifications or alterations are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] Furthermore, the effects described in the above embodiments are descriptive or illustrative, and are not limited to those described in the above embodiments. In other words, the technology relating to this disclosure may produce other effects that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure from the descriptions in the above embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the effects described in the above embodiments.

[0059] The processing described in the above embodiment can also be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits. In this case, it may be executed on one piece of hardware or on multiple pieces of hardware.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the information processing program 24A was stored in the storage 24. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the information processing program 24A may also be stored in the ROM 22.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the content of the second notification display 54 and the third notification display 56, which are drawn with the shape of the light switching at predetermined intervals, is not limited to those described above. For example, the content of the drawing may be a predetermined shape of light that blinks on and off at predetermined intervals.

[0062] Figure 6 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing the content to be drawn on the road surface R. Here, Figure 6 shows the second drawing content on the road surface R when the vehicle 10 is in a creep state. In this case, the CPU 21 controls the drawing device 40 to display a second notification display 54 on the road surface R as a notification display 50 in a manner corresponding to the creep state, in which a predetermined shape of light switches between being on and off every Z seconds. Z seconds is an example of the "first time" in this disclosure.

[0063] As an example, in the illuminated state shown in the left part of Figure 6, the second notification display 54 consists of three rectangular lights, lights 54A, 54B, and 54C, drawn towards the left rear of the vehicle 10, and three rectangular lights, lights 54D, 54E, and 54F, drawn towards the right rear of the vehicle 10. In the off state shown in the center part of Figure 6, after Z seconds have elapsed from the illuminated state, all of the lights on the second notification display 54 are off. In the illuminated state shown in the right part of Figure 6, after Z seconds have elapsed from the off state, all of the lights on the second notification display 54 are on again. Thus, the illumination and extinguishing of lights 54A, 54B, 54C, 54D, 54E, and 54F of the second notification display 54 switches every Z seconds.

[0064] Although the above explanation used the second notification display 54 as an example, the configuration shown in Figure 6 is also applicable to the third notification display 56. In this case, the time it takes for the light of the third notification display 56 to switch between on and off is shorter than the Z seconds for the second notification display 54.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the CPU 21 is configured to vary the brightness and color of the light drawn by the drawing device 40 on the road surface R depending on whether the vehicle is in a braking state, a creep state, or an accelerator state, but it is not limited to this configuration. The CPU 21 may vary only the brightness or only the color of the light drawn by the drawing device 40 on the road surface R depending on each of the above states. Furthermore, the CPU 21 may vary at least one of the shape and illumination range of the light drawn by the drawing device 40 on the road surface R depending on each of the above states.

[0066] For example, the CPU 21 may widen the illumination range of the light drawn by the drawing device 40 on the road surface R when the vehicle is in an accelerating state than the illumination range of the light drawn by the drawing device 40 on the road surface R when the vehicle is in a creeping state. This allows for advance notification to a wide area that the vehicle is in an accelerating state, which is reversing at a speed faster than the creeping state.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the CPU 21 switches the shape and irradiation range of the light at predetermined intervals when the system is in a creep state or an accelerator state to perform drawing, but it is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 21 may switch the irradiation position (irradiation direction) of the light at predetermined intervals when the system is in a creep state or an accelerator state to perform drawing. Specifically, the CPU 21 may control the drawing device 40 so that, when the system is in a creep state or an accelerator state, the light is irradiated diagonally behind the vehicle 10 in the initial state, the light is irradiated behind the vehicle 10 in the intermediate state, and the light is irradiated diagonally behind the vehicle 10 in the final state.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the drawing device 40 is included in the rear combination lamp 46 and draws a notification display 50 on the road surface ahead of the vehicle 10 as it reverses. However, in addition, a drawing device 40 may be included in the headlight to draw a notification display 50 on the road surface ahead of the vehicle 10 as it moves forward.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the lighting ECU 20 is configured to perform the specific processing shown in Figure 2. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the specific processing may be performed in cooperation with the lighting ECU 20 and other ECUs.

[0070] In addition, the specific processing that the CPU 21 reads and executes in the above embodiment may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processing, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Furthermore, the specific processing may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0071] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an embodiment in which the information processing program 24A is pre-stored (installed) in the storage 24, the invention is not limited thereto. The information processing program 24A may be provided in the form of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the information processing program 24A may be provided in the form of a download from an external device via a network. The technology disclosed herein can also be applied to programs and program products. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 10 vehicles 20. Lighting ECU (Information Processing Unit) 21A Acquisition Department 21B Control Unit 40 Drawing device 50 Notification display 52 1st notification display 54. The second notification indicates 56. The third notification indicates

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information including information indicating the vehicle's shift position and vehicle speed, When the shift position indicated by the vehicle information acquired by the acquisition unit is in the R range, the control unit controls a drawing device capable of drawing a notification display with light on the road surface where the vehicle is reversing, and displays the notification display on the road surface in a manner corresponding to the vehicle speed indicated by the vehicle information. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. When the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed is 0, the control unit causes a first notification display to be displayed on the road surface as a notification display in a manner corresponding to the first state, in which a predetermined shape of light is continuously drawn. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed is greater than 0 and below a threshold, the control unit causes the control unit to display a second notification display on the road surface, in which the shape of the light changes every first time interval, as a notification display in a manner corresponding to the second state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. When the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold, the control unit causes a third notification display to be displayed on the road surface as a notification display in a manner corresponding to the third state, in which the shape of the light is drawn by switching at second time intervals shorter than the first time interval. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The control unit causes at least one of the brightness and color of the light drawn on the road surface by the drawing device to differ depending on whether it is in the first state, the second state, or the third state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

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