Vehicle display system and vehicle display method

Abstract

To suppress a visibility of an own vehicle from being reduced by a rear vehicle on a display device.SOLUTION: A vehicle display system 1 comprises: a vehicle detection device 2 that detects another vehicle existing around an own vehicle; a vehicle speed detection device 4 that detects a speed of the own vehicle; a display device 3 that displays the own vehicle and the other vehicle as vehicle icons; and a display control unit 55 that controls a display content of the display device. In the case where a speed of the own vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the display control unit hides or transparently displays at least a part of a vehicle icon of a rear vehicle detected by the vehicle detection device and located behind the own vehicle in a traveling lane of the own vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display system and a vehicle display method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to provide surrounding information to a driver of a vehicle, it is known to display other vehicles, etc. detected by a vehicle detection device mounted on the vehicle on an in-vehicle display device (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-187982 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a display device, in order to facilitate monitoring of not only the area in front of the vehicle but also the area behind the vehicle, studies have been conducted on displaying surrounding vehicles, including vehicles behind the vehicle, on the display device together with the vehicle itself.

[0005] However, when the speed of the host vehicle is low, the distance between the host vehicle and other vehicles in front and behind is usually shorter than when the host vehicle is traveling at a high speed. As a result, the rear vehicle may overlap the host vehicle on the display device, which may reduce the visibility of the host vehicle.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to suppress a decrease in visibility of a vehicle on a display device due to a vehicle behind. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0008] (1) A vehicle display system comprising a vehicle detection device that detects other vehicles present around the host vehicle, a vehicle speed detection device that detects the speed of the host vehicle, a display device that displays the host vehicle and the other vehicles as vehicle icons, and a display control unit that controls the display content of the display device, wherein when the speed of the host vehicle is below a predetermined value, the display control unit makes at least a portion of the vehicle icon of a rear vehicle detected by the vehicle detection device and located behind the host vehicle in the driving lane of the host vehicle invisible or transparent.

[0009] (2) The vehicle display system described in (1) above, wherein when the speed of the host vehicle is below a predetermined value, the vehicle display system makes at least a portion of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle invisible or transparent only when the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle overlaps with the vehicle icon of the host vehicle on the display device.

[0010] (3) A vehicle display method for displaying a host vehicle and other vehicles around the host vehicle as vehicle icons on a display device, the vehicle display method including detecting the other vehicles using a vehicle detection device and detecting the speed of the host vehicle using a vehicle speed detection device, and when the speed of the host vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, making at least a portion of the vehicle icon of a rear vehicle detected by the vehicle detection device and located behind the host vehicle in the driving lane of the host vehicle invisible or transparent. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in visibility of the host vehicle on the display device due to a rear vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of a part of the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle display system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the ECU in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image in which a rear vehicle is displayed superimposed on the vehicle itself. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control routine of the vehicle display processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control routine for vehicle display processing in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, like components are designated by like reference numerals.

[0014] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] <Overall vehicle description> 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a part of the configuration of a vehicle 10 equipped with a vehicle display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 10 can perform autonomous driving in which some or all of the acceleration, steering, and braking are performed automatically. In other words, the vehicle 10 is a so-called autonomous driving vehicle.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is equipped with a camera 21, a LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging) 22, a millimeter wave radar 23, an ultrasonic sensor (sonar) 24, and a display device 3.

[0017] The camera 21 captures the surroundings of the vehicle 10 to generate an image of the surroundings of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the camera 21 is disposed in front of the vehicle 10 (for example, behind the interior rearview mirror, on the front bumper, etc.) so as to capture an image of the area in front of the vehicle 10. The camera 21 may be a stereo camera capable of measuring distances.

[0018] The lidar 22 irradiates a laser beam around the vehicle 10 and receives reflected light of the laser beam. This enables the lidar 22 to detect the presence or absence of an object around the vehicle 10, the distance from the vehicle 10 to the object, and the relative speed between the vehicle 10 and the object. In this embodiment, the lidar 22 is provided on the upper part of the vehicle 10, specifically, on the roof of the vehicle 10.

[0019] The millimeter wave radar 23 transmits millimeter waves around the vehicle 10 and receives reflected millimeter waves. This allows the millimeter wave radar 23 to detect the presence or absence of an object around the vehicle 10, the distance from the vehicle 10 to the object, and the relative speed between the vehicle 10 and the object. In this embodiment, the millimeter wave radar 23 is provided at the front and rear of the vehicle (for example, the front bumper and rear bumper of the vehicle 10).

[0020] The ultrasonic sensor 24 transmits ultrasonic waves around the vehicle 10 and receives reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves. In this way, the ultrasonic sensor 24 can detect the presence or absence of an object around the vehicle 10, the distance from the vehicle 10 to the object, and the relative speed between the vehicle 10 and the object. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 24 is provided on both sides of the vehicle 10 (for example, the left and right front fenders of the vehicle 10).

[0021] The positions and numbers of the camera 21, the lidar 22, the millimeter wave radar 23, and the ultrasonic sensor 24 are not limited to those described above. In addition, some of these may be omitted.

[0022] The display device 3 has a display for displaying digital information such as characters and images, and displays various information to the driver of the vehicle 10. The display device 3 is provided inside the vehicle 10 so as to be visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle 10. The display device 3 is a human machine interface (HMI) composed of at least one of a touch screen, a head-up display, a digital meter panel, etc. The display device 3 may also include a speaker for generating sounds such as voice, operation buttons for the driver to perform input operations, a microphone for receiving voice information from the driver, etc.

[0023] <Vehicle display system> 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle display system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle display system 1 displays information about other vehicles around a vehicle 10 to a driver.

[0024] 2, the vehicle display system 1 includes a vehicle detection device 2, a display device 3, a vehicle speed detection device 4, and an electronic control unit (ECU (Electronic Control Unit)) 5. The vehicle detection device 2, the vehicle speed detection device 4, the display device 3, and the ECU 5 are provided in a vehicle 10, and the vehicle detection device 2, the vehicle speed detection device 4, and the display device 3 are communicatively connected to the ECU 5 via an in-vehicle network that complies with a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0025] The vehicle detection device 2 detects other vehicles existing around the vehicle 10 (host vehicle). In this embodiment, at least some of the camera 21, the lidar 22, the millimeter wave radar 23, and the ultrasonic sensor 24 function as the vehicle detection device 2. That is, the camera 21, the lidar 22, the millimeter wave radar 23, and the ultrasonic sensor 24 are one example of the vehicle detection device 2. An output of the vehicle detection device 2 is transmitted to the ECU 5.

[0026] The display device 3 displays other vehicles detected by the vehicle detection device 2. The ECU 5 transmits to the display device 3 a command regarding the display of other vehicles.

[0027] The vehicle speed detection device 4 detects the speed of the vehicle 10. The vehicle speed detection device 4 detects the speed of the vehicle 10, for example, by detecting the number of rotations of the wheels of the vehicle 10. An output of the vehicle speed detection device 4 is transmitted to the ECU 5.

[0028] The ECU 5 executes various controls of the vehicle 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the ECU 5 includes a communication interface 51, a memory 52, and a processor 53. The communication interface 51 and the memory 52 are connected to the processor 53 via signal lines. Note that, although one ECU 5 is provided in this embodiment, multiple ECUs may be provided for each function.

[0029] The communication interface 51 has an interface circuit for connecting the ECU 5 to an in-vehicle network that complies with a standard such as CAN. The ECU 5 communicates with other in-vehicle devices such as the vehicle detection device 2, the display device 3, and the vehicle speed detection device 4 via the communication interface 51.

[0030] The memory 52 includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory and a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The memory 52 stores programs, data, and the like that are used when the processor 53 executes various processes.

[0031] The processor 53 includes one or more central processing units (CPUs) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 53 may further include an arithmetic circuit such as a logic arithmetic unit or a numerical arithmetic unit.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of the ECU 5 in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the ECU 5 has a display control unit 55. The display control unit 55 is a functional module that is realized by the processor 53 of the ECU 5 executing a program stored in the memory 52 of the ECU 5. The display control unit 55 controls the display contents of the display device 3.

[0033] In this embodiment, the display device 3 displays the vehicle 10 and other vehicles around the vehicle 10 as vehicle icons. The size and shape of the vehicle icons are determined in advance. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display device 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the display device 3 displays an image as viewed from a position higher than the vehicle 10 at the rear of the vehicle 10. The driver of the vehicle 10 can grasp the detection state of other vehicles 12 around the vehicle 10 by visually checking such a display.

[0034] However, when the speed of the vehicle 10 is low, the distance between the vehicle 10 and other vehicles in front and behind is usually shorter than when the speed of the vehicle 10 is high. As a result, the rear vehicle may overlap the vehicle 10 on the display device 3, which may reduce the visibility of the vehicle 10 (the vehicle itself). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the rear vehicle is displayed overlapping the vehicle itself. In this case, the visibility of the vehicle 10 decreases, making it difficult for the driver to instantly grasp the positional relationship between the vehicle 10 and other vehicles 12 in the vicinity.

[0035] For this reason, in this embodiment, when the speed of the vehicle 10 detected by the vehicle speed detection device 4 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the display control unit 55 hides the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle 12a that is detected by the vehicle detection device 2 and is located behind the vehicle 10 in the driving lane of the vehicle 10. That is, even in the detection state of another vehicle shown in Fig. 5, the image shown in Fig. 4 is displayed on the display device 3. This makes it possible to prevent the rear vehicle 12a from overlapping with the vehicle 10 on the display device 3, and thus makes it possible to prevent a decrease in visibility of the vehicle 10.

[0036] <Vehicle display processing> The above-mentioned control will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a control routine for vehicle display processing in the first embodiment. This control routine is repeatedly executed by the ECU 5 at a predetermined execution interval. The predetermined execution interval is, for example, the interval at which another vehicle is detected by the vehicle detection device 2.

[0037] First, in step S101, the display control unit 55 determines whether or not a rear vehicle located behind the host vehicle (vehicle 10) has been detected in the driving lane of the host vehicle based on the detection result of another vehicle by the vehicle detection device 2. If it is determined that a rear vehicle has not been detected, this control routine ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that a rear vehicle has been detected, this control routine proceeds to step S102.

[0038] In step S102, the display control unit 55 determines whether or not the speed of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detection device 4 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is determined in advance and is set to, for example, 20 km / h to 60 km / h.

[0039] If it is determined in step S102 that the speed of the host vehicle is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, this control routine proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the display control unit 55 hides the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle. After step S103, this control routine ends.

[0040] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the speed of the host vehicle is higher than the predetermined value, this control routine proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the display control unit 55 displays a vehicle icon of the rear vehicle on the display device 3. After step S104, this control routine ends.

[0041] In step S103, the display control unit 55 may display the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle transparently. In this case, the color of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle is made transparent, and even if the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle overlaps with the vehicle icon of the host vehicle, the vehicle icon of the host vehicle can be seen through the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle.

[0042] In step S103, the display control unit 55 may hide or transparently display a part of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle. In this case, for example, the display control unit 55 hides or transparently displays the front half or the upper half of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle.

[0043] Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the speed of the host vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detection device 4 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the display control unit 55 hides or displays in a transparent manner at least a portion of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle detected by the vehicle detection device 2 and located behind the host vehicle in the vehicle's driving lane.

[0044] Second Embodiment The vehicle display system according to the second embodiment is basically similar in configuration and control to the vehicle display system according to the first embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0045] As described above, when the speed of the vehicle 10 is low, the distance between the vehicle 10 and other vehicles in front and behind is usually shorter than when the speed of the vehicle 10 is high. However, even when the speed of the vehicle 10 is low, the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle does not always overlap with the vehicle icon of the vehicle 10 on the display device 3. When the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle does not overlap with the vehicle icon of the vehicle 10, it is desirable to display the rear vehicle detected by the vehicle detection device 2 on the display device 3 so that the driver can recognize the detection status of the rear vehicle.

[0046] For this reason, in the second embodiment, when the speed of the vehicle 10 detected by the vehicle speed detection device 4 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the display control unit 55 makes at least a part of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle invisible or transparent only when the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle overlaps with the vehicle icon of the own vehicle on the display device 3. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the recognizability of the rear vehicle on the display device 3 while suppressing a decrease in the visibility of the own vehicle.

[0047] <Vehicle display processing> 7 is a flowchart showing a control routine of a vehicle display process in the second embodiment. This control routine is repeatedly executed at a predetermined execution interval by the ECU 5. The predetermined execution interval is, for example, an interval at which another vehicle is detected by the vehicle detection device 2.

[0048] Steps S201 and S202 are executed in the same manner as steps S101 and S102 in Fig. 6. If it is determined in step S202 that the speed of the host vehicle is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, this control routine proceeds to step S203.

[0049] In step S203, the display control unit 55 determines whether or not the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle overlaps with the vehicle icon of the host vehicle on the display device 3. This determination is made based on, for example, the distance between the center coordinates of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle and the center coordinates of the vehicle icon of the host vehicle.

[0050] If it is determined in step S203 that the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle overlaps with the vehicle icon of the host vehicle, this control routine proceeds to step S204. In step S204, the display control unit 55 hides the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle. After step S204, this control routine ends.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle does not overlap with the vehicle icon of the host vehicle, this control routine proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the display control unit 55 displays the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle on the display device 3. After step S205, this control routine ends.

[0052] In step S204, the display control unit 55 may display the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle transparently. In addition, in step S204, the display control unit 55 may hide or display a part of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle transparently. In this case, for example, the display control unit 55 hides or displays a part of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle that overlaps with the vehicle icon of the host vehicle, among the vehicle icons of the rear vehicles.

[0053] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the vehicle display system 1 may be installed in a manually driven vehicle (a vehicle that cannot run autonomously) to present information about other vehicles and assist the driver in driving.

[0054] Furthermore, the display device 3 of the vehicle display system 1 may be provided in a server outside the vehicle 10 in addition to or instead of the vehicle 10 so that an operator can remotely monitor the autonomous driving of the vehicle 10. In this case, the outputs of the vehicle detection device 2 and the vehicle speed detection device 4 may be transmitted from the vehicle 10 to the server, and the processor of the server may function as a display control unit. Furthermore, such a server may be provided with a steering device or the like for the operator to remotely operate the vehicle 10.

[0055] In addition, multiple types of vehicle icons may be used as the vehicle icon representing the other vehicle. For example, the other vehicle detected by the vehicle detection device 2 may be identified as a passenger car or a truck, and a passenger car vehicle icon and a truck vehicle icon may be used as the vehicle icon representing the other vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Vehicle Display System 2 Vehicle detection device 3 Display device 4. Vehicle speed detection device 5 Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 10 Vehicles 12 Other vehicles 12a Rear car 55 Display control unit

Claims

1. a display control unit that causes a display device to display the host vehicle and other vehicles present around the host vehicle as vehicle icons when viewed from behind, A vehicle display system in which the display control unit, when the speed of the host vehicle is below a predetermined value, hides or displays in a transparent manner at least a portion of the vehicle icon of a rear vehicle located behind the host vehicle in the vehicle's driving lane.

2. The vehicle display system according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit displays a vehicle icon of the rear vehicle when a speed of the host vehicle is higher than the predetermined value.

3. The vehicle display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the speed of the host vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the vehicle display system makes at least a portion of the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle invisible or transparent only when the vehicle icon of the rear vehicle overlaps with the vehicle icon of the host vehicle.

4. A vehicle display method for displaying a vehicle icon on a display device, the vehicle icon being displayed when viewed from behind, and other vehicles present around the vehicle, the vehicle icon being displayed on a display device ... being displayed on a display device being displayed on a display device. The vehicle display method is executed by a processor, A vehicle display method, comprising: when a speed of the host vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, at least a part of a vehicle icon of a rear vehicle located behind the host vehicle in the driving lane of the host vehicle is hidden or displayed transparently.

Images