Vehicle display control device, display method, and program

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle display control device capable of intuitively comprehending when to change the direction of a vehicle, a display method, and a program.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle display control device 10 displays a predetermined image showing the foreground of a vehicle 12 in a display area. The on-vehicle display control device 10 is configured so as to, in the case where a direction change of the vehicle 12 is scheduled, display at least one direction image representing the progression direction after the change, and as the vehicle 12 approaches a changing operating point where to make a changing operation, gradually increase the number of direction images so that direction images to be displayed later so as to be placed behind the previously displayed direction images.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle display control device, a display method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle system that sets a guidance route to a destination of a vehicle and displays information regarding a route change such as a right or left turn on a front window according to the set guidance route. In this in-vehicle system, the distance to an intersection where a route change such as a right or left turn is made is displayed as character information, and the direction of route change at the intersection is displayed as an arrow image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as in Patent Document 1 above, simply displaying the distance to a point where a route change such as a right or left turn is made as character information makes it impossible to intuitively grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle display control device, a display method, and a program that can intuitively grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle display control device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display control device that displays a predetermined image in a display area showing the foreground of the vehicle. When a change operation for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle is planned, at least one direction image indicating the traveling direction after the change is displayed in the display area, and as the vehicle approaches the change operation point where the change operation should be performed, the number of the direction images is gradually increased, and the direction images to be displayed later are arranged side by side on the rear side of the direction images displayed earlier. It includes a display control unit for displaying.

[0007] According to the first aspect, the vehicle display control device displays a predetermined image in a display area showing the foreground of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle display control device has a display control unit, and when a change operation for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle is planned, the display control unit displays at least one direction image indicating the traveling direction after the change in the display area. Thereby, the occupant can grasp that there is a plan to change the traveling direction of the vehicle in the direction indicated by the direction image by looking at the display area.

[0008] Here, the display control unit changes and displays the number of direction images until the vehicle reaches the change operation point where the change operation should be performed. Thereby, by changing the number of direction images, it becomes possible to indicate the degree of arrival until the change operation point, so that the occupant can intuitively grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0009] The vehicle display control device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure has the configuration described in the first aspect, and the display control unit changes the number of the direction images when at least one of the distance and time from the vehicle to the change operation point becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0010] According to the second aspect, when at least one of the distance and time from the vehicle to the change operation point becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the number of direction images is changed and displayed. Thereby, since the number of direction images can be changed according to the actual degree of arrival of the vehicle to the change operation point, the occupant can intuitively and accurately grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0011] In the vehicle display control device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration described in the first aspect or the second aspect, the display control unit increases the number of the direction images until the vehicle reaches the change operation point.

[0012] According to the third aspect, by increasing and displaying the number of direction images until the vehicle reaches the change operation point, the direction images are gradually emphasized and displayed. Thereby, it becomes possible to express the degree of arrival at the change operation point, and the occupant can intuitively grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0013] In the vehicle display control device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration described in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, the display control unit causes the direction images to move from the front side to the back side of the display area along the route from the vehicle to the change operation point.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect, the direction images are displayed so as to move from the front side to the back side of the display area along the route from the vehicle to the change operation point. Thereby, the occupant can intuitively grasp that there is a change operation point ahead of the current traveling point of the vehicle, and can obtain a sense of security that the change operation point has not been overlooked.

[0015] In the vehicle display control device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the display control unit causes the direction images to move in the changed traveling direction after the vehicle passes the change operation point.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect, the direction images are displayed so as to move in the changed traveling direction after the vehicle passes the change operation point. Thereby, it becomes easier for the occupant to visually grasp the changed traveling direction at the timing when the vehicle should change the traveling direction.

[0017] The vehicle display control device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure has the configuration described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the change operation point is an operation point at which the turn signal lamp should be turned on to change the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect, the occupant can intuitively grasp the timing at which the turn signal lamp should be turned on to change the traveling direction of the vehicle by looking at the display area.

[0019] The vehicle display control device according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure has the configuration described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the change operation point is an operation point at which an operation on the steering wheel should be performed to change the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0020] According to the seventh aspect, the occupant can intuitively grasp the timing at which the steering wheel should be operated to change the traveling direction of the vehicle by looking at the display area.

[0021] The vehicle display control device according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure has the configuration described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the display area is a projection surface projected by a head-up display device in front of the vehicle at the driver's seat, and the display control unit identifies a change operation point from the foreground of the vehicle visually recognized through the display area, and displays the direction image at a position corresponding to the change operation point in the display area.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect, the display area showing the foreground of the vehicle is a projection surface projected by a head-up display device in front of the vehicle at the driver's seat. Then, the display control unit identifies the change operation point from the foreground of the vehicle visually recognized through the display area, and displays the direction image at a position corresponding to the change operation point in the display area. In this way, in the vehicle display control device, since the direction image is displayed over the foreground visible from the driver's seat, the occupant in the driver's seat can intuitively recognize the timing of changing the traveling direction without greatly moving the line of sight.

[0023] The display method according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a display method for displaying a predetermined image in a display area showing the foreground of a vehicle. When a change operation for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle is planned, at least one direction image indicating the traveling direction after the change is displayed in the display area, and as the vehicle approaches the change operation point where the change operation should be performed, the number of the direction images is gradually increased, and the direction images to be displayed later are arranged side by side on the rear side of the direction images displayed earlier.

[0024] According to the display method according to the ninth aspect, as described above, the occupant can intuitively grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle by looking at the display area.

[0025] The program according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure is a program for displaying a predetermined image in a display area showing the foreground of a vehicle, and causes a computer to display at least one direction image indicating the traveling direction after the change in the display area when a change operation for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle is planned, and as the vehicle approaches the change operation point where the change operation should be performed, the number of the direction images is gradually increased, and the direction images to be displayed later are arranged side by side on the rear side of the direction images displayed earlier.

[0026] According to the program according to the tenth aspect, as described above, the occupant can intuitively grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle by looking at the display area. The vehicle display control device according to the eleventh aspect has the configuration described in the first aspect, and the display control unit moves toward the change operation point and displays the direction image so as to stop at a point in front of the change operation point. As the vehicle approaches the change operation point where the change operation should be performed, the number of the direction images is gradually increased at the point in front, and the direction images to be displayed later are arranged side by side on the rear side of the direction images displayed earlier.

Effects of the Invention

[0027] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to intuitively grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] The vehicle 12 to which the vehicle display control device 10 according to the embodiment is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, as an example, the vehicle 12 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to switch between automatic driving and manual driving. Note that automatic driving is a driving mode of a vehicle in which some or all of the operations of the accelerator, brake, turn indicator, steering wheel, etc. are automatically performed. Manual driving is a driving mode of a vehicle in which the driver executes all driving operations (operations of the accelerator, brake, turn indicator, steering wheel, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, an instrument panel 14 is provided at the front part of the vehicle interior in the vehicle 12.

[0030] The instrument panel 14 extends in the vehicle width direction, and a steering wheel 16 is provided on the right side of the vehicle of this instrument panel 14. That is, in this embodiment, as an example, it is a right-hand drive vehicle with the steering wheel 16 provided on the right side, and the driver's seat is set on the right side of the vehicle.

[0031] A windshield glass 18 is provided at the front end of the instrument panel 14. The windshield glass 18 is arranged on the vehicle front side of the driver's seat, extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction, and partitions the interior of the vehicle compartment and the exterior of the vehicle compartment.

[0032] The right end of the windshield glass 18 in the vehicle width direction is fixed to the front pillar 20 on the right side of the vehicle. The front pillar 20 extends in the vehicle vertical direction, and the windshield glass 18 is fixed to the inner end of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the front end of the front side glass 22 is fixed to the outer end of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. Incidentally, the left end of the windshield glass 18 in the vehicle width direction is fixed to a front pillar on the left side of the vehicle (not shown).

[0033] Here, the instrument panel 14 is provided with a first display portion 24 having a display area for a predetermined image. The first display portion 24 is constituted by a meter display provided in front of the driver's seat on the right side portion of the instrument panel 14 in the vehicle width direction. The meter display constitutes a part of a meter display device (not shown) connected to various meter devices mounted on the vehicle 12. The first display portion 24 is provided at a position that comes into the field of view when the driver looks straight ahead in the vehicle front direction.

[0034] The windshield glass 18 is provided with a second display portion 25 having a display area for a predetermined image. The second display portion 25 is constituted by a display provided on the vehicle front side of the driver's seat at the center portion of the instrument panel 14 in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The windshield glass 18 is provided with a third display unit 26 having a display area for a predetermined image. The third display unit 26 is set on the upper side of the vehicle of the first display unit 24 and is constituted by a projection surface projected by a head-up display device 44 (see FIG. 2). Specifically, the head-up display device 44 is provided on the vehicle front side of the instrument panel 14, and an image is projected from the head-up display device 44 to the third display unit 26 of the windshield glass 18. That is, the third display unit 26 is constituted by the windshield glass 18 which is the projection surface of the head-up display device 44.

[0036] (Hardware Configuration of Vehicle Display Control Device 10) The vehicle 12 is provided with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 28 as a control unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle display control device 10. As shown in this FIG. 2, the ECU 28 of the vehicle display control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 30, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 34, a storage 36, a communication interface 38, and an input / output interface 40. Each configuration is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus 42.

[0037] The CPU 30 is a central arithmetic processing unit and executes various programs and controls each unit. That is, the CPU 30 reads a program from the ROM 32 or the storage 36 and executes the program using the RAM 34 as a work area. The CPU 30 performs control of the above-described respective configurations and various arithmetic processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 32 or the storage 36.

[0038] The ROM 32 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 34 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 36 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. In the present embodiment, the ROM 32 or the storage 36 stores a program for performing display processing, various data, and the like.

[0039] The communication interface 38 is an interface for the vehicle display control device 10 to communicate with a server (not shown) and other devices, and for example, standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), LTE, FDDI, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) are used.

[0040] Connected to the input / output interface 40 are a head-up display device 44 that projects a predetermined image onto the first display unit 24, the second display unit 25, and the third display unit 26, and an actuator 46. The actuator 46 includes a steering actuator, an accelerator actuator, and a brake actuator. The steering actuator is for steering the vehicle 12. The accelerator actuator is for accelerating the vehicle 12. Also, the brake actuator decelerates the vehicle 12 by controlling the brake. Note that connected to the input / output interface 40 are a camera (not shown) that captures the periphery of the vehicle 12 and the interior of the vehicle 12, sensors for automatically driving the vehicle 12, a GPS device, and the like.

[0041] (Functional Configuration of Vehicle Display Control Device 10) The vehicle display control device 10 realizes various functions by using the above hardware resources. The functional configuration realized by the vehicle display control device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle display control device 10 includes, as functional components, a communication unit 50, an acquisition unit 51, a travel plan setting unit 52, an automatic driving control unit 54, a detection unit 56, an image generation unit 58, and a display control unit 60. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 30 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 32 or the storage 36.

[0043] The communication unit 50 transmits and receives data to and from an external server and other devices via the communication interface 38. For example, it transmits and receives data such as map data and traffic conditions stored in the server. Also, the communication unit 50 may be configured to perform vehicle-to-vehicle communication with surrounding vehicles.

[0044] The acquisition unit 51 acquires, as peripheral information, the driving environment of the vehicle 12 from an external sensor (not shown) via the input / output interface 40. The external sensor includes at least one of a camera that images a predetermined range around the vehicle 12, a millimeter-wave radar that transmits a probing wave to a predetermined range, and a lidar (Light Detection and Ranging / Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) that scans a predetermined range. Also, "peripheral information" includes, as an example, information regarding the shape of the lane in which the vehicle 12 is traveling, the road width, other vehicles traveling near the vehicle 12, and obstacles, as well as environmental information such as the weather and darkness around the vehicle.

[0045] In addition, the acquisition unit 51 acquires passenger information regarding the passengers in the vehicle interior from an internal sensor (not shown). The internal sensor includes at least one of a camera that images a predetermined range inside the vehicle cabin and various biosensors that acquire the biological reactions of the passengers.

[0046] The travel plan setting unit 52 sets a travel plan for the vehicle 12. Specifically, when the destination is input by the passenger, a travel plan from the current location to the destination is set.

[0047] The automatic driving control unit 54 controls the switching between the manual driving and the automatic driving of the vehicle 12. Further, when the driving mode of the vehicle 12 is switched to the automatic driving, the automatic driving control unit 54 automatically drives the vehicle 12 along the set operation plan while considering the position information and the environmental information around the vehicle 12. Specifically, the vehicle 12 is automatically driven by controlling the actuator 46.

[0048] The detection unit 56 detects that a changing operation for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle 12 is planned during the traveling of the vehicle 12. The changing operation includes at least one of a right turn, a left turn, a U-turn, etc. of the vehicle. The detection unit 56 detects, for example, that a changing operation is planned on the planned traveling route of the vehicle 12 based on the operation plan set by the operation plan setting unit 52. Further, when a turn signal lamp for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle 12 is lit by the operation of an occupant, the detection unit 56 detects that a changing operation is planned.

[0049] The image generation unit 58 generates an image for display on the third display unit 26 which is the projection surface of the head-up display device 44. The image generated by the image generation unit 58 includes, for example, a meter display (not shown) indicating the traveling speed of the vehicle 12 and various images for the purpose of assisting manual driving and automatic driving.

[0050] In particular, in the present embodiment, when it is detected based on the function of the detection unit 56 that a changing operation is planned for the vehicle 12, the image generation unit 58 generates at least one direction image 70 indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle 12 after the change. The direction image 70 of the present embodiment is, as an example, an arrow-shaped image indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle 12 after the changing operation (see FIG. 6). Further, the image generation unit 58 generates a direction image 70 having a focal distance substantially the same as the focal distance of the driver during driving based on, for example, the viewpoint of the driver in the driver's seat.

[0051] The display control unit 60 causes the image generated by the image generation unit 58 to be displayed in the display area of the third display unit 26. Here, the display control unit 60 causes the direction image 70 to be displayed in the display area of the third display unit 26 so as to be fused with the foreground of the vehicle 12 visually recognized through the third display unit 26 (windshield glass 18).

[0052] As an example, the display control unit 60 refers to the image of the camera that images the foreground of the vehicle 12 and the map data, specifies the change operation point where the change operation should be performed from among the foregrounds of the vehicle 12, and causes the direction image 70 to be displayed at a position corresponding to the change operation point visually recognized by the driver in the driver's seat through the third display unit 26. Therefore, as viewed from the driver in the driver's seat, the direction image 70 is displayed at a position corresponding to the real image of the change operation point visually recognized through the windshield glass 18. Further, the display control unit 60 changes the number and display mode of the direction images 70 according to the distance from the vehicle 12 to the change operation point. The detailed display method of the direction image 70 will be described later.

[0053] (Function) Next, the function of the present embodiment will be described.

[0054] (Display process) With reference to FIG. 4, an example of the display process of causing the direction image 70 to be displayed in the display area based on the operation plan of the vehicle 12 will be described. This display process is executed by the CPU 30 reading a display program from the ROM 32 or the storage 36 and expanding it in the RAM 34.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 30 determines whether a destination is set in step S100. The destination may be directly input to the vehicle 12 by the passenger, or may be indirectly input via a mobile terminal or the like.

[0056] If the CPU 30 determines in step S100 that a destination is set, it proceeds to the process of step S101. If the CPU 30 determines in step S100 that a destination is not set, the display process ends.

[0057] In step S101, the CPU 30 sets the operation plan of the vehicle 12. Specifically, the CPU 30 sets the operation plan from the current location to the destination by the function of the operation plan setting unit 52. When setting the operation plan, information such as traffic conditions and accident-related information may be acquired and reflected. Also, according to the previously input requests of the passengers, the operation plan may be set so that the automatic driving increases.

[0058] In step S102, the CPU 30 determines whether there is no scheduled change operation within a predetermined distance L from the position of the vehicle 12 based on the operation plan. Here, as an example, since the distance L is set to 100 m, the CPU 30 determines in step S102 whether there is no scheduled change operation at a point where the distance from the vehicle 12 is 100 m or less. Then, when there is no change operation, the CPU 30 repeats the process of step S102, and when there is a change operation, it proceeds to the process of step S103.

[0059] In step S103, the CPU 30 identifies the change operation point where the change operation should be performed. In the present embodiment, the change operation point is the point where the vehicle 12 should turn on the turn signal lamp to perform the change operation. The CPU 30 sets, for example, a point a predetermined distance (e.g., 30 m) before the point where the traveling direction is changed based on the operation plan of the vehicle 12 as the change operation point. Then, the CPU 30 identifies the position corresponding to the set change operation point from the image of the camera that images the foreground of the vehicle 12.

[0060] In step S104, based on the function of the display control unit 60, the CPU 30 displays the direction image 70 in front of the position corresponding to the change operation point in the foreground shown on the third display unit 26. At this time, the CPU 30 causes the number of the direction images 70 displayed on the third display unit 26 to gradually increase until the vehicle 12 reaches the change operation point.

[0061] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the vehicle 12 is scheduled to make a left turn at the intersection 80, the CPU 30 sets the point P2, which is 30 m in front of the intersection 80, as the change operation point. FIGS. 6(A) to 6(D) show, over time, how the display mode of the third display unit 26 changes as the distance from the vehicle 12 to the intersection 80 decreases.

[0062] When the vehicle 12 passes the point P1, which is 100 m in front of the intersection 80, the CPU 30 displays one direction image 70 on the third display unit 26. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the direction image 70 is displayed as an animation image that moves along the path from the vehicle 12 to the change operation point P2. Specifically, the direction image 70 is initially shown as an arrow-shaped image indicating the forward direction of the vehicle 12, and moves from the front side to the back side of the display area of the third display unit 26 along the path from the vehicle 12 to the change operation point P2. When the direction image 70 moves to the position corresponding to the intersection 80, it changes to an arrow-shaped image indicating the left direction and stops. As a result, the passenger can intuitively grasp that a left turn of the vehicle 12 is scheduled by looking at the direction image 70.

[0063] When the vehicle 12 gets closer to the intersection 80, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the CPU 30 causes the second direction image 70 to be displayed on the third display unit 26. Similar to the first direction image 70, the second direction image 70 is displayed as an animation image that moves along the path from the vehicle 12 to the change operation point P2. The second direction image 70 stops at the position corresponding to the intersection 80 of the third display unit 26 and is displayed next to the first direction image 70. After the second direction image 70 is displayed, the CPU 30 similarly causes the third direction image 70 to be displayed as shown in FIG. 6(C).

[0064] In this way, the CPU 30 displays three direction images 70 side by side on the third display unit 26 until the vehicle 12 reaches the change operation point P2. By recognizing that the three direction images 70 are displayed on the third display unit 26, the passenger can grasp the timing at which the turn signal lamp should be turned on.

[0065] In step S105, the CPU 30 determines whether the vehicle 12 has passed the change operation point. If the CPU 30 determines that the vehicle 12 has passed the change operation point, it proceeds to the process of step S106. If the CPU 30 determines that the vehicle 12 has not passed the change operation point, it returns to step S102 to repeat the process.

[0066] In step S106, the CPU 30 determines whether the turn signal lamp is lit to perform the change operation. If it determines that the turn signal lamp is lit, it proceeds to the process of step S107. If it determines that the turn signal lamp is not lit, it repeats the process of step S106.

[0067] When the CPU 30 determines that the turn signal lamp is lit and proceeds to the process of step S107, in step S107, it displays the three direction images 70 displayed on the third display unit 26 as an animation image so as to move in the traveling direction after the change operation (the left direction in FIG. 6(D)). Thereby, the occupant can intuitively grasp that it is the timing to change the traveling direction of the vehicle 12 by seeing the direction image 70 moving in the traveling direction. When the process of step S107 ends, the CPU 30 ends the display process.

[0068] As described above, in the vehicle display control device 10 of the present embodiment, a predetermined image is displayed in the display area of the third display unit 26 showing the foreground of the vehicle 12. Further, when a change operation for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle 12 is planned, the vehicle display control device 10 displays at least one direction image 70 indicating the traveling direction after the change in the display area. Thereby, the occupant can grasp in advance that the vehicle 12 will change its traveling direction to the direction indicated by the direction image 70 by looking at the third display unit 26.

[0069] Here, in the present embodiment, the number of the direction images 70 is changed and displayed until the vehicle 12 reaches the change operation point where the change operation is to be performed. By changing the number of the direction images 70 in this way, it becomes possible to indicate the degree of arrival at the change operation point, so that the occupant can intuitively grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle 12.

[0070] Specifically, in the present embodiment, when the distance from the vehicle 12 to the change operation point becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance L (predetermined threshold value), the number of the direction images 70 is gradually increased and displayed. As a result, the direction images 70 can be gradually coordinated and displayed according to the actual degree of arrival of the vehicle 12 at the change operation point, so that the occupant can intuitively and accurately grasp the timing of changing the traveling direction of the vehicle 12.

[0071] Also, as shown in FIGS. 6(A) to 6(C), in the present embodiment, the direction images 70 are displayed so as to move from the front side to the back side of the display area of the third display unit 26 along the path from the vehicle 12 to the change operation point. Thereby, the occupant can intuitively grasp that there is a change operation point ahead of the current traveling point of the vehicle 12, and can obtain a sense of security that the change operation point has not been overlooked.

[0072] Further, since the change operation point is the operation point at which the turn signal lamp should be turned on to change the traveling direction of the vehicle, the occupant can intuitively grasp the timing at which the turn signal lamp should be turned on by recognizing that the number of the direction images 70 displayed on the third display unit 26 has reached the maximum number.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6(D), after the vehicle 12 passes through the change operation point, the direction images 70 are displayed so as to move in the changed traveling direction. Thereby, it becomes easier for the occupant to visually grasp the changed traveling direction at the timing when the vehicle 12 should change the traveling direction.

[0074] In addition, in the present embodiment, the third display unit 26 is a projection surface projected by the head-up display device 44 in front of the vehicle in the driver's seat. Then, the change operation point of the real image visually recognized through the display area of the third display unit 26 is specified, and the direction image 70 is displayed at a position corresponding to the specified change operation point in the display area. In this way, in the vehicle display control device 10, since the direction image 70 is displayed superimposed on the foreground visible from the driver's seat, the driver in the driver's seat can intuitively recognize the timing of changing the traveling direction without significantly moving the line of sight.

[0075] [Supplementary Explanation] In the above embodiment, the case where the display area showing the foreground of the vehicle is configured by the projection surface of the head-up display device 44 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As in the vehicle display control device 100 according to the modified example shown in FIG. 7, the direction image 70 may be displayed in the display area of the second display unit 25 which is a display provided on the instrument panel 14. In the second display unit 25 shown in FIG. 7, a map image N showing the current position of the vehicle 12 is displayed at the lower part of the display area, and a foreground image F showing the foreground of the vehicle is shown at the upper part of the display area. The foreground image F is composed of, for example, an image acquired from a camera (not shown) that captures the front of the vehicle 12, or a foreground image by animation.

[0076] Similarly, in the instrument panel 14, the direction image 70 may be displayed in the display area of the first display unit 24 which is a meter display provided in front of the vehicle in the driver's seat. Since the first display unit 24 is provided in front of the vehicle in the driver's seat, the driver in the driver's seat can visually recognize the first display unit 24 with almost no movement of the line of sight from the foreground of the vehicle, and can recognize the information regarding the destination of the vehicle 12.

[0077] Also, the display mode of the direction image 70 described in the above embodiment is an example, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0078] In the display process of the above-described embodiment, the direction image 70 is displayed when a change operation of the vehicle 12 is planned in the operation plan from the current location to the destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the turn signal lamp for changing the traveling direction is lit by an operation of a passenger, it may be determined that there is a planned change operation, and the direction image 70 may be displayed.

[0079] In the above display process, the direction image 70 is displayed when the distance to the change operation becomes equal to or less than the distance L. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the direction image may be displayed when the time to the change operation becomes shorter than a predetermined time. In this case, the time to the change operation may be calculated based on the speed of the vehicle 12 and the distance to the change operation.

[0080] In the above display process, the number of the direction images 70 is increased and displayed until the vehicle 12 reaches the change operation point. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of the direction images may be decreased and displayed until the vehicle 12 reaches the change operation point. In this case, as the number of the direction images decreases, the direction images can be emphasized and displayed by changing from a plurality of direction images to one large direction image. Alternatively, by reducing the number of the direction images, the presence of the direction images may be gradually reduced, and the display may be changed to count the timing of the change operation.

[0081] In the above display process, the change operation point is set as the point where the turn signal lamp should be lit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation point where an operation on the steering wheel should be performed to change the traveling direction of the vehicle 12 may be set as the change operation point.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the directional image is displayed in the display area provided inside the vehicle cabin. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when receiving an operation signal from a remote operation device provided outside the vehicle 12 and remotely operating the vehicle 12, if the operator of the remote operation device is regarded as an occupant of the vehicle 12, the display area is not limited to being provided inside the vehicle cabin, and may be provided outside the vehicle 12. And it may be configured to display the directional image in the display area provided outside the vehicle 12.

[0083] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the display process in which the CPU reads and executes software (program) may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of the processor in this case include a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a circuit configuration dedicated to executing specific processing, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, the display process may be executed by one of these various processors, or may be executed by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, etc.). Moreover, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the mode in which the programs for the display process and the lane change display process are stored (installed) in advance in the ROM or the storage has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Further, the program may be in a form downloaded from an external device via a network.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0084] 10 Vehicle display control device 12 Vehicle 16 Steering 24 First display unit (display area) 25 Second display unit (display area) 26 Third display unit (display area, projection surface) 44 Head-up display device 60 Display control unit 70 Direction image P2 Change operation point

Claims

1. A display control device for a vehicle that displays a predetermined image in a display area showing a view in front of the vehicle, A display control device for a vehicle is provided with a display control unit that, when a change operation to change the vehicle's direction of travel is scheduled, displays at least one direction image indicating the changed direction of travel in the display area, and gradually increases the number of direction images as the vehicle approaches the change operation point where the change operation is to be performed, so that the direction images displayed later are displayed side by side to the rear of the direction images displayed earlier.

2. The display control device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit changes the number of the directional images when at least one of a distance from the vehicle to a change operation point and a time becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

3. The display control device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit increases the number of the directional images until the vehicle reaches a change operation point.

4. The display control device for a vehicle described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit displays the directional image so that it moves from the front side to the back side of the display area along a route from the vehicle to the change operation point.

5. The display control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display control unit displays the direction image so as to move to a new traveling direction after the vehicle passes a change operation point.

6. The display control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the change operation point is an operation point where a turn signal lamp should be turned on in order to change a traveling direction of the vehicle.

7. 6. The display control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the change operation point is an operation point where a steering operation should be performed in order to change a traveling direction of the vehicle.

8. the display area is a projection surface projected by a head-up display device in front of the driver's seat, The display control device for a vehicle described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the display control unit identifies a change operation point from the foreground of the vehicle viewed through the display area, and displays the directional image at a position in the display area corresponding to the change operation point.

9. A display method in which a computer executes a process for displaying a predetermined image in a display area showing a view in front of a vehicle, the method comprising: A display method in which, when a change operation to change the vehicle's direction of travel is scheduled, at least one direction image indicating the changed direction of travel is displayed in the display area, and the number of direction images is gradually increased as the vehicle approaches the change operation point where the change operation is to be performed, so that the direction images displayed later are displayed side by side to the rear of the direction images displayed earlier.

10. A program for displaying a predetermined image in a display area showing a view in front of a vehicle, On the computer, When a change operation to change the vehicle's traveling direction is scheduled, the program executes the following: when that change operation is scheduled, display at least one direction image indicating the changed traveling direction in the display area, and as the vehicle approaches the change operation point where the change operation is to be performed, the number of the direction images is gradually increased, and the direction images displayed later are displayed so as to be arranged behind the direction images displayed earlier.

11. the display control unit displays the direction images so as to move toward the change operation point and stop at a point ahead of the change operation point, and as the vehicle approaches the change operation point where the change operation is to be performed, gradually increases the number of the direction images at the point ahead, and displays the direction images displayed later so as to be arranged behind the direction images displayed earlier. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1 .

Images