Vehicle display control device and vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle display control device, a vehicle display apparatus, a vehicle display control method, and a vehicle display control program which are simple in display control and display an image, inside a display region, allowing an occupant in a driving seat to intuitively easily confirm that it is information on a preceding vehicle, irrespective of whether the preceding vehicle is inside the display region.SOLUTION: When a vehicle (12) is performing following-travel control targeting a preceding vehicle 70 during ACC control, a vehicle display apparatus (10) displays inter-vehicle targets 74 toward the preceding vehicle 70 side from the vehicle (12) side in a display region 26A of a third display unit 26 overlapping a part of a foreground from the vehicle, and displays, along a lane in which an own vehicle is traveling, a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 showing both ends of the lane extending from the vehicle 12 side to the preceding vehicle 70 side. As a result, an occupant in a driving seat can recognize intuitively that the following-travel control is being performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display control device and a vehicle display device. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been proposed to use an AR-HUD (Augmented Reality - Head Up Display) to display on the windshield of a vehicle whether or not ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) is operating. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes that a marker extending in the vehicle width direction be displayed by the AR-HUD at the bottom of the leading vehicle, which is the control target during follow-up cruise control in ACC control and is visible through the windshield.

[0003] If the preceding vehicle visible through the windshield moves outward in the vehicle width direction from the display area of the AR-HUD, a dot or similar will be displayed at the outer edge of the display area in the vehicle width direction instead of a marker to indicate that ACC (Adaptive Carriage Control) control is continuing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-056157 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the method of displaying markers by the AR-HUD is switched depending on whether the leading vehicle is located within the display area, so it is necessary to determine whether the leading vehicle is located within the display area.

[0006] Furthermore, even if dots or the like are displayed at the outer end of the display area in the vehicle width direction, the dots or the like are spaced apart from the preceding vehicle visible through the windshield, making it difficult for the driver's seat occupant to intuitively determine whether ACC (Adaptive Collision Control) control is operating or not.

[0007] As with this ACC control, when information related to the preceding vehicle is displayed in the display area, if the preceding vehicle visible through the windshield is outside the display area of the AR-HUD, there is an inconvenience in that even if the occupant in the driver's seat views the information (image), it is difficult to intuitively understand that it is information about the preceding vehicle.

[0008] Taking the above facts into consideration, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle display control device and a vehicle display device that display images in a display area that are easy to control and that allow occupants to intuitively confirm that the information is about a preceding vehicle, regardless of whether the preceding vehicle is located within the display area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A vehicle display control device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display control device that controls a vehicle display device that displays an image in a display area that overlaps with a portion of the foreground from the vehicle, and includes: a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle; a lane recognition unit that recognizes the position and direction of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling; and a display control unit that, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle, displays an image including inter-vehicle landmarks in the display area from the vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side, and displays a pair of lane auxiliary lines in the display area that indicate both ends of the lane from the vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side along the lane recognized by the lane recognition unit.

[0010] According to a first aspect, when a leading vehicle is detected by a leading vehicle detection unit of a vehicle display control device, the display control unit displays an image including an inter-vehicle object from the host vehicle toward the leading vehicle in a display area overlapping a part of the foreground from the vehicle, thereby enabling an occupant in the driver's seat to intuitively recognize that the inter-vehicle object displayed toward the leading vehicle is information about the leading vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, even if the preceding vehicle is outside the display area in the foreground, the vehicle-to-vehicle landmark is displayed within the display area from the vehicle's own side toward the preceding vehicle, so that the occupant in the driver's seat can recognize the preceding vehicle located beyond the vehicle-to-vehicle landmark and intuitively understand that the information is about that preceding vehicle.

[0012] Furthermore, even if the preceding vehicle in the foreground is outside the display area, the display format of the image displayed in the display area (displaying an image including an inter-vehicle target moving from the vehicle itself toward the preceding vehicle) is not changed, so there is no need to determine whether the preceding vehicle is outside the display area, making display control easier.

[0013] In the first aspect, the display control unit displays in the display area a pair of lane auxiliary lines that indicate both ends of the lane that the host vehicle is traveling in and that extend from the host vehicle side to the leading vehicle side. Therefore, even if the leading vehicle is outside the display area, the occupant in the driver's seat can estimate the position (direction) of the leading vehicle from the pair of lane auxiliary lines displayed in the display area.

[0014] It should be noted that the term "displaying toward the leading vehicle" is not limited to a configuration in which the image is displayed toward the leading vehicle as seen through the windshield glass, but also includes a concept in which the image is displayed toward an image of the leading vehicle displayed on a display inside the vehicle cabin, for example.

[0015] A vehicle display control device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display control device that controls a vehicle display device that displays an image in a display area that overlaps with a portion of the foreground from the vehicle, and includes: a leading vehicle detection unit that detects a leading vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle; a lane recognition unit that recognizes the position and direction of the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling; an ACC control detection unit that detects whether the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, and, when the leading vehicle detection unit detects the leading vehicle, detects whether the leading vehicle is a target of follow-up cruise control of the host vehicle; and a display control unit that, when the leading vehicle detection unit detects the leading vehicle and the ACC control detection unit detects that the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, displays an image including inter-vehicle objects in the display area from the host vehicle side toward the leading vehicle side, and displays in the display area a pair of lane auxiliary lines that indicate both ends of the lane from the host vehicle side to the leading vehicle side along the lane recognized by the lane recognition unit.

[0016] According to a second aspect, when a leading vehicle is detected by a leading vehicle detection unit and the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control (hereinafter referred to as "ACC control"), the vehicle display control device displays an image including an inter-vehicle target facing from the host vehicle toward the leading vehicle in the display area, thereby enabling the occupant in the driver's seat to confirm that the ACC control is in effect.

[0017] Furthermore, even if the preceding vehicle is outside the display area in the foreground, an image including inter-vehicle targets is displayed in the display area from the vehicle's side toward the preceding vehicle, allowing the occupant in the driver's seat to recognize the preceding vehicle located beyond the multiple inter-vehicle targets and intuitively understand that the information is related to that preceding vehicle.

[0018] Furthermore, even if the preceding vehicle in the foreground is outside the display area, the display format of the image displayed in the display area (displaying an image including an inter-vehicle target moving from the vehicle itself toward the preceding vehicle) is not changed, so there is no need to determine whether the preceding vehicle is outside the display area, making display control easier.

[0019] In a second aspect, the display control unit displays in the display area a pair of lane auxiliary lines that indicate both ends of the lane that the host vehicle is traveling in and that extend from the host vehicle side to the leading vehicle side. Therefore, even if the leading vehicle is outside the display area, the occupant in the driver's seat can estimate the position (direction) of the leading vehicle from the pair of lane auxiliary lines displayed in the display area.

[0020] It should be noted that the term "displaying toward the leading vehicle" is not limited to a configuration in which the image is displayed toward the leading vehicle as seen through the windshield glass, but also includes a concept in which the image is displayed toward an image of the leading vehicle displayed on a display inside the vehicle cabin, for example.

[0021] A vehicle display control device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display control device that controls a vehicle display device that displays an image in a display area that overlaps with a portion of the foreground from the vehicle, and includes: a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle; and, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle, a display control unit that displays an image including inter-vehicle objects in the display area from the vehicle's side toward the preceding vehicle side, and applies a gradation mask to portions of the image displayed in the display area that correspond to both ends of the vehicle width direction, with the transmittance gradually decreasing from the inside of the vehicle width direction toward the outside of the vehicle width direction, and displays the processed image in the display area.

[0022] According to a third aspect, when a leading vehicle is detected by a leading vehicle detection unit of a vehicle display control device, the display control unit displays an image including an inter-vehicle object from the host vehicle toward the leading vehicle in a display area overlapping a part of the foreground from the vehicle, thereby enabling an occupant in the driver's seat to intuitively recognize that the inter-vehicle object displayed toward the leading vehicle is information about the leading vehicle.

[0023] Furthermore, even if the preceding vehicle is outside the display area in the foreground, the vehicle-to-vehicle landmark is displayed within the display area from the vehicle's own side toward the preceding vehicle, so that the occupant in the driver's seat can recognize the preceding vehicle located beyond the vehicle-to-vehicle landmark and intuitively understand that the information is about that preceding vehicle.

[0024] Furthermore, even if the preceding vehicle in the foreground is outside the display area, the display format of the image displayed in the display area (displaying an image including an inter-vehicle target moving from the vehicle itself toward the preceding vehicle) is not changed, so there is no need to determine whether the preceding vehicle is outside the display area, making display control easier.

[0025] In a third aspect, the display control unit applies a gradation mask to portions of the image displayed in the display area corresponding to both ends in the vehicle width direction, gradually decreasing the transmittance from the inside in the vehicle width direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and displays the processed image in the display area. As a result, the image displayed in the display area gradually becomes darker toward both ends in the vehicle width direction, and the displayed image appears to the occupant in the driver's seat as if it is disappearing naturally. In other words, the image displayed in the display area appears natural to the occupant in the driver's seat.

[0026] A vehicle display control device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display control device that controls a vehicle display device that displays an image in a display area that overlaps with a portion of the foreground from the vehicle, and includes: a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle; an ACC control detection unit that detects whether the vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, and, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle, detects whether the preceding vehicle is a target of follow-up cruise control for the vehicle; and a display control unit that, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle and the ACC control detection unit detects that the vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, displays an image including an inter-vehicle object in the display area from the vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side, and applies a gradation mask that gradually decreases transmittance from the inside of the vehicle width direction toward the outside of the vehicle width direction to portions corresponding to both ends of the image displayed in the display area in the vehicle width direction, and displays the processed image in the display area.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, when a leading vehicle is detected by a leading vehicle detection unit and the host vehicle is under ACC control, the vehicular display control device displays an image including an inter-vehicle target facing from the host vehicle side toward the leading vehicle side in the display area, thereby enabling an occupant in the driver's seat to confirm that the ACC control is underway.

[0028] Furthermore, even if the preceding vehicle is outside the display area in the foreground, an image including inter-vehicle targets is displayed in the display area from the vehicle's side toward the preceding vehicle, allowing the occupant in the driver's seat to recognize the preceding vehicle located beyond the multiple inter-vehicle targets and intuitively understand that the information is related to that preceding vehicle.

[0029] Furthermore, even if the preceding vehicle in the foreground is outside the display area, the display format of the image displayed in the display area (displaying an image including an inter-vehicle target moving from the vehicle itself toward the preceding vehicle) is not changed, so there is no need to determine whether the preceding vehicle is outside the display area, making display control easier.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, the display control unit applies a gradation mask to portions of the image displayed in the display area corresponding to both ends in the vehicle width direction, gradually decreasing the transmittance from the inside in the vehicle width direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and displays the processed image in the display area. As a result, the image displayed in the display area gradually becomes darker toward both ends in the vehicle width direction, and the displayed image appears to the occupant in the driver's seat as if it is disappearing naturally. In other words, the image displayed in the display area appears natural to the occupant in the driver's seat.

[0031] A vehicle display control device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is configured as described in the first or third aspect, and when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle, the display control unit displays an image including multiple inter-vehicle objects in the display area and sequentially highlights the multiple inter-vehicle objects from the vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, the display control unit sequentially highlights the multiple inter-vehicle targets from the host vehicle toward the leading vehicle, allowing the driver in the driver's seat to recognize the leading vehicle located ahead of the multiple inter-vehicle targets and more intuitively grasp that the multiple inter-vehicle targets are information about the recognized leading vehicle.

[0033] A vehicle display control device according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is configured as described in the second or fourth aspect, wherein when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle and the ACC control detection unit detects that the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, the display control unit displays an image including multiple inter-vehicle objects in the display area, and further, when the preceding vehicle is the target of the host vehicle's follow-up cruise control, highlights the multiple inter-vehicle objects sequentially from the host vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, the display control unit sequentially highlights the multiple inter-vehicle targets from the host vehicle toward the preceding vehicle, allowing the driver in the driver's seat to recognize the preceding vehicle located ahead of the multiple inter-vehicle targets and more intuitively grasp that the multiple inter-vehicle targets are information related to the recognized preceding vehicle.

[0035] A vehicle display device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes a display unit provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle and having the display area; and the vehicle display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0036] The vehicular display device of the present disclosure includes a display unit provided in a vehicle interior and having a display area, and a vehicular display control device. This vehicular display control device is the vehicular display control device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present disclosure, and therefore provides the above-described functions and effects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] As described above, with the vehicle display control device and vehicle display device of the present disclosure, regardless of whether the preceding vehicle is located within the display area, display control is simple and an image can be displayed in the display area that allows the occupant in the driver's seat to intuitively confirm that the information is about the preceding vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a front portion of a vehicle interior of a vehicle to which a vehicle display device according to an embodiment is applied, viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a projection image generated on a virtual rendering area when a preceding vehicle is not detected during constant speed cruise control under ACC control. [Figure 4B]10 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a state in which a projected image is projected onto the third display unit and superimposed on the view in front of the vehicle when a preceding vehicle is not detected during constant speed cruise control under ACC control. FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a projected image generated on a virtual rendering area when a preceding vehicle is detected during constant speed cruise control under ACC control. [Figure 5B] 10 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a state in which a projected image is projected onto the third display unit and superimposed on the view in front of the vehicle when a leading vehicle is detected during constant speed cruise control under ACC control. FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a projected image generated on a virtual rendering area during follow-up cruise control in ACC control. [Figure 6B] 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a projected image is projected onto the third display unit and displayed superimposed on the view in front of the vehicle during follow-up cruise control in ACC control. FIG. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a projected image generated on a virtual rendering area when a preceding vehicle is detected during constant speed cruise control under ACC control. [Figure 7B] 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a projected image is projected onto the third display unit and displayed superimposed on the view in front of the vehicle during ACC control. FIG. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a projected image generated on a virtual rendering area during follow-up cruise control in ACC control. [Figure 8B] 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a projected image is projected onto the third display unit and displayed superimposed on the view in front of the vehicle during follow-up cruise control in ACC control. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing display control during ACC control of the vehicle display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating the field of view of a passenger in the driver's seat with respect to an image displayed on the third display unit superimposed on the foreground. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a mask process for an image displayed on the third display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] [One embodiment] A vehicle 12 to which a vehicle display device 10 according to one embodiment is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the arrow UP in Fig. 1 indicates the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH indicates the right side in the width direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vertical direction and the left-right direction in the text refer to the up and down in the vertical direction of the vehicle and the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, an instrument panel 14 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at the front of the interior of a vehicle 12. A steering wheel 16 is provided on the right side of the instrument panel 14. That is, in this embodiment, the vehicle 12 is a right-hand drive vehicle with the steering wheel 16 provided on the right side, and the driver's seat is provided on the right side of the vehicle. A windshield glass 18 is provided at the front end of the instrument panel 14. The windshield glass 18 is disposed forward of the driver's seat, extending in the vertical and lateral directions of the vehicle. The windshield glass 18 also separates the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

[0041] The right end of the windshield glass 18 is fixed to a front pillar 20 on the right side of the vehicle. The front pillar 20 extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the windshield glass 18 is fixed to the inner end in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the front ends of the front side windows 22 are fixed to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the windshield glass 18. The left end of the windshield glass 18 is fixed to a front pillar on the left side of the vehicle (not shown).

[0042] Here, the instrument panel 14 is provided with a first display unit 24 having an image display area 24A. The first display unit 24 is configured as a meter display provided on the right side of the instrument panel 14 in the vehicle width direction, on the vehicle front side of the driver's seat. The first display unit 24 is connected to various meter devices mounted on the vehicle 12, and is provided in a position that is within the field of view of the occupant in the driver's seat when they are looking forward toward the vehicle.

[0043] The instrument panel 14 is provided with a second display unit 25 having an image display area 25A. The second display unit 25 is configured as a center display disposed in the center of the instrument panel 14 in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] The windshield glass 18 is provided with a third display unit 26 having an image display area 26A. The third display unit 26 is set above the vehicle relative to the first display unit 24, and the display area 26A is configured as a projection surface onto which an image is projected by a head-up display device 44 (see FIG. 2). Specifically, the head-up display device 44 is provided further forward in the vehicle than the instrument panel 14, and an image is projected from this head-up display device 44 onto the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 on the windshield glass 18. In other words, the third display unit 26 is configured as part of the windshield glass 18 that serves as the projection surface for the head-up display device 44.

[0045] (Hardware configuration of vehicle display device) FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the vehicle display device 10.

[0046] The vehicle 12 is provided with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 28. As shown in Fig. 2, the ECU 28 of the vehicle display 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 (communication I / F) 38, and an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 40. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 42 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0047] The ECU 28 corresponds to a "vehicle display control device."

[0048] The CPU 30 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 30 reads programs from the ROM 32 or storage 36 and executes the programs using the RAM 34 as a work area. The CPU 30 controls the above configuration and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 32 or storage 36.

[0049] The ROM 32 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 34 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 36 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. In this embodiment, the ROM 32 or the storage 36 stores programs for performing display processing, various data, and the like.

[0050] The communication I / F 38 is an interface for communicating with a server and other devices (not shown) of the vehicle display device 10, and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), LTE, FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0051] The input / output I / F 40 is connected to the first display unit 24, the second display unit 25, a head-up display device (HUD) 44, a sensor unit 46, and an ACC switch 48. In addition, the head-up display device 44 projects an image onto the third display unit 26.

[0052] The sensor unit 46 includes a plurality of sensors selected from the group consisting of a camera, radar, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), and a GPS (global positioning system) sensor. The camera captures images of the surroundings of the vehicle 12. The camera in this embodiment is configured to include at least a front camera that captures images of the area ahead of the vehicle.

[0053] The radar detects the distance and direction of objects around the vehicle 12 using radio waves. The lidar detects the distance and direction of objects around the vehicle 12 using laser light. In this embodiment, the radar and lidar each include a signal processing unit (not shown) that processes the detection results of surrounding objects. The signal processing unit excludes roadside objects such as guardrails as noise and stationary objects based on changes in the relative position and relative speed of each object contained in the most recent detection results, and tracks and monitors moving objects such as pedestrians and other vehicles. The sensor unit 46 also includes a sensor that detects the line of sight of the occupant.

[0054] The ACC switch 48 (not shown in FIG. 1) is operated by a passenger in the driver's seat to transition the driving state of the vehicle 12 to an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) control state or to cancel the ACC control state. The ACC switch 48 inputs an ACC control ON signal or an ACC control OFF signal to the ECU 28, which enables the ECU 28 to detect whether the vehicle 12 is under ACC control.

[0055] ACC control involves controlling the vehicle to travel at a constant speed set by the vehicle's occupants, and also controlling the vehicle to follow the preceding vehicle if there is a preceding vehicle within a specified distance ahead of the vehicle.

[0056] (Functional configuration of ECU28) The ECU 28 uses the above hardware resources to realize various functions. The functional configuration realized by the ECU 28 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0057] 3, the vehicular display device 10 includes, as functional components, an ACC control detection unit 50, a preceding vehicle detection unit 52, a lane recognition unit 54, an image generation unit 56, and a display control unit 58. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 30 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 32 or the storage 36.

[0058] When the ACC switch 48 is turned on, an ACC control ON signal is input from the ACC switch 48 to the ECU 28, and the ACC control detection unit 50 detects that the vehicle 12 is under ACC control. When the ACC switch 48 is turned off, an ACC control OFF signal is input from the ACC switch 48 to the ECU 28, and the ACC control detection unit 50 detects that the ACC control of the vehicle 12 has been stopped (is not being executed).

[0059] The ECU 28 performs the image display control according to this embodiment by detecting that the ACC control has started at the ACC control detection unit 50.

[0060] When ACC control is being performed, the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 acquires information about the position of the preceding vehicle 70 traveling ahead of the vehicle 12 in the same lane 78 (see FIG. 5B, for example) as the vehicle 12. Specifically, the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 acquires information about the preceding vehicle 70 detected by the sensor unit 46.

[0061] The lane recognition unit 54 has a function of recognizing the lane 78 on which the vehicle 12 is traveling. Specifically, the lane recognition unit 54 recognizes the lane 78 by analyzing white lines painted on the road surface based on an image captured by a camera that captures the area ahead of the vehicle 12. Recognizing the lane 78 includes recognizing the shape of the lane 78 and recognizing the width of the lane 78.

[0062] The image generation unit 56 generates an image to be displayed on the third display unit 26, which is the projection screen of the head-up display device 44. The image generated by the image generation unit 56 includes various images (not shown), such as a meter display showing the traveling speed of the vehicle 12, for example.

[0063] Figures 4A to 8A are schematic (virtual) illustrations of the image that appears when the image generated in the virtual drawing area VA by the image generation unit 56 is projected in its entirety onto the windshield glass 18 via the head-up display device 44 and viewed by a passenger in the driver's seat.

[0064] When the image generation unit 56 detects a preceding vehicle 70 during ACC control, it generates an image of a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 indicating (both ends of) the lane 78 leading from the vehicle 12 to the preceding vehicle 70 in the virtual drawing area VA based on information about the preceding vehicle 70 and information about the lane 78, as shown in Figure 5A, and also generates images of multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 set at predetermined intervals between the pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 (along the lane 78) from the vehicle 12 to the preceding vehicle 70.

[0065] Furthermore, when the preceding vehicle 70 is not detected during ACC control, the image generating unit 56 generates an image of a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 indicating (both ends of) the lane 78 extending a set distance ahead from the vehicle 12 in the virtual drawing area VA based on information about the lane 78, as shown in FIG. 4A. Then, images of a plurality of inter-vehicle objects 74 formed at each inter-vehicle distance set between the pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 (along the lane 78) are created.

[0066] The plurality of inter-vehicle objects 74 are formed in a trapezoidal shape (see FIGS. 4A to 6A) or a generally rectangular shape such as a parallelogram (see FIGS. 7A and 8A). The plurality of inter-vehicle objects 74 are formed so that they are spaced equally apart in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in the foreground when displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 by the head-up display device 44.

[0067] Here, the "virtual drawing area VA" is a virtual area in which an image is generated (image data is created), and it is desirable that the area be set so as to include at least the preceding vehicle 70 (at all positions) that is the target of ACC control, and is set to an area that is at least larger than the display area 26A of the third display unit 26.

[0068] 4A to 8A also show schematic illustrations of the images that would be displayed if it were assumed that all of the images (a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 and a plurality of inter-vehicle landmarks 74) created in the virtual drawing area VA were projected onto the projection surface of the windshield glass 18 via the head-up display device 44 and viewed by a passenger in the driver's seat through the windshield glass 18.

[0069] The display control unit 58 has the function of displaying an image or a portion of an image generated by the image generation unit 56 on the third display unit 26 via the head-up display device 44, and the function of deleting the image displayed on the third display unit 26.

[0070] The display control unit 58 displays various images in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 via the head-up display device 44 so as to blend them into the foreground of the vehicle 12 as seen by a passenger in the driver's seat through the third display unit 26 (windshield glass 18).

[0071] Due to limitations imposed by the LCD or other display devices that constitute the head-up display device 44 and limitations imposed by optical systems such as concave mirrors for projecting images from the LCD or other display devices onto the windshield glass 18, only a portion of the image generated in the virtual drawing area VA by the image generation unit 56 may be displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 (details will be described later).

[0072] In this embodiment, when a preceding vehicle 70 is detected during ACC control, the display control unit 58 displays multiple inter-vehicle targets formed at set distance intervals from the vehicle 12 toward the preceding vehicle 70, superimposed on the foreground.

[0073] At this time, the display control unit 58 displays only a portion of the image generated by the image generation unit 56 that can be displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26. In other words, the image displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 on the windshield glass 18 from the display device of the head-up display device 44 via an optical system (concave reflector, etc.) is limited to the portion that can be displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 due to limitations on the displayable area of the display device and limitations on the optical system.

[0074] In other words, when a preceding vehicle 70 in the foreground of the vehicle 12 is located within the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 in the field of view of the occupant in the driver's seat, the display control unit 58 is configured to display all (multiple) inter-vehicle landmarks 74 and lane auxiliary lines 72 generated by the image generation unit 56 in the virtual drawing area VA from the vehicle 12 toward the preceding vehicle 70 in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 (see, for example, Figures 6A and 6B).

[0075] On the other hand, when the preceding vehicle 70 in the foreground of the vehicle 12 moves out of the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 in the field of view of the occupant in the driver's seat, the display control unit 58 is configured to display some (multiple on the vehicle 12 side) of the multiple inter-vehicle objects 74 generated as an image from the vehicle 12 side toward the preceding vehicle 70 side (see, for example, Figures 5A, 5B, or Figures 7A, 7B, or Figures 8A, 8B).

[0076] In addition, when it is determined that follow-up driving control is being performed in ACC control, the display control unit 58 performs a highlighting process in which the multiple inter-vehicle objects 74 displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 of the windshield glass 18 are sequentially made brighter for a certain period of time from the vehicle 12 side (lower side) to the preceding vehicle 70 side (upper side) (for example, see Figures 5B to 7B, inter-vehicle objects 74A).

[0077] Furthermore, an image including multiple targets formed in the virtual drawing area is projected from the LCD, which is an image of only the area that can be displayed on the LCD, and the image is projected onto the display area (projection surface) on the windshield glass 18 via a concave mirror or the like.

[0078] (action) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0079] An example of display control for causing the ECU 28 to display an image indicating ACC operation (such as the distance target 74) on the third display unit 26, which is the projection screen of the head-up display device 44, and for highlighting (high-brightness processing) the distance target 74 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9. This display control is performed by the CPU 30 reading out a vehicle display control program from the ROM 32 or storage 36, expanding it into the RAM 34, and executing it.

[0080] The display control of this embodiment is executed when the occupant in the driver's seat operates the ACC switch 48 to turn on the ACC control.

[0081] That is, the CPU 30 detects the ACC control of the vehicle 12 by receiving an ACC control ON signal from the ACC switch 48 through the function of the ACC control detection unit 50, and starts display control (see FIG. 9 (flowchart)).

[0082] The CPU 30, using the function of the preceding vehicle detection unit 52, determines whether or not a preceding vehicle has been detected ahead of the vehicle 12 along the lane 78 based on the detection results from the sensor unit 46 (see Figure 9, step S10 (hereinafter, "Figure 9," will be omitted)).

[0083] When the CPU 30 detects a preceding vehicle (YES in step S10), it uses the function of the image generation unit 56 to generate in the virtual drawing area VA an image of a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 that indicate both ends of the lane 78 on the projection surface from the vehicle 12 toward the preceding vehicle 70, and also generates images of a plurality of inter-vehicle landmarks 74 that are set so as to appear to be equally spaced along the lane 78 between the pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 (see Figures 5A to 8A) (see step S12).

[0084] On the other hand, if the CPU 30 does not detect a preceding vehicle (NO in step S10), it uses the function of the image generation unit 56 to generate images of lane auxiliary lines 72 in the virtual drawing area VA along the lane 78 up to a certain distance ahead of the vehicle 12 (e.g., 100 m ahead), and also generates images of multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 that are set to appear equally spaced along the lane 78 between the pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 (e.g., see Figure 4A) (see step S14).

[0085] Next, in either case, the CPU 30 uses the function of the display control unit 58 to display an image including the inter-vehicle landmark 74 and the lane auxiliary line 72 in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 on the head-up display device 44 based on the image generated by the function of the image generation unit 56 (see step S16).

[0086] However, at this time, the lane auxiliary lines 72 and the inter-vehicle landmarks 74 are displayed in a lighter color than other images (for example, a vehicle speed display image (not shown)).

[0087] This allows the driver's seat occupant to visually recognize the lane auxiliary lines 72 and the plurality of inter-vehicle landmarks 74 superimposed on the foreground viewed through the windshield glass 18.

[0088] For example, if a preceding vehicle 70 has been detected, a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 and multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 are displayed superimposed on the foreground on the third display unit 26, as shown in Figures 5B to 8B.

[0089] As shown in Figures 5B, 7B, and 8B, when the preceding vehicle 70 is out of view of the third display unit 26 from the perspective of the occupant in the driver's seat, only a portion of the pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 and the distance landmarks 74 generated by the image generation unit 56 is displayed. However, the display of the lane auxiliary lines 72 and the distance landmarks 74 indicates the position and direction of the preceding vehicle 70, so that it is possible to intuitively confirm that ACC control is being executed and to easily confirm the preceding vehicle 70.

[0090] On the other hand, when a preceding vehicle 70 is not detected, an image including a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 up to a certain distance ahead of the vehicle 12 and a plurality of inter-vehicle landmarks 74 formed between the pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 is projected onto the display area 26A of the third display section 26 of the windshield glass 18.

[0091] As a result, a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 and a plurality of inter-vehicle landmarks 74, which are part of the image generated by the image generation unit 56, are displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 (see FIG. 4B).

[0092] In this way, regardless of whether a preceding vehicle 70 is detected or not, multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 and a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 are displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26, allowing the occupant in the driver's seat to intuitively recognize that ACC control is operating.

[0093] Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the ACC control is continuing using the ACC control detection unit 50 (step S18).

[0094] If the ACC control is continuing (YES in step S18), the CPU 30 then determines whether the preceding vehicle 70 has been captured as a control target (step S22).

[0095] Specifically, it is determined whether the preceding vehicle 70 is approaching within a predetermined distance along the lane 78 of the vehicle 12. If the preceding vehicle 70 is approaching within the predetermined distance from the vehicle 12 on the lane 78, the ACC control switches from constant speed cruise control to follow-up cruise control. In other words, the preceding vehicle 70 is captured as a target for follow-up cruise control.

[0096] If the preceding vehicle 70 has not been captured as an object to be controlled for following up (NO in step S22), the CPU 30 returns to step S18.

[0097] On the other hand, when the preceding vehicle 70 has been captured as a target for follow-up travel control (YES in step S22), the CPU 30 performs a highlighting process (high brightness process) for increasing the brightness of the plurality of inter-vehicle objects 74 displayed on the third display unit 26 for a certain period of time, in order from the vehicle 12 side (lower side) to the preceding vehicle 70 side (upper side) (step S24). For example, in the case of FIG. 8B, the inter-vehicle objects 74A on the vehicle 12 side (lower side) are highlighted (high brightness process). The highlighting process (high brightness process) is performed for a fixed time in the order of the inter-vehicle objects 74A, 74B, and 74C up to the inter-vehicle object 74C.

[0098] The occupant in the driver's seat can intuitively recognize that follow-up cruise control is being executed because the multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 are highlighted (highly brightened for a certain period of time) in the third display unit 26 in sequence from the vehicle 12 side (bottom side) to the preceding vehicle 70 side (top side), allowing the occupant in the driver's seat to see that the inter-vehicle landmarks 74 are lit up in sequence from the bottom (vehicle 12 side) to the top (preceding vehicle 70 side).

[0099] As shown in FIG. 6B, when a preceding vehicle 70 (part of the rear tire) is located within the third display section 26, the vehicle-to-vehicle landmarks 74 sequentially (in the order of vehicle-to-vehicle landmarks 74A, 74B, and 74C) become brighter toward the preceding vehicle 70, making it easy to recognize that follow-up driving control is being performed with the preceding vehicle 70 as the target.

[0100] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 5B and 7B, even if the preceding vehicle 70 moves out of view of the third display unit 26, the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 shows a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 and multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 pointing toward the preceding vehicle 70, so the occupant in the driver's seat can intuitively recognize that follow-up driving control is being performed through high-brightness processing.

[0101] In addition, a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 and a plurality of inter-vehicle landmarks 74 are displayed along the lane 78 toward the preceding vehicle 70, so that the driver's seat occupant's line of sight is guided by these and the preceding vehicle 70, which is the target of follow-up cruise control, can be easily seen.

[0102] On the other hand, in step S18, if the occupant in the driver's seat turns off the ACC switch 48 and an ACC control off signal is input from the ACC switch 48 to the ECU 28, the CPU 30 determines that the ACC control has ended (NO in step S18).

[0103] In this case, the CPU 30 stops the head-up display device 44 from projecting an image onto the third display unit 26, and erases the displayed image from the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 (step S20).

[0104] In other words, the lane auxiliary lines 72 and the inter-vehicle landmarks 74 are erased from the display area 26A of the third display unit 26, allowing the occupant in the driver's seat to recognize (confirm) that the ACC control has ended.

[0105] (effect) In this way, the display control of the vehicle display device 10 according to this embodiment displays a pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 and multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 on the third display unit 26 as long as ACC control is being performed, regardless of whether a preceding vehicle 70 is detected (see Figures 4B to 8B). Therefore, the occupant in the driver's seat can intuitively confirm that ACC control is being performed simply by visually checking the pair of lane auxiliary lines 72 and multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74, regardless of whether a preceding vehicle 70 is present or not.

[0106] In particular, during follow-up cruise control in ACC control, high-brightness processing is performed sequentially on multiple inter-vehicle targets 74. Therefore, if the display is performed without high-brightness processing, as shown in FIG. 8B, the occupant in the driver's seat can confirm that constant-speed cruise control is in effect.

[0107] On the other hand, when the preceding vehicle 70 is the control target in ACC control (during follow-up driving control), the vehicle display device 10 sequentially increases the brightness of the multiple inter-vehicle targets 74 displayed on the third display unit 26 from the vehicle 12 side (bottom side) to the preceding vehicle 70 side (top side), as shown in Figures 5B to 7B, so that the occupant in the driver's seat can intuitively confirm that follow-up driving control is being performed.

[0108] In particular, when a preceding vehicle 70 (part of it) is located in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 in the foreground of the vehicle 12, multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 are displayed up to the preceding vehicle 70, as shown in Figure 6B, so that the occupant in the driver's seat can easily identify the preceding vehicle 70 that is the subject of follow-up driving control.

[0109] On the other hand, when the preceding vehicle 70 is outside the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 in the foreground of the vehicle 12, as shown in Figures 5B and 7B, multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74 are arranged from the vehicle 12 side along the lane 78 toward the preceding vehicle 70 side, and are sequentially processed with high brightness toward the preceding vehicle 70 side, so that the driver's seat occupant's line of sight is guided to the preceding vehicle 70 that is the target of follow-up driving control, and the preceding vehicle 70 can be confirmed.

[0110] Furthermore, during ACC control of the vehicle 12, the vehicular display device 10 generates a plurality of inter-vehicle objects 74 from the vehicle 12 to the preceding vehicle 70 in the virtual rendering area VA (see FIGS. 5A to 8A), and displays all or some of the plurality of inter-vehicle objects 74 in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26. That is, even if the preceding vehicle 70 is located within the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 in the foreground of the vehicle 12, the format of the image generated in the virtual rendering area VA is not changed, even if the preceding vehicle 70 is located within the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 or if the preceding vehicle 70 moves out of the display area 26A of the third display unit 26. In other words, in the display control, it is not necessary to determine whether the preceding vehicle 70 is located within the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 in the foreground of the vehicle 12, and the display control is simplified.

[0111] Furthermore, when the vehicle display device 10 is in constant speed driving control under ACC control, the display is displayed in a lighter color than other images, such as a speed display, displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 on the head-up display device 44, thereby preventing the visibility of the view ahead for the occupant in the driver's seat from being impaired.

[0112] Furthermore, the multiple inter-vehicle objects 74 displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 are displayed at equal intervals, and are sequentially brightened for a fixed period of time from the vehicle 12 side (bottom side) toward the leading vehicle 70 side, so that the high-brightness inter-vehicle objects 74 are visually recognized by the occupant in the driver's seat as if they are moving toward the leading vehicle 70 at a uniform speed. Therefore, it is easier to guide the line of sight of the occupant in the driver's seat to the leading vehicle 70.

[0113] Furthermore, the vehicle display device 10 sequentially performs high brightness processing on the multiple inter-vehicle targets 74 displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 during follow-up driving control in ACC control, and then performs the next sequential high brightness processing after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0114] In this way, by sequentially and intermittently performing high brightness processing, it is possible to prevent the occupant in the driver's seat from feeling annoyed by the high brightness processing, while allowing the occupant in the driver's seat to intuitively recognize that follow-up cruise control is in progress.

[0115] (Variation) 10, when both ends of the projected image displayed on the third display unit 26 in the vehicle width direction are restricted by the optical system rather than by the display of the head-up display device 44, the right eye field of view VR and the left eye field of view VL of the occupant in the driver's seat differ in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26. Note that in FIG. 10, the right eye field of view VR and the left eye field of view VL are shown offset in the vertical direction, but this is to prevent the lines of the two from overlapping, and in reality they are not offset in the vertical direction.

[0116] In this way, due to the difference between the right eye field of view VR and the left eye field of view VL of the occupant in the driver's seat, the display area 26A is divided into a binocular viewing area MA that is visible with both eyes at the center of the vehicle width direction, and a monocular viewing area SA that is visible with one eye at either end of the vehicle width direction.

[0117] As a result, the image (lane auxiliary lines 72 and multiple inter-vehicle objects 74) projected onto the third display unit 26 by the head-up display device 44 appears relatively bright in the binocular viewing area MA and relatively dark in the monocular viewing area SA at both ends in the vehicle width direction to the occupant in the driver's seat. Therefore, the lane auxiliary lines 72 and inter-vehicle objects 74 projected onto the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 appear darker at both ends than at the center, and the ends appear to naturally disappear.

[0118] However, if it is desired to make the disappearance of both ends of the image projected onto the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 appear more natural to the occupant in the driver's seat, or if the both ends of the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 in the vehicle width direction are limited by a display rather than an optical system, it is possible to set a mask in the image generation unit 56.

[0119] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, in the virtual drawing area VA, a mask 80 with a transmittance of 0% is set in the portion corresponding to the outer side of both ends of the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 in the vehicle width direction, and a gradually changing transmittance mask 82 is set in the portion corresponding to the inner side of the mask 80 in the vehicle width direction (both ends of the display area 26A in the vehicle width direction), the transmittance of which gradually changes (applies a gradation) from 100% to 0% from the inner side in the vehicle width direction to the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0120] As a result, in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26, the portions of the displayed image at both ends in the vehicle width direction where the gradually changing transmittance mask 82 is set are displayed so as to gradually become darker (disappear) toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, so that the image projected by the head-up display device 44 (lane auxiliary lines 72 and multiple inter-vehicle landmarks 74) appears more natural to the occupant in the driver's seat.

[0121] The reason why the mask is set only at both ends of the display area 26A in the vehicle width direction and not at both ends in the vertical direction is that the head-up display device 44 has a vertical adjustment function in response to the seating height (variation of viewpoint) of the occupant in the driver's seat. That is, since the display area 26A is adjusted in the vertical direction by the vertical adjustment function, the mask position also needs to be changed in the vertical direction, which complicates display control, so the mask is not set in the parts corresponding to the vertical ends of the display area 26A.

[0122] In order to accommodate the above-mentioned vertical adjustment, the vertical width of the mask is set to be longer than the vertical width of the display area 26A, as shown in FIG.

[0123] (others) In this embodiment, the case where an image is projected from the head-up display device 44 onto the windshield glass 18 in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a case where an image is formed in the display area 24A of the first display unit 24 and the display area 25A of the second display unit 25. In this case, the preceding vehicle 70 is displayed as an image in the display area 24A of the first display unit 24 and the display area 25A of the second display unit 25, and the same advantageous effects as those of this embodiment are achieved.

[0124] In particular, even if an icon or the like indicating the preceding vehicle 70 is removed (not displayed) from the display area 24A of the first display unit 24 or the display area 25A of the second display unit 25, the above-mentioned sequential highlighting control allows the occupant in the driver's seat to intuitively recognize that follow-up driving control is in progress.

[0125] In this embodiment, the above-described control is performed in the case of ACC control, but the present invention is not limited to this. Anything that detects a vehicle ahead of the vehicle 12 and displays information about that vehicle on the display unit can be applied. In this case, it is conceivable to perform display control similar to that during follow-up control under ACC control. For example, the present invention can be applied to front-side vehicle detection (FCTA), etc.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the following driving control is shown by sequentially brightening the multiple inter-vehicle targets 74 displayed in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26, but this is not limited to this as long as it is a sequential highlighting process that can sequentially make each inter-vehicle target 74 stand out.

[0127] Although the embodiments have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 10 Vehicle display device 12 Vehicle (own vehicle) 24A display area 25A display area 26A display area 28 ECU (vehicle display control unit) 50 ACC control detector 52 Leading vehicle detection unit 54 Lane recognition unit 56 Image generation unit 58 Display control unit 70 Leading vehicle 72 Lane auxiliary line 74 Inter-vehicle target

Claims

1. A vehicle display control device that controls a vehicle display device that displays an image in a display area that overlaps with a part of a view in front of a vehicle, a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle; a lane recognition unit that recognizes the position and direction of the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling; a display control unit that, when the preceding vehicle is detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit, displays an image including inter-vehicle objects from the host vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side in the display area, and also displays a pair of lane auxiliary lines indicating both ends of the lane from the host vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side along the lane recognized by the lane recognition unit in the display area; A vehicle display control device comprising:

2. A vehicle display control device that controls a vehicle display device that displays an image in a display area that overlaps with a part of a view in front of a vehicle, a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle; a lane recognition unit that recognizes the position and direction of the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling; an ACC control detection unit that detects whether or not the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, and, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle, detects whether or not the preceding vehicle is a target of adaptive cruise control of the host vehicle; a display control unit that, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle and the ACC control detection unit detects that the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, displays an image including inter-vehicle objects from the host vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side in the display area, and displays a pair of lane auxiliary lines indicating both ends of the lane from the host vehicle side to the preceding vehicle side along the lane recognized by the lane recognition unit; A vehicle display control device comprising:

3. A vehicle display control device that controls a vehicle display device that displays an image in a display area that overlaps with a part of a view in front of a vehicle, a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle; a display control unit that, when the preceding vehicle is detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit, displays an image including an inter-vehicle object in the display area from the host vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side, and applies a gradation mask in which transmittance is gradually reduced from the inner side in the vehicle width direction toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction to portions corresponding to both ends in the vehicle width direction of the image displayed in the display area, and displays the processed image in the display area; A vehicle display control device comprising:

4. A vehicle display control device that controls a vehicle display device that displays an image in a display area that overlaps with a part of a view in front of a vehicle, a preceding vehicle detection unit that detects a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle; an ACC control detection unit that detects whether or not the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, and, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle, detects whether or not the preceding vehicle is a target of adaptive cruise control of the host vehicle; a display control unit that, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle and the ACC control detection unit detects that the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, displays an image including an inter-vehicle object in the display area from the host vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side, and applies a gradation mask to portions of the image displayed in the display area that correspond to both ends in the vehicle width direction, the gradation mask having a transmittance that gradually decreases from the inside in the vehicle width direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and displays the processed image in the display area; A vehicle display control device comprising:

5. 4. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, wherein, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle, the display control unit displays an image including the plurality of inter-vehicle objects in the display area and sequentially highlights the plurality of inter-vehicle objects from the host vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side.

6. 5. The vehicle display control device according to claim 2 or 4, wherein, when the preceding vehicle detection unit detects the preceding vehicle and the ACC control detection unit detects that the host vehicle is under adaptive cruise control, the display control unit displays an image including the plurality of inter-vehicle objects in the display area, and further, when the preceding vehicle is a target of follow-up cruise control of the host vehicle, highlights the plurality of inter-vehicle objects in sequence from the host vehicle side toward the preceding vehicle side.

7. a display unit provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle and having the display area; A vehicle display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A vehicle display device comprising:

Images