Vehicle display control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle display control device that enhances the likelihood of a driver visually confirming a situation display element while reducing a risk of the driver feeling annoyed with the situation display element.SOLUTION: A vehicle display control device comprises: a control unit capable of executing travel support control enabling a vehicle to travel at a preset speed or to follow a preceding vehicle; and a display device for displaying a situation display element related to an execution situation of the travel support control in a predetermined display region. The control unit is configured to set the display region to a first region when neither a first condition indicating that the travel support control is active nor a second condition indicating that the vehicle is traveling on an expressway is satisfied, and set the display region to a second region when at least either the first condition or the second condition is satisfied. The second region is set at a position allowing a driver to have higher visibility than the first region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display control device that displays a situation display element related to the execution status of driving support control for driving a vehicle so that the vehicle speed matches a set vehicle speed or follows a preceding vehicle on a display device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles that execute the above-described driving support control (sometimes referred to as "ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)") are known. For example, a vehicle display control device described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as a "conventional device") lights a cruise power lamp provided at the right end of a meter display when executing driving support control. This cruise power lamp represents the execution status of driving support control. The cruise power lamp may also be referred to as a "situation display element".

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the conventional device, the situation display element is provided at the right end of the meter display. Generally, the visibility of the end portion of the display is lower than that of the central portion. Therefore, in a situation where the visibility of the situation display element by the driver is low, the possibility that the driver feels the situation display element is troublesome can be reduced. On the other hand, in a situation where the visibility is high, the possibility that the driver has difficulty visually recognizing the situation display element is high.

[0005] The present invention has been made to address the above-described problems. That is, one object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle display control device that increases the possibility of the driver easily visually recognizing a situation display element while reducing the possibility that the driver feels the situation display element is troublesome.

[0006] The vehicle display control device of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present invention device") is A control unit (20) capable of performing driving support control to drive the vehicle so that the vehicle speed, which represents the speed of the vehicle, matches a preset set vehicle speed, or so that the vehicle follows a preceding vehicle, The system includes a display device (44) in which a status display element (54) relating to the execution status of the aforementioned driving support control is displayed in a preset display area (58 or 60), The control unit is If neither the first condition that the aforementioned driving support control is being performed nor the second condition that the vehicle is traveling on a highway is met (step 505 "No" and step 510 "No"), the display area is set to the first area (step 515), If at least one of the first and second conditions is met (step 505 "Yes" or step 515 "Yes"), the display area is set to the second area (step 545), as configured. The second area is positioned to be more visible to the driver than the first area.

[0007] When a vehicle is traveling on a highway, the driver is more likely to have the control unit perform driving assistance control. Therefore, when a vehicle is traveling on a highway, the driver is more likely to see the situation display elements. Even when the driver has the control unit performing driving assistance control, the driver is more likely to see the situation display elements. According to the present invention, when driving assistance control is being performed and / or when the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the situation display elements are displayed in a second area, which has higher visibility than the first area. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the driver will find the situation display elements bothersome, while increasing the possibility that the driver will easily see the situation display elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic system configuration diagram of a vehicle display control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is an explanatory diagram of the display device shown in Figure 1 when a status display element is displayed in the first area. [Figure 2B] This is an explanatory diagram of the display device shown in Figure 1 when a status display element is displayed in the second area. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the start / end determination routine executed by the CPU of the ECU. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the driving assistance control routine executed by the CPU of the ECU. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the display control routine executed by the CPU of the ECU. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle display control device 10 according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "this device 10") is applied to a vehicle VA and comprises the components shown in Figure 1.

[0010] The ECU20 performs driving assistance control, a type of autonomous driving. In driving assistance control, the ECU20 performs constant speed control when there is no preceding vehicle in front of vehicle VA, and performs follow control when there is a preceding vehicle in front of vehicle VA. Constant speed control is a control that drives vehicle VA so that the vehicle speed Vs, which represents the speed of vehicle VA, matches the set vehicle speed Vset. Follow control is a control that drives vehicle VA so that the distance D between vehicle VA and the preceding vehicle matches the set distance Dset. Such driving assistance control is known as ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and cruise control.

[0011] In this specification, "ECU20" is an electronic control unit comprising a microcomputer as its main component. ECU20 is also referred to as a control unit, controller, and computer. The microcomputer includes a CPU (processor), ROM, RAM, and interfaces, etc. The functions realized by ECU20 may be realized by multiple ECUs.

[0012] Camera 22 acquires image data by photographing the scenery in front of the vehicle VA. ECU 20 acquires image data from camera 22.

[0013] The millimeter-wave radar 24 transmits millimeter waves in front of the vehicle VA. By receiving the reflected waves that the transmitted millimeter waves have been reflected by an object, the millimeter-wave radar 24 determines "the position of the object relative to the vehicle VA" and "the relative velocity Vr of the target relative to the vehicle VA". The ECU 20 obtains radar object information, including the position and relative velocity Vr of the object relative to the vehicle VA, from the millimeter-wave radar 24.

[0014] The navigation device 26 includes a GNSS receiver 26a and a map data storage unit 26b. The GNSS receiver 26a receives signals from multiple satellites and determines the current position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle VA based on the received signals. Map data is stored in the map data storage unit 26b. This map data includes type information to identify whether a road is a public road or a highway.

[0015] The vehicle speed sensor 28 detects the vehicle speed Vs. The acceleration sensor 30 detects the acceleration G in the longitudinal axis direction of the vehicle VA. The ECU 20 acquires the detected values ​​from these sensors.

[0016] The cruise switch 32 is operated by the driver to start or end the driving assistance control. The cancel switch 34 is operated by the driver to interrupt the driving assistance control. The reset switch 36 is operated by the driver to restart the driving assistance control if it has been interrupted.

[0017] The power train actuator 40 changes the driving force generated by a driving device (e.g., an internal combustion engine and / or an electric motor) of the vehicle VA. The brake actuator 42 controls the braking force applied to the vehicle VA. The display device 44 is disposed on the instrument panel of the vehicle VA.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the display device 44 displays a tachometer 50, a digital speedometer 52, a cruise status indicator light 54, and a cruise setting indicator light 56.

[0019] The tachometer 50 is displayed near the center of the display device 44 and has a circular shape. The tachometer 50 displays either the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, a hybrid system indicator, or a speedometer, which switches based on the driver's settings, etc. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is displayed on the tachometer 50.

[0020] The digital speedometer 52 displays the vehicle speed Vs in numbers.

[0021] The cruise status indicator light 54 lights up green during the period from the start to the end of the driving support control (i.e., during the period when the driving support control is being executed). When the driving support control is interrupted due to a predetermined interruption condition being satisfied during the period when the driving support control is being executed, the cruise status indicator light 54 lights up white. Note that the interruption condition is satisfied when any of the conditions that the driver operates an accelerator pedal (not shown), the driver operates a brake pedal (not shown), and the driver operates a cancel switch 34 is met. When the driver operates a reset switch 36 and the driving support control is resumed, the cruise status indicator light 54 lights up green again. As described above, since the cruise status indicator light 54 displays the execution status of the driving support control, it may be referred to as a "status display element".

[0022] The cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​is displayed inside the tachometer 50 and illuminates during the period from the start to the end of the driving assistance control. The cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​displays the currently set "set vehicle speed Vset and set distance Dset". In Figures 2A and 2B, the set vehicle speed Vset is set to "30 km / h", and the cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​displays "30". Furthermore, the cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​displays the set distance Dset with two horizontal lines. The more horizontal lines, the longer the set distance Dset. Note that the set distance Dset changes according to the vehicle speed Vs, and becomes longer as the vehicle speed Vs increases. Since the cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​displays setting information related to driving assistance control, it is sometimes referred to as a "setting display element".

[0023] (Summary of operation) The ECU 20 of this device 10 sets the display area for displaying the cruise status indicator light 54 to the first area 58 if neither of the following first and second conditions is met. In this case, as shown in Figure 2A, the ECU 20 displays the cruise status indicator light 54 in the first area 58. On the other hand, if at least one of the first and second conditions is met, the ECU 20 sets the display area to the second area 60. In this case, as shown in Figure 2B, the ECU 20 displays the cruise status indicator light 54 in the second area 60.

[0024] Condition 1: Driving assistance control is being performed. Condition 2: Vehicle VA is traveling on a highway.

[0025] The second area 60 is closer to the center of the display device 44 than the first area 58. More specifically, the second area 60 is located inside the tachometer 50, and the first area 58 is located outside the tachometer 50. For this reason, the second area 60 is pre-set to a position that is more visible to the driver than the first area 58.

[0026] When driving assistance control is in operation, the driver is likely to see the cruise status indicator light 54. Furthermore, the likelihood of driving assistance control being in operation is higher when the vehicle VA is traveling on a highway than when the vehicle VA is traveling on an ordinary road. Therefore, when the vehicle VA is traveling on a highway, the driver is likely to see the cruise status indicator light 54. Consequently, when at least one of the first and second conditions is met, the driver is more likely to see the cruise status indicator light 54 than when neither of the first and second conditions is met. The device 10 displays the cruise status indicator light 54 in the highly visible second area 60 when the driver is likely to see it, and displays the cruise status indicator light 54 in the less visible second area 60 when the driver is less likely to see it. Thus, it is possible to increase the likelihood that the driver will see the cruise status indicator light 54 while reducing the likelihood that the driver will find it bothersome.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​is displayed in the second area 60. Therefore, when at least one of the first and second conditions is met, the cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​and the cruise status indicator light 54 are displayed together in the second area 60, as shown in Figure 2B. As a result, the driver can understand the status of the driving assistance control and information regarding the settings of the driving assistance control by looking at the second area 60.

[0028] (Specific operation) The CPU of ECU20 executes the routines shown in the flowcharts in Figures 3 to 5 at predetermined intervals.

[0029] <Start / End Determination Routine> When an appropriate time arrives, the CPU starts processing from step 300 in Figure 3, and in step 305, the CPU determines whether or not the cruise switch 32 has been operated.

[0030] If the cruise switch 32 is operated, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 305. The process proceeds to step 310, in which the CPU determines whether the value of the on flag Xon is "1".

[0031] The value of the ON flag Xon is set to "1" when the driving assistance control starts and to "0" when the driving assistance control ends. Furthermore, the value of the ON flag Xon is set to "0" in the initial routine. The initial routine is executed by the CPU when the ignition key switch (not shown) of the vehicle VA is changed from the OFF position to the ON position.

[0032] If the value of the ON flag Xon is "0", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 310 and executes steps 315 through 325. Step 315: The CPU sets the vehicle speed Vset specified by the driver. When the driver operates the vehicle speed setting switch (not shown), the vehicle speed Vs is set to the set vehicle speed Vset. Therefore, the driver can set the set vehicle speed Vset by operating the vehicle speed setting switch when the vehicle speed Vs reaches the desired speed.

[0033] Step 320: The CPU sets the value of the ON flag Xon to "1". Step 325: The CPU sets the value of the execution flag Xexe to "1". The execution flag Xexe is set to "1" if the driving assistance control is not interrupted during the execution period from the start to the end of the driving assistance control, and to "0" if the driving assistance control is interrupted during the execution period. In the initial routine, the value of the execution flag Xexe is set to "0". The process then proceeds to step 395, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0034] If the value of the ON flag Xon is "1" when the process proceeds to step 310, the CPU determines "No" in step 310 and executes steps 330 through 345.

[0035] Step 330: The CPU clears the set vehicle speed Vset. Step 335: The CPU remembers the currently set distance Dset. The driver can set the distance Dset by operating a distance setting switch (not shown in the diagram).

[0036] Step 340: The CPU sets the value of the ON flag Xon to "0". Step 345: The CPU sets the value of the execution flag Xexe to "0". The process then proceeds to step 395, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0037] If the cruise switch 32 is not operated when the process proceeds to step 305, the CPU determines "No" in step 305. In this case, the process proceeds to step 395, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0038] <Driving support control routine> When the appropriate time arrives, the CPU starts processing from step 400 in Figure 4, and in step 403, it determines whether the value of the on flag Xon is "1". If the value of the on flag Xon is "0", the CPU determines "No" in step 403. In this case, processing proceeds to step 495, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0039] If the value of the ON flag Xon is "1", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 403. In this case, the process proceeds to step 405, where the CPU determines whether the value of the Execute flag Xexe is "1".

[0040] If the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 405. In this case, the process proceeds to step 410. In step 410, the CPU determines whether or not a preceding vehicle exists based on the image data and radar object information.

[0041] A preceding vehicle is a vehicle traveling in the same lane as vehicle VA and located within a predetermined distance in front of vehicle VA.

[0042] If there is no preceding vehicle, the CPU determines "No" in step 410 and executes steps 415 to 425. Step 415: The CPU obtains the constant speed target acceleration Gctgt to match the set vehicle speed Vset by applying the set vehicle speed Vset and vehicle speed Vs to the following equation (1). Gctgt = k1 × (Vset - Vs) ... (1) In equation (1) above, k1 is a predetermined gain (coefficient).

[0043] Step 420: The CPU controls the powertrain actuator 40 and the brake actuator 42 so that the acceleration G matches the constant-velocity target acceleration Gctgt. Step 425: The CPU determines whether the driver operated the accelerator pedal (not shown).

[0044] If the driver is not operating the accelerator pedal, the CPU determines "No" in step 425. In this case, the process proceeds to step 430. In step 430, the CPU determines whether or not the driver has operated the brake pedal (not shown).

[0045] If the driver has not operated the brake pedal, the CPU determines "No" in step 430. In this case, the process proceeds to step 435. In step 435, the CPU determines whether or not the driver has operated the cancel switch 34.

[0046] If the driver has not operated the cancel switch 34, the CPU determines "No" in step 435. In this case, the process proceeds to step 495. In step 495, the CPU terminates this routine.

[0047] If the driver operates the accelerator pedal when the process proceeds to step 425, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 425, and the process proceeds to step 440. If the driver operates the brake pedal when the process proceeds to step 430, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 430, and the process proceeds to step 440. If the driver operates the cancel switch 34 when the process proceeds to step 435, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 435, and the process proceeds to step 440. In step 440, the CPU sets the value of the execution flag Xexe to "0". After that, the process proceeds to step 495, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0048] If the value of the execution flag Xexe is "0" when the CPU proceeds to step 405, the CPU determines "No" in step 405. In this case, the process proceeds to step 445. In step 445, the CPU determines whether or not the driver operated the reset switch 36.

[0049] If the driver has not operated the reset switch 36, the CPU determines "No" in step 445. The process then proceeds to step 495, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0050] If the driver operates the reset switch 36, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 445, and the process proceeds to step 450. In step 450, the CPU sets the value of the execution flag Xexe to "1". After that, the process proceeds to step 495, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0051] If a preceding vehicle exists when the process proceeds to step 410, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 410. In this case, the process proceeds to step 455. In step 455, the CPU applies the set vehicle speed Vset, vehicle speed Vs, and the relative speed Vr of the preceding vehicle to the following equation (2) to obtain the target acceleration Gftgt to match the distance D between vehicles with the set distance Dset. Gftgt=ka1×(k2×(D-Dset)+k3×Vr) ···(2) In equation (2) above, ka1, k2, and k3 are predetermined gains (coefficients). The process then proceeds to step 420. In step 420, the CPU controls the powertrain actuator 40 and the brake actuator 42 so that the acceleration G matches the target acceleration Gftgt.

[0052] <Display control routine> When the appropriate time arrives, the CPU starts processing from step 500 in Figure 5, and in step 505, it determines whether the value of the ON flag Xon is "1".

[0053] If the value of the ON flag Xon is "0", the CPU determines "No" in step 505, and the process proceeds to step 510. In step 510, the CPU determines whether or not vehicle VA is traveling on a highway. For example, the CPU determines that vehicle VA is traveling on a highway during the period from the detection of a highway entrance based on camera images to the detection of a highway exit based on camera images. As another example, the CPU refers to map data and determines that vehicle VA is traveling on a highway if the type of road at the current location identified by the GNSS receiver 26a is a highway. As yet another example, the CPU may determine whether or not vehicle VA is traveling on a highway based on the communication history of an ETC card (not shown).

[0054] If vehicle VA is not traveling on a highway, the CPU determines "No" in step 510 and executes steps 515 and 520.

[0055] Step 515: The CPU sets the display area for displaying the cruise status indicator light 54 to the first area 58. Step 520: The CPU determines whether the value of the ON flag Xon is "1".

[0056] If the value of the ON flag Xon is "0", the CPU determines "No" in step 520, and the process proceeds to step 525. In step 525, the CPU does not display the cruise status indicator light 54. The process then proceeds to step 595, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0057] If the value of the ON flag Xon is "1", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 520, and the process proceeds to step 530. In step 530, the CPU determines whether the value of the Execute flag Xexe is "0".

[0058] If the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1", the CPU determines "No" in step 530, and the process proceeds to step 535. In step 535, the CPU displays the green cruise status indicator light 54 in the display area. After that, the process proceeds to step 595, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0059] On the other hand, if the value of the execution flag Xexe is "0", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 530, and the process proceeds to step 540. In step 540, the CPU displays a white cruise status indicator light 54 in the display area. After that, the process proceeds to step 595, and the CPU terminates this routine.

[0060] If the value of the ON flag Xon is "1" when the process proceeds to step 505, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 505 and the process proceeds to step 545. If the vehicle VA is traveling on a highway when the process proceeds to step 510, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 510 and the process proceeds to step 545. In step 545, the CPU sets the above display area to the second area 60. After that, the process proceeds to step 520.

[0061] According to the present invention, when at least one of the first and second conditions is met, the display area for displaying the cruise status indicator light 54 is set to the second area 60. This reduces the possibility that the driver may find the cruise status indicator light 54 bothersome, while increasing the possibility that the driver may easily see the cruise status indicator light 54.

[0062] <Variation> In the above embodiment, if the value of the on-flag Xon is "0", the CPU does not display the cruise status indicator light 54 (step 525), but the cruise status indicator light 54 may be displayed in a different manner than when the value of the on-flag Xon is "1". That is, it is sufficient that the manner of the cruise status indicator light 54 differs depending on whether the value of the on-flag Xon is "1" or "0".

[0063] In the above embodiment, the CPU displays a green cruise status indicator light 54 when the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1" when the value of the on flag Xon is "1", and displays a white cruise status indicator light 54 when the value of the execution flag Xexe is "0", but is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the appearance of the cruise status indicator light 54 differs depending on whether the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1" or "0" when the value of the on flag Xon is "1".

[0064] Note that the configuration in which the behavior of the cruise status indicator light 54 differs depending on whether the execution flag Xexe is "1" or "0" is not a mandatory configuration for this device 10. The behavior of the cruise status indicator light 54 may be the same whether the execution flag Xexe is "1" or "0".

[0065] The display device 44 does not need to be located on the instrument panel; it only needs to be located in a position visible to the driver. For example, the display device 44 may be a head-up display.

[0066] This device 10 is applicable to vehicles such as engine-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and electric vehicles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 10...Vehicle display control device, 20...ECU, 32...Cruise switch, 40...Powertrain actuator, 42...Brake actuator, 44...Display device, 54...Cruise status indicator light.

Claims

1. A control unit capable of performing driving support control to drive the vehicle so that the vehicle speed, which represents the speed of the vehicle, matches a preset set vehicle speed, or so that the vehicle follows a preceding vehicle, The system includes a display device that displays status display elements related to the execution status of the aforementioned driving support control in a preset display area, The control unit is If neither the first condition, that the aforementioned driving assistance control is being performed, nor the second condition, that the vehicle is traveling on a highway, is met, the display area is set to the first area. The system is configured to set the display area to the second area if at least one of the first and second conditions is met. The second area is set in a position that offers better visibility to the driver than the first area. Vehicle display control device.

2. In the vehicle display control device according to Claim 1, The aforementioned display device is a meter display that shows a tachometer, The first region is the region outside the tachometer, and the second region is the region inside the tachometer. Vehicle display control device.

3. In the vehicle display control device according to Claim 1, The control unit is In the aforementioned driving support control, when following the preceding vehicle, the vehicle is driven such that the distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle matches a preset distance. The setting display elements related to the set vehicle speed and the set distance are displayed in the second area. A vehicle display control device configured as follows.

4. In the vehicle display control device according to Claim 1, The control unit is The configuration is such that the appearance of the status indicator element differs depending on whether the first condition is met or not. Vehicle display control device.

5. A vehicle display control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, The control unit is If a predetermined interruption condition is met during the execution of the aforementioned driving support control, the driving support control will be interrupted from the time the interruption condition is met until a predetermined restart condition is met. The configuration is such that the appearance of the status display element differs depending on whether the driving support control is interrupted or not while the driving support control is being executed. Vehicle display control device.

6. In the vehicle display control device according to Claim 1, The control unit is configured to execute the driving assistance control during the period between when a predetermined switch is operated and when the switch is operated again, if the driving assistance control is not being executed. Vehicle display control device.

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