Vehicle display control device, vehicle display device, display control method, and display control program

Abstract

To provide a vehicle display control device, a vehicle display device, a display control method and a display control program which can suppress an occupant from feeling troublesome.SOLUTION: A vehicle display control device causes an image to be displayed on a display area 26A that overlaps with a part of a foreground of a vehicle. The vehicle display control device detects a position of a preceding vehicle 60 that is travelling in front of the vehicle and detects based on the position of the preceding vehicle 60 whether or not the preceding vehicle 60 totally gets out of the display area 26A. The vehicle display control device causes a captured image 80 to be displayed on the display area 26A according to the position of the preceding vehicle 60 overlapping with the preceding vehicle 60 or adjacent to the preceding vehicle, and also causes the captured image 80 to be flashingly displayed at an end part of the side where the preceding vehicle 60 totally gets out on the display area 26A when the preceding vehicle 60 is detected to totally get out of the display area 26A, but does not cause the capture image 80 to be flashingly displayed when at least a part of the preceding vehicle 60 exists within the display area 26A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which a head-up display device superimposes and displays a marker image or the like on a foreground viewed through a windshield glass by a vehicle occupant. In Patent Literature 1, a marker image indicating that a preceding vehicle is being tracked is displayed in alignment with the preceding vehicle, and as the preceding vehicle moves outward from the vehicle width direction side end of the display area of the head-up display device, the marker image is displayed with a changed time frequency. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent No. 6536855 [Summary of Invention] [Problem to be Solved by Invention]

[0004] However, in the technique described in the above Patent Literature 1, the marker image blinks when the preceding vehicle deviates even slightly outward from the display area, which may cause discomfort to the occupant.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle display control device, a vehicle display device, a display control method, and a display control program that can suppress causing discomfort to the occupant. [Means for Solving Problem]

[0006] A vehicle display control device according to the first embodiment is a vehicle display control device that controls a display device that displays a capture image corresponding to the position of a preceding vehicle in a display area that overlaps with a part of the foreground from the vehicle, wherein when the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, the capture image is made to blink, and the blinking speed of the blinking display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area.

[0007] In the first embodiment, the capture image is flashed when the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, thus minimizing annoyance to the occupants. Furthermore, the flashing speed of the display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area, allowing the occupants to visually grasp the distance from the display area to the preceding vehicle through flashing displays with varying flashing speeds.

[0008] In the second embodiment, the vehicle display control device, in the first embodiment, gradually increases the flashing speed as the preceding vehicle moves away from the display area.

[0009] In the second embodiment, the flashing speed is increased in stages, so that errors in calculating the distance from the display area to the preceding vehicle can be corrected and displayed.

[0010] In the third embodiment, the vehicle display control device is such that, in the first embodiment, the display area is a projection surface projected by a head-up display device in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0011] In the third embodiment, since the display area is a projection surface projected by a head-up display device in front of the driver's seat, the captured image is displayed superimposed on the foreground from the driver's seat, allowing the driver to see the position of the preceding vehicle without moving their eyes significantly.

[0012] The vehicle display device according to the fourth embodiment comprises a display unit having the display area and provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a vehicle display control device according to any of the first to third embodiments.

[0013] In the fourth embodiment, the vehicle display device comprises a display unit having a display area and provided inside the vehicle's cabin, and a vehicle display control device. Since this vehicle display control device is the vehicle display control device described in any of the first to third embodiments, the above-mentioned functions and effects are obtained.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the display control method is a display control method in which a computer performs a process to display a captured image corresponding to the position of a preceding vehicle in a display area that overlaps with a part of the foreground from the vehicle, wherein when the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, the captured image is made to blink, and the blinking speed of the blinking display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area.

[0015] In the fifth embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the capture image is flashed when the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, thereby minimizing annoyance to the occupants. Furthermore, the flashing speed of the flashing display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area, allowing the occupants to visually grasp the distance from the display area to the preceding vehicle through flashing displays with varying flashing speeds.

[0016] A display control program according to the sixth embodiment is a display control program that displays a captured image corresponding to the position of a preceding vehicle in a display area that overlaps with a part of the foreground from the vehicle, and causes a computer to perform a process in which, when the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, the captured image is made to blink, and the blinking speed of the blinking display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area.

[0017] In the sixth embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the capture image is flashed when the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, thereby minimizing annoyance to the occupants. Furthermore, the flashing speed of the flashing display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area, allowing the occupants to visually grasp the distance from the display area to the preceding vehicle through flashing displays with varying flashing speeds. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, the vehicle display control device, vehicle display device, display control method, and display control program according to the present invention have an excellent effect that they can suppress making an occupant feel annoyed, and allow the occupant to visually grasp the distance from the display area to a preceding vehicle by means of blinking display with different blinking speeds. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a front portion of a vehicle compartment of a vehicle to which the vehicle display device according to the present embodiment is applied, as viewed from a vehicle rear side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the vehicle display device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the vehicle display device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an example view showing an example of a captured image acquired by a front camera. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of windshield glass visually recognized by an occupant in a driver's seat. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of windshield glass visually recognized by an occupant in a driver's seat. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of display processing in the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a vehicle display device according to a modified example of the present embodiment. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] A vehicle 12 to which a vehicle display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. The arrow UP shown in FIG. 1 indicates an upper side in a vehicle vertical direction, and the arrow RH indicates a right side in a vehicle width direction. In the following description, the vertical direction and the left-right direction mean the vertical direction in the vehicle vertical direction and the left-right direction in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, an instrument panel 14 is provided in the front part of the passenger compartment 13 of the vehicle 12. The instrument panel 14 extends in the vehicle width direction, and a steering wheel 16 is provided on the right side of the instrument panel 14. In other words, in this embodiment, as an example, the steering wheel 16 is provided on the right side, making it a so-called right-hand drive vehicle, and the driver's seat is set on the right side of the vehicle. A windshield glass 18 is also provided at the front end of the instrument panel 14.

[0022] The windshield glass 18 extends upward from the front end of the instrument panel 14, separating the exterior of the vehicle 12 from the interior of the vehicle 13. The right-side end of the windshield glass 18 is fixed to the right-side front pillar 20. The front pillar 20 extends vertically, and the windshield glass 18 is fixed to the inner end of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the front side glass 22 is fixed to the outer end of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. The left-side end of the windshield glass 18 is fixed to the left-side front pillar (not shown).

[0023] 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 composed of a meter display located on the right side of the vehicle of the instrument panel 14, in front of the driver's seat. The first display unit 24 is connected to various meter devices mounted on the vehicle 12 and is positioned within the driver's field of vision when the driver is looking forward.

[0024] The instrument panel 14 is provided with a second display unit 25 having an image display area 25A. The second display unit 25 is composed of a center display located in the center of the instrument panel 14 in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] 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 on the vehicle's upper side of the first display unit 24, and the display area 26A is composed of a projection surface projected by a head-up display device 44 (see Figure 2). Specifically, the head-up display device 44 is provided on the vehicle's front side of the instrument panel 14, and the head-up display device 44 is configured to project an image 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 a part of the windshield glass 18 that serves as the projection surface for the head-up display device 44.

[0026] (Hardware configuration of the vehicle display device 10) The vehicle 12 is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 28, which is a vehicle display control device that controls the vehicle display device 10. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle display device 10.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the ECU 28 of the vehicle display device 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 30, ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, RAM (Random Access Memory) 34, storage 36, a communication interface (communication I / F) 38, and an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 40. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 42 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0028] The CPU 30 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 30 reads programs from the ROM 32 or storage 36 and executes them using the RAM 34 as a working area. The CPU 30 controls each of the above components and performs various calculations according to the programs recorded in the ROM 32 or storage 36.

[0029] ROM32 stores various programs and data. RAM34 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage36 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data. In this embodiment, ROM32 or storage36 stores programs for display processing, and various data.

[0030] Communication I / F38 is an interface for the vehicle display device 10 to communicate with servers and other devices (not shown), and standards such as Ethernet®, LTE, FDDI, and Wi-Fi® are used.

[0031] The input / output interface 40 is connected to the first display unit 24, the second display unit 25, the head-up display device (HUD) 44, and the sensor unit 46. The head-up display device 44 also projects an image onto the third display unit 26.

[0032] The sensor unit 46 includes multiple sensors from among various types of sensors, such as a camera, radar, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), and GPS (global positioning system) sensor. The camera captures images of the area around the vehicle 12. The camera in this embodiment is configured to include at least a front camera that captures images of the area in front of the vehicle.

[0033] 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. The GPS sensor detects the current position of the vehicle 12. In this embodiment, the radar and lidar are equipped with a signal processing unit (not shown) that has the function of processing the detection results of surrounding objects. Based on the relative position and relative speed changes of individual objects included in the most recent multiple detection results, the signal processing unit excludes roadside objects such as guardrails as noise or stationary objects, and tracks and monitors moving objects such as pedestrians and other vehicles. In addition, the sensor unit 46 is configured to include a sensor that detects the occupant's line of sight position, among other things.

[0034] (Functional configuration of the vehicle display control device 28) The vehicle display control device 28 implements various functions using the above-mentioned hardware resources. The functional configuration implemented by the vehicle display control device 28 will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle display control device 28 is configured as follows: a preceding vehicle detection unit 52, an omission detection unit 54, an image generation unit 56, and a display control unit 58. Each of these functional configurations is realized by the CPU 30 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 32 or storage 36.

[0036] The preceding vehicle detection unit 52 acquires information regarding the position of the preceding vehicle 60 traveling in front of the vehicle 12. Specifically, the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 acquires information about the preceding vehicle 60 detected by the sensor unit 46. For example, the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 acquires image data of the area in front of the vehicle captured by the front camera, and based on the acquired image data of the preceding vehicle 60, it detects the yz coordinate data of the preceding vehicle 60. Here, the y direction is the left-right direction of the vehicle 12, and the z direction is the up-down direction of the vehicle 12. The x direction is the front-rear direction of the vehicle 12.

[0037] Figure 4 is an example diagram showing an example of an image 70, which is an image of the area in front of the vehicle captured by the front camera. As shown in Figure 4, the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 sets the coordinate axes in the image 70 with the horizontal direction as the y-axis and the vertical direction as the z-axis. In this embodiment, the front camera is installed in the center of the vehicle width direction on the interior side of the front of the vehicle 12, and in this embodiment, the center of the image 70 is taken as the origin.

[0038] The preceding vehicle detection unit 52 detects the preceding vehicle 60 located in front of the vehicle 12 by analyzing the captured image 70, and detects the position and shape of the preceding vehicle 60 relative to the vehicle 12. For example, in Figure 4, the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 detects the preceding vehicle 60 from the captured image 70, sets a rectangular outer frame 60A (shown as a dashed line in Figure 4) surrounding the preceding vehicle 60, and detects the width S in the y-axis direction and the height H in the z-axis direction of the outer frame 60A as size information of the preceding vehicle 60.

[0039] Furthermore, the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 detects, as an example, the coordinates of the preceding vehicle 60 as follows: FL1(y1,z1), which is the coordinate of the lower left vertex of the outer frame 60A; FR1(y2,z2), which is the coordinate of the lower right vertex of the outer frame 60A; FL2(y3,z3), which is the coordinate of the upper left vertex of the outer frame 60A; and FR2(y4,z4), which is the coordinate of the upper right vertex of the outer frame 60A.

[0040] The deviance detection unit 54 detects whether the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A of the third display unit 26, based on the position of the preceding vehicle 60. Specifically, as an example, the deviance detection unit 54 pre-sets position coordinates corresponding to the display area 26A. Then, it determines whether the four coordinate data indicating the position of the preceding vehicle 60 detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit 52, namely FL1(y1,z1), FR1(y2,z2), FL2(y3,z3), and FR2(y4,z4), are inside or outside the display area 26A. If they are outside, the deviance detection unit 54 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A of the third display unit 26.

[0041] The image generation unit 56 generates an image to be displayed on the third display unit 26, which is the projection surface of the head-up display device 44. Figures 5 and 6 show examples of the windshield glass 18 as seen by the occupant in the driver's seat. In Figures 5 and 6, the windshield glass 18 is shown as a rectangle, but in reality it is not a strict rectangle.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the images generated by the image generation unit 56 include, for example, a meter image 82 showing the meter display indicating the vehicle's speed, and various images intended to support manual and automated driving.

[0043] In this embodiment, in particular, when the deviation detection unit 54 determines that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A of the third display unit 26, the image generation unit 56 generates a first capture image 80A and a second capture image 80B as capture images 80 showing the captured preceding vehicle 60. In this embodiment, as an example, the first capture image 80A and the second capture image 80B are configured with similar shapes, and the first capture image 80A is configured with more emphasized color and brightness than the second capture image 80B. In this embodiment, as an example, the capture image 80 is configured with a double arrow as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0044] Furthermore, if multiple preceding vehicles 60 are detected, the image generation unit 56 generates a capture image 80 for each detected preceding vehicle 60. In this case, for example, the color of the first capture image 80A is set to a different color for each preceding vehicle 60. Note that the generation of the capture images 80 by the image generation unit 56 is performed in advance and stored in the storage 36, for example.

[0045] The display control unit 58 has the function of displaying the image generated by the image generation unit 56 in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26, and the function of deleting the image displayed in the display area 26A.

[0046] The display control unit 58 displays various images in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 so as to blend them with the foreground of the vehicle 12 as seen by the driver through the third display unit 26 (windshield glass 18). In this embodiment in particular, the display control unit 58 displays a capture image 80 corresponding to the position of the preceding vehicle 60 superimposed on or adjacent to the preceding vehicle 60 in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26, and when the departure detection unit 54 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A, the capture image 80 is flashed at the end of the display area 26A on the side where the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out. In this embodiment, as an example, the display control unit 58 displays the capture image 80 adjacent to the lower end of the preceding vehicle 60.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, when the deviation detection unit 54 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved away from the left edge of the display area 26A, the display control unit 58 displays the capture image 80 at the left edge of the display area 26A. Specifically, the first capture image 80A and the second capture image 80B are displayed alternately at regular intervals. At this time, the display control unit 58 reduces or enlarges the capture image 80, i.e., the first capture image 80A and the second capture image 80B, so that the width of the double arrow in the capture image 80 corresponds to the width S detected as size information by the preceding vehicle detection unit 52. Also, as an example, the display control unit 58 rotates the capture image 80, i.e., the first capture image 80A and the second capture image 80B, so that the inclination of the double arrow matches the inclination of the lower edge line of the outer frame 60A shown in Figure 4.

[0048] Similarly, when the detour detection unit 54 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved away from the right edge of the display area 26A, the display control unit 58 displays the capture image 80 at the right edge of the display area 26A, and when it detects that the vehicle has moved away from the upper edge, it displays the capture image 80 at the upper edge of the display area 26A.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the display control unit 58 displays the first capture image 80A according to the position of the preceding vehicle 60, so that the capture image is illuminated rather than blinking, when the entire preceding vehicle 60 is not outside the display area 26A, that is, when only a part of the preceding vehicle 60 is outside the display area 26A, or when the entire preceding vehicle 60 is located within the display area 26A.

[0050] In this embodiment, as an example, when the deviation detection unit 54 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A, the display control unit 58 will flash the captured image 80 after a certain period of time has elapsed since this detection. Also, when the deviation detection unit 54 detects that at least a part of the preceding vehicle 60 has moved back in from outside to inside the display area 26A, the display control unit 58 will display the captured image 80 in a non-flashing, steady state after a certain period of time has elapsed since this detection.

[0051] (action) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0052] (Display processing) An example of a display process for displaying a captured image 80 on the third display unit 26, which is the projection surface of the head-up display device 44, will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 7. This display process is performed by the CPU 30 reading a display control program from the ROM 32 or storage 36, loading it into the RAM 34, and executing it.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, the CPU 30 determines whether or not a preceding vehicle 60 was detected in step S11. Specifically, the CPU 30 determines, using the function of the preceding vehicle detection unit 52, whether or not a preceding vehicle 60 is present in the captured image 70 captured by the front camera included in the sensor unit 46.

[0054] If the preceding vehicle 60 is not detected, step S11 results in a negative determination, and the CPU 30 terminates the display control process. On the other hand, if the preceding vehicle 60 is detected, step S11 results in a positive determination, and the CPU 30 proceeds to step S12.

[0055] In step S12, the CPU 30 detects the position of the preceding vehicle 60. Specifically, the CPU 30 acquires information about the preceding vehicle 60 detected by the sensor unit 46 using the function of the preceding vehicle detection unit 52, and based on this information, as described above, detects the coordinates of the preceding vehicle 60 as coordinate data: FR1(y2,z2), which is the coordinate of the lower right vertex of the outer frame 60A of the preceding vehicle 60; FL2(y3,z3), which is the coordinate of the upper left vertex of the outer frame 60A; and FR2(y4,z4), which is the coordinate of the upper right vertex of the outer frame 60A.

[0056] In step S13, the CPU 30 determines whether the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A. Specifically, the CPU 30 uses the function of the deviation detection unit 54 to determine whether the above coordinate data, namely FL1(y1,z1), FR1(y2,z2), FL2(y3,z3), and FR2(y4,z4), are inside or outside the display area 26A in the captured image 70. If they are outside, the CPU 30 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A, so step S13 becomes a positive determination, and the CPU 30 proceeds to step S14.

[0057] In step S14, the CPU 30 determines whether a certain amount of time has elapsed, based on a timer (not shown) installed in the vehicle display control device 28. If the required time has not elapsed, step S14 results in a negative determination, and the CPU 30 repeats the process in step S14 until the required time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the required time has elapsed, step S14 results in an positive determination, and the CPU 30 proceeds to step S15.

[0058] In step S15, the CPU 30 causes the captured image 80 to blink. Specifically, the CPU 30 causes the first captured image 80A and the second captured image 80B, generated by the function of the image generation unit 56, to alternately display in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 by the function of the display control unit 58, thereby causing the captured image 80 to blink at the end of the display area 26A where the entire preceding vehicle 60 has left the scene (see Figure 5).

[0059] On the other hand, in step S13, if at least one coordinate data is inside the display area 26A in the captured image 70, the CPU 30 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 is not outside the display area 26A, that is, at least a part of the preceding vehicle 60 is located in the display area 26A. Therefore, step S13 is deemed negative, and the CPU 30 proceeds to step S16.

[0060] In step S16, the CPU 30 uses the function of the deviation detection unit 54 to determine whether the preceding vehicle 60 has returned from the outside to the inside. If the preceding vehicle 60 has not returned from the outside to the inside, the preceding vehicle 60 remains inside the display area 26A, so step S16 results in a negative determination, and the CPU 30 proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if the vehicle has returned from the outside to the inside of the display area 26A, step S16 results in a positive determination, and the CPU 30 proceeds to step S17.

[0061] In step S17, the CPU 30 determines whether a certain amount of time has elapsed, as determined by a timer (not shown) installed in the vehicle display control device 28. If the required time has not elapsed, step S17 results in a negative determination, and the CPU 30 repeats the process in step S17 until the required time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the required time has elapsed, step S17 results in a positive determination, and the CPU 30 proceeds to step S18.

[0062] In step S18, the CPU 30 displays the captured image 80 adjacent to the preceding vehicle 60 in a non-flashing illuminated state. Specifically, the CPU 30 displays the first captured image 80A, generated by the function of the image generation unit 56, in the display area 26A of the third display unit 26 using the function of the display control unit 58, thereby displaying the captured image 80 adjacent to the lower end of the preceding vehicle 60 in a non-flashing illuminated state (see Figure 6).

[0063] Then, the CPU 30 continues processing in step S15 or step S18 and moves to step S11, where the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 determines whether or not the currently detected preceding vehicle 60 has been detected. If the preceding vehicle 60 has been detected, step S11 results in a positive determination, and the CPU 30 continues processing from step S12 onward. On the other hand, if the preceding vehicle 60 has not been detected, step S11 results in a negative determination, and the CPU 30 terminates the display control processing.

[0064] As described above, in the vehicle display device 10 and vehicle display control device 28 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 58 displays a captured image 80 corresponding to the position of the preceding vehicle 60 superimposed on or adjacent to the preceding vehicle 60 in the display area, and when the deviation detection unit 54 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A, the captured image 80 is flashed at the end of the display area 26A on the side where the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out. As a result, the captured image 80 is flashed when it is detected that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A, and the captured image 80 is not flashed when only a part of the preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A, thereby suppressing any inconvenience caused to the occupants.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the display control unit 58 detects that the entire preceding vehicle 60 has moved out of the display area 26A, it flashes the captured image 80 after a certain period of time has elapsed since the detection. By allowing a certain period of time to elapse since the detection, it is possible to prevent hunting that occurs when the preceding vehicle 60 moves from inside to outside the display area 26A.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the display control unit 58 detects that at least a portion of the preceding vehicle 60 has moved from outside to inside the display area 26A, it displays the captured image 80 in a non-flashing state after a certain period of time has elapsed since the detection. By allowing a certain period of time to elapse since the detection, it is possible to prevent hunting that occurs when the preceding vehicle 60 switches back from outside to inside the display area 26A.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the display area 26A is a projection surface projected by the head-up display device 44 in front of the driver's seat, the captured image 80 is displayed superimposed on the foreground from the driver's seat, allowing the driver to see the position of the preceding vehicle 60 without having to move their eyes significantly.

[0068] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, when the captured image 80 was displayed with blinking, the display control unit 58 alternately displayed the first captured image 80A and the second captured image 80B at regular intervals. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0069] (First variation) In the first modified example, the display control unit 58 increases the flashing speed of the flashing display as the preceding vehicle 60 moves away from the display area 26A. Specifically, the display control unit 58 makes the timing of switching between the first captured image 80A and the second captured image 80B different. As an example, the detour detection unit 54 acquires the coordinates of the position of the vehicle 12 detected by the GPS sensor of the sensor unit 46. The detour detection unit 54 also acquires the coordinates of the position of the preceding vehicle 60 in the y direction (left-right direction) and z direction (up-down direction) detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit 52, and acquires information on the size of the preceding vehicle 60 detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit 52 to derive the displacement amount in the x direction (front-back direction).

[0070] The deviance detection unit 54 calculates the distances in the x, y, and z directions from vehicle 12 to the preceding vehicle 60 from this information. The display control unit 58 determines that the greater the distance calculated by the deviance detection unit 54, the further the preceding vehicle 60 is from the display area 26A, and increases the flashing speed of the flashing display by increasing the switching speed between the display of the first captured image 80A and the second captured image 80B.

[0071] In this modified example 1, the display control unit 58 increases the flashing speed of the flashing display as the preceding vehicle 60 moves away from the display area 26A, so that the occupants can visually grasp the distance from the display area 26A to the preceding vehicle 60 by the flashing display with different flashing speeds.

[0072] In the above modified example 1, the displacement in the x-direction was calculated based on the size information of the preceding vehicle 60 obtained from the captured image 70, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be calculated based on the distance between the vehicle 12 and the preceding vehicle 60 detected by the radar or lidar of the sensor unit 46.

[0073] (Second variation) In the second modification, for example, a certain threshold is set in the first modification, divided into three stages with respect to distance, and the distance calculated by the deviation detection unit 54 is compared with the above three threshold stages. Based on this comparison result, the display control unit 58 changes the flashing speed in three stages.

[0074] In this second modified example, the display control unit 58 gradually increases the blinking speed, so that errors in calculating the distance from the display area 26A to the preceding vehicle 60 can be corrected and displayed.

[0075] [supplementary explanation] In the above embodiment, the case in which the display area showing the vehicle's foreground is composed of the projection surface of the head-up display device 44 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in the modified example in Figure 8, the captured image 80 may be displayed in the display area of ​​the second display unit 25, which is a display provided on the instrument panel 14.

[0076] As shown in Figure 8, in this modified example, the display area 25A of the second display unit 25 is divided vertically. In the second display unit 25 shown in Figure 8, a map image N showing the current position of the vehicle 12 is displayed in the lower part of the display area, and a foreground image F showing the foreground of the vehicle is displayed in the upper part of the display area. The foreground image F is composed of, for example, an image captured by a front camera that constitutes the sensor unit 46. Unlike the above embodiment, in modified example 2, when the preceding vehicle 60 moves out of the display area 25A, that is, when the preceding vehicle 60 is no longer present in the image captured 70, the captured image is flashed at the end of the display area 25A on the side where the preceding vehicle 60 moved out.

[0077] As described above, in this modified example, the captured image 80 is displayed on the second display unit 25 provided on the instrument panel 14, and when the preceding vehicle 60 moves out of the display area 25A, the captured image flashes at the end of the display area 25A on the side where the preceding vehicle 60 moved out. This makes it possible to suppress the annoyance of flashing displays for occupants who view the second display unit 25, regardless of their seating position, similar to the above embodiment.

[0078] Similarly, in the instrument panel 14, the capture image 80 may be displayed in the display area 24A of the first display unit 24, which is a meter display located in front of the driver's seat. Since the first display unit 24 is located in front of the driver's seat, the occupant in the driver's seat can view the first display unit 24 with little to no movement of their gaze from the front of the vehicle.

[0079] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which one capture image 80 is displayed in the display area, the present invention is not limited thereto. If multiple preceding vehicles 60 are detected, the display area may be configured to display multiple capture images 80. Also, the capture image 80 is not limited to a double-headed arrow shape, but can be changed to various shapes. For example, it may be a straight line shape composed of a solid line or a dotted line, or it may be a circle shape, etc.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the outer frame 60A of the preceding vehicle 60 was set in the captured image 70, and the position coordinates of each vertex of this outer frame 60A were detected as the position coordinates of the preceding vehicle 60. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the outer shape of the preceding vehicle 60 may be extracted, and the position coordinates of the point located furthest outward in the up, down, left, and right directions may be detected.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the captured image 80 was displayed adjacent to the lower end of the preceding vehicle 60, but the captured image 80 may also be displayed adjacent to the upper end, left end, or right end of the preceding vehicle 60. Alternatively, the captured image 80 may be displayed superimposed on the preceding vehicle 60.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the display control unit 58 displays the first captured image 80A and the second captured image 80B alternately as a method for flashing the captured image 80, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display and hiding of the first captured image 80A may be alternately performed.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processes that the CPU 22 shown in Figure 2 reads and executes software (programs) may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processes, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). In addition, each process may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0084] Furthermore, each program described in this embodiment may be provided in the form of being recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the programs may be provided in the form of being downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0085] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 10 Vehicle display devices 12 vehicles 13 Cabin 14. Instrument Panel 24 First display section (display section) 24A display area 25 Second display section (display section) 25A display area 26 Third display section (display section) 26A Display area (projection surface) 28. Vehicle Display Control Unit (ECU) 44. Head-Up Display (HUD) 52 Preceding Vehicle Detection Unit 54 Detachment detection unit 58 Display Control Unit 60 Leading vehicle 80 Captured Images 80A First Capture Image (Capture Image) 80B Second Capture Image (Capture Image)

Claims

1. A vehicle display control device that controls a display device that displays a captured image corresponding to the position of a preceding vehicle in a display area that overlaps with a part of the foreground from the vehicle's perspective, When the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, the capture image is made to flash, and the flashing speed of the flashing display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area. Vehicle display control device.

2. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, wherein the flashing speed is gradually increased as the preceding vehicle moves away from the display area.

3. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display area is a projection surface projected by a head-up display device in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle.

4. A display unit having the display area is provided inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, A vehicle display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A vehicle display device equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

5. A display control method in which a computer performs a process to display an image corresponding to the position of a preceding vehicle in a display area that overlaps with a portion of the foreground from the vehicle's perspective, When the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, the capture image is made to flash, and the flashing speed of the flashing display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area. Display control method.

6. A display control program that displays a captured image corresponding to the position of the preceding vehicle in a display area that overlaps with a portion of the foreground from the vehicle's perspective, On the computer, When the entire preceding vehicle moves out of the display area, the capture image is made to flash, and the flashing speed of the flashing display is increased as the preceding vehicle moves further away from the display area. A display control program for executing a process.

Images