Information display method, information display device, and program for vehicle

Abstract

The coordinates of an intersection at which a vehicle should turn right or left according to route guidance for a vehicle are obtained, and an arrow icon (24) which is a virtual object is superimposed and displayed, via an AR-HUD (1) of the vehicle, on the intersection viewed through a windshield (2). The closer the vehicle is to the intersection, the lower the position at which the arrow icon (24) is displayed is in a display region (21). When the distance between the intersection and the subsequent intersection is long, for example, on a highway, the lower-limit position of the arrow icon (24) is restricted to the inside of an upper region (21A). When the distance between the intersection and the subsequent intersection is short, for example, in an urban area, the arrow icon (24) is allowed to overlap a lower region (21B), and the arrow icon (24) is displayed such that the position of the arrow icon (24) more correctly corresponds to the actual position of the intersection.

Description

Vehicle information display method, device, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to an information display for a vehicle that uses an AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display) to display a virtual image above an intersection where a driver should turn right or left.

[0002] In recent years, HUDs (head-up displays), which project and display various information necessary while driving a vehicle onto the windshield in front of the driver's seat, have become increasingly popular. Furthermore, AR-HUDs (augmented reality head-up displays) are known as a more advanced version of HUD technology. AR-HUDs can superimpose virtual information made up of virtual images onto real information visible through the windshield, reducing the need for the driver to move their viewpoint or focus as much as conventional HUDs, which display information on the glass surface of the windshield.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for displaying guidance information from a car navigation system via an AR-HUD. For example, it describes displaying multiple arrows arranged in a roughly L-shape superimposed on the actual view of an intersection where a driver should turn right or left.

[0004] When a virtual object, i.e., a virtual image, is displayed by the AR-HUD, the driver perceives the distance to the object based on the downward angle, which is the angle downward relative to the horizontal plane. Meanwhile, with regard to a real intersection, the driver sitting in the driver's seat looks down at the intersection, and the driver's downward angle relative to the real intersection increases as the vehicle approaches the intersection.

[0005] Therefore, the appropriate display position of the virtual image indicating that the intersection is one where a right or left turn should be made becomes lower as the vehicle approaches the intersection.

[0006] The information that can be displayed in front of the driver's field of vision by the AR-HUD is limited by international regulations (UN R125-02), and only specific information permitted by law, including driving direction guidance, can be displayed in the upper area above the boundary line stipulated by the regulations. Therefore, other information, such as speed information and information related to ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), is displayed in the lower area below the boundary line.

[0007] Therefore, when a virtual image for guiding the vehicle's direction of travel is displayed at a position corresponding to the intersection within the display area of ​​the AR-HUD as the vehicle approaches an intersection, it overlaps with other information displayed in the lower area, making them difficult to see. On the other hand, if the position of the virtual image for guiding the vehicle's direction of travel is limited above the boundary line to avoid this overlap, the virtual image will be displayed above the actual intersection (i.e., at a relatively far position in the 3D space). As a result, the display of the virtual image will be shifted from the intersection where the vehicle should actually turn, which can easily lead to misinterpretation by the driver, for example, when there are multiple roads where the vehicle can turn right or left.

[0008] Patent No. 7088151

[0009] This invention is an information display method for a vehicle, which acquires the coordinates of an intersection where a right or left turn should be made using vehicle route guidance, and displays a virtual image for guiding the driver's direction of travel at the location of the intersection where the turn should be made, superimposed on the view ahead seen through the windshield via the vehicle's AR-HUD, wherein the display area of ​​the AR-HUD is divided into an upper area in which specific information permitted by law, including directional guidance, can be displayed, and a lower area in which information other than the specific information is displayed; the distance between the intersections located before and after the intersection is determined; and when this distance is large, the lower limit position of the virtual image for guiding the driver's direction of travel corresponding to the location of the intersection where the turn should be made is limited to within the upper area; and when the distance is small, the virtual image for guiding the driver's direction of travel corresponding to the location of the intersection where the turn should be made is allowed to overlap the lower area.

[0010] When the distance between adjacent intersections is large, there is little risk of misidentifying the route to take when turning right or left, so by limiting the virtual image for guiding the direction of travel to the upper area, it does not overlap with the display of information other than the specific information, making it easier to see each information.When the distance between adjacent intersections is small, the virtual image for guiding the direction of travel is displayed in the lower area, so that the virtual image for guiding the direction of travel is displayed at a downward angle that correctly corresponds to the position of the intersection where you should turn right or left, making it less likely that you will misidentify the intersection.

[0011] 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of an information display device according to one embodiment; an explanatory diagram of the view seen through the windshield when an intersection is far away; an explanatory diagram of the view seen through the windshield when an intersection is close by; an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the distance to the intersection and the look-down angle; an explanatory diagram of the display by the AR-HUD when the intersection is far away; an explanatory diagram of the display by the AR-HUD when the vehicle approaches the intersection and the virtual image for guiding the traveling direction reaches the lower limit of the upper area; an explanatory diagram of the display by the AR-HUD when the virtual image for guiding the traveling direction overlaps the lower area; a flowchart showing the processing flow of one embodiment; an explanatory diagram of (a) fixed information display, (b) mask area, and (c) virtual image for guiding the traveling direction of a second embodiment; and an explanatory diagram of the final AR-HUD display of the second embodiment.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an information display device for a vehicle according to one embodiment. The vehicle according to this embodiment is a typical automobile equipped with an AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display) 1 in front of the driver's seat. This AR-HUD 1 displays virtual objects, i.e., virtual information, superimposed on real information visible through a windshield 2. In the present invention, any format may be used; for example, a projector may be provided below the windshield 2, and light reflected by the surface of the windshield 2 and reaching the driver's eyes generates a virtual image of the virtual information on a virtual focal plane located an appropriate distance (e.g., several meters) in front of the driver. The virtual information may include a virtual image indicating a right or left turn for route guidance to be displayed superimposed on an intersection, as described below, as well as appropriate information such as ADAS information or actual vehicle speed.

[0014] The AR-HUD 1 is controlled by a controller 3. That is, the controller 3 generates a virtual image and controls its display position. A car navigation system 4 using a GPS, which provides route guidance for the vehicle, is connected to the controller 3. The car navigation system 4 includes map information, which includes coordinate data for nodes such as intersections. The car navigation system 4 also identifies the vehicle's position. The illustrated system also includes information acquisition devices such as a radar 5 and a camera 6 for detecting the positions of preceding vehicles and pedestrians. Note that a node is a component that, together with links, constitutes a road network on a digitized road map, and indicates a point such as an intersection or other nodal point on a road network representation. Each node and link has a unique number, and nodes are connected by links to constitute the road network. Hereinafter, a node where a right or left turn should be made is referred to as an intersection.

[0015] An information display device using the AR-HUD 1 according to one embodiment includes a viewpoint detection camera 7 that detects the driver's viewpoint position in order to optimize the position of the virtual image of the AR-HUD 1. The viewpoint detection camera 7 constitutes, for example, part of a driver monitoring system (DMS) that monitors the driver's condition. The viewpoint detection camera 7 is disposed, for example, near the upper edge of the windshield, facing the driver's head. The controller 3 processes images acquired by the viewpoint detection camera 7 to detect the driver's viewpoint position (i.e., the position of the driver's eyes). Note that the driver's viewpoint position may be detected without using a camera, and may be detected indirectly, for example, from the driver's seating position, driver height, or the like. The controller 3 corrects the position at which the virtual image, i.e., the object, is generated by the AR-HUD 1 according to the viewpoint position thus detected, so that the actual scene seen by the driver through the windshield 2 and the object of the AR-HUD 1 are properly superimposed.

[0016] The controller 3 is configured as a part of the functions of an in-vehicle computer system that performs various controls, and in a mode in which route guidance is provided by the car navigation system 4, displays, via the AR-HUD 1, virtual images indicating points where the vehicle should turn for route guidance, virtual images indicating the destination, and the like. The controller 3 performs the following operations: obtaining the coordinates of intersections via the car navigation system 4, creating display data for the virtual images, calculating the distance between the vehicle and the intersection, calculating the interval between adjacent intersections, and changing the display mode of the virtual images according to the interval between the intersections. The interval between intersections is obtained from the map information of the car navigation system 4. The interval between intersections may be the average interval between multiple nearby intersections, or may be the interval between an intersection where the vehicle should turn for route guidance and the intersection located next to that intersection.

[0017] 2 is a simplified explanatory diagram showing the view seen through the windshield 2 when the vehicle approaches an intersection where a right turn is required, for example. A rectangular display area 21 of the AR-HUD 1 is present in a portion of the view through the windshield 2. The display area 21 is basically positioned directly in front of the driver. Note that the frame around the periphery of the display area 21 is not actually displayed, but is shown in the figure for illustrative purposes. Various virtual information required while driving is displayed in this display area 21 via the AR-HUD 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates various types of information that can be displayed in the display area 21. The display area 21, which is located in front of the driver, is divided into an upper area 21A and a lower area 21B by a boundary line 22 defined by regulations. Note that the boundary line 22 is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not actually displayed. Only specific information permitted by regulations, including driving direction guidance, can be displayed in the upper area 21A. Specifically, the specific information includes four types: "warning / highlighting of dangerous traffic conditions," "warning / highlighting of vulnerable road users who require attention," "information for maintaining a distance from surrounding road users," and "information for guiding and maintaining the correct driving direction." Information other than these specific information must be displayed in the lower area 21B below the boundary line 22. In the illustrated example, a plurality of virtual images 23, such as a guidance display icon 23a for the car navigation system 4, an icon 23b indicating the status of ACC (adaptive cruise control), an icon 23c indicating whether hands-off driving is possible, an icon 23d indicating a speed setting, a set speed display 23e, and a current speed display 23f, are displayed in a horizontal row in the lower area 21B as information other than the specific information. The display positions of these virtual images 23 for information other than the specific information within the lower area 21B are fixed. Hereinafter, these images will be referred to as fixed virtual images 23.

[0019] A virtual image 24 (hereinafter referred to as an arrow icon 24) indicating a right or left turn required for route guidance when approaching an intersection where a right or left turn is required is basically displayed in the upper area 21A as one piece of specific information. This is displayed superimposed on the real scene so as to appear at the intersection point (node) indicated by coordinates. The arrow icon 24 in the illustrated example indicates a right turn and has three arrowhead-shaped segments 24a, 24b, and 24c arranged at intervals. For example, the central segment 24b corresponds to the position of the intersection node. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the road Rt in real space located to the right of this arrow icon 24 is the road on which you should turn right. If you should turn left, the arrow icon 24 becomes a virtual image in the shape of a left-pointing arrow.

[0020] The arrow icon 24 guiding right or left turns is displayed in an appropriate color and brightness. The size of the arrow icon 24 is calculated so that it has a constant size (for example, a constant width) at the intersection in 3D space, so that in the display area 21, the longer the distance to the intersection, the smaller the icon will appear, and the shorter the distance, the larger the icon will appear.

[0021] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the state when the vehicle approaches the intersection from the state shown in Figure 2. As described above, as the vehicle approaches the intersection, the driver's downward angle of the intersection increases. Therefore, the display position of the arrow icon 24, which is calculated based on the vehicle's positional relationship with the intersection, gradually moves downward and reaches the lower edge of the upper area 21A. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the display in the display area 21 at this time. In the example shown in Figure 6, the entire arrow icon 24, including the three segments 24a, 24b, and 24c, is included in the upper area 21A and is at the lower limit position where it does not overlap with the boundary line 22.

[0022] After the display position of the arrow icon 24 reaches the lower edge of the upper region 21A, when the vehicle approaches the intersection, how the arrow icon 24 is displayed is selected depending on the distance between the adjacent intersections. That is, the display mode is switched between the following two modes depending on the distance between the intersections.

[0023] When the distance between intersections is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the display position of the arrow icon 24 is less likely to deviate from the correct intersection, resulting in misidentification of the road, so the display position of the arrow icon 24 is limited to the lower limit position shown in Fig. 6. In other words, the arrow icon 24 is displayed below the upper region 21A without overlapping with the lower region 21B. Even if the vehicle approaches the intersection further, the arrow icon 24 does not intrude into the lower region 21B. This prevents the arrow icon 24 and the fixed virtual image 23 from overlapping, ensuring the visibility of each.

[0024] On the other hand, when the distance between intersections is less than a predetermined threshold, priority is given to displaying the arrow icon 24 in a position that corresponds as closely as possible to the actual intersection position, and the arrow icon 24 is permitted to enter the lower region 21B. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the display in the display region 21 at this time. In the example of Figure 7, the arrow icon 24 displayed corresponding to the intersection position is in the lower region 21B and overlaps with some fixed virtual images 23.

[0025] Although the visibility is temporarily reduced when the arrow icon 24 overlaps the fixed virtual image 23 in this way, the display position of the arrow icon 24 corresponds to the correct intersection position, making it less likely that the intersection will be misidentified.

[0026] For example, in the example of FIG. 3 , another road Rm is located behind the road Rt where the driver is to turn right, and the two roads are relatively close to each other. If the display position of the arrow icon 24 were limited to within the upper region 21A as in the display example of FIG. 6 , the display position of the arrow icon 24 would be located relatively higher than the ideal display position corresponding to the road Rt where the driver is to turn right. Therefore, from the driver's perspective, the arrow icon 24 appears to be located further behind the road Rt where the driver is to turn right in the real 3D space. This makes it easy for the arrow icon 24 to be mistaken for another road Rm located behind the road Rt where the driver is to turn right. When the distance between intersections is close, allowing the arrow icon 24 to enter the lower region 21B makes it less likely that the intersection will be mistaken.

[0027] When the distance between intersections is large, such as on main roads, the risk of misidentifying such intersections is relatively low, so as described above, by limiting the display position of the arrow icon 24 to within the upper area 21A, both the arrow icon 24 and the fixed virtual image 23 become easy to see.

[0028] Here, the interval between intersections may be the physical distance, i.e., the length of the interval itself, but preferably, a time interval that takes into account the vehicle's speed at that time is used. In other words, even if the length between intersections is the same, if the vehicle speed is low, there is less risk of the vehicle mistakenly entering the road at the back, and conversely, if the vehicle speed is high, there is a greater likelihood of misidentification. When a time interval is used, the threshold value is also a corresponding time threshold.

[0029] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the above-mentioned look-down angle. The driver looks down at a real intersection 31 from his / her viewpoint 15, and the look-down angle θ1 at that time is geometrically determined by the height Hd of the viewpoint 15 from the road surface and the distance x from the vehicle to the intersection 31. This look-down angle θ1 relative to the intersection 31 is referred to as the "first look-down angle." The plane labeled 16 in the figure indicates a virtual focal plane on which a virtual image is generated by the AR-HUD 1. This focal plane 16 is located outside the windshield 2, i.e., in front of the vehicle. The outline of this focal plane 16 forms the display area 21 of the AR-HUD 1. Here, as described above, the display area 21 is divided into an upper area 21A and a lower area 21B by a virtual boundary line 22, and the look-down angle θ2 is determined by the line of sight 17 corresponding to the boundary line 22. This look-down angle θ2 relative to the boundary line 22 is referred to as the "second look-down angle."

[0030] 4A, the first look-down angle θ1 is smaller than the second look-down angle θ2, and the intersection 31 appears in the upper region 21A. Therefore, the display position of the arrow icon 24 calculated based on the position coordinates of the intersection 31 is in the upper region 21A as in the example of FIG. 5, and does not overlap with the fixed virtual image 23 in the lower region 21B.

[0031] As distance x becomes shorter, the first look-down angle θ1 becomes equal to the second look-down angle θ2, as shown in FIG. 4B. Distance x at this time is set to lower limit distance xm. In this state, the ideal display position of arrow icon 24 is on boundary line 22 of display area 21 of AR-HUD 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, in an area where distance x is shorter than lower limit distance xm, the display position of arrow icon 24 corresponding to the position coordinates of intersection 31 is within lower area 21B of display area 21.

[0032] Therefore, if the display position of the arrow icon 24 is limited to within the upper region 21A as in the example of Figure 6, the display position of the arrow icon 24 will begin to deviate from the ideal display position just before the first downward angle θ1 becomes equal to or greater than the second downward angle θ2 (in other words, just before the distance x reaches the lower limit distance xm).

[0033] When the distance between intersections is small, by allowing the arrow icon 24 to overlap the lower region 21B, the display position of the arrow icon 24 can be maintained at the ideal display position up to a distance x that is shorter than the lower limit distance xm, as shown in Figure 4 (c).

[0034] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the intersection display process that is repeatedly executed when an intersection at which to turn right or left is determined by the car navigation system 4 and an instruction to display this is given to the information display device. First, in step 1, the distance x from the vehicle to the intersection 31 is detected, and in step 2, the interval T between the intersections (for example, the time interval taking into account the vehicle speed) is calculated based on map information.

[0035] In step 3, it is determined whether the distance x to the intersection 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value xs at which display should begin. When the vehicle approaches the target intersection 31 and the distance x is equal to or less than the threshold value xs, the process proceeds from step 3 to step 4, where a first look-down angle θ1 is calculated based on the distance x. Then, in step 5, it is determined whether the first look-down angle θ1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value θn. The threshold value θn is set by subtracting an appropriate, relatively small margin from the second look-down angle θ2 shown in FIG. 4. Note that this margin is appropriately set so that the entire arrow icon 24 can be displayed within the upper region 21A of the display area 21, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0036] If the first look-down angle θ1 is less than the threshold value θn, the process proceeds from step 5 to step 6, where the arrow icon 24 is displayed in a normal manner, with the display position in the 3D space corresponding to the target intersection 31. Then, in step 9, the AR-HUD 1 performs a superimposed display of the arrow icon 24 and the fixed virtual image 23. As described above, the display position of the arrow icon 24 is calculated according to the positional relationship between the coordinates of the vehicle and the coordinates of the intersection 31, and always corresponds to the position of the actual intersection 31 (in other words, the road Rt where the vehicle should turn right or left).

[0037] If it is determined in step 5 that the first look-down angle θ1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value θn, the process proceeds from step 5 to step 7, where it is determined whether the time interval T between intersections is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Ts.

[0038] If the time interval T between intersections is equal to or greater than the threshold value Ts, as in the case of a main road, the process proceeds from step 7 to step 8, where the display position of the arrow icon 24 is restricted to the lower limit position within the upper region 21A as shown in Fig. 6. Then, in step 9, the arrow icon 24 is superimposed on the other fixed virtual images 23 by the AR-HUD 1.

[0039] On the other hand, if the time interval T between intersections is less than the threshold value Ts, such as in an old urban area, the process proceeds from step 7 to step 6, and the arrow icon 24 is displayed in a normal manner, with the display position in the 3D space corresponding to the target intersection 31. Then, in step 9, the AR-HUD 1 performs a superimposed display of the arrow icon 24 and the fixed virtual image 23. In this case, the display position of the arrow icon 24 is positioned within the lower region 21B, and the arrow icon 24 and the fixed virtual image 23 are allowed to overlap, as illustrated in FIG.

[0040] The display of the arrow icon 24 overlapping the lower region 21B described above reduces the visibility of the fixed virtual image 23, so it may be canceled when it is detected that the driver is operating a turn signal. In one example, the display of the arrow icon 24 itself is terminated when it is detected that the driver is operating a turn signal. In another example, when it is detected that the driver is operating a turn signal, the position of the arrow icon 24 is limited to the lower limit position of the upper region 21A. It is considered that when the driver operates the turn signal, the driver has already recognized the road on which he or she should turn.

[0041] Similarly, if the arrow icon 24 indicating the right / left turn direction is displayed overlapping in the lower area 21B, the overlapping display may be canceled when the vehicle enters a right / left turn exclusive lane before an intersection. In one example, the display of the arrow icon 24 itself is terminated when the vehicle enters a right / left turn exclusive lane. In another example, the position of the arrow icon 24 is limited to the lower limit position in the upper area 21A when the vehicle enters a right / left turn exclusive lane. When the vehicle is located in a right / left turn exclusive lane, it is considered that the driver has already recognized the road on which to turn. Information that the vehicle is located in a right / left turn exclusive lane can be obtained from the car navigation system 4, road-to-vehicle communication, etc.

[0042] Next, a second embodiment using a mask region that covers a part of the arrow icon 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the three-layer configuration that constitutes the final display of the AR-HUD 1. The fixed virtual image 23 shown in FIG. 9( a) is laid out on the first layer, which is the foreground. On the second layer, located behind the first layer, multiple mask regions 25 are laid out, each surrounding the fixed virtual image 23, as shown in FIG. 9( b). On the third layer, located further behind the second layer, arrow icons 24 are laid out. In this example, the arrow icons 24 are located in a position that becomes the lower region 21B within the display region 21. Arrow icons 24 located behind mask regions 25 are covered by the mask regions 25, and therefore only the portions that do not overlap with the mask regions 25 are displayed. Note that, for the sake of explanation, the mask regions 25 are shown in black in the figure, but the mask regions 25 themselves are not displayed in the actual display.

[0044] 10 shows the final display of the AR-HUD 1 obtained by rendering the three layers shown in FIG. 9 by overlapping them. The arrow icons 24 are displayed in a cutout shape by a mask area 25 surrounding the fixed virtual image 23, and interference with the individual fixed virtual images 23 is avoided. This prevents the contrast of the fixed virtual images 23 from decreasing, and thus the visibility from deteriorating, due to overlapping of the arrow icons 24. Note that the mask area 25 may be set only for some of the multiple fixed virtual images 23.

[0045] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible. For example, the form of the virtual image for guiding left or right turns is not limited to the arrow icon 24 shown in the illustration, and the present invention can be applied to virtual images of any other shape.

Claims

1. Obtain the coordinates of the intersections where right or left turns should be made through vehicle route guidance, and display a virtual image for driving direction guidance at the position of the intersections where right or left turns should be made, superimposed on the forward scene visible through the windshield via the vehicle's AR-HUD. A vehicle information display method, which divides the display area of the AR-HUD into an upper area capable of displaying specific information permitted by regulations including driving direction guidance, and a lower area where information other than specific information is displayed, obtains the interval between intersections arranged in the front and rear, when this interval is large, restricts the lower limit position of the virtual image for driving direction guidance corresponding to the position of the intersections where right or left turns should be made within the upper area, and when the interval is small, permits the virtual image for driving direction guidance corresponding to the position of the intersections where right or left turns should be made to overlap the lower area. A vehicle information display method.

2. In the lower area, a plurality of information other than specific information is displayed at respective fixed positions within the display area of the AR-HUD. The vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

3. The interval between the intersections described above is a time interval considering the vehicle speed. The vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

4. The virtual image described above has an arrow shape indicating the right or left direction to turn at the intersection. The vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

5. When a driver's direction indicator operation is detected while the virtual image for driving direction guidance is being displayed overlapping the lower area, end the display of the virtual image. The vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

6. When a driver's direction indicator operation is detected while the virtual image for driving direction guidance is being displayed overlapping the lower area, prohibit the virtual image from overlapping the lower area and restrict the lower limit position of the virtual image within the upper area. The vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

7. When the host vehicle is located in a right-turn only lane during a right turn or in a left-turn only lane during a left turn while the virtual image for driving direction guidance is being displayed overlapping the lower area, end the display of the virtual image. The vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

8. When the host vehicle is located in a right-turn only lane during a right turn or in a left-turn only lane during a left turn while a virtual image for direction guidance is displayed overlapping the lower region, prohibit the virtual image from overlapping the lower region, and limit the lower limit position of the virtual image within the upper region. The vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

9. When the virtual image is displayed overlapping the lower region, set a mask region surrounding the periphery of the display other than the specific information displayed in the lower region, and display the portion of the virtual image that does not overlap the mask region in the lower region. The vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

10. A vehicle information display program for causing an in-vehicle computer to execute the vehicle information display method according to claim 1.

11. A vehicle information display device comprising: an intersection coordinate acquisition unit that acquires the coordinates of an intersection where a right or left turn should be made by vehicle route guidance; an AR-HUD that displays a virtual object superimposed on the forward scene visible through the windshield; and a control unit that controls the AR-HUD to display a virtual image for direction guidance as the object at the position of the intersection where a right or left turn should be made. The control unit divides the display area of the AR-HUD into an upper region capable of displaying specific information permitted by regulations including direction guidance and a lower region where information other than the specific information is displayed, obtains the interval between intersections arranged in the front-rear direction, and when this interval is large, limits the lower limit position of the virtual image for direction guidance corresponding to the position of the intersection where a right or left turn should be made within the upper region, and when the interval is small, permits the virtual image for direction guidance corresponding to the position of the intersection where a right or left turn should be made to overlap the lower region. The vehicle information display device.

Images