Vehicle display control device, acceleration display method, and non-transitory memory medium memorizing program

A vehicle display control device includes: an acceleration prediction section that predicts a direction of an acceleration acting on a vehicle based on information including at least one of: information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle, information acquired from a periphery information detection sensor that detects information regarding a vehicle periphery, or information acquired from an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration of the vehicle; and a display control section that, in a case in which an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section is greater than a predetermined threshold, displays a direction of the predicted acceleration at a display portion in a vehicle cabin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-187483 filed on Nov. 10, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display control device for a vehicle, an acceleration display method, and a non-transitory memory medium memorizing a program.

Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2017-171117 discloses an in-cabin indicator display device that matches the directions of indicators provided at both left and right end portions of an instrument panel with a direction of optical flow of a driver. In JP-A No. 2017-171117, because the directions of the indicators are altered in accordance with the direction of the sightline of the driver, a direction of progress of the vehicle is easier to understand even during night driving with reduced spatial awareness. International Patent Publication No. 2015/145674 discloses a vehicle movement communication device that computes vehicle movements during autonomous driving control and illuminates light sources disposed at a steering wheel with illumination patterns according to the computed vehicle movements.

However, in the inventions disclosed in JP-A No. 2017-171117 and International Patent Publication No. 2015/145674, a vehicle occupant must pay attention to a vicinity of a driver seat of the vehicle to intuitively understand movements of the vehicle; there is scope for improvement.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a vehicle display control device, an acceleration display method, and a non-transitory memory medium memorizing a program that may enable intuitive understanding of movements of a vehicle without attention being paid to a vicinity of a driver seat.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display control device including: an acceleration prediction section that predicts a direction of an acceleration acting on a vehicle based on information including at least one of: information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle, information acquired from a periphery information detection sensor that detects information regarding a vehicle periphery, or information acquired from an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration of the vehicle; and a display control section that, in a case in which an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section is greater than a predetermined threshold, displays a direction of the predicted acceleration at a display portion in a vehicle cabin.

In the vehicle display control device according to the first aspect, the acceleration prediction section predicts directions of accelerations acting on the vehicle. The prediction of a direction of acceleration is based on information including one or more of information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle, information acquired from periphery information detection sensors that detect periphery information of the vehicle, and information acquired from the acceleration sensor that detects accelerations of the vehicle. In a case in which an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section is greater than the predetermined threshold, the display control section displays the direction of the predicted acceleration at a display portion in the vehicle cabin. Therefore, a vehicle occupant may intuitively understand the direction in which an acceleration is to act on the vehicle before the acceleration acts.

When a direction of acceleration is displayed at various display portions in the vehicle cabin, the vehicle occupant may recognize the direction of acceleration displayed at the display portions without mental effort, and may intuitively understand the direction in which the acceleration is to act without paying attention to a vicinity of the driver seat. The meaning of “a direction of acceleration is displayed at display portions in the vehicle cabin” as used herein is not intended to be limited to configurations that directly display the direction in which an acceleration is to act by text, an arrow or the like but to broadly encompass configurations that indirectly display the direction in which an acceleration is to act by a flow of color and pattern or the like.

A second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the display control section may display the direction of the predicted acceleration at at least one of interior trim members including a pillar garnish, a door trim, an instrument panel, a roof headlining and a flooring material.

In the vehicle display control device according to the second aspect, the direction of a predicted acceleration is displayed at one or more interior trim members. Therefore, the vehicle occupant may intuitively understand the direction in which the acceleration is to act even when facing to a side region side, lower side or the like of the vehicle cabin.

A third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the display portion at which the display control section displays the direction of the predicted acceleration is at least one of a windshield glass or a side glass.

In the vehicle display control device according to the third aspect, the direction of a predicted acceleration is displayed at one or more of the windshield glass and side glasses. Therefore, the vehicle occupant may intuitively understand the direction in which the acceleration is to act even when their sightline is directed outside the vehicle.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to third aspects, the display control section displays the direction of the predicted acceleration at at least one of image display portions selected from a group consisting of a monitor provided in the vehicle cabin and a portable terminal.

In the vehicle display control device according to the fourth aspect, the vehicle occupant may intuitively understand the direction in which an acceleration is to act even in a situation in which the vehicle occupant is looking at the monitor provided in the vehicle cabin, a portable terminal or the like.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the display control section may display the direction of the predicted acceleration by displaying a flow of light.

In the vehicle display control device according to the fifth aspect, because the direction in which an acceleration is to act is illustrated by a direction of flow of light, the vehicle occupant may understand the direction in which the acceleration is to act more intuitively than when the direction is displayed by text or the like.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the fifth aspect, the display control section may alter at least one of a color, a brightness or a flow speed of the light in accordance with a magnitude of the predicted acceleration.

In the vehicle display control device according to the sixth aspect, as well as the direction in which an acceleration is to act, a magnitude of the acceleration may be intuitively understood.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the display control section displays the direction of the predicted acceleration by displaying text or an arrow.

In the vehicle display control device according to the seventh aspect, because the direction in which an acceleration is to act is directly displayed by text or an arrow, the vehicle occupant may be less likely to misrecognize the direction.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the seventh aspect, the display control section may alter at least one of a color, a brightness or a size of the text or arrow in accordance with a magnitude of the predicted acceleration.

In the vehicle display control device according to the eighth aspect, as well as the direction in which an acceleration is to act, a magnitude of the acceleration may be intuitively understood.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, in a case in which accelerations greater than the predetermined threshold are predicted to act in a plurality of directions by the acceleration prediction section, the display control section may display a direction in which a largest of the accelerations is to act.

In the vehicle display control device according to the ninth aspect, because only the direction in which the largest acceleration is to act is displayed, the vehicle occupant may be less likely to be confused than in a case in which plural directions of acceleration are displayed.

A tenth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, in a case in which accelerations greater than the predetermined threshold are predicted to act in a plurality of directions by the acceleration prediction section, the display control section may display an acceleration acting in a vehicle front-and-rear direction with priority.

In the vehicle display control device according to the tenth aspect, because accelerations acting in the front-and-rear direction are displayed with priority, the vehicle occupant may prepare for inertial forces that act on the vehicle occupant in the vehicle front-and-rear direction, particularly at times of rapid braking of the vehicle, times of rapid acceleration and the like.

In a vehicle display control device according to an eleventh aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, in a case in which accelerations greater than the predetermined threshold are predicted to act in a plurality of directions by the acceleration prediction section, the display control section may display an acceleration acting in a vehicle left-and-right direction with priority.

In the vehicle display control device according to the eleventh aspect, because accelerations acting in the left-and-right direction are displayed with priority, the vehicle occupant may prepare for inertial forces that act on the vehicle occupant in the vehicle left-and-right direction, particularly before turns.

A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, any one of the first to eleventh aspects, may further include: a sightline direction acquisition section that acquires a direction in which a vehicle occupant is facing by acquiring one of a sightline direction of the vehicle occupant or an orientation of a vehicle seat, and the display control section displays the direction of the acceleration in a sightline of the vehicle occupant acquired by the sightline direction acquisition section.

In the vehicle display control device according to the twelfth aspect, because the direction of an acceleration is displayed in the sightline of the vehicle occupant, the vehicle occupant may intuitively understand the direction in which the acceleration is to act relative to the vehicle occupant, regardless of which way the vehicle occupant is facing. Moreover, annoyance may be alleviated compared to a configuration that displays directions of accelerations over large areas of the vehicle cabin interior.

A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the display control section: displays directions of predicted accelerations in a case in which a driving mode of the vehicle is an autonomous driving mode; and suspends the display of directions of predicted accelerations in a case in which the driving mode is a manual driving mode.

In the vehicle display control device according to the thirteenth aspect, in a manual driving mode in which a vehicle occupant is driving, the display of directions of acceleration is suspended. Therefore, the vehicle occupant may concentrate on driving. Because directions of acceleration are displayed when in the autonomous driving mode, the vehicle occupant may intuitively understand the directions in which accelerations are to act even when the vehicle occupant is not driving.

A fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display control method including: predicting a direction of an acceleration acting on a vehicle based on information including at least one of: information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle, information acquired from a periphery information detection sensor that detects information regarding a vehicle periphery, or information acquired from an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration of the vehicle; and in a case in which a predicted acceleration is greater than a predetermined threshold, displaying a direction of the predicted acceleration at a display portion in a vehicle cabin.

A fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a non-transitory memory medium memorizes a program executable by a computer to execute processing including: predicting a direction of an acceleration acting on a vehicle based on information including at least one of: information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle, information acquired from a periphery information detection sensor that detects information regarding a vehicle periphery, or information acquired from an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration of the vehicle; and in a case in which a predicted acceleration is greater than a predetermined threshold, displaying a direction of the predicted acceleration at a display portion in a vehicle cabin.

A sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display control device includes: a direction of motion prediction section that predicts a direction of motion of a vehicle based on information including at least one of: information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle, or information acquired from a periphery information detection sensor that detects information regarding a vehicle periphery; and a display control section that displays a direction of motion predicted by the direction of motion prediction section at an interior trim member in a vehicle cabin.

In the vehicle display control device according to the sixteenth aspect, the direction of motion prediction section predicts directions of motion of the vehicle. The prediction of a direction of motion is based on information including one or more of information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle and information acquired from periphery information detection sensors that detect periphery information of the vehicle. The display control section displays the direction of a motion predicted by the direction of motion prediction section at an interior trim member in the vehicle cabin. Therefore, without paying attention to a vicinity of the driver seat, a vehicle occupant may intuitively understand movements of the vehicle by seeing directions of motion displayed at interior trim members.

The vehicle display control device, acceleration display method, and non-transitory memory medium memorizing a program of the present disclosure may intuitively understand movements of a vehicle without paying attention to a vicinity of a driver seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Exemplary Embodiment

A vehicle display control device10according to a first exemplary embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. An arrow UP and an arrow RH that are illustrated where appropriate in the drawings represent, respectively, an upper direction of a vehicle and the right side in a width direction. Below, where descriptions are given simply using the directions front, rear, upper, lower, left and right, unless otherwise specified, these represent the front and rear in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle in which the display control device10is employed, upper and lower in the vertical direction, and left and right in the width direction.

As illustrated inFIG.1, an instrument panel14, which serves as an example of an interior trim member, is provided at a cabin front region of a vehicle12in which the vehicle display control device10according to the present exemplary embodiment (below referred to simply as “the display control device10”) is employed.

The instrument panel14extends in the vehicle width direction. A computer15is disposed on the instrument panel14. The computer15may be non-removably installed in the vehicle12. Alternatively, the computer15may be brought in from outside the vehicle12.

A lower end portion of a windshield glass16is supported at a front end portion of the instrument panel14. The windshield glass16extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction, dividing the vehicle cabin interior from the vehicle cabin exterior.

Both of vehicle width direction end portions of the windshield glass16are supported by front pillars18. The front pillars18are covered from the vehicle cabin inner sides thereof by front pillar garnishes20, which serve as examples of interior trim members.

Side glasses22are provided at the vehicle rear sides of the pair of left and right front pillars18. Front side doors24are provided below the side glasses22. The side glasses22are structured to be stowable in the front side doors24. The front side doors24are covered from the vehicle cabin inner sides thereof by door trims26, which serve as examples of interior trim members.

A flooring material28that serves as an example of an interior trim member is disposed at a floor portion of the vehicle cabin. A floor panel, which is not illustrated in the drawings, is covered from the vehicle cabin inner side thereof by the flooring material28. The flooring material28is not limited to sheet-form interior trim members such as a floor carpet, a floor mat and the like but may be a structure blanketed with a plate-form member and may be structured of, for example, a material with high optical reflectivity.

A roof headlining30, which serves as an example of an interior trim member, is provided at a ceiling portion of the vehicle cabin. The roof headlining30is provided in the whole area of the ceiling portion of the vehicle cabin interior. The roof headlining30covers a roof panel, which is not illustrated in the drawings, from the vehicle cabin inner side thereof.

A driver seat and a front passenger seat, which are not illustrated in the drawings, are provided in a cabin front region. The driver seat is provided at one side in the vehicle width direction and the front passenger seat is provided at the other side in the vehicle width direction. As an example in the present exemplary embodiment, the driver seat is at the vehicle right side and a steering wheel, which is not illustrated in the drawings, is disposed at the vehicle front side of the computer15. A center console32is provided between the driver seat and the front passenger seat.

An electronic control unit (ECU)34constituting the display control device10is provided at the vehicle front side of the instrument panel14.

—Hardware Structures of the Display Control Device10—

FIG.4is a block diagram illustrating hardware structures of the display control device10. As illustrated inFIG.4, the ECU34of the display control device10includes a central processing unit (CPU, or processor)36, read-only memory (ROM)38, random access memory (RAM)40, storage42and an input/output interface44. These structures are connected to be capable of communicating with one another via a bus46.

The CPU36is a central arithmetic processing unit that executes various programs and controls respective parts. That is, the CPU36reads a program from the ROM38or the storage42, and executes the program using the RAM40as a workspace. The CPU36performs control of the structures described above and various kinds of computational processing in accordance with programs recorded in the ROM38or the storage42.

The ROM38stores various programs and various kinds of data. The RAM40serves as a workspace, temporarily memorizing programs and data. The storage42is a non-transitory memory medium structured by a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). The storage42memorizes various programs, including an operating system, and various kinds of data. In the present exemplary embodiment, the ROM38or the storage42stores a program for implementing display processing, and various kinds of data and the like.

The input/output interface44is electronically connected with a front region display device48, a side region display device50, a lower region display device52and an acceleration sensor54.

The front portion display device48is a display device that implements predetermined displays at interior trim members of the vehicle cabin front region. For example, the front portion display device48implements predetermined displays at one or more of interior trim members such as the instrument panel14, the front pillar garnishes20, a front portion of the roof headlining30and so forth by illuminating light into the vehicle front portion. Details of displays displayed at the interior trim members by the front portion display device48are described below.

The side portion display device50is a display device that implements predetermined displays at interior trim members of cabin side regions. The side portion display device50includes, for example, plural light sources provided inside the left and right door trims26. The side portion display device50implements predetermined displays at the door trims26by causing the plural light sources to emit light in predetermined patterns. Details of displays displayed at the interior trim members by the side portion display device50are described below.

The lower portion display device52is a display device that implements predetermined displays at interior trim members of a cabin lower region. The lower portion display device52implements predetermined displays at the flooring material28by, for example, illuminating light at the flooring material28. Details of displays displayed at the flooring material28by the lower portion display device52are described below.

The acceleration sensor54is a sensor that detects accelerations acting on the vehicle12. The acceleration sensor54according to the present exemplary embodiment is structured to be capable of, for example, detecting accelerations in six axes: front-rear, left-right, upper-lower, roll, pitch and yaw.

The ECU34is electronically connected to an autonomous driving ECU55. Similarly to the ECU34, the autonomous driving ECU55includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage and an input/output interface, which are not illustrated in the drawings.

The autonomous driving ECU55is connected to a periphery information detection sensor group56, which detects periphery information of the vehicle12, and an actuator group57, which controls running of the vehicle12. The periphery information detection sensor group56includes plural sensors among various sensors, such as cameras, radar, clearance sonar, lidar (light detection and ranging or laser imaging detection and ranging), a GPS (global positioning system) sensor and so forth. The cameras image the vicinity of the vehicle12. The radar detects distances and directions of objects in the vicinity of the vehicle12with electromagnetic waves. The lidar detects distances and directions of objects in the vicinity of the vehicle12with laser light. The GPS sensor detects a current position of the vehicle12. In addition, the periphery information detection sensor group56includes a sightline detection sensor that detects a sightline of a vehicle occupant.

The actuator group57includes acceleration and braking actuators that regulate acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle12, and a steering actuator that drives a steering apparatus of the vehicle12. The autonomous driving ECU55implements autonomous driving of the vehicle12by controlling operations of the actuator group57in accordance with vicinity conditions of the vehicle detected by the periphery information detection sensor group56. A planned travel path representing a route along which the vehicle12is planned to run is memorized in a memory section of the autonomous driving ECU55. The autonomous driving ECU55causes the vehicle to run along the planned travel path memorized in the memory section.

—Functional Structures of the Display Control Device10—

The display control device10uses the hardware resources described above to realize various functions. The functional structures realized by the display control device10are described with reference toFIG.5.

As illustrated inFIG.5, as functional structures, the display control device10includes a driving mode acquisition section58, a planned travel path acquisition section60, a periphery information acquisition section62, an acceleration prediction section64and a display control section66. These functional structures are realized by the CPU36reading and executing a program memorized in the ROM38or the storage42.

The driving mode acquisition section58acquires a driving mode of the vehicle12, which is either a manual driving mode or an autonomous driving mode. A manual driving mode according to the present exemplary embodiment signifies a driving mode in which the vehicle12runs dependent on driving operations by a vehicle occupant. An autonomous driving mode according to the present exemplary embodiment signifies a driving mode in which the vehicle12runs in accordance with control from the autonomous driving ECU55without the intervention of driving operations by the vehicle occupant.

The planned travel path acquisition section60acquires a planned travel path of the vehicle12. For example, when a destination location is specified at a navigation system or the like by operations by a vehicle occupant, the planned travel path acquisition section60acquires a planned travel path to the destination location. Further, the planned travel path acquisition section60may acquire, for example, a planned travel path memorized in the memory section of the autonomous driving ECU55.

The periphery information acquisition section62acquires periphery information of the vehicle12. More specifically, the periphery information acquisition section62acquires periphery information of the vehicle12from the periphery information detection sensor group56.

On the basis of information including at least one of the planned travel path of the vehicle12, the periphery information and information from the acceleration sensor54, the acceleration prediction section64predicts directions and magnitudes of accelerations that are to act on the vehicle12. For example, when the acceleration prediction section64predicts the direction and magnitude of an acceleration that is to act on the vehicle12on the basis of the planned travel path of the vehicle12, the acceleration prediction section64predicts the direction and magnitude of the acceleration from a direction and radius of curvature of a turn in the planned travel path. If the vehicle12is in the autonomous driving mode at this time, the acceleration prediction section64may correct the magnitude of the acceleration acting on the vehicle12in accordance with information of the planned travel path.

When the acceleration prediction section64predicts the direction and magnitude of an acceleration acting on the vehicle12on the basis of periphery information of the vehicle12, the acceleration prediction section64acquires information from the periphery information acquisition section62. In particular, the acceleration prediction section64acquires information from a front camera that images in front of the vehicle12and a lidar that is oriented in front of the vehicle12. When a right turn is approaching according to a state in front of the vehicle imaged by the front camera, the acceleration prediction section64predicts that an acceleration is to act toward the left side, which is the opposite side to the direction of the turn. The acceleration prediction section64may predict the magnitude of the acceleration that is to act on the vehicle12by computing a radius of curvature of the turn on the basis of images captured by the front camera.

When the acceleration prediction section64predicts the direction and magnitude of an acceleration acting on the vehicle12on the basis of information from the acceleration sensor54, the acceleration prediction section64predicts the direction and magnitude of the acceleration from acceleration change amounts acquired from the acceleration sensor54.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as an example, the acceleration prediction section64predicts the direction and magnitude of an acceleration acting on the vehicle12on the basis of the information of the planned travel path of the vehicle12and information acquired from the front camera that images in front of the vehicle12. That is, the acceleration prediction section64predicts the direction and magnitude of the acceleration from the direction and radius of curvature of a turn in the planned travel path, and corrects the direction and magnitude of the predicted acceleration on the basis of actual images captured by the front camera and the speed of the vehicle12.

When an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64is greater than a predetermined threshold, the display control section66displays the direction of the predicted acceleration at display portions in the vehicle cabin. This threshold of acceleration is, for example, specified in advance for each kind of vehicle, being set to a magnitude value that is greater than magnitudes at which vehicle occupants would not experience motion sickness.

The display control section66according to the present exemplary embodiment displays the directions of predicted accelerations indirectly, by the front portion display device48, the side portion display device50and the lower portion display device52displaying flows of light at the instrument panel14, the front pillar garnishes20, the roof headlining30and the flooring material28. Examples of displays of directions of acceleration are described in detail below.

First, a display by the display control section66at a location prior to a right turn by the vehicle12is described with reference toFIG.2. On the basis of information including at least one of a predicted travel path of the vehicle12, periphery information and information from the acceleration sensor54, the acceleration prediction section64predicts that an acceleration toward the left is to act on the vehicle12. Then, if the magnitude of the acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64is at least the threshold, the display control section66operates the front portion display device48and causes light to be illuminated onto the instrument panel14, the front pillar garnishes20and the roof headlining30as illustrated inFIG.2.

More specifically, the display control section66illuminates plural vertical bars of light, which extend vertically as seen from the vehicle rear, onto the instrument panel14. The display control section66causes the vertical bars of light to move from the right side toward the left side as indicated by an arrow inFIG.2. Note that although arrows are illustrated for convenience of description inFIG.2, these arrows are not displayed in reality.

The display control section66also illuminates plural vertical bars of light, extending vertically as seen from the vehicle rear, onto the front pillar garnishes20. The display control section66causes these vertical bars of light to move from the right side toward the left side as indicated by arrows inFIG.2.

Similarly to the instrument panel14and the front pillar garnishes20, the display control section66illuminates plural vertical bars of light, extending vertically as seen from the vehicle rear, onto the roof headlining30. The display control section66causes these vertical bars of light to move from the right side toward the left side as indicated by an arrow inFIG.2.

Next, a display by the display control section66prior to rapid braking of the vehicle12is described with reference toFIG.3. On the basis of information including at least one of a predicted travel path of the vehicle12, periphery information and information from the acceleration sensor54, the acceleration prediction section64predicts that an acceleration toward the front is to act on the vehicle12. Then, if the magnitude of the acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64is at least the threshold, the display control section66operates the front portion display device48, side portion display device50and lower portion display device52and causes light to be illuminated onto the instrument panel14, the front pillar garnishes20, the roof headlining30, the door trims26and the flooring material28as illustrated inFIG.3.

More specifically, the display control section66illuminates plural horizontal bars of light, which extend left and right as seen from the vehicle rear, onto the instrument panel14. The display control section66causes the horizontal bars of light to move from the rear side toward the front side as indicated by an arrow inFIG.3. Note that although arrows are illustrated for convenience of description inFIG.3, these arrows are not displayed in reality.

The display control section66also illuminates plural vertical bars of light, extending vertically as seen from the vehicle rear, onto the front pillar garnishes20. The display control section66causes these vertical bars of light to move from the rear side toward the front side as indicated by arrows inFIG.3. That is, the display control section66causes the light illuminated onto the front pillar garnish20at the right side to move toward the vehicle front-left side, away from the side glass22and toward the windshield glass16. Meanwhile, the display control section66causes the light illuminated onto the front pillar garnish20at the left side to move toward the vehicle front-right side, away from the side glass22and toward the windshield glass16.

The display control section66also illuminates plural horizontal bars of light, extending left and right as seen from the vehicle rear, onto the roof headlining30. The display control section66causes these horizontal bars of light to move from the rear side toward the front side as indicated by an arrow inFIG.3.

By operation of the side portion display device50, the display control section66illuminates plural vertical bars of light, extending vertically as seen from the vehicle rear, onto the door trims26. The display control section66causes these vertical bars of light to move from the rear side toward the front side as indicated by arrows inFIG.3.

By operation of the lower portion display device52, the display control section66illuminates plural horizontal bars of light, extending left and right as seen from the vehicle rear, onto the flooring material28. The display control section66causes these horizontal bars of light to move from the rear side toward the front side as indicated by arrows inFIG.3.

As described above, the display control section66displays that an acceleration toward the front is to act on the vehicle12by causing light illuminated onto interior trim members to move from the rear side toward the front side. Conversely, an acceleration toward the rear acting on the vehicle12is displayed by the display control section66causing light illuminated onto interior trim members to move from the front side toward the rear side.

The display control section66according to the present exemplary embodiment alters at least one of a color of the light, brightness, and a flow speed of the light in accordance with the magnitude of an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64. For example, the display control section66makes the light brighter when the magnitude of a predicted acceleration is relatively large than when the magnitude is relatively small. The display control section66illuminates light with a green color when the magnitude of a predicted acceleration is relatively small, and illuminates light with a red color when the magnitude of a predicted acceleration is relatively large. The display control section66makes a flow speed of the light faster when the magnitude of a predicted acceleration is relatively large than when the magnitude is relatively small.

When the acceleration prediction section64predicts that accelerations greater than the predetermined threshold are to act in plural directions, the display control section66displays the direction in which the largest of the accelerations is to act. For example, when the vehicle12commences a right turn while reducing speed, an acceleration acting to the front side of the vehicle12and an acceleration acting to the left side of the vehicle12may exceed the predetermined threshold. In this situation, the display control section66displays the direction in which the larger acceleration is to act.

The display control section66according to the present exemplary embodiment is configured to implement displays only when the driving mode of the vehicle12is the autonomous driving mode.

Now, operation of the present exemplary embodiment is described.

An example of display processing that displays directions of accelerations is described using the flow chart illustrated inFIG.6. This display processing is implemented by the CPU36reading a display program from the ROM38or storage42, loading the display program into the RAM40, and executing the program.

As illustrated inFIG.6, in step S102the CPU36acquires the driving mode. More specifically, by the functioning of the driving mode acquisition section58, the CPU36acquires the driving mode of the vehicle12, which is either of a manual driving mode and an autonomous driving mode.

In step S104, the CPU36makes a determination as to whether the driving mode of the vehicle12is the autonomous driving mode. When the CPU36determines that the driving mode is the autonomous driving mode, the CPU36proceeds to the processing of step S106. On the other hand, when the CPU36determines that the driving mode is the manual driving mode, the result of the determination in step S104is negative and the CPU36ends the display processing.

In step S106, the CPU36predicts a direction and magnitude of an acceleration that is to act on the vehicle12. More specifically, by the functioning of the acceleration prediction section64, the CPU36predicts the direction and magnitude of an acceleration acting on the vehicle12on the basis of information including at least one of a planned travel path of the vehicle12, periphery information and information from the acceleration sensor54.

In step S108, the CPU36makes a determination as to whether the magnitude of the acceleration is at least the predetermined threshold. When the CPU36determines that the magnitude of the acceleration is equal to or greater than the threshold, the CPU36proceeds to the processing of step S110. On the other hand, when the CPU36determines that the magnitude of the acceleration is smaller than the threshold, the result of the determination in step S108is negative and the CPU36ends the display processing.

In step S110, the CPU36displays the direction of the acceleration. More specifically, by the functioning of the display control section66, the CPU36displays the direction of the acceleration predicted in step S106at display portions in the vehicle cabin. In the present exemplary embodiment as described above, when an acceleration is predicted to act in the left-and-right direction of the vehicle12, the front portion display device48is operated by the display control section66and light is illuminated onto the instrument panel14, the front pillar garnishes20and the roof headlining30. Alternatively, when an acceleration is predicted to act in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle12, the front portion display device48, the side portion display device50and the lower portion display device52are operated by the display control section66and light is illuminated onto the instrument panel14, the front pillar garnishes20, the roof headlining30, the door trims26and the flooring material28.

In the present exemplary embodiment as described above, the direction of an acceleration is displayed at the interior trim members before the acceleration acts on the vehicle12. Therefore, a vehicle occupant may instinctively understand the direction in which the acceleration is to act before a movement of the vehicle12. As a result, motion sickness is less likely.

Because directions of acceleration are displayed at various interior trim members in the vehicle cabin, the vehicle occupant may recognize the direction of an acceleration displayed at the interior trim members without effort, and may intuitively understand the direction in which the acceleration is to act without paying attention to a vicinity of the driver seat.

In particular, because the display control section66according to the present exemplary embodiment illustrates the direction in which an acceleration is to act by a flow direction of light, the direction in which the acceleration is to act may be understood more intuitively than if the direction is displayed by text or the like.

In the present exemplary embodiment, one or more of a color of light, brightness, and flow speed of light is altered in accordance with the magnitude of a predicted acceleration. As a result, as well as the direction in which the acceleration is to act, a vehicle occupant may intuitively understand the magnitude of the acceleration.

In the present exemplary embodiment, when accelerations greater than the predetermined threshold are predicted to act in plural directions by the acceleration prediction section64, the display control section66displays only the direction in which the largest of the accelerations is to act. Therefore, a vehicle occupant may be less likely to be confused than in a case in which the plural directions of acceleration are displayed.

Because accelerations are displayed only when the driving mode is the autonomous driving mode, the display of directions of accelerations is suspended when in the manual driving mode, in which a vehicle occupant is driving. Therefore, the vehicle occupant may concentrate on driving.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Now, a vehicle display control device70according to a second exemplary embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. Structures that are the same as in the first exemplary embodiment are assigned the same reference symbols and, as appropriate, are not described.

As illustrated inFIG.7, a vehicle72in which the vehicle display control device70according to the present exemplary embodiment (below referred to simply as “the display control device70”) is employed differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that light is displayed at the windshield glass16and the side glasses22.

More specifically, a display region16A is specified at outer periphery portions of the windshield glass16. For example, the windshield glass16has a structure in which a coating glass that is coated with an electrically conductive material is superposed with reinforced glass. In the display region16A, plural light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are disposed between the reinforced glass and the coating glass. Light is displayed in the display region16A by the LEDs being caused to emit light in predetermined light emission patterns.

The whole areas of the left and right side glasses22are specified to be display regions. More specifically, LEDs are disposed in the whole of each side glass22between a coating glass and reinforced glass structuring the side glass22. Light is displayed at the whole of the side glass22by the LEDs being caused to emit light in predetermined light emission patterns.

An electronic control unit (ECU)74that constitutes the display control device70is provided at the vehicle front side of the instrument panel14. Hardware structures of the ECU74are similar to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.4. It is sufficient that the front portion display device48, side portion display device50and acceleration sensor54are electronically connected to the input/output interface44of the ECU74; the lower portion display device52need not be provided.

The front portion display device48according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the plural LEDs provided at the display region16A of the windshield glass16and a control device that controls light emission patterns of the LEDs. The side portion display device50according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the plural LEDs provided at the side glasses22and a control device that controls light emission patterns of these LEDs.

Similarly to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, the display control device70includes, as functional structures, the driving mode acquisition section58, the planned travel path acquisition section60, the periphery information acquisition section62, the acceleration prediction section64and the display control section66. These functional structures are realized by the CPU36reading and executing a program memorized in the ROM38or the storage42.

When the magnitude of an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64prior to a right turn or prior to a left turn is equal to or greater than the threshold, the display control section66operates the front portion display device48and causes the LEDs disposed in the display region16A to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern.FIG.7illustrates an example in which the LEDs of the display region16A emit light in a light emission pattern prior to a right turn. That is, the display control section66causes the LEDs to emit light such that vertical bars of light are displayed in the display region16A as seen by a vehicle occupant and the vertical bars of light move from the right side toward the left side. Thus, the display control section66displays that an acceleration toward the left is to act on the vehicle72.

Conversely, the display control section66displays that an acceleration toward the right is to act on the vehicle72by causing the LEDs to emit light such that vertical bars of light displayed in the display region16A move from the left side toward the right side as seen by the vehicle occupant.

When the magnitude of an acceleration toward the front that is predicted by the acceleration prediction section64prior to rapid braking of the vehicle72is equal to or greater than the threshold, the display control section66operates the front portion display device48and side portion display device50and causes the LEDs disposed in the display region16A and the side glasses22to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern.

More specifically, the display control section66operates the front portion display device48and causes the LEDs at the display region16A to emit light such that the light is displayed in frame shapes and the light moves to contract from outer edges of the windshield glass16towards the center. Thus, the display control section66displays that an acceleration toward the front is to act on the vehicle72.

The display control section66also operates the side portion display device50and causes the LEDs at the left and right side glasses22to emit light such that the light displayed at the side glasses22moves from rear portions towards front portions of the side glasses22. Thus, the display control section66displays that the acceleration toward the front is to act on the vehicle72. The side glasses22illustrated inFIG.7show a state in which the LEDs are emitting light in the light emission pattern for when an acceleration toward the front is predicted to act.

Alternatively, when the magnitude of an acceleration toward the rear that is predicted by the acceleration prediction section64prior to a rapid acceleration of the vehicle72is equal to or greater than the threshold, the display control section66causes the LEDs to emit light such that light is displayed in frame shapes at the display region16A and the light moves to expand away from the center of the windshield glass16towards the outer edges. The display control section66also causes the LEDs at the left and right side glasses22to emit light such that the light displayed at the side glasses22moves from the front portions towards the rear portions of the side glasses22.

This display control section66alters at least one of a color of the light, brightness, and a flow speed of the light in accordance with the magnitude of an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64. For example, the display control section66makes the light brighter when the magnitude of a predicted acceleration is relatively large than when the magnitude is relatively small. The display control section66illuminates light with a green color when the magnitude of a predicted acceleration is relatively small and illuminates light with a red color when the magnitude of a predicted acceleration is relatively large. The display control section66also alters the light emission patterns of the LEDs so as to make a flow speed of the light faster when the magnitude of a predicted acceleration is relatively large than when the magnitude is relatively small.

Now, operation of the present exemplary embodiment is described.

In the display control device70according to the present exemplary embodiment, displays are implemented at the windshield glass16and the side glasses22. Therefore, a vehicle occupant may intuitively understand movements of the vehicle even when the vehicle occupant is looking at external scenes through the windshield glass16and when the vehicle occupant is looking at external scenes through the side glasses22. Other operations are similar to the first exemplary embodiment.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

Now, a vehicle display control device80according to a third exemplary embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. Structures that are the same as in the first exemplary embodiment are assigned the same reference symbols and, as appropriate, are not described.

As illustrated inFIG.8andFIG.10, a vehicle82in which the vehicle display control device80according to the present exemplary embodiment (below referred to simply as “the display control device80”) is employed differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that light is displayed at a monitor86and a computer88.

More specifically, in the vehicle82according to the present exemplary embodiment, the monitor86is hung from the ceiling portion of the vehicle cabin and is structured such that a vehicle occupant on a rear seat may watch images displayed on the monitor86. The location of the monitor86is not particularly limited; the monitor86may be provided at a location at which both a vehicle occupant on a front seat and a vehicle occupant on a rear seat may watch the monitor86.

A display region86A that displays directions of accelerations is specified at outer periphery end portions of the monitor86. The display region86A is a portion of a display region for images. Therefore, in a state in which no directions of accelerations are displayed such as, for example, when the driving mode is the manual driving mode and the like, images are displayed by the whole of the monitor86. In contrast, when the direction of an acceleration is to be displayed in the autonomous driving mode or the like, the display region for images is reduced and the display region86A for displaying the direction of the acceleration is specified at the outer periphery end portions of the monitor86.

As illustrated inFIG.9A, the vehicle82is provided with the computer88inside the vehicle cabin. The computer88may be, for example, a notebook computer that is installed in the vehicle cabin in a stowable state. Alternatively, the computer88may be a laptop computer that a vehicle occupant brings in from outside the vehicle. The computer88includes a control portion90equipped with a keyboard and touchpad and a display portion92equipped with a display region92A at which information and the like is displayed.

The display control device80according to the present exemplary embodiment is configured to display the directions of accelerations as arrows in the display region92A of the computer88. InFIG.9A, an arrow93A is displayed at the upper left of the display region92A; the direction of the arrow93A is toward the left. Thus, the display control device80directly reports to a vehicle occupant that an acceleration that is to act on the vehicle82is toward the left.

As illustrated inFIG.8, an electronic control unit (ECU)84that constitutes the display control device80is provided at the vehicle front side of the instrument panel14.

—Hardware Structures of the Display Control Device80—

FIG.10is a block diagram illustrating hardware structures of the display control device10. As illustrated inFIG.10, similarly to the first exemplary embodiment, the ECU84constituting the display control device80includes the CPU36, the ROM38, the RAM40, the storage42and the input/output interface44. These structures are connected to be capable of communicating with one another via a bus46.

The input/output interface44is electronically connected with the monitor86and the computer88. In this configuration, the input/output interface44is not connected with the computer88by a cable but by wireless communications. Predetermined software for displaying arrows in the display region92A is installed in the computer88.

Similarly to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, the display control device80includes, as functional structures, the driving mode acquisition section58, the planned travel path acquisition section60, the periphery information acquisition section62, the acceleration prediction section64and the display control section66. These functional structures are realized by the CPU36reading and executing a program memorized in the ROM38or the storage42.

When the magnitude of an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64prior to a right turn or prior to a left turn is equal to or greater than the threshold, the display control section66according to the present exemplary embodiment causes the monitor86and computer88to display the direction of the acceleration.

FIG.8depicts a display example of the display region86A prior to a right turn. That is, the display control section66implements display such that vertical bars are displayed in the display region86A and the vertical bars move from the right side toward the left side as seen by a vehicle occupant. Thus, the display control section66displays that an acceleration toward the left is to act on the vehicle82.

Conversely, the display control section66displays that an acceleration towards the right is to act on the vehicle82by causing vertical bars displayed in the display region86A to move from the left side toward the right side as seen by the vehicle occupant.

Prior to rapid braking of the vehicle82, the display control section66causes lines in frame shapes to be displayed in the display region86A and causes the lines in frame shapes to move so as to progressively contract towards the center of the monitor86. Thus, the display control section66displays that an acceleration toward the front is to act on the vehicle82. Conversely, prior to a rapid acceleration of the vehicle82, the display control section66displays that an acceleration toward the rear is to act on the vehicle82by displaying lines in frame shapes in the display region86A and causing the lines in frame shapes to move so as to progressively expand away from the center of the monitor86.

The display control section66alters at least one of a color of the lines, brightness, and a flow speed of the lines in accordance with the magnitude of an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64.

FIG.9Adepicts a display example of the computer88prior to a right turn. That is, the display control section66displays that the direction of a predicted acceleration is toward the left by displaying the leftward arrow93A at the upper left of the display region92A of the display portion92. Conversely, when the direction of a predicted acceleration is toward the right, the display control section66displays an arrow toward the right at the upper left of the display region92A of the display portion92.

Prior to rapid braking of the vehicle82, the display control section66directly displays that an acceleration toward the front is to act on the vehicle82by displaying, for example, the text “sudden braking” at the upper left of the display region92A. Conversely, prior to a rapid acceleration of the vehicle82, the display control section66directly displays that an acceleration toward the rear is to act on the vehicle82by displaying, for example, the text “sudden acceleration” at the upper left of the display region92A.

The display control section66alters at least one of color, brightness and size of the arrow in accordance with the magnitude of an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64. For example, when an acceleration acting toward the left is predicted by the acceleration prediction section64to be larger than in the case illustrated inFIG.9A, the size of the arrow is displayed larger as in the display example depicted inFIG.9B. InFIG.9B, an arrow93B toward the left is displayed at the upper left of the display region92A. The arrow93B is displayed larger than the arrow93A inFIG.9A. In addition inFIG.9B, an arrow93C toward the left is displayed at the upper right of the display region92A. Thus, the fact that the acceleration that is to act toward the left is large is reported to the vehicle occupant.

The display control section66may also alter the color of the arrow in accordance with the magnitude of an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64. For example, the arrow93A may be displayed in green or a color close to green when an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64is relatively small, and the arrow93A may be displayed in red or a color close to red when a predicted acceleration is relatively large.

Now, operation of the present exemplary embodiment is described.

In the display control device80according to the present exemplary embodiment, the direction of a predicted acceleration is displayed at the monitor86and the computer88. Therefore, even in a state in which a vehicle occupant is paying attention to the monitor86and computer88or the like, the vehicle occupant may instinctively understand the direction in which the acceleration is to act.

In the present exemplary embodiment, because the display control section66directly displays the direction of an acceleration by text or an arrow in the display region92A of the computer88, a vehicle occupant may be less likely to misrecognize the direction in which the acceleration is to act than in situations in which patterns, movements and the like are displayed.

In the present exemplary embodiment, because at least one of the color, brightness and size of an arrow is altered in accordance with the magnitude of an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section64, magnitudes of accelerations may also be instinctively understood. Other operations are similar to the first exemplary embodiment.

Above, vehicle display control devices10,70and80according to the first to third exemplary embodiments are described, but it will be clear that numerous embodiments are possible within a scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the exemplary embodiments described above have configurations in which the direction of a predicted acceleration is displayed at display portions in a cabin, but this is not limiting. A direction of motion of a vehicle may be predicted and the predicted direction of motion may be displayed at interior trim members.

An example of a display control device that indirectly displays a predicted direction of motion at interior trim members is described below. For example, in the functional structures of the first exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, the display control device is equipped with the functions of a direction of motion prediction section instead of the acceleration prediction section64. The direction of motion prediction section predicts a direction of motion of the vehicle on the basis of a planned travel path of the vehicle and periphery information. When a direction of motion of the vehicle predicted by the direction of motion prediction section is greater than a predetermined steering angle, the display control section66displays the direction of motion of the vehicle at the instrument panel14and the front pillar garnishes20(seeFIG.2).

For example, prior to a right turn by the vehicle, the display control section66may display vertical bars of light that move from the left side toward the right side at the instrument panel14and the front pillar garnishes20. Conversely, prior to a left turn by the vehicle, the display control section66may display vertical bars of light that move from the right side toward the left side at the instrument panel14and the front pillar garnishes20. Further, the display control section66may implement similar displays at the flooring material28and the roof headlining30. Therefore, without paying attention to a vicinity of the driver seat, a vehicle occupant may intuitively understand movements of the vehicle by seeing directions of motion displayed at interior trim members.

In the first exemplary embodiment described above, when accelerations larger than the predetermined threshold are predicted to act in plural directions by the acceleration prediction section64, the display control section66is configured to display the direction in which the largest of the accelerations acts, but this is not limiting. For example, degrees of priority may be specified for display directions in advance and accelerations acting in the front-and-rear direction may be displayed with priority. For example, when accelerations larger than the predetermined threshold are predicted to act toward the front and toward the right by the acceleration prediction section64, the display control section66displays the acceleration acting toward the front with priority. When accelerations acting in the front-and-rear direction are displayed with priority in this way, vehicle occupants may prepare for inertial forces in the front-and-rear direction that act on the vehicle occupants, particularly at times of rapid braking and times of rapid acceleration of the vehicle.

Alternatively, accelerations that act in the left-and-right direction may be displayed with priority. For example, when accelerations larger than the predetermined threshold are predicted to act toward the front and toward the right by the acceleration prediction section64, the display control section66displays the acceleration acting toward the right with priority. When accelerations acting in the left-and-right direction are displayed with priority in this way, vehicle occupants may prepare for inertial forces in the vehicle left-and-right direction that act on the vehicle occupants, particularly prior to turning.

The exemplary embodiments described above have configurations in which the direction of a predicted acceleration is displayed at all of display portions specified in advance, but this is not limiting. For example, a configuration is possible in which the direction of a predicted acceleration is displayed only at display portions disposed in a direction in which a vehicle occupant is facing.

In this configuration, the vehicle display control device is equipped with the functions of a sightline direction acquisition section that acquires a sightline direction from a sightline detection sensor that detects the sightline of the vehicle occupant. Hence, the display control section displays the direction of an acceleration in the sightline of the vehicle occupant acquired by the sightline direction acquisition section.

For example, as illustrated inFIG.1, in a structure in which the computer15is provided at the driver seat, the vehicle occupant may use the computer15to carry out operations during running of the vehicle. In this situation, on the basis of information from the sightline direction acquisition section, the vehicle display control device determines that the sightline of the vehicle occupant is oriented to the computer15. Then, when the acceleration prediction section64predicts that an acceleration greater than the predetermined threshold is to act, the display control section66displays the direction of the acceleration at the monitor of the computer15as illustrated inFIG.9A.

If the vehicle occupant lowers their sightline away from the computer15, on the basis of information from the sightline direction acquisition section, the vehicle display control device determines that the sightline of the vehicle occupant is oriented toward the lower side of the vehicle cabin. In this situation, when the acceleration prediction section64predicts that an acceleration greater than the predetermined threshold is to act, the display control section66displays the direction of the acceleration at the flooring material28, in the sightline of the vehicle occupant. Further, when the vehicle is a vehicle in which the orientation of a vehicle seat can be altered, the sightline direction acquisition section may be configured to acquire the direction in which the vehicle occupant is facing by acquiring the orientation of the vehicle seat.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, cases of displaying accelerations acting in the vehicle front-and-rear direction and cases of displaying accelerations acting in the vehicle left-and-right direction are described, but this is not limiting. For example, accelerations acting in the vehicle vertical direction may be predicted and displayed. That is, in a place where a road surface is formed with bumps and dips, accelerations acting toward the upper side may be displayed at display portions. For example, an acceleration toward the upper side that is to act on the vehicle may be displayed by plural horizontal bars being displayed at the front pillar garnishes20and the horizontal bars being moved from the lower side toward the upper side.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, configurations in which the threshold for displaying an acceleration may be altered are possible. For example, information of vehicle occupants may be registered with the vehicle in advance, and when a vehicle occupant who is susceptible to motion sickness is riding in the vehicle, the threshold may be lowered. Hence, displays may be implemented even when relatively small accelerations are to act. On the other hand, when only vehicle occupants with little susceptibility to motion sickness are riding, the threshold may be raised. Hence, annoyance due to directions of accelerations being displayed frequently may be alleviated.

As illustrated inFIG.8,FIG.9AandFIG.9B, the third exemplary embodiment described above has a configuration in which the directions of predicted accelerations are displayed at the monitor86and the computer88. In addition thereto, the directions of predicted accelerations may be displayed at a portable terminal carried by a vehicle occupant.

The exemplary embodiments described above have configurations in which the acceleration prediction section64predicts the directions and magnitudes of accelerations acting on the vehicle on the basis of information including at least one of a planned travel path of the vehicle, periphery information, and information from the acceleration sensor54. However, configurations are possible that predict directions and magnitudes of accelerations taking account of other information. For example, the directions and magnitudes of accelerations may be predicted taking account of a number of vehicle occupants riding in the vehicle and a weight of luggage loaded in the vehicle. Further, data of vehicles running along the same road may be collected in a cloud, and directions and magnitudes of accelerations may be predicted taking account of this data. Further yet, vehicle-to-vehicle communications may be conducted with a vehicle running in front of the present vehicle and data may be acquired from the leading vehicle. Further, communications may be conducted with a smartphone that has been brought into the vehicle, and directions and magnitudes of accelerations may be predicted taking account of information acquired from an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor and the like installed in the smartphone.