Patent Description:
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (<CIT> discloses, in a head-up display (HUD) device, a display controlling means for displaying plural operation instruction images that express the contents of respectively different operation instructions such that, the later in the order of operation by the operator that the operation instruction contents express, the further toward the upper side of a display area that the operation instruction image is displayed.

However, the device of <CIT> assumes that a proposal, which relates to a function of the vehicle and requests an instruction, is displayed on a head-up display while the driver is in the midst of carrying out operation with respect to information that is displayed in the head-up display.

In this case, there is the concern that the driver may carry out an unintended operation with respect to the proposal that is newly displayed, and that an instruction will be executed in accordance with contents that were selected unintentionally. It is further noted that European Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> discloses a vehicle travel control apparatus having a cruise control function for causing a vehicle to travel at a speed set by a driver. European Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> discloses methods, apparatuses, computer programs, and systems relating to vehicular human machine interfaces. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> discloses an input device that is mounted on a vehicle and enables an input operation with an operating body, such as a finger, a touch pad, or a touch panel. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> discloses an information processing device for a vehicle, an information processing system for a vehicle, and an information processing program for a vehicle that perform an operation on an operated device existing inside the vehicle. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> discloses a vehicle information display system including a display unit capable of displaying various types of information based on information input from an input unit, and a vehicle information display system capable of prohibiting input. Document <CIT> discloses a method and apparatus for displaying at least one operation parameter of a subject vehicle in the vehicle.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display control device, a vehicle, a display control method, and a storage medium storing a program that, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on a display device while a vehicle occupant is carrying out an operation with respect to information that is being displayed on the display device, can suppress erroneous operation by the vehicle occupant with respect to that proposal.

A first aspect is a display control device according to claim <NUM>.

In the display control device of the first aspect, for example, when a proposal, which relates to a function of the vehicle and requests an instruction, is given to a vehicle occupant from a device that relates to that function, the proposal information is received at the receiving section. Then, the control section changes the display of a display device, which is provided within the vehicle, from a usual image to an image that includes a proposal image relating to the proposal. A case in which the proposal image is displayed instead of the usual image, a case in which the proposal image is superposed on the usual image, and a case in which the proposal image is displayed so as to be lined-up with the usual image, are modified examples of the display by the control section.

Here, "proposal that requests an instruction" means requesting the vehicle occupant to operate the operation device, such as a switch or a touch pad or the like, in a case when an instruction from the vehicle occupant with respect to a function of the vehicle is needed. Further, the "usual image" includes images that relate to information of the vehicle or of devices installed in the vehicle, and images at which the vehicle occupant gives instructions with respect to functions of the vehicle that are unrelated to proposals. Moreover, "proposal image" is an image in which an instruction can be given with respect to the proposal by operation of the vehicle occupant.

Further, during the predetermined time period from the start of display of the proposal image, the control section prohibits the operation, which is carried out by the vehicle occupant, from being reflected in the instruction. "Prohibits the operation from being reflected in the instruction" includes both a case in which, even if an operation signal is inputted to the input section, the operation signal is not reflected in the control of the control section, and a case in which inputting of the operation signal to the input section itself is stopped. In accordance with this display control device, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device during operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to information that is being displayed on the display device, the operation of the vehicle occupant, which is carried out on the information that was displayed first, being erroneously reflected in the instruction for the new proposal is suppressed.

In a further embodiment of the display control device of the first aspect, the proposal image includes a contents image that is an image showing contents of the proposal, an item image that is an image of plural items that can be selected, and an instruction display that indicates one of the items in correspondence with a selecting operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to the proposal, and, in a case in which the receiving section receives the proposal information, the control section displays the contents image at the display device, and, during a time period in which reflection of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, displays the item image in a greyed-out manner and does not carry out the instruction display.

In the display control device of these further embodiment, during the time period in which reflecting of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, the control section displays the item image in a greyed-out manner, and does not carry out instruction display with respect to the items. In accordance with this display control device, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device during the selecting operation of the vehicle occupant on information that is being displayed on the display device, the vehicle occupant can be made to recognize the contents of the proposal, while the vehicle occupant is shown that the selecting operation is not reflected in the instruction.

In a further embodiment of the display control device of the first aspect, the proposal image includes a contents image that is an image showing contents of the proposal, an item image that is an image of plural items that can be selected, and an instruction display that indicates one of the items in correspondence with a selecting operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to the proposal, and, in a case in which the receiving section receives the proposal information, the control section displays the contents image at the display device, and, during a time period in which reflection of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, displays the item image and does not carry out the instruction display.

In the display control device of these embodiment, during the time period in which reflecting of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, the control section displays the item image, and does not carry out instruction display with respect to the items. In accordance with this display control device, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device during the selecting operation of the vehicle occupant on information that is being displayed on the display device, the vehicle occupant can be made to recognize the contents of the proposal and the items that can be selected, while the vehicle occupant is shown that the selecting operation is not reflected in the instruction.

In a further embodiment of the display control device of the first aspect, the proposal image includes a contents image that is an image showing contents of the proposal, an item image that is an image of plural items that can be selected, and an instruction display that indicates one of the items in correspondence with a selecting operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to the proposal, and, in a case in which the receiving section receives the proposal information, the control section displays the contents image at the display device, and, during a time period in which reflection of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, does not display the item image and does not carry out the instruction display.

In these further embodiment, during the time period in which reflecting of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, the control section does not display the item image, and does not carry out instruction display with respect to the items. In accordance with this display control device, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device during the selecting operation of the vehicle occupant on information that is being displayed on the display device, the vehicle occupant can first be made to recognize only the contents of the proposal.

In a further embodiment of the display control device of the first aspect, the proposal image includes a contents image that is an image showing contents of the proposal, an item image that is an image of plural items that can be selected, and an instruction display that indicates one of the items in correspondence with a selecting operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to the proposal, and, in a case in which the receiving section receives the proposal information, the control section displays the contents image at the display device, and, during a time period from receipt of the proposal information until elapsing of a time period in which reflection of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, completes fading-in of the item image at which the instruction display is carried out.

In these embosiment, during the time period from receipt of the proposal information until elapsing of the time period in which reflecting of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, the control section completes the fading-in of the item image in which the instruction display is carried out with respect to the items. In accordance with this display control device, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device during the selecting operation of the vehicle occupant on information that is being displayed on the display device, the vehicle occupant can, by the movements of the item image and the instruction display, be made to understand the passage of the time period during which the selecting operation is not reflected.

In a further embodiment of the display control device of the first aspect, the proposal image includes a contents image that is an image showing contents of the proposal, an item image that is an image of plural items that can be selected, and an instruction display that indicates one of the items in correspondence with a selecting operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to the proposal, and in a case in which the receiving section receives the proposal information, the control section displays the contents image at the display device, and, after elapsing of a time period in which reflection of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, starts fading-in of the item image at which the instruction display is carried out.

In these further embodiment, after elapsing of the time period in which reflecting of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, the control section starts fading-in of the item image at which instruction display is carried out with respect to the items. In accordance with this display control device, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device during the selecting operation of the vehicle occupant on information that is being displayed on the display device, the vehicle occupant can be made to recognize, by the movements of the item image and the instruction display, that the selecting operation is reflected in the instruction.

In a a further embodiment of the display control device of the first aspect, the proposal image includes a contents image that is an image showing contents of the proposal, an item image that is an image of plural items that can be selected, and an instruction display that indicates one of the items in correspondence with a selecting operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to the proposal, and, in a case in which the receiving section receives the proposal information, the control section displays the contents image at the display device, and, during a time period in which reflection of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited, starts fading-in of the item image at which the instruction display is carried out.

In these embodiment, the control section starts the fading-in of the item image at which instruction display is carried out with respect to the items, from a given point in time within the time period in which reflection of the operation signal in the instruction is prohibited. In accordance with this display control device, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device during the selecting operation of the vehicle occupant on information that is being displayed on the display device, the vehicle occupant can, by the movements of the item image and the instruction display, be made to know in a short time that the selecting operation is reflected.

In these embodiment, the display device includes a first display portion that can be seen by the vehicle occupant, and a second display portion that is displayed above the first display portion and on a sightline of the vehicle occupant, and the control section displays the usual image only on the first display portion, and displays the usual image and the proposal image on both the first display portion and the second display portion.

In in these embodiment, the control section displays the proposal image on, among the first display portion and the second display portion, only the second display portion that is on the sightline of the vehicle occupant. Due thereto, the vehicle occupant can be made to know that there is a new proposal that involves an instruction of the vehicle occupant.

A ninth aspect is a vehicle including: the display control device of any one of the first through eighth aspects; an operation device that receives operation of the vehicle occupant; and the display device.

In these embodiment, for example, in a case in which, in the midst of a selecting operation relating to a comfort function, such as the audio system or the air conditioner or the like, in the usual image, a proposal image relating to a traveling function such as lane change assist or the like is given by a proposal image, the selecting operation of the vehicle occupant is not reflected in the traveling function during the predetermined time period. Namely, in accordance with this vehicle, erroneous operation, in which the selecting operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to a comfort function is erroneously reflected in an instruction with respect to a traveling function, is suppressed.

A second aspect is a display control method according to claim <NUM>.

In the display control method of the tenth aspect, for example, when a proposal which relates to a function of the vehicle and requests an instruction, is given to the vehicle occupant from a device that relates to that function, the proposal information is received in the receiving processing. Then, in the controlling processing, a display device, which is provided within the vehicle, changes display of a usual image to display of an image that includes a proposal image relating to the proposal. Here, modified examples of display in the controlling processing are as described above. Further, the definitions of "instruction", "usual image", and "proposal image" are the same as described above.

In the controlling processing, the operation that the vehicle occupant carries out being reflected in the instruction is prohibited during the predetermined time period from the start of display of the proposal image. In accordance with this display control method, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed during operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to information that is being displayed on the display device, the operation of the vehicle occupant, which is carried out with respect to the information that was displayed first, being erroneously reflected in the instruction for the new proposal is suppressed.

An third aspect is a non-transitory storage medium storing a program according to claim <NUM>.

In the program that is storing on the non-transitory storage medium of the eleventh aspect, the following processings are executed at a computer. Namely, for example, when a proposal, which relates to a function of the vehicle and requests an instruction, is given to a vehicle occupant, the proposal information is received in the receiving processing. Then, in the controlling processing, a display device, which is provided within the vehicle, changes display of a usual image to display of an image that includes a proposal image relating to the proposal. Here, modified examples of display in the controlling processing are as described above. Further, the definitions of "instruction", "usual image", and "proposal image" are the same as described above.

Further, in the controlling processing, the operation that is carried out by the vehicle occupant being reflected in the instruction is prohibited during the predetermined time period from the start of display of the proposal image. In accordance with this program, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed during operation of the vehicle occupant with respect to information that is being displayed on the display device, the operation of the vehicle occupant, which is carried out with respect to the information that was displayed first, being erroneously reflected in the instruction for the new proposal is suppressed.

In accordance with the present invention, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on a display device while a vehicle occupant is carrying out an operation with respect to information that is being displayed on the display device, erroneous operation by the vehicle occupant with respect to that proposal can be suppressed.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail
based on the following figures, wherein:.

Vehicle control systems relating to embodiments of the present disclosure are described by using <FIG>. Note that "in front" in <FIG> means the front side when the vehicle front side is observed from the vehicle rear side.

A vehicle control system <NUM> of a first embodiment is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The vehicle control system <NUM> of the present embodiment is structured to include a display device <NUM>, a display control device <NUM>, touch pads <NUM>, and respective ECUs (Electronic Control Units) <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the display device <NUM> is provided in front of the driver at the driver's seat of a vehicle <NUM>. The display device <NUM> has a MID (Multi Information Display) <NUM> that serves as a first display portion which the driver can see, and a HUD.

(Head-Up Display) <NUM> that serves as a second display portion that is displayed adjacent to and at the vehicle upper side of the MID <NUM> on the sightline of the driver.

To describe this further, the MID <NUM> of the present embodiment is a liquid crystal screen that is provided at the front surface of a dashboard <NUM>. The HUD <NUM> of the present embodiment has a projection device at the interior of the dashboard <NUM>, and an image is projected from this projection device onto a projection screen 24A that is set at a front window <NUM> that is a projection surface. Note that the projection surface of the HUD <NUM> is not limited to the front window <NUM>, and a combiner (reflection plate) that is provided at the dashboard <NUM> may be used as the projection surface.

The display control device <NUM> is provided at the interior of the dashboard <NUM> in a vicinity of the display device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the display control device <NUM> has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) <NUM> that is an example of the processor that is hardware, a ROM (Read Only Memory) <NUM>, a RAM (random Access Memory) <NUM>, and an input/output interface (I/O) <NUM>. The CPU <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, the RAM <NUM> and the I/O <NUM> are connected to one another via a bus <NUM>. Note that, in addition to the ROM <NUM> or in place of the ROM <NUM>, the display control device <NUM> may have a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, a processing program <NUM> for causing the CPU <NUM> to execute proposing processing, and image data <NUM> that relates to an image that is to be displayed on the display device <NUM>, are stored in the ROM <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> reads-out the processing program <NUM> from the ROM <NUM>, and expands it in the RAM <NUM>. Then, due to the CPU <NUM> loading and executing the processing program <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> functions as a receiving section <NUM>, an input section <NUM> and a control section <NUM> that are shown in <FIG>. The CPU <NUM> is an example of the processor.

As shown in <FIG>, the MID <NUM> and the HUD <NUM> that structure the display device <NUM> are connected to the I/O <NUM>. Further, the touch pads <NUM> and the ECUs <NUM> are connected to the I/O <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the touch pads <NUM> that serve as operation devices are disposed at left and right spoke portions 18A of a steering wheel <NUM>, respectively. The touch pads <NUM> include a touch pad 40A that is disposed at the right side of the steering wheel <NUM>, and a touch pad 40B that is disposed at the left side of the steering wheel <NUM>.

Each of the touch pads <NUM> is formed in a circular shape as seen from the driver's seat side. The operation surfaces, which are the surfaces that are exposed at the driver's seat side, of the touch pads <NUM> are electrostatic capacitance type sensors, and can be operated by being swiped by the fingers (here, the thumbs) of the driver. Note that the touch pads <NUM> are not limited to an electrostatic capacitance type, and may be of an arbitrary type such as a resistive film type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared light type, an electromagnetic induction type, or the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the touch pads <NUM> themselves are push switches, and can be operated by being pushed by the fingers of the driver. When the driver grips the steering wheel <NUM>, the touch pads <NUM> of the present embodiment can be operated by the thumbs. Settings relating to the functions of the vehicle <NUM> can be carried out by the touch pads <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, in the proposing processing that is described later, an item relating to a proposal can be selected by swiping on the touch pad 40A, and the selected item can be definitively set by the touch pad 40A being pressed. Note that the touch pad <NUM> that is used in the proposing processing is not limited to the touch pad 40A, and the touch pad 40B may be used instead of the touch pad 40A, or in addition to the touch pad 40A.

As shown in <FIG>, the ECUs <NUM> of the present embodiment include, for example, a vehicle control ECU 50A, an engine ECU 50B, a brake ECU 50C, a body ECU 50D, a camera ECU 50E, and a multimedia ECU 50F. These ECUs <NUM> are connected via a CAN (Controller Area Network) <NUM>. Note that the method of connection is not limited to this, and the respective ECUs <NUM> may be connected via a gateway ECU for example. Further, the connection system is not limited to CAN, and LAN standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like may be employed.

The vehicle control ECU 50A controls the traveling functions such as VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), traction control, the lane keeping system, lane change assist and the like. The vehicle control ECU 50A realizes the traveling functions of the vehicle <NUM> in cooperation with the other ECUs <NUM> such as the engine ECU 50B, the brake ECU 50C, the camera ECU 50E, and the like.

The engine ECU 50B controls the output of the engine. The engine ECU 50B acquires the vehicle speed and the engine speed of the vehicle <NUM> in order to control the engine. In the present embodiment, the vehicle speed and the engine speed are transmitted from the engine ECU 50B to the I/O <NUM>.

The brake ECU 50C controls the brakes. For example, at the time when the cruise control function is operated, the brake ECU 50C controls the braking of the respective wheels in order for the vehicle <NUM> to travel at a preset vehicle speed, or in order to maintain constant the vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the vehicle <NUM> and the preceding vehicle.

The body ECU 50D controls the respective lights including the headlights, and the power windows and the like. The vehicle <NUM> of the present embodiment has automatic lights that turn on and off automatically in accordance with the illuminance at the exterior of the vehicle.

The camera ECU 50E has the function of sensing the situation at the periphery of the vehicle <NUM> on the basis of information acquired from various sensors such as cameras, millimeter-wave radar, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging / Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), and the like that are provided at the exterior of the vehicle <NUM>. Due to the camera ECU 50E sensing a preceding vehicle, which is traveling in front of the vehicle <NUM>, on the basis of information acquired from the various sensors, the vehicle control ECU 50A can, on the basis of this sensed information, carry out traveling by tracking while maintaining constant the vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the vehicle <NUM> and the preceding vehicle. The camera ECU 50E transmits the situations at the peripheries of the preceding vehicle and the vehicle <NUM> to the I/O <NUM> as sensed information.

The multimedia ECU 50F controls the car navigation system and the audio system. On the basis of operations of the driver, the multimedia ECU 50F changes the map display screen, selects music, adjusts the volume, and the like.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structures of the CPU <NUM> at the display control device <NUM>.

The receiving section <NUM> has the function of receiving proposal information that relates to a proposal that requests an instruction from the driver of the vehicle. Here, "proposal that requests an instruction" means requesting that the driver operate the touch pad <NUM> in a case in which an instruction from the driver relating to a function of the vehicle <NUM> is needed. Further, "operate" is operations with respect to the touch pad <NUM>, and includes both swiping operation that serves as a selecting operation, and pushing operation that serves as a definitive setting operation.

The receiving section <NUM> of the present embodiment receives proposal information from the respective ECUs <NUM> that are at the exterior of the display control device <NUM>. For example, in a case in which a proposal is made as to whether or not to effect a lane change during operation of the lane change assist, the receiving section <NUM> receives proposal information relating to that proposal from the vehicle control ECU 50A. Further, in a case in which the display control device <NUM> itself makes a proposal that requests an instruction, the receiving section <NUM> acquires the proposal information from the control section <NUM>. For example, in a case in which a proposal is made relating to adjusting the time of the clock displayed on the MID <NUM>, the receiving section <NUM> acquires the proposal information that relates to this proposal from the control section <NUM>.

Operation signals that are outputted in accordance with operations of the driver are inputted to the input section <NUM>. Concretely, operation signals that are outputted when the touch pads <NUM> are swiped or when the touch pads <NUM> are pushed are inputted to the input section <NUM> via the I/O <NUM>.

The control section <NUM> has the function of carrying out control relating to display on the display device <NUM>, and carrying out instructions relating to various proposals. Usually, the control section <NUM> displays a usual image <NUM> only on the MID <NUM> of the display device <NUM>. The usual image <NUM> includes images relating to the vehicle <NUM> or devices that are installed in the vehicle <NUM>, and images for the driver to give instructions with respect to the functions of the vehicle irrespective of proposals (<FIG>).

Further, in a case in which the receiving section <NUM> receives proposal information, the control section <NUM> changes the display of the display device <NUM> that is provided within the vehicle from the usual image <NUM> to an image that includes a proposal image <NUM>. The proposal image <NUM> is an image that enables instruction, by operation of the driver, with respect to the proposal relating to the received proposal information.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the proposal image <NUM> includes a contents image <NUM> that is an image showing the contents of the proposal, an item image <NUM> that is an image of plural items that can be selected, and an instruction display <NUM> that is a display by which one item is indicated in accordance with the selecting operation of the driver for that proposal. The contents image <NUM> includes characters and graphics and the like. The item image <NUM> is displayed as a list of plural items. The instruction display <NUM> is display that is carried out on the item image <NUM>, such as a cursor that surrounds the one item, a pointer, highlighting, color reversal or the like in the item image <NUM>.

The control section <NUM> of the present embodiment displays the proposal image <NUM> on both the MID <NUM> and the HUD <NUM> (see <FIG>). Here, the proposal image <NUM> that is displayed on the MID <NUM> is indicated as proposal image 80A, and the proposal image <NUM> that is displayed on the HUD <NUM> is indicated as proposal image 80B. The proposal image 80A includes contents image 81A, item image 82A and instruction display 83A, and the proposal image 80B includes contents image 81B, item image 82B and instruction display 83B. Note that, accompanying operation of the touch pad <NUM>, the instruction display 83A moves between the items of the item image 82A, and the instruction display 83B moves between the items of the item image 82B. However, the instruction display 83A and the instruction display 83B always show the same item.

When proposal information is received, the control section <NUM> of the present embodiment causes the display device <NUM> to display the contents image <NUM>. During an operation standby time period that is described later, the control section <NUM> displays the item image <NUM> in a greyed-out manner, and does not carry out the instruction display <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Further, during the operation standby time period from the start of display of the proposal image <NUM>, the control section <NUM> prohibits the operation signal from being reflected in the instruction. Here, "operation standby time period" is a time period in which the driver can recognize the contents of the proposal, or is a time period in which the driver can recognize that a new proposal has arisen. The operation standby time period corresponds to the "predetermined time period" of the present disclosure. "Prohibits reflection of the operation signal in the instruction" means both a case in which, even if an operation signal is inputted at the input section <NUM>, that operation signal is not reflected in the control of the control section <NUM>, and a case in which inputting of the operation signal at the input section <NUM> itself is stopped.

An example of the proposing processing at the vehicle control system <NUM> of the present embodiment is described next. <FIG> is an example of the flow in a case in which proposing processing relating to lane change assist is executed.

In step S100 of <FIG>, the CPU <NUM> determines whether or not proposal information has been received. Here, in a case in which the proposal "return to traveling lane" is made, the CPU <NUM> determines whether or not proposal information has been received from the vehicle control ECU 50A. If the CPU <NUM> determines that proposal information has been received, the routine moves on to step S101. On the other hand, if the CPU <NUM> determines that proposal information has not been received, the routine moves on to step S105.

In step S101, the CPU <NUM> determines whether or not the current time is within the operation standby time period. If the CPU <NUM> determines that the current time is within the operation standby time period, the routine moves on to step S102. On the other hand, if the CPU <NUM> determines that the current time is not within the operation standby time period, i.e., that the operation standby time period has elapsed, the routine moves on to step S103.

In step S102, the CPU <NUM> displays the proposal image <NUM> in a mode of the initial stage of interruption. Concretely, in the mode of the initial stage of interruption, the CPU <NUM> displays the contents image <NUM>, greys-out the item image <NUM>, and does not display the instruction display <NUM>, on the MID <NUM> and the HUD <NUM> (see <FIG>). In this case, at the MID <NUM>, the proposal image <NUM> is displayed instead of the usual image <NUM>. Then, the routine returns to step S101. Namely, display of the proposal image <NUM> in accordance with the mode of the initial stage of interruption is continued until the operation standby time period elapses. In the mode of the initial stage of interruption, the operation signal of the touch pad <NUM> is not reflected in the instruction, and, even if the driver operates the touch pad <NUM>, the instruction display <NUM> does not appear on the MID <NUM> and the HUD <NUM>.

In step S103, the CPU <NUM> displays the proposal image <NUM> in the usual interruption mode. Concretely, in the usual interruption mode, the CPU <NUM> displays the contents image <NUM> and displays the item image <NUM> that has the instruction display <NUM>, on the MID <NUM> and the HUD <NUM> (see <FIG>). In the usual interruption mode, because the operation signal of the touch pad <NUM> is reflected in the instruction, the instruction display <NUM> that is displayed on the MID <NUM> and the HUD <NUM> moves between items due to the driver operating the touch pad <NUM>.

In step S104, the CPU <NUM> determines whether or not there has been definitive setting of an item or a withdrawal of the proposal. The definitive setting of an item corresponds to a case in which the touch pad <NUM> is pushed and the selected item is set definitively. Further, the withdrawal of the proposal corresponds to a case in which the touch pad <NUM> is not operated regardless of the facts that proposal information has been received and the operation standby time period is elapsing, or a case in which the driver himself/herself effects a lane change into the traveling lane. When the CPU <NUM> determines that there has been definitive setting of an item or a withdrawal of the proposal, the routine moves on to step S105. On the other hand, if the CPU <NUM> determines that there is no definitive setting of an item or withdrawal of the proposal, the routine returns to step S103.

In step S105, the CPU <NUM> displays the usual image <NUM>. This usual image <NUM> is displayed only on the MID <NUM> (see <FIG>). Then, the routine returns to step S100, and processings to step S105 are repeated.

In accordance with the present embodiment, due to the proposal image <NUM> being displayed only on the HUD <NUM> that is on the sightline of the driver among the MID <NUM> and the HUD <NUM>, the driver can be made to understand that the proposal image <NUM> is a new proposal that involves the instruction of the driver.

Further, a case is considered in which, for example, in the vehicle <NUM> of the present embodiment, in the midst of a selecting operation relating to a comfort function, such as the audio system or the air conditioner or the like, in the usual image <NUM> at the display device <NUM>, the proposal image <NUM> that relates to a traveling function such as lane change assist or the like is displayed on the display device <NUM>. In this case, during the operation standby time period, the selecting operation of the driver is not reflected in the traveling function. Namely, the vehicle <NUM> of the present embodiment suppresses erroneous operation in which the selecting operation of the driver with respect to a comfort function is erroneously reflected in an instruction for a traveling function.

At the display control device <NUM> of the present embodiment, during the operation standby time period from the start of display of the proposal image <NUM> on the display device <NUM>, even if an operation signal that accompanies operation of the touch pad <NUM> is received, that operation signal being reflected in the instruction for the proposal is prohibited. Or, during the operation standby time period from the start of display of the proposal image <NUM>, the input of an operation signal that accompanies operation of the touch pad <NUM> is itself stopped. Namely, in accordance with the present embodiment, in a case in which a new proposal that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device <NUM> in the midst of a selecting operation by the driver with respect to information that is being displayed on the display device <NUM>, the selecting operation of the driver, which is carried out on the information that was displayed first, being erroneously reflected in the instruction for the new proposal is suppressed.

Further, during the operation standby time period, the display control device <NUM> of the present embodiment displays the item image <NUM> in a greyed-out manner, and does not carry out the instruction display <NUM> on the items. In accordance with the present embodiment, in a case in which the new proposal image <NUM> that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device <NUM> in the midst of a selecting operation of the driver at the usual image <NUM> that is being displayed on the display device <NUM>, the driver can be made to recognize the contents of the proposal while the driver is shown that his/her selecting operation at the touch pad <NUM> is not being reflected in the instruction. Further, by carrying out display with the item image <NUM> displayed in a greyed-out manner on the display device <NUM>, the driver erroneously thinking that the selecting operation is not being reflected and that a fault has occurred can be suppressed.

In the second embodiment, the method of displaying the proposal image <NUM> in the mode of the initial stage of interruption differs from in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the points that differ from the first embodiment are described.

In a case in which proposal information is received, the control section <NUM> of the present embodiment displays the contents image <NUM> on the display device <NUM>, and, during the operation standby time period, displays the item image <NUM> and does not carry out the instruction display <NUM>.

In accordance with the present embodiment, operation and effects that are similar to those of the vehicle control system <NUM> of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in accordance with the present embodiment, the driver can be made to recognize the items that are included in the item image <NUM>, in addition to the contents of the proposal included in the contents image <NUM>.

In the third embodiment, the method of displaying the proposal image <NUM> in the mode of the initial stage of interruption differs from in the respective embodiments. Hereinafter, the points that differ from the respective embodiments are described.

In a case in which proposal information is received, the control section <NUM> of the present embodiment displays the contents image <NUM> on the display device <NUM>, and, during the operation standby time period, does not display the item image <NUM> and does not carry out the instruction display <NUM>.

In accordance with the present embodiment, operation and effects that are similar to those of the vehicle control system <NUM> of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in accordance with the present embodiment, in a case in which the new proposal image <NUM> that involves an instruction is displayed on the display device <NUM> in the midst of the selecting operation of the driver on the usual image <NUM> that is being displayed on the display device <NUM>, the driver can be made to recognize only the contents of the proposal that was first included in the contents image <NUM>.

In the fourth embodiment, the method of displaying the proposal image <NUM> in the mode of the initial stage of interruption differs from in the respective embodiments. Hereinafter, the points that differ from the first embodiment are described.

In a case in which proposal information is received, the control section <NUM> of the present embodiment displays the contents image <NUM> on the display device <NUM>, and, during the time period from the receipt of the proposal information until the operation standby time period elapses, causes the item image <NUM>, in which the instruction display <NUM> is being carried out, to fade-in from a lateral side (see <FIG>). Note that in the usual interruption mode the method of displaying the proposal image <NUM>, and the method of displaying the usual image <NUM>, are the same as in the first embodiment (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

In accordance with the present embodiment, operation and effects that are similar to those of the vehicle control system <NUM> of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in accordance with the present embodiment, the driver can understand the passage of the operation standby time period due to the movements of the item image <NUM> and the instruction display <NUM>.

In the fifth embodiment, the method of displaying the proposal image <NUM> in the mode of the initial stage of interruption differs from in the respective embodiments. Hereinafter, the points that differ from the fourth embodiment are described.

In a case in which proposal information is received, the control section <NUM> of the present embodiment displays the contents image <NUM> on the display device <NUM>, and, after the operation standby time period elapses, causes the item image <NUM>, in which the instruction display <NUM> is being carried out, to fade-in from a lateral side.

In accordance with the present embodiment, operation and effects that are similar to those of the vehicle control system <NUM> of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in accordance with the present embodiment, the driver can understand that the selecting operation is reflected in the instruction due to the movements of the item image <NUM> and the instruction display <NUM>.

In the sixth embodiment, the method of displaying the proposal image <NUM> in the mode of the initial stage of interruption differs from in the respective embodiments. Hereinafter, the points that differ from the fourth embodiment are described.

In a case in which proposal information is received, the control section <NUM> of the present embodiment displays the contents image <NUM> on the display device <NUM>, and during the operation standby time period, starts fading-in of the item image <NUM>, in which the instruction display <NUM> is carried out, from a lateral side.

In accordance with the present embodiment, operation and effects that are similar to those of the vehicle control system <NUM> of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in accordance with the present embodiment, the driver can understand, in a short time, that the selecting operation is reflected due to the movements of the item image <NUM> and the instruction display <NUM>.

In the vehicle control systems <NUM> of the above-described respective embodiments, when the receiving section <NUM> receives proposal information, the control section <NUM> displays the proposal image 80A on the MID <NUM> instead of the usual image <NUM>. However, as a modified example of display on the MID <NUM> by the control section <NUM>, there is a case in which the proposal image 80A is superposed on the usual image <NUM>. In this case, at the MID <NUM>, the proposal image 80A is displayed so as to conceal the usual image <NUM>, and, at the HUD <NUM>, the proposal image 80B is newly displayed. Further, as a modified example of display on the MID <NUM>, there a case in which the proposal image 80A is displayed so as to be lined-up with the usual image <NUM>. In this case, at the MID <NUM>, the proposal image 80A is displayed adjacent to the usual image <NUM>, and, at the HUD <NUM>, the proposal image 80B is newly displayed.

The vehicle control systems <NUM> of the above-described respective embodiments are structured such that a proposal is made to the driver who is seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle <NUM>, and the driver gives an instruction by operating the touch pad <NUM> that is provided at the steering wheel <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and may be structured such that a proposal is made to a vehicle occupant other than the driver, and that vehicle occupant gives an instruction by operating a touch pad provided at the dashboard <NUM> or the like.

In the above-described respective embodiments, the driver is urged by the proposal to select one item from among the items that are included in the item image <NUM>. Concretely, when the driver is to give an instruction, the driver swipes the touch pad <NUM> and selects an item, and definitively sets that item by pushing on the touch pad <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the same, and the proposal may be a proposal to merely definitively set content that has been provided in advance. An example of this is, a proposal that requests only a definitive setting operation is displayed in the proposal image <NUM>, and the driver merely push-operates the touch pad <NUM>.

Due to the driver operating the touch pad <NUM>, the control sections <NUM> of the above-described respective embodiments effect display such that the instruction display <NUM> moves between the items in the item image <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the control section <NUM> may fix the displayed position of the instruction display <NUM>, and the item image <NUM> may be scrolled-through accompanying the driver's operation of the touch pad <NUM>.

In the above-described embodiments, the touch pad <NUM> is an example of the operation device that the driver operates. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and a device such as a button switch, a lever switch, a voice input system or the like may be used as the operation device.

Note that any of various types of processors other than a CPU may execute the various processings that the CPU <NUM> executes by reading out software (a program) in the above-described embodiment. Examples of processors in this case include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) whose circuit structure can be changed after production such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) and the like, or dedicated electrical circuits that are processors having circuit structures that are designed for the sole purpose of executing specific processings such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and the like, or the like. Further, the above-described receiving processing may be executed by one of these various types of processors, or may be executed by combining two or more of the same type or different types of processors (e.g., plural FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or the like). Further, the hardware structures of these various types of processors are, more concretely, electrical circuits that combine circuit elements such as semiconductor elements and the like.

Further, the above respective embodiments describe a form in which the program is stored in advance (is installed) in a non-transitory storage medium that can be read by a computer. For example, the processing program <NUM> is stored in advance in the ROM <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the processing program <NUM> may be provided in a form of being recorded on a non-transitory storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or the like. Further, the processing program <NUM> may be in a form of being downloaded from an external device via a network.

Claim 1:
A display control device (<NUM>) comprising:
a receiving section (<NUM>) that receives proposal information relating to a proposal that requests a first instruction from a vehicle occupant of a vehicle (<NUM>);
an input section (<NUM>) to which an operation signal, which is outputted in accordance with an operation of the vehicle occupant, is inputted; and
characterized in that the display control devices (<NUM>) comprises a control section (<NUM>) that, in a case in which the receiving section receives the proposal information, changes display of a display device (<NUM>) provided within the vehicle from a usual image (<NUM>), said usual image (<NUM>) including an image for the occupant to give a second instruction with respect to a function of the vehicle (<NUM>) irrespective of the proposal, to an image that includes a proposal image (<NUM>) relating to the proposal, and, during a predetermined time period from start of display of the proposal image by changing from display of the usual image (<NUM>), prohibits reflection of the operation signal in the first instruction;
the proposal image (<NUM>) being an image that is configured to enable the first instruction, by operation of the occupant, with respect to the proposal relating to the received proposal information.