JP2015011458A - Vehicle information providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress occurrence of a situation that an own vehicle cannot change a lane adequately.SOLUTION: First, a vehicle information providing device 1 acquires surrounding situation information indicating a surrounding situation of an own vehicle, by a radar system 6. Then, a HUD (Head UP Display) device 2 shows whether or not a lane change for changing a lane where the own vehicle travels is possible on the basis of the acquired surrounding situation information, and displays an image indicating lane change possible residual time being a time until the lane change becomes difficult, when the lane change is possible.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle information providing apparatus that provides information to a vehicle occupant.

  Conventionally, the time until the host vehicle collides with the preceding vehicle is calculated based on the inter-vehicle distance and the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, and the vehicle is attached to the steering wheel according to this time. An apparatus that gives a warning to a driver by changing the vibration frequency of a vibrator is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-162466 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for the driver of the own vehicle to determine whether or not to change the lane in order to avoid a collision with the preceding vehicle. There was a problem that the lane change could not be performed properly.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a problem, and it aims at suppressing generation | occurrence | production of the situation that the own vehicle cannot change a lane appropriately.

The vehicle information providing apparatus of the present invention made to achieve the above object includes a surrounding state acquisition unit and a display unit.
In the vehicle information providing device of the present invention, first, the surrounding state acquisition unit acquires surrounding state information indicating the surrounding state of the host vehicle that is a vehicle on which the vehicle information providing device is mounted. When the display unit indicates whether or not a lane change for changing the lane in which the host vehicle travels is possible based on the surrounding situation information acquired by the surrounding situation acquisition unit, and further a lane change is possible An image showing the possible remaining time which is the time until the lane change becomes difficult is displayed.

  Since the vehicle information providing apparatus configured in this way can notify the driver whether or not the lane change is possible based on the surrounding situation of the own vehicle, the driver can Based on this, it can be determined whether or not to change the lane. Furthermore, since the vehicle information providing apparatus of the present invention can notify the time (possible remaining time) until it becomes difficult to change lanes by automatic driving, whether or not to change lanes based on the remaining remaining time is determined. Judgment can be made. Thus, according to the vehicle information providing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide the driver with information indicating whether or not the lane change can be performed and information indicating the time until the lane change is difficult. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the host vehicle cannot appropriately change the lane.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information provision apparatus 1 for vehicles. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the display screen area | region DR within a windshield. It is a flowchart which shows an information provision process. It is a figure which shows a start timing image. It is a figure explaining the road condition where the start timing image of FIG. 4 is displayed. It is a figure explaining the road condition where the start timing image of FIG. 7 is displayed. It is a figure which shows the start timing image displayed on the condition of FIG. It is a figure which shows a road condition and the start timing image corresponding to this road condition. It is a figure which shows the transition of a road condition. It is a 1st figure which shows the image corresponding to the road condition of FIG. FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing an image corresponding to the road situation of FIG. 9. It is a figure which shows a road condition and the lane change possibility image corresponding to this road condition. It is a figure which shows a road condition, the lane change permission image corresponding to this road condition, and a lane change confirmation image. It is a 1st figure which shows the start timing image of 2nd Embodiment. It is a 2nd figure which shows the start timing image of 2nd Embodiment. It is a 1st figure which shows the image corresponding to the road condition of FIG. 9 in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing an image corresponding to the road situation of FIG. 9 in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the own vehicle image P101 and the vehicle direction instruction image P102. It is a figure which shows the lane change permission image and lane change confirmation image of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing an image corresponding to the road situation of FIG. 9 in another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing an image corresponding to the road situation of FIG. 9 in another embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The vehicle information providing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and, as shown in FIG. 1, a head up display device 2 (hereinafter referred to as a HUD device 2), a left rear camera 3, a right rear A camera 4, an electronic mirror 5, a radar device 6, a vehicle speed sensor 7, a navigation device 8, and a control unit 9 are provided.

  A vehicle on which the vehicle information providing device 1 is mounted (hereinafter referred to as a host vehicle) is configured to be capable of automatic driving. When the host vehicle performs an operation for turning on the right turn signal during execution of auto-cruise control (hereinafter also referred to as ACC) for controlling the traveling speed so as to keep the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle constant. Three seconds later, automatic overtaking or lane change is performed. In order to overtake the preceding vehicle, automatic overtaking first moves to the right lane by automatic driving.After passing the preceding vehicle, the driver performs an operation to turn on the left turn signal. Traveling to the left lane. The lane change is a travel in which an automatic driving first moves to the right lane to overtake the preceding vehicle and maintains the current lane even after overtaking the preceding vehicle.

  The HUD device 2 irradiates display light for displaying an image from below the windshield toward the windshield. As a result, the driver visually recognizes the projected virtual image superimposed on the actual scenery in front of the vehicle. The HUD device 2 displays an image on a rectangular display screen region DR provided below the windshield (see FIG. 2).

The left rear camera 3 is installed at the left end portion of the vehicle and captures the situation of the left rear of the vehicle.
The right rear camera 4 is installed at the right end of the vehicle, and photographs the situation on the right rear side of the vehicle.
The electronic mirror 5 is a display device installed on the left and right sides of the dashboard (see FIG. 2). The electronic mirror 5 installed on the left side displays an image captured by the left rear camera 3, and the electronic mirror 5 installed on the right side displays an image captured by the right rear camera 4.

  The radar device 6 includes at least one of a millimeter wave radar device and a laser radar device. The radar device 6 transmits a radar wave toward the periphery of the vehicle and receives a reflected radar wave, so that the radar device 6 is positioned around the vehicle. The position of the vehicle to be operated (hereinafter also referred to as a surrounding vehicle) and the relative speed between the host vehicle and the surrounding vehicle are detected.

The vehicle speed sensor 7 detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle.
The navigation device 8 acquires road map data from a map storage medium in which road map data and various types of information are recorded, and based on a GPS signal received via a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna (not shown) or the like. It is configured to detect the current position. The navigation device 8 is configured to execute control for displaying the current location of the vehicle on the display screen ND (see FIG. 2), control for guiding a route from the current location to the destination, and the like. Yes.

  The control unit 9 is mainly configured by a known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, a bus line connecting these components, and the like. The control unit 9 executes various processes based on inputs from the cameras 3 and 4, the radar device 6, the vehicle speed sensor 7, and the navigation device 8, and controls the HUD device 2, the electronic mirror 5, and the navigation device 8.

In the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the control unit 9 executes an information providing process described later.
First, the procedure of the information provision process which the control part 9 performs is demonstrated. The information providing process is a process that is repeatedly executed during the operation of the vehicle information providing apparatus 1.

  When this information providing process is executed, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 9 first determines the own vehicle based on the traveling speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 7 (hereinafter referred to as the own vehicle traveling speed) in S10. A current speed image VP indicating the traveling speed (see FIG. 4A) is displayed on the HUD device 2. The current speed image VP of the present embodiment is an image showing the traveling speed of the host vehicle in numbers and units.

Next, in S20, the surrounding situation of the host vehicle is detected. Specifically, the position of the surrounding vehicle and the relative speed between the host vehicle and the surrounding vehicle are detected by the radar device 6.
In S30, it is determined whether or not the host vehicle is executing ACC. Here, when ACC is not being executed (S30: NO), the information providing process is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if the ACC is being executed (S30: YES), it is determined in S40 whether or not the host vehicle is being automatically overtaken or changing the lane. Here, when the vehicle is not automatically overtaking and the vehicle line is not being changed (S40: NO), it is determined at S50 whether or not the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle based on the detection result at S20. . Specifically, for example, based on the distance and relative speed between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, the time until the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle is set to a display determination time (for example, 20 seconds in the present embodiment) or less. If it is, it is determined that the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle.

  If it is determined that the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle (S50: YES), the process proceeds to S70. On the other hand, if it is determined that the host vehicle cannot catch up with the preceding vehicle (S50: NO), the current position information indicating the current position of the host vehicle and the planned travel route of the host vehicle are obtained from the navigation device 8 in S60. By acquiring the information shown and the road map data around the current position, it is determined whether or not the host vehicle is approaching an intersection having a straight lane and a right / left turn lane and the host vehicle is making a right turn. If the host vehicle is approaching an intersection having a straight lane and a right / left turn lane and the host vehicle turns right (S60: YES), the process proceeds to S70. On the other hand, if the vehicle is not approaching an intersection having a straight lane and a right / left turn lane, or if the host vehicle does not turn right at the approaching intersection (S60: NO), the process proceeds to S90.

  Then, when the process proceeds to S70, it is determined whether or not the own vehicle is in a situation where the vehicle can be automatically overtaken or the vehicle line can be changed based on the detection result in S20. Specifically, for example, when there is no vehicle approaching the host vehicle from the rear of the host vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an approaching rear vehicle), or until the host vehicle performs automatic overtaking or lane change If the vehicle does not catch up with the host vehicle, it is determined that the host vehicle is in a situation where it can be automatically overtaken or a vehicle line can be changed.

  Here, when the vehicle is in a situation where the vehicle can be automatically overtaken or the vehicle line can be changed (S70: YES), in S80, a preset start timing image (FIGS. 4, 7, and 8 ( b) is displayed on the HUD device 2. On the other hand, if the vehicle is not in a situation where it can be automatically overtaken or changed to an automobile line (S70: NO), the information providing process is temporarily terminated.

  In S90, it is determined whether or not an operation for turning on the right turn signal has been performed. Here, when an operation to turn on the right turn signal is performed (S90: YES), in S100, based on the detection result in S20, a preset lane change possibility image (FIG. 12B). ), (C) and FIG. 13B) are displayed on the HUD device 2, and the information providing process is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, when the operation to turn on the right turn signal is not performed (S90: NO), based on the detection result in S20 and the road map data around the current position acquired from the navigation device 8 in S110. Thus, it is determined whether or not the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle is significantly slower than the speed limit of the traveling road. Here, when the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle is extremely slow (S110: YES), in S120, a preset lane change confirmation image (see FIG. 13D) is set based on the detection result in S20. ) Is displayed on the HUD device 2, and the information providing process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle is not extremely slow (S110: NO), a pre-set ACC image (see FIG. 10A) is sent to the HUD device 2 in S130. The information providing process is temporarily terminated.

  In S40, if the vehicle is in the process of being automatically overtaken or changing lanes (S40: YES), a preset lane changing image is displayed in S140 (see FIG. 10D). 11) is displayed on the HUD device 2, and the information providing process is temporarily terminated.

Next, the contents of the start timing image will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the start timing image includes a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP3. FIG. 4A is a start timing image when the host vehicle performs automatic overtaking, and FIG. 4B is a start timing image when the host vehicle changes the lane.

  The superimposed display image TP1 is a travel route when the own vehicle performs automatic overtaking (hereinafter referred to as an automatic overtaking route), or a travel route when the own vehicle changes an lane (hereinafter referred to as an lane change route). Is superimposed and displayed on the road that the driver visually recognizes through the windshield. The superimposed display image TP1 in FIG. 4A shows the automatic overtaking route, and the superimposed display image TP1 in FIG. 4B shows the vehicle line change route.

  The icon display image TP2 is a route image P1 that displays the above-described automatic overtaking route or vehicle line change route as an icon, and a possible remaining time image P2 that indicates the time until the automatic overtaking or vehicle line change cannot be started. including. 4 (a) and 4 (b), “10” is displayed as the possible remaining time image P2, indicating that it is possible to start the automatic overtaking or the lane change until 10 seconds later. ing.

The vehicle position display image TP3 includes a matrix rectangular image P11, a host vehicle image P12, another vehicle image P13, a possible remaining time image P14, and a follow-up remaining time image P15.
The matrix rectangular image P11 is configured by arranging nine rectangular images in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns. The own vehicle image P12 is a rectangular image showing the own vehicle. The other vehicle image P13 is a rectangular image showing another vehicle. The own vehicle image P12 and the other vehicle image P13 are arranged on the matrix rectangular image P11, thereby indicating the direction of the current position of the other vehicle with the own vehicle as a base point. 4A and 4B, the host vehicle image P12 is arranged at the position of 2 rows and 2 columns of the matrix rectangular image P11, and the other vehicle image P13 is arranged at the position of 1 row and 2 columns. Therefore, it is indicated that there is another vehicle ahead of the host vehicle. In addition, the own vehicle image P12 is arrange | positioned not only at 2 rows 2 columns but at the position of 2 rows 3 columns of the matrix rectangular image P11. This indicates that the host vehicle is moved to the right lane for automatic overtaking or lane change.

  The possible remaining time image P14 is arranged on the host vehicle image P12, and indicates the time until the automatic overtaking or the lane change cannot be started, like the possible remaining time image P2 of the icon display image TP2.

  The follow-up remaining time image P15 is arranged on the other vehicle image P13 and indicates the time until the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle. In FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, “13” is displayed as the follow-up remaining time image P15, indicating that the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle after 13 seconds.

  Note that the start timing image shown in FIG. 4A is displayed in the situation shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, and the start timing image shown in FIG. 4B is shown in FIG. ) Is displayed.

  FIG. 5 (a) shows that when the host vehicle MC follows the preceding vehicle PC by ACC and is traveling on the traveling lane of the road of two lanes on one side, the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle PC becomes slow. This shows a situation where the host vehicle MC catches up with the preceding vehicle PC. FIG. 5B shows the same situation as FIG. 5A when the host vehicle MC is traveling in the central lane of a three-lane road on one side.

  In this situation, it is first determined that the host vehicle MC catches up with the preceding vehicle PC (S50: YES), and the display of the start timing image is started (see time t01 in FIGS. 5A and 5B). When the host vehicle MC further approaches the preceding vehicle PC, the driver of the host vehicle MC lights the right turn signal (see time t02 in FIGS. 5A and 5B). Then, after 3 seconds from the start of lighting of the right turn signal (see time t03 in FIGS. 5A and 5B), a safe inter-vehicle distance is secured between the host vehicle MC and the preceding vehicle PC (see FIG. 5 (see distance D01 of (a), (b)), the host vehicle MC moves to the right lane (passing lane) (see arrow A01).

  Then, when the movement to the right lane is completed, the lighting of the right turn signal is ended (see time t04 in FIGS. 5A and 5B). Thereafter, when the host vehicle MC overtakes the preceding vehicle PC, the driver of the host vehicle MC turns on the left turn signal (see time t05 in FIGS. 5A and 5B). Then, 3 seconds after the start of lighting of the left turn signal (see time t06 in FIGS. 5A and 5B), the host vehicle MC moves to the left lane (travel lane) (see arrow A02). Then, when the movement to the left lane is completed, the lighting of the left turn signal ends (see time t07 in FIGS. 5A and 5B).

FIG. 5C shows the same situation as FIG. 5A when the host vehicle MC is traveling on the left lane of a three-lane road.
In this situation, it is first determined that the host vehicle MC catches up with the preceding vehicle PC (S50: YES), and the display of the start timing image is started (see time t11 in FIG. 5C). When the host vehicle MC further approaches the preceding vehicle PC, the driver of the host vehicle MC turns on the right turn signal (see time t12 in FIG. 5C). Then, after 3 seconds from the start of lighting of the right turn signal (see time t13 in FIG. 5C), a safe inter-vehicle distance is secured between the host vehicle MC and the preceding vehicle PC (FIG. 5C). The vehicle MC moves to the center lane (travel lane) (see arrow A11). When the movement to the central lane is completed, the lighting of the right turn signal is finished (see time t14 in FIG. 5C). At this time, since the central lane in which the host vehicle MC is traveling is a traveling lane, the host vehicle MC continues traveling in the central lane.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when overtaking is prohibited due to the presence of a curve ahead, the same as in FIGS. 5B and 5C. When the situation is present, the start timing images shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are displayed.

  The start timing images shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B include a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP3. Among these, the icon display image TP2 and the vehicle position display image TP3 are different from the start timing images shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). Note that the superimposed display image TP1 in FIG. 7A shows an automatic overtaking route, and the superimposed display image TP1 in FIG. 7B shows an automobile line change route.

  The icon display image TP2 includes a route image P1, a possible remaining time image P2, and an overtaking prohibition image P3. The overtaking prohibition image P3 indicates in the form of a road sign that there is an overtaking prohibition area ahead.

The vehicle position display image TP3 includes a matrix rectangular image P11, a host vehicle image P12, an other vehicle image P13, and a possible remaining time image P14.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), when the host vehicle MC follows the preceding vehicle PC by ACC and travels in the left lane of a three-lane road, the straight lane and the right / left turn lane When the host vehicle MC is approaching an intersection having a right turn and the host vehicle MC is turning right (S60: YES), a start timing image shown in FIG. 8B is displayed.

The start timing image shown in FIG. 8B includes a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP3.
The superimposed display image TP1 is displayed by superimposing the travel route (vehicle line change route) when the host vehicle changes the vehicle line on the road visually recognized by the driver through the windshield.

  The icon display image TP2 includes a route image P1, a possible remaining time image P2, a multiple change image P4, a lane change count image P5, and an intersection distance image P6. The multiple change image P4 displays an icon indicating that the lane change is required multiple times. The lane change count image P5 indicates the number of lane changes. In FIG. 8B, “twice” is displayed as the lane change count image P5, which indicates that two lane changes are required before moving to the right turn lane. The intersection distance image P6 shows the distance between the host vehicle and the intersection. In FIG. 8B, “500 m” is displayed as the intersection distance image P6, indicating that the distance to the intersection is 500 m.

  The vehicle position display image TP3 includes a matrix rectangular image P11, a host vehicle image P12, another vehicle image P13, a possible remaining time image P14, a follow-up remaining time image P15, a multiple-time change image P16, and a lane change count. An image P17 is included. The multiple change image P16 is arranged on the host vehicle image P12 and displays an icon indicating that the lane change is required multiple times. The lane change frequency image P17 is arranged on the host vehicle image P12 and indicates the number of lane changes. In FIG. 8B, “2” is displayed as the lane change count image P <b> 17, indicating that two lane changes are required before moving to the right turn lane.

Next, the ACC in-progress image, the start timing image, and the lane changing image that are displayed in the situation shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
In FIG. 9, first, the host vehicle MC follows the preceding vehicle PC by the ACC and travels in the left lane (traveling lane) of the two-lane road on one side (see FIG. 9A). Thereafter, it is determined that the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle PC becomes slow and the host vehicle MC catches up with the preceding vehicle PC (see FIG. 9B). Then, the driver of the host vehicle MC turns on the right turn signal before the time when the lane change is possible (see FIG. 9C). Three seconds after the start of lighting of the right turn signal, the host vehicle MC starts moving to the right lane (overtaking lane) (see FIG. 9D). Then, the host vehicle MC moves from the left lane toward the right lane (see FIG. 9E). Thereafter, when the movement to the right lane is completed, the lighting of the right blinker is finished (see FIG. 9F). Then, the host vehicle MC overtakes the preceding vehicle PC (see FIG. 9 (g)).

  9 (a), 9 (b), 9 (c), 9 (d), 9 (e), 9 (f) and 9 (g), Images shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b), 10 (c), 10 (d), 11 (a), 11 (b) and 11 (c) are displayed.

  First, in the situation shown in FIG. 9A, as shown in FIG. 10A, the in-ACC image shown in the description of S130 is displayed. The in-ACC image in FIG. 10A includes a matrix rectangular image P11, a host vehicle image P12, and an other vehicle image P13. In FIG. 10A, the host vehicle image P12 is arranged at the position of 2 rows and 2 columns of the matrix rectangular image P11 and the other vehicle image P13 is arranged at the position of 1 row and 2 columns. It shows that there is another vehicle ahead.

  In the situation shown in FIG. 9B, the start timing image shown in the description of S80 is displayed as shown in FIG. The start timing image in FIG. 10B includes a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP3, similarly to the start timing image in FIG.

  In the situation shown in FIG. 9C, as shown in FIG. 10C, the start timing image includes a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP3. However, the possible remaining time image P2 of the icon display image TP2 and the possible remaining time image P14 of the vehicle position display image TP3 display “0” to indicate that the lane can be changed. Further, the additional time remaining image P15 of the vehicle position display image TP3 is deleted.

  In the situation shown in FIG. 9D, the lane changing image shown in the description of S140 is displayed as shown in FIG. The lane changing image includes a superimposed display image TP11, an icon display image TP12, and a vehicle position display image TP13.

The superimposed display image TP11 in FIG. 10D is the same as the superimposed display image TP1 of the start timing image.
The icon display image TP12 of FIG. 10D includes a route image P21 and a movement type image P22. The route image P21 is the same as the route image P1 of the icon display image TP2. The movement type image P22 is an image indicating whether the vehicle is being automatically overtaken or the vehicle line is being changed. The movement type image P22 displays “AP” when the vehicle is automatically overtaking, and displays “AR” when the vehicle line is being changed.

  The vehicle position display image TP13 in FIG. 10D includes a matrix rectangular image P31, a host vehicle image P32, an other vehicle image P33, and a progress situation image P34. The matrix rectangular image P31, the host vehicle image P32, and the other vehicle image P33 are the same as the matrix rectangular image P11, the host vehicle image P12, and the other vehicle image P13 of the vehicle position display image TP3, respectively. The progress status image P34 is a rectangular image arranged on the host vehicle image P12, and indicates the progress status of the lane change by the length of the width. The progress image P34 in FIG. 10D has a width that is arranged only at the position of 2 rows and 2 columns of the matrix rectangular image P11, and indicates that it is immediately after the lane change is started. Yes.

  Further, in the situation shown in FIG. 9E, a lane changing image is displayed as shown in FIG. The lane changing image includes a superimposed display image TP11, an icon display image TP12, and a vehicle position display image TP13.

  The superimposed display image TP11 in FIG. 11A includes a route image P41 and a progress situation image P42. The route image P41 displays an automatic overtaking route or an automobile line change route in a superimposed manner. The progress status image P42 is a line segment that is displayed so as to overlap a part of the route indicated by the route image P41, and indicates the progress status of the lane change depending on the position arranged on the route image P41. A progress situation image P42 in FIG. 11A is arranged in the vicinity of the starting point of the arrow of the route image P41 and indicates that the vehicle is moving toward the right lane.

The icon display image TP12 in FIG. 11A is the same as the icon display image TP12 in FIG.
The vehicle position display image TP13 in FIG. 11A is the same as the vehicle position display image TP13 in FIG. 10D except that the shape of the progress status image P34 is changed. The progress status image P34 in FIG. 11A is arranged on the entire 2 × 2 rectangle in the matrix rectangular image P11 and on the left side of the 2 × 3 rectangle, and is moving toward the right lane. Is shown.

  Further, in the situation shown in FIG. 9F, the lane changing image is displayed as shown in FIG. 11B. The lane changing image includes a superimposed display image TP11, an icon display image TP12, and a vehicle position display image TP13.

  The superimposed display image TP11 of FIG. 11B is the same as the vehicle position display image TP13 of FIG. 11A except that the arrangement of the progress situation image P42 is changed. The progress status image P42 in FIG. 11B is arranged near the center of the arrow of the route image P41, and indicates that the movement to the right lane has been completed.

The icon display image TP12 in FIG. 11B is the same as the icon display image TP12 in FIG.
The vehicle position display image TP13 in FIG. 11B is the same as the vehicle position display image TP13 in FIG. 11A except that the shape of the progress status image P34 is changed. The progress status image P34 in FIG. 11B is arranged in the entire 2 × 2 rectangle and the entire 2 × 3 rectangle in the matrix rectangular image P11, and the movement to the right lane has been completed. Is shown.

  Also, in the situation shown in FIG. 9G, a lane changing image is displayed as shown in FIG. The lane changing image includes a superimposed display image TP11, an icon display image TP12, and a vehicle position display image TP13.

  The superimposed display image TP11 in FIG. 11C is the same as the vehicle position display image TP13 in FIG. 11B except that the arrangement of the progress situation image P42 is changed. A progress situation image P42 in FIG. 11C is arranged in the vicinity of the end point of the arrow of the route image P41 and indicates that the vehicle is overtaking the preceding vehicle PC.

The icon display image TP12 in FIG. 11C is the same as the icon display image TP12 in FIG.
The vehicle position display image TP13 shown in FIG. 11C is the vehicle position shown in FIG. 11B except that the arrangement of the host vehicle image P32 and the other vehicle image P33 is changed and the progress situation image P34 is deleted. It is the same as the display image TP13. The host vehicle image P32 of FIG. 11C is arranged at the position of 2 rows and 3 columns of the matrix rectangular image P11. The other vehicle image P33 of FIG. 11C is arranged at a position of 2 rows and 2 columns of the matrix rectangular image P11. Therefore, the vehicle position display image TP13 in FIG. 11C shows that the preceding vehicle PC is located on the left side of the host vehicle MC.

For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 12A, the lane change permission / inhibition image shown in FIG. 12B or 12C is displayed.
FIG. 12A shows an operation for the driver to turn on the right turn signal when the host vehicle MC follows the preceding vehicle PC by ACC and is traveling on a road lane on a two-lane road on one side. This shows a situation in which the rear vehicle BC located behind the host vehicle MC is traveling in the overtaking lane.

  The lane change permission / prohibition image in FIG. 12B is displayed when there is a time allowance for the rear vehicle BC to catch up with the host vehicle MC, and the host vehicle MC can execute automatic overtaking or lane change. The The lane change permission / inhibition image in FIG. 12C is displayed when there is no time for the rear vehicle BC to catch up with the host vehicle MC, and the host vehicle MC cannot execute automatic overtaking or lane change.

  The lane change permission / prohibition images shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C include a superimposed display image TP21, an icon display image TP22, and a vehicle position display image TP23. The superimposed display image TP21 is the same as the superimposed display image TP1 of the start timing image. The superimposed display image TP21 of FIGS. 12B and 12C shows an automatic overtaking route.

  Icon display image TP22 includes route image P51 and availability image P52. The route image P51 is the same as the route image P1 of the icon display image TP2. The availability image P52 is an image that indicates whether automatic overtaking is possible or vehicle line change is possible. The pass / fail image P52 displays “AP” when automatic overtaking is possible, and displays “AR” when vehicle line change is possible, and automatic overtaking and vehicle line change are not possible. In this case, “NG” is displayed.

The vehicle position display image TP23 includes a matrix rectangular image P61, a host vehicle image P62, another vehicle image P63, and a feasibility image P64.
The matrix rectangular image P61 and the host vehicle image P62 are respectively the same as the matrix rectangular image P11 and the host vehicle image P12 of the vehicle position display image TP3.

  The other vehicle image P63 is a rectangular image showing another vehicle. The other vehicle image P63 is arranged on the matrix rectangular image P61, thereby indicating the direction of the current position of the other vehicle with the own vehicle as a base point. Moreover, the other vehicle image P63 displays the information regarding other vehicles in the rectangle. Specifically, “ACC” is displayed when the other vehicle is the preceding vehicle PC. When the other vehicle is the rear vehicle BC, a time until the vehicle catches up with the host vehicle MC is displayed. In FIG. 12B, “58” is displayed in the rectangle of the other vehicle image P63 showing the rear vehicle BC, and it is shown that it is 58 seconds later to catch up with the host vehicle MC. However, when the automatic overtaking and the lane change are not possible for the rear vehicle BC, as shown in FIG. 12C, the entire area in the rectangle of the other vehicle image P63 showing the rear vehicle BC is red. Is displayed.

The availability image P64 is arranged on the host vehicle image P62 and, like the availability image P52, indicates whether automatic overtaking or vehicle line change is possible.
For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 13A, a lane change permission / inhibition image shown in FIG. 13B is displayed.

  In FIG. 13A, first, when the host vehicle MC follows the preceding vehicle PC by the ACC and travels on the traveling lane of the road of two lanes on one side, the rear vehicle positioned behind the host vehicle MC. The BC is approaching to the vicinity of the host vehicle MC, and the host vehicle MC cannot perform the automatic overtaking and the lane change. Further, FIG. 13A illustrates an operation for lighting the right turn signal without the driver noticing the approach of the rear vehicle BC in a situation where the automatic overtaking and the lane change cannot be performed as described above. It is shown that the rear vehicle BC is decelerating rapidly (see arrow A21 in FIG. 13A).

  13B includes a superimposed display image TP21, an icon display image TP22, and a vehicle position display image TP23. The superimposed display image TP21 is the same as the superimposed display image TP1 of the start timing image.

  The icon display image TP22 includes a route image P51 and an impossible remaining time image P53. The impossible remaining time image P53 shows the time until automatic overtaking or vehicle line change can be started.

  The vehicle position display image TP23 includes a matrix rectangular image P61, a host vehicle image P62, another vehicle image P63, and an impossible remaining time image P65. The impossible remaining time image P65 is arranged on the own vehicle image P62, and indicates the time until the automatic overtaking or the lane change can be started, as with the impossible remaining time image P53.

For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 13C, a lane change confirmation image shown in FIG. 13D is displayed.
FIG. 13 (c) shows that the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle PC is the speed limit (FIG. 13) when the host vehicle MC follows the preceding vehicle PC by the ACC and travels on the traveling lane of the two-lane road. (Refer to road sign TS of (c)) This shows a situation where the rear vehicle BC located behind the host vehicle MC is traveling on the overtaking lane.

  The lane change confirmation image shown in FIG. 13D includes a superimposed display image TP31, an icon display image TP32, and a vehicle position display image TP33. The superimposed display image TP31 is the same as the superimposed display image TP1 of the start timing image.

  The icon display image TP32 includes a route image P71, a possible remaining time image P72, and a confirmation image P73. The route image P71 is the same as the route image P1 of the icon display image TP2. The possible remaining time image P72 shows the time until the automatic overtaking or the vehicle line change cannot be started. In FIG. 13D, “50” is displayed as the possible remaining time image P72, and it is possible to start the automatic overtaking or the lane change until 50 seconds later. The confirmation image P73 indicates an image for confirming whether to perform automatic overtaking or vehicle line change. In FIG. 13D, “Do you want to AP” is displayed as the confirmation image P73, and it is confirmed to the driver whether or not the automatic overtaking is performed.

  The vehicle position display image TP33 includes a matrix rectangular image P81, a host vehicle image P82, another vehicle image P83, and a possible remaining time image P84. The matrix rectangular image P81, the host vehicle image P82, and the other vehicle image P83 are the same as the matrix rectangular image P61, the host vehicle image P62, and the other vehicle image P63 of the vehicle position display image TP23, respectively. The possible remaining time image P84 is arranged on the own vehicle image P62, and shows the time until the automatic overtaking or the lane change cannot be started, like the possible remaining time image P72.

  The vehicular information providing apparatus 1 configured as described above acquires surrounding situation information indicating the surrounding situation of the host vehicle (S20). Then, the HUD device 2 indicates whether or not a lane change for changing the lane in which the host vehicle travels is possible based on the surrounding situation information, and when the lane change is possible, the lane change by the automatic driving is performed. An image showing the remaining remaining time that is the time until it becomes difficult is displayed.

  Since the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 configured in this way can notify the driver whether or not the lane change is possible based on the surrounding situation of the host vehicle, the driver can Based on the situation, it can be determined whether or not to change lanes. Furthermore, since the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 can notify the time (possible remaining time) until it becomes difficult to change the lane by automatic driving, it determines whether or not to change the lane based on the available remaining time. be able to. As described above, according to the vehicle information providing apparatus 1, information indicating whether or not the lane change can be performed and information indicating the time until the lane change is difficult can be provided to the driver. The occurrence of a situation in which the host vehicle cannot appropriately change the lane can be suppressed.

  Further, the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 displays the time (impossible remaining time) until the lane change by the automatic driving becomes possible when the lane change is not possible. As described above, according to the vehicle information providing apparatus 1, it is possible to provide the driver with information indicating the time until the lane change by the automatic driving becomes possible, so that the own vehicle appropriately changes the lane. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where it is not possible to do so.

  Further, the host vehicle is configured to be able to automatically adjust the speed so that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is constant. In the vehicle information providing apparatus 1, the preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle is configured. When traveling so as to keep the distance between the vehicle constant, it is determined whether or not the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle (S50), and the HUD device 2 determines that the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle. In this case (S50: YES), a start timing image indicating the remaining remaining time is displayed based on the surrounding situation information. Thus, since the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 can provide the driver with information indicating the time until the lane change becomes difficult based on the surrounding situation of the own vehicle, the own vehicle collides with the preceding vehicle. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which it is not possible to appropriately change the lane to avoid this.

  Further, in the vehicle information providing device 1, the HUD device 2 irradiates an image toward the windshield disposed in front of the driver of the host vehicle, thereby causing the image to be displayed to the driver via the windshield. Display as a virtual image.

  As a result, the driver of the host vehicle views the image displayed as a virtual image superimposed on the actual scenery in front of the vehicle. For this reason, the driver | operator of the own vehicle can confirm an image, without moving eyes | visual_axis greatly.

In the embodiment described above, the process of S20 is the surrounding state acquisition unit in the present invention, the HUD device 2 is the display unit in the present invention, and the process of S50 is the add-on determination unit in the present invention.
(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The vehicle information providing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the vehicle position display images TP4, TP14, TP24, TP34 are displayed instead of the vehicle position display images TP3, TP13, TP23, TP33. The same.

First, the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 displays the start timing images shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b) instead of the start timing images shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).
The start timing images shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B include a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP4.

  The vehicle position display image TP4 includes a host vehicle image P101, a vehicle direction indication image P102, a lane change icon image P103, a possible remaining time image P104, and a follow-up remaining time image P105.

The host vehicle image P101 is an image obtained by simplifying the shape of the host vehicle viewed from above.
The vehicle direction instruction image P102 is an image formed in an oval shape so as to cover the periphery of the host vehicle image P101. The vehicle direction indication image P102 formed in an oval shape is divided into eight direction indication images indicating the front, rear, right side, left side, right front, left front, right rear and left rear of the host vehicle. Yes. By highlighting at least one of the eight direction indicating images, the direction of the current position of the other vehicle based on the host vehicle is indicated. In FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, since the preceding vehicle exists ahead of the host vehicle, the forward direction instruction image is highlighted.

  Further, each of the eight direction instruction images constituting the vehicle direction instruction image P102 is divided into four distance display images according to the distance from the host vehicle image P101. Each direction indication image displays the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle in four stages by using four distance display images.

The lane change icon image P103 is an image that displays an icon indicating that the lane is changed.
The possible remaining time image P104 is arranged on the own vehicle image P101, and indicates the time until the automatic overtaking or the vehicle line change cannot be started, like the possible remaining time image P2 of the icon display image TP2.

  The follow-up remaining time image P105 is arranged above the vehicle direction instruction image P102 and indicates the time until the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle. In FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, “13” is displayed as the additional time remaining image P105, indicating that the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle after 13 seconds.

Moreover, the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 displays the start timing images shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D instead of the start timing images shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
The start timing images shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D include a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP4. The vehicle position display image TP4 includes a host vehicle image P101, a vehicle direction indication image P102, a lane change icon image P103, and a possible remaining time image P104.

The vehicle information providing apparatus 1 displays a start timing image shown in FIG. 15 instead of the start timing image shown in FIG.
The start timing image shown in FIG. 15 includes a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP4.

  The vehicle position display image TP4 includes a host vehicle image P101, a vehicle direction indication image P102, a possible remaining time image P104, a follow-up remaining time image P105, a multiple change icon image P106, a lane change count image P107, An intersection distance image P108 is included.

  The multiple change icon image P106 is arranged on the host vehicle image P101, and displays an icon indicating that the lane change is required multiple times. The lane change count image P107 is arranged on the host vehicle image P101 and indicates the number of lane changes. In FIG. 15, “twice” is displayed as the lane change count image P <b> 107, indicating that two lane changes are necessary before moving to the right turn lane. The intersection distance image P108 is arranged below the vehicle direction instruction image P102 and indicates the distance between the host vehicle and the intersection. In FIG. 15, “500 m” is displayed as the intersection distance image P108, indicating that the distance to the intersection is 500 m.

  In addition, the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 is configured as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b), 10 (c), 10 (d), 11 (a), 11 (b), and 11 (c). 16 (a), FIG. 16 (b), FIG. 16 (c), FIG. 16 (d), FIG. 17 (a), FIG. 17 (b) and FIG. 17 (c) instead of the image shown in FIG. Display an image. 16 and 17 show images displayed in a situation where the vehicle line is changed.

  The in-ACC image in FIG. 16A includes a host vehicle image P101 and a vehicle direction indication image P102. In the vehicle direction indication image P102 of FIG. 16A, the forward direction indication image is highlighted, indicating that there is another vehicle ahead of the host vehicle. Furthermore, since only the distance display image farthest from the own vehicle image P101 is highlighted among the four distance display images constituting the forward direction indication image (see DP1 in FIG. 18A), the own vehicle This indicates that the distance between the vehicle and other vehicles is long.

  The start timing images in FIGS. 16B and 16C include a superimposed display image TP1, an icon display image TP2, and a vehicle position display image TP4, similarly to the start timing image in FIG. In the vehicle direction indication image P102 of FIGS. 16B and 16C, the forward direction indication image is highlighted, indicating that there is another vehicle ahead of the host vehicle. Further, among the four distance display images constituting the forward direction indication image, the distance display images that are the first and second farthest from the own vehicle image P101 are highlighted (DP1, DP2 in FIG. 18B). This shows that the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle is shorter than when the image during ACC in FIG. 16A is displayed.

  The lane changing image in FIG. 16D includes a superimposed display image TP11, an icon display image TP12, and a vehicle position display image TP14. In the vehicle direction indication image P102 of the vehicle position display image TP14, the forward direction indication image is highlighted, indicating that there is another vehicle ahead of the host vehicle. Further, among the four distance display images constituting the forward direction indication image, the distance display images that are the first and second farthest from the own vehicle image P101 are highlighted (DP1, DP2 in FIG. 18B). FIG. 16 (c) shows that there is no significant change in the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle, compared to when the start timing image of FIG. 16 (c) is displayed.

  The lane changing image in FIG. 17A includes a superimposed display image TP11, an icon display image TP12, and a vehicle position display image TP14. In the vehicle direction indication image P102 of the vehicle position display image TP14, the forward direction indication image is highlighted, indicating that there is another vehicle ahead of the host vehicle. Further, among the four distance display images constituting the front direction indication image, the distance display image that is the first to third farthest from the host vehicle image P101 is highlighted (DP1, DP2, in FIG. 18C). This indicates that the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle is shorter than when the lane changing image of FIG. 16D is displayed.

  The lane changing image in FIG. 17B includes a superimposed display image TP11, an icon display image TP12, and a vehicle position display image TP14. In the vehicle direction indication image P102 of the vehicle position display image TP14, the left front direction indication image is highlighted, which indicates that there is another vehicle on the left front side of the host vehicle. Further, among the four distance display images constituting the left front direction indicating image, the distance display image that is the first to third farthest from the host vehicle image P101 is highlighted (DP4, DP5 in FIG. 18D). , DP6), it shows that there is no significant change in the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle as compared with the case where the lane changing image of FIG. 17 (a) is displayed.

  The in-ACC image in FIG. 17C includes a host vehicle image P101 and a vehicle direction indication image P102. FIG. 17C shows an image displayed in a situation where the lane change is completed. In the vehicle direction indication image P102 in FIG. 17C, the left direction indication image is highlighted, indicating that there is another vehicle on the left side of the host vehicle. Further, among the four distance display images constituting the left direction instruction image, the distance display image that is the first to third farthest from the vehicle image P101 is highlighted (DP7 and DP8 in FIG. 18 (e)). , DP9), compared to the case where the lane changing image of FIG. 17B is displayed, it shows that there is no significant change in the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle.

Further, the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 displays the lane change permission / inhibition images shown in FIGS. 19 (a) and 19 (b) instead of the lane change permission / inhibition images shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 12 (c). .
The lane change permission / prohibition images shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B include a superimposed display image TP21, an icon display image TP22, and a vehicle position display image TP24.

  The vehicle position display image TP24 in FIG. 19A includes a host vehicle image P111, a vehicle direction indication image P112, a lane change icon image P113, a feasibility image P114, an ACC image P115, and a follow-up remaining time image P116. Including.

  The own vehicle image P111, the vehicle direction instruction image P112, and the lane change icon image P113 are the same as the own vehicle image P101, the vehicle direction instruction image P102, and the lane change icon image P103 of the vehicle position display image TP4, respectively. Note that in the vehicle direction indication image P112 in FIG. 19A, the front and right rear direction indication images are highlighted, indicating that there are other vehicles ahead and right rear of the host vehicle. Yes.

  The availability image P114 is arranged on the host vehicle image P111, and indicates whether automatic overtaking or vehicle line change is possible, similar to the availability image P64 of the vehicle position display image TP23. In FIG. 19A, “AR” is displayed as the availability image P114, indicating that the vehicle line can be changed.

  The ACC image P115 is arranged above the vehicle direction instruction image P112 and indicates that the host vehicle is executing ACC. In FIG. 19A, “ACC” is displayed as the ACC image P115.

  The follow-up remaining time image P116 is arranged on the lower right side of the vehicle direction indication image P112 and shows the time until the rear vehicle catches up with the host vehicle. In FIG. 19A, “58” is displayed as the additional time remaining image P <b> 116, indicating that it is 58 seconds later to catch up with the host vehicle.

  The vehicle position display image TP24 of FIG. 19B includes a host vehicle image P111, a vehicle direction indication image P112, a lane change icon image P113, a feasibility image P114, and an ACC image P115. In the vehicle direction indication image P112 in FIG. 19B, the front and right rear direction indication images are highlighted, indicating that there are other vehicles ahead and right rear of the host vehicle. Yes. Furthermore, since all four distance display images constituting the right rear direction indicating image are highlighted, it indicates that the distance between the host vehicle and the rear is short. Further, the availability image P114 of FIG. 19B is displayed as “NG”, indicating that automatic overtaking and vehicle line change are not possible.

The vehicle information providing apparatus 1 displays a lane change permission / inhibition image shown in FIG. 19 (c) instead of the lane change permission / inhibition image shown in FIG. 13 (b).
The lane change permission / inhibition image shown in FIG. 19C includes a superimposed display image TP21, an icon display image TP22, and a vehicle position display image TP24.

  The vehicle position display image TP24 in FIG. 19C includes a host vehicle image P111, a vehicle direction indication image P112, a lane change icon image P113, an ACC image P115, and an impossible remaining time image P117. The impossible remaining time image P117 is arranged on the own vehicle image P111, and indicates the time until the automatic overtaking or the lane change can be started, similarly to the impossible remaining time image P65.

Further, the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 displays a lane change confirmation image shown in FIG. 19 (d) instead of the lane change confirmation image shown in FIG. 13 (d).
The lane changeable image shown in FIG. 19D includes a superimposed display image TP31, an icon display image TP32, and a vehicle position display image TP34.

  The vehicle position display image TP34 includes a host vehicle image P121, a vehicle direction indication image P122, a lane change icon image P123, a possible remaining time image P124, an ACC image P125, and a follow-up remaining time image P126.

  The own vehicle image P121, the vehicle direction indication image P122, and the lane change icon image P123 are the same as the own vehicle image P101, the vehicle direction indication image P102, and the lane change icon image P103 of the vehicle position display image TP4, respectively.

  The possible remaining time image P124 is arranged on the own vehicle image P121, and shows the time until the automatic overtaking or the lane change cannot be started, like the possible remaining time image P72.

The ACC image P125 is an image indicating that the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle that the host vehicle follows by the ACC is low.
The follow-up remaining time image P126 is arranged on the lower right side of the vehicle direction indication image P122 and indicates the time until the rear vehicle catches up with the host vehicle.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, As long as it belongs to the technical scope of this invention, a various form can be taken.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the time until the time when the automatic overtaking or the lane change cannot be started is shown, but it is possible to move from the overtaking lane to the traveling lane during the automatic overtaking. You may make it display the time until it becomes.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, as a situation where the start timing image shown to Fig.7 (a), (b) is displayed, the thing where a curve exists ahead like Fig.6 (a), (b) was shown. However, the start timing image shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be displayed when there is a sudden uphill ahead. This is because when traveling on a steep uphill, overtaking may not be possible, and fuel efficiency may be significantly deteriorated due to overtaking.

  In addition, the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 is configured as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b), 10 (c), 10 (d), 11 (a), 11 (b), and 11 (c). 20 (a), 20 (b), 20 (c), 20 (d), 21 (a), 21 (b) and 21 (c) instead of the image shown in FIG. An image may be displayed.

  Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 20 (c), instead of the possible remaining time image P14 (see FIG. 10 (c)) of the vehicle position display image TP3, the traveling direction of the host vehicle at the time of lane change is changed. You may make it display the advancing direction image P18 to point.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 20 (d), 21 (a), and 21 (b), a progress situation image P34 of the vehicle position display image TP13 (FIG. 10 (d), FIG. 11 (a), and FIG. Instead of (see b), a lane changing position image P35 may be displayed. The lane change position image P35 is an arrow-like image arranged on the host vehicle image P12, and indicates the progress of the lane change by the position in the rectangle of the host vehicle image P12.

  A lane change position image P35 in FIG. 20D is arranged on the left side in the rectangle of the host vehicle image P12 and indicates that it is immediately after the lane change is started. The lane changing position image P35 in FIG. 21A is arranged at the center of the rectangle of the host vehicle image P12 and indicates that the vehicle is moving toward the right lane. The lane changing position image P35 in FIG. 21B is arranged on the right side in the rectangle of the host vehicle image P12, and indicates that the movement to the right lane has been completed.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment showed what detects the surrounding condition of the own vehicle by the radar apparatus 6, the method of detecting the surrounding condition of the own vehicle is not limited to this. For example, the surrounding situation of the host vehicle may be detected by performing image recognition processing using an image obtained by photographing a scenery around the host vehicle with a camera. In addition, it has a road-to-vehicle communication function for performing wireless communication with a roadside device installed near the traveling route of the vehicle, or a vehicle-to-vehicle communication function for performing wireless communication with other vehicles existing around the host vehicle. You may make it detect the surrounding condition of the own vehicle by mounting a radio | wireless communication apparatus in the own vehicle and performing road-to-vehicle communication or vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

  In the above embodiment, the image provided by the information providing process is displayed by the HUD device 2, but may be displayed by, for example, the navigation device 8 and a meter (not shown).

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle becomes slow and the host vehicle MC catches up with the preceding vehicle, the start timing image (see, for example, FIG. 4) is displayed. However, if the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle is slow continuously for a predetermined time or more, or if it is significantly slower than the speed limit, it is determined that an abnormal condition such as an accident has occurred in front of the preceding vehicle, An icon indicating the possibility of danger may be displayed, and an image indicating the time until automatic overtaking or vehicle line change cannot be started (for example, possible remaining time image P14) may not be displayed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when it was judged that the own vehicle caught up with a preceding vehicle and a lane change was possible (S50: YES, S70: YES), what showed the start timing image which shows a possible remaining time was shown. . In this case, when an operation for turning on the blinker is performed by the occupant within the remaining remaining time, a signal that allows the vehicle to automatically change the lane may be output.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle information provision apparatus, 2 ... HUD apparatus, 6 ... Radar apparatus, 8 ... Navigation apparatus, 9 ... Control part

Claims (5)

A vehicle information providing device (1) that is mounted on a vehicle and provides information to an occupant of the vehicle,
A surrounding situation acquisition unit (S20) that acquires surrounding situation information indicating a surrounding situation of the host vehicle that is the vehicle on which the vehicle information providing device is mounted;
In the case where the lane change for changing the lane in which the host vehicle travels is possible based on the peripheral status information acquired by the peripheral status acquisition unit, and further the lane change is possible An information providing apparatus for vehicles, comprising: a display unit (2) that displays an image indicating a possible remaining time that is a time until the lane change becomes difficult. The display unit
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the lane change is not possible, an impossible remaining time that is a time until the lane change is enabled is displayed. The host vehicle is configured to be capable of automatically adjusting a speed so that an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle that runs ahead of the host vehicle is constant,
When the host vehicle is traveling such that the distance between the preceding vehicle and the preceding vehicle is kept constant, the host vehicle includes a follow-up determination unit (S50) that determines whether the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle;
The display unit
When the follow-up determining unit determines that the host vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle, an image indicating the possible remaining time is displayed based on the surrounding state information acquired by the surrounding state acquiring unit. The information providing apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. The display unit displays the image showing the possible remaining time when the follow-up determining unit determines that the own vehicle catches up with the preceding vehicle and the lane change is possible,
The vehicle information providing device outputs a signal that allows the host vehicle to automatically change the lane when the occupant performs an operation to turn on the direction indicator within the remaining time. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The display unit
The image is displayed to the driver as a virtual image through the windshield by irradiating the image toward the windshield disposed in front of the driver of the host vehicle. The vehicle information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.