Vehicle display device

Abstract

A vehicle display device (1) comprises an image display device having a display surface that displays an image, an optical system that projects display light of the image towards a reflective surface in front of a driver, and a control unit that controls the image display device, wherein the display surface comprises a first area (41) that is an area that is visually detected by both eyes of the driver, and a second area (42) that is an area at a far end of the display surface in a lateral image direction (GW) with respect to the first area, wherein the control unit causes the image display device to display a first image when a display position of the image is within the first area, and causes the image display device to display a second image (50B) when a display position of the image is in a boundary between the first area and the second area.and wherein the second image is an image that has a pattern different from a pattern in the first image and has a configuration in which a low-brightness section and a high-brightness section are combined.

Description

Area

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display device. background

[0002] In related technology, there is a device that displays an image in a vehicle. Patent literature 1 discloses a vehicle display device that adjusts an image display area on a display surface so that a driver can visually perceive the entire displayed image, according to the detected eye position. List of citations from patent literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: JP 2020-170136 A Summary: Technical Task

[0004] To display a virtual image across a wide area, it is preferable to display the image using the entire display surface. On the other hand, if an image is positioned at the boundary between a display area perceived by only one eye and one perceived by both eyes, there is a possibility that the image's visibility will be reduced. For example, because the shape of the image perceived by the left eye differs from the shape of the image perceived by the right eye, the driver may experience discomfort.

[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle display device capable of improving the visibility of an image. Solution to the task

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problem, a vehicle display device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an image display device having a display surface that displays an image; an optical system that projects display light of the image towards a reflective surface in front of a driver;and a control unit that controls the image display device, wherein the display surface comprises a first area, which is an area that is visually detected by both eyes of the driver, and a second area, which is an area at a far end of the display surface in a lateral image direction with respect to the first area, wherein the control unit causes the image display device to display a first image when a display position of the image lies in the first area, and causes the image display device to display a second image when a display position of the image lies in a boundary between the first area and the second area, and the second image is an image having a pattern that differs from the pattern of the first image and has a configuration in which a low-brightness section and a high-brightness section are combined. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0007] In the vehicle display device according to the present invention, the second image displayed at the border is an image with a pattern that differs from that of a first image and has a configuration in which a low-brightness section and a high-brightness section are combined. This second image, with its low-brightness and high-brightness sections, can reduce the discomfort caused by the difference between the shape of the image visually perceived by the left eye and the shape of the image visually perceived by the right eye. Thus, the vehicle display device according to the present invention has an effect of improving image visibility. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a vehicle display device according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a planar view showing a light-shielding wall according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a diagram that represents an area that can be visually detected by both the left and right eyes. Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram that represents an area that can be visually detected by both the left and right eyes. Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram that represents a first image according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram that represents a second image according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram describing images that can be visually recognized by both eyes. Fig. Figure 8 is a diagram describing a gap in a second image. Fig. Figure 9 is a diagram that shows an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 10 is a diagram that shows an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 11 is a diagram that presents an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 12 is a diagram that presents an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram that presents an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 14 is a diagram that presents an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 15 is a diagram that presents an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 16 is a diagram that presents an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 17 is a diagram that presents an example of a second image. Fig. Figure 18 is a diagram describing a decrease in the visibility of an image. Description of embodiments

[0008] The vehicle display device according to one embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be readily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are essentially the same. [Versions]

[0009] One embodiment is described with reference to Fig. Described in sections 1 to 18. The present embodiment relates to a vehicle display device. Fig. 1 is a diagram that represents an arrangement of a vehicle display device according to one embodiment, Fig. Figure 2 is a planar view showing a light-shielding wall according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are diagrams that represent an area that can be visually perceived by both the left and right eyes, Fig. 5 is a diagram that represents a first image of the embodiment, Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram that represents a second image according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram describing images that can be visually recognized by both eyes. Fig. Figures 9 to 17 are diagrams that illustrate an example of the second image, and Fig. Figure 18 is a diagram describing a decrease in the visibility of the image.

[0010] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a vehicle display device 1 of the present invention is attached to a vehicle 100 and forms a head-up display. The vehicle display device 1 is, for example, arranged within a dashboard. The dashboard is provided with an opening through which display light 70 passes. A driver monitoring device 7, which displays a driver 200, is arranged in the vehicle 100.

[0011] The vehicle display device 1 comprises a housing 4, a cover 5, a control unit 6, an image display device 20, and an optical system 25. The control unit 6, the image display device 20, and the optical system 25 are housed within the housing 4. The housing 4 includes a main body 2 and a cover element 3, which engages with the main body 2. The main body 2 has an opening that opens upwards. The cover element 3 closes the opening of the main body 2 from above. The cover element 3 has a wall section 30 that faces a windshield 102 in the vertical vehicle direction Z. In plan view, the cover element 3 has a rectangular frame shape. The wall section 30 has an opening 31 that opens upwards. The cover 5 is a transparent, plate-like element that closes the opening 31 of the cover element 3.Cover 5, for example, is made of a translucent resin such as polycarbonate (OC) or acrylic.

[0012] The image display device 20 has a display surface that shows an image and emits display light 70 of the image. The image display device 20 shown is a liquid crystal display device and is, for example, a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). The image display device 20 emits the display light 70, for example, by means of the light from the backlight unit. A heat sink 21 is arranged on the back of the image display device 20. The image display device 20 is not limited to the liquid crystal display device. The image display device 20 can, for example, be a device that scans laser light to generate an image on a transparent screen.

[0013] The control unit 6 is a control circuit or control device that controls the image display device 20. The control unit 6 is formed by a computer that includes an arithmetic unit, memory, a communication interface, and the like. The control unit 6, for example, stores in advance a program for executing the operation disclosed in this description. The control unit 6 is configured to control the shape of an image displayed by the image display device 20, the position of the image, the brightness distribution of the image, and the like. In a case where the image display device 20 is a liquid crystal display device, the control unit 6 can control the brightness of a plurality of light sources contained in the backlight unit.In a case where the image display device 20 is a device that scans laser light to form an image, the control unit 6 can control the output of the laser element according to the scan position.

[0014] The optical system 25 includes a first mirror 22. The first mirror 22 reflects the display light 70, which is emitted by the image display device 20, towards a reflective surface 102a of the windshield 102. The shape of the reflective surface of the first mirror 22 is, for example, a freeform surface. The first mirror 22 shown is a concave mirror that reflects the display light 70 while magnifying it.

[0015] The indicator light 70, reflected by the first mirror 22, passes through the opening 31 and is reflected by the reflective surface 102a of the windshield 102 towards the driver 200. The reflective surface 102a of the windshield 102 is a final reflective surface directed towards the eyes 201 of the driver 200. The indicator light 70, striking the eyes 201 of the driver 200, forms a virtual image 10.

[0016] The vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be capable of displaying a virtual image in the foreground of the vehicle 100. For example, the vehicle display device 1 displays a virtual image on a road surface in front of the vehicle 100, a vehicle driving ahead of the vehicle 100, an attention target in front of the vehicle 100, or the like.

[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the image display device 20 includes a display surface 20a that displays an image. The display light 70 is emitted from the display surface 20a. The vehicle display device 1 includes a light-shielding wall 23. The light-shielding wall 23 is a wall section that prevents the display light 70 from being scattered in an unnecessary direction. The light-shielding wall 23 shown is arranged between the display surface 20a of the image display device 20 and the first mirror 22. The light-shielding wall 23 comprises a first light-shielding wall 23a and a second light-shielding wall 23b. The first light-shielding wall 23a is located on the left side when the driver 200 sees an image. The second light-shielding wall 23b is located on the right side when the driver 200 sees an image. For example, an opening 23c is provided between the first light-shielding wall 23a and the second light-shielding wall 23c.This means that the light-shielding wall 23 is arranged on both sides of the lateral image direction GW such that an optical path 71 of the indicator light 70 lies between them.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the display surface 20a has a display area 40 for displaying an image. Within the display area 40, a region 40L, which can be visually detected by a left eye 201L, and a region 40R, which can be visually detected by a right eye 201R of the driver 200, are defined by the width of the opening 23c of the light-shielding wall 23 and the position of the opening 23c. The visually detectable regions 40L and 40R are regions in the lateral image direction GW.

[0019] The position of the eyes 201, which is in Fig. Figure 3 shows the center position of an eye box EB in the vehicle width direction CW. The eye box EB is a region predefined as the area within which the position of the eyes 201 moves. The eye box EB has a predetermined width in the vehicle width direction CW. The vehicle display device 1 is configured so that the display area 40 can be visually detected by the driver 200 when the eyes 201 are located within the eye box EB.

[0020] Fig. Figure 4 represents a state in which the position of eye 201 is closer to the right side in the eye box EB. In this case, the area 40L, which can be visually detected by the left eye 201L, and the area 40R, which can be visually detected by the right eye 201R, are, in relation to the Fig. The position shown in Figure 3 is shifted to the left. Thus, the area that can be visually perceived by both eyes is shifted to the left, compared to the case of... Fig. 3. Conversely, in a case where the position of eye 201 is a position near the left side in the eye box EB, the visually detectable areas 40L and 40R are shifted to the right side, with respect to the in Fig. 3. Position shown. This means that the area that can be seen by both eyes of driver 200 changes according to the position of driver 201's eyes.

[0021] A first area 41, which is in Fig. The area shown in Figure 3 is one that can be visually detected by the driver 200 with both eyes. More specifically, the first area 41 is one that can be visually detected by both eyes of the driver 200, regardless of the position of the eyes 201 in the eye box EB. A second area 42, which is shown in Fig. The area shown in Figure 3 is at the far end in the lateral image direction GW, with respect to the first area 41. In other words, the second area 42 is an area other than the first area 41 within the entire area of ​​the display area 40.

[0022] The second area 42 is an area that can be visually detected by only one eye of the driver 200. The second area 42 has a left end area 42a and a right end area 42b. The left end area 42a is located to the left of the first area 41, as seen by the driver 200. The left end area 42a is an area that can be visually detected only by the right eye 201R of the driver 200. At least part of the left end area 42a can be visually detected by both eyes of the driver 200, according to the position of the eyes 201.

[0023] The right end region 42b is located to the right of the first region 41, as seen by driver 200. The right end region 42b is a region that can only be visually perceived by the left eye 201L of driver 200. At least part of the right end region 42b can be visually perceived by both eyes of driver 200, corresponding to the position of eyes 201.

[0024] In the display area 40, a boundary line 43 is set between the first area 41 and the second area 42. The position of the boundary line 43 is, for example, a fixed position. The boundary line 43 of the present embodiment comprises a first boundary line 43a and a second boundary line 43b. The first boundary line 43a is a boundary line between the left end area 42a and the first area 41. The second boundary line 43b is a boundary line between the right end area 42b and the first area 41.

[0025] The first boundary line 43a is determined based on the area 40L that can be visually detected by the left eye 201L. More specifically, the first boundary line 43a is the left end of area 40L when the eyes 201 are positioned at the far left side of the eye box EB. Within display area 40, an area to the left of the first boundary line 43a cannot be visually detected by the left eye 201L.

[0026] The second boundary line 43b is determined based on the area 40R that can be visually detected by the right eye 210R. More specifically, the second boundary line 43b is the right end of area 40R when the eyes 201 are positioned on the far right side of the eye box EB. Within display area 40, an area to the right of the second boundary line 43b cannot be visually detected by the right eye 201R.

[0027] As described above, it is ensured that the first area 41 of the present embodiment can be visually detected with both eyes as long as the eyes 201 of the driver 200 are located within the eye box EB. On the other hand, the second area 42 is an area that cannot always be visually detected by both eyes of the driver 200.

[0028] As described below, if the image crosses the boundary between the first area 41 and the second area 42, the image visibility may be reduced. On the left side of Fig. Figure 18 shows an image 50 displayed over the second boundary line 43b. The displayed image 50 is shown superimposed on an object in front of the vehicle 100. For example, the image 50 is superimposed on a vehicle ahead. The image 50 is, for example, a linear image extending in the lateral image direction GW, or a rectangular image in which the lateral image direction GW is the longitudinal direction. Part of the image 50 is shown in the first area 41, and the remaining part of the image 50 is shown in the right end area 42b. In the middle of Fig. Figure 18 shows how image 50 is seen by the left eye 201L and how image 50 is seen by the right eye 201R.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 18, the driver's left eye 201L can see the entire image 40. On the other hand, the right eye 201R can only see part of the image 50. The remaining part of the image 50 is hidden by a light-blocking wall 123. In this case, as shown on the right side of Figure 18, the driver's left eye 201L can see the entire image 40. Fig. As shown in Figure 18, a black line 52a can be generated in a virtual image 52, which is visually perceived by the driver 200. The line 52a is generated at the right end position of the image 50, which is visible to the right eye 201R. In other words, the line 52a is generated by the edge of the light-shielding wall 123. Since the brightness does not change continuously with the edge of the light-shielding wall 123 as a boundary, a problem arises with the clear perception of the line 52a.

[0030] As described below, the vehicle display device 1, according to the present embodiment, controls the brightness distribution in the image 50 according to the display position of the image 50. For example, the control unit 6 makes the brightness distribution in the image different between the case in which the image 50 is displayed in the first area 41 and the case in which the image 50 is displayed at the boundary. Here, the boundary is an area that includes the boundary line 43 between the first area 41 and the second area 42.

[0031] Fig. 5 represents image 50, which is displayed in the first area 41. Fig. Figure 6 represents image 50 displayed across boundary line 43. In the following description, image 50 displayed in the first area 41 is referred to as a "first image 50A", and image 50 displayed across boundary line 43 is referred to as a second image 50B. The first image 50A, which is displayed in Fig. Figure 5 is an image of a figure that is continuous in the lateral image direction GW and the vertical image direction GH. The shape of the first image 50A is a rectangle along the lateral image direction GW.

[0032] On the other hand, the second image 50B, which is in Fig. The first image, 50A, is divided and displayed in three elements 50e arranged in the lateral image direction GW. In other words, the second image 50B is an image obtained by dividing the first image 50A into a plurality of parts by dividing lines in the vertical image direction GH. The image pattern of the second image 50B differs from the image pattern of the first image 50A in that, for example, the second image 50B contains a plurality of elements 50e. The number of elements 50e in the second image 50B is not limited to three.

[0033] The outline of the illustrated second image 50B is the same as the outline of the first image 50A. That is, the first image 50A is an image in which the rectangular image 50 is shown as it is, and the second image 50B is an image in which the rectangular image 50 is divided into a plurality of smaller rectangles. The overall shape of the second image 50A is the same as the shape of the first image 50A. That is, the second image 50B is a rectangular mapping formed by arranging the plurality of elements 50e in the same area as the first image 50A.

[0034] The brightness distribution in the second image 50B differs from the brightness distribution in the first image 50A. More specifically, the second image 50A is configured by arranging bright and dark sections alternately along the lateral image direction GW. Element 50e is the high-brightness section of the second image 50B, and a gap Gp between adjacent elements 50e is the low-brightness section of the second image 50B. On the other hand, in the first image 50A, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the brightness is evenly distributed along the lateral image direction GW.

[0035] The control unit 6 can generate the second image 50B by masking the first image 50A. The control unit 6 can store the first image 50A and the second image 50B as separate images.

[0036] Fig. Figure 7 represents the second image 50B, which is visually perceived by the left eye 201L, and the second image 50B, which is visually perceived by the right eye 201R. As shown on the left side of Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the left eye (201L) can visually perceive the entire second image (50B). As in the middle of Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the right eye (201R) can only visually perceive part of the second image (50B). In the example of Fig. 7 the right eye 201R cannot visually recognize part of the central element 50e and the entire right element 50e.

[0037] On the right side of Fig. Figure 7 shows the virtual image 52, which is perceived by the driver 200. In the virtual image 52, a boundary line 52b is generated between the high-brightness section on the left and the low-brightness section on the right. The boundary line 52b is generated by a difference between the shape of the image visually perceived by the left eye 201L and the shape of the image visually perceived by the right eye 201R. In other words, the boundary line 52b is perceived by the left and right parallaxes. The virtual image 52 of the present embodiment contains a plurality of elements 50e that are separated from one another. Thus, the boundary line 52b is less noticeable in the virtual image 52. In other words, the boundary line 52b causes the driver 200 little discomfort. Thus, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment can display the virtual image 52 with less discomfort.

[0038] It should be noted that, as with regard to Fig. As described in section 8, the size of the gap Gp between the adjacent elements 50e is desirablely determined such that the two elements 50e can be identified by the driver 200. The size of the gap Gp is ​​determined, for example, based on the optical path length from the eye box EB to the display surface 20a and the resolution of the eyes 201. As an example, the angle θ formed by the ends of the two elements 50e and the eyes 201 can be larger than the minimum angle θmin. The minimum angle θmin can be determined by the resolution of the eyes 201 and can, for example, be 1 / 60 [°].

[0039] The control unit 6 of the present embodiment sets the display position of the image 50 on the display surface 20a based on the position of the object. Examples of the object include a vehicle ahead, an obstacle ahead, a pedestrian, and a road surface ahead. The position of the object is calculated, for example, based on a preview image obtained by imaging an area in front of the vehicle 100. The preview image is generated by a camera mounted on the vehicle 100. Based on the position of the object, the control unit 6 calculates the display position of the image 50 such that the image 50 overlaps the object.

[0040] If the display position of image 50 lies within the first area 41, the control unit 6 instructs the image display device 20 to display the first image 50A. For example, the control unit 6 calculates the left end position WL and the right end position WR of the image in Fig. The display of image 50 shown in Figure 5 is based on the display position of image 50. In this case, if both the left end position WL and the right end position WR are within the first area, the control unit 6 determines that the display position of image 50 is within the first area 41. The image display device 20 displays the first image 50A in the first area 41 according to an instruction from the control unit 6. As described in Figure 5, the display unit 6 determines that the display position of image 50 is within the first area 41. Fig. As shown in section 5, the first image 50A is displayed in the first area 41. The driver 200 can visually recognize the first image 50A with both eyes.

[0041] If the image's display position lies at the boundary between the first area 41 and the second area 42, the control unit 6 instructs the image display device 20 to display the second image 50B. For example, the control unit 6 determines that image 50 crosses the boundary line 43 in a case where one of the left end positions WL and the right end position WR are located in the first area 41 and the other is located in the second area 42. The image display device 20 displays the second image 50B at the boundary, as shown in Fig. 6 is shown, according to the instruction by the control unit 6.

[0042] According to this process, the display mode of image 50 switches from the first image 50A to the second image 50B when the display position of image 50 moves from the first area 41 towards the second area 42, following the object. When the entire image 50 is displayed in the second area 42, the control unit 6 can instruct the image display device 20 to display the first image 50A.

[0043] When the display position of image 50 moves from the boundary between the first area 41 and the second area 42 to the first area 41, the control unit 6 switches the display mode of image 50 from the second image 50B to the first image 50A. Thus, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment can achieve a suitable display of a virtual image with less discomfort.

[0044] Fig. Figure 9 is an example of the second image, 50B. The one in Fig. The second image 50B shown in Figure 9 is divided into four elements 50e, arranged in the vertical image direction GH. Each element 50e extends in the lateral image direction GW from one end to the other end of the second image 50B. In other words, the second image 50B is an image in which the first image 50A is divided into a plurality of parts by dividing lines in the lateral image direction GW. The gap Gp is ​​provided between the adjacent elements 50e. Because the second image 50B is set up by the plurality of elements 50e, the light-dark boundary line 52 is less discernible.

[0045] Fig. Figure 10 presents another example of the second image, 50B. The one in Fig. The second image shown in Figure 10 is divided into a plurality of elements 50e, which are arranged in the lateral image direction GW. Each element 50e is inclined with respect to the vertical image direction GH. That is, the second image 50B in Fig. 10 is divided into a plurality of parts by dividing lines that are inclined with respect to the vertical image direction GH. The inclination angles of the plurality of elements 50e are the same. The gap Gp is ​​provided between the adjacent elements 50e.

[0046] Fig. Figure 11 presents another example of the second image, 50B. The one in Fig. The second image 50B shown in Figure 11 is divided into a plurality of elements 50e, which are arranged in the lateral image direction GW. The shape of element 50e is circular. The shape of element 50e is not limited to a quadrilateral and can be a circle, as shown in Fig. Figure 11 shows that the shape of element 50e can be a polygon such as a hexagon.

[0047] Fig. Figure 12 presents another example of the second image, 50B. The one in Fig. The second image 50B shown in Figure 12 has a plurality of element groups 50d. The element group 50d extends in the lateral image direction GW and has a plurality of elements 50e arranged in the lateral image direction GW. The shape of the depicted element 50e is rectangular. The plurality of elements 50e contained in the element group 50d are arranged such that a diagonal line is parallel to the lateral image direction GW.

[0048] Fig. Figure 13 presents another example of the second image, 50B. The one in Fig. The second image shown in Figure 13, 50B, has more element groups 50d than the one in Figure 13. Fig. The second image 50B is shown in Figure 12. Additionally, each element group 50d has more elements 50e than the one in Figure 12. Fig. The element group 50d shown in Figure 12 is used. By increasing the number of divisions in the second image 50B, the light-dark boundary line 52b becomes less noticeable. For example, by increasing the number of element groups 50d in the second image 50B, or by increasing the number of elements 50e in element group 50d, the interference caused by the boundary line 52b is reduced.

[0049] Fig. Figure 14 presents another example of the second image, 50B. The one in Fig. Figure 14, the second image 50B, shows a plurality of element groups 50d. Each in Fig. Element 50e, as depicted in Figure 14, is at least so blurred that its outline is not clear. Element 50e is created, for example, by a blurring process on a circular image. Because the outline of element 50e is blurred, the boundary line 52b is less discernible.

[0050] Fig. 15 represents a second image 50C. The second image 50C is a gradient image. The second image 50C is an image obtained by applying gradation in which brightness changes along the lateral image direction GW in the first image 50A. When image 50 is displayed at the boundary between the first area 41 and the second area 42, the control unit 6 can display the second image 50C. The image pattern of the second image 50C differs from the image pattern of the first image 50A in that the second image 50C, for example, has gradation.

[0051] The illustrated second image 50C has a low-brightness section 50g in the center in the lateral image direction GW, and a high-brightness section 50h at both ends. The second image 50C exhibits gradation. The second image 50C exhibits gradation in which the pixel brightness decreases from the high-brightness section 50h towards the low-brightness section 50g. More specifically, the second image 50C contains a first intermediate section 50j and a second intermediate section 50k. The first intermediate section 50j is a gradation section in which the brightness decreases from the left high-brightness section 50h towards the low-brightness section 50g. The second intermediate section 50k is a gradation section in which the brightness increases from the low-brightness section 50g towards the right high-brightness section 50h. The in Fig. 15. The second image 50C shown is displayed such that the center of the low brightness section 50g is located at the boundary line 43.

[0052] The position of the low-brightness section 50g in the second image 50C can be variable. For example, the position of the low-brightness section 50g in the second image 50C can be adjusted so that the low-brightness section 50g overlaps the boundary line 43.

[0053] The second image 50C can be displayed such that the first intermediate section 50j or the second intermediate section 50k overlaps the boundary line 43. This in Fig. Figure 16 shows the second image 50C, displayed such that the first intermediate section 50j is located at the boundary line 43. In other words, the second image 50C has a gradation in which the brightness decreases from the first area 41 towards the boundary line 43, and this gradation section overlaps the boundary line 43.

[0054] The second image 50C can have the high brightness section 50h on only one side of the low brightness section 50g in the lateral image direction GW. For example, as in Fig. As shown in 17, the low brightness section 50g may be located at an end section of the second image 50C in the lateral image direction GW.

[0055] As described above, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment comprises the image display device 20, the optical system 25, and the control unit 6. The image display device 20 includes the display surface 20a, which displays the image 50. The optical system 25 projects the display light 70 of the image toward the reflective surface 102a in front of the driver 200. The control unit 6 controls the image display device 20. The display area 40 of the display surface 20a comprises the first area 41 and the second area 42. The first area 41 is an area that can be visually perceived by both eyes of the driver 200. The second area 42 is an area at the far end of the display surface 20a in the lateral image direction GW with respect to the first area 41.

[0056] If the display position of image 50 lies within the first area 41, the control unit 6 causes the image display device 20 to display the first image 50A. If the display position of image 50 lies at the boundary between the first area 41 and the second area 42, the control unit 6 causes the image display device 20 to display the second images 50B and 50C. The second images 50B and 50C have a pattern different from that of the first image 50A and are configured to combine a low-brightness section and a high-brightness section. For example, the second image 50B has the high-brightness element 50e and the low-brightness gap Gp. The second image 50C contains the high-brightness section 50h and the low-brightness section 50g.The vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment can improve the visibility of the image by making the boundary line 42b less visible when the image is displayed at the boundary.

[0057] The first image 50A of the present embodiment is an image of a figure. The second image 50B is an image of a figure configured by arranging a plurality of elements 50e. Since the second image 50B contains the plurality of elements 50e, the boundary line 52b is less discernible.

[0058] In the second image 50B of the present embodiment, the gap Gp is ​​provided between the adjacent elements 50e. The gap Gp creates a boundary line between the low-brightness section and the high-brightness section. Thus, the boundary line 52b is less visible due to parallax.

[0059] The second image 50C of the present embodiment is a graduated image in which the brightness changes along the lateral image direction GW. Because the second image 50C exhibits a change in brightness, the boundary line 52b is less visible.

[0060] In the gradation of the second image 50C of the present embodiment, the brightness decreases in the direction of the boundary line 43 between the first region 41 and the second region 42. Such gradation makes the boundary line 52 less discernible.

[0061] The shapes of the first image 50A and the second images 50B and 50C are not limited to those illustrated in the present embodiment. For example, the shape of the first image 50A can be elliptical or annular. In this case, the second image 50B can be an elliptical or annular image containing a plurality of elements 50e.

[0062] The control unit 6 can cause the image display device 20 to display the second image 50B, even if the image does not cross the boundary line 43. For example, a boundary area with a constant width can be set in the boundary line 43. In this case, the control unit 6 can cause the image display device 20 to display the second image 5B even if the image 50 overlaps the boundary area. [Modification of the embodiment]

[0063] A modification of the embodiment is described. This modification differs from the embodiment above in that, for example, the position of the boundary line 43 is determined according to the position of the eyes 201. The control unit 6 according to the modification of the embodiment changes the position of the boundary line 43 on the display surface 20a according to the position of the eyes 201.

[0064] For example, the control unit 6 detects the position of the driver's eyes 201 based on the image captured by the driver monitoring device 7. The position of the eyes 201 is, for example, the midpoint between the position of the left eye 201L and the position of the right eye 201R. The control unit 6 determines the position of the boundary line 43 based on the position of the eyes 201 in the vehicle width direction CW. Through this processing, the first image 50A and the second images 50B and 50C can be switched appropriately according to the actual position of the eyes 201.

[0065] The content disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined and implemented. Reference symbol list 1 VEHICLE DISPLAY DEVICE 2 MAIN BODY 3 COVER ELEMENT 4 HOUSINGS 5 COVER 6 CONTROL UNIT 7 DRIVER MONITORING DEVICE 10 VIRTUAL IMAGE 20 PICTURE DISPLAY DEVICE 20a DISPLAY SURFACE 22 FIRST MIRROR 23 Light Screen 23a FIRST LIGHT SCREEN 23b SECOND LIGHT SCREEN 23c OPENING 25 OPTICAL SYSTEM 40 DISPLAY AREA 41 FIRST AREA 42 SECOND AREA 42a LEFT END 42b RIGHT END 43 BORDER LINE 43a FIRST BORDER LINE 43b SECOND BORDER 50 BILD 50A FIRST PICTURE 50B, 50C SECOND IMAGE 50d ELEMENT GROUP 50 ELEMENT 50g LOW BRIGHTNESS SECTION 50h HIGH BRIGHTNESS SECTION 50 years FIRST INTERIM SECTION 50k SECOND INTERMEDIATE SECTION 70 INDICATOR LIGHT 71 OPTICAL PATH 100 VEHICLES 102 WINDSHIELD 102a REFLECTIVE SURFACE 200 DRIVERS 201 EYE 201L LEFT EYE 201R RIGHT EYE GW LATERAL IMAGE DIRECTION GH VERTICAL IMAGE DIRECTION GP GAP WL LEFT END POSITION WR RIGHTS END POSITION QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2020-170136 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Vehicle display device comprising: an image display device having a display surface that displays an image; an optical system that projects display light of the image toward a reflective surface in front of a driver; and a control unit that controls the image display device, wherein the display surface includes a first area, which is an area visually recognized by both eyes of the driver, and a second area, which is an area at a farther end of the display surface in a lateral image direction with respect to the first area, the control unit causes the image display device to display a first image when a display position of the image lies in the first area, and causes the image display device to display a second image when a display position of the image lies in a boundary between the first area and the second area, and the second image is an image having a pattern different from a pattern of the first image and having a configuration in which a low-brightness portion and a high-brightness portion are combined. [2] A vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the first image is an image of an illustration, and the second image is an image of an illustration having a configuration in which a plurality of elements are arranged. [3] A vehicle display device according to claim 2, wherein a gap is provided between adjacent ones of the elements. [4] The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the second image is an image having gradation in which brightness changes along a lateral image direction. [5] A vehicle display device according to claim 4, wherein the brightness in the gradation of the second image decreases toward a boundary line between the first area and the second area.

Images