Display device for vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle display device is provided with: a display device; a reflecting mirror that reflects display light of the image toward a reflecting surface disposed in front of the driver; a motor that rotates the mirror to change the projection position of the display light in the vertical direction of the vehicle; reference data for specifying a correspondence relationship between a plurality of reference points, which are set for the eye range, along the vertical direction of the vehicle and the width direction of the vehicle, and deformation shapes corresponding to the reference points; and a control unit that sets a control eye movement range, generates a display deformation shape on the display device on the basis of the reference data and the coordinates of the representative points in the control eye movement range, and generates the display deformation shape when the position of the eye becomes a position outside the control eye movement range (S30-YES). The control unit updates the eye movement range for control and the deformation shape for display (S60-S100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technique for performing deformation processing in the image display of a vehicle. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle information projection system. The vehicle information projection system of Patent Document 1 pre-stores in a ROM (storage unit) an image conversion table that associates a reference viewpoint position with a reference deformation parameter, which is a parameter used to convert image data in order to display a pre-deformed display image on a display. The vehicle information projection system uses the reference viewpoint position and the reference deformation parameter to perform a difference on the image conversion table suitable for the detected viewpoint position.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-087619 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] If the deformed shape is frequently changed, the driver may feel annoyed. For example, when the position of the driver's eyes slightly moves and then immediately returns to the original position, the deformed shape is changed for the initial movement, and then the deformed shape is immediately restored to the original state for the movement of returning to the original position. If the deformed shape is changed in this way, the driver may feel uncomfortable with the switching of images.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle display device capable of suppressing discomfort given to a driver and adjusting a deformed shape according to the position of the eyes.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The vehicle display device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a display device, which displays an image; a reflector, which reflects the display light of the image toward a reflecting surface arranged in front of the driver; a motor, which changes the projection position of the display light in the vertical direction of the vehicle by rotating the reflector; reference data, which determines the correspondence between multiple reference points and deformation shapes corresponding to each of the reference points, and the multiple reference points are reference points along the vertical direction and the width direction of the vehicle set for the eye range; an acquisition unit, which acquires the position of the driver's eyes; and a control unit, which sets a control eye movement range, generates a deformation shape for display in the display device based on the coordinates of a representative point of the control eye movement range and the reference data, and updates the control eye movement range and the deformation shape for display when the position of the eye becomes a position outside the control eye movement range.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] The vehicle display device of the present invention updates the control eye movement range and the deformed shape for display when the position of the driver's eyes is outside the control eye movement range. The vehicle display device of the present invention can suppress the discomfort caused to the driver and adjust the deformed shape according to the position of the eyes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing reference points of the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the eye range and the control eye movement range according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the control eye movement range according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing reference data of the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a movement pattern of the eye position.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing another example of the movement pattern of the eye position.

[0021] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing the movement of the eye position.

[0022] Fig.10 It is a diagram for explaining the generation of a new deformed shape.

[0023] Fig.11 It is a diagram for explaining the generation of a new deformed shape.

[0024] Fig.12 It is a diagram for explaining the generation of a new deformed shape.

[0025] Fig.13 It is a diagram for explaining the generation of a new deformed shape.

[0026] Fig.14 It is a diagram showing an intermediate point of the embodiment.

[0027] Fig.15 It is a diagram for explaining the updating of the control eye movement range according to the first modification example of the embodiment.

[0028] Fig.16 It is a diagram showing an intermediate point according to the second modification example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, the vehicle display device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiment include elements that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art or substantially the same elements.

[0030] [Implementation Method]

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 14 , an embodiment is described. This embodiment relates to a display device for a vehicle. Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing reference points of an embodiment, Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing an eye range and a control eye movement range according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing an eye movement range for control according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a diagram showing reference data of an embodiment, Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of an embodiment, Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a diagram showing the movement pattern of the eye position, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the movement of the eye position, Figures 10 to 13 is a diagram illustrating the generation of a new deformed shape, Fig.14 It is a diagram showing an intermediate point of the embodiment.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle display device 1 according to the present embodiment is a head-up display device mounted on a vehicle 100 such as an automobile. The vehicle display device 1 projects display light Lt of an image toward a windshield 110. The windshield 110 is located in front of the vehicle with respect to the eye point EP of the vehicle 100 and is opposite to the eye point EP in the vehicle front-rear direction X. The display light Lt is reflected toward the eye point EP by a reflection surface 110a of the windshield 110. The driver of the vehicle 100 can visually recognize a virtual image Vi through the display light Lt.

[0033] The vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment can change the projection position of the image on the windshield 110 in the up-down direction. The vehicle display device 1 moves the projection position of the image relative to the windshield 110 up-down based on the position of the eye point EP, for example. The eye point EP is the position of the eye of the driver 200, and the eye point EP is detected using, for example, the camera 11 of the vehicle display device 1. The camera 11 of the example is arranged in front of the vehicle relative to the driver's seat and is set in a manner that can capture the driver 200. The eye point EP is detected by performing image recognition on the image generated by the camera 11.

[0034] The vehicle display device 1 includes an image display unit 10 mounted on a vehicle 100. The image display unit 10 includes a housing 2, a display device 3, a reflector 4, a control unit 5, a nonvolatile memory 6, and a motor 7. The housing 2 is disposed inside a dashboard, for example. The housing 2 has an opening facing a windshield 110. The display device 3, the reflector 4, the control unit 5, the nonvolatile memory 6, and the motor 7 are accommodated inside the housing 2.

[0035] The display device 3 is a device that displays images, such as a liquid crystal display device. The display device 3 may be a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display). The display device 3 outputs display light Lt through light from a backlight unit, for example.

[0036] The reflector 4 reflects the display light Lt of the image toward the reflection surface 110a of the windshield 110. The display light Lt reflected by the reflector 4 is projected onto the reflection surface 110a of the windshield 110 through the opening of the housing 2. The reflector 4 has a concave reflection surface 4a, which can magnify the image. The shape of the reflection surface 4a is, for example, a free-form surface. The shape of the reflection surface 4a can also be a shape that corrects the distortion and aberration of the image.

[0037] The image display unit 10 of this embodiment includes a motor 7 for rotating the reflective mirror 4. The reflective mirror 4 is supported so as to be rotatable. Figure 1As shown by the middle arrow AR1, the rotation direction of the reflector 4 is a direction that changes the inclination angle of the reflective surface 4a relative to the vehicle vertical direction Z. When the inclination angle of the reflector 4 increases, the projection position of the image onto the windshield 110 moves downward. On the other hand, when the inclination angle of the reflector 4 decreases, the projection position of the image onto the windshield 110 moves upward.

[0038] The motor 7 adjusts the inclination angle of the reflection surface 4a to a desired angle by rotating the reflection mirror 4. The motor 7 is, for example, a stepping motor. The motor 7 is driven by a command value output by the control unit 5. The command value includes the rotation direction of the motor 7 and the number of steps.

[0039] The control unit 5 controls the display device 3 and the motor 7. The control unit 5 is, for example, a computer including a computing unit, a memory, a communication interface, etc. The control unit 5 controls the motor 7, for example, according to a pre-stored program. In addition, the control unit 5 controls the display device 3 based on the pre-stored program and the reference data TB read from the non-volatile memory 6.

[0040] The control unit 5 of this embodiment generates a deformed shape for display in the display device 3 based on the position of the eye point EP. The detection of the eye point EP based on the image capturing result of the camera 11 may be performed by the control unit 5 or by another processing unit. The camera 11 may also have a processing unit for detecting the eye point EP.

[0041] As reference Figure 2 As described above, in this embodiment, a plurality of regions are set for the eye range ER of the vehicle 100. The eye range ER statistically represents the distribution of the positions of the driver's eyes and is a region along the vehicle width direction Y and the vehicle vertical direction Z. The shape of the eye range ER is a rectangle. Figure 2 As shown, the eye range ER is set to three ranges ZU, ZM, and ZL in the vehicle vertical direction Z. The upper range ZU is the uppermost range in the eye range ER. The central range ZM is the central range in the eye range ER. The lower range ZL is the lower range in the eye range ER. The three ranges ZU, ZM, and ZL may overlap at the boundary.

[0042] In addition, three ranges Y1, Y2, and Y3 in the vehicle width direction Y are set for the eye range ER. The first range Y1 is a range on one end side of the vehicle width direction Y in the eye range ER. The first range Y1 is, for example, a range on the left end side when viewed from the driver. The second range Y2 is a range in the center of the vehicle width direction Y in the eye range ER. The third range Y3 is a range on the other end side of the vehicle width direction Y in the eye range ER. The third range Y3 is, for example, a range on the right end side when viewed from the driver. The three ranges Y1, Y2, and Y3 may also overlap at the boundary.

[0043] Nine areas are set in the eye range ER. The first area R1, the second area R2, and the third area R3 are set in the upper range ZU. Areas R1, R2, and R3 correspond to ranges Y1, Y2, and Y3, respectively. The fourth area R4, the fifth area R5, and the sixth area R6 are set in the central range ZM. Areas R4, R5, and R6 correspond to ranges Y1, Y2, and Y3, respectively. The seventh area R7, the eighth area R8, and the ninth area R9 are set in the lower range ZL. Areas R7, R8, and R9 correspond to ranges Y1, Y2, and Y3, respectively.

[0044] Each region Ri (i=1, 2, ..., 9) has a reference point Pi (i=1, 2, ..., 9). For example, the fifth region R5 has a reference point P5. The reference point P5 is, for example, the center point of the eye range ER. The reference points P1 to P4 and P6 to P9 of the regions R1 to R4 and R6 to R9 other than the fifth region R5 are set on the boundary line of the eye range ER. The eye range ER has an upper boundary line ERU, a lower boundary line ERL, a first boundary line ER1 at one end of the vehicle width direction Y, and a second boundary line ER2 at the other end of the vehicle width direction Y.

[0045] The reference point P1 of the first region R1 is set at the vertex of the eye range ER. More specifically, the reference point P1 is located at the intersection of the upper boundary line ERU and the first boundary line ER1. Similarly, the reference points P3, P7, and P9 of the third region R3, the seventh region R7, and the ninth region R9 are respectively set at the vertex of the eye range ER. More specifically, the reference point P3 of the third region R3 is located at the intersection of the upper boundary line ERU and the second boundary line ER2. The reference point P7 of the seventh region R7 is located at the intersection of the lower boundary line ERL and the first boundary line ER1. The reference point P9 of the ninth region R9 is located at the intersection of the lower boundary line ERL and the second boundary line ER2.

[0046] The reference point P2 of the second region R2 is located at the center of the upper boundary line ERU in the vehicle width direction Y. The reference point P4 of the fourth region R4 is located at the center of the first boundary line ER1 in the vehicle vertical direction Z. The reference point P6 of the sixth region R6 is located at the center of the second boundary line ER2 in the vehicle vertical direction Z. The reference point P8 of the eighth region R8 is located at the center of the lower boundary line ERL in the vehicle width direction Y. Each reference point Pi is Figure 5 The deformation data WPi (i=1, 2, ..., 9) shown corresponds.

[0047] The control unit 5 of this embodiment sets Figure 3The control eye range EB is a range along the vehicle width direction Y and the vehicle vertical direction Z. The shape of the control eye range EB is a rectangle. The control eye range EB is set based on the detected eye point EP. The eye point EP is, for example, the position between the left eye and the right eye of the driver 200. Figure 3 In this case, the eye point EP is located at the central reference point P5. Figure 2 The fifth region R5 shown overlaps. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the driver 200 as viewed from the front, and thus Figure 2 Switch left and right.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the control eye movement range EB has an upper boundary line BU, a lower boundary line BL, a first boundary line B1, and a second boundary line B2. The upper boundary line BU is the boundary line of the upper end of the control eye movement range EB in the vehicle vertical direction Z. The lower boundary line BL is the boundary line of the lower end of the control eye movement range EB. The first boundary line B1 is the boundary line of one end of the control eye movement range EB in the vehicle width direction Y. The second boundary line B2 is the boundary line of the other end of the control eye movement range EB in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0049] The control eye movement range EB has a representative point PC. The position of the representative point PC in the example is the center point or the center of gravity in the control eye movement range EB. When the control eye movement range EB is newly set or updated, the control unit 5 sets the position of the control eye movement range EB in such a way that the representative point PC coincides with the detected eye point EP. As described later, the control unit 5 of this embodiment does not update the deformed shape for display while the position of the eye is within the control eye movement range EB, and updates the deformed shape for display when the position of the eye deviates from the control eye movement range EB. As a result, frequent updates of the deformed shape are suppressed.

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment has reference data TB including a plurality of deformed shapes. The reference data TB is data that defines the correspondence between a plurality of reference points P1 to P9 and the deformed data WP1 to WP9. The deformed data WP1 to WP9 is data for determining the image display area in the display device 3. The deformed data WP1 to WP9 are set so as to correct the distortion of the image caused by the reflection on the reflection surface 110a of the windshield 110.

[0051] The deformation data WP1 is data of the deformation shape corresponding to the reference point P1 of the first region R1. Similarly, the deformation data WP2 to WP9 are data of the deformation shape corresponding to the reference points P2 to P9 of the regions R2 to R9. Each deformation data WPi (i=1, 2, ..., 9) has a plurality of inflection points Npj (j=1, 2, ...). The plurality of inflection points Npj are arranged in a grid along the image transverse direction GH and the image longitudinal direction GV. That is, the inflection points Npj are lattice points of the deformation shape. Each inflection point Npj has a coordinate value in the vehicle width direction Y and a coordinate value in the vehicle up and down direction Z.

[0052] The deformation data WP1 is optically designed so as to correct the distortion of the image when the eye point EP is located at the reference point P1. Similarly, the optical designs for the deformation data WP2 to WP9 are optimized so as to correct the distortion of the image when the eye point EP is located at the reference points P2 to P9.

[0053] The control unit 5 of this embodiment generates a deformed shape for the control eye movement range EB based on the reference data TB. The control unit 5 causes the display device 3 to display an image based on the generated deformed shape. More specifically, the control unit 5 performs coordinate transformation on the original image based on the generated deformed shape to generate an image for display. That is, the control unit 5 deforms the image that the driver 200 wants to visually recognize based on the generated deformed shape, thereby generating an image for display. The control unit 5 causes the display device 3 to display the generated image for display.

[0054] As described below, the control unit 5 of this embodiment does not change the control eye movement range EB while the position of the eye of the driver 200 is within the control eye movement range EB. Therefore, the control unit 5 uses the same deformation shape while the position of the eye is within the control eye movement range EB. Thus, it is possible to suppress the trouble caused by frequent changes in the deformation shape.

[0055] On the other hand, when the position of the eye of the driver 200 becomes the position outside the control eye movement range EB, the control unit 5 updates the control eye movement range EB. When the control eye movement range EB is updated, the control unit 5 updates the deformed shape for display based on the updated control eye movement range EB. Thus, when the position of the eye has moved, the image can be displayed in an appropriate deformed shape corresponding to the position of the eye after the movement.

[0056] Reference Figure 6 The operation of the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment is described with reference to the flowchart. In step S10, the position of the eye is acquired. The control unit 5 acquires the position of the eye of the driver 200 based on the image generated by the camera 11. When step S10 is executed, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0057] In step S20, the control unit 5 determines whether the eye position has stopped. The conditions for determining that the eye position has stopped are arbitrary. For example, the control unit 5 may determine that the eye point EP has stopped when the moving speed of the eye position is less than the lower limit. For example, the control unit 5 may determine that the eye position has stopped when the eye position does not leave a specified range within a certain period of time. If it is determined that the eye position has stopped in step S20, the process proceeds to step S30, and if it is determined that the eye position has stopped, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0058] In step S30, the control unit 5 determines whether the eye position is out of the control eye movement range EB. Figure 7 An example of the movement pattern of the eye position is shown in FIG. The detected eye position moves from point EP1 to point EP2, then passes through point EP3 and stops at point EP4. The eye position continues to move from point EP1 to point EP4 and stops at point EP4. Points EP1 and EP2 are both points inside the control eye movement range EB. Point EP3 is a point on the upper boundary line BU.

[0059] If the eye position stops at point EP4, the control unit 5 determines whether point EP4 is a point outside the control eye movement range EB. If point EP4 is a point outside the control eye movement range EB, the control unit 5 determines that the eye position is deviated from the control eye movement range EB. If the judgment is affirmative in step S30, the process proceeds to step S40, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step S10. In addition, if the judgment is affirmative in step S30, the control unit 5 updates the control eye movement range EB. Figure 7 To explain, the control unit 5 sets a new control eye movement range EB at the point EP4 where the eye stops. The new control eye movement range EB is Figure 7 The representative point PC of the new control eye movement range EB is point EP4.

[0060] In step S40, the control unit 5 determines whether the position of the eye is deviated in the height direction. Figure 7 In the example of , when the eye position deviates from the control eye movement range EB, it intersects with the upper boundary line BU. The control unit 5 may determine that the eye position deviates in the height direction when the eye position intersects with the upper boundary line BU and when the eye position intersects with the lower boundary line BL.

[0061] The control unit 5 may determine that the eye position is deviated in the height direction when the motor 7 needs to be driven due to the update of the control eye movement range EB. Figure 7In the example of , point EP4 is located above the upper boundary line BU in the vehicle vertical direction Z. In other words, the position of the eye deviates from the control eye movement range EB in the height direction. The control unit 5 can make the determination in step S40 based on the relative position of the position of the stopped eye and the control eye movement range EB.

[0062] For example, the control unit 5 determines whether the motor 7 needs to be driven based on the amount of movement ΔZ of the eye position in the vehicle vertical direction Z. The amount of movement ΔZ of the eye position is, for example, the difference between the Z coordinate of the representative point PC and the Z coordinate of the stopped eye position.

[0063] Regarding the movement amount ΔZ of the eye position, the control unit 5 preferably has a threshold value for whether to drive the motor 7. When the absolute value of the movement amount ΔZ of the eye position is greater than the threshold value, the control unit 5 determines to drive the motor 7 and rotate the reflector 4. The height of the control eye movement range EB can also be set based on the threshold value. The threshold value can also be equal to the height from the representative point PC to the boundary line BU at the upper end. The threshold value can also be equal to the height from the representative point PC to the boundary line BL at the lower end.

[0064] Figure 8 Another example of the movement pattern of the eye position is shown. The detected eye position moves from point EP11 to point EP12, then passes through point EP13, and stops at point EP14. Points EP11 and EP12 are both points inside the control eye movement range EB. Point EP13 is a point on the second boundary line B2. Point EP14 is a point outside the control eye movement range EB.

[0065] exist Figure 8 In the example of FIG. 1 , when the eye position leaves the control eye movement range EB, it intersects the second boundary line B2. The control unit 5 may determine that the eye position is deviated in the vehicle width direction Y when the eye position intersects the second boundary line B2 and when the eye position intersects the first boundary line B1. In this case, the control unit 5 may determine that the eye position is not deviated in the height direction.

[0066] The control unit 5 may determine that the eye position is deviated in the vehicle width direction Y when the driving of the motor 7 based on the update of the control eye movement range EB is unnecessary. For example, the control unit 5 may make a negative determination in step S40 when the movement amount ΔZ of the eye position is less than a threshold value.

[0067] If the result of determination in step S40 is affirmative that the position of the eye is deviated in the height direction, the process proceeds to step S50 , and if negative, the process proceeds to step S60 .

[0068] In step S50, the control unit 5 calculates the driving time of the motor 7. The control unit 5 calculates the driving time of the motor 7 based on the relative position of the updated control eye movement range EB relative to the control eye movement range EB before the update, for example. In this case, the control unit 5 can calculate the necessary rotation amount of the motor 7 based on the movement amount ΔZ of the eye position. The motor 7 of this embodiment is a stepping motor, so the control unit 5 calculates the number of steps of the motor drive. The control unit 5 calculates the time required for the rotation of the motor 7, that is, the driving time, based on the number of driving steps. When step S50 is executed, the process proceeds to step S60.

[0069] In step S60, the control unit 5 generates a deformed shape after the movement. The deformed shape after the movement is a deformed shape corresponding to the new control eye movement range EB. Figures 9 to 12 , the generation of the deformed shape is explained.

[0070] exist Fig. 9 In FIG. 1 , the movement of the eye position is indicated by arrow AR2. Fig. 9 , the position of the eye before the movement is the central reference point P5, and the position of the eye after the movement is point EP20. Point EP20 is a point in the first region R1. Point EP20 is surrounded by four reference points P1, P2, P4, and P5. In other words, point EP20 is a point inside the rectangular region formed by reference points P1, P2, P4, and P5.

[0071] like Fig.10 As shown, the control unit 5 generates a new deformed shape WP20 based on the four deformed data WP1, WP2, WP4, and WP5. The new deformed shape WP20 is a deformed shape corresponding to the point EP20.

[0072] As reference Fig.11 As described above, the control unit 5 of the present embodiment calculates the first point D1 and the second point D2 based on the two reference points Pi arranged in the vehicle vertical direction Z. The first point D1 and the second point D2 are points corresponding to the point EP20 in the vehicle vertical direction Z. The first point D1 is a point between the two reference points P1 and P4. That is, the first point D1 is a point that divides the reference point P1 and the reference point P4. The second point D2 is a point between the two reference points P2 and P5. That is, the second point D2 is a point that divides the reference point P2 and the reference point P5.

[0073] like Fig.13As shown, the control unit 5 generates a deformed shape WP11 corresponding to the first point D1 by linear interpolation based on the two deformed data WP1 and WP4. The linear interpolation is based on the internal ratio calculated based on the reference points P1, P4 and the Z coordinate of the first point D1. The control unit 5 calculates the coordinate value of the inflection point Npj of the deformed shape WP11 based on the coordinate value of the corresponding inflection point Npj of the two deformed data WP1 and WP4, for example. Therefore, the closer the first point D1 is to the reference point P1, the higher the similarity between the deformed shape WP11 and the deformed data WP1. On the other hand, the closer the first point D1 is to the reference point P4, the higher the similarity between the deformed shape WP11 and the deformed data WP4. Similarly, the control unit 5 generates a deformed shape WP12 corresponding to the second point D2 by linear interpolation based on the two deformed data WP2 and WP5.

[0074] The control unit 5 generates a new deformed shape WP20 by linear interpolation based on the deformed shapes WP11 and WP12. Fig.12 As shown, point EP20 is a point where the first point D1 and the second point D2 are internally divided. The internal division ratio at this time is calculated based on the Y coordinates of the first point D1, the second point D2 and the point EP20. The control unit 5 performs linear interpolation based on the internal division ratio, for example. After the new deformed shape WP20 is generated in step S60, the process proceeds to step S70.

[0075] In step S70, an intermediate shape is generated by linear interpolation. The intermediate shape is a deformed shape at an intermediate stage between the deformed shape before updating and the deformed shape after updating. Fig. 9 In the example of , the deformed shape before updating is the deformed data WP5. The deformed shape after updating is the new deformed shape WP20. In this case, the control unit 5 generates an intermediate shape by linear interpolation based on the deformed data WP5 and the new deformed shape WP20.

[0076] like Fig.14 As shown, the control unit 5 may also set an intermediate point DPk (k=1, 2, ..., n) between the reference point P5 and the point EP20. The number n of the intermediate points DPk may be one or more. The intermediate point DPk may also be a point that divides the space between the start point and the target point equally. The control unit 5 generates an intermediate shape for each intermediate point DPk by linear interpolation. For example, when the number n of the intermediate points DPk is 5, the control unit 5 generates 5 intermediate shapes. The similarity between the intermediate shape and the new deformed shape WP20 increases as the distance from the reference point P5 to the point EP20 approaches. When the intermediate shape is generated, the process proceeds to step S80.

[0077] In step S80, the control unit 5 determines whether the motor is driven. This determination may be the same as the determination in step S40, for example. For example, if it is determined in step S40 that the position of the eye is deviated in the height direction, it is determined in step S80 that the motor is driven. If the determination result in step S80 is a positive determination that the motor is driven, the process proceeds to step S90, and if it is a negative determination, the process proceeds to step S100.

[0078] In step S90, the control unit 5 gradually changes the deformed shape in coordination with the driving of the motor 7. The control unit 5 changes the deformed shape, for example, based on the motor driving time and the screen update time. The control unit 5 starts the stepwise change of the deformed shape, for example, in synchronization with the start of the driving of the motor 7. The control unit 5 ends the change of the deformed shape, for example, in synchronization with the end of the driving of the motor 7.

[0079] For example, when the rotation position of the motor 7 reaches the position corresponding to the intermediate point DP1, the control unit 5 updates the deformed shape to the intermediate shape corresponding to the intermediate point DP1. Also, when the rotation position of the motor 7 reaches the position corresponding to the intermediate point DP2, the deformed shape is updated to the intermediate shape corresponding to the intermediate point DP2. Finally, when the rotation position of the motor 7 reaches the position corresponding to EP20, the deformed shape is updated to the new deformed shape WP20. In this way, by updating the deformed shape in stages in coordination with the driving of the motor 7, smooth display switching without discomfort can be performed.

[0080] In addition, the control unit 5 may also set the switching time of the deformation shape based on the frame rate [number of frames / second] of the display device 3. For example, the deformation shape may be changed between one frame and the next frame. When the driving of the motor 7 and the updating of the deformation shape are completed, the process ends.

[0081] In step S100, the control unit 5 gradually changes the deformed shape. The control unit 5 changes the deformed shape, for example, in accordance with a predetermined time and a screen update time. The predetermined time is a variable, and is predetermined in such a way that the driver 200 does not easily feel uncomfortable. The control unit 5 changes the deformed shape, for example, every time a predetermined time passes. The control unit 5 can set a switching time of the deformed shape between frames. When the update of the deformed shape is completed, the process ends.

[0082] As described above, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment includes a display device 3 for displaying an image, a reflector 4, a motor 7, reference data TB, a camera 11, and a control unit 5. The reflector 4 reflects the display light Lt of the image toward the reflection surface 110a arranged in front of the driver 200. The motor 7 changes the projection position of the display light Lt in the vehicle vertical direction Z by rotating the reflector 4. The reference data TB is data that defines the correspondence between a plurality of reference points Pi and the deformation data WPi corresponding to each reference point Pi. The plurality of reference points Pi are set relative to the eye range ER along the vehicle vertical direction Z and the vehicle width direction Y.

[0083] The camera 11 is an example of an acquisition unit that acquires the position of the eyes of the driver 200. In addition, the acquisition unit may also include a processing unit that performs image processing and image recognition on the image captured by the camera 11. The processing unit may be a calculation circuit included in the control unit 5, or a processing program executed by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 sets the control eye movement range EB. The control unit 5 generates a deformed shape for display in the display device 3 based on the coordinates of the representative point PC of the control eye movement range EB and the reference data TB.

[0084] The deformed shape for display may be generated based on a plurality of deformed shapes of the reference data TB, or may be any deformed shape of the reference data TB. For example, when the position of the eye coincides with any reference point Pi, the deformed shape of the reference point Pi becomes the deformed shape for display.

[0085] The control unit 5 updates the control eye movement range EB and the deformed shape for display when the position of the eye becomes the position outside the control eye movement range EB. In other words, the control unit 5 updates the control eye movement range EB and the deformed shape for display, taking the position of the eye becoming the position outside the control eye movement range EB as one of the conditions. Therefore, the control unit 5 does not update the control eye movement range EB and the deformed shape at least when the position of the eye is located inside the control eye movement range EB. Thus, it is possible to suppress the deformed shape from being frequently updated, so that the driver 200 is not easily annoyed.

[0086] In the present embodiment, when the eye position moves away from the control eye movement range EB, the control unit 5 does not start updating the control eye movement range EB and the deformed shape for display until the eye position stops outside the control eye movement range EB. Figure 6In the process of FIG. 1 , as long as it is not determined in step S20 that the eye position is stopped, the process after step S30 is not entered. Thus, frequent updates of the deformed shape are suppressed. In addition, when the eye position leaves the control eye movement range EB and immediately returns to the inner side of the control eye movement range EB, the control eye movement range EB and the deformed shape are not updated. Therefore, the oscillation of control is suppressed.

[0087] The reference data TB of this embodiment has a plurality of reference points Pi along the vehicle width direction Y at the same position in the vehicle vertical direction Z. Therefore, when the position of the eyes of the driver 200 moves in the vehicle width direction Y, an appropriate deformation shape corresponding to the position of the eyes is generated.

[0088] The control unit 5 of this embodiment selects a plurality of reference points Pi surrounding the representative point PC of the control eye movement range EB, and generates a deformed shape for display by linear interpolation based on a plurality of deformed shapes corresponding to the selected reference points Pi. Fig.10 In the example described above, the deformed shape WP20 for display is generated based on a plurality of deformed data WP1, WP2, WP4, and WP5. By such a generation method, it is possible to generate an optimal deformed shape corresponding to the position of the eye.

[0089] When the control unit 5 of this embodiment rotates the motor 7 when updating the control eye movement range EB, the display deformation shape is gradually changed according to the rotation of the motor 7. Therefore, it is possible to realize a transition of the deformation shape with little discomfort.

[0090] In addition, the configuration of the reference point Pi is not limited to Figure 2 For example, four or more reference points Pi may be arranged along the vehicle vertical direction Z relative to the same position in the vehicle width direction Y. For example, four or more reference points Pi may be arranged along the vehicle vertical direction Y relative to the same position in the vehicle vertical direction Z.

[0091] The shape of the control eye movement range EB may be a square or a rectangle. The control eye movement range EB may also be a rectangle whose length in the vehicle width direction Y is greater than the length in the vehicle up-down direction Z. In this case, the sensitivity to the movement of the eye position along the vehicle width direction Y becomes lower. The length of the control eye movement range EB in the vehicle width direction Y may also be determined to allow the movement of the eye position caused by the movement of the driver 200's confirmation instrument and the reflector. The shape of the control eye movement range EB may also be a shape other than a rectangle.

[0092] The control unit 5 may also determine whether the control eye movement range EB is updated based on the sight line direction of the driver 200. For example, if the sight line of the driver 200 is not directed toward the virtual image Vi, the control eye movement range EB may not be updated. The control unit 5 may also determine whether the sight line of the driver 200 is directed toward the virtual image Vi when the eye position is stopped. In this case, Figure 6 In the process, when the determination is positive in step S20, it is determined whether the sight line of the driver 200 is toward the virtual image Vi. If the result of this determination is positive that the sight line is toward the virtual image Vi, the process proceeds to step S30, and in the case of a negative determination, it moves to step S10.

[0093] By such processing, unnecessary updating of the deformed shape can be suppressed. For example, when the driver 200 operates the equipment of the vehicle 100, the eye position may deviate from the control eye movement range EB due to the sight line directed toward the equipment. In this case, the control unit 5 can delay the update judgment until the driver 200 turns toward the virtual image Vi. The control unit 5 determines whether the eye position deviates from the control eye movement range EB at the moment when the driver 200 directs the sight line toward the virtual image Vi. If the operation of the equipment is completed and the eye position of the driver 200 returns to the position before the operation, the control eye movement range EB and the deformed shape are not updated.

[0094] The display device 3 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and the display device 3 may be a device that generates an image on a transmissive screen by scanning a laser beam, for example.

[0095] [First Modification of Embodiment]

[0096] A first modified example of the embodiment will be described. Fig.15 1 is a diagram for explaining the updating of the control eye movement range EB according to the first modified example of the embodiment. When the eye position deviates from the control eye movement range EB, the control unit 5 may update the control eye movement range EB even if the eye position does not stop. For example, Fig.15 As shown in FIG. 1 , the eye position moves from point EP21 to point EP22, and the eye position detected thereafter is point EP23 outside the control eye movement range EB. Even if the eye position does not stop at point EP23, the control unit 5 may update the control eye movement range EB based on point EP23. In this case, the control unit 5 may also use the new control eye movement range as a temporary control eye movement range EBt.

[0097] The control unit 5 generates a new deformed shape for the temporary control eye box EBt and gradually changes the deformed shape. At this time, if the motor 7 is driven, the deformed shape may be updated stepwise in accordance with the driving of the motor 7.

[0098] Assume that after the temporary control eye movement range EBt is set, the eye position stops at point EP24. In this case, the control unit 5 may also update the control eye movement range EB based on point EP24. For example, the control unit 5 may update the control eye movement range EB regardless of whether point EP24 is a point inside or outside the temporary control eye movement range EBt.

[0099] Alternatively, when point EP24 is a point inside the temporary control eye movement range EBt, the control unit 5 may not update the control eye movement range EB. For example, when the distance from point EP23 to point EP24 is less than a predetermined lower limit, the control unit 5 may not update the control eye movement range EB.

[0100] [Second Modification of Embodiment]

[0101] A second modified example of the embodiment will be described. Fig.16 2 is a diagram showing the intermediate points involved in the second modified example of the embodiment. The arrangement of the intermediate points DPk may not be the same as that of the above embodiment. Fig.14 For example, Fig.16 As shown, multiple intermediate points DPk can also be configured in a stepped shape.

[0102] The contents disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be implemented in combination as appropriate.

[0103] Description of Reference Numerals

[0104] 1: Vehicle display device

[0105] 2: Housing, 3: Display device, 4: Reflector, 5: Control unit, 6: Non-volatile memory

[0106] 7: Motor, 11: Camera

[0107] 100: vehicle, 110: windshield, 110a: reflective surface

[0108] EG: Control eye movement range

[0109] EP: Eye Point (eye position), ER: Eye Range

[0110] Pi (i = 1, 2, ..., 9): reference point, PC: representative point

[0111] R1: first area, R2: second area, R3: third area, R4: fourth area

[0112] R5: fifth area, R6: sixth area, R7: seventh area, R8: eighth area

[0113] R9: Ninth Region

[0114] TB: Reference data

[0115] WPi (i = 1, 2, ..., 9): deformation data

[0116] X: front and rear direction of the vehicle, Y: vehicle width direction, Z: vehicle up and down direction

Claims

1. A vehicle display device, characterized in that: have: A display device, wherein the display device displays an image; a reflector that reflects display light of the image toward a reflective surface disposed in front of the driver; a motor that rotates the reflector to change a projection position of the display light in a vertical direction of the vehicle; Reference data, the reference data determining a correspondence between a plurality of reference points and a deformed shape corresponding to each of the reference points, the plurality of reference points being reference points set for an eye range along a vehicle up-down direction and a vehicle width direction; an acquisition unit, the acquisition unit acquiring the position of the driver's eyes; as well as a control unit that sets an eye movement range for control, and generates a deformed shape for display in the display device based on the coordinates of a representative point of the eye movement range for control and the reference data, The control unit updates the control eye movement range and the deformed shape for display when the position of the eye is outside the control eye movement range.

2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein: When the position of the eye deviates from the control eye movement range, the control unit does not start updating the control eye movement range and the deformed shape for display until the position of the eye stops outside the control eye movement range.

3. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein: The reference data includes a plurality of reference points along a vehicle width direction with respect to the same position in a vehicle up-down direction.

4. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit selects a plurality of reference points surrounding a representative point of the control eye movement range, and generates the deformed shape for display by linear interpolation based on a plurality of deformed shapes corresponding to the selected reference points.

5. The vehicle display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: When the motor is rotated when the control eye movement range is updated, the control unit gradually changes the deformed shape for display according to the rotation of the motor.

Images