Display device for vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle display device (1) is provided with: an image display device having a display surface on which an image is displayed; an optical system that projects display light of an image toward a reflective surface in front of a driver; and a control unit that controls the image display device, the display surface having a first region (41) which is a region visually recognized by the driver's eyes and a second region (42) which is a region closer to the end side of the display surface in the image lateral direction (GW) than the first region, the control unit causing the image display device to display a first image when the display position of the image is the first region, and causing the image display device to display a second image when the display position of the image is the second region. When the display position of the image is a boundary between the first region and the second region, a second image (50B) is displayed on the image display device, the second image being an image of a pattern different from that of the first image and being configured by combining a low-brightness portion and a high-brightness portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle display device that sets an image display area on a display surface based on acquired eye positions so that the driver can visually recognize the entire displayed image.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-170136 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In order to display a virtual image over a wide range, it is preferred to display the image using the entire display surface. On the other hand, when the displayed image is displayed at the boundary between the display area that is recognized only by monocular vision and the display area that is recognized by binocular vision, the visual recognition of the image may be reduced. For example, the shape of the image recognized by the left eye is different from the shape of the image recognized by the right eye, which sometimes gives the driver a sense of disharmony.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle display device capable of improving the visibility of an image.

[0009] Technical solutions to the problem

[0010] The vehicle display device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: an image display device, the image display device having a display surface for displaying an image; an optical system, the optical system projects the display light of the image toward a reflective surface in front of the driver; and a control unit, the control unit controlling the image display device, the display surface having: a first area, the first area being an area recognized by the driver's binocular vision; and a second area, the second area being an area on the lateral end side of the image in the display surface that is closer to the first area than the first area, and when the display position of the image is the first area, the control unit causes the image display device to display the first image, and when the display position of the image is the boundary between the first area and the second area, the control unit causes the image display device to display the second image, the second image being an image of a pattern different from the first image and being composed of a combination of a low-brightness portion and a high-brightness portion.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] In the vehicle display device of the present invention, the second image displayed at the boundary is an image of a pattern different from the first image, and is composed of a combination of a low-brightness portion and a high-brightness portion. The second image having a low-brightness portion and a high-brightness portion can reduce the sense of disharmony caused by the difference in shape between the image visually recognized by the left eye and the image visually recognized by the right eye. Therefore, according to the vehicle display device of the present invention, the visibility of the image can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the arrangement of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a plan view showing a light-shielding wall according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 This diagram shows the range that can be visually recognized by the left and right eyes.

[0016] Figure 4 This diagram shows the range that can be visually recognized by the left and right eyes.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a first image according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a second image according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 A diagram illustrating an image recognized by binocular vision.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a diagram for explaining the gap between the second images.

[0021] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0022] Fig.10 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0023] Fig.11 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0024] Fig.12 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0025] Fig.13 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0026] Fig.14 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0027] Fig.15 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0028] Fig.16 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0029] Fig.17 is a diagram showing an example of the second image.

[0030] Fig.18 This is a diagram for explaining the reduction in visibility of an image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] 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.

[0032] [Implementation Method]

[0033] Reference Figures 1 to 18 , an embodiment is described. This embodiment relates to a display device for a vehicle. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is a plan view showing a light shielding wall according to an embodiment. Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the range that can be visually recognized by the left and right eyes. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a first image of an embodiment, Figure 6 is a diagram showing a second image of an embodiment, Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining an image recognized by binocular vision. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the gap between the second images, Figures 9 to 17 is a diagram showing an example of a second image, Fig.18 This is a diagram for explaining the reduction in visibility of an image.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 100 to form a head-up display. The vehicle display device 1 is disposed inside a dashboard, for example. The dashboard is provided with an opening for passing display light 70. The vehicle 100 is provided with a driver monitor 7 for photographing a driver 200.

[0035] The vehicle display device 1 has 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 accommodated in the interior of the housing 4. The housing 4 has a main body 2 and a cover member 3 engaged with the main body 2. The main body 2 has an opening portion that opens upward. The cover member 3 closes the opening portion of the main body 2 from above. The cover member 3 has a wall portion 30 that is opposite to the windshield 102 in the vertical direction Z of the vehicle. The shape of the cover member 3 when viewed from above is a rectangular frame shape. The wall portion 30 has an opening 31 that opens upward. The cover 5 is a transparent plate-shaped member that closes the opening 31 of the cover member 3. The cover 5 is formed of a light-transmitting resin such as polycarbonate (PC) and acrylic.

[0036] The image display device 20 has a display surface for displaying an image, and emits display light 70 of the image. The image display device 20 is exemplified as a liquid crystal display device, such as a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display). The image display device 20 emits display light 70, for example, by light from a backlight unit. A heat sink 21 is disposed on the back of the image display device 20. In addition, the image display device 20 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device. The image display device 20 may also be a device that generates an image on a transmissive screen by scanning a laser, for example.

[0037] The control unit 6 is a control circuit or a control device for controlling the image display device 20. The control unit 6 is composed of a computer having a computing unit, a memory, a communication interface, etc. The control unit 6, for example, pre-stores a program for executing the actions disclosed in this specification. The control unit 6 is configured to control the shape of the image displayed by the image display device 20, the position of the image, the brightness distribution of the image, etc. In the 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 possessed by the backlight unit. In the case where the image display device 20 is a device that forms an image by scanning a laser, the control unit 6 can control the output of the laser element according to the scanning position.

[0038] The optical system 25 includes a first reflector 22. The first reflector 22 reflects the display light 70 emitted from the image display device 20 toward the reflective surface 102a of the windshield 102. The shape of the reflective surface of the first reflector 22 is, for example, a free-form surface. The first reflector 22 is a concave mirror that reflects the display light 70 while magnifying it.

[0039] The display light 70 reflected by the first reflector 22 passes through the opening 31 and is reflected by the reflective surface 102a of the windshield 102 toward the driver 200. The reflective surface 102a of the windshield 102 is the final reflective surface facing the eye 201 of the driver 200. The display light 70 incident on the eye 201 of the driver 200 forms a virtual image 10.

[0040] The vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment is configured to display a virtual image superimposed on the foreground of the vehicle 100. The vehicle display device 1 displays a virtual image superimposed on, for example, the road ahead of the vehicle 100, a vehicle ahead of the vehicle 100, or a cautionary object ahead of the vehicle 100.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the image display device 20 has a display surface 20a for displaying an image. The display light 70 is emitted from the display surface 20a. The vehicle display device 1 has a light shielding wall 23. The light shielding wall 23 is a wall portion that prevents the display light 70 from diffusing in an unnecessary direction. The illustrated light shielding wall 23 is arranged between the display surface 20a of the image display device 20 and the first reflector 22. The light shielding wall 23 has a first light shielding wall 23a and a second light shielding wall 23b. As viewed from the driver 200, the first light shielding wall 23a is located on the left side relative to the image. As viewed from the driver 200, the second light shielding wall 23b is located on the right side relative to the image. For example, an opening 23c is provided between the first light shielding wall 23a and the second light shielding wall 23b. That is, the light shielding wall 23 is arranged on both sides of the image in the horizontal direction GW in a manner of sandwiching the optical path 71 of the display light 70.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the display surface 20a has a display area 40 for displaying an image. In the display area 40, a range 40L that can be visually recognized by the left eye 201L of the driver 200 and a range 40R that can be visually recognized by the right eye 201R are determined by the width of the opening 23c of the light shielding wall 23 and the position of the opening 23c. The visually recognized ranges 40L and 40R are ranges in the horizontal direction GW of the image.

[0043] Figure 3 The position of the eye 201 shown is the center position in the vehicle width direction CW in the eye movement range EB. The eye movement range EB is a range that is pre-conceived as a range in which the position of the eye 201 moves. The eye movement range 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 recognized from the driver 200 when the eye 201 is located within the eye movement range EB.

[0044] exist Figure 44 shows a state where the position of the eye 201 is close to the right side within the eye movement range EB. In this case, the range 40L visually recognized by the left eye 201L and the range 40R visually recognized by the right eye 201R are relative to each other. Figure 3 The position shown is shifted to the left. Therefore, the area recognized by binocular vision is different from Figure 3 On the contrary, when the eye 201 is located close to the left side in the eye movement range EB, the visually recognizable ranges 40R and 40L are relatively Figure 3 That is, the range that can be seen by both eyes of the driver 200 changes according to the position of the eyes 201 of the driver 200.

[0045] Figure 3 The first area 41 shown is an area that can be visually recognized by the driver 200 with both eyes. More specifically, the first area 41 is an area that can be visually recognized by the driver 200 with both eyes regardless of where the eyes 201 are within the eye movement range EB. Figure 3 The second region 42 shown is a region on the end side in the image horizontal direction GW relative to the first region 41. In other words, the second region 42 is a region of the entire display region 40 excluding the first region 41.

[0046] The second area 42 is an area that is sometimes only visually recognized by the driver 200's monocular vision. The second area 42 has a left end area 42a and a right end area 42b. The left end area 42a is located on the left side relative to the first area 41 as viewed from the driver 200. The left end area 42a is an area that is sometimes visually recognized by only the right eye 201R of the driver 200. Depending on the position of the eye 201, at least a portion of the left end area 42a may also be visually recognized by the driver 200's binocular vision.

[0047] The right end region 42b is located on the right side relative to the first region 41 when viewed from the driver 200. The right end region 42b is a region that is sometimes visually recognized only by the left eye 201L of the driver 200. Depending on the position of the eye 201, at least a portion of the right end region 42b may also be visually recognized by the driver 200's binocular vision.

[0048] The boundary line 43 between the first area 41 and the second area 42 is set in the display area 40. The position of the boundary line 43 is, for example, a fixed position. The boundary line 43 of this embodiment includes a first boundary line 43a and a second boundary line 43b. The first boundary line 43a is the boundary line between the left end area 42a and the first area 41. The second boundary line 43b is the boundary line between the right end area 42b and the first area 41.

[0049] The first boundary line 43a is determined based on the range 40L that can be visually recognized by the left eye 201L. More specifically, the first boundary line 43a is the left end of the range 40L when the eye 201 is located at the leftmost position in the eye movement range EB. In the display area 40, the area to the left of the first boundary line 43a may not be visually recognized by the left eye 201L.

[0050] The second boundary line 43b is determined based on the range 40R that can be visually recognized by the right eye 201R. More specifically, the second boundary line 43b is the right end of the range 40R when the eye 201 is located at the rightmost side in the eye movement range EB. In the display area 40, the area to the right of the second boundary line 43b may not be visually recognized by the right eye 201R.

[0051] As described above, the first area 41 of the present embodiment ensures that the driver's 200 eyes 201 can be recognized by binocular vision as long as they are within the eye movement range EB. On the other hand, the second area 42 is an area that is not necessarily recognized by the driver's 200 binocular vision.

[0052] Here, as described below, when an image straddles the boundary between the first area 41 and the second area 42, the visibility of the image may be reduced. Fig.18 The left side of shows an image 50 displayed across the second boundary line 43b. The example image 50 is displayed in a manner overlapping with an object in front of the vehicle 100. For example, the image 50 overlaps with the vehicle in front. The image 50 is, for example, a linear graphic extending along the image transverse direction GW, or a rectangular image with the image transverse direction GW as the long side direction. A portion of the image 50 is displayed in the first area 41, and the remaining portion of the image 50 is displayed in the right end area 42b. Fig.18 In the center of FIG. 2 , the appearance of the image 50 as seen by the left eye 201L and the appearance of the image 50 as seen by the right eye 201R are shown.

[0053] like Fig.18 As shown in FIG. 1 , the left eye 201L of the driver 200 can see the entire image 50. On the other hand, the right eye 201R can only see a portion of the image 50. The remaining portion of the image 50 is hidden by the light shielding wall 123. In this case, Fig.18 As shown on the right side of the image 52, a black line 52a is sometimes generated in the virtual image 52 visually recognized by the driver 200. The line 52a appears at the right end of the image 50 seen from the right eye 201R. In other words, the line 52a is generated by the edge of the light shielding wall 123. Since the brightness changes discontinuously with the edge of the light shielding wall 123 as a boundary, it is difficult to recognize a clear line 52a.

[0054] As described below, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment controls the brightness distribution in the image 50 according to the display position of the image 50. The control unit 6 makes the brightness distribution in the image 50 different, for example, when the image 50 is displayed in the first area 41 and when the image 50 is displayed in the boundary portion. Here, the boundary portion is a region including the boundary line 43 between the first area 41 and the second area 42.

[0055] exist Figure 5 An image 50 displayed in the first area 41 is shown in FIG. Figure 6 The image 50 displayed across the boundary line 43 is shown. In the following description, the image 50 displayed in the first area 41 is referred to as a "first image 50A", and the image 50 displayed across the boundary line 43 is referred to as a second image 50B. Figure 5 The first image 50A shown is an image of a pattern that is continuous in the image lateral direction GW and the image longitudinal direction GH. The shape of the first image 50A is a rectangle along the image lateral direction GW.

[0056] on the other hand, Figure 6 The second image 50B shown is divided into three elements 50e arranged in the image horizontal direction GW and displayed. In other words, the second image 50B is an image in which the first image 50A is divided into a plurality of elements by a dividing line in the image vertical direction GH. The image pattern of the second image 50B is different from the image pattern of the first image 50A in that, for example, the second image 50B is composed of a plurality of elements 50e. In addition, the number of elements 50e in the second image 50B is not limited to three.

[0057] The outline of the second image 50B shown in the example is equal to the outline of the first image 50A. That is, the first image 50A is an image that directly displays the rectangular image 50, and the second image 50B is an image that divides the rectangular image 50 into a plurality of small rectangles. The overall shape of the second image 50B is equal to the shape of the first image 50A. That is, the second image 50B is a rectangular figure composed of a plurality of elements 50e arranged in the same area as the first image 50A.

[0058] The brightness distribution in the second image 50B is different from that in the first image 50A. More specifically, the second image 50B is configured such that bright and dark portions are alternately arranged along the image lateral direction GW. The element 50e is a high brightness portion of the second image 50B, and the gap Gp between adjacent elements 50e is a low brightness portion of the second image 50B. Figure 5 In the first image 50A shown, the brightness is evenly distributed along the image horizontal direction GW.

[0059] The control unit 6 may generate the second image 50B by performing mask processing on the first image 50A. The control unit 6 may store the first image 50A and the second image 50B as different images from each other.

[0060] exist Figure 7 FIG. 5 shows a second image 50B visually recognized by the left eye 201L and a second image 50B visually recognized by the right eye 201R. Figure 7 As shown on the left side of FIG. 5 , the left eye 201L can visually recognize the entire second image 50B. Figure 7 As shown in the center of FIG. 50 , the right eye 201R can visually recognize only a portion of the second image 50B. Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 2 , the right eye 201R cannot visually recognize a portion of the central element 50 e and the entire element 50 e on the right side.

[0061] exist Figure 7 The right side of the diagram shows a virtual image 52 recognized by the driver 200. A boundary line 52b is generated in the virtual image 52, which is a portion with high brightness on the left and a portion with low brightness on the right. The boundary line 52b is generated because the shape of the image visually recognized by the left eye 201L is different from the shape of the image visually recognized by the right eye 201R. In other words, the boundary line 52b is seen due to the parallax between the left and right. However, the virtual image 52 of this embodiment has a plurality of elements 50e separated from each other. Therefore, the boundary line 52b is not conspicuous in the virtual image 52. In other words, the boundary line 52b is not easy to give the driver 200 a sense of disharmony. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment can display a virtual image 52 with less disharmony.

[0062] In addition, as referenced Figure 8 As described above, the size of the gap Gp between adjacent elements 50e is preferably set so that the driver 200 can recognize two elements 50e. The size of the gap Gp is ​​determined based on, for example, the optical path length from the eye movement range EB to the display surface 20a and the resolution of the eye 201. As an example, the angle θ formed by the ends of the two elements 50e and the eye 201 may be greater than the minimum angle θmin. The minimum angle θmin may be determined based on the resolution of the eye 201, and may be set to 1 / 60 [°], for example.

[0063] The control unit 6 of this embodiment sets the display position of the image 50 on the display surface 20a based on the position of the object. The object is, for example, a vehicle traveling ahead, an obstacle ahead, a pedestrian ahead, a road ahead, etc. The position of the object is calculated based on, for example, a front image obtained by photographing the front of the vehicle 100. The front image is generated by a camera mounted on the vehicle 100. The control unit 6 calculates the display position of the image 50 based on the position of the object so that the image 50 overlaps with the object.

[0064] When the display position of the image 50 is within the first area 41, the control unit 6 instructs the image display device 20 to display the first image 50A. The control unit 6 calculates, for example, based on the display position of the image 50 Figure 5 In this case, when both the left end position WL and the right end position WR are inside the first area 41, the control unit 6 determines that the display position of the image 50 is inside the first area 41. The image display device 20 displays the first image 50A in the first area 41 according to the instruction of the control unit 6. Figure 5 As shown, the first image 50A is displayed in the first area 41. The driver 200 can check the first image 50A with binocular vision.

[0065] When the display position of the image 50 is 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, when one of the left end position WL and the right end position WR is located in the first area 41 and the other is located in the second area 42, the control unit 6 determines that the image 50 crosses the boundary line 43. The image display device 20 follows the instruction of the control unit 6, such as Figure 6 It is shown that the second image 50B is displayed at the border portion.

[0066] According to such processing, when the display position of the image 50 moves from the first area 41 to the second area 42 following the object, the display mode of the image 50 is switched from the first image 50A to the second image 50B. When the entire image 50 is displayed in the second area 42, the control unit 6 may also instruct the image display device 20 to display the first image 50A.

[0067] When the display position of image 50 moves from the boundary between first region 41 and second region 42 to first region 41, control unit 6 switches the display mode of image 50 from second image 50B to first image 50A. Therefore, vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment can realize appropriate virtual image display with little discomfort.

[0068] exist Fig. 9 An example of the second image 50B is shown in FIG. Fig. 9 The second image 50B shown is divided into four elements 50e arranged in the image longitudinal direction GH. Each element 50e extends from one end to the other end of the second image 50B along the image transverse direction GW. In other words, the second image 50B is an image obtained by dividing the first image 50A into a plurality of images by a dividing line in the image transverse direction GW. A gap Gp is ​​provided between adjacent elements 50e. By making the second image 50B consist of a plurality of elements 50e, the boundary line 52b between light and dark becomes inconspicuous.

[0069] Fig.10 Another example of the second image 50B is shown in FIG. Fig.10 The second image 50B shown is divided into a plurality of elements 50e arranged in the image horizontal direction GW. Each element 50e is inclined relative to the image vertical direction GH. That is, Fig.10 The second image 50B is divided into a plurality of elements 50e by a dividing line inclined with respect to the image longitudinal direction GH. The inclination angles of the plurality of elements 50e are equal. In addition, a gap Gp is ​​provided between adjacent elements 50e.

[0070] Fig.11 Another example of the second image 50B is shown in FIG. Fig.11 The second image 50B shown is divided into a plurality of elements 50e arranged in the image horizontal direction GW. The shape of the element 50e is circular. The shape of the element 50e is not limited to a quadrilateral, but may also be Fig.11 The shape of the element 50e may also be a polygon such as a hexagon.

[0071] Fig.12 Another example of the second image 50B is shown in FIG. Fig.12 The second image 50B shown has a plurality of element groups 50d. The element group 50d has a plurality of elements 50e extending in the image horizontal direction GW and arranged in the image horizontal direction GW. The plurality of element groups 50d are arranged in the image vertical direction GH. The shape of the element 50e in the example is a rectangle. The plurality of elements 50e in the element group 50d are arranged in such a way that the diagonal line is parallel to the image horizontal direction GW.

[0072] Fig.13 Another example of the second image 50B is shown in FIG. Fig.13 The second image 50B shown has a Fig.12 The second image 50B shown in FIG. 5B has more element groups 50d. In addition, each element group 50d has more Fig.12 The element group 50d shown has more elements 50e. By increasing the number of divisions in the second image 50B, the boundary line 52b between light and dark becomes less noticeable. For example, by increasing the number of element groups 50d in the second image 50B and increasing the number of elements 50e in the element group 50d, the trouble caused by the boundary line 52b can be reduced.

[0073] Fig.14 Another example of the second image 50B is shown in FIG. Fig.14 The second image 50B shown has a plurality of element groups 50d. Fig.14 Each element 50e shown is a design after blurring. The element 50e is blurred so that at least the outline is unclear. The element 50e is generated by blurring a circular image, for example. By blurring the outline of the element 50e, the boundary line 52b becomes inconspicuous.

[0074] exist Fig.15 50C is shown in FIG. The second image 50C is a gradient image. The second image 50C is an image in which a gradient is applied to the first image 50A so that the brightness changes along the image lateral direction GW. When the image 50 is displayed at the boundary between the first area 41 and the second area 42, the control unit 6 may also display the second image 50C. The image pattern of the second image 50C is different from the image pattern of the first image 50A in that, for example, the second image 50C has a gradient.

[0075] The second image 50C of the example has a low brightness portion 50g in the center of the image horizontal direction GW, and has high brightness portions 50h at both ends. The second image 50C has a gradient. The second image 50C has a gradient in which the brightness of the pixels decreases as it moves from the high brightness portion 50h toward the low brightness portion 50g. In more detail, the second image 50C has a first middle portion 50j and a second middle portion 50k. The first middle portion 50j is a gradient portion in which the brightness decreases from the high brightness portion 50h on the left toward the low brightness portion 50g. The second middle portion 50k is a gradient portion in which the brightness increases from the low brightness portion 50g toward the high brightness portion 50h on the right. Fig.15 The second image 50C shown is displayed so that the center of the low-luminance portion 50 g is located at the boundary line 43 .

[0076] The position of the low brightness portion 50 g in the second image 50C may be variable. For example, the position of the low brightness portion 50 g in the second image 50C may be adjusted so that the low brightness portion 50 g overlaps with the boundary line 43 .

[0077] Alternatively, the second image 50C may be displayed so that the first intermediate portion 50 j or the second intermediate portion 50 k overlaps the boundary line 43 . Fig.16 The second image 50C shown is displayed so that the first middle portion 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 region 41 side toward the boundary line 43, and the gradation portion overlaps the boundary line 43.

[0078] The second image 50C may also have a high brightness portion 50h only on one side of the image horizontal direction GW relative to the low brightness portion 50g. Fig.17 As shown, the low brightness portion 50g may be located at the end of the second image 50C in the image horizontal direction GW.

[0079] As described above, the vehicle display device 1 of the present embodiment includes an image display device 20, an optical system 25, and a control unit 6. The image display device 20 includes a display surface 20a that displays an image 50. The optical system 25 projects the display light 70 of the image toward the reflecting 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 includes a first area 41 and a second area 42. The first area 41 is an area recognized by the binocular vision of the driver 200. The second area 42 is an area closer to the end side of the image lateral direction GW in the display surface 20a than the first area 41.

[0080] When the display position of the image 50 is the first area 41, the control unit 6 causes the image display device 20 to display the first image 50A. When the display position of the image 50 is 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 are images of a pattern different from the first image 50A, and are composed of a combination of a low-brightness portion and a high-brightness portion. For example, the second image 50B has a high-brightness element 50e portion and a low-brightness gap Gp portion. The second image 50C has a high-brightness portion 50h and a low-brightness portion 50g. The vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment can improve the visibility of the image by making the boundary line 52b inconspicuous when the image is displayed at the boundary portion.

[0081] The first image 50A of the present embodiment is an image of a single graphic. The second image 50B is an image of a graphic formed by arranging a plurality of elements 50e. By forming the second image 50B with a plurality of elements 50e, the boundary line 52b becomes less noticeable.

[0082] In the second image 50B of the present embodiment, a gap Gp is ​​provided between adjacent elements 50e. The gap Gp generates a boundary line between a low-brightness portion and a high-brightness portion. Therefore, the boundary line 52b due to parallax becomes less noticeable.

[0083] The second image 50C of the present embodiment is an image having a gradation in which the brightness changes along the image horizontal direction GW. By making the second image 50C have a change in brightness, the boundary line 52b becomes less noticeable.

[0084] The gradation of the second image 50C in this embodiment decreases in brightness toward the boundary line 43 between the first area 41 and the second area 42. With such gradation, the boundary line 52b becomes less noticeable.

[0085] In addition, the shapes of the first image 50A and the second images 50B and 50C are not limited to the shapes exemplified in the present embodiment. For example, the shape of the first image 50A may be an oval shape or a ring shape. In this case, the second image 50B may also be an oval shape or a ring shape image composed of a plurality of elements 50e.

[0086] Even if the image does not cross the boundary line 43, the control unit 6 may cause the image display device 20 to display the second image 50B. For example, a boundary area of ​​a certain width may be set for the boundary line 43. In this case, the control unit 6 may cause the image display device 20 to display the second image 50B when the image 50 overlaps the boundary area.

[0087] [Modification of the embodiment]

[0088] A modification of the embodiment will be described. The modification of the embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that, for example, the position of the boundary line 43 is determined according to the position of the eye 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 eye 201.

[0089] The control unit 6 detects the position of the eye 201 of the driver 200 based on the image acquired from the driver monitor 7, for example. The position of the eye 201 is, for example, the center 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 eye 201 in the vehicle width direction CW. By such processing, the first image 50A and the second images 50B and 50C can be appropriately switched according to the actual position of the eye 201.

[0090] The contents disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be implemented in combination as appropriate.

[0091] Description of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1: Vehicle display device

[0093] 2: Main body, 3: Cover, 4: Housing, 5: Cover, 6: Control unit

[0094] 7: Driver monitor, 10: Virtual image

[0095] 20: image display device, 20a: display surface, 22: first reflection mirror

[0096] 23: light shielding wall, 23a: first light shielding wall, 23b: second light shielding wall

[0097] 23c: opening, 25: optical system

[0098] 40: Display area, 41: First area

[0099] 42: second area, 42a: left end area, 42b: right end area

[0100] 43: Boundary line, 43a: First boundary line, 43b: Second boundary line

[0101] 50: image, 50A: first image, 50B, 50C: second image

[0102] 50d: element group, 50e: element, 50g: low brightness part, 50h: high brightness part

[0103] 50j: first middle part, 50k: second middle part

[0104] 70: Display light, 71: Optical path

[0105] 100: vehicle, 102: windshield, 102a: reflective surface

[0106] 200: driver, 201: eyes, 201L: left eye, 201R: right eye

[0107] GW: horizontal image, GH: vertical image

[0108] Gp: Gap

[0109] WL: Left end position, WR: Right end position

Claims

1. A vehicle display device, characterized in that: have: An image display device having a display surface for displaying an image; an optical system that projects display light of the image toward a reflective surface in front of the driver; as well as a control unit for controlling the image display device, The display surface has: a first area, the first area being an area recognized by the driver's binocular vision; and a second region, the second region being a region closer to an end side of the image in the lateral direction of the display surface than the first region, When the display position of the image is the first area, the control unit causes the image display device to display the first image, and when the display position of the image is the boundary between the first area and the second area, the control unit causes the image display device to display the second image. The second image is an image of a pattern different from that of the first image, and is formed by combining a low-brightness portion and a high-brightness portion.

2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first image is a graphic image, The second image is an image of a graphic formed by arranging a plurality of elements.

3. The vehicle display device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Gaps are provided between adjacent elements.

4. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second image is an image with a gradual change in brightness along the horizontal direction of the image.

5. The vehicle display device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gradient of the second image decreases in brightness toward a boundary line between the first region and the second region.

Images