Video reproducing apparatus

Abstract

The image reproducing apparatus includes: a display unit that includes a first region and a second region; a storage unit that stores a first content containing an image and a second content containing an image with a smaller amount of change or a smaller rate of change compared to the first content; and a reproducing control unit that causes the first content to be reproduced in the first region and the second content to be reproduced in the second region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to techniques for displaying images on a display device mounted on a mobile body. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle monitor display system for suppressing visual vertigo in occupants. This system ensures a white space display area on the screen of the image monitor, within which content is displayed. Furthermore, based on vibrations detected by an input detection device and the position of the occupant's gaze detected by a position detection device, the system uses the white space to control the movement of the display area on the screen.

[0003] However, the aforementioned prior art avoids motion sickness by setting the difference frequency between the vibration frequency of the image monitor and the frequency of the occupant's eye movement outside the frequency range of motion sickness, rather than by reducing the occupant's eye movement. Therefore, the aforementioned prior art needs further improvement to suppress motion sickness.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: JP 2017-171243 Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure is made to address such a problem, with the aim of providing a technique to suppress motion sickness by reducing the movement of the occupant's line of sight.

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an image regeneration apparatus is disposed inside a mobile body. The image regeneration apparatus includes: a display unit that includes a first region and a second region; a storage unit that stores a first content containing an image and a second content containing an image with a smaller amount or rate of change compared to the first content; and a regeneration control unit that causes the first content to be regenerated in the first region and the second content to be regenerated in the second region.

[0009] According to this disclosure, motion sickness can be suppressed by reducing the movement of the occupant's line of sight. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the electrical structure of the image regeneration apparatus in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the moving object as viewed from the top surface.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the interior of a vehicle equipped with an image playback device.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the image content displayed on the first example of the display device.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the image content displayed on the second example of the display device.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the image content displayed on the third example of the display device.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the image content displayed on the fourth example of the display device.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the image content displayed on the fifth example of the display device.

[0018] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates how the vertical length of the first display area is determined.

[0019] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates how the horizontal length of the first display area is determined.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of the image regeneration apparatus regenerating image content in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the image regeneration apparatus in the embodiments of this disclosure switches the position of the first region according to the seating position of the occupant. Detailed Implementation

[0022] (The insights that form the basis of this disclosure)

[0023] The development of a device is underway that places a large-screen display between the front and rear seats of a mobile vehicle, through which visual content is displayed to the occupants in the rear seats.

[0024] If images are displayed on a large screen while the vehicle is in motion, rear-seat passengers will be viewing and listening to these images without being able to see the scenery outside the vehicle. This can easily lead to sensory conflict and motion sickness. Furthermore, if the passenger moves their gaze longitudinally and laterally to view the images while the vehicle is moving, the sensory conflict in each direction increases, further increasing the risk of motion sickness. Sensory conflict, considered one of the causes of motion sickness, refers to the contradiction that arises when the occupant's brain integrates visual information from the eyes, balance information from the otoliths (which detect rotation and acceleration), and information about body spacing from joints and skin.

[0025] On the other hand, some studies have found that people who are less prone to motion sickness tend to hardly move their eyes, or even if they do, the movement is minimal. This is believed to be because smaller eye movements suppress sensory paradoxes. Therefore, reducing eye movement is an effective way to suppress motion sickness.

[0026] In the prior art shown in Patent Document 1, when the difference frequency between the vehicle width direction displacement frequency and the vehicle width direction line-of-sight displacement frequency of the image monitor is included in the frequency range of screen dizziness in the vehicle width direction, the white space on the image monitor screen is used to implement the movement control of the display range so that the vehicle width direction displacement frequency and the vehicle width direction line-of-sight frequency are consistent.

[0027] However, in the prior art shown in Patent Document 1, the display range is simply moved to make the displacement frequency in the vehicle width direction consistent with the line-of-sight displacement frequency in the vehicle width direction, rather than moving the display range to reduce the change in the occupant's line of sight. Therefore, the prior art shown in Patent Document 1 needs further improvement to suppress occupant motion sickness.

[0028] Therefore, the inventors came to this disclosure with the following insight: if the display area is divided into a first region and a second region with an area smaller than the first region, a first content containing an image is displayed in the first region, and a second content with less activity than the first content is displayed in the second region, then the movement of the occupant's line of sight can be reduced, and motion sickness can be suppressed.

[0029] (1) An image regeneration apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is disposed inside a mobile body and includes: a display unit that includes a first region and a second region; a storage unit that stores a first content containing an image and a second content containing an image with a smaller amount of change or a smaller rate of change compared to the first content; and a regeneration control unit that causes the first content to be regenerated in the first region and the second content to be regenerated in the second region.

[0030] According to this structure, the display area is divided into a first region and a second region with an area smaller than the first region. The first region displays first content containing images, and the second region displays second content with less activity than the first content. Thus, by making the occupant focus on the first content, the movement of the occupant's gaze is reduced, and motion sickness can be suppressed.

[0031] (2) In the image regeneration apparatus described in (1) above, the vertical length of the first region may be longer than the vertical length of the second region.

[0032] It can be said that the direction of the swaying of the moving object affects motion sickness in the order of vertical, forward / backward, and left / right. According to this structure, since the vertical length of the first region is longer than that of the second region, the movement of the line of sight in the vertical direction can be reduced without compromising the sense of presence of the first content, thereby suppressing motion sickness.

[0033] (3) In the image regeneration apparatus described in (1) or (2) above, the horizontal length of the first region may be longer than the horizontal length of the second region.

[0034] According to this structure, since the horizontal length of the first region is longer than that of the second region, the movement of the line of sight in the horizontal direction can be reduced without compromising the sense of presence of the first content, thereby suppressing motion sickness.

[0035] (4) In any of the image regeneration apparatuses described in (1) to (3) above, the first content may include an object that undergoes a change corresponding to the position of the first region.

[0036] According to this structure, occupants can focus more on the first content to reduce eye movement, thereby suppressing motion sickness.

[0037] (5) In the image regeneration apparatus described in (4) above, the object may also vary along the central axis in the vertical direction or the central axis in the horizontal direction of the first region.

[0038] Based on this structure, it is possible to display objects that change along the central axis in the vertical direction of the first region or objects that change along the central axis in the horizontal direction of the first region.

[0039] (6) In any of the image regeneration apparatuses described in (1) to (5) above, the regeneration control unit may set at least one of the ratio of the vertical length of the first region and the second region and the ratio of the horizontal length of the first region and the second region to a given ratio.

[0040] Based on this structure, the first and second regions can be divided vertically by a given ratio, horizontally by a given ratio, or vertically and horizontally by a given ratio.

[0041] (7) In the image regeneration apparatus described in (6) above, the moving body may also include a seat facing the display unit, and the given ratio is determined based on the distance between the display unit and the seat.

[0042] Based on this structure, a given proportion can be determined by taking into account the distance between the display and the seat.

[0043] (8) In any of the above-described (1) to (7) image reproduction apparatus, the moving body may include a seat facing the display unit, and the image reproduction apparatus may further include: an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the seating position of the occupant in the seat, and the reproduction control unit determines the position of the second area according to the seating position.

[0044] Based on this structure, the location of the second area can be determined as a suitable location according to the seating position.

[0045] (9) In the image regeneration apparatus described in (8) above, the seat may include a left seat located on the left side relative to the travel direction of the moving body and a right seat located on the right side. When the sitting position is the left seat, the regeneration control unit determines the position of the second region to the right of the first region. When the sitting position is the right seat, the second region is determined to the left of the first region. When the sitting position is both the left seat and the right seat, the second region is determined to the right and left of the first region.

[0046] According to this structure, since the center of the first content is located in front of the occupant, the lateral rotation of the neck is reduced, allowing the occupant to adopt a relaxed posture.

[0047] (10) In any of the image regeneration apparatuses described in (1) to (9) above, the length of the first region in the vertical direction or the ratio of the length of the first region and the length of the second region in the vertical direction may be determined based on the vertical field of view of the occupant of the moving body.

[0048] According to this structure, since the vertical field of vision of the occupant can be taken into account to determine the ratio of the length of the first and second regions in the vertical normal direction, the sense of presence of the first content is ensured.

[0049] (11) In any of the image regeneration apparatuses described in (1) to (10) above, the length of the first region in the horizontal direction or the ratio of the length of the first region and the length of the second region in the horizontal direction may be determined based on the horizontal field of vision of the occupant of the moving body.

[0050] According to this structure, since the ratio of the lengths of the first and second regions in the horizontal direction can be determined by taking into account the occupant's horizontal field of vision, the sense of presence of the first content is ensured.

[0051] (12) In any of the image regeneration apparatuses described in (1) to (11) above, the length of the first region in the vertical direction may also have a length contained within a given field of view angle in the vertical direction of the occupant of the moving body.

[0052] According to this structure, the first content can be displayed in a length that is contained within a given field of vision in the vertical direction of the occupant, thus ensuring the sense of presence of the first content.

[0053] (13) In any of the image regeneration apparatuses described in (1) to (12) above, the length of the first region in the horizontal direction may also have a length that is contained within a given field of view angle in the horizontal direction of the occupant of the moving body.

[0054] According to this structure, the first content can be displayed within a given field of vision in the horizontal direction of the occupant, ensuring the sense of presence of the first content.

[0055] (14) In any of the image regeneration apparatuses described in (1) to (13) above, the first content may be a moving image and the second content may be a blank image of the first region.

[0056] According to this structure, focusing on the first content reduces eye movement, thereby suppressing motion sickness.

[0057] (15) In any of the above-described (1) to (14) image regeneration apparatus, the first region is located above the second region.

[0058] According to this structure, the center of the image in the first content is raised, and the orientation of the face is raised. Therefore, the contact area between the back of the head and the headrest is increased, which can reduce facial vibration. As a result, the vertical movement of the line of sight is reduced, which can suppress motion sickness.

[0059] (16) In any of the image regeneration apparatuses described in (1) to (15) above, the area of ​​the first region may be larger than that of the second region.

[0060] According to this structure, since the area of ​​the first region is larger than that of the second region, motion sickness can be suppressed without compromising the sense of presence of the first content.

[0061] This disclosure enables an image reproduction system that allows a computer to execute an image reproduction program containing the characteristic structures of such an image reproduction apparatus, or to operate via such an image reproduction program. Furthermore, it is self-evident that such a computer program can be distributed via computer-readable non-transitory recording media such as CD-ROMs or communication networks such as the Internet.

[0062] Furthermore, the embodiments described below are all specific examples of this disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, constituent elements, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, any constituent element in the following embodiments that is not described in the independent claim representing the highest-level concept is described as an arbitrary constituent element. Furthermore, in all embodiments, the various elements can be combined.

[0063] (Implementation Method)

[0064] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the electrical structure of the image regeneration apparatus 1 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The image regeneration apparatus 1 is disposed on the movable body 200 (reference). Figure 2 Inside the carriage of the mobile body 200. The image playback device 1 uses a display device 41, an audio device 42, and a lighting device 43 to create an environment inside the carriage of the mobile body 200, and is a system that guides the occupants of the mobile body 200 to a suitable state. The mobile body 200 can be any vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, a gasoline vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle. In the following description, the occupant is described as a person sitting in the rear seat. In addition, the image playback device 1 may also have a diffuser that diffuses fragrance into the carriage, and may also have a vibration device that imparts vibration to the occupants.

[0065] The image reproducing device 1 includes a control unit 10, a display control unit 31, a sound control unit 32, a lighting control unit 33, a display device 41 (an example of a display unit), a sound device 42, and a lighting device 43.

[0066] The control unit 10 is a computer comprising a central processing unit (CPU) and a storage device, and includes a playback control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an acquisition unit 13. The playback control unit 11 and the acquisition unit 13 can be implemented by the CPU executing an image playback program, or they can be implemented using dedicated hardware circuitry.

[0067] The playback control unit 11 reads the first content from the storage unit 12, causing the first content to be played back in the first area of ​​the display device 41. The playback control unit 11 reads the second content from the storage unit 12, causing the second content to be played back in the second area of ​​the display device 41.

[0068] The first region is a rectangular area located within the display area of ​​the display device 41, and is the area where the first content is displayed. The second region is a rectangular area located within the display area of ​​the display device 41 other than the first region, and is the area where the second content is displayed. The first region is larger than the second region.

[0069] The first content includes images. The images contained in the first content are moving images. The first content is image content selected by the playback control unit 11 from multiple first contents stored in the storage unit 12.

[0070] The second content contains images with smaller changes or slower change rates compared to the first content. The second content is image content selected by the playback control unit 11 from a plurality of second contents stored in the storage unit 12. The images contained in the second content may be, for example, still images. This still image may be a black background image representing the white space of the first area of ​​the display device 41. Furthermore, the second content may contain strings representing messages. Additionally, the background image may be colorless (transparent) or a color other than black.

[0071] The term "change amount" refers to the distance an object in an image moves within the displayed frame. The term "change rate" refers to the speed at which an object in an image moves within the displayed frame.

[0072] As the mobile body 200 travels from its starting point to its destination, the regeneration control unit 11 determines the content of the relaxation phase, the sleep phase, and the wake-up phase, and outputs control signals for controlling the display device 41 to the lighting device 43 to the display control unit 31, the sound control unit 32, and the lighting control unit 33 so that the determined content is regenerated.

[0073] The relaxation phase guides occupants to a relaxed state. The sleep phase guides occupants to a sleep state. The wakefulness phase guides occupants to a wakefulness state. First, occupants are guided to a relaxed state, then to a sleep state, and finally to a wakefulness state, thus enabling them to wake up comfortably. Consequently, upon arrival at their destination, occupants can be active and engaged.

[0074] The storage unit 12 is composed of a rewritable, non-volatile storage device such as flash memory, and stores multiple first contents and multiple second contents. The multiple first contents include, for example, video content consisting of moving images of natural landscapes. The multiple first contents also include sound content reproducing sounds generated by the natural landscapes.

[0075] Multiple second contents can be, for example, content representing the current stage contained in the blank space of the first region, i.e., a black still image.

[0076] The acquisition unit 13 acquires seating position information from the sensor 20, indicating the seating position of the occupant in the seat. The seat is the rear seat of the moving body 200 facing the display device 41. The rear seat includes a left rear seat located on the left side relative to the travel direction of the moving body 200 and a right rear seat located on the right side.

[0077] Sensor 20 consists of seat pressure sensors installed on the left rear seat and the right rear seat, respectively. When sensor 20 detects that an occupant is seated in the left rear seat, it outputs seating position information indicating this to the acquisition unit 13. Similarly, when sensor 20 detects that an occupant is seated in the right rear seat, it outputs seating position information indicating this to the acquisition unit 13. Furthermore, when sensor 20 detects that an occupant is seated in both the left and right rear seats, it outputs seating position information indicating this to the acquisition unit 13. Alternatively, sensor 20 may be a sensor that detects the occupant's seating position using a camera.

[0078] Seating position information can also be input from the remote control (not shown) of the image playback device 1. The remote control and the control unit 10 are communicatively connected via a wireless LAN or short-range wireless communication channel. The occupant inputs their own seating position by operating the remote control, thereby causing the seating position information to be output from the remote control. The remote control can be a dedicated remote control for the image playback device 1, or it can be a portable information terminal held by the occupant (such as a smartphone or tablet computer).

[0079] The regeneration control unit 11 can determine the position of the display device 41 in the first and second regions on the display area based on the seating position information obtained by the acquisition unit 13. Details of this process will be described later.

[0080] The display control unit 31 is composed of a drive circuit that drives the display device 41, and controls the operation of the display device 41 according to the control signals from the playback control unit 11. The control signals include trigger signals that indicate the start timing of each stage, image data for playing the image content corresponding to the stage, and indication signals that indicate whether the display device 41 is turned on or off.

[0081] The sound control unit 32 is composed of a drive circuit (e.g., an amplifier) ​​that drives the sound device 42, and controls the operation of the sound device 42 according to the control signal from the playback control unit 11. The control signal includes a trigger signal, sound data for playing sound content corresponding to the stage, and an indication signal for turning the sound device 42 on or off.

[0082] The lighting control unit 33 consists of a drive circuit that drives the lighting device 43, and controls the operation of the lighting device 43 according to the control signal from the regeneration control unit 11. The control signal includes a trigger signal, dimming data for dimming the lighting device 43 in a dimming mode corresponding to the stage, and an indication signal for turning the lighting device 43 on or off.

[0083] The display device 41, for example, is a transparent display that, under the control of the regeneration control unit 11, displays image content used to guide the occupants to a state corresponding to the stage. As a transparent display, a transmissive organic EL display can be used.

[0084] The sound device 42, for example, is a loudspeaker, which, under the control of the regeneration control unit 11, outputs sound content to guide the occupants to a state corresponding to the stage.

[0085] The lighting device 43, under the control of the lighting control unit 33, dims the interior of the carriage of the moving body 200 in order to guide the occupants to a state corresponding to the stage.

[0086] Figure 2 This is a view of the mobile body 200 from its top surface. The mobile body 200 includes a front seat 210 located at the front of the direction of travel and a rear seat 220 located at the rear of the direction of travel. The front seat 210 includes a left front seat 211 located on the left side of the direction of travel and a right front seat 212 located on the right side. The driver sits in either the left front seat 211 or the right front seat 212. The rear seat 220 includes the aforementioned left rear seat 221 and right rear seat 222. In this embodiment, the term "occupant" refers to an occupant seated in the rear seat 220.

[0087] Display device 41 is disposed between the front seat 210 and the rear seat 220. Display device 41 is a large-screen display with a horizontal length slightly shorter than the width of the vehicle interior and a vertical length slightly shorter than the vertical length of the vehicle interior. Alternatively, display device 41 can be disposed in front of the front passenger seat of the front seat 210. Furthermore, if the vehicle 200 has a rear seat behind the rear seat 220, display device 41 can also be disposed in front of that rear seat. Additionally, multiple display devices 41 can be disposed on the left and right sides, for example, in positions opposite the left rear seat 221 and the right rear seat 222 (front view). In this case, each display device 41 has a horizontal length slightly shorter than half the width of the vehicle interior.

[0088] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the interior of a vehicle equipped with an image playback device 1, specifically a mobile unit 200. Figure 3The diagram shows the interior of the vehicle as viewed from the rear of the rear seat 220 in the direction of travel. The display device 41 is configured to divide the front and rear spaces of the vehicle interior between the front seat (not shown) and the rear seat 220. The lighting device 43 includes a lighting device 43a located above the display device 41 and a pair of lighting devices 43b and 43c located on the ceiling. The lighting device 43a is positioned so that its long side is parallel to the horizontal direction between the ceiling of the moving body 200 and the display device 41. The lighting devices 43a and 43c are, for example, composed of linear LEDs. The lighting device 43b is located on the left edge of the ceiling, and the lighting device 43c is located on the right edge of the ceiling. The sound device 42 includes a pair of speakers located on either side of the lighting device 43a. Because the display device 41 is a transparent display, the view in front of the moving body 200 is visible through the windshield of the moving body 200 and the display device 41. Therefore, the occupants of the rear seat 220 can visually recognize the scenery in front of the moving body 200 and the image content displayed on the display device 41.

[0089] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the image content 300 displayed on the first example of the display device 41. The image content 300 includes a first region 310 located on the upper side of the display area and a second region 320 located on the lower side.

[0090] The vertical length H1 of region 310 is longer than the vertical length H2 of region 320. The ratio of length H1 to length H2 is predetermined, for example, 7:3. However, this is just one example; the ratio of length H1 to length H2 can also be 9:1, 8:2, 6:4, etc. The horizontal length of region 410 is the same as the horizontal length of region 420. In one example, length H1 is 13.07 cm, and in another example, length H2 is 5.95 cm.

[0091] In this example, area 310 displays a first content consisting of a dynamic image of a natural landscape with moss-covered ground and trees growing on it. Furthermore, in this example, area 320 represents the blank space of area 310, i.e., black, as a second content. Currently, since it is a waking phase, the second content displays a message indicating that it is a waking phase.

[0092] The boundary line L1 between the first region 310 and the second region 320 faces the horizontal direction. That is, the rectangular area on the upper side of the display area of ​​the display device 41, which is divided by the boundary line L1, is the first region 310, and the rectangular area on the lower side is the second region 320.

[0093] The first region 310, with a larger area than the second region 320, displays the first content composed of dynamic images, while the second region 320 displays blank images. This allows the occupant to focus on the first content. Since the first region 310 displays the first content with reduced width and height, the vertical movement of the occupant's gaze is reduced. As a result, motion sickness is suppressed. Furthermore, because the first region 310 is larger than the second region 320, the immersive experience of the first content is not compromised. Moreover, the first region 310 is located above the second region 320, thus raising the center of the image in the first content and raising the orientation of the occupant's face. As a result, the contact area between the back of the occupant's head and the headrest increases, reducing facial vibration. This further reduces the vertical movement of the occupant's gaze, further suppressing motion sickness.

[0094] Alternatively, the playback control unit 11 can apply a cropping process to the first content so that the size of one frame of the first content becomes the size of the first region, thereby displaying the first content in the first region 310. Alternatively, the playback control unit 11 can apply a shrinking process to the first content so that the size of one frame of the first content becomes the size of the first region 310, thereby displaying the first content in the first region 310. Alternatively, the playback control unit 11 can combine cropping and shrinking processes so that the size of one frame of the first content becomes the size of the first region 310, thereby displaying the first content in the first region 310. Furthermore, the first region 310 can be located on the lower side, and the second region 320 on the upper side.

[0095] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the image content 400 displayed on the second example of the display device 41. The image content 400 includes a first region 410 located on the left side of the display area and a second region 420 located on the right side.

[0096] The horizontal length W1 of region 410 is longer than the horizontal length W2 of region 420. The ratio of length W1 to length W2 is predetermined, for example, 6:4. However, this is just one example; the ratio of length W1 to length W2 could also be 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, etc. The vertical length of region 410 is the same as the vertical length of region 420.

[0097] In this example, area 1, 410, is displayed. Figure 4 The first content shown is shown in the image. Additionally, in this example, the second area 420 is displayed. Figure 4 The second item shown in the image.

[0098] The boundary line L2 between region 410 and region 420 faces vertically. That is, the rectangular area on the left side of the display device 41, divided by the boundary line L2, is region 410, and the rectangular area on the right side is region 420. Furthermore, in Figure 5 In the example, region 1 410 is on the left and region 2 420 is on the right, but this is just one example; it is also possible for region 1 410 to be on the right and region 2 420 to be on the left.

[0099] The first area 410 is larger than the second area 420, displaying the first content consisting of dynamic images, while the second area 420 displays the blank space of the first area 410. This allows the occupant to focus on the first content. Since the first area 410 displays the first content with reduced horizontal width, the occupant's horizontal eye movement is reduced. As a result, motion sickness is suppressed. Furthermore, because the first area 410 is larger than the second area 420, the immersive experience of the first content is not compromised. Moreover, since the first area 410 is located to the left of the second area 420, the center of the first content is positioned in front of the occupant seated in the left rear seat 221, thus reducing lateral neck rotation and allowing the occupant to adopt a more relaxed posture.

[0100] In addition, the regeneration control unit 11 applies at least one of cropping and shrinking processing to the first content so that the size of one frame of the first content is the size of the first region 410, thereby displaying the first content in the first region 410.

[0101] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the image content 500 displayed on the third example of the display device 41. The image content 500 includes: a rectangular area, namely a first area 510, including the upper left vertex of the display area of ​​the display device 41; and an area outside the first area 510 of the display device 41, including the upper right, lower left, and lower right vertexes, namely a second area 520. That is, the second area 520 combines the second area 320 of the first example and the second area 420 of the second example. Furthermore, in Figure 6 In the middle, to and Figure 4 and Figure 5 The same constituent elements are labeled with the same reference numerals, and the descriptions are omitted.

[0102] The vertical length H1 of region 1 510 is longer than the vertical length H2 of region 2 520. The horizontal length W1 of region 1 510 is longer than the horizontal length W2 of region 2 520.

[0103] In this example, area 1, 510, is displayed. Figure 4The first content shown is shown in the image. Additionally, in this example, the second area 520 is displayed. Figure 4 The second item shown in the image.

[0104] Boundary line L3 includes a horizontal boundary line L31 and a vertical boundary line L32. The intersection of boundary lines L31 and L32 is the lower right vertex of region 510. Additionally, in Figure 6 In the example, region 510 is the region containing the top-left vertex, but this is just one example. Region 510 can also be a rectangular region containing any one of the top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right vertices.

[0105] The first region 510, being larger than the second region 520, displays the first content composed of dynamic images, while the second region 520 displays blank images. This allows the occupant to focus on the first content. Since the first region 510 displays the first content with reduced horizontal and vertical width, the occupant's horizontal and vertical gaze movement is reduced. As a result, motion sickness is further suppressed. Furthermore, because the first region 510 is larger than the second region 520, the immersive experience of the first content is not compromised. Moreover, since the first region 510 is located above the second region 520, the center of the image in the first content is raised, and the occupant's facial orientation is also raised. As a result, the contact area between the back of the occupant's head and the headrest increases, reducing facial vibration. Furthermore, since the first region 510 is located to the left of the second region 520, the center of the first content is located in front of the occupant sitting in the left rear seat 221, thus reducing the lateral rotation of the neck and allowing the occupant to adopt a relaxed posture.

[0106] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the image content 600 displayed on the fourth example of the display device 41. The image content 600 includes a first region 610 located on the upper side of the display area and a second region 620 located on the lower side. The size and proportions of the first region 610 are detailed in the diagram. Figure 4 The first area 310 is the same, and the size and proportion details of the second area 620 are the same. Figure 4 The second region 320 is the same.

[0107] Image content 600 relative to Figure 4The image content shown is 300, while the content of the first content is different. In image content 600, the first content includes an object 601 that changes position corresponding to the first region 610. Specifically, object 601 is a undulating object simulating periodic fluctuations along a central axis 602 in the horizontal direction of the first region 610. The central axis 602 is an axis parallel to the horizontal direction that divides the first region 610 vertically into equal parts. Object 601 can move from left to right or from right to left along the central axis 602. Object 601 can be a undulating object with the antinode located at the center of the central axis, vibrating up and down. Alternatively, object 601 can be a undulating object containing multiple waveforms with different amplitudes that vibrate synchronously. These multiple waveforms can have different brightness levels, or their brightness can change over time. In the first region 610, the background image of object 601 is a completely black image. However, this is just one example; the background image of object 601 can also be a low-brightness image such as gray.

[0108] Here, object 601 is a wave object, but this is just one example; any object can be used as long as it changes along the central axis 602. For example, object 601 could also be a sphere object vibrating along the central axis 602.

[0109] Furthermore, object 601 can also vary periodically along the central axis (not shown) in the vertical direction of the first region 610. The central axis in the vertical direction (not shown) is an axis parallel to the vertical direction that divides the first region 610 into equal parts to the left and right.

[0110] The image content 600 displays an object 601 that varies along the central axis 602 in the first region 610, and a second region 620 is provided in the lower part. Therefore, similar to the image content 300, it can reduce the vertical movement of the line of sight and increase the contact area between the back of the head and the headrest to reduce the vibration of the occupant's face. As a result, motion sickness of the occupant is suppressed.

[0111] In addition, Figure 5 In the first region 410 of the image content 400, or in Figure 6 In the first region 510 of the image content 500, object 601 can also be displayed as the first content.

[0112] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the image content 700 displayed on the fifth example of the display device 41. The image content 700 includes a first region 710 located on the left side of the display area and a second region 720 located on the right side. The size and proportions of the first region 710 are detailed in relation to... Figure 5 The first area 410 is the same, and the size and proportion details of the second area 720 are the same. Figure 5 The second region is the same as 520.

[0113] Image content 700 displays an active object 701 in the first region 710 and a background image of the object 701 in the second region 720. The background image of the object 701 is continuous with the background image of the first region 710. That is, image content 700 consists of a moving image of a natural scene so that an active object 701 is displayed in the first region 710. An example of the object 701 can be an active object such as an animal. The object 701 moves along the central axis 702 in the vertical direction of the first region. In this example, the object 701 is a squirrel. The squirrel jumps up and down or moves its arms, which are grasping food, up and down near its mouth. In this way, the squirrel moves along the central axis 702. On the other hand, since the second region 720 displays the background image of the object 701, it has the same effect as the black and white images shown by image content 300, 400, 500, and 600.

[0114] This allows the occupant to focus on the first area 710, reducing the occupant's horizontal line of sight and suppressing motion sickness. Furthermore, since the first area 710 is larger than the second area 720, it does not impair the sense of presence of the first content. Moreover, because the first area 710 is located to the left of the second area 720, the central axis 702 is positioned in front of the occupant seated in the left rear seat 221. As a result, the occupant's neck rotates laterally less, allowing them to adopt a more relaxed posture.

[0115] In addition, Figure 8 In the example, region 710 is located on the left and region 720 is located on the right, but this is just one example; it could also be that region 710 is located on the right and region 720 is located on the left. Furthermore, the manner of image content 700 in example 5 can also be applied to image content 300 in example 1 or image content 500 in example 3.

[0116] Furthermore, the image displaying the object 701 and the background image in the first area 710 is an example of the first content, and the background image displayed in the second area 720 is an example of the second content. In this fifth example, the storage unit 12 can treat the first content and the second content as a single content without separating them.

[0117] The regeneration control unit 11 sets at least one of the ratio of the vertical length H1 of the first region and the second region, and the ratio of the horizontal length of the first region and the second region, to a given ratio. The given ratio is determined based on the distance L between the display device 41 and the rear seat 220.

[0118] Figure 9This diagram illustrates the method for determining the vertical length H1 of the first region. A larger display area ensures a greater sense of presence for the viewer, but viewers need to move their gaze significantly during viewing. As mentioned earlier, in a moving body, this gaze movement causes motion sickness. Therefore, to allow viewers to receive visual information without significant gaze movement, it is desirable to display images only within the viewer's effective field of vision or stable gaze angle. Regarding this vertical field of vision angle, the maximum elevation angle is 20 degrees, and the maximum depression angle is 25 degrees. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ratio of the vertical length H1 of the first region to the vertical length H2 of the second region is determined based on the occupant's vertical field of vision. Specifically, the vertical length H1 of the first region is determined based on the distance L between the rear seat 220 and the display device 41 to ensure recommended elevation and depression angles. Specifically, the length H1 is determined using the following formula (1). An elevation angle of 20 degrees and a depression angle of 25 degrees are examples of given field of vision angles.

[0119]

[0120] For example, if the distance L is set to 80cm to 120cm, then the length H1 becomes 67cm to 100cm. Therefore, in this embodiment, the length H1 is set to a maximum range of 67cm to 100cm corresponding to the distance L.

[0121] The vertical length H2 of the second region can be determined by a length H1 such that the ratio of length H1 to length H2 is a given ratio (e.g., 7:3), or by subtracting length H1 from the vertical length of the display area of ​​the display device 41.

[0122] Figure 10This diagram illustrates the method for determining the horizontal length W1 of the first region. A larger display area ensures a greater sense of presence for the viewer, but viewers need to move their gaze significantly during viewing. As mentioned earlier, in a moving body, this gaze movement causes motion sickness. Therefore, to allow viewers to receive visual information without significant gaze movement, it is desirable to display images only within the viewer's effective field of vision or stable gaze angle. This horizontal field of vision angle is at most 30 degrees to the left and right. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ratio of the horizontal length W1 of the first region to the horizontal length W2 of the second region is determined based on the occupant's horizontal field of vision. Specifically, the horizontal length W1 of the first region is determined based on the distance L between the rear seat 220 and the display device 41 to maintain the recommended horizontal field of vision angle. Specifically, the length W1 is determined using the following formula (2). In formula (2), the horizontal field of vision angle is set to a total of 60 degrees, 30 degrees to the left and right. The 30-degree field of vision angle is an example of a given field of vision angle.

[0123]

[0124] For example, if the distance L is set to 80cm to 120cm, then the length W1 becomes 93cm to 139cm. Therefore, in this embodiment, the length W1 is set to a maximum range of 93cm to 139cm. Alternatively, if the given horizontal field of view is 18 degrees to the left and right of the occupant's frontal direction, the length W1 can be set to 52cm to 78cm.

[0125] The horizontal length W2 of the second region can be determined by a length W1 such that the ratio of length W1 to length W2 is a given ratio, or it can be the value obtained by subtracting length W1 from the horizontal length of the display area of ​​the display device 41.

[0126] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of the image regeneration apparatus 1 regenerating image content in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0127] First, in step S1, the playback control unit 11 selects image content by choosing a first content and a second content to be played from multiple first content and multiple second content stored in the storage unit 12. For example, the playback control unit 11 selects the first content with the closest playback time based on the travel time from the departure point to the destination input to the navigation device of the mobile body 200. Furthermore, the playback control unit 11 selects a second content that is pre-recommended for playback based on the selected first content. Additionally, the display method of the image content including the first and second content adopts... Figures 4-8The image content shown is displayed in any of the predetermined display modes among the display modes of 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700.

[0128] Next, in step S2, the playback control unit 11 outputs a control signal for playing back the image content determined in step S1 to the display control unit 31, and starts playing back the first and second content. As a result, the first and second content are displayed in the display device 41 using any of the display modes of image content 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700.

[0129] Next, in step S3, the playback control unit 11 performs a process to determine whether to switch stages. In this embodiment, the image content is switched in the order of relaxation stage, sleep stage, and wake-up stage. Furthermore, the playback time for each stage is predetermined. Therefore, the playback control unit 11 determines whether the playback time of the image content is the end time of each stage. Then, if the playback control unit 11 determines that the playback time is the end time of each content (step S3 "Yes"), it changes the current stage to the next stage (step S4). On the other hand, if it determines that the playback time is not the end time of each content (step S3 "No"), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0130] Furthermore, since the image content to be reproduced in the next stage is specified in the image content selected in step S1, the reproduction control unit 11 can determine the specified image content as the content to be reproduced in the next stage.

[0131] Next, in step S5, the playback control unit 11 determines whether the playback time of the image content is the end time of the awakening phase. If it is determined that the playback time of the image content is the end time of the awakening phase (step S5 "Yes"), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the playback time of the image content is not the end time of the awakening phase (step S5 "No"), the process returns to step S3, and the playback of the image content continues.

[0132] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the image playback apparatus 1 in the embodiments of this disclosure switches the position of the first area according to the seating position of the occupants. Furthermore, in this flowchart, the display method of the image content adopts... Figure 5 The image content shown is displayed in the manner described in 400.

[0133] In step S11, the regeneration control unit 11 detects that the occupant is seated in the rear seat 220 based on the seating position information obtained by the acquisition unit 13 from the sensor 20. If no occupant is detected sitting in the rear seat 220 (step S11 "No"), the process ends; if occupant is detected sitting (step S11 "Yes"), the process proceeds to step S12.

[0134] Next, in step S12, the regeneration control unit 11 determines whether the occupant is seated only in the left rear seat 221 based on the seating position information. If it is determined that the occupant is seated only in the left rear seat 221 (step S12 "Yes"), the regeneration control unit 11 sets the second region 420 to the right of the display area of ​​the display device 41 (step S16). Thus, the first region 410 is located on the left side of the display area, and the center of the first region 410 is located in front of the occupant seated in the left rear seat 221. On the other hand, if it is determined that the occupant is not seated only in the left rear seat 221 (step S12 "No"), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0135] Next, in step S13, the regeneration control unit 11 determines whether the occupant is seated only in the right rear seat 222 based on the seating position information. If it is determined that the occupant is seated only in the right rear seat 222 (step S13 "Yes"), the regeneration control unit 11 sets the second region 420 to the left of the display area of ​​the display device 41 (step S17). Thus, the first region 410 is located on the right side of the display area, and the center of the first region 410 is located in front of the occupant seated in the right rear seat 222. On the other hand, if it is determined that the occupant is not seated only in the right rear seat 222 (step S13 "No"), the process proceeds to step S14. If step S17 ends, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0136] Next, in step S14, the regeneration control unit 11 determines the display position of the second region to be to the left or right of the first region 410. In this case, the display position of the first region 410 is determined to be in the center of the display area, and the display positions of a pair of second regions are determined to be to the left and right of the first region 410. The areas of the pair of second regions are equal. In addition, the horizontal length W1 of the first region 410 satisfies the condition specified in equation (2). Therefore, the horizontal length of each of the pair of second regions 420 can be half the value obtained by subtracting the length W1 from the horizontal length of the display area of ​​the display device 41.

[0137] In step S15, the playback control unit 11 outputs a control signal for playing back the image content on the display device 41 to the display control unit 31, and the image content is displayed on the display device 41. In this case, the first content is displayed in the first area 410, and the second content is displayed in a pair of second areas 420.

[0138] Thus, according to the image playback apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the display device 41 is divided into a first region and a second region with an area smaller than the first region. First content containing an image is displayed in the first region, and second content with less movement than the first content is displayed in the second region. Therefore, by causing the occupant to focus on the first content, the movement of the occupant's gaze is reduced, thus suppressing motion sickness. Furthermore, since the first region has a larger area than the second region, motion sickness can be suppressed without compromising the sense of presence of the first content.

[0139] Industrial availability

[0140] This disclosure is useful in the field of preventing motion sickness in occupants of moving vehicles.

Claims

1. An image regeneration device, disposed inside a moving body, The image regeneration device includes: The display unit includes a first area and a second area; The storage unit stores a first content containing an image, and a second content containing an image whose change amount or rate of change is smaller compared to the first content; and A regeneration control unit that causes the first content to be regenerated in the first region and the second content to be regenerated in the second region.

2. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical length of the first region is longer than the vertical length of the second region.

3. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The horizontal length of the first region is longer than the horizontal length of the second region.

4. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first content includes objects that undergo changes corresponding to the position of the first region.

5. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The object varies along the central axis in the vertical direction or the central axis in the horizontal direction of the first region.

6. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The regeneration control unit sets at least one of the ratio of the vertical length of the first region and the second region, and the ratio of the horizontal length of the first region and the second region, to a given ratio.

7. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The movable body includes a seat facing the display unit. The given ratio is determined based on the distance between the display unit and the seat.

8. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The movable body includes a seat facing the display unit. The image reproducing apparatus further includes an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the seating position of the occupant in the seat. The regeneration control unit determines the location of the second area according to the seating position.

9. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The seating includes a left seat located on the left side relative to the direction of travel of the moving body and a right seat located on the right side. When the seating position is the left seat, the regeneration control unit determines the position of the second region to the right of the first region; when the seating position is the right seat, the second region is determined to the left of the first region; and when the seating position is both the left and right seats, the second region is determined to the right and left of the first region.

10. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The vertical length of the first region or the ratio of the vertical lengths of the first region and the second region is determined based on the vertical field of vision of the occupant of the moving body.

11. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The horizontal length of the first region, or the ratio of the horizontal lengths of the first region and the second region, is determined based on the horizontal field of vision of the occupants of the moving body.

12. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The vertical length of the first region has a length that is contained within a given field of vision angle in the vertical direction of the occupant of the moving body.

13. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The horizontal length of the first region is within a given field of vision angle of the occupant of the moving body in the horizontal direction.

14. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first content is a dynamic image. The second content is the blank space image of the first region.

15. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first region is located above the second region.

16. The image regeneration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The area of ​​the first region is larger than that of the second region.

Images