Vehicular display device

Abstract

To reduce load of focus adjustment by a user.SOLUTION: A controller 18 displays a vehicle backward image that is captured by a camera 12 installed in the vehicle on a monitor 20 installed on a rear side of the vehicle so as to cover a rear window, a back door frame and a rear pillar part of the vehicle, and also displays a vehicle backward state that is detected by a clearance sonar 14 installed in the vehicle on the monitor 20 as auxiliary information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a technology that displays compressed images on a monitor (digital inner mirror) that displays captured images of the area behind the vehicle, with the compression rate of the captured image gradually increasing from the inside of the vehicle to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-145982 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The digital inner mirror has the problem that when a user moves their gaze from looking ahead of the vehicle to the digital inner mirror, the burden of focus adjustment is large, and depending on the user, it can take a long time for the image displayed on the digital inner mirror to come into focus.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle display device that can reduce the burden of focus adjustment on the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle display device of the first aspect includes a control unit that displays an image of the rear of the vehicle captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle on a monitor installed at the rear of the vehicle so as to cover an area wider than the rear window of the vehicle, and also displays, as auxiliary information, the situation behind the vehicle detected by a sensor mounted on the vehicle.

[0007] In the first aspect, the monitor is installed at the rear of the vehicle so as to cover an area wider than the rear window of the vehicle, and an image of the rear of the vehicle captured by a camera installed in the vehicle is displayed on the monitor. As a result, when the user moves his / her gaze from a state in front of the vehicle to an optical mirror or the like that displays the image of the rear of the vehicle displayed on the monitor, the image of the rear of the vehicle reflected in the optical mirror or the like becomes a so-called distant field of view, so that the burden of focus adjustment by the user can be reduced. In addition, in the first aspect, the situation behind the vehicle detected by a sensor installed in the vehicle is also displayed on the monitor as auxiliary information, so that the user can quickly grasp the situation behind the vehicle from the displayed auxiliary information. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure has an effect of reducing the burden of focus adjustment on the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a vehicle display device, FIG. 1B is an image showing an example of the arrangement of cameras and clearance sonar, and FIG. 1C is an image showing the arrangement of monitors. [Diagram 2] 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of a monitor display process. [Diagram 3] 11A and 11B are conceptual diagrams showing examples of images and auxiliary information displayed on a monitor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. A vehicle display device 10 shown in Fig. 1(A) includes a plurality of cameras 12, a plurality of clearance sonars 14, a monitor display ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 16, a monitor 20, and a speaker 22, and is mounted on a vehicle (own vehicle).

[0011] 1(B), the cameras 12 are attached to the rear of the vehicle, and are attached at positions different from one another in at least one of the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction. The cameras 12 are directed toward the rear of the vehicle, and have different shooting ranges so that they can capture the entire range visible through the monitor 20. The cameras 12 are connected to the monitor display ECU 16, and each outputs information about the captured image to the monitor display ECU 16.

[0012] 1B shows an embodiment in which four cameras 12 are provided, the number of cameras 12 may be three or less or five or more. The number of cameras 12 and the shooting range of each camera 12 differ for each vehicle model, and are therefore set for each vehicle model.

[0013] 1(B), the multiple clearance sonars 14 are attached to different positions in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the vehicle, and each detects an object present behind the vehicle. The clearance sonars 14 are connected to the monitor display ECU 16, and each outputs information indicating the object detection result to the monitor display ECU 16. Although FIG. 1(B) shows an embodiment in which four clearance sonars 14 are provided, the number of clearance sonars 14 may be three or less or five or more.

[0014] The monitor display ECU 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The monitor display ECU 16 also includes a non-volatile storage unit such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a communication I / F (Interface). A monitor display program is stored in the storage unit of the monitor display ECU 16 (not shown).

[0015] The monitor display ECU 16 reads out a monitor display program from the storage unit and expands it in the memory, and the monitor display program expanded in the memory is executed by the CPU, thereby functioning as the control unit 18 and performing a monitor display process (FIG. 2) described below. By performing the monitor display process, the control unit 18 causes the monitor 20 to display an image of the rear of the vehicle captured by the camera 12, and also causes the monitor 20 to display the situation behind the vehicle detected by the clearance sonar 14 as auxiliary information.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1(C), the monitor 20 is installed on the rear side of the vehicle so as to cover an area wider than the rear window of the vehicle when viewed from the front seat of the vehicle, more specifically, the rear window, the back door frame, and the rear pillar of the vehicle. The monitor 20 is attached to conform to the shape of the interior of the vehicle and the door. The monitor 20 is connected to the monitor display ECU 16, and the display of images and the like on the monitor 20 is controlled by the monitor display ECU 16 (controller 18). The speaker 22 is also connected to the monitor display ECU 16, and the output of sound from the speaker 22 is controlled by the monitor display ECU 16 (controller 18).

[0017] Next, as an operation of this embodiment, a monitor display process executed by the monitor display ECU 16 (control unit 18) will be described with reference to FIG.

[0018] In step 50 of the monitor display process, the control unit 18 acquires information on images captured by each of the multiple cameras 12 from each of the multiple cameras 12. In step 52, the control unit 18 synthesizes the images acquired in step 50 from each of the multiple cameras 12 into a single image to be displayed on the monitor 20, and displays the synthesized image on the monitor 20. As a result, a synthesized image is displayed on the monitor 20 that covers the field of view from the front seat of the vehicle, from the rear of the right side window to the rear of the left side window.

[0019] In step 54, the control unit 18 acquires information indicating the object detection result from the clearance sonar 14, and determines whether or not an object has been detected by the clearance sonar 14 based on the acquired information. If the determination in step 54 is negative, the process returns to step 50 and steps 50 to 54 are repeated. If an object has been detected by the clearance sonar 14, the determination in step 54 is positive, and the process proceeds to step 56.

[0020] In step 56, the control unit 18 recognizes the type of object detected by the clearance sonar 14 (e.g., whether it is a human or something else) and the distance to the object based on the composite image obtained from the camera 12 and the information acquired from the clearance sonar 14. In step 58, the control unit 18 determines whether the distance to the object recognized in step 56 is less than a first threshold. Note that the first threshold used in the determination in step 58 may be switched depending on the type of object; for example, when the type of object is a human, the first threshold may be set to a larger value than when the type of object is a non-human object.

[0021] If the determination in step 58 is negative, the process returns to step 50 and steps 50 to 58 are repeated. If the distance to the object detected by the clearance sonar 14 is less than the first threshold, the determination in step 58 is positive and the process proceeds to step 60. In step 60, the control unit 18 determines a method of calling the user's attention depending on the type of object and the distance to the object. Then, in step 62, the control unit 18 issues a warning using the determined warning method and returns to step 50.

[0022] Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 18 highlights an object whose distance is less than the first threshold by surrounding the object with a frame on the image displayed on the monitor 20 as auxiliary information, thereby drawing the user's attention. In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 18 uses different colors for the frame depending on whether the object type is a person or a non-person. For example, the color of the frame is red when the object is a person, and yellow when the object is a non-person, thereby helping the user to grasp the situation. Furthermore, in this embodiment, for an object whose distance is less than the second threshold (where the second threshold<the first threshold), the control unit 18 blinks the frame on the image displayed on the monitor 20 and also displays the distance to the object, thereby increasing the degree of emphasis of the object and drawing the user's attention even more. In addition, in this embodiment, when an object whose distance is less than the second threshold exists, the control unit 18 outputs a warning sound or announcement from the speaker 22 to warn of the approach of the object, thereby drawing the user's attention even more.

[0023] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 18 displays the image of the rear of the vehicle captured by the camera 12 provided on the vehicle on the monitor 20 installed on the rear side of the vehicle so as to cover an area wider than the rear window of the vehicle. As a result, when the user moves his / her gaze from a state in which the view in front of the vehicle is viewed to an optical mirror or the like reflecting the image of the rear of the vehicle displayed on the monitor 20, the image of the rear of the vehicle reflected in the optical mirror or the like becomes a so-called distant field of view, and the burden of focus adjustment by the user can be reduced compared to a digital inner mirror.

[0024] In this embodiment, the control unit 18 also displays the situation behind the vehicle detected by a sensor (clearance sonar 14) installed in the vehicle as auxiliary information on the monitor 20. This allows the user to quickly grasp the situation behind the vehicle from the displayed auxiliary information. It also prevents the user from overlooking objects around the vehicle, improving safety.

[0025] In addition, due to design constraints, the rear window of a vehicle may be narrowed or the rear pillar portion, which is a blind spot, may be thickened, which may deteriorate the visibility behind the vehicle when directly viewing the rear window or the visibility behind the vehicle through an optical mirror. In contrast, in this embodiment, the monitor 20 on which the image behind the vehicle is displayed is installed on the rear side of the vehicle so as to cover the rear window, back door frame, and rear pillar portion of the vehicle. This makes it possible to ensure visibility behind the vehicle without being affected by a narrow rear window or a thick rear pillar portion, thereby improving safety. In addition, it is also possible to improve the freedom of design of the vehicle, for example by eliminating the rear window.

[0026] In addition, the rear monitor mounted on the vehicle is configured to capture an area centered on the road surface behind the vehicle using a single camera, and the peripheral view behind the vehicle is not displayed on the monitor. In addition, if the camera angle of view is widened so that the peripheral view behind the vehicle is displayed on the monitor, the distortion of the displayed image becomes noticeable. In contrast, in this embodiment, the control unit 18 synthesizes images of the rear of the vehicle captured by the multiple cameras 12 with different capture ranges into a single image and displays it on the monitor. This makes it possible to ensure a wide rear view while suppressing distortion of the display.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the clearance sonar 14 is used as an example of a sensor in the present disclosure. However, a radar device, for example, may be used as the sensor in the present disclosure.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the color of the frame highlighting an object in an image displayed on the monitor 20 is red if the object is a person and yellow if the object is not a person, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the color of the frame may be changed from green to yellow to red as the distance to the object decreases.

[0029] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0030] (Appendix 1) A vehicle display device including a control unit that displays an image of the rear of the vehicle captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle on a monitor installed at the rear of the vehicle so as to cover an area wider than the rear window of the vehicle, and also displays an auxiliary information of the situation behind the vehicle detected by a sensor mounted on the vehicle.

[0031] (Appendix 2) 2. The vehicular display device according to claim 1, wherein the monitor is installed on a rear side of the vehicle so as to cover a rear window, a back door frame, and a rear pillar portion of the vehicle.

[0032] (Appendix 3) The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit synthesizes images of the rear of the vehicle captured by the multiple cameras, each having a different shooting range, into a single image and displays the image on the monitor.

[0033] (Appendix 4) the sensor is a clearance sonar that detects an object present behind the vehicle; 2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit highlights an object detected by the clearance sonar as the auxiliary information on an image displayed on the monitor.

[0034] (Appendix 5) The control unit recognizes the distance and type of the object based on the image captured by the camera and the detection information of the clearance sonar, and changes the degree of emphasis in the highlighting depending on the recognized distance and type of the object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10 Vehicle display device 12 Camera 14 Clearance Sonar 16 Monitor display ECU 18 Control Unit 20 Monitor

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle display device including a control unit that displays an image of the rear of a vehicle captured by a camera provided on the vehicle on a monitor installed at the rear of the vehicle so as to cover an area wider than the vehicle's rear window, and also displays an auxiliary information of the situation behind the vehicle detected by a sensor provided on the vehicle.

Images